Using necks made by Modulus Graphite, the Cutlass was one of the first production basses to venture beyond traditional materials. There are no production records indicating how many Cutlasses were built, but some estimates indicate around 600. According to a 1984 catalog, the otherwise identical StingRay listed for $750, while the Cutlass I listed for $1,095, suggesting that the relatively high expense of these custom necks may have hastened the Cutlass’s demise.

There’s a lot to like about the Cutlass. The body shape is comfortable and familiar, and the neck profile is somewhere between a Fender Precision and Jazz. Visually, the oval pickguard did a lot to set the Music Man designs apart from other basses. This example seems to be an early one, as it has a three-bolt neck plate and through-body stringing, which is different from the typical four-bolt/through-bridge setup on most Cutlasses.

Essentially, this is a bass with a single basic sound—a powerful upper-midrange bark—that can be changed somewhat via EQ. The boost-only preamp makes it hard to get a woolly tone, but it’s hard to imagine someone looking for that sound from this bass. No doubt, the graphite contributes to this axe’s fine articulation and its ability to speak well for rock & roll. The Cutlass’s glassy, high-end response is a little hard-sounding when played solo, but it cuts through a full studio track. The bass boost allows you to fill out the bottom for thumbstyle playing in ways you could never do on a passive bass.

This bass, which belongs to its original owner, Nashville stalwart Dave Fowler, is in exceptional shape. It was set up with a low action and was a pleasure to play. It’s always a kick when an instrument’s sound and feel changes the way you play; I found myself trying busier lines than normal and pulling them off. The evenness of attack and the lack of dead spots led me to explore different fingerings and positions, and within a few minutes, I felt like the whole neck was more accessible.

The Cutlass remains a rare wonder, bringing together a classic blend of old and new. Cutlasses were made from about 1980 until Ernie Ball’s acquisition of Music Man in 1984, so there are still a few floating around out there. If a bright sound is your bag, you may want to give this early-’80s vehicle a spin around the track. Until next time, drive safe!