No love for the Reflex?

[jadaxis]

I really want to get a Reflex. I'm even considering selling my 2000 Trans Green Axis to raise the funds. I do love the look of the 25th, but I'll settle for the current "flat" colors of the Reflex. That being said, there's a major debate going on in my head every time I look at my beautiful Axis...

 

[Gerry]

I'm coming to the rapid conclusion that Reflex's could be bad for business and that is why many dealers keep quiet about them LOL. Once you own and play one the thought of wanting to play anything else sort off goes. I have been through some of the top custom and boutique guitars out there over the last few years and some where so pretty I spent more time looking at them than playing them.

Got GAS? Get a Reflex.

 

[Trem]

Got GAS? Get a Reflex.

LOL. You might be right about it being bad for business, but isn't that true for most EBMM guitars? Sure, we're all biased here, but honestly, if I see the junk that other manufacturers churn out, it is a surprise not everyone plays EBMM. I have looked at many 'boutique' guitars, but I could never justify paying anything north of $2500 for a guitar. I've spent that much on my Warmoth creation to get what I wanted (cough, lefty Axis, cough). I would have picked a lefty Reflex instead, had that been available. Still would. Love your slogan. Here's one more:

Reflex, the cure for ASS GAS.

Hmm, this is going South quickly.

 

[roburado]

Another thought that crosses my mind is that the GC is possibly seen as a Reflex replacement or if not has put the Reflex on a back burner for potential buyers.

Honestly, I was interested in a gold Reflex, but the Gamechanger was one factor that stopped me from getting one. The Reflex just wasn't different enough from the 25th Anniversary for me to get one. The Gamechanger is.

 

[Gerry]

LOL. You might be right about it being bad for business, but isn't that true for most EBMM guitars? Sure, we're all biased here, but honestly, if I see the junk that other manufacturers churn out, it is a surprise not everyone plays EBMM. I have looked at many 'boutique' guitars, but I could never justify paying anything north of $2500 for a guitar. I've spent that much on my Warmoth creation to get what I wanted (cough, lefty Axis, cough). I would have picked a lefty Reflex instead, had that been available. Still would. Love your slogan. Here's one more:

Reflex, the cure for ASS GAS.

Hmm, this is going South quickly.

The strange thing is Trem I am absolutely unbiased as this is the first EBMM guitar I have ever owned Sadly for EBMM it will most probably be the only one I ever will. I will not list the brands and model guitars that I have owned but all with the exception of one (Made by Fred in Japan) have been USA made. I kidded myself that gorgeous flame and quilt tops would cure my search for the holy grail, Brazilian rosewood, ebony mother of pearl, abalone I have had it all. Then along comes this Black (Yuk it gets dirty just looking at it) plain looking guitar with an equally plain maple neck and fret board. To add insult to injury it even has a Basswood body and in terms of exotic woods you don't get much more basic or cheaper than that.

It was like a WTF have I done moment. The plastic case must be the nastiest looking case I have ever owned and I have owned a few and with regard to case candy the store was almost empty. I honestly did not want to like this Reflex, I honestly wanted to move it on for a real guitar one that when you opened a proper case you just wanted to look at it and look again.

The mistake I made was that I played the damn thing and then played it some more and since its arrival on the 11th I haven't stopped playing it. I don't care about it getting dirty quick, I don't care about the case (They can bury me in it later), I don't care about it being plainer than a power cut at midnight. I don't care anymore about what is on the Bay or anywhere else. I don't even care if it gets scratched dented or chipped and belief me I am anal about keeping my guitar immaculate.

I don't care I just want to play it, I can't help it I have been REFLEXED

 

[Trem]

Wish I could say the same, Gerry. I guess I'll have to wait until EBMM offers lefties the same enjoyment as far as the Reflex/Game Changer is concerned. Having said that, I'm very happy with my new Axis Super Sport, despite its squeaky nut (when using trem). One thing I wonder about is why EBMM departed from the mini fretboard markers on the Reflex, but that question may have been answered elsewhere on this forum.

 

[Smellybum]

this is madness - the 25th is one of the most dynamic guitars ever produced. it's not the big dots putting people off is it? - would seem silly becuase it's got tone under the hood!

 

[Gerry]

Worth remembering there was a time when the LP was almost unsellable in fact the SG was set to be its replacement. Like they say the rest is history.

 

[luv]

this is madness - it's not the big dots putting people off is it?

It's funny you mention that, because that is the one attribute of the Reflex that I don't like. I don't mind the basic black and white....I want a black one, and I already have a 25th! I'd rather it had the little dots though. The markers on my 25th are soooo cool....abalone with black outlines...small...classy....perfect.

 

[John C]

Worth remembering there was a time when the LP was almost unsellable in fact the SG was set to be its replacement. Like they say the rest is history.

Actually the SG shape was the replacement for the Les Paul - the "traditional" LP was retired for the SG shape in 1961 (and Les removed his name from the guitar in 1962) and the traditional LP didn't come back until 1968.

Back to the Reflex - I think that expanding the colors and bringing back a figured top would spark more sales. It seems like the figured top/transparent finish Reflexes done for GC always sell pretty briskly when they are released, and the 25th Anniversary models all seemed to sell well.

 

[Therocker]

I would love to get one, but there are no roasted maple hardtail available in europe. it think ball are the most underrated guitars here, especially the reflex is had to find.
I´m planing a trip to the us next year, i definitely will buy a reflex then.

 

[Gerry]

Actually the SG shape was the replacement for the Les Paul - the "traditional" LP was retired for the SG shape in 1961 (and Les removed his name from the guitar in 1962) and the traditional LP didn't come back until 1968.

Back to the Reflex - I think that expanding the colors and bringing back a figured top would spark more sales. It seems like the figured top/transparent finish Reflexes done for GC always sell pretty briskly when they are released, and the 25th Anniversary models all seemed to sell well.

You're right John and thanks for the reminder. I only mentioned it to prove a point in terms of great guitars don't always have great commercial success.

I am in no doubt that the Reflex is indeed a great guitar and who knows it could well become a very collectable one so maybe now is a good time to get one.

 

[ScoobySteve]

I've read through this thread after having taken a bit of a forum break for a while, and have a few thoughts, a bit of ranting, but here I ago anyways.

Not only as head of the 25ROC (Thanks Keith ) but as one of the first owners of the 25th since they released, I just have to say I love my guitar. Absolutely love it. It's my number one. My silo special does all my true single coil tones, but literally everything else gets done on my 25th/Reflex. Not because it's convenient to hve so many options, but because the 10 differnt options covers what i need exactly. there's a huge difference. It's one to say to someone, "but you have 10 distinct tones to choose from" and a whole nother thing to say, "these 10 tones each have their own character and sound."

As for compromising on the 25th/reflex's aesthetics, just to make them more marketable, I have to say that's nuts. The 25th is NOT any other guitar, and to try and make it familiar to any other guitar does it serious injustice. this guitar deserves to be everything of its own, because it is, no compromises on what it was designed and engineered to be. including toggle, knob placement. just my own .02 and i apologize if i come off slightly elitist.

As for color options, this is not so much a gripe against what colors people demand, but the nature of guitar players in general. there's a slight bit of misfortune (Perhaps fortune, and i'm just being narrow minded) of being a guitar player, and i guess a manufacturer (I guess I wouldn't know, I don't make guitars) in how finicky the consumer can be about the modern guitar.

maybe it's just me because I've played a trumpet for 10 years, and a piano for 6. However, during those years i've had nothing but brass, and white and black keys to look at. Guess what? It never took away from the musical experience that I had. i guess it's the traditional me that's wondering why people care so much for the color of their guitar? I wont be a hypocrite and say that the color on my 25th doesn't matter, cause it's simply stunning, but I would 100% absolutely love and adore it the same if it were a standard classical lacquer finish. or any other color for that matter.

i remember reading that internet keyboard warriors drove BP nuts, and I couldn't agree more. How much judgement people dole out on internet explorer is incomprehensible.

I remember, ever so distinctly, having the opportunity to sit up close and watch Itzhak Perlman perform. And my brother a violinist at the time, made some remark to me about the multi million dollar Stradivarius he was playing at the time. And I'll never forget, but some woman sitting behind us heard the remark and said, "it doesn't look like much for something so expensive." And then another gentleman sitting next to my brother, turned to the woman, with the most cross expression and said, "what does that have to do with anything?"

the guitar is, above all, a musical instrument. how it looks really has nothing to do with it. For a product that requires ears above all to play, so few use them when buying a guitar. weird.

Or maybe i'm just crazy, I dunno. But that's why I love my 25th. It sounds great. the end

 

[ily]

Planning to buy one in April

i don't hesitate about the look of it
i would prefer a 25TH but it's red and i've a problem with red (nothing can do something ) but the guitar is a dream
the GC Reflex have some bad thing white pickup rings and no cover pickup it's not very fine for my taste
and not in accord figured top

i prefer sobriety and standard finishes than a bling bling christmas tree with no feeling or a 4000$ other celeb brand.... for not have better than a Reflex (i've also played the other brand new 2011 realease models : nice but not better guitar

 

[Gerry]

Well I hesitated when I opened the case but since then nothing but nothing is stopping me playing it. Superb action, trem instantly returns to tune, series parallel switch is a magic touch and with 10 distinct very usable tone options. Even the looks are growing on me, a masterpiece of understatement. I must take this smug look off my face Dots too big? Nah just right

 

[ily]

Well I hesitated when I opened the case but since then nothing but nothing is stopping me playing it. Superb action, trem instantly returns to tune, series parallel switch is a magic touch and with 10 distinct very usable tone options. Even the looks are growing on me, a masterpiece of understatement. I must take this smug look off my face Dots too big? Nah just right

Very nice pic
thanks to share
and this black finish is iust TERRIBLE ...

hesitate between black or white but black would be the winner

 

[threeminutesboy]

Very nice pic
thanks to share
and this black finish is iust TERRIBLE ...

hesitate between black or white but black would be the winner

You mean terrific not terrible (c'est un faux ami )

 

[kissmyaxe]

I think the white are so classy, I would buy one right away if they became available left handed

 

[Astrofreq]

I don't have one, but I loved the 25th I played. It sounded majestic. Maybe one of these days, I'll be able to get one.

 

[dgainer]

Scoobysteve

I love my GC black with the zebra pickups and all. I too have a Silo spec for single coil stuff but I don't need it much any more. The chrome PU covers go well with the other colors, but I really like to contrast with the black and cream motif. This thing has become my number 1 and I have had some nice PRS's a Jimmie Page LP, and '68' ES335 not to mention various Fenders. Pretty wood is just that, pretty, it has nothing to do with tone. I have wasted a lot of money buying stuff to look at first and listen to second. The Reflex sounds that good that color doesn't matter.

Dave