New Guitar, tough decision

[knoman]

Hey guys, I'm new to this forum, so I'm sorry if you get alot of these threads, though I couldn't really spot any...

I'm getting a new guitar for my 21st and have been deliberating for some time over what to get...
I've been thinking for a while over a MM Luke as my bro's guitar teacher has one which I tried and it was pretty sweet and all reviews of it describe it as utterly faultless.
Thing is, I haven't heard a great deal of Toto, but I do listen to a lot of Dream Theater... What's the difference between the JP and the luke? The Luke's EMGs surely get a better range of sounds?

Also, are the Axis and Silhouettes the only MM guitars that aren't signiatures? And how do they compare?

Also also, would I be better off looking for a second hand one on ebay? I mean for instance have the pickups been changed in recent batches or the build quality decreased or anything like that?

I play a range of styles from Pink Floyd and Dire Straits to Megadeth and Dream Theater, this seems to be another problem when selecting a guitar that will work with everything I'm likely to play.

Another outside option is a Caparison "Applehorn", but I guess this isn't the forum for that kind of talk...

I realise I've asked something of an ambiguous and incredibly expansive question here, but just maybe some small tips on what I'm looking for...all my previous guitars have been really nasty budget guitars that I've found at car bootsales and haen't ever really worked too well.....

Thanks
Juan

 

[Astrofreq]

Welcome to the forums. Axis is clearly the best choice, although I'm a bit biased. The JP has a really thin neck and I believe the Luke is thicker.

I don't know anything about the Applehorn, but just looking at the pictures, they look sort of dated to me. Kind of like an 80s or 90s Ibanez, not that they are necessarily bad guitars or anything, but I just think EB guitars have a far less flashy look to them.

 

[glockaxis]

You tried the Luke and said you liked it. It's quite versatile w/ the humbuckers and 2 single coils. Main differences between the Luke and JP are the necks (Jp is wider and flatter; Luke is narrower w/ a slight V-shape) p/u (JP w/ 2 humbuckers w/ middle position single coil sound; Luke w/ active EMGs: humbucker and 2 single coils); Body contour.

The build quality for all are phenomenal. The p/u's for both Luke and JP have changed once for each model due to what the artists wanted at the time.

 

[Zaarin]

Get a piezo system whatever you get.

And get the JP!

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Juan, welcome!

You don't happen to take lessons at Music Nook, do you?

I'm going to start to become famous because I seem to always start any advise with....play whatever guitar you're considering first. Spend an hour with it. If you play and know that it's what you want.....then it's just a matter of deciding you are ready to buy...or are going to save for it.

With that advise in mind....you may want to consider looking at Craigslist instead of Ebay. You might have to drive an hour and carry an amp with you to try out a used EBMM, but it will be well worth it. You can save a considerable amount buying used. And here's the good part.....if you find in the future that you've got to have that Morse Y2D instead of the JP that maybe you bought a year earlier....you'll get closer to what you initially paid for the guitar you give up.

I won't even attempt to tell you which model to buy. I play about half of what's on your list, then lean toward the Van Halen/AC/DC/RHCP kinds of songs. I'm really happy with my used Axis SS mm90 and also very happy with my used Sub1. They're both very different from each other but both play wonderfully. I'm starting to eye some of my other guitars to maybe do some craigslist selling and pick up yet another EBMM, if I can find what I want.

If I was right on where you take lessons.....I bought my Axis from your teacher.

jack

 

[TNT]

Howdy Juan,

You got to check them "all" out - they are all sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!!

 

[whitestrat]

You guys aren't helping... Let your eyes decide:

Silhouette Special

JP6MD

Silhouette

20th Anniversary Silhouettes

Albert Lee

Oh wait... I'm not helping either... Heh...

 

[azazael]

Get an Axis supersport. It will be all the guitar you will ever need.

 

[Slingy]

I'm not a one guitar for everything guy, but the Luke can do it all.

 

[q-base]

You guys aren't helping... Let your eyes decide:

Silhouette Special

Oh wait... I'm not helping either... Heh...

Ohhh, I love white Silos!! The colour somehow just works great with this guitar. Most probably both the sentiment I've got for the colour and the instrument originated from Silo Special Limited Edition 2005 review I read in one of Polish magazines a few years ago...

rgrds!!
Jacob

 

[knoman]

Thanks for the help folks, as for the photos, that's just not fair; I need a one guitar for everything because I can't afford them all!

The problem with the "play them all and see what you like" thing is that nowhere sells music man guitars, especially where I live (Caerdydd), so I'm probably going to have to go out on a limb and trust reviews and advice. I was just lucky that my bros teacher happened to have one!
Also, because all I've played for 6 years is ****ty squier and encore copies every decent guitar feels like heaven.....

My main thought is the difference in the pickups between the luke and the JP, how do they compare? And the JP ones have changed over time?

I'm seriously considering that EBMM JP in pearl graphite on the for sale thread right now...

 

[candid_x]

They're all good, but as to which one is best for you, that's hard to say without knowing more.

Do you favor single coils or humbuckers?

Do you have large or small hands, favor bigger or smaller necks, flatter or more curved radius?

Do you favor clean or heavy distortion or both?

As to buying new or used, there's obvious advantages to buying new, such as warranty and being sure no one has modded anything. However, I bought 2 for the price of one new one, though it took a little doing to rig them to my liking.

 

[knoman]

They're all good, but as to which one is best for you, that's hard to say without knowing more.

Do you favor single coils or humbuckers?

Do you have large or small hands, favor bigger or smaller necks, flatter or more curved radius?

Do you favor clean or heavy distortion or both?

See again the problem is my lack of experience of other guitars, I've played a few that belonged to friends and a couple in shops but never really enough to get to know the guitar.

I've never played a single coil that I liked so I'm gonna go with humbuckers here.

My hands are, I think, fairly average sized..wide fingers perhaps. As for the neck style I guess I don't really know. I'm told thinner necks are better for speed, but are the advantages of wider necks or "V" necks?

I play stuff ranging from completely clean to heavily distorted so I want something that's not too bad in either, I guess I favour heavy distortion so I can compromise on the clean tones a little.

Thanks

 

[Jack FFR1846]

If you can't find one to play first, EB guitars will leave you happier than others, in my opinion.

I have my preferences, but have not found an EB guitar that I disliked playing. I have found Les Pauls, Godins, Peaveys and PRS models that I have absolutely hated.....some very expensive ones....and others that I love. All the EB guitars I try are really nice to play. I don't know how they do that as they are quite different from one to another. I inititially looked into Ernie Ball when hearing someone else playing one at Guitar Center.....an Axis Super Sport.....and "needed" to figure out how he got the sound. I waited until he hung up the Axis and went for it. I found that I played better on that guitar and knew I had to get one.

I think you'd be happy with any of the EB line. Happy hunting (as I try to decide between a Y2D or Silo myself...)

jack

 

[candid_x]

I hear where you're coming from and can appreciate it. The thing is, each MM model really is so different from the next. It's not like buying a Fender Strat, where a change of pickups is about your own option to consider. A JP is an entirely different instrument than say a Silo or Luke. People will naturally recommend which is their favorite, but the choice is entirely a personal one.

In case you haven't already, take a look through the online models. Note things like neck radius (a flatter vs more curved radius - the higher number is flatter, i.e. JP with a 15", vs a more curved radius such as a Silo with a 10" radius). Ernie Ball Music Man Instruments

When I think of the most versatile models, especially for someone starting out, the Silo, Silo Special and Axis Super Sport come to mind. If running through a butt load of processing gear, I think of the Luke or Axis SS. When thinking heavy crunch, the JP comes to mind. When thinking more classic rock and blues, the Silo Special comes to mind.

Hope this helps a little.

Bruce

 

[jamminjim]

I'm really surprised nobody mentions the Steve Morse. To me, it seems like a fantastic do-all guitar. But I haven't played one or even seen one in the flesh. Any Morse fans going to jump in here?

 

[whitestrat]

I've never played a single coil that I liked so I'm gonna go with humbuckers here.

My hands are, I think, fairly average sized..wide fingers perhaps. As for the neck style I guess I don't really know. I'm told thinner necks are better for speed, but are the advantages of wider necks or "V" necks?

I play stuff ranging from completely clean to heavily distorted so I want something that's not too bad in either, I guess I favour heavy distortion so I can compromise on the clean tones a little.

Thanks

Silhouette. Trem. Nuff Said...

 

[Jack FFR1846]

In case you haven't already, take a look through the online models. Note things like neck radius (a flatter vs more curved radius - the higher number is flatter, i.e. JP with a 15", vs a more curved radius such as a Silo with a 10" radius). Ernie Ball Music Man Instruments

This is really great advise. I always thought the Axis was a really flat radius. Looking at the numbers, I've been wrong. Axis and Silo at 10. Morse and Luke at 12. JP at 15.

Hmmmmmm.

jack

 

[whitestrat]

I'm really surprised nobody mentions the Steve Morse. To me, it seems like a fantastic do-all guitar. But I haven't played one or even seen one in the flesh. Any Morse fans going to jump in here?

The pickup switching takes some getting used to...

 

[knoman]

eeeeeee thanks guys! Some handy advice!
I'm now seriously considering the JP6..
Thing is, I live in the UK, but I have relatives in ontario that are visiting in a couple of weeks, are there good online guitar shops that sell the MMs in canada? Or a store in Toronto or even Kingston would b ereally great.

On the EBMM website, it doesn't list any dealers in canada that I can see...