Question: Questions about new models

Question: Questions about new models

Hey all! I had some questions about the Cutlass and Stingray guitars.

I was a Fender Stratocaster super fan — that is, until I laid my hands on the Silhouette. In the course of two years I picked up three American-made Silhouettes. Now there are new Music Man models that have caught my eye. In particular, the inclusion of stainless steel frets sounds really good for my tense and frequently-worn out wrists. I first got turned on to EBMM from a Rig Rundown with the guitarist from Incubus, who exclusively played EBMM Albert Lee models with stainless steel frets he had put on them; he said he developed carpel tunnel syndrome and EBMM guitars are what saved his career. When I go to the local music stores to just try out a few guitars, my hands immediately dismiss 95% of necks. EBMM is the brand for me, as it’s the only brand that my wrists consistently agree with.

1. To Silhouette owners who picked up one of the new models, please let me know how you feel about the Cutlass and/or Stingray.

2. I’m located in southern Ontario, Toronto to be more specific. Of these three models, I’ve only seen one St. Vincent in person, at Twelfth Fret Guitar Shop New, Used & Vintage Instruments | Worldwide Service. Does anyone know where I can track down the other models in southern Ontario?

3. Do *all* American-made Stingray and Cutlass guitars have stainless steel frets? What about the St. Vincent or Albert Lee guitars? Are these models still spec’d with nickel frets, or have they moved to stainless steel?

4. I’ve played plenty of brand-new guitars, and had frets recrowned and dressed by experienced and professional techs, but nothing compares to the fret work on my 2010 Silhouettes. The job that was done at the factory was simply *perfect*. For those of you who’ve bought some of the newer models, how do you feel about the fret work out of the factory? Stainless steel frets are a concern of mine since I’m under the impression (correct me if I’m wrong) that working on stainless steel frets ruins normal fret files, so trying to correct bad stainless steel frets is very pricey.

5. How do the necks on the Cutlass and the Stingray compare to the necks on the Silhouette? For reference, my Silhouettes are from 2001, 2011, and [serial number not found in database, but it seems like 2010’s]. I have one all-maple neck, one all-rosewood neck, and one maple neck with a rosewood fretboard. They all have thin and narrow necks, compared to an American Standard Strat. I have smaller hands and when I’m holding my Silhouettes I can bend and wrap my thumb around almost like Hendrix, which is totally impossible for me on a vintage Tele neck or baseball Les Paul neck. I’ve heard that the Cutlass has a soft-v profile, is that true for all of them?

Thank you! 🙂

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Source: http://forums.ernieball.com