BFR or non-BFR, 7 strings or 6 strings

[kissing]

Hi Guys,

Need your help on this one.
I am really into the John Petrucci model.
However, i am in a confusion now.
First, should i get a BFR or a non-BFR?
Currently, i have PRS single-cut 20th anniversary model and a Washburn Mercury series guitar(cheap Korea model). I am looking at a work horse for daily playing. Will the non-BFR cut it? Are there any noticable difference between them? Is is worth investing on a BFR?
Next, i need to decide if i should go for a 6 or 7 string. I have not tried a 7 string, would definitely like to get my hands on one. Is there a significant change that i need to adapt to when i change from a 6 to 7?
By the way, just to let you know some of my favourites; Dream Theater(pretty obvious!) Metallica, deftones, linking park, limp bizkit, sound garden, STP, pearl jam, steve vai, joe satrianni, paul gilbert, joe pass...
Like to here from you guys soon...
Thanks.

 

[73h Nils]

My advice; as per the differences between a normal JP and a BFR, just do a search, you'll find all the stuff you need.

Personally, I own both a JP6 and a JP7 (old-school models before the D-Sonic or Crunch Lab). I got my 6 in 2006 and the 7 in 2007. I would pick the JP7 any day of the week. Why? It just feels right. The string spacing is perfect; the tones are awesome; the neck is buttery smooth and it was a good chunk of change less than a BFR.

I have played the BFR models and I just don't like the painted neck. I could get used to it, but I'd always have that nagging feeling that something wasn't right. The ultimate would be with a Rosewood neck, but that's not happening for me, either (university student).

It is the best 7 string on the market, and quite possibly the best 6 string on the market as well for the price. Try and play both, but I'd say JP7.

 

[dstockden]

I'm with Nils on the painted neck, i think, hmm i'll give it another shot but each time i play one it puts me off, may suit you great though! maybe i'll like it in years to come! its a personal thing, whatever you go for out of your choices you will get a stellar guitar!

 

[mindstorm]

maple or painted

hello kissing and welcome from a fellow new member. i would go for the unpainted maple neck. and the 7 string as you already have a nice prs. the 7 will allow much more variation especially if your into satch, vai etc

 

[JP7Nomad]

Take into consideration what you want tonally. I feel like the BFR would sound closer to "home" for you given the guitars you own already. Something to consider.

 

[kissing]

Thanks guys..
really good inputs i am seeing. really appreciates that.
one thing fixed i guess, i think 7 string is the way to go, considering the more tonal and playability it has to offering, by the way guys, is it hard to maintain a 7 strings? like parts and stuff?

Nils, dstockden & mindstorm, i am on the unpainted neck side too. being the reason i was set out to get a work horse. i have the PRS and seriously, its too beautiful to be played! with all the glossy finish, tops and gold hardware...

but that again, JP7Nomad, you also made a point about the tone. by the way, i have a fetish for rare offering stuff. so i am still waivering.
So guys, more input please, help me out... haha...

 

[BairdM3]

Haha, I think I can give some input-I've been playing mostly on a PRS Custom 22-20th Anniversary too (with a D-Sonic/Air Norton combo) until I recently got my JP7 (w/BFR Rosewood neck) and I haven't been able to put my JP7 down!

I thought going from a 6-string to a 7 would be confusing, but really it isn't, it's just one more string. I know you're thinking, "well duh.." but it hasn't been difficult at all for me to play.The neck on the JP7 is nice and thin (and fast!) and it fits my hands better than the "wide-thin" neck on my PRS, even with it being a little wider due to the seventh string. Going to a 25.5" scale from the 25" on the PRS is a nice change too...a little more tension seems to help me at least with heavier music.

Sound wise, the PRS definitely has a heavier sound to it due to the mahogany body/neck, but the JP7 is much more clear to me, more bright...the PRS seems a little muddy (could be the pickup combo I went to...) The DiMarzios really seem to be matched well to the JP7 too; harmonics, squeals, etc seem to be effortless. (and it seems like the new JP pups are even more matched...)

Two reasons I chose to go with a non-BFR JP7: 1. I found my dream combo for sale, olive/gold JP7 with rosewood neck, 2. I have a BFR JP6 on order (DD2). I've never played a BFR JP6 or JP7, but from all of the reviews on here-it seems like it's got a heavier sound and is maybe more resonant? Since you're used to the painted neck on the PRS, a BFR JP wouldn't be much of a change (but my rosewood neck is faster). If I hadn't ordered the BFR JP6 and got my specific JP7, I would have gotten a BFR JP7...

Not sure if any of that made sense...it's been a long day at work, but I hope it helps you a little. Let me know if you have any more questions-

 

[Jack FFR1846]

I really gotta say that if nothing else, you need to play the 7 string to see how it works for you. I have tried a number of 7's (I have friends who love em and whenever they suggest different tuning or something else I try again). They just do nothing for me. A 5 string bass.....sure.....works fine (I'm not much of a bass player, though) but if you haven't really played 7's, find a shop with one and try it.

The BFR's do have a different character to them in their sound. Again.....a side by side is the way to go if that's possible. If not....at least try both at different times.

Oh.....and even if a guitar is beautiful and shiny and all....it's still there to be played. I'd put my old Guild up against any PRS for beauty, but even after 40 years....I still play it at home and out now and then. If I'm not playing one of my guitars....it's getting sold.

 

[OLIER]

one jp6 non-BFR
one jp7 non-BFR

nothing else....

 

[kissing]

thanks to BairdM3, Jack FFR1846 and OLIER man!
All awesome inputs!
It seems like its a 7 for me now.
Is it easier to maintain a unfinished neck? i know for the painted, its quite delicate.. and by the way, it seems strange but i get real sweaty palms when i play with my PRS i dont know if its a psychological effect or what but it gets slippery when i am with a painted neck. any body had that?

 

[Glasgowdream]

i've got my jp6 not too long ago and the unfinished neck is just awesome after playing my epiphone les paul with mahogany painted neck it feels like heaven.. i got that sweaty and slick thing on my les paul at my first gig since i was kinda nervous i got sweaty... anyway i think maintaining an unfinished neck is more work you have to oil it and stuff when it gets rough i go crazy about that neck i just buff it after each time I play (of course washing hands first) with a dry cloth.. anyway the BFR jps always looked more sturdy to me than the standard JP maybe that's because mine is white and it looks very delicate but the neck thing aswell i think the finished neck will save you alot of work and seriously i play finished and unfinshed necks and have no problems with it just keep in mind that the unfinished are usually better feeling...

 

[mindstorm]

yep as jack ffr1864 says try one a couple of times. as for cleaning i use good old wonder wipes then a soft dry cloth. lucky old bairdm3 has a full rosewood neck which are beautiful to play i had a go on one ages ago but spent too long thinking about it and it disapeared. so if you can find one of these buy it. also imagine smashing the painted neck into a mike stand or god forbid the edge of a cymbal you may weep like a baby at least with a unfinished neck you could sand any damage out. just another few thoughts for you.

 

[heka313]

Well, I haven't tested 7-string, but I would assume that pros and cons of that one extra string are pretty much related to your playing style (not only music style). I can't imagine me playing 7-string on a regular basis, 'cause I use lots of open string chords and licks combined with fast strumming etc, and it would take me ages to get real advantage from that extra B (compared to negative aspects). Sure, it would be nice in power chords and heavier riffing, but I prefer 6-string as my main axe (which is going to be JP6 redburst when I get it, it's still in manufacturing process).

 

[DaPatrooch]

thanks to BairdM3, Jack FFR1846 and OLIER man!
All awesome inputs!
It seems like its a 7 for me now.
Is it easier to maintain a unfinished neck? i know for the painted, its quite delicate.. and by the way, it seems strange but i get real sweaty palms when i play with my PRS i dont know if its a psychological effect or what but it gets slippery when i am with a painted neck. any body had that?

I would think an unfinished neck is harder to maintain than a finished neck. An unfinished is still easy, but you can really see and feel when it starts to get dirty, and takes a little bit for than just a wipedown. It is also a bit more susceptible to changes in temperature because there is no finish, but I haven't noticed any change going from summer to winter and back. So bottom line, go for whatever feels best to you.

Good luck with whatever you decide to get, and welcome to the forum!

 

[the24thfret]

I would think an unfinished neck is harder to maintain than a finished neck. An unfinished is still easy, but you can really see and feel when it starts to get dirty, and takes a little bit for than just a wipedown.

Light steel wool takes care of the neck very well.

 

[kissing]

I just went to our local dealer, tough luck..
what they have is only a bitten up JP6, no JP7. not to mentioned no BFRs..however, i just checked out the price with me.. its at least 30% higher than the states(i am in singapore) probably i will have to stack out a used JP7 here in the forum..
and yah almost forgot, thanks for all the reply... hope to see more opinions..