The Sterling by Music Man SUB Series Cutlass Classic brings together vintage style, timeless tone and modern versatility in a gig-ready package built for budget-conscious players. Featuring a classic double-cutaway poplar body wrapped in a retro-inspired Candy Apple Red finish, this Guitar Center exclusive punches well above its weight, offering pro-grade performance at an accessible price. Its stained hard maple neck delivers a comfortable, balanced foundation, while the laurel fingerboard adds warmth and smooth response. Upgraded Alnico pickups in an HSS configuration provide dynamic tonal flexibility—from sparkling single-coil clarity to powerful humbucker drive—making the Cutlass equally at home with clean articulation, crunchy rhythms or high-gain leads. With a fast modern neck radius, stable five-bolt construction and a responsive fulcrum tremolo, the SUB Series Cutlass Classic is a true modern workhorse for players of all levels.
Classic Poplar Body and Exclusive Retro-Inspired Finish
The SUB Series Cutlass Classic begins with a poplar body, prized for its balanced frequency response, comfortable weight and approachable feel. Poplar delivers smooth lows, articulate mids and crisp high-end detail, creating an ideal foundation for the guitar’s versatile HSS electronics. Its classic double-cutaway shape offers a timeless silhouette with enhanced upper-fret access, while the exclusive Candy Apple Red finish adds distinctive retro character. Lightweight, resonant and visually striking, the Cutlass blends heritage style with contemporary fit and finish.
Stained Hard Maple Neck for Fast, Comfortable Playability
The hard maple neck provides a stable, responsive feel, enhanced by a beautiful stained finish that adds both visual character and a smooth, broken-in touch. A 12" fingerboard radius and 25.5" scale length deliver a familiar modern playing experience—ideal for wide bends, fast lead work and fretting accuracy. The laurel fingerboard contributes warmth and natural clarity while keeping the feel comfortable and grounded. With 22 frets, dual-action truss rod adjustment and a secure five-bolt neck joint, the Cutlass ensures long-term reliability and easy setup for a wide range of playing styles.
Alnico HSS Pickups for Versatile, Dynamic Tone
The upgraded Alnico pickup set defines the SUB Series Cutlass Classic’s sonic flexibility. Two Alnico single-coils offer crisp, chimey cleans and articulate midrange—perfect for funk, pop, indie and classic rock tones. The bridge humbucker adds heat and fullness, delivering punchy rhythms and singing lead tones when more power is needed. The five-way pickup selector allows seamless switching between glassy single-coil textures, blended positions with added harmonic sparkle and the bold authority of the humbucker. Simple, intuitive controls—one volume, one tone—keep the layout clean while enabling expressive tonal shaping.
Fulcrum Tremolo and Reliable Hardware for Stage-Ready Performance
The SUB Series Cutlass Classic features a smooth fulcrum tremolo that encourages expressive vibrato, subtle modulation and dynamic pitch control, all while maintaining tuning stability. Die-cast tuning machines provide reliable, consistent performance, and the five-bolt neck attachment enhances structural integrity and resonance. Every component—from the dual-action truss rod to the precisely cut nut—works together to deliver dependable playability and predictable, stage-ready response.
A Vintage-Inspired Workhorse With Modern Flexibility
With its blend of classic styling, versatile HSS electronics and performance-oriented construction, the Sterling by Music Man SUB Series Cutlass Classic offers a professional playing experience at an exceptional value. Its balanced tonewoods, fast neck feel and expressive tremolo system make it a reliable tool for players across every genre. Finished in striking Candy Apple Red, this Guitar Center exclusive captures the charm of a vintage instrument while delivering the refinement and versatility today’s musicians demand.