FINALLY Got a Ball!! (pics intense)

[Luke Duke]

So I agonized for over a month about the decision about whether or not to get an EBMM or not...and if so which? The Axis Super Sport was always at the top of my list, but after playing the Reflex with the special electronics I decided that was the way I needed to go. THEN I had to decide if I wanted a regular Reflex or if I wanted to locate and procure a 25th anniversary.

In the end I went 25th. Here are the pics and a quick gig report.

The guitar came in Thursday with year old strings. I played it 15 minutes, restrung it...played it a few more minutes and then went to an appointment. I got home about 10pm and practiced with it for the gig Friday night.

Friday night's gig I carried it...and it sounded fantastic. Something about the chambering paired with the basswood/maple/mahogany makes for an amazing sound. Very clear on picked notes WITH distortion.

If you've never played a Ball do yourself a favor and give one a try, the gunstock oil and wax neck is amazing.

I'm trying to pare everything back since I'm still in the honeymoon phase. More info to come.

Luke

 

[behrens]

Congrats!! That is one hell of a sexy finish. I'm really digging the inlays on the fretboard, too. Very nice addition to your setup.

 

[threeminutesboy]

still my number one guitar

Congrats on this beauty

 

[Luke Duke]

Thanks guys!

I'm not much of one for people's names on my guitars so I hadn't REALLY jumped into the deep end of the EBMM pool. The reflex really reeled me in and this one HOOKED me.

This is definitely a special guitar. I don't even know what it is that makes it sound better than the Reflex because other than finish they're identical...but it's something.

There's a clarity that I don't get with my other guitars except my PRS and in that guitar it comes from the extra brightness, that I don't care for, whereas this one....well I don't know WHERE it comes from, it's just there!

 

[guitarp77]

Wow!

That 25 looks amazing. The neck is insane!!

I have it in the rosewood config., and it is my fav. of the 3 MM I currently own. Such an amazing and versatile guitar is unbelievable how many sounds its able to produce.

Enjoy it!

 

[coldsummer]

Beautiful guitar, I'm very envious.

 

[BartB]

Congrats man!

 

[Spudmurphy]

Very nice looking guitar - has a lot of fans on here!

 

[Jorge ven]

I need me an axis, a reflex or a 25th ASAP!! Nice one by the way

 

[JasonT]

Congrats on the nice score. Big fan of the 25th. Great guitars.

 

[Eilif]

Congratulations! I remember playing around with the 25th after it first came out. It sounds amazing, and it is very, very comfortable to play.

It's interesting that for you, the difference between the Reflex and the ASS was in the electronics. For me, it was the chambering. Everybody's different, I guess.

 

[Fro]

Congrats

 

[agt]

IMO, the best overall guitar design ever. Congrats!

 

[kbaim]

Nice score. As a longtime luke player myself, I remember being amazed when luke broke out the 25th on their little guitar center run (sterling, morse, luke) a few years back and DAMN if he didn't sound EVEN BETTER on the 25th. Hard to get my ears around it actually!

 

[ozzyrules]

Luke,
You're lucky you scored that one; I would have swiped it from under you if I knew it was that good looking(lol). I'm glad you went with the 25th over the Reflex. The figured top, small inlays, and pearloid tuners just make a huge difference. Congrats, man. That thing is sweet !!!

 

[Icedlatte]

Now that is a nice score! Congrats on the killer looking and sounding 25th!

 

[Luke Duke]

Thank you guys! I took it to my folks house tonight for my dad, bass player buddy, and bro-in-law to oogle. Everyone but my dad was amazed...and dad just wouldn't admit it! He's one of those hung up on bolt on vs. glue in necks.

In any case looking at it and playing it a little has got my bro-in-law GASing for a petrucci of some type. He told me he hasn't played in so long it'll be like starting over again. We went to see Dream Theater last month and hearing John cemented in his head what great instruments these are.....THEN going to GC in Arlington and watching me rock out on an axis was another dose of it!

L

 

[TimSE]

Ooo that is a lovely top

 

[TSHOW]

Very nice!!!!! What a great Top and that neck is Amazing........Congrats!!!!! I want one!!!

 

[guitfiddle]

25th's Rule! Welcome to the 25th OC. That's a superb specimen you've got there. Enjoy!