Sterling by Music Man’s Valentine Collection, designed in conjunction with Maroon 5 guitarist James Valentine, has proven to be a modern classic, and now the company has added to the line with its classiest and most playable model yet: the Valentine Chambered Bigsby.
The new model stays true to the specs that have made the design a standout – cool offset looks, a white ash slab body, a roasted maple neck and fingerboard and locking tuners – while also elevating these features.
For the 2023 version, that means a custom chambered body design with an elegant f-hole that results in a noticeably lighter weight guitar that, according to Guitar World Tech Editor Paul Riario, “drips with tone and deep resonance,” as well as a Tune-o-matic bridge with a Bigsby B50 for “some vintage-style throw.” And it all comes wrapped up in a luxurious Butterscotch finish.
Electronics-wise, meanwhile, the Valentine Chambered Bigsby is loaded with Sterling by Music Man-designed pickups that are presented in a powerful combo of a neck humbucker and bridge single-coil in humbucker casing configuration, providing a bright, snappy response and warm, fuller tones for every style from pop to rock. What’s more, Paul notes, “there’s an active 12dB push-push boost circuit to increase your output when you need to stand out.”
Paul’s verdict? “If you already love the sound and offset look of the Valentine model, the brand-new Valentine Chambered Bigsby from Sterling by Music Man is a fantastic guitar to add to your collection, with its inclusion of a Tune-o-matic bridge paired with a Bigsby vibrato.
“Add to that its outstanding playability and nuanced tones courtesy of its humbucker and single coil configuration with an active boost circuit, which makes this modern classic a real standout model.”
And for those interested in a more straightforward option, Sterling by Music Man also offers a Valentine Chambered hardtail model, boasting the same great specs – white ash slab body, 12dB push-push boost, roasted maple neck, locking tuners and more — but with a hardtail bridge with vintage bent saddles and a classic Natural finish.
For more information on the Valentine Chambered Bigsby, head to Sterling by Music Man.
