A question for all ball lovers~

[racerXazn]

Hey guys,

so I've looked around and have of course seen all of your epic signatures that list all of your guitars and whatnot. If you don't mind me asking, are a lot of you out there actually working in the music industry or are you all just amateurs who know what guitars to buy?

I mean no harm, just curious. Most of my friends won't considering buying a ball because apparently it's too prestigious of a guitar they think..but in my opinion a good guitar is a good guitar and why bother buying an ibanez that I won't like as much for half the price when I can save up more and buy a real ball..

Thanks,

racerXazn

 

[savannah_sean]

"too prestigious"? Seems to me that's a good reason TO get an EBMM, not the other way around.

Why do your friends think that "too much prestige" is an undesirable characteristic?

 

[Dizzy]

Mate, as a young bloke I was into all the usual stuff.

Had the opportunity to play a sh!t load of guitars, but only ever had the $$$ to own one at a time.

First electric was a Washburn, then worked my ass off on a mine site during a semester break from uni and came back and bought an Ibby JS1 (original Satch sig) - my first real top-end axe.

And there the guitar buying stopped. It was my #1 and only for 5 years of jamming, gigging and stuffing around.

My other band mates decided to stop bludging and get out and work, and the band dissolved.

Then from 1996 on my study, work & sport (footy & cycling) got serious - and the playing stopped.

For 10 years..........nada - zip - zero.

Then, after an insane 130km bike race there was a big piss-up (i.e. party)... and I ended up on stage.

Man, what a rush again. ........ I got a sniff of the good times.

Got back home and got the old Ibby out, played it and stuck it on the wall.

I thought, hmmm...... there's room for a few more there.

With me running a business and a young family, gigging etc was never really going to happen, but I was having a ball with all the new technology and stuff that was now available (Digital Recording / backing tracks etc).
I was lovin' it again.

Anyways, long story short - by this stage I was running my own business and was lucky enough to be able to afford a new guitar or two.
Me being me, I obsessively started reading and looking at what was available 15 years after my last purchase.

As for EBMM's ??
My mate had an EVH and I started looking into EBMM stuff.

I thought I'd give one a go, so bought an Axis.
Also bought an ESP.
Then bought an EVH (wanted a collectable)

Was stoked with the EBMM instruments and there was a honeymoon phase, but the Axis / EVH guitar just wasn't for me.
I needed to try something different, but what ?
In all honesty, I was getting along better with the ESP, so another one of them was a serious option.

Anyways, I hung out here on the forum a bit, met a bunch of cool people.
Had some great fun dueling with the owner of the company (who's sense of humour can get almost as warped as mine)
He's a top bloke.
I learnt about the company, how it all began and how it runs now.

Seemed like a top mob to me, so thought I'd give one of their other models a go.

Then I got a Silhouette....... man, this thing just felt like an old friend.
(not that I "feel" my friends, but you know what I mean )

The ergonomics etc were just for me.
Then the JP's came - basically Silhouettes on steroids by my thinking.
Sold the Axis (and the ASS I had also picked up by then), and bought some more JP's and Silhouettes etc.
And the collection grew to what it is now.

So basically, yes - I am just a 37yr old bloke with a guitar room who loves playing guitar (but still wish I had more time to do so)

I still have the JS1 and the ESP,
But the guitars that I play and hang on my wall are EBMM's.

Yes, the actual guitars are the main reason why - they are top notch, beautiful instruments.

But I also like the bloke who runs the show, and the ethos of his company that makes them, which is also a big reason for my choice.


EDIT : bloody hell, I seriously started dribbling on there - sorry for the epic reply !!


PS : I'd probably have more guitars, but I have some other pretty expensive interests
- plus I'm running out of places to hide the guitars my wife doesn't know about


.

 

[Slav123]

What he ^ said but I'm 38, I don't own my own company and I don't play/do footy & cycling. I converted my (mostly) Ibanez collection (early 90's guitars) to Balls. I have owned everything from an Abel Axe to a $3K Suhr and I have sold them all to get the best made and the most versatile guitars on the market.

I forgot to mention that I haven't been in a band since college and I'm a professional basement musician...

Slav

 

[threeminutesboy]

almost same as my Aussi friend

was a one guitar guy for almost 20 years Strat with SL20 kit. Didn't play for a while kids, work. restarted a band in 2000

add some money and tried an Axis in 2003 cause back in 97 I tried a Pink EVH and was so frustrated not being able to get it ahahahaha

I started to try few of those wonderful guitars and got trap in this place by the nice people

I'm also running my own business (just starting) and I have to be cautious money wise so my quest of the perfect guitar in on hold

But I'm more than happy with the one I got now. I'm still playing in the band and record at home (less this day I must admit). I'm not professional musician but somehow very proud to be able to play such awesome instruments. Those guitars make you play better

 

[bkrumme]

If you don't mind me asking, are a lot of you out there actually working in the music industry or are you all just amateurs who know what guitars to buy?

I don't mind at all. I don't work in the music industry. I don't consider myself an amateur, but I'm by no means a professional musician. I consider myself a collector of great playing instruments. They're meant to be played and I play them all. No point in having all of them if you don't use them...

I do have a band, but it's mostly for our enjoyment. We don't gig often and we're really laid back. Nothing serious, just a bunch of guys having fun.

Most of my friends won't considering buying a ball because apparently it's too prestigious of a guitar they think..but in my opinion a good guitar is a good guitar and why bother buying an ibanez that I won't like as much for half the price when I can save up more and buy a real ball..

Your friends have some issues if they think any guitar is too "prestigious." It's a guitar. It's a tool you use to make music. You play it just as you would any other. Prestige has nothing to do with it.

As far as buying an Ibanez or saving for a Ball...you choose what you think is best for you as a guitarist. If the Ibanez is good for you, get the Ibanez. If the Ball is good for you, get the Ball. If it's some other brand that really gets your blood pumping, get that one. The point is you should play what feels and sounds best to you. For me, that happens to be EBMM.

 

[leftyguitarblue]

As far as buying an Ibanez or saving for a Ball...you choose what you think is best for you as a guitarist. If the Ibanez is good for you, get the Ibanez. If the Ball is good for you, get the Ball. If it's some other brand that really gets your blood pumping, get that one. The point is you should play what feels and sounds best to you. For me, that happens to be EBMM.

+1. Perfect.

 

[Spudmurphy]

I played quite a bit in the 70's and just had one guitar - my 73 Les Paul, which I still have.
Then had a guitar custom built that I gave to my son many years later. (still have that too)

Like Dizzy I hadn't played for a long time, then got bitten by the bug again after drinking too much wine one night I got back on stage.

I decided to get another guitar and saved like hell for one.
Bought my first ball in 2005 and just fell in love with it - I love it to death.
Just had to get another and once again saved like hell - sold old stuff on the bay - did odd jobs and got another.
Money don't come easy what with putting a son thro Uni and I really have to save before I get one.

Edit
I'm an old git amateur

 

[Trent]

Balls

I teach guitar for a living and I can tell you that the Music man guitars are as good a guitar as you can buy.
I have owned many high dollar guitars over the time that I have been teaching.
If you look at what a New Musicman guitar will cost you and compare it to what it would sell for used on Ebay and the like I think that you will see that Musicman guitars hold most of there value when compared to other high end guitars.
PRS and Gibson both sell used for about 50% of their cost new.
I think that having a Real Made in the USA guitar at the price of the Music man is a GREAT Deal and sound investment.
Sure it is easier to buy an import guitar BUT what do you get?
Cheap pickups, cheap hardware, Bad fret dress, soft frets that are sure to wear quickly and little resale or trade in value.
I believe that you are far ahead saving up to get the better guitar as every time you play you will sound better and get more out of the practice.
I have seen many times how much faster a student can advance when playing a really good guitar.
Cheers

 

[Jack FFR1846]

I am not a professional musician. I started out with a guitar my parents bought me in 1969 and played in some garage bands. We made spare money playing block parties and such. I still have that guitar but a couple years ago, got much more interested in playing again. I've played and bought a ton of guitars. I'm fortunate in that I can afford to do that. I've sold off a bunch as well and that original 69 plus one 08 Axis are the only guitars I've bought new. The rest are used. I play in a church which is really well set up and spoils me (their rack amps and sound system, in ear monitors, full sound board) and so yes....I play every guitar I own. I've done some modification of some of my guitars, but I mostly just play them. I've paid more than $1k for a used guitar and as little as $25 for one.

If you (or your friends) can't afford a $1k guitar, there is absolutely nothing wrong with going with what you can afford. There are great, affordable guitars out there that get the job done.

 

[Slingy]

Amatuer home player here. Though I can play a bit. I started on acoustic and always had some really nice ones to learn on which I really appreciated the quality of a nice acoustic.

For electric guitars I started at the bottom, Hondo, Japanese Tele, Charvel, Ibanez, PRS SE. I had a bunch that came and went. When shopping for a HH guitar in the $500 range I found a Sub model which I couldn't put down in the store, it played so nice, felt so comfortable, and I really liked the sound so naturally wanted a higher end model after that.

It's about what inspires you to play, and if a guitar saves you time not having to fuss with it alot then the extra cash is so worth it to me. Time is money.

 

[paranoid70]

I played around a bit in my younger days, but never had the discipline to join a band and perform. I got married and had kids in my early 20s, so the guitar was something I only played once in a while, mostly acoustic. I bought a nicer Ibanez and an OK Fender amp in my late 20s and started to get more into playing. But, still didn't really play with others much and didn't really progress either.

In 2006 I had a simple medical operation go horribly wrong, and it left me in severe chronic pain. (Doctors are miracle workers my ass). I was obviously really bummed out and depressed, so I figured I would cheer myself up by buying a nice guitar. I am also really cheap by nature too, so spending over $1k on a 'luxury item' was really out of character for me. But after a year of dealing with chronic pain, opening that case and pulling out a brand new Silhouette Special really made things feel right again.

Since buying that first Music Man I have been playing more than ever (typically every day). I joined and even started a few cover bands and we currently play local dive bars - I love it. I would never play solos before, but now I mostly play lead in the band and I think I have improved as a player. I really enjoy playing now, have made some great friends, and have been doing something I never thought I would be able to do. It has been incredibly theraputic for me.

So I know Music Man just makes quality guitars, but for me it was catalyst to getting myself into a better place. This forum has been great too.

Music is the best.

 

[browndog]

I’m just a basement hack. My band days are long gone. Now I just play for sheer fun and the excitement I get playing with myself. Surprisingly its a good stress reliever.

I found EBMM in 05 and fell in love. I’m a guitar aficionado. I don’t need 3+ guitars. Would I like 3+ guitars... Hell ya! Someday I know I will.

Music Man guitars just do it for me. Try one and you might just get that same feeling.

 

[racerXazn]

Oh man such awesome stories, thanks for all the responses.

And about my friends..well to be honest they're more like people who I jam with who are obsessed with getting what their heroes get and playing only a certain style etc etc..
Thus they find that Musicman is overpriced and not worth the wait.

Not to glorify myself, but I don't really care about labels. I actually just go into the guitar store and blindly test any guitar I see..which lead me to Musicman guitars.

I guess it's time for my story eh.

I've played music for 12 years, started out on violin and more recently have been teaching myself guitar for about 3 years now. I'm about to head to university but I teach violin on the side and play with my band in small venues. Because of my classical violin training, I've been made more of a lead and melodic player than a rhythm player and my love for instrumental rock promoted me to learn how to be a lead player and whatnot.

I guess having stereotypical Korean parents makes wanting to be a musician tough, but I don't want to mix my career with my hobby. I really enjoy teaching, but my hatred of being in the spotlight contradicts being a rockstar

Oh yeah, I'm about to put a down payment on a new ASS. Can't wait to get my hands on my first ball~

 

[Phrat]

For me it was what my guitar heroes were playing, was always a big fan of Morse, Luke and John Petrucci which is what drew me to EBMM. I managed to pick up a Sub on ebay at a really good price (by no means a "prestigious" guitar but a fully fledged working EBMM). Then I had the chance to play an Axis and could not get over how comfortable the neck was and how it felt in my hands so I went with it and never looked back.

I have been tempted by other brands since but always come back to EBMM because with all the options they offer in terms of body shape, hardware, pups, all bases are covered!!

 

[brownpants69]

I was what you call a "pro" player in that all of my income was derived from guitar playing if that counts for anything... But I certainly am not what I consider a great guitarist- but I think a lot of players think that about themselves! I digress...

When I was doing 4-5 gigs a week I really liked the fact I didn't get aches and pains from my balls (ooh err missus...) whereas I did from other guitars. The EB hard cases would fit perfectly into whichever part of the Van/Car was free and they were reliable- no broken strings- they got thrown around on stage etc.

I now am Semi Pro (School teacher by day) and still gig regularly with a "signed artist" (doesn't really mean much!) and do guitar tuition every evening and at weekends- I do a LOT of playing still- enough to give me tendonitis etc on a regular basis. I still would only choose my EBs to play over any other guitar. My "other guitar" is Gretsch style semi with Bigsby- which is very niche- I only have that 'cause EB don't make one!

As for prestige, I actually view EBs as a serious work horse guitar designed with the guitarist in mind. I definitely see them more as an honest session dudes guitar than a fancy prestige instrument. But at the same time I think EBMM quality far surpasses ANY other production guitar on the market.

As for collectors and hobby players, I think the fact that so many of the guys here have the money to buy any guitar they like, yet they go for EBMM- that speaks volumes- so maybe EBMM is becoming a more prestige instrument than before, especially with the BFR guitars. I never been one to drool over guitar p0rn, but now I do occasionally find myself staring longingly at the pics of those awful quilt tops

However, I think EBMM will always have it's roots firmly in the serious hardworking musician niche of the market. And lets face it- without sounding like a brown nose or creep...- the BP is a harworking bloke- he has that same ethos- getting his hands dirty- developing products- talking to his customers- and thats just rare amongst production guitar companies (I also like the fact he is honest and will speak his mind!)

Have I answered you question or have I a severe case of FPD (that's Forum Post Diarrhoea...)?

 

[ThatsAgood1jay]

I'm just a kid who has good taste.

I got my Jp6 when i was 14. My parents bought me an entry level ibanez to learn and noodle on. A year later, i started lessons and progressed quickly. I soon outgrew the abilities of that Ibanez (not to mention it would not stay in tune for S) So i sat down with my parents to discuss future instruments. Seeing how hard i worked on guitar, i was able to convince them to skip that dreaded "Mid Level" guitar that most people move to.

Being that John Petrucci was the whole reason behind me wanting to play guitar, i naturally gravitated to what he played. I knew nothing about Music Man, but because JP played one, i felt it would be far and beyond what a beginner would need. I got lucky one day and found a sweet deal on a Candy Red JP6 and the rest is history.

Last summer I went through a phase where i did not like the JP. The neck started feeling weird and i got an itch to expand my collection. I found a good deal on an Ibanez RG2550z locally and picked it up. It was great, the neck felt better, and i liked the trem system. I played that for a few months while the Ball sat in my closet. Thinking i would never play it again i thought about selling it (originally that was why i signed up here so i could sell it to someone who would appreciate the guitar) As i was restringing and doing maintenance to sell, i thought i would spend a week and just play it again......Soon my desire to sell faded quickly as i fell in love again with the way the neck and body felt.....and those tones. Along with the absolutely fantastic community i discovered here. I decided to keep the Ball, and sell the Ibanez.

And thats my story, even if you did'nt want it.

As for you friends, they sound like they have a chip on their shoulder. No guitar is "Too Prestigious" and as others have said, wtf does that mean to be Too prestigious?. Are they supposed to play crap guitars to be different?



Also Browndog

I’m just a basement hack. My band days are long gone. Now I just play for sheer fun and the excitement I get playing with myself. Surprisingly its a good stress reliever.

I found EBMM in 05 and fell in love. I’m a guitar aficionado. I don’t need 3+ guitars. Would I like 3+ guitars... Hell ya! Someday I know I will.

Music Man guitars just do it for me. Try one and you might just get that same feeling.

Might want to tone that down ; D

 

[Funky Chicken]

I don't really gig professionally on a regular basis anymore but I did for 20+ years. I found my way to EBMM instruments as a gigging bass player after going thru quite an array of other basses. What landed me here was the build quality and the solidity of the designs.
At the same time I was gigging as a bass player I had always played guitar at home for my own enjoyment and had owned plenty of Ibanez, Fender, Jackson, and PRS guitars. I have since whittled down my guitars to two EBMMs and one "other" guitar that I don't really play much but do have an attachment to.
These are workhorse instruments. They are easy to adjust-I don't have any fear about tweaking a truss rod while setting up for a gig. They travel incredibly well. They are as well made as a guitar gets. They aren't inexpensive but they are an incredible value. Your money will never go further buying a guitar than it does here.
I also appreciate the fact that this company is run by people who appear to value the customer in a way that other guitar manufacturers do not. The participation of Sterling and others here speaks volumes.

 

[73h Nils]

If they think they're too prestigious, they shouldn't be buying any Ibanez Prestiges. OLOLOLOLOL.

Anyway, no I'm a crap player that just happens to enjoy playing and getting my money's worth. That's about it.

 

[Sweat]

Intersting post, "too prestigious? Is this a because of the price of them, if so your friends have alot of other manufacturers to put on this so called list

I own/have owned many EBMM since discovering them in December 2006. I am a true hack/ amatuer, only decided to try playing a few years back and do it as a hobby for my enjoyment only, have no aspirations of recording gigging etc.

But the one thing I learned quickly is to buy quality gear and EBMM fits that mold. I am a true diehard knucklehead who will only buy and play EBMM and since I have been blessed with the means to own several why not, one is never enough