Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT20 Electric Guitar Black
An affordable intro-level Strat-inspired guitar with HSS pickups, solid playability, and versatile tones. The CT20 proves Music Man quality translates to budget-friendly price points without sacrifice.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Ceramic HSS pickup configuration delivers everything from classic single-coil sparkle to powerful rock crunch
- +Hard maple neck with comfortable C-shape profile and 12-inch radius enables smooth chords and expressive leads
- +5-way pickup selector provides tonal versatility rival to much pricier guitars
- +Accessible price point makes this perfect for learning or expanding a player's stable without regret-budget
Cons
- −Poplar body is budget-friendly but less resonant than ash or alder alternatives
- −22 medium-narrow frets may feel cramped for players with larger hands or bending-heavy playing styles
- −Stock setup is good but may require minor action adjustments to suit individual preferences
The Verdict
The Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT20 is proof that Music Man’s engineering philosophy scales down beautifully to entry-level prices. This guitar feels remarkably above its price point, which is Sterling’s whole mission — delivering genuine Music Man DNA without the premium markup.
Playability is the CT20’s strongest suit. The hard maple neck is stable and fast. The C-shaped profile feels comfortable whether you’re playing jazz-style chords or blues leads. The 12-inch radius walks a tightrope between chord comfort near the nut and low action higher up for soloing. 22 medium-narrow frets are a compromise, but they work.
The HSS pickup configuration is genuinely versatile. The bridge humbucker delivers rock aggression without muddiness. The middle and neck single coils offer classic Strat sparkle. That 5-way selector means you’re not locked into one tonal voice — funk, blues, rock, country all live here. The poplar body is the budget concession, but it’s a smart one. Yes, ash or alder would resonate longer, but you’re paying $250, not $1,500. For beginners, returning players, and anyone wanting a versatile second guitar, the Cutlass CT20 is exceptional value.
