Sterling by Music Man has finally released the highly anticipated, more accessible version of the Kaizen electric guitar, a collaboration with Animals As Leaders founder Tosin Abasi. This new model makes the futuristic design available to a broader audience, with prices starting at just $849.99, a significant drop from the original’s $3,999 price tag.
Sterling by Music Man Kaizen
The original Ernie Ball Music Man Kaizen was unveiled three years ago at NAMM 2022. It featured a groundbreaking design and cutting-edge specs, including a multi-scale design and the innovative Infinity radius, tailored for contemporary players.
While praised for its forward-thinking approach, its high-end features and price point kept it out of reach for many.
Now, in response to high demand from guitarists, Sterling by Music Man has introduced a regular-scale version of the Kaizen, offering both six- and seven-string formats. This new model retains the core aesthetic and feel of the original while making key adjustments to lower the cost and appeal to players seeking a more traditional experience.
“I want the guitar to play fast, to wear close to the body, and to communicate a degree of aggression and forward-thinking—and I think the Kaizen really embodies that,” Abasi noted. “There’s a foundational shape to the Kaizen that’s really bold and impactful, but it doesn’t depart too far from what a guitar should look like. I like when the form is informed by the function.”
Standard-Scale
The Sterling Kaizen features a radical nyatoh double-cut body and a roasted maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard. It comes equipped with 24 frets, Steinberger gearless tuners, a modern tremolo system, and a 25.5” scale length. To achieve the lower price, the guitar uses standard ceramic humbuckers instead of the original’s high-end Heat Treated pickups.
Abasi explained that the goal was to find a “sweet spot” between the premium and accessible versions. “We needed to retain some things from the Music Man model because they’re quintessential to how the guitar plays and feels,” he said. “And we changed some things that we thought would actually be beneficial.”
Pricing & Availability
The Sterling by Music Man Kaizen is available in two striking matte finishes, Firemist Purple Satin and Stealth Black, each with a color-matched headstock.
The 6-string retails for $849/£999, and the 7-string for $899/£1099.
Available at Andertons
Firemist Purple Satin 6-string
Firemist Purple Satin 7-string
Available at Sweetwater
Firemist Purple Satin 6-string
Firemist Purple Satin 7-string
More Information
#Sterling by Music Man #Tosin Abasi #Kaizen
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