Overview

The Music Man Cutlass is a premium American-made electric guitar that reimagines the classic bolt-on single-coil formula with modern refinements and exceptional build quality. It features an alder body, a roasted maple neck with a modern C profile and a wax-and-oil hand-rubbed finish, and a 22-fret maple or rosewood fingerboard with a 10-inch radius and stainless steel frets. Three Music Man single-coil pickups deliver clear, bell-like tones with excellent note separation and a warm, rounded character that avoids the brittle iciness some single-coils exhibit. The five-way selector, silent circuit design, and compensated nut contribute to a refined, professional playing experience with minimal noise. A modern two-point tremolo with vintage-bent steel saddles provides smooth vibrato with reliable return-to-pitch performance. Build quality is superb, reflecting Music Man's San Luis Obispo manufacturing standards " every detail from the fretwork to the finish is meticulously executed. This guitar suits discerning players who want a refined single-coil instrument with boutique-level craftsmanship. The premium price positions it above many alternatives, which may be difficult to justify for players unfamiliar with the brand.

Electric Guitars

A premium American-made single-coil guitar with roasted maple neck, stainless steel frets, Music Man pickups, and silent circuit design reflecting boutique-level craftsmanship.

Instrument Details

$2,299 Professional
Brand Music Man
Type Solid Body Electric
Made In USA
Year 2016
4.8 1 vote

AI Reviews

4.8 /5

The Music Man Cutlass is a masterclass in functional evolution. While it pays homage to the iconic double-cutaway silhouette, this is no vintage clone; it's a surgical tool designed for the modern professional. The standout feature is undoubtedly the roasted maple neck. Finished with Music Man's signature hand-rubbed wax-and-oil blend, it offers a tactile fluidity that makes high-gloss finishes feel sluggish by comparison. Combined with impeccably dressed stainless steel frets and a comfortable 10-inch radius, the playability is effortless from the first fret to the last.

Sonically, the custom-wound single coils provide that coveted 'spank' and 'quack,' but with a refined, hi-fi clarity. The inclusion of the active Silent Circuit is a game-changer for session work and live performance, effectively killing 60-cycle hum without sacrificing the high-end sparkle. The buffered output also ensures your signal remains robust through long cable runs. If there is a trade-off, it's that the Cutlass can feel almost *too* perfect; players seeking the idiosyncratic 'fight' or grit of a vintage instrument might find its precision a bit sterile. However, for the gigging guitarist who demands tuning stability via the 4-over-2 headstock and a rock-solid modern tremolo, the Cutlass is arguably the best S-style instrument in its price bracket.

Category Ratings

Electric Guitars
4.8
Feb 15, 2026
AI-Generated Review Generated via Google API. This is an automated evaluation, not a consumer review. Learn more
Music Man Cutlass Screenshot

Added: Feb 11, 2026

music-man.com/instruments/guitars/cutlass