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Pricing and availability

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Description

Discover the timeless appeal of the Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass 1 Bass, a tribute to classic design with modern craftsmanship. This bass guitar is perfect for musicians who appreciate simplicity and authenticity. The 100% passive electronics ensure a pure, unaltered tone that harks back to the golden age of rock. Built with a contoured ash body, it offers ergonomic comfort for long gigs, while the bolt-on maple neck delivers a satin-smooth feel, reminiscent of a well-loved vintage instrument.

The Cutlass 1 Bass is equipped with a single Alnico V offset humbucker, providing a warm, smooth low end and articulate highs. The minimalist control layout, featuring just a volume and tone knob, ensures that nothing stands between you and your sound. This bass also boasts a patented Compensated Nut, delivering precise intonation across the neck, so every note rings true.

With an oversized headstock and a high-gloss polyester finish, the Cutlass 1 Bass exudes old-school cool, making it as visually striking as it is sonically pleasing. Whether you're diving into jazz, indie rock, or classic blues, this bass is your reliable companion for any musical journey.

Key Features:

  • 100% passive electronics for pure sound
  • Alnico V offset passive humbucker
  • Contoured ash body for comfortable play
  • "C" bolt-on maple neck with vintage satin finish
  • Patented Compensated Nut for precise intonation
  • Oversized headstock with a high-gloss finish
  • Simple control layout: 1 pickup, 1 tone, 1 volume
  • Loaded with Ernie Ball Super Slinkies for optimal tone out of the box
Ernie Ball

Ernie Ball

Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass Bass

Video thumbnail for Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass Bass by Ernie Ball

Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass Bass

Ernie Ball

Ernie Ball

Video thumbnail for The Ultimate Sleeper Bass? Ernie Ball Cutlass! by Riffs, Beards & Gear

The Ultimate Sleeper Bass? Ernie Ball Cutlass!

Riffs, Beards & Gear

Riffs, Beards & Gear

Video thumbnail for Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass | Reverb Demo Video by Reverb

Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass | Reverb Demo Video

Reverb

Reverb

Video thumbnail for Music Man Cutlass Deep Dive - Exploring the Short-Lived Modern Classic - LowEndLobster Fresh Look by LowEndLobster

Music Man Cutlass Deep Dive - Exploring the Short-Lived Modern Classic - LowEndLobster Fresh Look

LowEndLobster

LowEndLobster

Video thumbnail for Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass Bass Demo by Ricardo Strani

Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass Bass Demo

Ricardo Strani

Ricardo Strani

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass 1 Bass.

Value and pricing

  • A pre-Ernie Ball Cutlass I in decent shape can be valued around $4k-$5k, though some listings reach up to $8k depending on demand.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners note the rarity of the Cutlass I, with only about 600 units made, adding to its desirability and collectible status.

    Source

Build quality

  • The necks of these basses were made by Modulus, indicating high-quality craftsmanship and materials.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Due to its rarity and historical significance, the Cutlass I is often seen as a collector's item rather than a regular gigging bass.

    Source

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Artist usage

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See how Flea uses Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass 1 Bass

Flea

Bassist

Red Hot Chili Peppers

...
Verified via YouTube

Flea used the Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass 1 Bass during the early years of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, including performances up to the "Mother's Milk" album. This can be seen in the 1985 Rockpalast Festival footage available on YouTube.

See how Cliff Williams uses Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass 1 Bass

Cliff Williams

Bassist

AC/DC

...
Verified via TalkBass.com

Featured in this TalkBass.com forum post.

I used to own a '79 Music Man Cutlass that belonged to Cliff Williams (AC/DC). It was bad, and all black!!

It was just one of the many basses I sold during my divorce :bawl:

The bass can be seen here.

See how Paul Raven uses Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass 1 Bass

Paul Raven

Bassist

Godflesh

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video you can see Paul Raven playing a MusicMan Cutlass 1 bass in natural finish. For those of you who don't know: MusicMan used to put graphite-necks from 'Modulus' on their 'Stingray'- and 'Sabre'-basses around 1980 and than they were called 'Cutlass I' (for a Stingray) or 'Cutlass II' (for a 'Sabre'). You can tell the difference because of the black headstock made out of graphite, they were no 'Stingrays' with dark or painted headstocks available in those days. Paul Raven also had a complete black 'Cutlass I', which he plays in another Killing Joke-video of that time. He seemed to love non-wood-necks (no 'dead spots' possible compared to wood-necks...), because he also played a Status and a Steinberger with graphite- or carbon-necks.

Album Usage

The Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass 1 Bass has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Ernie Ball Music Man Cutlass 1 Bass, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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