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.
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. 😂
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.
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.
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...
(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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 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 🤣✌️❤️🎸🎶🙏
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
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.
+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.
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 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!
I might have you missed you saying it but if not: did you notice that the neck is non-symetrical? It's thinner at the trebble side. It's extremely comfortable.
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.
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!
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!
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! 👍
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.
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
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 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
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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 $600.00 used 5 years ago with case. I had 32 guitars from start to finish. Now you got me thinking of buying this one and get rid of the Strat. thanks for the review.
Thanks for introducing me to the MM Sterling. Will definitely check it out! One small suggestion, please either edit in views of the guitar as explaining the features, or something other than continually sticking the guitar in the camera. The clear/blurry stuff was frustrating. Same with playing blurry. Thanks Darrell! Love your videos!
In Sweden (Scandinavia) where I live and actually in the whole Europe as far as I can tell the Fender Player series is cheaper than the Sterling CT50HSS and I mean the normal one not the plus one. I do not get it how it can differ that much over in the US or CAN compared to EU. Here in Europe the normal Sterling CT50HSS is actually 700$ and the Fender Player Stratocaster HSS you can get for around 630$, maybe even less if you look around a bit. Would you still buy the Sterling ?
Wasn't Music Man started by Leo Fender? He knew he could improve the Strat and the Tele and he did it magnificently, but the Strat still has one thing, the recessed jack socket, a BIG plus when on stage!👍
Well - I play a Sterling Cutlass now. I'm wondering if I should trade it in for the Plus model? Love my Cutlass - better than my previous Strat (and so much nicer to play than my Gibson that never gets out of it's gig bag these days!).
Please do a back-to-back comparison of the pickups against your old Cutlass. And, please also remove the pick guard and tell us if they upgraded the switch and pots. Thanks!
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. 😂
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.
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
I was in love with the specs till I saw the body was poplar, which is not a favorite of mine. Though not terrible as far as tonewood, it is a softer wood and can dent and ding more easily. I still may considr one for a replacement for a strat.
Thanks for pointing out the trem stability. Music Man precision is something you have to experience in person. I have an EBMM Jason Richardson cutlass and that trem is significantly more stable than all of my trem guitars. I never check the tuning before playing unless I get curious and say “you know, I haven’t checked tuning in a while.”
And volume knob is not scratching my knuckles like Fender does. Still can make volume swells with pinky finger👍.That truss rod wheel was first invented by Blade guitars about 1990.
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.
Darrell, I bought this model based on your review. I was excited when it arrived and then took a closer look. It seems they still have some quality control issues for over $600 I expected something a little bit better. The high e string is actually so far over the fret wire that at the 5th fret and higher it hovers over the bevel of the fret wire and makes it virtually unplayable. I guess they couldn't line up the neck properly or align the bridge properly. I don't know but I'm not giving them another chance. when I get the authorization to return this unit I will never buy anything but Fender. Every time I go off the main brands I always get a piece of crap. Good luck to everyone else that gets good equipment because I never do.
That colour reminds me of metal primer paint. Hideous, but not much worse the than the “chaulk” option. Nicer colours and SS frets and I’d be all over this.
I have a Cutlass CT 50 (not plus) and it's phenomenally well made. The only things I had done were pickup swaps (to Seymour Duncans) and a push-pull pot to split the bridge. Otherwise it is crazy good value.
Planning to buy the CT50 but would like to see Sterling bringing up some new (and more traditional like former Fiesta Red) colors. These new ones are kind of odd…
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.
Could you please do a tech break down on this one? How heavy is it, pic of trem mounting from the backside. I bought a CT50HSS last year and the trem posts mounted through the wood and were coming into the trem cavity. Contacted Sterling and they said that is how they mount them, but everyone else I talked to said they had never seen that doing b4. The electronics and nut are very low quality, I was planning to upgrade all the parts, but it was just not worth it.
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.
Darrell, here in Canada (where you are), the CT 50 Plus is $960, $310 more than the US price. And the Player Strat is $400 more again. I hope your US viewers appreciate the value they get over us Canadians!
Thanks for your awesome reviews, Darrell! I know others have already asked, but I want to ask (okay, beg) again … could you please do shootout between the CT50 Plus and a Sire S7? Can the CT50 Plus stand up to the S7 in terms of build quality and playability?
We all know you pay A LOT for the name on the headstock, but this guitar shows it doesn't have to be that way!
Enjoy :)
Guitar link/info - sweetwater.sjv.io/21WAeO
Awesome guitar, would a PRS SE 245 be a good Les Paul alternative?
Great, bow I want this guitar 😂
So it's basically my CT-60 with active pickups/boost and ugly inlays? I jest, but I prefer the CT-50 black dot on baked maple look over these inlays. Though the Blonde version plus, without the rosewood, but still big inlays, does have black hardware, which is cool. I'll admit, I did replace the pickups in my CT-50 with Seymour SH-11 Custom Custom in the bridge and Qtr Pounder SSL-4, to get the same thing (only better). Albeit I have to work the Volume knob, not just push it.
I have a CT50 and love it more than my (for sale) Strat - which I also love. These new ones look sweet, love the new colors too. The original's prices have been dropping, now I know why.
@DarrellBraunGuitar In Europe the normal CT50HSS is around 700$ 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.
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?
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 !
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.
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...
(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
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!
There is just something about the shape of the body and headstock of this guitar that I can never get over.
The Strat body?
I have a 2017 ebmm hss cutlass. It is the most comfortable instrument I have ever played and I LOVE IT
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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
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!!
I've got a CT-50. Love it. The only drawback: the switch. Easily fixed
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.
What about the fret size? They are medium and quite small. That's a deal breaker for many.
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
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.
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...
The Cutless plus sounds good, but I will never give up on Fender, because it's the most iconic guitar of them all.
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.
Hi Darrell, always love a well made & designed model with the player in mind. Great value for money. Sounds great too. Great review. Cheers ✌️🎸
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!
I might have you missed you saying it but if not: did you notice that the neck is non-symetrical? It's thinner at the trebble side. It's extremely comfortable.
I have a regular CT50 Cutlass and Lordy is that thing versatile! It's an easy go-to guitar in the collection.
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.
I have one in chalk white. Excellent instrument. I call it my "signature" guitar. My #1.
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!
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!
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! 👍
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.
I really like that one. I have an Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray. Fantastic guitars 🎸 Thank you Darrell
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 would get this guitar, these features and the look makes it a must buy.. Thanks for the recomendation.
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
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 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
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.
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 have the CT50. I love it. I get comments on how beautiful it is, constantly.
“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
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 ?
Block inlays look great on that guitar
I have a cuttless ct50 I love its amazing I’m glad to see this model to it looks amazing
I love that heel carve. So smooth.
Beautiful sounding guitar. Love the color and finish.
@DarrellBraunGuitar..- what?
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
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
That bucker sounds good. Never had an HSS Strat bucker sound that good.
Darrell, thank you for a really informative take on this!!
I may be changing stripes!
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 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.
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 $600.00 used 5 years ago with case. I had 32 guitars from start to finish. Now you got me thinking of buying this one and get rid of the Strat. thanks for the review.
Very cool at an incredible price. Excellent video again. Thanks Daryl
Sorry I spelled your name wrong... autocorrect
Thanks for introducing me to the MM Sterling. Will definitely check it out! One small suggestion, please either edit in views of the guitar as explaining the features, or something other than continually sticking the guitar in the camera. The clear/blurry stuff was frustrating. Same with playing blurry.
Thanks Darrell! Love your videos!
Darrell - how about this vs. a Yamaha Pacifica 612...?
I love my MM Cutlass and Luke 3’s! And I really dig the block inlays on this Sterling!
In Sweden (Scandinavia) where I live and actually in the whole Europe as far as I can tell the Fender Player series is cheaper than the Sterling CT50HSS and I mean the normal one not the plus one. I do not get it how it can differ that much over in the US or CAN compared to EU. Here in Europe the normal Sterling CT50HSS is actually 700$ and the Fender Player Stratocaster HSS you can get for around 630$, maybe even less if you look around a bit. Would you still buy the Sterling ?
Great specs. I would prefer the 2 tone controls. Thanks for sharing and demo. TGBTG!
Wasn't Music Man started by Leo Fender? He knew he could improve the Strat and the Tele and he did it magnificently, but the Strat still has one thing, the recessed jack socket, a BIG plus when on stage!👍
Yes. ... then Leo went on to creat G&L guitars.
Just starting the video. Looks like this has modern pickup stagger rather than the traditional on the CT-50.
Well - I play a Sterling Cutlass now. I'm wondering if I should trade it in for the Plus model? Love my Cutlass - better than my previous Strat (and so much nicer to play than my Gibson that never gets out of it's gig bag these days!).
What is the model number on one of those without Active electronics....The instrument is really nice 😎...
Please do a back-to-back comparison of the pickups against your old Cutlass. And, please also remove the pick guard and tell us if they upgraded the switch and pots. Thanks!
Hi Darryl , great news. Much continued success with your channel and hard work.
Yamaha's Pacifica PAC612VIIFM is the way to go.
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. 😂
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.
Not that WE can't look it up... however no mention of radius (I know G&L's are a flatter radius, that's an essential spec 07/14/23
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
I was in love with the specs till I saw the body was poplar, which is not a favorite of mine. Though not terrible as far as tonewood, it is a softer wood and can dent and ding more easily. I still may considr one for a replacement for a strat.
Thanks Darrell for this awesome presentation! I have to save up some money for the Sterling!
The price is the enticer! Music man guitars are pristine in design and craftsmanship. Will get this one to add to my collection.
Thanks for pointing out the trem stability. Music Man precision is something you have to experience in person. I have an EBMM Jason Richardson cutlass and that trem is significantly more stable than all of my trem guitars. I never check the tuning before playing unless I get curious and say “you know, I haven’t checked tuning in a while.”
More 1 & 11/16 options please but love em
And volume knob is not scratching my knuckles like Fender does. Still can make volume swells with pinky finger👍.That truss rod wheel was first invented by Blade guitars about 1990.
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.
Darrell, I bought this model based on your review. I was excited when it arrived and then took a closer look. It seems they still have some quality control issues for over $600 I expected something a little bit better. The high e string is actually so far over the fret wire that at the 5th fret and higher it hovers over the bevel of the fret wire and makes it virtually unplayable. I guess they couldn't line up the neck properly or align the bridge properly. I don't know but I'm not giving them another chance. when I get the authorization to return this unit I will never buy anything but Fender. Every time I go off the main brands I always get a piece of crap. Good luck to everyone else that gets good equipment because I never do.
I have the Musicman LIII. Probably the best guitar I ever owned Stay's tuned and just never let me down. QC = 10.
Great demo! I’ve been on the lookout for a good S-Style. I’ll give this one a look!
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.
That colour reminds me of metal primer paint. Hideous, but not much worse the than the “chaulk” option. Nicer colours and SS frets and I’d be all over this.
Rocked a 2016 Cutlass in Surf Green for a bit. Great guitars. Didn't have the mojo I was looking for but can'y deny the spec list.
Thanks for cutting the crap. Straight to the content. No life story, patreon, or nonsense. Another guitar I need to buy! Lol.
I have a Cutlass CT 50 (not plus) and it's phenomenally well made. The only things I had done were pickup swaps (to Seymour Duncans) and a push-pull pot to split the bridge. Otherwise it is crazy good value.
does it stay in tune after abuse?
Arent these stock ones really damn good?
I compared stock CT50 vs player and CT had beautiful chime and bell tone
Planning to buy the CT50 but would like to see Sterling bringing up some new (and more traditional like former Fiesta Red) colors. These new ones are kind of odd…
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.
Love to hear the neck pickup with the tone backed off & see how thick it is
I for one knew this all along I record with the cutlus play with the cutlus it's just an awesome guitar I love every thing about it.
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.
You got yourself a winning guitar with the Sterling Cutless! And really like the booster too!!!
Could you please do a tech break down on this one? How heavy is it, pic of trem mounting from the backside. I bought a CT50HSS last year and the trem posts mounted through the wood and were coming into the trem cavity. Contacted Sterling and they said that is how they mount them, but everyone else I talked to said they had never seen that doing b4. The electronics and nut are very low quality, I was planning to upgrade all the parts, but it was just not worth it.
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.
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!
Thanks for your awesome reviews, Darrell!
I know others have already asked, but I want to ask (okay, beg) again … could you please do shootout between the CT50 Plus and a Sire S7? Can the CT50 Plus stand up to the S7 in terms of build quality and playability?