One of Ernie Ball Music Man's most distinctive signature designs gains a new level of tonal range with the Albert Lee HSS, adding an Axis-derived DiMarzio custom humbucker to the model's custom-wound Seymour Duncan single-coils for its first standard-production HSS configuration. A celebrated guitarist known for his extraordinary precision and hybrid-picking prowess, Lee has long relied on this angular, retro-modern platform as his signature instrument. An ash body provides a lightweight, balanced foundation, while a roasted figured maple neck and fingerboard with 22 stainless steel frets deliver smooth, responsive playability. Music Man's active preamp and Silent Circuit help the HSS pickup set perform as a cohesive system, balancing output across all five selections while reducing unwanted single-coil hum. A vintage tremolo, compensated nut and Schaller locking tuners round out the performance-focused design, with Honey Burst, Firemist Silver and Cosmos finishes showcasing its unmistakable silhouette.
Ash Body Brings Balance to the Distinctive Albert Lee Shape
The Albert Lee HSS builds its unmistakable retro-modern silhouette from ash, combining the model's angular lines with the comfortable balance that has helped define the design. The solidbody construction provides a resonant foundation for the expanded HSS electronics, while carefully shaped contours keep the instrument comfortable whether played seated or standing. A sculpted five-bolt neck joint provides a secure connection while smoothing the transition into the upper register for easier access to higher frets. Finished in high-gloss polyester and paired with a white pearloid pickguard, the Albert Lee HSS gives its unconventional shape a clean, polished presentation.
Roasted Figured Maple Neck Offers Smooth, Responsive Playability
A roasted figured maple neck and matching fingerboard give the Albert Lee HSS a premium playing feel with striking natural figuring throughout. The C-shaped profile combines a familiar feel with a 25.5" scale and 10" fingerboard radius, providing a versatile foundation for chord work, bends and fast lead playing. Twenty-two high-profile, medium-width stainless steel frets offer a smooth surface with excellent wear resistance, while Music Man's gunstock oil and hand-rubbed wax finish leaves the maple feeling natural and fast beneath the fretting hand. White dot inlays provide a clean visual reference, complemented by glow-in-the-dark side markers for easier navigation on dimly lit stages.
DiMarzio and Seymour Duncan Pickups Expand the Albert Lee Palette
The Albert Lee HSS expands the model's tonal range by pairing custom-wound Seymour Duncan neck and middle single-coils with the same DiMarzio custom humbucker found in the Music Man Axis. The single-coils retain the clear, articulate character associated with the Albert Lee platform, while the bridge humbucker adds a fuller, more powerful voice for thicker rhythm sounds and lead tones. A five-way selector provides access to a broad range of pickup combinations, paired with master volume and tone knobs for straightforward control. Music Man's active preamp buffers the output and helps balance levels across all five positions, while the Silent Circuit reduces 60-cycle hum without sacrificing the authentic character of the single-coils.
Vintage-Style Tremolo Pairs Expressive Control With Reliable Tuning Stability
Music Man's vintage tremolo combines chrome-plated hardened steel construction with bent steel saddles for smooth, expressive pitch control and a direct, responsive feel. Schaller M6-IND locking tuners simplify string changes and provide a secure foundation at the headstock, working alongside Music Man's compensated nut to support accurate intonation and dependable tuning performance. An easily accessible truss rod allows neck relief to be adjusted without removing strings or other components, making routine setup changes straightforward. The Albert Lee HSS ships with custom Slinky RPS strings and an included Mono case for dependable protection between sessions and performances.
A Distinctive Signature Design With a Broader Voice
Across a career spanning more than six decades, Albert Lee has earned acclaim for the speed, precision and musicality of his playing, particularly the fluid hybrid-picking technique that has become one of his signatures. His work with artists including Emmylou Harris, Eric Clapton and the Everly Brothers has carried that unmistakable style across country, rock and roots music while cementing his reputation as a highly influential guitarist. The Ernie Ball Music Man Albert Lee HSS expands his long-running Music Man signature platform with an Axis-derived bridge humbucker, giving its established single-coil palette added power and range without sacrificing the distinctive feel and character of the original design. American-made craftsmanship, premium roasted maple and performance-focused hardware complete a signature guitar built to be every bit as versatile as the player whose name it carries.