Music Man Adds Albert Lee HSS and 75-Piece Malibu Burst BFR
The new Albert Lee HSS pairs a DiMarzio bridge humbucker with Seymour Duncan single coils. A separate Malibu Burst BFR is limited to 75 worldwide.
Ernie Ball Music Man has introduced an Albert Lee HSS model alongside a separate, 75-piece Ball Family Reserve edition in Malibu Burst. They share the familiar angular outline, but the pickup layouts and construction are different.
Albert Lee HSS: three finishes, mixed pickups
The HSS combines an Axis-derived DiMarzio bridge humbucker with two Seymour Duncan Albert Lee signature single coils. A five-way selector, master volume and tone control manage the combinations. Music Man says its Silent Circuit reduces single-coil hum and helps balance output between positions.
The standard specification includes an ash body, roasted figured maple neck, 22 stainless-steel frets and a vintage-style tremolo. The three finishes are Honey Burst, Firemist Silver and Cosmos Sparkle.
The Malibu Burst BFR is an HH guitar
The limited BFR takes a different route: two custom DiMarzio humbuckers, a figured maple top over an okoume body, and white pearl block inlays. Music Man limits this edition to 75 instruments worldwide and includes a signed tremolo backplate and numbered certificate.
That makes this more than a finish comparison. A player choosing between them is also choosing between the HSS pickup mix and the BFR’s HH configuration. Published specifications explain that distinction; they do not replace a hands-on comparison of feel or sound.
The launch was reported on October 7. Pricing and local availability vary by market and should be checked with a dealer.
Want to dig deeper into Albert Lee’s guitars and gear? Read our full guide.
Image: Ernie Ball Music Man, official Albert Lee HSS launch imagery. Image source.
