“A must-try for fans of guitars that push the boundaries of instrument design”: Sterling by Music Man St. Vincent Goldie review

A streamlined – and more affordable – take on one of the most exciting guitar designs in recent memory

Sterling By Music Man St. Vincent Goldie
(Image: © Future / Phil Barker)

Guitar World Verdict

An aesthetic and tonal antidote to traditional guitar designs, the Sterling Goldie is an ergonomic and inspiring breath of fresh air – and one that compares favorably to its more expensive Ernie Ball Music Man incarnation.

Pros

  • +

    The neck is a breeze to navigate.

  • +

    A seriously powerful and versatile tone machine.

  • +

    Radical but comfortable design.

Cons

  • -

    Middle pickup might get in the way for some players.

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

In 2016, Ernie Ball Music Man unveiled a guitar unlike anything else on the market – one so radical it’s often cited as one of the most exciting guitar innovations of recent memory.

That was the St. Vincent signature guitar, masterminded by Annie Clark [aka St. Vincent herself] and debuting a new body shape. A more affordable version arrived from Sterling by Music Man soon after, but when an updated $3,000-priced Goldie was released in 2021, guitarists began to dream once again.

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