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BCMCMoose

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Hello again all.
I am still very new here and am seeking some clarification. I just got my beautiful JP6 BFR Koa as a 20th anniversary present, and after poking aroudn the forums for awhile am still quite confused. Mine has silver hardware, ebony fretboard, mahognany body, MOP inlays,,, i understand that. But where i start to get confused is the smaller details.. is it Island Burst or Honey Burst? is the fretboard oil/wax?

It was purchased through GC Platinum, so I guess it's spme special run? But even then there is conflicting data to the fretboard finish and color type? Partly I ask this to better understand just what i own, but also to understand how to care for it, i believe the care for oil/wax ebony fretboard would be different than poly ebony, correct? it "feels" oil/wax, but I am hardly qualifed to make that an expert opinion!

Thanks all!
 

Jonny Dubai

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Hay mate. Congrats on the amazing guitar. I'm not a JP specialist but there are many here. If you post some pics I'm sure someone could help you.

Cheers

J
 

bkrumme

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Easiest thing would be to post the serial number in the Serial sticky thread. Ask for the details you're looking for and they should be able to give it to you.
 

yellowv03

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That's not a Koa, although I'm not exactly sure what it is. I would call or email CS with the serial # to find out if it's a special run or something. It's definitely not Koa, although it has an Ebony board which only the Koa's do. It doesn't have gold hardware as Koa's do. Also looks a lot more like Island Burst than Cherry Burst. At least in the pics. Seems to be an anomaly although it is gorgeous. Also it's definitely a 2012 or maybe late 11' build as it has the new trem baseplate. I doubt the body is mahogany. That said your main question about the oil/wax thing doesn't apply. Oil and wax are used on the bare maple neck, not the fingerboard. You have a finished neck. No need to worry about that. The ebony will just need a little oil every once in a while just as any ebony or rosewood board does.
 
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BCMCMoose

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I agree, it is beautiful, and I am very happy with it. But it doesnt seem to fit the descriptors, all the GC Koas have the silver hardware, and the ebony board i expected, but their own sites refer to it alternatley as Island and Honey, and most wiegh in it looks Cherry. (the Heritage Cherry Leather strap matches it perfectly). The fretboard looks like an oil/wax finish, which is also different than the specs online, strange , but no complaints,, (except the possibility it may not be Koa, that would be a bit strange since that was what i had believed I purchased!)
 

yellowv03

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That is not Koa. No question about it. Also all Koa's have gold hardware. Ebony and rosewood fingerboards are unfinished. They just need a little oil every now and then to keep moisture in the wood. Oil and wax is used on Music Man necks, not fingerboards. GC just has their details all messed up. I'm pretty sure it's a special run Island Burst with an Ebony board. That top is flame maple, not Koa.
 

BCMCMoose

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I appreciate all and any input! I have posted this in the serial number thread, and sent an email to CS as well.. interested to find out the details!
 

yellowv03

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This is an Island Burst Koa.
JPET_6_BFR_PIEZO_ISLANDBURST_G49282.jpg
 

yellowv03

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The more I look at yours I guess it could be a honeyburst koa, but the figuring is not what you would normally expect from koa.
 

NoUse121

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That is not Koa. No question about it. Also all Koa's have gold hardware. Ebony and rosewood fingerboards are unfinished. They just need a little oil every now and then to keep moisture in the wood. Oil and wax is used on Music Man necks, not fingerboards. GC just has their details all messed up. I'm pretty sure it's a special run Island Burst with an Ebony board. That top is flame maple, not Koa.

No Guitar Center do sell Koa BFRs with chrome hardware. It is exclusive to them. so not all Koa's come with gold and you can get one with chrome if you want. here is a link if you want.

Music Man John Petrucci BFR 6 Koa Top with Piezo Electric Guitar | GuitarCenter
 

yellowv03

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Yeah I was just looking around and found that. Musicians Friend has chrome too. I guess that's what it is then. Pretty unique Koa top.
 

BCMCMoose

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It is different, I agree. If you look up BFR Koa sold through GC or Musicians Friend, they all have the silver hardware, but on their own site they refer to he neck as oil/wax, not finshed,, odd set of circumstances.. I do very much appreciate your input. If its not Koa when CS gets back to me GC can expect a visit right away! haha. The sustain is emmense, I do believe the body is mahogany
 

ohdamnitsdevin

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The only reason I would think this wasn't a Koa is the black border along the side of the guitar that extends up to the horn. This characteristic is that of the cherry burst. I'm very interested in knowing what this is. Beautiful guitar.
 

NoUse121

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I have seen some flame and quilt koa but yours looks like a nice maple top, not koa.. if it is I would hold on to it. might have a jem there!!
 

yellowv03

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Yeah it must be a regular Koa just with chrome hardware so the body should be mahogany. The top is just unique looking and the lighting in your pics makes it look lighter than it probably is in real life. As for the oil wax thing trust me. GC gets stats from other models confused all the time. The regular JP models have oil/wax finish on the necks. Other than that they are unfinished maple. All of the BFR models with the exception of full rosewood necks have finished necks. The rosewood and ebony boards are raw. They just need like lemon oil, wonder wipes, Fret Dr, etc. every so often to keep them moist. Ebony most of all which tends to crack if it gets too dry.
 
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