@@alexradsby It's my go to as well. Got it 2 years ago (tremolo model) and there's not a sound I can't get. After 38 years of searching, I found "the One". Great review.
I'm right there with you Alex! I recently purchased a used Valentine and now my Tele, Deusenberg Straplayer TV and Anderson Strat are getting pretty dusty. Your comments on playability are spot on. The neck took a little getting used to, ok about 5 minutes, but it does feel great. There's a lot of musicality in the Valentine that I've only begun to tap into. Thanks for the review
I have owned and do own multiple MM guitars. IMO the Ball family make the best guitars on the planet. Sabre, Axis, and Silhouette are my favorite. That 10” radius is unbeatable. You keep playing them and you will trade them all for a MM.
I bought 2 Albert lees, 9+ years ago. The necks draw you in, then you strap up and your hooked. A MODERN, Superbly voiced, incredibly ergonomic and just a pleasure to play guitar
The Albert Lee's seem so damn beautifully made. It really is difficult to beat a Music Man, I can't really say that there's any other brand that makes production level guitars at that level. It's really really close to custom shop quality.
Once you buy Music Man, it's over. The moment you grab the guitar, feel the neck, plug it in, play for a little bit, next thing you know you're at the checkout and leaving the store with it and have a guitar for life.
I got the 5 HH stingray. It is setup so well. Super low action. All around beautiful. The way the neck and body meet is seemless. The tonal possibilities covers many genres. Very happy I got it.
Good video. I just recently had the same experience. I have been searching for 20 years for “the one”. I had an Axis super sport 3 years ago that I wished I didn’t sell. So I been on the lookout for another EBMM. The local GC had a used one so l went to see. Same deal, I grabbed the guitar and immediately it felt comfortable. I love the neck pickup and the boost. Mine is a limited color (starry night) which also has an ebony fret board. One thing you did not mention is the SS frets. They are SO smooth. And the fact that I probably will never have to crown them is a bonus. The guitar covers a lot of sounds and the boost has allowed me to take a pedal off my board. The bridge pickup really cuts and is great thanks to the silent circuit. Another feature is an adjustable volume control for the neck pickup when it is split. Usually a split humbucker drops in volume but this allows you to control that. You can even make it louder for another solo option. The guitar ships with power slinkys (11-48). They sound fat and the guitar stays in tune very well. I usually play 10’s so it was not that big of a transition. I am actually glad I have this instead of the axis because of the frets and pickups. ✌️
Youre so right. I got the BFR Valentine walnut flame. I havents touched any of my LPs or Teles since. Its exceptional. Even my Custom Shop stuff doesn't come close to the attention to detail on it.
@@alexradsby ...and it is only the shorter scale Mira's like the Mira X and the 25th Anniversary one that did that immediate bonding magic to me. It is sometimes magical. Now, I'm scared of G.A.S., but tempted to touch a Valentine 😱
Nice demo! I just ordered a Valentine through EBMM. I bought a Mariposa last Oct and have an Axis Sport and an Axis Super Sport. You are correct in that once you own an MM, you’ll be spoiled on the neck. I bought the Mariposa sight unseen (in person) because I knew that MM necks are consistently gorgeous. Maybe check one of those out. It’ll be cool to get your take on that guitar as well. Again, nice job!
Thank you man! I appreciate it! The Mariposa looks damn good! I wouldn't have a problem buying that one blind either haha. Music man always delivers 👌🙂
There was a NOS MM JP16 at our local Guitar Center that they were selling for a third of what they go for. Picked it up and played it. Felt and played awesome. I didn't have the money that day so I went back 3 days later. Gone! The one that got away.
Played many music man guitars over the years.. including original Van Halen models (axis). I had a chance to own serial # 911 but I was 18ish and didn't have alot of money. Great guitars.
I feel you. I worked at GC corp office in advertising and promotions and I remember the Monday after the EVH-MM split went down. The guitar buyer for the chain came into our office and told me to buy an MM EVH model asap and leave it in the case under my bed - and watch it’s value appreciate 300% overnight. I was broke and didn’t even try to muster up the dough. Regrets, regrets, regrets…don’t get me wrong, I own 2 Axis models, a Mariposa, and have a Valentine on order now. Just couldn’t do it then.
Hi Alex! Congratulations by your vídeo! Amazing review! I know what you are talking about. I own 5 EBMM guitars (Axis, Axis SuperSport, Silhouette, Silhouette Special and a Luke II). Once you play a MM you never came back to a Fender or a Gibson. It's another level guitar in playability, feel, Specs and sound. The only other brand that a love too It's The Tom Anderson, I have a Drop Top Classic ...... It's a outstanding guitar too. I love MM Guitars!
I have had and sold tons of guitars - the only one I still slap myself occasionally for having sold is my Music Man Sub1... EBMM guitars are treasures.
Bought a new jason richardson signature ss cutlass 6 string buckeye burl. Waiting for it to get pleked and it will be on its way to me. I can't wait to get it.
I bought it and sold it. It was the best guitar I ever played. The handle is incredibly comfortable 25/20 The microphones in all their configurations, truly exceptional, terrific. I just bought it again because I find it perfect. I don't like MusicMan body shapes, am I too old to appreciate them? This shape suits me very well.
I think Valentines traditional looking shape is perfect for us who like traditional guitars, it does make the transition easier. We are all fairly visual players haha 🙂
Hi its the OH 412 MAR+ORN V30.wav from the Heavy Hitters Volume 1 pack from Ownhammer. Not exactly sure of what mics were used but 4x12 cabs (Orange PPC 412 + Marshall® Mode Four 4x12) both with Celestion V30 speakers.
Haha Im sorry for playing the youtube game, its a bit ridiculous BUT this guitar definitely changed my view completely on what a good guitar is. Damn music man and their glorious necks 😝
@@alexradsby haha it’s all good. Hey the catchy lines work! I can never scroll past you pop up on my home page! 😆 And I’ve never owned a music man but if I ever did my eye has always been on one of those Valentine… doesn’t help that I was always down with Maroon 5 hahaha
Hi I don't actually and I sold my Helix to upgrade to a Kemper actually! What I would recommend is looking into Custom Cab IRs instead of using the normal Helix cabs. For these I used SLO-100 amp and Ownhammer Cab IRs. It sounds so much better! Also push the amp with a Minitaur pedal in front. I hope this helps and thank you so much! 🙏
Bro great video! I'm a "former" fender player too lol. Love the offsets. Been contemplating as of late, committing and making the purchase of one of these Big boy guitars. Been doing my research, which is why im here, but thanks for explaining that coil tap/dB volume pot thing. So far, the decision is in between this, the stingray body, and the axis street. Just tryna flag some more info lol. One negative about this is the glossiness of the body. Thats usually a thumbs down from me.
Ah the glossy body is definitely one of the worst features of the guitar. Though i got past it quite quickly because the guitar is just so good. Thanks for your comment 👌
@@alexradsby i was originally fender guy, but since i bought a cutlass few years ago i fell in love with musicman. My others guitar are gibson lp and prs 509 also fender avri jaguar. I love them all but i play musicman a lot nowadays.
Ah totally the same haha. Definitely a fender guy that converted to music man! I used to own a 50th anniversary jag actually, sold it though, to finanze my valentine 😅
I think its rare to find your 10. After looking for a tone for over 30 years I found mine. It wasn't what I thought it would be. Turned out to be a Reverend.
@Alex Radsby Highly recommend the Roundhouse with the hyper vintage railhammers. If you like a low end overdrive sound, it is magical to my ears. I use a way huge green rhino with the extra controls into a Hughes and Kettner stompman. Great videos as always. I really enjoy your style!
Nice demo & appreciate the details shared. Have 5 EBMM now (JP6, Silhouette Spc, Majesty, Luke 3, Stingray) gathered over the years but have been debating whether to get a Valentine or not. As of now, I love the Luke 3 overall but my JP6 I've had since '06 is still my go to guitar..haha. But looking at the Valentine because I was to explore the "Tele" sound but want it on a EBMM neck...I think you have convinced to try it but wondering if I should get the tremolo version or not. Thanks for the video, good job!!!
Thank you! Wow 5 EBMM, that is awesome haha! Personally I always thought that the hardtail version is spankier but the tremolo definitely adds something that is pretty unusual and interesting to the "tele" sound for sure!
I play a Stratocaster because of Jimi Hendrix, and for no other reason than that. I don’t care if others play better, sound better, it’s Les Paul, Strat, Tele, the end. Other guitars have no meaning.
I agree with you only by bodyshapes. But to stubbornly insist on a certain name on the headstock is only hurting YOU. Why limit yourself to old man guitars when there's soo many far superior spec'd offerings that blow them away? I own only the 3 shapes you prefer also, but not one with those names. I'd put my modded knockoffs up against anything you have any day.
I know that nobody cares but I am not impressed, not even a little bit. As much as the Fender headstocks are always nailed, the MM/ Sterling makes the most lame ones. (-I know why they are like this, ok) And the whole guitar is so goofy. Yes I know the look is secondary. But this is just ugly. Versatility, light weight... Who cares if the guitar has no character. Because it's (-not she for me) just hasn't. I don't need a guitar that can do similar things than the Gretsch, I need a Gretsch, and so on.. (Nothing else can anyway) Yes, the traveling and the different amp settings, yes, indeed a headache sometimes. But that's our job, to deal with these tasks. Also I am in absolutely different genres then the Maroon5 so it's also okay. We are so many and so different. So, all the best!
My most beautiful are two-tone guitars, Squire Classic in white, whit orange pickguard is the sexiest guitar I've ever seen (altgough I don't like white guitars)
