The Guitar Player's Resource
This guitar captures the same adaptable energy that made James Valentine such an essential part of Maroon 5's evolution - an instrument built for players who need to handle both alternative rock edge and mainstream pop sensibilities without missing a beat.
When James Valentine needed a signature guitar, he wasn't looking for another pretty face in the Music Man lineup - he needed an instrument that could handle Maroon 5's evolution from alternative rock to Grammy-winning pop without missing a beat.
That ash body and roasted figured maple neck combination represents one of the sweetest tonal recipes in electric guitar history, but Music Man didn't just copy vintage formulas. They tailored this combination specifically for Valentine's funk-infused approach and the band's genre-hopping demands.
The custom pickup configuration tells the real story here. That offset mini humbucker in the neck position provides warmth and punch that cuts through dense pop arrangements, while the bridge single-coil with staggered pole pieces delivers the clarity and bite that makes rhythm parts really snap. These aren't random pickup choices - they're solving specific problems for a player whose parts need to serve songs rather than showcase technique.
But here's where this guitar gets genuinely smart: those push/pull controls aren't just added features for marketing purposes. The volume knob's gain boost gives you that extra push for solos without changing amps or pedals, while the tone knob's coil-split function opens up the mini humbucker for even more single-coil clarity. You're looking at genuine versatility that serves working musicians who need multiple sounds within the same song.
The roasted figured maple neck and fingerboard create stunning visuals, but the real benefit is in how that roasting process stabilizes the wood and adds harmonic complexity. The 10" radius and stainless steel frets provide smooth playability whether you're executing complex chord voicings or rapid single-note passages.
Those Schaller locking tuners and Modern Classic hardtail bridge solve real-world problems for players who can't afford tuning issues during live performances. No tremolo complications, just solid intonation and the kind of string coupling that lets those custom pickups really sing.
At 25.5" scale, you get the clarity and string tension that modern pop-rock demands, while that Baby Blue finish creates visual appeal that photographs beautifully for both live shows and video work.
Model: Valentine
Additional Features: Music Man preamp
Number of Strings: 6
Left-/Right-handed: Right-handed
Body Type: Solidbody
Body Shape: Ernie Ball Doublecut
Body Material: Ash
Body Finish: High Gloss Polyester
Color: Baby Blue
Neck Material: Roasted Figured Maple
Neck Shape: C
Neck Joint: 5-way Bolt-on
Radius: 10"
Fingerboard Material: Roasted Figured Maple
Fingerboard Inlay: Dots
Number of Frets: 22, .095" x .047", Stainless Steel
Scale Length: 25.5"
Nut Material: Melamine
Bridge/Tailpiece: Music Man Custom Modern Classic Hardtail
Tuners: Schaller Locking
Neck Pickup: Music Man Custom Wound offset mini Humbucker
Bridge Pickup: Music Man custom wound staggered pole piece Single-coil
Controls: 1 x volume (push/pull gain boost), 1 x tone (push/pull coil-split)
Switching: 3-way blade pickup switch
