We all know you pay A LOT for the name on the headstock, but this guitar shows it doesn't have to be that way! Enjoy :) Guitar link/info - sweetwater.sjv.io/21WAeO
So it's basically my CT-60 with active pickups/boost and ugly inlays? I jest, but I prefer the CT-50 black dot on baked maple look over these inlays. Though the Blonde version plus, without the rosewood, but still big inlays, does have black hardware, which is cool. I'll admit, I did replace the pickups in my CT-50 with Seymour SH-11 Custom Custom in the bridge and Qtr Pounder SSL-4, to get the same thing (only better). Albeit I have to work the Volume knob, not just push it.
I have a CT50 and love it more than my (for sale) Strat - which I also love. These new ones look sweet, love the new colors too. The original's prices have been dropping, now I know why.
@DarrellBraunGuitar In Europe the normal CT50HSS is around 700$ or more and the Fender Player strat HSS is 630$ or even less in price. I play and like the sound of Iron Maiden a lot. Those guys plays Fender Strats. Would you still go for the Sterling ? It is almost 400$ difference from the price you said in your video, that is a hell lot of cash.
What i love about this channel is that Darrel is an honest man. He loves gear,knows gear and sells gear for a living. Hes a fantastic player and teacher. Dude you were born to do this. Hello from northern wisconsin my man.
I completely agree with you, Darryl, in that the Music Man headstock is the best, most logically laid out headstock in the business. That Sterling is an incredible value!
I’m love the look of the tuner layout although I think PRS layout is slightly more logical. I’d be interested to see a comparison between the Silversky and CT50. I definitely think they would be more comparable as I think both are better than a Fender player series. Not sure I would use the boost much to be fair so would probably not go for the plus. I’m seriously tempered, even if the colour choice is the same as my fender and PRS. 😂
Can confirm. I got one of these for gigs where I'm not sure if I'll get out alive, and it impressed me immediately. It's used a lot more than just the "are we getting paid tonight?" shows...
Music Man/Sterling and PRS definitely solved straight string pull without going full 6 in line with a string tree or shrinking the height of the higher tuners.
I am so glad I came across this review! I just got off the phone with my Sweetwater rep CANCELLING my order for a Fender Deluxe HSS (backordered into the stoneage) and subsituting the LAST CT50 they had in stock! Even adding a SKB gig bag I still saved almost $300 bucks and got even better (to me) specs, specifically the medium frets vs. the narrow tall frets on the Fender - me no likee narrow tall. Only thing missing is the push/push system (the deluxe Fender has the push/push coil splitter) but they didn't have the CT50 Plus version in stock and I can certainly live without that. THANKS DARRELL, YOU ROCK!
I bought the fender tele deluxe with the push-push coil splits and it had a bad hissy sound in it like there was a problem in my amp on the treble side and lingering treble hiss I plugged it into many amps and it was in the guitar, bought a squire tele deluxe same color sounded perfect- played perfect- and looked exactly like the $1,800 dollar version. Just no push-push split
I just saved enough money to finally get a mid range guitar and was thinking about the Fender Player Strat but at the same time I was thinking maybe I could get something better for 800 bucks. THIS guitar is just what I need, can't wait to get my hands on it. Thanks for the review, you've teached me a lot over the years, wish I could give you hug and say thanks lol.
(For myself) I am inclined to agree, this is better than a Strat (almost any Strat.) Roasted neck, locking tuners, straight string pull, shaved heel. I've always liked the 4/2 head stock design on the Music Man guitars. Most of all I like that the tone and volume controls are moved away from the E string. The push push boost really threw me, I wasn't expecting that! I'm going to check one of these out.
Interesting observation. Hopefully it's not a true zero angle. I believe pressure is necessary to aid tone, tuning and to keep the strings in the slot.@@BobSperber
Great review. Just wanted to add one thing as an electronics engineer: The boost is not for volume. That's what the volume adjustment is for. It's to increase the signal to noise ratio. So you are correct: it's pointless if you're using gain or pedals to get a distorted sound. Then you don't care about signal to noise ratio. You're actually trying to add in noise. It should be used when playing clean. That's when you'll hear a difference. It will make this sound full and rich like a hollow body guitar. Passive pickups can't get close to a system like this. The S/N ratio might be 10 to 100 times higher with active coils over just magnetic coils. Honestly, I don't know why all guitars don't have this.
That would be true if these were active pickups, which these aren’t. They’re passive, but there’s a boost pedal built in. Which will increase gain in any gain stage placed behind the guitar. If you just want increased volume, then you need clean headroom. In a passive guitar with a built in boost, the boost is just volume, maybe with some eq. In actual active pickups it’s about snr, and luckily not every guitar is active, because that would mean an end to most classic fuzz pedals and wah pedals. They hate active circuitry placed before them, even simple buffers.
Darrell please don't forget your "yes" after your intro....when you don't do it I feel like I'm being cheated! You did on this awesome video and I owe thank you brother peace and love.
@@DarrellBraunGuitar Oh and man your playing is on another level Darrell your dedication and love of the guitar really does come through in your playing you are a killer player congrats.
I think a new hss comparison video is in order, there are so many guitars in the price range of the player series: the Yamaha 612, the sire s7, the sterling, and countless others over the last year, I think comparing them all in one would be good
I agree a comparison is needed. I own a Sterling SR-50 Stingray and I get along with it fine. One thing Darrell didn’t mention is that Sterling guitars come with an asymmetric guitar neck profile. It’s chunkier than a Fender Modern C but in a good way. It’s probably my favorite feature of the guitar and the reason I’ll hang on to it and mod it more to my preference. Currently, I’m leaning towards a Sire S7, so waiting on the comparison video. Be blessed!
Darrell, I've been following you for years and your recommendations have always been spot on. I discovered my favorite acoustic thanks to you (Orangewood) and now I gotta pick this guitar up. I've been in the market for a strat-like and the tones, right from the get go, sound exactly what I've been looking for.
50 years playing guitar and spent about $60.000 of very expensive to cheap guitars. I down size not playing lost interest. I kept my Epiphone Pro custom 6 years ago used $600.00 and Squire vibe strat vintage used $400 with a fender Case that was worth $259.00, Squire Jaguar Bass With four knobs don't make them anymore $300.00 use with case. Epiphone jumbo 200 master build acoustic electric cutaway in black bought for little under a $600.00 used 5 years ago with case. I had 32 guitars from start to finish. Now you got me thinking of buying this one and get rid of the Strat. thanks for the review.
Darrell keep discovering quality low to middle budget gems your recommends have gained me some pearler guitars keep it going young man best wishes from Russell in Liverpool UK
I researched from a nursing home for 2 months trying to find a guitar that was close to the best I've ever played; a Fender Lead II Squire!! So I watched Darrell's "Squier Affinity vs. Yamaha Pacifica" and didn't go through Sweetwater because they were out of stock on the Affinity and I wanted it before my birthday (plus the agent at Sweetwater promised he'd hold the one he had in lime green until 10pm. but,sold it out from under me!) So I arranged to buy through a local shop, had a nursing assistant pick it up along with a Fender Lt25 modeling amp (which is awesome for a nursing home) but, the Affinity SSS didn't fit my hands, I had a choice of black or quick silver finish and chose the latter which I don't like at all (I've been partial to black or sunburst my whole life) and that was in 2020 BTW. It still needs a setup because out of the box it wasn't intonated and I'm in a nursing home without tool's or the money for the setup. So I don't play anymore. I would if I could get it set up or exchange it with someone. I played from my bed but hospital beds have rails that make it more difficult than I thought. I'd sit in a chair if I had a better guitar than this. One that _called_ to me like so many others I've had before I got sick and broke a vertebrae. So I still try to stay in touch with my instrument. I'm pretty good (I'd be after a couple of days to get my chops back). Darrell's channel was the first guitar channel I subscribed to and I still love the content but, this horrible place (they all are) takes my entire disability check and leaves me with a small personal needs allowance that leaves me with nothing to spend on guitars, gear , I'd be hard pressed to buy additional strings. I still have a couple of packs of strings that I never put on the Affinity SSS (I should have gotten the HSS and instead got the SSS). I just took a look at the Link so thanks Darrell. Maybe a windfall will come my way or someone out there might want to buy it or trade me for it . I don't know much about Reverb but it's mint considering I played it from bed for a couple of weeks but, I'd be a first time seller and it wouldn't be enough to buy a better guitar, one that fits me. Plus I don't have money for shipping so I don't see a way. I'd rather have something used and beat up that fits me (the neck isn't chunky enough it's like playing a broomstick for me, this neck profile is too thin and my fingers are too long for it). It's tough to even enjoy music as much as I could when playing was at least an option which even I find strange. Enough outta me then. I did enjoy the video BTW! Just feeling sorry for myself. I'm normally really positive. This too shall pass but, I'd be happy if anyone got as far as this for anything that might help me get rid of this and end up with something I could really get back into music again . Guitar, music... they've always been my greatest passion and I still have day's I listen but, it's not the same. Even ad breaks I hone in on the guitarist's 🤣✌️❤️🎸🎶🙏
Hi Darrell, I own 2 Sterling by Music Man Guitars. The Albert Lee HH. I was impressed with all the things you mentioned plus the balance. Whether standing or sitting they're very comfortable to hold and play even for several hours at a time. The light weight was also a great selling point. One is 6 pounds the other is 7 pounds.
This guitar is definately better than a player series strat. Ide even say its better than the Player Plus or on par with it for a lot less coin. Thanks Darrell!
I got myself a Fiesta Red Sirling Cutlas a few years back and I have to say it sounds more like a Strat than most Strats I have played, it is beautifully made, and with a few items like the string saddles being upgraded it is my favorite guitar (electric) closely followed by a Custom Shop Epiphone 335!
My USA RS HSS Cutlass is my main all-rounder guitar that gets 75% of my playtime and it is a stunningly good guitar. I do have the American Pro II SSS as well and it invites a different feeling and is a fine fine guitar but the Cutlass is another level. This 'budget' version seems STUNNING for what you get. Great review, and it is making me rethink Sterling a lot - especially for some of their other offerings since I have the 'strat' covered - thinking Mariposa for instance. A friend who works at GC - and this is purely anecdotal - mentioned that someone returned a USA JP7 for the Sterling as they actually preferred it. One thing I do prefer on this Sterling you review is the block inlays and it looks like you can see the side markers very clearly, which with the flamed maple and dark dots on my USA are sometimes hard to see.
Really interesting and great points. You have me really interested in the non-plus CT50 version. I would never use the boost and dislike push/push and push/pull stuff. Also didnt like the sound of those active pickups so the CT50 is really interesting
I'd love to get a Cutlass at some point. Will probably be my upgrade from my Bulllet Stratocaster because the specs of even the CT30 are absurd for the price.
I will seriously look into these as all im missing from my humble collection at the moment is a strat style. I also want something that isn't a high end expensive instrument nor a real cheapo and this seems to offer an amazing value
I bought the blue one(CTS30SSS), Daphne blue, you recommended a few years back and that thing played amazingly! I was so surprised, it was so much fin to to hack around on! This must be so much better based on how much you're gushing over it!
Hello, I love your channel, I follow from Brazil! Congratulations on the beautiful work and for bringing so many interesting things to all of us. It's a little difficult for me to understand because you speak so fast, but I rewind the video a few times, no problem. big hug, all the best always! 👍
Thanks for introducing me to the MM Sterling. Will definitely check it out! One small suggestion, please either edit in views of the guitar as explaining the features, or something other than continually sticking the guitar in the camera. The clear/blurry stuff was frustrating. Same with playing blurry. Thanks Darrell! Love your videos!
I'm pretty sure these are passive pickups with a mid boost circuit. Loved the review, Sterling brings a lot to the table for everyone who has an interest in guitars!
I only play bass and I've got a Sterling Ray 24. After giving it a proper setup it's a solid instrument! Not as perfect as my American g&l, but it'll compete with Mexican fenders all day at a much lower price
I like the headstock design. Straight strings through the nut, 4x2 tuners meaning no string trees (I hate string trees - reduce unneeded points of friction everywhere is my goal). Perfect! No tilt back headstock (the old "Gibson accident waiting to happen" design). I had a custom Moses Graphite neck built for me this way 30 years ago to solve the same problems. I'm ambivalent about the active PU. There are SO many ways to augment the "pure" sound of your guitar. Pedals, amps, modelers, ..... To me the main job of the guitar (after being balanced, playing great, having a really good frictionless design for trem use, not being too heavy, ...) is to feel and sound great. Clean. I prefer to rely on other means to add gain, distortion, adjust frequency profile, etc. Still, it looks like a great guitar. But it would be more attractive to me with great passive PU.
+1 I feel the same. Guitar makers seem to forget that the color hooks you, the sound makes you happy, and the playability makes you come back. We need to be hooked first.
I enjoyed this a great deal since I've been a Fender fan since 1966 (Mustang and Twin Reverb amp), performing in Memphis until 1973, recording with my 68 Strat in Isaac Hayes studio in 72. I had to replace my Strat with a Mexican Strat in 90. I have both guitars plus a Spanish and two acoustics
Fender has really hurt themselves by not making "upgrades" (locking tuners, better nut, rolled fingerboard, pickup variations, better trem, etc) available at a median price range. As a result, Sterling and Sire have really risen to the top by making the upgrades possible for less money. I would love to have either guitar (if I was allowed to buy more......). These Sterlings are very nice. The roasted maple neck is very eye catching. I just can't justify having another S-style guitar (to my family) at this time.
You can get Fenders with mid boosts in them too though. Can get a boost kit separate and have it installed to any strat. I've got 2 that I've had boosts added too. Prefer the 3 tone pots of the Strat. Rolling in the boost gradually is a lot more user friendly rather than an on off via push push.
Really good video as always. I already liked cutlass, plus you play well. I already own many vintage and non famous guitars, one of my favorite is Steing STV60 ST Vincent black, 3 mini humbuckers. Cutlass may be on Santa list
had a ct50, had a weird neck profile, traded it for a prs se. traded that to a buddy who's daughter liked it and is learning to play, got a full custom water loop out of it, also didn't have to do my own build for the first time. 😂
Cool review! Thanks for giving the lowdown on the differences between the CT50 and the Plus model you demoed. For me, the standard CT50 would be the perfect step up from my Squiers as I'm not as interested in the boost option although I can hear how it would be beneficial in a lot of situations.
I picked up an original series Sterling Cutlass guitar used for $225 at the local box store that we all endure.. I play it more than guitars I have that cost 7 or 8 times as much. Sterling's have great build quality and feel solid in all respects. Even the low end ones have great quality control.
I may be an outlier, but active pups are a deal killer for me. I had one guitar with the EMG David Gilmour active pups, and I sold it pretty quickly. It's just one more complication when I'm gigging. And as long s I'm nit-picking...a trem bar with a set screw is a PITA because you have to remove it when using a hard shell case. Other than that, I love the features...gonna have to take good look at the Cutlass, but not the plus...
I have a CT 50 cutlass I bought a couple of years ago and would say the quality of construction is worse than a Squier Strat. It does have better features for the price but if you take the time to remove the scratch plate you can see how they cut corners. The routing inside is terrible, the cover plate at the back is not cut or shaped properly, one of the adjustment screws for the spring was bent (in my case), the neck had scratches on the edge of the fingerboard, the scratch plate was not cut properly to match the tremolo, etc. Maybe QA has improved since 2020 but I would recommend the SQ CV over this guitar. Another issue is that if you want to upgrade, parts are not plug and play like a SQ strat. The scratch plate is unique to Sterling (try finding one) so upgrading is difficult and I also found that the pickup covers are slightly smaller than a standard set of pickups for a Fender strat so you will have to take out a dremel to enlarge them.
Darrell, here in Canada (where you are), the CT 50 Plus is $960, $310 more than the US price. And the Player Strat is $400 more again. I hope your US viewers appreciate the value they get over us Canadians!
Darrel the pickups aren't active, it's just a boost curcuit. I thought the same thing at first. They're standard passive Sterling pickups. I have the regular CT50 in firemist silver with SD TB14 and two SSL-6's hot rodded electronics including treble bleed curcuit Orangedrop tone cap and DiMarzio superswitch and 500k pots with push/pull tone for coilsplitting. Great content, peace.
I just picked up a Kramer Focus vt-211s Hss strat style guitar in teal blue. They were on sale for $149 brand new. It plays and sounds as good as a mex fender player strat. Neck on it is fantastic. The tuners and single coil pickups aren't the best but could always be upgraded. Id say it's the best Strat style guitar for the price. Check em out.. Also have a OLP musicman style guitar I picked up used with 2 great humbuckers, killer neck and tremelo that stats in tune. $100 used but like new. Couldn't recommend it enough It sounds better than my Gibson SG. Their are some awesome very cheap guitars out there.
Every recording studio and music school should have this instrument available to Guitar players, what a well designed and built instrument! Is it made in the USA ? The easy access to the Truss rod adjustment and the nice fretboard alone make it a winner.
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
We all know you pay A LOT for the name on the headstock, but this guitar shows it doesn't have to be that way!
Enjoy :)
Guitar link/info - sweetwater.sjv.io/21WAeO
Awesome guitar, would a PRS SE 245 be a good Les Paul alternative?
Great, bow I want this guitar 😂
So it's basically my CT-60 with active pickups/boost and ugly inlays? I jest, but I prefer the CT-50 black dot on baked maple look over these inlays. Though the Blonde version plus, without the rosewood, but still big inlays, does have black hardware, which is cool. I'll admit, I did replace the pickups in my CT-50 with Seymour SH-11 Custom Custom in the bridge and Qtr Pounder SSL-4, to get the same thing (only better). Albeit I have to work the Volume knob, not just push it.
I have a CT50 and love it more than my (for sale) Strat - which I also love. These new ones look sweet, love the new colors too. The original's prices have been dropping, now I know why.
@DarrellBraunGuitar In Europe the normal CT50HSS is around 700$ or more and the Fender Player strat HSS is 630$ or even less in price.
I play and like the sound of Iron Maiden a lot. Those guys plays Fender Strats.
Would you still go for the Sterling ? It is almost 400$ difference from the price you said in your video, that is a hell lot of cash.
What i love about this channel is that Darrel is an honest man. He loves gear,knows gear and sells gear for a living. Hes a fantastic player and teacher. Dude you were born to do this. Hello from northern wisconsin my man.
Are you his mother?
@@mimetype 🤣😂
no but it seems his mother raised him better than yours raised you.
@@mimetype sounds like you need to meet up with your mom and get a hug.
Mommy... I'm in love !
I completely agree with you, Darryl, in that the Music Man headstock is the best, most logically laid out headstock in the business. That Sterling is an incredible value!
It'd be cool if they sold 4x2 sets of tuners...
I’m love the look of the tuner layout although I think PRS layout is slightly more logical. I’d be interested to see a comparison between the Silversky and CT50. I definitely think they would be more comparable as I think both are better than a Fender player series. Not sure I would use the boost much to be fair so would probably not go for the plus. I’m seriously tempered, even if the colour choice is the same as my fender and PRS. 😂
Sire is a better neck imo. I have both, Sire is much more playable.
It's such a pity then that it is as ugly as sin...
Did EVH design that style headstock / tuning key design?
Can confirm. I got one of these for gigs where I'm not sure if I'll get out alive, and it impressed me immediately. It's used a lot more than just the "are we getting paid tonight?" shows...
Music Man/Sterling and PRS definitely solved straight string pull without going full 6 in line with a string tree or shrinking the height of the higher tuners.
Picked up one of these for $200 from a guy on Facebook marketplace. Such a steal since they go for almost triple that retail
And if he'd bought a Fender instead of that it would be worth a whole lot more.
I am so glad I came across this review! I just got off the phone with my Sweetwater rep CANCELLING my order for a Fender Deluxe HSS (backordered into the stoneage) and subsituting the LAST CT50 they had in stock! Even adding a SKB gig bag I still saved almost $300 bucks and got even better (to me) specs, specifically the medium frets vs. the narrow tall frets on the Fender - me no likee narrow tall. Only thing missing is the push/push system (the deluxe Fender has the push/push coil splitter) but they didn't have the CT50 Plus version in stock and I can certainly live without that. THANKS DARRELL, YOU ROCK!
I bought the fender tele deluxe with the push-push coil splits and it had a bad hissy sound in it like there was a problem in my amp on the treble side and lingering treble hiss I plugged it into many amps and it was in the guitar, bought a squire tele deluxe same color sounded perfect- played perfect- and looked exactly like the $1,800 dollar version. Just no push-push split
I just saved enough money to finally get a mid range guitar and was thinking about the Fender Player Strat but at the same time I was thinking maybe I could get something better for 800 bucks.
THIS guitar is just what I need, can't wait to get my hands on it. Thanks for the review, you've teached me a lot over the years, wish I could give you hug and say thanks lol.
(For myself) I am inclined to agree, this is better than a Strat (almost any Strat.) Roasted neck, locking tuners, straight string pull, shaved heel. I've always liked the 4/2 head stock design on the Music Man guitars. Most of all I like that the tone and volume controls are moved away from the E string. The push push boost really threw me, I wasn't expecting that! I'm going to check one of these out.
I really like the 10" radius too. i am assuming that these Sterlings are that (like my USA).
Please someone explain this to me: I like no string trees but see a zero-angle across the nut as a negative, soundwise.
Interesting observation. Hopefully it's not a true zero angle. I believe pressure is necessary to aid tone, tuning and to keep the strings in the slot.@@BobSperber
@@trebleboost7it is 12 inch fretboard radius..I'm glad.
There is just something about the shape of the body and headstock of this guitar that I can never get over.
The Strat body?
What?! You need to play one. Body contours are better than a strat. So smooth.
Great review. Just wanted to add one thing as an electronics engineer: The boost is not for volume. That's what the volume adjustment is for. It's to increase the signal to noise ratio. So you are correct: it's pointless if you're using gain or pedals to get a distorted sound. Then you don't care about signal to noise ratio. You're actually trying to add in noise. It should be used when playing clean. That's when you'll hear a difference. It will make this sound full and rich like a hollow body guitar. Passive pickups can't get close to a system like this. The S/N ratio might be 10 to 100 times higher with active coils over just magnetic coils. Honestly, I don't know why all guitars don't have this.
That would be true if these were active pickups, which these aren’t. They’re passive, but there’s a boost pedal built in. Which will increase gain in any gain stage placed behind the guitar. If you just want increased volume, then you need clean headroom. In a passive guitar with a built in boost, the boost is just volume, maybe with some eq. In actual active pickups it’s about snr, and luckily not every guitar is active, because that would mean an end to most classic fuzz pedals and wah pedals. They hate active circuitry placed before them, even simple buffers.
@@CoenBijpost Ok. Interesting. I learned something.
Darrell please don't forget your "yes" after your intro....when you don't do it I feel like I'm being cheated! You did on this awesome video and I owe thank you brother peace and love.
Hahaha!👍
@@DarrellBraunGuitar Oh and man your playing is on another level Darrell your dedication and love of the guitar really does come through in your playing you are a killer player congrats.
Fender can never be forgotten. You can better it for sure, but you can never replace it or forget it. Too great a legacy
The legacy continues through G&L.
Fender who?
That's what Pontiac thought...
I have a 2017 ebmm hss cutlass. It is the most comfortable instrument I have ever played and I LOVE IT
I think a new hss comparison video is in order, there are so many guitars in the price range of the player series: the Yamaha 612, the sire s7, the sterling, and countless others over the last year, I think comparing them all in one would be good
I agree a comparison is needed. I own a Sterling SR-50 Stingray and I get along with it fine. One thing Darrell didn’t mention is that Sterling guitars come with an asymmetric guitar neck profile. It’s chunkier than a Fender Modern C but in a good way. It’s probably my favorite feature of the guitar and the reason I’ll hang on to it and mod it more to my preference. Currently, I’m leaning towards a Sire S7, so waiting on the comparison video. Be blessed!
Hi Darrell, always love a well made & designed model with the player in mind. Great value for money. Sounds great too. Great review. Cheers ✌️🎸
Darrell, I've been following you for years and your recommendations have always been spot on. I discovered my favorite acoustic thanks to you (Orangewood) and now I gotta pick this guitar up. I've been in the market for a strat-like and the tones, right from the get go, sound exactly what I've been looking for.
50 years playing guitar and spent about $60.000 of very expensive to cheap guitars. I down size not playing lost interest. I kept my Epiphone Pro custom 6 years ago used $600.00 and Squire vibe strat vintage used $400 with a fender Case that was worth $259.00, Squire Jaguar Bass With four knobs don't make them anymore $300.00 use with case. Epiphone jumbo 200 master build acoustic electric cutaway in black bought for little under a $600.00 used 5 years ago with case. I had 32 guitars from start to finish. Now you got me thinking of buying this one and get rid of the Strat. thanks for the review.
Darrell keep discovering quality low to middle budget gems your recommends have gained me some pearler guitars keep it going young man best wishes from Russell in Liverpool UK
I researched from a nursing home for 2 months trying to find a guitar that was close to the best I've ever played; a Fender Lead II Squire!! So I watched Darrell's "Squier Affinity vs. Yamaha Pacifica" and didn't go through Sweetwater because they were out of stock on the Affinity and I wanted it before my birthday (plus the agent at Sweetwater promised he'd hold the one he had in lime green until 10pm. but,sold it out from under me!)
So I arranged to buy through a local shop, had a nursing assistant pick it up along with a Fender Lt25 modeling amp (which is awesome for a nursing home) but, the Affinity SSS didn't fit my hands, I had a choice of black or quick silver finish and chose the latter which I don't like at all (I've been partial to black or sunburst my whole life) and that was in 2020 BTW. It still needs a setup because out of the box it wasn't intonated and I'm in a nursing home without tool's or the money for the setup.
So I don't play anymore. I would if I could get it set up or exchange it with someone. I played from my bed but hospital beds have rails that make it more difficult than I thought. I'd sit in a chair if I had a better guitar than this. One that _called_ to me like so many others I've had before I got sick and broke a vertebrae.
So I still try to stay in touch with my instrument.
I'm pretty good (I'd be after a couple of days to get my chops back).
Darrell's channel was the first guitar channel I subscribed to and I still love the content but, this horrible place (they all are) takes my entire disability check and leaves me with a small personal needs allowance that leaves me with nothing to spend on guitars, gear , I'd be hard pressed to buy additional strings. I still have a couple of packs of strings that I never put on the Affinity SSS (I should have gotten the HSS and instead got the SSS).
I just took a look at the Link so thanks Darrell. Maybe a windfall will come my way or someone out there might want to buy it or trade me for it .
I don't know much about Reverb but it's mint considering I played it from bed for a couple of weeks but, I'd be a first time seller and it wouldn't be enough to buy a better guitar, one that fits me. Plus I don't have money for shipping so I don't see a way.
I'd rather have something used and beat up that fits me (the neck isn't chunky enough it's like playing a broomstick for me, this neck profile is too thin and my fingers are too long for it).
It's tough to even enjoy music as much as I could when playing was at least an option which even I find strange.
Enough outta me then.
I did enjoy the video BTW! Just feeling sorry for myself. I'm normally really positive.
This too shall pass but, I'd be happy if anyone got as far as this for anything that might help me get rid of this and end up with something I could really get back into music again . Guitar, music... they've always been my greatest passion and I still have day's I listen but, it's not the same.
Even ad breaks I hone in on the guitarist's 🤣✌️❤️🎸🎶🙏
if you are still in the nursing home and looking to play from your bed, did you consider a headless guitar?
Hi Darrell, I own 2 Sterling by Music Man Guitars. The Albert Lee HH. I was impressed with all the things you mentioned plus the balance. Whether standing or sitting they're very comfortable to hold and play even for several hours at a time. The light weight was also a great selling point. One is 6 pounds the other is 7 pounds.
Albert Lee with S.Duncan Alnico II Pro?? Fantastic Guitar!!
This guitar is definately better than a player series strat. Ide even say its better than the Player Plus or on par with it for a lot less coin. Thanks Darrell!
“it’s not push/pull, it’s push/push!” yo that was so cool 😂 I can’t explain it but just seeing that alternative setup was cool
I would get this guitar, these features and the look makes it a must buy.. Thanks for the recomendation.
I got myself a Fiesta Red Sirling Cutlas a few years back and I have to say it sounds more like a Strat than most Strats I have played, it is beautifully made, and with a few items like the string saddles being upgraded it is my favorite guitar (electric) closely followed by a Custom Shop Epiphone 335!
I have the CT50. I love it. I get comments on how beautiful it is, constantly.
I love that heel carve. So smooth.
My USA RS HSS Cutlass is my main all-rounder guitar that gets 75% of my playtime and it is a stunningly good guitar. I do have the American Pro II SSS as well and it invites a different feeling and is a fine fine guitar but the Cutlass is another level. This 'budget' version seems STUNNING for what you get. Great review, and it is making me rethink Sterling a lot - especially for some of their other offerings since I have the 'strat' covered - thinking Mariposa for instance. A friend who works at GC - and this is purely anecdotal - mentioned that someone returned a USA JP7 for the Sterling as they actually preferred it. One thing I do prefer on this Sterling you review is the block inlays and it looks like you can see the side markers very clearly, which with the flamed maple and dark dots on my USA are sometimes hard to see.
I have one in chalk white. Excellent instrument. I call it my "signature" guitar. My #1.
Really interesting and great points. You have me really interested in the non-plus CT50 version. I would never use the boost and dislike push/push and push/pull stuff. Also didnt like the sound of those active pickups so the CT50 is really interesting
Ct50 is on sale NOW at Musicians Friend. Save 150. Great deal
The price is the enticer! Music man guitars are pristine in design and craftsmanship. Will get this one to add to my collection.
I've got a CT-50. Love it. The only drawback: the switch. Easily fixed
I'd love to get a Cutlass at some point. Will probably be my upgrade from my Bulllet Stratocaster because the specs of even the CT30 are absurd for the price.
I really like that one. I have an Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray. Fantastic guitars 🎸 Thank you Darrell
Hi Darryl , great news. Much continued success with your channel and hard work.
MM is an outstanding brand. Love the Axis too. Look/feel is aces! Only trouble is they're hard to find in a LH. I had a Luke LH, great guitar.
I have a regular CT50 Cutlass and Lordy is that thing versatile! It's an easy go-to guitar in the collection.
Very cool at an incredible price. Excellent video again. Thanks Daryl
Sorry I spelled your name wrong... autocorrect
I will seriously look into these as all im missing from my humble collection at the moment is a strat style. I also want something that isn't a high end expensive instrument nor a real cheapo and this seems to offer an amazing value
Too funny, first ad is for Fender Player Series!! 😂 Great Review as always!
Beauty! I still think best bang for your buck is the Cort G300. Dished out a little more and got the raw natural satin and couldn’t be happier.
Before you get unpressed by the inlay, check what their made of.
I bought the blue one(CTS30SSS), Daphne blue, you recommended a few years back and that thing played amazingly!
I was so surprised, it was so much fin to to hack around on!
This must be so much better based on how much you're gushing over it!
You got yourself a winning guitar with the Sterling Cutless! And really like the booster too!!!
Beautiful sounding guitar. Love the color and finish.
@DarrellBraunGuitar..- what?
Hello, I love your channel, I follow from Brazil! Congratulations on the beautiful work and for bringing so many interesting things to all of us. It's a little difficult for me to understand because you speak so fast, but I rewind the video a few times, no problem. big hug, all the best always! 👍
Thanks for introducing me to the MM Sterling. Will definitely check it out! One small suggestion, please either edit in views of the guitar as explaining the features, or something other than continually sticking the guitar in the camera. The clear/blurry stuff was frustrating. Same with playing blurry.
Thanks Darrell! Love your videos!
I have a cuttless ct50 I love its amazing I’m glad to see this model to it looks amazing
I love all the fuss about the heel neck joint contour.
It is a nice evolution. But for an adult hand, hardly a big deal.
That bucker sounds good. Never had an HSS Strat bucker sound that good.
I'm pretty sure these are passive pickups with a mid boost circuit. Loved the review, Sterling brings a lot to the table for everyone who has an interest in guitars!
Amazing guitar especially for that price point! Well done Music Man and great review D.B!
I only play bass and I've got a Sterling Ray 24. After giving it a proper setup it's a solid instrument! Not as perfect as my American g&l, but it'll compete with Mexican fenders all day at a much lower price
I like the headstock design. Straight strings through the nut, 4x2 tuners meaning no string trees (I hate string trees - reduce unneeded points of friction everywhere is my goal). Perfect! No tilt back headstock (the old "Gibson accident waiting to happen" design). I had a custom Moses Graphite neck built for me this way 30 years ago to solve the same problems. I'm ambivalent about the active PU. There are SO many ways to augment the "pure" sound of your guitar. Pedals, amps, modelers, ..... To me the main job of the guitar (after being balanced, playing great, having a really good frictionless design for trem use, not being too heavy, ...) is to feel and sound great. Clean. I prefer to rely on other means to add gain, distortion, adjust frequency profile, etc. Still, it looks like a great guitar. But it would be more attractive to me with great passive PU.
Block inlays look great on that guitar
Looks like a really great strat alternative, but I wish more color option choices were available.
+1 I feel the same. Guitar makers seem to forget that the color hooks you, the sound makes you happy, and the playability makes you come back. We need to be hooked first.
Agreed but with a smaller shop like EBMM you naturally get fewer options.
The colors down right suck.
Refinish the guitar or get it refinished if you are wary of effing it up. The refinsh will also look great if it wears to reveal the older finish.
Yeah, I just looked at the line up and the colors are really dull.
Wow. I’m really thinking of getting this guitar. I love the tone too. Was saving for an Eric Johnson fender. But this has me rethinking
I enjoyed this a great deal since I've been a Fender fan since 1966 (Mustang and Twin Reverb amp), performing in Memphis until 1973, recording with my 68 Strat in Isaac Hayes studio in 72. I had to replace my Strat with a Mexican Strat in 90. I have both guitars plus a Spanish and two acoustics
Fender has really hurt themselves by not making "upgrades" (locking tuners, better nut, rolled fingerboard, pickup variations, better trem, etc) available at a median price range.
As a result, Sterling and Sire have really risen to the top by making the upgrades possible for less money. I would love to have either guitar (if I was allowed to buy more......).
These Sterlings are very nice. The roasted maple neck is very eye catching. I just can't justify having another S-style guitar (to my family) at this time.
The Cort variant is tons better value than fender
I love my MM Cutlass and Luke 3’s! And I really dig the block inlays on this Sterling!
Darrell, thank you for a really informative take on this!!
I may be changing stripes!
Man that guitar is awesome for a budget guitar, great video Darrell
Darrell keeps me coming here for this wonderful guitar❤❤❤
Thanks Darrell for this awesome presentation! I have to save up some money for the Sterling!
You can get Fenders with mid boosts in them too though. Can get a boost kit separate and have it installed to any strat.
I've got 2 that I've had boosts added too.
Prefer the 3 tone pots of the Strat. Rolling in the boost gradually is a lot more user friendly rather than an on off via push push.
Really good video as always. I already liked cutlass, plus you play well. I already own many vintage and non famous guitars, one of my favorite is Steing STV60 ST Vincent black, 3 mini humbuckers. Cutlass may be on Santa list
These guitars are really really great. The necks and bridges are excellent
What about the fret size? They are medium and quite small. That's a deal breaker for many.
Thanks for cutting the crap. Straight to the content. No life story, patreon, or nonsense. Another guitar I need to buy! Lol.
The Sterling guitars are a *phenomenal* value. I bought a used JP150 earlier this year, and at the price point it's pretty much perfect.
Love your positivity!
I have one my number 1 go to guitar 🎸
thanks man!
That neck joint looks comfy for sure
This guitar sounds amazing 😃 great review as always 👍🏻 I definitely got my eyes into this guitar 🎸
had a ct50, had a weird neck profile, traded it for a prs se. traded that to a buddy who's daughter liked it and is learning to play, got a full custom water loop out of it, also didn't have to do my own build for the first time. 😂
Music man are one of the golden axes for music mankind.
Cool review! Thanks for giving the lowdown on the differences between the CT50 and the Plus model you demoed. For me, the standard CT50 would be the perfect step up from my Squiers as I'm not as interested in the boost option although I can hear how it would be beneficial in a lot of situations.
I bought this on sale open box special. Wow, what a nice guitar for the money! Great video. No buyer's remorse here. 😊
Yamaha's Pacifica PAC612VIIFM is the way to go.
Great specs. I would prefer the 2 tone controls. Thanks for sharing and demo. TGBTG!
Terrific review, thank you. Never even knew this guitar even existed and have been looking at the Player Plus HSS, much more expensive.
Love to hear the neck pickup with the tone backed off & see how thick it is
I picked up an original series Sterling Cutlass guitar used for $225 at the local box store that we all endure.. I play it more than guitars I have that cost 7 or 8 times as much. Sterling's have great build quality and feel solid in all respects. Even the low end ones have great quality control.
Sweet guitar. Love the features and the color.
I may be an outlier, but active pups are a deal killer for me. I had one guitar with the EMG David Gilmour active pups, and I sold it pretty quickly. It's just one more complication when I'm gigging. And as long s I'm nit-picking...a trem bar with a set screw is a PITA because you have to remove it when using a hard shell case. Other than that, I love the features...gonna have to take good look at the Cutlass, but not the plus...
Great demo! I’ve been on the lookout for a good S-Style. I’ll give this one a look!
They sound good I like to play one
I have a CT 50 cutlass I bought a couple of years ago and would say the quality of construction is worse than a Squier Strat. It does have better features for the price but if you take the time to remove the scratch plate you can see how they cut corners. The routing inside is terrible, the cover plate at the back is not cut or shaped properly, one of the adjustment screws for the spring was bent (in my case), the neck had scratches on the edge of the fingerboard, the scratch plate was not cut properly to match the tremolo, etc. Maybe QA has improved since 2020 but I would recommend the SQ CV over this guitar. Another issue is that if you want to upgrade, parts are not plug and play like a SQ strat. The scratch plate is unique to Sterling (try finding one) so upgrading is difficult and I also found that the pickup covers are slightly smaller than a standard set of pickups for a Fender strat so you will have to take out a dremel to enlarge them.
Thanks for this Darrel. Your videos are always interesting:
Very cool. I'm really enjoying these reviews. I'm discovering some great and affordable options to support my guitar addiction 🤣thanks man!
"cheaper than a Fender, and better in every single way" like, any other brand hahaha nice video, I liked the guitar.
Thanks for that awesome sharing INFO, that AXE is straight up Bad Ass , & the Price, No Brainer...
Darrell, here in Canada (where you are), the CT 50 Plus is $960, $310 more than the US price. And the Player Strat is $400 more again. I hope your US viewers appreciate the value they get over us Canadians!
Darrel the pickups aren't active, it's just a boost curcuit. I thought the same thing at first. They're standard passive Sterling pickups. I have the regular CT50 in firemist silver with SD TB14 and two SSL-6's hot rodded electronics including treble bleed curcuit Orangedrop tone cap and DiMarzio superswitch and 500k pots with push/pull tone for coilsplitting. Great content, peace.
Thanks for this review. They do make great stuff I think and the people seem nice too. 👏🏻
This axe is sweet . Thanks D for bring this to my attention . 😎👍🏽. Is it possible for you to give us nut width . On your guitar examples ?
propably, I had said first time in my life; oooohhh myyyy guushhhh 😅what a good sound of clear channel 😎 I want to try this guitar in my set up 🤠
I have the Musicman LIII. Probably the best guitar I ever owned Stay's tuned and just never let me down. QC = 10.
I just picked up a Kramer Focus vt-211s Hss strat style guitar in teal blue. They were on sale for $149 brand new. It plays and sounds as good as a mex fender player strat. Neck on it is fantastic. The tuners and single coil pickups aren't the best but could always be upgraded. Id say it's the best Strat style guitar for the price. Check em out.. Also have a OLP musicman style guitar I picked up used with 2 great humbuckers, killer neck and tremelo that stats in tune. $100 used but like new. Couldn't recommend it enough
It sounds better than my Gibson SG. Their are some awesome very cheap guitars out there.
Every recording studio and music school should have this instrument available to Guitar players, what a well designed and built instrument! Is it made in the USA ? The easy access to the Truss rod adjustment and the nice fretboard alone make it a winner.
Pretty cool, just need to find me one in an HH configuration, swap in some active Emgs, get rid of that tone boost circuit and we be good
Yes! Music man makes fantastic guitar! It’s a great brand!❤