Ernie Ball Music Man releases 2018 Cutlass and StingRay RS models

Following the announcement at Winter NAMM 2018, Ernie Ball Music Man has finally released the three new guitars from the RS line: the Cutlass RS, Cutlass RS HSS, and StingRay RS.

The biggest highlight on all three guitars are their new roasted figured maple necks, which not only look amazing but provide more stability than regular maple. Read on for the other specs:

2018 Cutlass RS & Cutlass RS HSS

The 2018 Cutlass RS boasts a trio of ’60s-inspired Music Man custom-wound single coils. Music Man’s proprietary “Silent Circuit” also features here, reducing hum and buffering output. Most specs of this guitar remain the same as last year’s model, including the lightweight alder body, smooth tremolo system and oversized four-over-two headstock that ensures tuning stability. The guitar is now available in Firemist Silver.

The 2018 Cutlass RS HSS, as its name suggests, comes with a custom-would ceramic humbucker at the bridge that “has plenty of crunchy rhythms and biting lead tones,” according to Music Man. Besides Firemist Silver, the RS HSS model has a new Stealth Black finish—but that has a matte black finished maple neck instead of a roasted figured one. Everything else is pretty much identical to the single-coil model.

2018 StingRay RS

Like the other new models, the StingRay RS has three fingerboard options—rosewood, ebony and roasted maple—depending on the finish. However, this guitar sports a pair of Ernie Ball Music Man Alnico V humbuckers, and has an African mahogany body. Three new finishes are available: Firemist Silver, Stealth Black and Vintage Turquoise.

Hear the guitars in action here:

The guitars retail from $1,999 to $2,249. For more information, check out music-man.com.