xjbebop
Well-known member
So, the Valentine is the only recent new model that has interested me, but not enough to drop the coin on one yet. When we saw the SBMM version at NAMM, with it's roasted maple neck and proper copy pups, and then the price...well, I was intrigued...
I was showing it to Mrs. Bebop and she said "So did you order one yet?"
I said, "No....do you think I should?"
She said "Well....yeah..."
I got a hold of Pete Dubaldo and placed my order before he even got out of LA....
It was delivered yesterday and I've only had a bit of time with it last night. I made a point this morning to get a few pics for y'all here.
I've not seen or played an MM version of this guitar, so I can't give that comparison. But I can share my initial impressions of this guitar. But first, a few pics...
Many of us have been anxious for SBMM to update their website with the new models and specs....looks like we're still waiting....
I did speak with Brian from SBMM on the phone a week ago, and he was super friendly, helpful and excited about these new instruments.
Here's my take on this new model, and if I get something wrong, please share...
Certified American submerged swamp ash body, wedge shaped.
Roasted maple neck, plain straight grain.
Soft 'V' to 'C' neck carve.
SBMM hardware- bridge, locking tuners (Schaller copies??), SBMM pups built to MM specs
Fixed 12db push/push gain boost on volume pot.
No neck pup split - (I will be adding my own soon...that's a feature I want..)
Trans Buttermilk finish - although none of my photos captured it well, it's there...
Nice padded gig bag included.
OK, so... what a fabulous, versatile guitar! Extremely well balanced and comfortable! There really isn't much that this guitar can't cover well. The 'V' neck near the nut is softer than the LIII I had, and I'm liking it much better. (one of the few things I had a hard time with on the LIII)
It feels new and a bit stiff...fully expect it to wear in nicely with a few more hours of play time.Not sure how to describe it, but I can 'feel' the quality difference on this vs a proper EBMM model, BUT, this is a fabulous solid & light guitar. Definitely a 'gateway' instrument like so many people say.
I am going to change strings right away. After the first 15 min of playing, my finger tips were black.
We've seen this from most stock strings on eastern import guitars. Mrs. Bebop always likes to say that they make strings over there from "melted pennys..."
VERY happy and impressed with this instrument so far....
..and looky what else I found in the box...
THNX PETE....YOU RAWK!!
I was showing it to Mrs. Bebop and she said "So did you order one yet?"
I said, "No....do you think I should?"
She said "Well....yeah..."
I got a hold of Pete Dubaldo and placed my order before he even got out of LA....
It was delivered yesterday and I've only had a bit of time with it last night. I made a point this morning to get a few pics for y'all here.
I've not seen or played an MM version of this guitar, so I can't give that comparison. But I can share my initial impressions of this guitar. But first, a few pics...
Many of us have been anxious for SBMM to update their website with the new models and specs....looks like we're still waiting....
I did speak with Brian from SBMM on the phone a week ago, and he was super friendly, helpful and excited about these new instruments.
Here's my take on this new model, and if I get something wrong, please share...
Certified American submerged swamp ash body, wedge shaped.
Roasted maple neck, plain straight grain.
Soft 'V' to 'C' neck carve.
SBMM hardware- bridge, locking tuners (Schaller copies??), SBMM pups built to MM specs
Fixed 12db push/push gain boost on volume pot.
No neck pup split - (I will be adding my own soon...that's a feature I want..)
Trans Buttermilk finish - although none of my photos captured it well, it's there...
Nice padded gig bag included.
OK, so... what a fabulous, versatile guitar! Extremely well balanced and comfortable! There really isn't much that this guitar can't cover well. The 'V' neck near the nut is softer than the LIII I had, and I'm liking it much better. (one of the few things I had a hard time with on the LIII)
It feels new and a bit stiff...fully expect it to wear in nicely with a few more hours of play time.Not sure how to describe it, but I can 'feel' the quality difference on this vs a proper EBMM model, BUT, this is a fabulous solid & light guitar. Definitely a 'gateway' instrument like so many people say.
I am going to change strings right away. After the first 15 min of playing, my finger tips were black.
We've seen this from most stock strings on eastern import guitars. Mrs. Bebop always likes to say that they make strings over there from "melted pennys..."
VERY happy and impressed with this instrument so far....
..and looky what else I found in the box...
THNX PETE....YOU RAWK!!
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