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Ernie Ball Music Man Custom Design Experience

NGD - Ball Family Reserve Dark Lord Morse

Tollywood

Tollywood

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Hey everyone,

Well, I've been wanting another ebmm lately, but I promised my wife I wouldn't spend any money on one until after xmas...then, I got to thinking about the two Gibson SGs sitting there unplayed in their cases. So, it was off to Guitar Center to trade them in for a Dark Lord Morse. I didn't spend any money, so my wife was fine with it.

Big Poppa, you told me you'd never make me a reverse headstock Axis, so this is as close as I could get. Hey, wait a minute...it didn't leave the factory with those tuner buttons!

DarkLordheadstock.jpg


DarkLordbody.jpg


I love the Dark Lord. It sounds amazing!
 
mtrejo

mtrejo

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Haha Bryan, this one came from outta left field from you my friend! Never in a million years would I have guessed you'd score a Darklord considering your love for the Axis. Gio rubbing off on you a bit?

I know the Axis neck and you are like glue, how are you getting along with the DL neck? Besides the tuners, any other mods you thinking about?

Congrats on the NGD, rock it hard buddy!
 
Tollywood

Tollywood

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mtrejo said:
Haha Bryan, this one came from outta left field from you my friend! Never in a million years would I have guessed you'd score a Darklord considering your love for the Axis. Gio rubbing off on you a bit?

I know the Axis neck and you are like glue, how are you getting along with the DL neck? Besides the tuners, any other mods you thinking about?

Congrats on the NGD, rock it hard buddy!
Click to expand...

Hey Mario, I often do random spontaneous things that seem like they came from left field (poor Wendy). The plan was to trade in one guitar for a used Albert Lee in Olive Gold, but by the time I got to the store, it was gone. So, I started trolling the G.C. website and I looking at a bunch of the closeup pics of the Dark Lords. They began to remind me of my favorite Axis (Frankensugar)...black, dark fretboard, BFR crest (which I hope they continue using, be it on the pdn guitars or whatever), roasted maple neck, and finally, the reverse headstock I always wished my Axis had (I'm an 80's rocker - notice my pimp guitar strap?).

I called Gio just before posting this to soften the blow. When I told Wendy that the Morse is Gio's favorite model, she asked me if I was trying to be a Gio clone. The neck is fatter than an Axis neck, but it feels fine to me. Not as difficult a transition as switching to another brand guitar would feel. Maybe it's the radius that I like about the ebmms? I don't know, but it's definitely the necks I love about the ebmm guitars...and the build quality.

I stole these tuner buttons from Frankensugar. Remember, I switched Frank's buttons to black mother of pearl? I also pulled off the chrome ebmm Floyd Rose, which I am toying with the idea of dropping it into this Dark Lord. No locking nut, since the locking tuners should suffice.

Thanks for the comments, guys. I played the DL for a couple of hours before taking these pics, and I didn't polish her off for the photo shoot. I'm taking the DL to band practice tonight, so I'm pretty excited about it.
 
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Tollywood

Tollywood

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Well, the DL's tone knob is very useful and alters the tone significantly.

The pickup selection options give you tones unavailable on the Axis. The Axis pickups seem a tiny bit hotter (the Axis pickups are my favorite; they sound like I want to sound in my head), but I still sound like myself on the DL.

The volume knob is something I'd like to address...I had plans to change it to a 500k low-friction pot, but I'm not so sure I will now. It already sounds amazing and is so smooth and friction-free. I'm leaving that alone after all.
 
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ScreaminFloyd

ScreaminFloyd

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Oct 12, 2010
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My Y2D Morse is about as close as I'll be getting to a DarkLord. It's an amazing Guitar ! Congrats ! Awesome score. I really like the Chrome p/u covers. The flame on the Top is Tops!
 
Tollywood

Tollywood

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DrKev said:
Bryan, that is so cool! Congratulations!! (And I like the strap more with this one that the other two).
Click to expand...

Ah-ha! Finally, my straps have gotten through to you. I was using these cool animal print straps before Snooki, but after say...Bon Jovi. Somewhere in between there.

Thanks for all the nice comments guys. I have nothing but positive reviews to offer about the DL. I'm glad I unloaded some unused lumber to get it.
 
Tollywood

Tollywood

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DrKev said:
Actually if anyone can recommend a good quality gig bag with animal print padding inside (especially tiger or zebra stripes), I'm all ears!
Click to expand...

You could buy the fabric at a store that sells fabric by the yard and ask your wife to sew a lining into any bag. Or, you could sew it and tell us that she did it for you.
 
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Tollywood

Tollywood

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I played the DL last night at band practice...it sounded wonderful at full volume. The neck is fatter than the Axis, but it felt very good.
 
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