About to by a Petrucci BFR

[yngzaklynch]

I've only played Axis and Silouette. But I'm trying to get my shred chops up and like the fact that it has a piezo. On paper it looks like a great tool for what I want to do on the guitar. Currently I own a Strat, Washburn N4 and BC Rich custom Shop Mockingbird Archtop Supreme. Can any Petrucci BFR owners give me their thoughts on their BFR? Pros and cons? Wieght? Sustain? Overall tone?

Jim

 

[edrod]

Unfortunately I don't own a BFR. On the other hand, owners tend to hold those variables quite high on the BFR.

 

[yngzaklynch]

It's tough to put down this kind of money on something I've never played before. I'm confident that the BFR is a great guitar.

 

[D.K.]

I love the BFR JP, it's an unbelievable guitar - the real question is whether it does suit You and Your needs best?

I would start using the search function. Many a topic about the BFR JP has been discussed here. If You have a more specific question after that, the brotherhood will be more than welcome to answer them.

 

[yngzaklynch]

I love the BFR JP, it's an unbelievable guitar - the real question is whether it does suit You and Your needs best?

I would start using the search function. Many a topic about the BFR JP has been discussed here. If You have a more specific question after that, the brotherhood will be more than welcome to answer them.

Is the neck shape similar to an axis/EVH? I've read that the frets are not jumbo. Are they medium high? Any tricks with getting great tones from the piezo?

 

[ScoobySteve]

We just had that thread of disappointment with tm.

Trust me, just cause so many others like it, and a guitar player you like had it created does not mean you'll like it.

It's interesting how each player evolves naturally on their own, and along with that their needs and preferences grow as well.

PLAY IT, it's the best I can tell you.

 

[DaPatrooch]

Great guitar for sure. I have a standard JP, but I've played the BFR, and it sounds great. The neck is great for shredding, it's very thin and flat. On Music Man's website, it says it's heavier than the standard, but it's surprisingly really light (the one I played anyway, it varies a little bit). Has lots of sustain and warmth due to the mahogany tone block and neck. Some people complain about the painted neck vs. the unfinished neck on most EBMM guitars, but the painted neck still feels great. I do still prefer the unfinished, but the painted neck is great too.

 

[yngzaklynch]

We just had that thread of disappointment with tm.

Trust me, just cause so many others like it, and a guitar player you like had it created does not mean you'll like it.

It's interesting how each player evolves naturally on their own, and along with that their needs and preferences grow as well.

PLAY IT, it's the best I can tell you.

There are none in my area and the local dealer says it's gonna be about a 4-5 month wait if I order one from him.

 

[ScoobySteve]

There are none in my area and the local dealer says it's gonna be about a 4-5 month wait if I order one from him.

I understand your sentiments, I really do, but you also need to understand that you are paying thousands of dollars for this instrument. This is a heavy investment. Read the TM's thread of long/disappointment to know this can backfire pretty horrifically, even if you're convinced the guitar wont let you down.

When my younger brother was ready to scale up on his Violin after 6 years of playing, our parents drove 4 hours to the best strings vendor in our state. Making sure he could play each one and find the one that suited him was very important.

Investing 75 bucks for a roadtrip, gas and some chow isn't a bad investment to confirm/deny your interest in an instrument. Just offering my .02, best of luck!

 

[bkrumme]

Investing 75 bucks for a roadtrip, gas and some chow isn't a bad investment to confirm/deny your interest in an instrument. Just offering my .02, best of luck!

+1

It's very important to know you're going to love the guitar when you buy it. In the long run, an extra few bucks could go a long way to solidify your choice.

For instance, I know a guy who ordered a guitar in the high 4 figures price range, just to turn around and sell it 2 weeks after he got it because it didn't live up to the hype, and didn't feel or sound good to him. He ended up losing well over the price of a short road trip on the guitar. Had he taken a 2 hour trip to the nearest dealer who had one, he could have saved himself quite a bit of hassle and money.

 

[peterd79]

Investing 75 bucks for a roadtrip, gas and some chow isn't a bad investment to confirm/deny your interest in an instrument. Just offering my .02, best of luck!

+1

i cannot tell you how many times i've taken road trips just to test something at a GC that mine didn't have only to find out that the particular amp i was looking at didnt sound right to me... or that the pedal didn't have the capabilities that i needed it to have.
I'd also suggest that if you're taking a road trip pack up your amp and your setup... so you know exactly how it's going to sound when you get home. I've found that the GCs and local mom and pop shops will not deny you bringing in your setup if you're a serious buyer and you explain your concerns.
When it's all said and done if you like it great and if not you just saved yourself some time.

Example: i've been eyeing a DD2 for a while but i can't get a feel for the color. A fellow knucklehead (who lives 30 minutes from me) just bought one and i shot him a PM explaining i'm looking at picking one up but not sure about the color and were working on setting something up for me to check the color before i take the leap.

either way invest the time to get your hands on one before taking the plunge.

 

[colinboy]

I love my BFR and like you didnt get to try one out before i bought it but im very happy with it and think it can cover alot of styles of music also not just metal and rock type playing!

 

[yngzaklynch]

I love my BFR and like you didnt get to try one out before i bought it but im very happy with it and think it can cover alot of styles of music also not just metal and rock type playing!

How's the sustain? How were the frets on yours?

 

[CHill]

My JP6 is the scoop model with the BFR rosewood neck without the piezo. This is the most comfortable guitar I have ever played. The pickups are amazing when played clean and dirty with lots of options using the volume and tone to control them. The full BFR version has the finished neck which is a little stickier, but when I tested it I got used to it in 10 minutes. I could not resist the all rosewood neck though. I also have an American Deluxe S#@$toc@str that is fine but not even close to the playability and clarity of the JP. JP EBMM guitars are great!!

 

[jamminjim]

Hey Jim - where on the planet are you? Might help people in helping you. Why not get ahold of Pete DuBaldo and talk to him about trying one out. Other ideas are if you can find one at a guitar center because they have a pretty good return policy. But the advice to drive a ways to try one is good advice, if that's possible for you.

 

[colinboy]

How's the sustain? How were the frets on yours?

The frets on mine are perfect and its a very comfortable guitar my friend.The sustain due to the mahogany neck and tone block is fantastic and the overall tone is unreal also.

Where abouts are you living?