ERNIE BALL MUSIC MAN Cutlass HT TESTED

BORN OUT OF the California bolt-neck electric guitar tradition, Ernie Ball Music Man has nevertheless continued to strive for originality and innovation.

- DAVE HUNTER

It's an attitude that has won over plenty of pro players, especially since the Ernie Ball company took the reins at Music Man back in 1984. The new HT Series shows a company that's still far from ready to rest on its laurels. As such, the Cutlass HT on review here might appear to be a familiar model, but it represents a significant shake-up for a modern classic from the Ernie Ball Music Man stable.

SPECIFICATIONS

Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass HT

CONTACT music-man.com

PRICE $2,899 street

NUT GraphTech, 1 5/8” wide

NECK Roasted maple

FRETBOARD Ebony, 25.5” scale, 10” radius

FRETS 22 high profile/medium width

TUNERS Schaller M6-IND locking

BODY Solid alder

BRIDGE Music Man modern tremolo with cover, bent-steel saddles

PICKUPS Three Music Man HT single-coils

CONTROLS Volume with push-push gain boost, tone, five-way switch

FACTORY STRINGS Ernie Ball M-Steel Hybrid

Slinky .009–.046

WEIGHT 8.2 lbs

BUILT USA

KUDOS Well-built and well-conceived, with great full-range pickups, a handy gain boost, and broad sonic capabilities overall

CONCERNS This example tips in a little heavy