Getting very close to ordering my new MM...Some thoughts

[Charles]

It's been a long and arduous journey, trying to decide what guitar to buy. Many guitars have passed through many hands, and most have not felt right.

Eventually, I came across the MM Petrucci. Since I was already the owner of a Luke Dargie Delight, it came as no surprise to me that the Petrucci was a fantastic guitar.

News of the BFR reached me, and now I have the option of either getting a fully loaded Mystic Dream or joining the ranks of the BFR owners.

I know for sure that I will love the Mystic Dream, I tried a red burst and it was an excellent guitar, so I know that I'll be getting the same model, and with Musicman's quality control reputation, I have no worries.

However, I've heard that the BFR is a step above the regular models, and this got me thinking. While I know for SURE that I will like the Mystic Dream, the rumor that the BFR is just such a better guitar has me thinking.

It will be a risk on my part to order the BFR, but I want to know if that's a risk worth taking, and perhaps hear stories of other people that ordered the BFR based on reputation alone and whether or not they liked it.

Charles

 

[Lou]

I ordered mine right after the Jan NAMM show along with lots of other folks who did not have an opportunity to play one. You cannot go wrong with either version. I did ask folks who went to namm what their opinions were. I was having a dillema, because I really wanted a sparkle JP and had the choice of going with a 07 LE. Do you like your guitars blinged out a bit more? then go BFR. The price difference in marginal when you are comparing to a loaded standard JP.

As far as sounds, the BFR is bigger and fatter sounding. More articulate with richer harmonic overtones. A standard JP is great as well - the BFR version just pushes the bar up a bit more. I have not retired my standard JPs. They are workhorses.

Don't let the sealed neck hold you back. Fell wise, I can switch between them with no issues.

 

[Dante]

my advice, make a road trip and try one.

 

[Charles]

The reviews of the BFR in Guitar Player were very good, so I'm leaning that way a bit more, though all my friends seem to think the Mystic Dream is cooler. Not that that effects me, just something interesting to think about.

 

[TNT]

Charles,

I wouldn't say the BFR is a "step above" the regular models, because there are no "regular" models (regular is for gasoline), and there is no other step above the top step.

Since all MM guitars are PREMIUM quality built, it would just be the options, woods, limited runs, etc. . . that determine sound, comparable decision making and cost factors.

Just my opinion as I sit here playing my Axis!!

 

[slukather]

All l can say is order the BFR, l promise you, you won't regret it.

nuff said,

Scott.

 

[Charles]

But your BFR's neck isn't finished, slukather.

 

[slukather]

I didn't realize that you were worried if the neck was finished or not, but still l'd go for the BFR though.

Scott.

 

[Charles]

It's a slight concern for me, but I'm still really into the Mystic Dream finish and forearm scoop.

 

[roburado]

It's a slight concern for me, but I'm still really into the Mystic Dream finish and forearm scoop.

If that's what you want, buy it.

I went into a guitar store with a friend looking at a Schertler acoustic amp. He brought his MD JP6. I brought my BFR. The MD got the most attention. I got none with the BFR. You know what? I didn't give a damn, because I know what I've got. The people in the store obviously didn't. When we plugged in, well...we both agreed that the BFR sounded better. That's what mattered to me the most.

 

[Charles]

Can I ask why he got the MD if you both agreed that the BFR sounded better? Was there only one in stock or something?

 

[morsecode]

I think you misread his post.

He and his friend took the guitars that they already owned to the guitar store.

You can't go wrong on either account. If you're not sure get one of each. Thing big.

 

[Charles]

I wish I could afford one of each! I would do that in a heartbeat!

 

[kneeoh]

The MD guitar in question was mine... I've had it for a couple of years now and it is my workhorse guitar. I love it cuz it plays like butter. Having said that, Rob's BFR just sounded better. I've played his BFR and I can say that the lack of the scoop and finished neck aren't an issue for me. Sure, it feels different, but then again each one of my JP's feels different from each other and I love them all. I don't have any difficulty switching to my Morse, my SS, my classical, or my painted neck Hagstrom then back to the JP's. In my opinion, if you have decent technique, you should be able to switch from guitar to guitar without any changes in your abilities. (to sort of illustrate my point see this: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9v5e1TTwts&feature=related"]YouTube - Joe Satriani surfing with the alien[/ame]).

I have a BFR on order with Pete and Nick D. but I don't see it as a replacement for my other JP's, but as a complement. I do not consider a BFR to be a "step above" my other JP's. The way I see it, there's no difference in the build quality, playability, or customer support between the BFR JP and the Mk. I version, just a variance in tone and price due to the different woods. Having both versions simply gives me more options.

 

[dannymusic]

hmmmmm

well, in theory then, they should just stop all non-BFR sales because they sound better
For me, that would be a hard decision. I'm more of a solid finish guy. I've never been swayed by flame and quilt as the scale tipper.
THe MD finish, from all the pics I see, is positively a scale tipper.

 

[Charles]

Being the indecisive soul I am, I am also looking at Luke's, since I already have one, getting another as a backup would be sweet. Then I could change the neck pickup to something a little meatier, maybe a Fernandes Sustainer.

 

[kneeoh]

well, in theory then, they should just stop all non-BFR sales because they sound better

I think you misunderstand what I'm trying to say, which is my fault because I wasn't clear in my first post. The amp we were testing through was an acoustic amp and we were only using the piezos. The BFR sounded much more rich and full, partly because Rob had tweaked the eq, but I think more-so because of the tone block. When you talk of the sound of the magnetics through your run of the mill tube amp, to my ears, the BFR sounds different than the Mk I JP. Different, not better. Hence my opinion that the guitars complement each other as opposed to the BFR being a "step-up".

 

[roburado]

My opinion is that the BFR and the original JP are excellent guitars. I have both, and I intend to own another original JP6.

So, Charles, if you like the MD, get it. You're not going to be making a mistake. You can't go wrong with either the BFR or the original.

 

[Charles]

Ok, thanks roburado.

 

[Lou]

+1 to what people have been saying. The BFR and Standard JPs are crafted exactly the same. It's a win-win either way.