Not to be "that guy," but who cares about "BFR?"

[decreebass]

Seriously - if every guitar that comes out of the EBMM factory is a BFR (it seems), what sort of "reserve" is this? I'm honestly not being facetious - I genuinely don't get what makes BFRs so special if they're everywhere... I could understand it if only the finest, rarest, most prestigious guitars were BFRs, but I have randomly bought two JPs that are both supposedly BFRs (they either have the 12th fret badge or the neck plate engraving) - and why then, pray tell, is my Majesty NOT a BFR?

lol I just don't get it - can anyone shed some light on this? Or is this like how certain companies market their product as "world's finest" or "premium" or "select" etc. - in other words, is BFR just a marketing gimmick?

Again, not trying to be a d*** or facetious, just need to be enlightened

Thanks in advance!

 

[mesavox]

They're not everywhere. Think of the BFR as an upgrade to most standard models. The BFR Axis for instance. It is subtle, but they have nicer woods, unique colors, and the BFR logo etc. The BFR JP is an upgrade in many ways to the standard JP. BFR Lukes, Morse, Albert Lee, etc. etc. etc. etc.

The Majesty is the Majesty. I suppose they could have called it a BFR too, but that doesn't leave many options for quilted top versions, or one off paint runs, etc. does it?

Either way, its not like it is some insult that the Majesty doesn't have the plate. Don't forget, they're proud of all the guitars they make, and all of them are built to the same quality standards. Some just have more bells and whistles and different upscale options making them BFR. Its a features designation, not an extra quality designation.

 

[decreebass]

Hmm. I appreciate the explanation - it still seems a *wee* bit gimmicky, given the word "reserve" in the title, but I think I see what you're saying - "BFR" is kinda like Fender's "deluxe." I dig. Because yea - both of my "BFRs" have the piezo. I just wonder why some are called BFRs and others are not, even if they technically are BFRs. Weird.

As an aside, I always giggle a little when I hear BFR because I used to work at a 'Fry'n Pan" family restaurant in South Dakota and we called our giant caramel nut rolls and cinnamon rolls "BFRs" (big f***** rolls) lol.

 

[Big Poppa]

Well.....I have to run through a bunch of ways to answer this.....The search button is your friend but you couldnt be that guy if you used it! hahaha

But think about it....I make 1/100 of what fender makes....less than their custom shop. It is made by the Ball Family...no sha reholders but me....bfr was a chance for us to elevate the features and price points and is absolutely reserve and limited...How many guitars do you think we make? WE are very small. You will notice that the bfr is not on the jp6...now compare the features materials and price point of your guitars....certainly elevated.

BFR also lets us make guitars available that would normally be for friends, family and artists.

THe majesty is a fixed model that is branded totally differently...it is the majesty.....their may be a bfr majesty in the future...but you sort of answered your questioning my marketing integrity by realizing that the majesty doesnt have a bfr designation

 

[ohdamnitsdevin]

You heard it boys! Majesty BFR! Start discussing!

 

[Dizzy]

I'm not sure many people really care about the technicalities of what it stands for ?
The fact is that we can own the same quality instruments that BP, sons and extended musical FAMILY probably choose/"reserve" to play and have hanging on their walls.
That's the way I see it these days anyway

 

[ozzyrules]

BFR: Abbreviation says it all! There is something special about "select" wood as opposed to the alternative. EBMM already is a "custom" instrument, but to take that one step further and put a family seal on it only makes it that much more special. Thanks EBMM !!!!!

 

[Tanax]

I've probably said it before but having the BFR-badge on my JP7 BFR would be cool... but it doesn't matter that much to be honest.

I have to say though that after EBMM removed the BFR-badge, there's a lot more "Where is the BFR-badge?" -related threads on the forums than there were "Why can't you remove the BFR-badge?" -related threads when the BFR-badge was still shipping on the BFR-models. Certainly an interested move from EBMM when most people had accepted the BFR-badge to remove it.

But of course, they do what they want! Perhaps they wanted a more freshed up look or something! Regardless, doesn't affect playing and doesn't really matter that much for the looks either.

 

[mesavox]

I just wonder why some are called BFRs and others are not, even if they technically are BFRs. Weird.
.

No, they're not technically both BFRs. The piezo has nothing to do with the BFR designation. There have been BFRs that didn't even have a piezo option. You're missing the idea of upscale, and you're missing the mark on how many BFRs there are "out there."

 

[Firesource]

What I don't get, is that the BFR models - at least to me - don't seem to be limited. (Except for the PDN runs of course)

I mean, everyone can go into a store and order a BFR JP6, a BFR Axis, a BFR AL, or what kind of BFR model one might fancy.

They're more expensive, but anyone can order them.

Of course, I get that there are more of the regular models out there, because they are cheaper, but as I said it's not like you can't order a BFR if you want to.

 

[Kenji20022]

The only time I've ever been confused about the BFR designation was with the 2009 Rosewood Run vs the 2013 Rosewood Run.

Every Custom Ordered with a Rosewood Neck had the BFR Badge and a certificate (?), and after they did away with the badge the 2013 Run only had the badge on the neck plate if it was a BFR model previously.

So a Standard JP6 with a Rosewood Neck would be a BFR in 2009, but not in 2013.

 

[mesavox]

What I don't get, is that the BFR models - at least to me - don't seem to be limited. (Except for the PDN runs of course)

I mean, everyone can go into a store and order a BFR JP6, a BFR Axis, a BFR AL, or what kind of BFR model one might fancy.

They're more expensive, but anyone can order them.

Of course, I get that there are more of the regular models out there, because they are cheaper, but as I said it's not like you can't order a BFR if you want to.

No one ever claimed they were limited as to who can purchase them, or as to how long they will be made. They're limited in that if you order the regular model, it will not be a BFR. Why would it be to where you can't go into a store and order one? Why sell something no one can buy? What kind of marketing do you expect a company to engage in?

If you're thinking in terms of a production company making a limited number of things, well, that's pointless to compare. EB doesn't make a guitar unless an order is placed for that guitar. They're already a limited company.

You guys are over thinking this stuff. They're a company that builds guitars… When they tend to do things a certain way, and begin offering things that they wouldn't have been able to, in that way, before, they pick something to call it and begin to offer it. Its not rocket science, and they don't have to call it something every one else thinks they ought to in order to be honest or cool. Nor do they have to do so to keep their integrity. Its just a way to signify that those guitars are different than normal. Its no more complicated than that, and it doesn't need to be. It works well, and only people over thinking this stuff ever have any problems with it. lol

 

[cionian]

Is there a BFR Morse?..I haven't seen one. I know there's the Darklord and the PDNs..was that supposed to be it?

 

[BUC]

Is there a BFR Morse?..I haven't seen one. I know there's the Darklord and the PDNs..was that supposed to be it?

I don't know if this answers anyone's question but I have both a 25th Anniversary Reflex and a Gamechanger Reflex. Both feel very similar. Both play great. But it any close inspection, it's obvious they spent more time getting the best looking wood for the 25th. I realize it's not a BFR but it is a special, limited run, of an existing model sold at a more expensive price point.

Makes sense to me, from a marketing/businessman standpoint.

Usually for my gigging axes, I don't want something overly pretty. It's going to get ding-ed. It's going to get drinks splashed on it. I'm going to sweat all over it. It's going to ride in a trunk or the back of my pickup to gigs in Arizona where it's 105F. This is not BFR territory.

But in my air conditioned studio, I have a couple of "case-queens" if you will. I record with them. I practice with them. I take them out and noodle and admire how beautiful they are. To me this is BFR territory.

 

[KEOKI]

+1

 

[mesavox]

Is there a BFR Morse?..I haven't seen one. I know there's the Darklord and the PDNs..was that supposed to be it?

I don't know… I was just being very general to make a point. LOL

 

[decreebass]

Well.....I have to run through a bunch of ways to answer this.....The search button is your friend but you couldnt be that guy if you used it! hahaha

But think about it....I make 1/100 of what fender makes....less than their custom shop. It is made by the Ball Family...no sha reholders but me....bfr was a chance for us to elevate the features and price points and is absolutely reserve and limited...How many guitars do you think we make? WE are very small. You will notice that the bfr is not on the jp6...now compare the features materials and price point of your guitars....certainly elevated.

BFR also lets us make guitars available that would normally be for friends, family and artists.

THe majesty is a fixed model that is branded totally differently...it is the majesty.....their may be a bfr majesty in the future...but you sort of answered your questioning my marketing integrity by realizing that the majesty doesnt have a bfr designation

Sold. Put me down for one BFR Majesty

Seriously. My money is yours. All of it.

... But if I'm being honest, this thread has confused me further... Why does my regular old JPXI (as if there is such a thing) have the BFR logo on the 12th fret? Why are there models designated as "BFR" and some, like my JP13 7 that are "BFR" (neckplate engraved) but don't have it in the title? Big Poppa - I'm not questioning anything about your marketing integrity (perhaps using the term "gimmicky" was a little harsh) - EBMM is my favorite company ever since you reunited me with my Majesty that I had been dreaming about for 32 years (since before I was born), but I'm still a bit confused about the naming convention. "Unloaded," "Fully-loaded," "BFR," "Ultra-Neo-Premium-Steampunk," and all these other terms. By the looks of this thread, everyone else is confused too lol (although some people are sure that they are not).

I just feel the term "reserve" denotes a rarity that it would be unwise to market - that is, to live up to the title, you should sell MAYBE 100 BFRs, or whatever, in TOTAL. But that's not a very sound business model. It's just like I saw a list the other day of everyone from Hawaii who had won the Medal of Honor... It was about 200 names more than I thought had won the MoH from EVERY state combined since inception! Pssht. Heck if I'm gonna dive on grenade i
...I feel I've wandered off point...

Oh yea! Majesty BFR and I'll just sign over my paycheck to you!

 

[cionian]

I don't know… I was just being very general to make a point. LOL

Ok, regarding this whole obsession with BFR my thoughts are that it's a status and marketing thing..which is understandable from a business standpoint as there's a market for it. Yes they are beautiful but so are the standard models. I have a standard Y2D and sometimes I already feel that I'm judged as an elitist whereas I only wanted a quality instrument. Also, Steve plays the standards and I think anyone would be hard pressed to hear any difference in an AB test.. Feel wise?..I don't know, maybe they feel better, maybe they're easier to play..I've never played one but I doubt it..perhaps someone here can give an honest answer.

I kind of like the saying, it's not the tool..

 

[BrickGlass]

No one ever claimed they were limited as to who can purchase them, or as to how long they will be made. They're limited in that if you order the regular model, it will not be a BFR. Why would it be to where you can't go into a store and order one? Why sell something no one can buy? What kind of marketing do you expect a company to engage in?

If you're thinking in terms of a production company making a limited number of things, well, that's pointless to compare. EB doesn't make a guitar unless an order is placed for that guitar. They're already a limited company.

You guys are over thinking this stuff. They're a company that builds guitars… When they tend to do things a certain way, and begin offering things that they wouldn't have been able to, in that way, before, they pick something to call it and begin to offer it. Its not rocket science, and they don't have to call it something every one else thinks they ought to in order to be honest or cool. Nor do they have to do so to keep their integrity. Its just a way to signify that those guitars are different than normal. Its no more complicated than that, and it doesn't need to be. It works well, and only people over thinking this stuff ever have any problems with it. lol

I was going to say this and now I don't have to thanks to Mesavox. Well said.

 

[Firesource]

"Unloaded," "Fully-loaded,"

Unloaded and fully loaded is about the features of your JP guitar:
Standard (or unloaded) is dot inlays, natural headstock and no piezo.
Loaded is shield inlays, matching headstock and piezo.

Of course you don't have to order all options if you only want piezo and matching headstock for instance, but as sad, "loaded" applies to a JP with all the options.