Finally a Musicman guitar I love

Re: Finally a Musicman guitar I love

It's possible AND accurate given that it was designed with Petrucci himself :)
 
Re: Finally a Musicman guitar I love

I can't say as I'm a fan. I guess that I am vain. Looks mean just as much as playability and tone with a guitr to me.
 
Re: Finally a Musicman guitar I love

Nope. The one great feature of MM guitars, the lovely gunstock oil and wax neck finish, they don't offer on this model. I suppose if it had that neck finish, I could be tempted to try the all black one.
 
Re: Finally a Musicman guitar I love

You should keep the Tikibird and let this obsession pass, IMO. The MM is a really ugly guitar (like all their guitars are). If you must get one, don't lose the Tikibird to do it (sell something else), and definitely get the black, both for looks and for price.
 
Re: Finally a Musicman guitar I love

Aesthetically I like all MM guitars, I like they don't do just another strat or LP. I don't like their EU pricing, the thin necks and I'll never trust an unfinished maple neck. I have seen two warped maple necks on US MM's, oil is not a hard finish.
In any case, I consider MM a bass guitar company. That's their zenith.
 
Re: Finally a Musicman guitar I love

Ive not played one. Based on what you are describing, I would probably like the way it plays. Never been a fan of MM guits that I have tried due to the stubby necks.. Visually, Im torn.. I like the black with the black flame inlay, BUT, would much rather have a full flame or quilt top as opposed to the angular inlay. Looks to me like its trying to be artsy instead of functional. If I loved how it plays (and could afford one) Id get one, but not because I love the look..
 
Re: Finally a Musicman guitar I love

Nope. The one great feature of MM guitars, the lovely gunstock oil and wax neck finish, they don't offer on this model. I suppose if it had that neck finish, I could be tempted to try the all black one.

It's not gunstock oil. It specifically is the product TruOil. It needs to be refreshed every now and then, along with the wax, so it's easy enough to convert other guitars.

Overall I just wish that MM was a less stubborn company.
 
Re: Finally a Musicman guitar I love

BTW, I have to apply the gunstock oil to the back of my neck every year or so. This is on a Silhouette Special.
 
Re: Finally a Musicman guitar I love

You should keep the Tikibird and let this obsession pass, IMO. The MM is a really ugly guitar (like all their guitars are). If you must get one, don't lose the Tikibird to do it (sell something else), and definitely get the black, both for looks and for price.

I tend to agree. The Tikibird is a cool guitar, which looks, sounds, and plays great.
I'd be wiser too sell off depreciating dead gear, if I were to seriously seek out the Armada. Actually, I'm on the hunt for another car at the moment.....not guitars that cost a couple thousand. I may wait to see if one pops up used on LA Craigslist in the future. I'll let someone else take the financial hit, then swoop in for a moderate used price.
 
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Re: Finally a Musicman guitar I love

Looks pretty cool to me. Sort of a cool LP style, but also kinda reminds me of the Airline guitar Jack White used to play. I'd definitely play one
 
Re: Finally a Musicman guitar I love

It's not gunstock oil. It specifically is the product TruOil. It needs to be refreshed every now and then, along with the wax, so it's easy enough to convert other guitars.

Overall I just wish that MM was a less stubborn company.

I wish they'd be more original with naming their product lines... Sterling, SUB... branch out a little, man...
 
Re: Finally a Musicman guitar I love

I think those names were already trademarked, so they keep re-using them for different products. I have an SUB1 that came out several years ago, and was made in the USA. It is funny, the headstock says 'SUB1 Guitar', in case you thought it was a toaster or something.
 
Re: Finally a Musicman guitar I love

Interesting that in all the promo shots they have the strings top-wrapped over the tailpiece. I've never seen a guitar set up stock like that.

I like the sound and feel of a lot of Music Mans, but the fact that all of their guitars (that I've seen) have 4+2 or 5+2 tuner arrangements means I'll probably never buy one. I think putting the tuners like that is hideous and counterintuitive.
 
Re: Finally a Musicman guitar I love

all of their guitars (that I've seen) have 4+2 or 5+2 tuner arrangements means I'll probably never buy one. I think putting the tuners like that is hideous and counterintuitive.

Yeah...the MM headstocks are definitely an acquired taste. Personally, I don't really like them, either.
 
Re: Finally a Musicman guitar I love

I dig em, and they help the guitar balance better, and I am all about that. My 2 favorite guitars are MMs. But hey, I also love Steinbergers, so I am kinda into the ergonomic thing.
 
Re: Finally a Musicman guitar I love

I dig em, and they help the guitar balance better, and I am all about that. My 2 favorite guitars are MMs. But hey, I also love Steinbergers, so I am kinda into the ergonomic thing.

I'd sooner play a Steinberger than one with the MM headstock, since with Steinbergers you tune everything at the same place. It just seems bizarre to tune one of the treble strings on the same side as the bass strings and the other two treble strings on the other side. I don't care much about balance though, as long as the guitar doesn't neck-dive. But obviously I don't begrudge anyone who's into it. I'll stick with my 3+3, 6 in line, and 3+4
 
Re: Finally a Musicman guitar I love

I know lots of people don't, but I actually LOVE the St. Vincent guitar. It doesn't help that I'm a huge fan. My only beef with it is that the traditional Music Man headstock just doesn't fit the aesthetic of the guitar, and that it's crazy expensive for a "I would just buy it because it looks cool" guitar.
 
Re: Finally a Musicman guitar I love

I'd sooner play a Steinberger than one with the MM headstock, since with Steinbergers you tune everything at the same place. It just seems bizarre to tune one of the treble strings on the same side as the bass strings and the other two treble strings on the other side. I don't care much about balance though, as long as the guitar doesn't neck-dive. But obviously I don't begrudge anyone who's into it. I'll stick with my 3+3, 6 in line, and 3+4

It isn't as confusing as you make it sound...and you get used to it in a few days. But yeah, the balance thing to me is super important. I won't buy a guitar that doesn't balance right to me even if it sounds or looks amazing. My MMs can sit on my leg and as I take my hands off, they stay right there, and don't tilt one way or the other.
 
Re: Finally a Musicman guitar I love

I like this:
With P-90's
20585_Armada_MM_90_BCB_RW_N00482_1.jpg


Musicman-Armada-SB.jpeg

WAAAAY more than this:
ugly 1.jpg
ugly 2.jpg
ugly 3.jpg

All a matter of personal taste, of course.
After playing guitar for so many years and seeing flame tops that cover the whole front of the guitar, then seeing models with partial flame tops come out in the last few years, they all look a little odd at first. But I think the Armada looks well thought out and intentional, whereas other examples I've seen look like "oopses" to me.
All a matter of personal taste.
 
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