Electric guitars

Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT20HSS Sunrise Orange

The Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT20HSS offers a versatile pickup layout and familiar guitar specifications at a listed price of $282. The package is basic, with no bag or case included.

★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker

Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT20HSS Sunrise Orange review

The Cutlass CT20HSS Sunrise Orange is an electric guitar with a poplar body, a maple bolt-on neck, and an HSS pickup arrangement. Its listed price is 282, and it has been available since June 2025. The specifications point to a straightforward instrument whose main details are its three-pickup configuration, traditional-style tremolo, and full 648 mm (25.5-inch) scale. No customer reviews are available, so this assessment is based only on the supplied specifications.

Body, neck, and dimensions

The body is poplar, with no separate top listed. The neck is maple and attaches to the body with a bolt-on joint. Its fingerboard is amaranth, also identified in the specifications as purpleheart, with white dot inlays. The Sunrise Orange finish is paired with a white pickguard, giving the listed configuration a clear contrast between the body color and the pickguard.

The 648 mm scale is a familiar full-length electric-guitar measurement. It provides useful context for string choice and setup, but the specifications alone do not establish how the instrument feels in hand. The nut measures 42 mm across, while the fingerboard radius is 305 mm, or 12 inches. These figures describe the neck's basic geometry without indicating a preferred playing style or setup.

The fingerboard has 22 frets. A dual-action truss rod is specified, which allows neck relief to be adjusted in either direction by a qualified technician. The guitar ships with.009 to.042 strings, a light-gauge set. Players may choose other gauges, but a change can affect setup and may require adjustments to the neck or tremolo.

HSS pickups and controls

The pickup layout consists of one ceramic humbucker in the bridge position and two ceramic single-coil pickups in the middle and neck positions. That combination gives the guitar two pickup types in one instrument. The specifications do not provide output levels, magnet details, wiring options beyond the selector, or measured tonal characteristics, so sound descriptions would go beyond the available information.

A five-way switch selects among pickup combinations. The listed controls are one volume and one tone control. This is a conventional, relatively direct control set: the specifications do not mention a coil-split switch, additional push-pull functions, or separate tone controls for individual pickups. Buyers who need those options should confirm whether they are available elsewhere before purchasing.

Tremolo and hardware

Sterling by Music Man lists a vintage fulcrum tremolo. The provided information does not state the number of pivot points, the bridge materials, or the adjustment range. It also does not describe tuning stability or how the bridge performs under frequent use. Those points cannot be judged from the specification sheet alone. Die-cast machine heads are fitted, but their gear ratio and locking status are not given.

The combination of a tremolo and.009 to.042 strings makes setup an important consideration for players who change string gauges or tuning. A technician can balance the bridge against the chosen string tension and check intonation. The supplied details do not specify whether the tremolo is set up to float or rest against the body.

What the specifications establish

  • Body and neck: Poplar body, maple bolt-on neck, and amaranth fingerboard.
  • Playing dimensions: 648 mm scale, 42 mm nut width, 305 mm fingerboard radius, and 22 frets.
  • Electronics: One ceramic humbucker, two ceramic single-coil pickups, a five-way switch, and volume and tone controls.
  • Hardware and finish: Vintage fulcrum tremolo, die-cast machine heads, white pickguard, and Sunrise Orange finish.

No bag or case is included according to the supplied listing. The item number is 612683, and the sales unit is one piece. Those practical details matter when comparing the listed price of 282 with other instruments, since a separate bag or case may add to the purchase cost. The currency was not specified in the supplied data.

Assessment

The CT20HSS has a defined, conventional specification: full-scale dimensions, a 22-fret neck, a ceramic HSS pickup set, and a vintage-style fulcrum tremolo. Its listed controls remain simple, and the supplied strings and hardware details give buyers concrete points to discuss with a retailer or setup technician. The sheet does not establish build quality, acoustic behavior, pickup output, finish durability, or playability. With no customer feedback available, those questions require an in-person inspection or additional verified testing. The product is best assessed here by its documented configuration, not by claims about performance that the available information cannot support.

Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT20HSS Sunrise Orange, front view
7.2/ 10 overall score
$282current price at the retailer
Check today's price price and delivery time at the retailer

Shipping and duties

The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.

Scores by area

Where it shines, where it stumbles

What convinced me

  • HSS pickup layout combines a ceramic humbucker with two ceramic single-coil pickups.
  • A 25.5-inch scale, 22 frets, and 12-inch fingerboard radius provide familiar specifications.
  • Includes a dual-action truss rod, die-cast tuners, and a vintage fulcrum tremolo.

What bugged me

  • No gig bag or case is included.
  • The listed specifications do not identify a locking tremolo or upgraded hardware.

Is it the right one for you?

Good pick if

A good fit for players seeking an affordable HSS electric guitar with a tremolo and a five-way pickup selector. Its conventional scale length and 22-fret layout may also suit players looking for familiar specifications.

Look elsewhere if

Not a fit for buyers who need a gig bag or case included. Also less suitable for shoppers who require verified customer feedback before purchasing.
RockFunkPop

Suggested level: Beginner

Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT20HSS Sunrise Orange, $282Check today's price →

Specifications

Color
Orange
Body
Poplar
Top
None
Neck
Maple
Fretboard
Amaranth
Frets
22
Scale
648 mm
Pickups
HSS
Tremolo
Vintage
Incl. bag
No
Including case
No

Up close

Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT20HSS Sunrise Orange, detail 2Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT20HSS Sunrise Orange, detail 3Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT20HSS Sunrise Orange, detail 4Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT20HSS Sunrise Orange, detail 5

Watch and listen

Watch the video demo on YouTube →

Before you decide

Questions players ask

What pickup configuration does the CT20HSS use?

It has one ceramic humbucker and two ceramic single-coil pickups, controlled by a five-way switch.

Does it come with a gig bag or case?

No. The listed package includes neither a bag nor a case.

What are the scale length and fingerboard radius?

The scale is 25.5 inches, and the fingerboard radius is 12 inches.

Does this guitar have a tremolo?

Yes. It is equipped with a vintage fulcrum tremolo.

What is the listed price?

The supplied product information lists a price of $282.

The last word from the bench

The CT20HSS pairs two ceramic single-coil pickups with a ceramic humbucker and a five-way switch, giving it a broad range of potential tones. Its maple bolt-on neck, 22 frets, and vintage fulcrum tremolo follow familiar electric guitar conventions. The listed specifications are appealing for the price, though they do not establish the instrument's setup quality or performance. Buyers should also budget for a case or bag if they need one.

Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT20HSS Sunrise Orange, $282Check today's price →

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Sterling by Music Man Cutlass CT20HSS Sunrise Orange

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