Help! Can't decide between a JP12 and a BFR

[Vadauco]

Hi,

Right now I have the chance to buy either a JP12 or a BFR. Both used, good shape, stainless steel frets, fair price. I can buy only one. I'm far away from them, so I can't test. So I have a couple questions, that I hope you specialists can shed some light upon.

1. Neck profile — I had a standard JP6 in the past, the BFR has the same neck profile, right? If so, I know the neck very well. As far as I read, the JP12 has a flatter neck. Highly subjective question: is the difference too noticeable? Is the JP12 neck comparable to, say, an Ibanez RG neck?

2. Frets — JP12 has slightly bigger frets. Highly subjective question again: is the difference too big? Are the frets noticeably bigger? Does the fact they're stainless steel make the difference less noticeable? I love big gigantic frets, JPX frets would be ideal, but that's life.

3. Body — Is one body bigger than other? Also, I know the JP12 is mahogany block + maple top + basswood; this BFR has a koa top (gold hardware model), and according to EBMM site the body is all mahogany. So, I know guitar weight varies, but is there a general rule of one body being much heavier than the other? I prefer lighweight guitars, due to backpain.

Other than that, I tend to prefer the looks of the BFR, because the koa top is beautiful, although I'm not a fan of the gold hardware, and I know it will eventually fade in the future. So... any inputs are welcome, gentlemen. Thank you very much.

 

[QuietSpike]

1. Yes it's flatter, but I prefer that. The BFR neck is pretty flat too!
2. Stainless steel frets are great. Won't play without them. No, they are not that noticeably different.
3. The BFR has the larger upper horn, but not noticeably "bigger" by any means.

That said, to me the JP12 is one of the best iterations of the JP line, second only to the JP15. Ultimately, it is your preference.

 

[Sweat]

One word Koa, it is awesome.

 

[Lax]

I sold my over-used JP6s for a JP12, and today I'm not sure it was the good choice for me.

Don't get me wrong, the JP12 is one of the best guitars ever made and I agree with the good points in the answers.

Here are the reasons why I'm selling it for a majesty, and why I would have prefered another model (with steel frets)
1) cosmetics : The finish with no sunlight looks like clot? blood (forgive my french)
2) The pickups are darker, very recognizable, but lost a little polyvalence ? (especially since I have no style limitation thanks to the axefx)
3) The radius/profile/etc... or the neck, I absolutely can't explain, but I have the feeling that it was easier for me to play on the JP6, I cannot garantee it's the guitar's fault since the difference is subtle, maybe it's just because I played 10 years on the same guitar and in the same time I get older

I insist on the fact that this guitar is an highway, quality is flawless and many people over the world are enjoying it 24/24

When you hesitate, if you're not on a remote island, try both guitars before buying it.

PS : Koa is incredible

 

[Illuminated]

I say BFR, only for the fact that 20" radius feels strange to my hands. But both are fantastic instruments.

 

[zzomer]

Had a JP6, best guitar / neck I have ever owned, stupidly sold it to finance a JP15 which eventually had to return dew to a problem and not bonding at all with the new pickups, overall guitar feel was good but it wasn't what I remembered from the 6 so now I'm on a hunt for….a JP6 BFR, that’s the axe for me for sure.