JP "BFR-Necks"

[Tanax]

Hey! Didn't search so I'm sorry if this has already been covered.

I'm wondering if the - for instance "JP6 Olive Gold BFR Rosewood Neck" - is actually a BFR model? Does it have the Alder body? Mahogany toneblock, etc?

As far as I see, it looks like the regular JP model(and not the JP BFR model) since it has a cutout scoop(instead of the BFR rounded scoop) and a regular JP model finish(instead of the BFR quilt/flame finishes). The only thing, visually, that implies that it's a BFR is the BFR mother in pearl inlay.

Now, if the woods are of BFR-type, then it's another thing. But yea, I'm just wondering how much of a "real" BFR these models are

 

[JP7Nomad]

It's considered a BFR purely because the BFR is EB's way of putting out smaller runs of things. The rosewood neck was one of them.

If the body is the same as a standard JP6 - it's exactly that. A standard JP6 with a rosewood neck. If it's a BFR body (figured top, no scoop, etc.) then it's a BFR body with the limited rosewood neck.

 

[CHill]

My JP6 is with the all rosewood BFR neck. Definately a premium neck to play on.

 

[Tanax]

It's considered a BFR purely because the BFR is EB's way of putting out smaller runs of things. The rosewood neck was one of them.

If the body is the same as a standard JP6 - it's exactly that. A standard JP6 with a rosewood neck. If it's a BFR body (figured top, no scoop, etc.) then it's a BFR body with the limited rosewood neck.

I see, so all of these guitars are actually regular JP models but with a special neck

My JP6 is with the all rosewood BFR neck. Definately a premium neck to play on.

Yea, but is the rest of the guitar premium? It's also funny to say that it's a "BFR neck" when in fact BFR necks have mahogany wood, but I understand that rosewood neck is premium and more exclusive which results in a BFR-neck. But my question isn't about the neck really, it's about the rest of the guitar, does it have mahogany tone block? Alder body?

 

[brokenvail]

I see, so all of these guitars are actually regular JP models but with a special neck



Yea, but is the rest of the guitar premium? It's also funny to say that it's a "BFR neck" when in fact BFR necks have mahogany wood, but I understand that rosewood neck is premium and more exclusive which results in a BFR-neck. But my question isn't about the neck really, it's about the rest of the guitar, does it have mahogany tone block? Alder body?

Norm actually answer your quuestion. BFR does not = mahogany, tone block ect....It means Ball Family Reserve. They put out all kinds of stuff in small runs and that makes them BFRs. There are some JP models with the tone block ect that are BFR's but a JP6 with an RW neck is also a BFR. The one you are asking about is a regular JP6 with the Basswood Body but it was part of the BFR RW neck run. During this time ( I think it was a one month order window) any model could have been ordered with an RW neck and they all came with the BFR logo because the RW neck run was considered a Ball Family Reserve ltd run. Hope this helps.

 

[beej]

Exactly. "BFR" just means it's something special, not that it has a tone block or any other combination of woods.

There are one-offs and special pieces (like the RW necks) that are BFRs, and then their are regular production runs like the JP or Luke BFRs.

 

[browndog]

My BFR Axis SS is a regular Axis SS with the sweet BFR Rosewood neck.

I have no idea how limited the run was or how many were made but I was told mine is quite rare. I’d love to know but EBMM doesn’t give out production numbers.

Its nice to own a rare piece.

 

[Tanax]

Okay, so BFR does not mean that it has to have alder body and all that stuff. Good to know!

So my Limited DDII that only was available for like 2 weeks and has the ebony fingerboard instead of the rosewood aswell as the oval pearl inlays, it has special pieces, is that considered BFR then? What's the difference then between my "BFR" and the JP6 BFR DDII that also was available ??

Cheers for all the replies!

 

[Stratty316]

your guitar is a standard JP6... Basswood body and a "BFR" limited edition package including the "Dargie" paint and the ebony fretboard with inlays.

A "BFR Dargie" is a BFR JP with all the standard BFR trim (tone block, etc) just pained Green instead of showing off the maple top...

Didn't we already walk you thru this in a thread a few months back?????

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-guitars/45342-ball-family-reserve-finishes.html

 

[Tanax]

Okidoki. Now I know, thanks for the help!

And no, that was regarding the BFR finishes, this was about how much BFR the one-offs "BFR RW Necks" are. Obviously hugely different subjects But I appreciate the help I recieved in both threads of course.

 

[Stratty316]

Okidoki. Now I know, thanks for the help!

And no, that was regarding the BFR finishes, this was about how much BFR the one-offs "BFR RW Necks" are. Obviously hugely different subjects But I appreciate the help I recieved in both threads of course.

Obviously, since it didn't take 6 pages this time :0) haha... just playing with you.

 

[whitestrat]

Now, if the woods are of BFR-type, then it's another thing. But yea, I'm just wondering how much of a "real" BFR these models are

BFR is not a product. Nor is it a wood combo. It is a concept.
A BFR is something that previously ONLY friends and family of the Ball family could get. Now, they are made available to the public, and yet, it is not defined by any product.

So, meaning, anything produced from the factory that isn't of the norm, is considered a BFR.

For the JP, the key change was the full rosewood neck. But for the AL, there was a rosewood neck, HH routing AND a mahogany body. Both deviated from the previous original model spec.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Right! Because the first 4 or 5 BFRs introduced all had the toneblock/maple combo there is (unfortunately) a grossly supported misconception that the instrument "must-have-toneblock-to-be-a-BFR"

BFR is the concept that allows EB to make special instruments and options available to the public that would normally only be available to Ball family members, close friends, and EBMM artists.

 

[Tanax]

I see! Never really reflected upon the name "Ball Family Reserve" or what it could mean. I just thought that all BFR were supposed to have the regular BFR-stuff.

But does the regular production-runs BFRs(like for instance; JP6 BFR Trans Black Quilt) all have the regular BFR-stuff? Or could a JP6 BFR Trans Black Quilt have different woods and "BFR-packages" from a .. say JP6 BFR Tobacco Burst Flame??

That's really about the last questionmark for me right now based on all the new inputs I've gotten

Again, thanks for all the replies! I know I've been a pain in the ass in the past about these things

 

[whitestrat]

But does the regular production-runs BFRs(like for instance; JP6 BFR Trans Black Quilt) all have the regular BFR-stuff? Or could a JP6 BFR Trans Black Quilt have different woods and "BFR-packages" from a .. say JP6 BFR Tobacco Burst Flame??

Yes, they both belong to the same series, the John Petrucci BFR model, which is a regular production. The JP6 with Rosewood neck, is a BFR, but limited production.

 

[Tanax]

Then everything is perfectly clear to me. Again, thanks!