STERLING BY MUSIC MAN CT50XHSS Cutlass Plus HSS Showtime

A Cutlass Plus Designed as a Modern and Versatile "S-style"

With the CT50XHSS Cutlass Plus HSS "Showtime," Sterling offers a modern take on the large-format Stratocaster: same ergonomic landmarks, but with performance and versatility-oriented choices. The HSS configuration opens a wide spectrum, from bright funk tones to thicker rock sounds, while the bolt-on neck and poplar body aim for immediate playability and a responsive instrument. The addition of an easy-to-activate volume boost reinforces this "stage" positioning: you keep your amp settings and control the impact directly at your fingertips.

Who Is It For and What Styles? A 6-String Electric Ready for Anything

This 6-string electric guitar is especially aimed at advanced beginners to intermediate guitarists who want a complete instrument, but also at experienced musicians looking for an efficient "S-style" for rehearsals, gigs, and home studio. Its Stratocaster format remains a comfort standard: natural access to the high notes, balanced standing posture, and familiar playing position.

Regarding styles, the CT50XHSS feels at ease in genres where both precision and versatility are expected: pop, rock, blues, funk, indie, worship, and anything alternating clear arpeggios and heavier passages. The humbucker at the bridge provides the extra body and output often sought for riffs and leads, while the single coils maintain articulation for chicken picking and defined clean tones.

Sound: The HSS Balance, the Bite of Singles, and the Thickness of the Humbucker

The tonal personality of this Cutlass Plus relies on a trio of Sterling pickups: single coil at the neck, single coil at the center, and humbucker at the bridge. In practice, you get a very "plug-and-play" palette: the neck pickup favors round and singing tones, perfect for blues phrasing, melodies, and warm cleans. The center pickup adds a straighter grain, useful for precise rhythms and clear textures that remain audible in a mix.

The humbucker at the bridge pushes towards a denser register: higher output level, more present mids, and tighter lows, which help maintain consistency as soon as distortion is added. It's the typical choice to turn a Stratocaster-type guitar into a rock machine without losing the "S-style" identity on the other positions.

The passive electronics preserve a natural dynamic response: by playing with pick attack and the tone knob, you can go from a bright and snappy sound to a softer color. The 1 x Push/Push Volume Boost + 1 x Tone control adds real comfort in performance situations: one push, and the sound gains presence to stand out during a solo, strengthen a chorus, or thicken a rhythm part, without extra pedals.

On the luthiery side, the poplar body is known for offering a pleasant balance: an overall homogeneous sound, with a crisp attack and balanced midrange, ideal for versatile pickup configurations. Paired with a roasted maple neck, you generally get a quick response feel and precise playing, with clear note definition, especially appreciated in open chords and alternate picking runs. The Sterling vintage tremolo completes the set with a traditional touch, suited for light vibratos, expressive effects, and "shimmery" chords.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

To stay with the original setup, you can choose 10-46 electric guitar strings, such as the Ernie Ball 2221 Regular Slinky (factory set). A standard strap and a good quality 6.35 mm jack cable are also simple and reliable choices to fully enjoy your guitar at home, rehearsals, or on stage.

Technical specifications

Category	ST	Types of frets	Medium Jumbo
Format	Stratocaster	Vibrato	Sterling vintage tremolo
Nbr of strings	6	Nbre of pickups	3
Neck	Roasted maple 3 pieces screwed 5 points	Neck Pickup	Sterling single coil
Radius	305 mm	Middle pickup	Sterling single coil
Nut Width	42 mm	Bridge pickup	Sterling humbucker
Fingerboard	Roasted maple	Electronics	Passive
Nbrs of frets	22	Selector	5-position
Scale (mm)	648 mm	Settings	1 x Push / Push Volume Boost + 1 x Tone
Tuning pegs	Lockings	Finishing	Glossy
Original Strings	Ernie Ball 2221 Regular Slinky	Hardware	Chromed
Body	Poplar

Shape	Stratocaster	Number of pickups	3
Finish	Glossy lacquer	Center pickup	Sterling single coil
Scale length	648 mm / 25.5"	Selector switch	5-position
Number of frets	22	Controls	1 x Push/Push Volume Boost + 1 x Tone
Fret type	Medium Jumbo	Number of strings	6
Tuners	Locking