SOUND CHECK
Re-Shaping the Masterpiece
ERNIE BALL MUSIC MAN JASON RICHARDSON CUTLASS 6-STRING
By Chris Gill
ERNIE BALL MUSIC Man is well known for developing outstanding artist models that feature entirely new designs and distinctive, original body shapes. Recently, Music Man has taken a slightly different approach with a new breed of artist models by collaborating with guitarists on modified designs of the company’s existing classic-inspired Cutlass and StingRay guitars. The artists involved with these models are not the usual obvious guitar heroes commonly touted within the musicians’ community but rather highly talented players with original ideas who have somewhat flown under the radar.
That spirit of originality is reflected in the Cutlass model designed by country phenom Hunter Hayes, the minimalist StingRay by punk/ alternative guitarist Stephen Egerton (Descendents, All) and the stripped-down-but-versatile stereo-capable humbucker/singlecoil StingRay by post-hardcore/spiritual musician Dustin Kensrue (Thrice, solo). The new Cutlass 6- and 7-string models designed with Jason Richardson, known for his highly technical progressive metal playing as a solo artist and with Born of Osiris and All That Remains, represent possibly the most radical interpretations of the Cutlass model yet, with the introduction of a 7-string model and departures like a wider, flatter neck with 24 frets instead of 22 and fancier materials and construction for both. Comparing the standard Music Man Cutlass to the Jason Richardson model is like the difference between a stock 1932 Ford Deluxe 3-window coupe and a Roy Brizio deuce coupe street rod. Both do share an overall common vibe, but the latter is certainly more sleek, modern and high-performance.