I will say, I am a fan boy, but I think Music Man and its lower price version Sterling by Music Man are the best brands on the market. Just my personal opinion.
Ebmm makes excellent guitars. They play and sound fantastic. They are built with top notch craftsmanship. The Sterlings are solid especially for the price. A lot of players look past Ebmm. Same with G&L.
I'd say there isn't such thing as best brand. I'd say that Ibanez Guitars are the best electric guitars ever made, especially considering the price range. You can get a RG for 300$ and with a little bit of setting it, it will play and sound great. In the end it's up to personal preference, and what you're looking for
Guitars that I’ve tried in the past that feature coil-splitting haven’t actually sounded like single coils to me. This on the other hand seems like they really nailed that tone. Great review!
Yeah idk a ton about like tap/split etc but I think this being wired to the switch the way it is makes it a bit different but it really does come much closer to the strat thing than most like push/pull split setups I've seen.
@@joeydurant6267 First, splitting is separating two coils (or more but that's more common in bass pickups), tapping can only be done with specially manufactured single coil pickups. The wiring isn't anything special. The individual coils of a humbucker tend to have a lower DC than true single coils. The humbuckers here have a quite high DC resistance. Split humbuckers also tend to sound rather thin, but if you split humbuckers that are rather bass and mid heavy to begin with.... I'm guessing EBMM designed the pickups with splitting in mind.
American made Ernie Balls are consistently amazing guitars... greater specs/higher quality per dollar than many other big brands not to mention very good (not to mention unique) engineering without going full tilt "Gibson circa 2015". There is a very diverse assortment of EBMM guitars for many different tastes.
As a non-pro/hobbyist who is not into the 3000-4000 dollar price range for guitars, I would at some point like to see a Sterling version of this model.
@@beefnacos6258 true. Plenty of people like guitars in that 1000-2000 dollar price range that are perfectly good as professionally gig-able instruments.
There is absolutely no reason to spend that much money on a guitar, unless you have such excess that you don't care. You won't notice any difference between playability between this guitar and some cheap mod.
I sold enough gear to finally buy a Pete Thorn Suhr which is one of the best I've ever played. These look great though! There's always another you want!!!!
I've wanted a Music Man Axis (EVH) for a long time, basically since Eddie started with MM. I finally got one that I wanted - I had been on the hunt for a purple one and got a dark purple (amethyst) from Music Zoo and it's everything I ever dreamed of and more. The attention to detail is perfect. A part of me is kind of sad because I can literally find nothing that I want to do to it (except locking tuners but it's a Floyd so it's not really that big a deal - just for string changes). As much as I love having a bunch of guitars, I'd easily trade almost all of mine in for another Music Man. It really lets me focus on enjoying playing.
I snagged the Sabre in their limited run Coral Burst, which has a solid rosewood neck. It's probably my favorite instrument. Plays like a dream, and I don't think there's a tone out of it I haven't loved, clean or dirty.
Beautiful guitar. I like MusicMan guitar designs in generally, and particularly the 2+4 tuners. I have a little concern regarding Position 5, which sounded muffled and a bit too compressed. I would be tempted to raise the pole pieces on the Neck Pickup to get more clarity and articulation. It might be useful to lower that pickup a little as well to get less compression. If that didn't get me the clarity I wanted, I'd consider flipping the pickup around so the pole pieces face towards the bridge. I did that on an old Gibson ES-175 that I have, and it made all the difference. I pretty much live on the Neck Pickup.
Although this is way out of my price range, the format of the review is great. Tons of good information showing everything one would need to know if interested in purchasing this unit.
Phil, thanks as always for what you do. I have a jp15 and it is really a perfect guitar. I have a lp standard and a couple american fenders which are all very nice but the jp is king of the collection. Plays effortless and a really wide palete of sound capabilities.
A very well designed and well manufactured guitar, from the beautiful finish to the cavity shielding and how the wiring is neatly finished! It not a cheap guitar by any means as its over $3,000.00 but they cheaper out on the inlays!
Absolutely LOVE my MMs!!! Thank you Phil for touching on them again! Have also been BLOWN AWAY by the Sterling line in the past few years! I think they are the best guitar for the money out today! I'm a Silhouette and Majesty guy.
Thank you! I'm looking to purchase one of these (in Moonstone Blue) later this year. That being said, I've watched this video a few times. Great review. Very thorough.
I wish it had a full-floating trem. Just recessed in workout terms. Saw one at a boutique guitar store on the Oregon Coast. It was breathtaking. Literally the most beautiful instrument I’ve ever seen.
I own this same exact guitar and color haha compared to every other I own which are core Prs, Fgn, and etc, this neck makes your hands never fatigue it’s super comfortable
I'm such a fan of MM, I have the majesty and it's a flawless guitar and I've reeeeeally been watching for a used st vincent goldie. Great review, thanks Phil
My wife who has to suffer my RUclips guitar channel addiction said - well at least I enjoy Phil's reviews LOL! You and John Robson are her favorites. Beautiful guitar - the first time I have ever considered owning a Musicman. Keep up the great work!
Love the review Phil! I'm very curious how you found out the EQ of the pickups. I think that's incredibly useful information and was my favorite part of the video.
Gorgeous. See? Chrome humbuckers look great on gloss ocean blue. Is the action really that low? I'd put a couple of chrome knobs with abalone caps just for looks.
I ended up purchasing the guitar in this video (unbeknownst to me at the time). I've played a Sabre before and as I remembered it truly is a special guitar. While more of a "thicker neck fan" I still really enjoy playing this guitar. The most comfortable guitar I've ever played.
I have a Sterling AX40D I bought years ago, and for what I paid for it, it is unbelievable. Music Man never seems to make a bad instrument. Great video Phil!
Another thing to keep in mind with Music Man, you can absolutely find birds eye maple, or even some more plain looking ones, all within the same SKU/model. The birds eye stuff is definitely more rare.
Personally I think EBMM makes the best guitars of any major manufacturer. I never understand why they don't get more love. I can only assume it's either the name, or the neck size. I have baby hands though, so the necks are excellent for me!
Wow that a beauty for sure Phil. I agree and hope they make a less expensive version some day. I also think its worth mentioning that the tone of that guitar was very awsome. I say that because I cant always tell if its good or bad when i listen on my lap top, and it sounded awsome. Thanks for the great video as always.
Honestly.. the quality and the parts, pickups etc are NOT the same at all... Save up and go for the real thing. If MM is too expensive brand new then buy used.. you wont regret it.
Always wanted a music man ever since trying the majesty and jp15-7 at a local shop. Just got my first one (JP15) last fall, and I have nothing but smiles when it's in hand. safe to say if you're hesitant on buying, don't! Amazing guitar with that beefy quality.
I bought a music man cutlass a couple years ago, and I can attest that spec and quality wise, they are second to absolutely none. They had the best fret ends I've ever seen, as showcased here, and so much more. However, I just could not get used to how thin the neck was in the first frets, like he showed. If the neck was more consistent, and like from 7 on, I'd never sell it, but I've just let it go. So, if you're thinking of getting one, I recommend trying one in person first, or buy it used, enjoy for a few years, and if you fully connect to it, sell for more than you paid, like I did
Completely different style of guitar, but check out a Valentine if you haven't. They aren't as thin necked. The buttermilk version is so damn pretty in person.
I’ve got one of these in the cobra finish. I’ve had it for 2 years now. I play it at church every Sunday and I’ve never had any issues with it. I’ve never had to adjust the neck until last week. It’s the easiest guitar I’ve ever played. But at the price I gave it better be a nice guitar haha
Yeah I just looked at the price 3 to almost 4 g , I'm not big on their headstock but its growing on me. This guitar is awesome looking although I like the half-baked one better. Still though for that price tag I couldn't see myself buying this over a dozen more with that price tag.
Hey Phil. Thanks for such a quality in depth review. Most enjoyable. How does this compare to the PRS S2 Custom 24 08 you recently played ? Seem similar ? I’m looking for a flexible dual humbucker with trem. These 2 have my attention thanks to you !!
4:40 about the socks test, is it necessary to do it on a USD3K made in USA guitars? It has to be perfect out of the box. Even my 150 bucks Cort had no fret ends problems. I live in the tropics though so it’s almost always hot&humid with little variation of temperature.
I’ve got a bunch if Fender strats, teles and a Jazzmaster. Four Les Pauls. Some other guitars by other luthiers. Since I bought a Music Man Cutlass, and got rid of a White Falcon, I can’t wait to get a Sabre. I am ready to dump 20 of my guitars, and play 2 EBMMs, exclusively.
Great review! Just picked one up used, and it's amazing. My one complaint: The volume rolls off VERY fast. The drop from 10 to 9.5 is like falling off a cliff. It's very severe going into a fuzz, because it cleans up so fast. I'd love to have some more room in the volume range to work with. Any ideas how to adjust or deal with it? That said, it's still the highest quality I ever owned.
Hello Philip, I realized that you are dealer of musical instruments and arrange this show of wonderful professional guitars. In the background to your left I saw the guitar I've wanted for a long time-PRS Single Hollowbody II Piezo. Could you compare it to another PRS- Hollowbody II Piezo guitar, without the Singlecut? What is the convenience and superiority of one over the other? Thank you,very much!
Thank you for the positive reviews. My co workers and I work hard to give you guys the best quality guitars and basses around.
Thank you!
Keep up the good work. You are appreciated.
My JP15 is the best electric guitar I've ever played. Nothing else comes close to the neck, feel, features, sound, or quality. Just exceptional.
Gotta say, Phil, this review format is just (chef's kiss). So many details I couldn't have found elsewhere. Please keep doing these.
Thank you we are Refining it and I thank we are almost there
Ia!
Really loved the format and detail in this review! Add a slightly longer full 1st to highest fret play through on the next. Excellent work Phil.
I will say, I am a fan boy, but I think Music Man and its lower price version Sterling by Music Man are the best brands on the market. Just my personal opinion.
I have the cutlass hss and it's far superior to my others highest quality on the market in my opinion
As an ltd fan boy, I agree
Ebmm makes excellent guitars. They play and sound fantastic. They are built with top notch craftsmanship. The Sterlings are solid especially for the price. A lot of players look past Ebmm. Same with G&L.
BUT FOR $3,500 BETTER BE AWESOME!
I'd say there isn't such thing as best brand. I'd say that Ibanez Guitars are the best electric guitars ever made, especially considering the price range.
You can get a RG for 300$ and with a little bit of setting it, it will play and sound great. In the end it's up to personal preference, and what you're looking for
Love your closing statement. It's nice to see one all about as perfect as possible, not just as original as possible. Nice review.
Guitars that I’ve tried in the past that feature coil-splitting haven’t actually sounded like single coils to me. This on the other hand seems like they really nailed that tone.
Great review!
Yeah idk a ton about like tap/split etc but I think this being wired to the switch the way it is makes it a bit different but it really does come much closer to the strat thing than most like push/pull split setups I've seen.
@@joeydurant6267 First, splitting is separating two coils (or more but that's more common in bass pickups), tapping can only be done with specially manufactured single coil pickups.
The wiring isn't anything special. The individual coils of a humbucker tend to have a lower DC than true single coils. The humbuckers here have a quite high DC resistance.
Split humbuckers also tend to sound rather thin, but if you split humbuckers that are rather bass and mid heavy to begin with.... I'm guessing EBMM designed the pickups with splitting in mind.
Oh man, I want it! Thanks for the deep dive review of this.
Fantastic review, Phil! Every time I get my hands on a Music Man or Sterling I love it, especially the neck. Such great guitars.
What a beautiful piece of work/art. That thing is gorgeous in every way.
American made Ernie Balls are consistently amazing guitars... greater specs/higher quality per dollar than many other big brands not to mention very good (not to mention unique) engineering without going full tilt "Gibson circa 2015". There is a very diverse assortment of EBMM guitars for many different tastes.
As a non-pro/hobbyist who is not into the 3000-4000 dollar price range for guitars, I would at some point like to see a Sterling version of this model.
I see pro's not even spend that much
@@beefnacos6258 true. Plenty of people like guitars in that 1000-2000 dollar price range that are perfectly good as professionally gig-able instruments.
I'll go a step further and say that I know kick ass pros who never play anything above 1000, especially live. Makes sense actually
There is absolutely no reason to spend that much money on a guitar, unless you have such excess that you don't care.
You won't notice any difference between playability between this guitar and some cheap mod.
Thats not that expensive compared to classical instruments where 3000-4000 is considered a student model.
Amazing wood on this. I just bought a EBMM Valentine BFR with the flame top. These are as high quality as I've seen on any brand. Enjoy it!
I sold enough gear to finally buy a Pete Thorn Suhr which is one of the best I've ever played. These look great though! There's always another you want!!!!
Brilliant detail in the review
I've wanted a Music Man Axis (EVH) for a long time, basically since Eddie started with MM. I finally got one that I wanted - I had been on the hunt for a purple one and got a dark purple (amethyst) from Music Zoo and it's everything I ever dreamed of and more. The attention to detail is perfect. A part of me is kind of sad because I can literally find nothing that I want to do to it (except locking tuners but it's a Floyd so it's not really that big a deal - just for string changes). As much as I love having a bunch of guitars, I'd easily trade almost all of mine in for another Music Man. It really lets me focus on enjoying playing.
Your honest review and perspectives provides great insight to the Sabre. Thanks
This is a fantastic instrument. Looks are stellar, but the tones are crisp, clear, and articulate. Beyond my needs and ability.
I snagged the Sabre in their limited run Coral Burst, which has a solid rosewood neck. It's probably my favorite instrument. Plays like a dream, and I don't think there's a tone out of it I haven't loved, clean or dirty.
@philmcknight Did you say in blue moonpie finish? 😉
Man I wanted to. lol
I love Music Man guitars. Quality through and through. I feel like they are the best guitars out there today.
I have one. Amazing tone, feel, neck, weight, look. Unbeatable 🤘🏼
Beautiful guitar. I like MusicMan guitar designs in generally, and particularly the 2+4 tuners. I have a little concern regarding Position 5, which sounded muffled and a bit too compressed. I would be tempted to raise the pole pieces on the Neck Pickup to get more clarity and articulation. It might be useful to lower that pickup a little as well to get less compression. If that didn't get me the clarity I wanted, I'd consider flipping the pickup around so the pole pieces face towards the bridge. I did that on an old Gibson ES-175 that I have, and it made all the difference. I pretty much live on the Neck Pickup.
Although this is way out of my price range, the format of the review is great. Tons of good information showing everything one would need to know if interested in purchasing this unit.
Hey Phil, you just really helped me to make my decision. Thank you for the excellent and professional reviews.
Phil, thanks as always for what you do. I have a jp15 and it is really a perfect guitar. I have a lp standard and a couple american fenders which are all very nice but the jp is king of the collection. Plays effortless and a really wide palete of sound capabilities.
I own this exact guitar in the Blue Moonstone finish. Gotta say it's my best player
This bad boy should be in my hands in 2 days. Can't wait!
A very well designed and well manufactured guitar, from the beautiful finish to the cavity shielding and how the wiring is neatly finished! It not a cheap guitar by any means as its over $3,000.00 but they cheaper out on the inlays!
Absolutely LOVE my MMs!!! Thank you Phil for touching on them again!
Have also been BLOWN AWAY by the Sterling line in the past few years! I think they are the best guitar for the money out today!
I'm a Silhouette and Majesty guy.
I’m looking at this guitar and Phil this the best most informative review on YT , thank you 🙏
Great review. Nice to be back in the workshop!
I have three Mike Lipe guitars (Virtuoso, Classic & Soldato), all have flamed maple necks with stunning patterns like this Music Man. Just beautiful.
Great review Phil. Would love to get my hands on one.
I tried one and man. One of the best guitars out there. It's on my bucket list.
Wow. That was awesome...thats quality there...great job phil...i just love love the green poly finish...
Thank you! I'm looking to purchase one of these (in Moonstone Blue) later this year. That being said, I've watched this video a few times. Great review. Very thorough.
Thanks for the dulcet tones on this Monday afternoon.
I wish it had a full-floating trem. Just recessed in workout terms. Saw one at a boutique guitar store on the Oregon Coast. It was breathtaking. Literally the most beautiful instrument I’ve ever seen.
I own this same exact guitar and color haha compared to every other I own which are core Prs, Fgn, and etc, this neck makes your hands never fatigue it’s super comfortable
They really build amazing quality. I’m always very impressed. 🤘🎸
Much nicer review format. Two thumbs up.
great video! all additions to the review routine are very good.
I'm such a fan of MM, I have the majesty and it's a flawless guitar and I've reeeeeally been watching for a used st vincent goldie. Great review, thanks Phil
My wife who has to suffer my RUclips guitar channel addiction said - well at least I enjoy Phil's reviews LOL! You and John Robson are her favorites. Beautiful guitar - the first time I have ever considered owning a Musicman. Keep up the great work!
This guy's great..I enjoy his videos.. I've been playing for thirty years and still leaning new things 👍👍
Awesome review, beautiful guitar. Can't believe how dark it sounds
The top on this one looks like you can deep dive into to!
Love the review Phil!
I'm very curious how you found out the EQ of the pickups. I think that's incredibly useful information and was my favorite part of the video.
Gorgeous. See? Chrome humbuckers look great on gloss ocean blue. Is the action really that low? I'd put a couple of chrome knobs with abalone caps just for looks.
Your thumbs up got my attention. Looks great.
Love that you got into the deep details. That neck is gorgeous, love love love ebony
Thats a Beauty for sure! I'll keep dreaming...maybe someday. Out of my pay grade. Great video Phil.
Had a Lukather. loved it. Thanks Phil for all your videos.
These guitars are worth every penny. I have 3 different music man guitars. The quality is impeccable and they stay in tune like a champ!
I ended up purchasing the guitar in this video (unbeknownst to me at the time). I've played a Sabre before and as I remembered it truly is a special guitar. While more of a "thicker neck fan" I still really enjoy playing this guitar. The most comfortable guitar I've ever played.
Thanks Phil, great job Sir.
I really dig guitars with the 5 way super switch.
I have a Sterling AX40D I bought years ago, and for what I paid for it, it is unbelievable. Music Man never seems to make a bad instrument. Great video Phil!
Another thing to keep in mind with Music Man, you can absolutely find birds eye maple, or even some more plain looking ones, all within the same SKU/model. The birds eye stuff is definitely more rare.
always love that headstock design
but all about this guitar is awesome
Personally I think EBMM makes the best guitars of any major manufacturer. I never understand why they don't get more love. I can only assume it's either the name, or the neck size. I have baby hands though, so the necks are excellent for me!
Thank you. We work hard everyday to make the best quality guitars and basses.
I have larger hands and love my Cutlass neck
great demo Phil
oh law.... G. A. S. is a thing. that is so nice. thanks Phil! (I had to freeze the 'party plastic' in ice in the fridge.)
Love my Axis & JP6, but holy balls EBMM pricing is nuts now. Glad I bought those guitars close to 10 years ago before prices almost doubled.
Great. Really enjoyed the format and info
I love this guitar . It has 3/8" maple top....1/8" more than a standard. It sounds and plays perfectly 🎸👍
This is the ultimate guitar review, please do every single guitar lol
Amazingly detailed review. I'd love to see your take on the new Musicman HT pick-ups, or some of the Fishman Fluence models
I’m new to your channel, that musicman looks awesome!
Wow that a beauty for sure Phil. I agree and hope they make a less expensive version some day. I also think its worth mentioning that the tone of that guitar was very awsome. I say that because I cant always tell if its good or bad when i listen on my lap top, and it sounded awsome. Thanks for the great video as always.
Can they please release a sterling version of this already?
And pay a grand for an off brand?
Honestly.. the quality and the parts, pickups etc are NOT the same at all... Save up and go for the real thing. If MM is too expensive brand new then buy used.. you wont regret it.
Fit and finish on MM guitars is unbeatable.
Always wanted a music man ever since trying the majesty and jp15-7 at a local shop. Just got my first one (JP15) last fall, and I have nothing but smiles when it's in hand. safe to say if you're hesitant on buying, don't! Amazing guitar with that beefy quality.
I bought a music man cutlass a couple years ago, and I can attest that spec and quality wise, they are second to absolutely none. They had the best fret ends I've ever seen, as showcased here, and so much more. However, I just could not get used to how thin the neck was in the first frets, like he showed. If the neck was more consistent, and like from 7 on, I'd never sell it, but I've just let it go. So, if you're thinking of getting one, I recommend trying one in person first, or buy it used, enjoy for a few years, and if you fully connect to it, sell for more than you paid, like I did
Completely different style of guitar, but check out a Valentine if you haven't. They aren't as thin necked. The buttermilk version is so damn pretty in person.
I’ve got one of these in the cobra finish. I’ve had it for 2 years now. I play it at church every Sunday and I’ve never had any issues with it. I’ve never had to adjust the neck until last week. It’s the easiest guitar I’ve ever played. But at the price I gave it better be a nice guitar haha
That’s an amazing guitar!! Thanks Phil!
Have you done a review of the Music Man Valentine? I’d like to see one of those in your hands.
Test drove one recently. Sweet guitar.
Stunning guitar. Music Man's quality is exceptional. This is on my radar. Oh boy, it's going to be expensive.
Top honest review again Phil thanks. 🥃👍Respect to you.
Yeah I just looked at the price 3 to almost 4 g , I'm not big on their headstock but its growing on me. This guitar is awesome looking although I like the half-baked one better. Still though for that price tag I couldn't see myself buying this over a dozen more with that price tag.
Find used ones, cheaper and still get the quality.
Man I love this video. The Sabre is definitely on my list to get at some point. My only concern is the neck.
Awesome review! Super well organized…please if you can a MM Luke III review will be very helpful for me…great work man!
This is a great review format... oh, and the guitar is amazing too. 😂
Nice work 🤘
love your videos, man...
so informative!
Hey Phil. Thanks for such a quality in depth review. Most enjoyable. How does this compare to the PRS S2 Custom 24 08 you recently played ? Seem similar ? I’m looking for a flexible dual humbucker with trem. These 2 have my attention thanks to you !!
Great review style. Keep doing these!
Great informative video on a beautiful guitar Phil
Glad you liked it!
4:40 about the socks test, is it necessary to do it on a USD3K made in USA guitars? It has to be perfect out of the box. Even my 150 bucks Cort had no fret ends problems. I live in the tropics though so it’s almost always hot&humid with little variation of temperature.
It would be cool if the guy at Guitar Center would let me try this...
What are the disadvantages of the pcb mounted pots that make you not like them? Less convenient repair-ability or modd-ability?
Thanks for the video Sir.
Now you can bring the Sterling Sabre that was just released soon enough! That should be a great guitar as well.
That neck is crazy awesome!
Reeeeaaallly like the neck pickup there
I’ve got a bunch if Fender strats, teles and a Jazzmaster. Four Les Pauls. Some other guitars by other luthiers.
Since I bought a Music Man Cutlass, and got rid of a White Falcon, I can’t wait to get a Sabre. I am ready to dump 20 of my guitars, and play 2 EBMMs, exclusively.
Nice looking and sounds great 👍🤘
The price tag kinda puts it out of my ballpark. But I stayed to the end for the channel.
Great review! Just picked one up used, and it's amazing. My one complaint: The volume rolls off VERY fast. The drop from 10 to 9.5 is like falling off a cliff. It's very severe going into a fuzz, because it cleans up so fast. I'd love to have some more room in the volume range to work with. Any ideas how to adjust or deal with it? That said, it's still the highest quality I ever owned.
Hello Philip, I realized that you are dealer of musical instruments and arrange this show of wonderful professional guitars. In the background to your left I saw the guitar I've wanted for a long time-PRS Single Hollowbody II Piezo. Could you compare it to another PRS- Hollowbody II Piezo guitar, without the Singlecut? What is the convenience and superiority of one over the other? Thank you,very much!