2018 Music Man Cutlass RS HSS Electric Guitar

June 26, 2023

2018 Music Man Cutlass RS HSS Electric Guitar

This is a nearly-new Cutlass in an HSS pickup configuration. Its finish is "charcoal frost" which is a medium grey-blue with a metallic sheen. It's kind-of got a '60s Impala vibe to it -- it's a good, classy look.

If you're already a Strat player, the form-factor will be obvious to you. The controls are simplified -- gone is the second tone control you didn't use anyway. It also has a "Silent Circuit" buffer/noise reducer gizmo under the hood. This reduces hum and 60-cycle stuff while leaving the guitar basically "as-is" if it were entirely passive. It really does work as the instrument has a clean, open, clear tone to it that's unsullied with zzzzt.

The neck is cut a bit asymmetrical on the rear and this particular guitar also has a ridiculously-flamed, roasted maple neck to boot. Despite the asymmetric cut to the profile, it handles (to my senses) a lot like an early-'60s Fender with a 1 5/8" nut width. It's a little heftier on the bass side which helps for thumb-resting in positions up the neck and a little mellower in shape on the treble side which makes for comfortable finger-spread It's an interesting cut for folks like myself almost entirely wrapped-up in old gear, but it works well.

Repairs included: a quick setup.

Weight: 7 lbs 4 oz

Scale length: 25 3/8"

Nut width: 1 5/8"

Neck shape: medium C

Board radius: 9 1/2"

Body width: 12 3/4"

Body depth: 1 5/8"

Body wood: alder

Bridge: 2-point trem

Fretboard: integral

Neck wood: flamed maple (roasted)