Gettin' into EBMM, The Best Choice?

[Wick3d.]

Hey guys,

I'm seriously planning on changing my main guitar (Ibanez RG3120F-DAM) and I'm pretty sure I want an EBMM. I've only heard great things about their playability sound and craftmanship. The only problem is that I don't know which model to get. The only EBMM dealer in my town (Montreal, Canada) is only able to make special orders, which is not the best to make up my mind... so maybe you guys can help me a bit?

I'm a pretty versatile player (I'm a live jazz, blues and funk restaurant musician, entering college in pop-jazz and the lead guitarist of a band that mixes everything from blues and classic rock to fusion and prog metal), and I'm looking for something that will fit all those genre. My main influences are John Petrucci, Steve Morse (You guys start to see why I want an EBMM ), Stephan Lill, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai, Pat Metheny, Andy Timmons and SRV. I'm really craving for that smooth vocal lead tone that has made JP a true tone icon, but I also really like heavy rythm tones and smooth jazz cleans.

Playability wise, I need something that is REALLY confortable to play (Ease of playing is as important as tone in my book). I'd like a neck that will be super fast and easy to play, something pretty different from my Prestige neck, which is too thin and hard on the wrist IMO. I'm really into SuperStrat shapes and I absolutely need an easy access to the upper frets. I don't really care about weight, but as we say, the lighter, the better

The guitar will be used with a pretty simplistic rig : for studio and rehearsals, I mainly use a Vox Tonelab coupled with a Peavey 50/50 classic poweramp and a Behringer FCB1010 MIDI controller (awesome rig btw, BIG tube tone and great versatily). Live at the restaurant, I use the supplied Hot Rod Deville.

I was thinking about getting the JP6 piezzoed or The Morse (Y2D or not)... but there may be something else that would be as good if not better. What would you guys think? Considering you now know my situation pretty well ?

Also, do you think there's hope in trading my Ibanez RG3120F (MINT condition, with Dimarzio-Ibz pups and Edge Pro Trem) for an EBMM? If not, what is a reasonable (second or first hand) price for one of those beauties?

Thanks a lot, I really appreciate your help,
Musically,
Joël

 

[koogie2k]

Welcome to the addiction!

Well, from what I have read, you seem to be leaning towards the JP. I have several and many others here do as well. Unfortunately, you can't play one due to what you have described. The JP neck is thin and lightning fast.

The Y2D is one awesome guitar as well. Neck feels great and it is just as lethal as any EBMM.

The Axis is a great guitar, but if you are looking for "Stratty" type of tones, the Albert Lee has it hands down....

As you can tell, I am in favor of all of them, but again, it looks like you are going the JP route....and that is not a bad thing.

 

[Silhouette]

Hey man, you are in a similar position to how I was, with the 'Nez etc etc. My influence was John Petruccimainly and it was because of him that I got into these guitars, anyway enough of my life story.

I reckon you should go for a Morse/Petrucci/Silhouette. I ended up with a Silo and I'm as happy as I ever could be with it.

The Ianez you have sounds nice, and if poss. I think you should keep it, and keep it tuned in a different way, especially if you get an EB with a trem.

 

[Beth]

Hey Joel,

Welcome to the forum!

It's all a matter of personal preference, but I enjoy the John Petrucci neck the most.

Are you talking about Steve's Music? They should have some Petruccis in stock.

-Beth

 

[Wick3d.]

Omg!
Thank you guys for the quick answers!

I really don't know for the JP, is it versatile enough? I think I'd be better with a Morse since he uses that guitar in every possible music genre.... But I reckon' prog metal has always been my first love... Lol... I absolutely don't know what to get!

I'm not really looking to duplicate any tone, I want a guitar with its own character and sound. I could get a Strat or LP easily, but I find them a little too common... and I just like to be original

 

[Wick3d.]

Are you talking about Steve's Music? They should have some Petruccis in stock.

-Beth

No they don't! They'll only receive an unpiezzoed one in september, and I'd like to buy before that.

 

[mhorse]

Ahh, let's see

Neck:
To each his own, you wouldn't know which one is better for you until you try. Both are awesome. JP is flatter and wider them SM.

Pickups:
JP is HH, with 3-position switch (inner coils of both pickups in the middle positions) + piezo (would be great fo jazz?); SM has no piezo, but 1 or 2 additional single coils

Comfort:
JP is nicely beveled, SM has almost none, I recall a slight belly cut on the back

Frets:
JP has 24, SM has 22

Looks:
SM - solid colors w/pickguard, SM-Y2D - maple top, JP - solid colors without pickguard

Bridge:
JP - custom non-locking trem with stability of floyd, amazing device
SM - tune-o-matic style with strings-through-body or Floyd

Other guitars to consider: Silhouette. Different neck then either of the 3, HSH + piezo option, vintage trem or stoptail, looks closest to a strat (but better in every way)

 

[SteveB]

Welcome, Joël.

I have a Petrucci and also a Morse Y2D.

The Petrucci is the ultimate in comfort. The deep contours, fast thin neck, and amazing tremolo make all the difference. I think it's got enough versatility.. there's a great clean sound with the pickup toggle in the middle position. If you add in the piezo, you can get a LOT of diverse tones.

The Y2D has no body contours whatsoever. It comes in hardtail or floyd, whereas the Petrucci only comes with tremolo (and it's the best one made, IMHO).
The pickup combinations on the Y2D make it s very versatile guitar as well. It's better for blues than the Petrucci (again, IMHO). The neck is a little thicker than the Petrucci but it's still very comfortable.

Really, you can't go wrong with either one. But I think the ergonomics of the Petrucci make it just a little more desirable.

 

[J-Nick]

If you can't find EBMMs in MTL you should check out the stores in the Ottawa regions. I believe that Steve's Music Store in Ottawa has a Petrucci and a rosewood axis in stock... At least they had those 2 weeks ago. Long&McQuade also stocks some EBMM from time to time but they only had a few Subs the last time I was there.

You seem to be looking for versatility in your next guitar. I would definately check the Luke. The EMGs are supposed to be extremely versitile...

Cheers!

 

[Wick3d.]

I still can't believe how you guys are cool! Thanks again for the fast answering!

Really, you can't go wrong with either one. But I think the ergonomics of the Petrucci make it just a little more desirable.

Hmm... If the JP6 is the ultimate in confort, I think I'd rather go with it... What's is the used average price for a JP6 Piezzo'd Custom Inlays with not matching headstock in... hmmm... let's say White Sparkle?

Any hope in trading one for my 'nez?

Thanks a LOT!
Joël

 

[SteveB]

Well, the sparkle colors were discontinued a few years ago, so I'm not sure how readily you can find a used one.

ernie1966 has the ultimate collection of Petrucci guitars.. including most of the sparkle finishes. He'd be the one to assess how easily you might find one.

 

[BCK]

I'll put a vote in for the Petrucci easily one of the most comfortable guitars I've
owned. I think the versatility is there also. The neck is thin though, but feels great to me.

 

[Jay]

Joel, you'll find out (soon enough...) that Balls are like potato chips. You just can't have one. I started out with the same "I want the best one and only one" mentality. And the enthusiasm here is genuine. Scary, huh? Since discovering this site only a few scant months ago, I've swelled my guitar racks with 2 EB guitars (Axis SS and JP6 Piezo) and a SUB 5 string bass. And I'm already eyeing one of those sweet 20th anniversary Silhouettes. And I had 2 others to begin with. OCD!!!

 

[Roubster]

Well if you really want to go versetile I think the Silhouette or Luke are VERY versetile guitars. I have both, and you can do almost anything with em without having 4 pups like Morse. BTW Morse is my guitars God and "no one touches Morse" as said by Petrucci. For some odd reason I dont have the SM guitar yet, but I think THAT might be the ultimate choice to go with. The thing is it is BEST to try out as many as you can. Maybe take a trip one weekend to some store that DOES have a few different EBMMs in stock. I personally tried almost ALL the variations of EBMMs and eventually I want them ALL. I think you should go with the Morse, or Y2D which looks SICK ! Good luck on the hunt!

 

[robelinda2]

silhouette special gets my vote, or an Axis SS w/MM90's. you get every style you want to do.

 

[Pundix]

silhouette special gets my vote, or an Axis SS w/MM90's. you get every style you want to do.

+1... You can't go wrong with the Silo or the Silo Special. There's just something right about those guitars!

 

[Wick3d.]

Yeah will see!

Hey guys I'm leaving to San Fran this week, and I think it may be a good place to try some EBMM.... Anybody knows a good guitar store in that place? My hotel will be in Nobl Hill, so the closer the better....

 

[Jonny Dubai]

silhouette special gets my vote, or an Axis SS w/MM90's. you get every style you want to do.

Im with you mate. An axis super sport all the way for me. Great neck for my small hands, killer pups and a 5 way. Sweet as a nut.



Jonny


ps..........or any of the others mentioned

pps welcome!

 

[Thirdpole]

Hey fellow Quebecer !

If you ever come to Quebec City, you're welcome to come demo mine's : Axis, Silo Special and Y2D once i get it !

The EBMM dealer in town is Musique Richard Gendreau and i know he has a few Lukes and an Albert Lee in stock right now (Maybe a Pet, not sure) !

CYA

 

[spkirby]

Yeah will see!

Hey guys I'm leaving to San Fran this week, and I think it may be a good place to try some EBMM.... Anybody knows a good guitar store in that place? My hotel will be in Nobl Hill, so the closer the better....

I was in San Fran last week...on corner of Van Ness Avenue & California (maybe 0.5 miles from Nob Hill) is a Guitar Center.

In there you will find 4 Axis' (2 rosewood), a Silhouette 20th, a LE Luke and a Petrucci... they had a good range!

Have fun

SteveK