Difference in tone between the JP standard and the JP BFR?

[HighGain510]

Hey guys! Well I can't believe I'm saying this but I am seriously considering saving up and buying a Ball Family Reserve JP6 model. I love the tone of my current JP6 and I'm really curious how the BFR version compares in terms of bass (depth and tightness?), mids and treble? Overall tone? Does anyone have both (or played both) that wouldn't mind sharing a bit on how they feel they sound please?

That greenburst on eBay is devilishly tempting but I don't know if I should spend that much money right now since I *should* be saving up towards a ring. The lovely girlfriend (who, might I add, has helped me purchase a decent amount of my gear in the past) has been hinting at the marriage issue a lot lately and will be moving down to VA soon so we don't have to keep making trips so not sure if I'll have the funds for one right away or not since diamonds are expensive! Thanks guys!

 

[koogie2k]

I wish I could tell you. I don't have a BFR...but, I am thinking the tonal range is warmer and the tops are just stunning.

I won't comment on the ring thing though....I could get you in trouble...lol.

 

[Lou]

The BFR has a more 'complex' tone. More harmonically rich, fatter.

 

[colinboy]

the BFR.s are simply amazing my friend.my buddy used mine recently on agig and it sound fantastic.the tone and warmth and sustain just cut through the mix and out shone the other guitar in a big way!

 

[emkey]

Let someone who has both JP regular and JP BFR record a video with both guitars and then youtube it The same video camera, the same amp, the same settings. That would be very helpful. Of course please make that test on pure, clean channel. Treat distorted channel as bonus. This way we could all listen and hear the difference. Unfortunately I haven't seen any BFR around my living place so far, and I'm dying to check it out...someone please help me out

best,
Mike

 

[MusicManJP6]

Let someone who has both JP regular and JP BFR record a video with both guitars and then youtube it The same video camera, the same amp, the same settings. That would be very helpful. Of course please make that test on pure, clean channel. Treat distorted channel as bonus. This way we could all listen and hear the difference. Unfortunately I haven't seen any BFR around my living place so far, and I'm dying to check it out...someone please help me out

best,
Mike

I'll do just that as soon as mine comes in!!

 

[colinboy]

Let someone who has both JP regular and JP BFR record a video with both guitars and then youtube it The same video camera, the same amp, the same settings. That would be very helpful. Of course please make that test on pure, clean channel. Treat distorted channel as bonus. This way we could all listen and hear the difference. Unfortunately I haven't seen any BFR around my living place so far, and I'm dying to check it out...someone please help me out

best,
Mike

jump on a WIZZAIR flight from poland to Ireland and il let ya check out my BFR JP6 my friend

 

[lpcoco]

Sceletor in the forum do already one video on youtube

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWQzcAq8Yag"]YouTube - Sceletor-MusicMan BFR Petrucci vs. standard models part I.[/ame]

 

[whitestrat]

I tried the BFRs recently... I find the tone is actually more focused and tighter than the JP6 model. Not as loose, and still punchy. But it's got the same amounts of bass response as the JP6. I'd say the BFR was more trebly...

 

[D.K.]

Exactly what whitestrat said. Have both, and the BFR is a treblier one with a much more focused tone. It's way more traditional sounding, almost going into the Les Paul direction. The standard JP6 (I have the old bridge pickup in, mind You) is a lusher, fuller and darker sounding guitar. But, I've had 4 of them and have chosen the darkest sounding (and the heaviest) of all, so that is probably why I feel that way.

All in all, as Sceletor has already pointed out somewhere, they are really different guitars, and the BFR is in no way a guitar that just sounds plain better than the standard JP6 with old bridge pickups. They are both high-end guitars that sound signifficantly different.

On a side note - I would LOVE to try out a BFR with the old pickup set, as I find the D-sonic to be much harsher and lacking the richness of the modified steve's special.