<div class="bbWrapper">I stumbled across the Mariposa. I fell in love. It ticked all the boxes of something I was looking for save one. I started trolling reverb, guitar center, anything to find one that I could reasonably afford reasonably soon. All the choices seemed used at my budget. The only one in my area is an hour drive away so I made a plan to go down there and play it on Saturday.<br />
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Then I made the mistake at looking at Sweetwater.<br />
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There it was. A Sterling in a color that's not available on the EBMM versions. One that I loved immediately. Clicked through the gallery and..wait..is that <i>birdseye maple</i> on the neck? Sure enough, it was. Checked all the full EBMMs, no birdseye. Checked the other Sterling Mariposas on Sweetwater, no birdseye in any color.<br />
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Is it dumb to buy a guitar just because you think the neck looks cool? Absolutely.<br />
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Did I do that? Also yes.<br />
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New plan: play the Sterling until I can afford to buy a *new* EBMM.<br />
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Pics from sweetwater since I have to wait a week for NGD.<br />
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<div class="bbWrapper">Nice Catch!<br />
I didn't know SBMM used Birdseye Maple. Has to be one hell of a lucky draw!<br />
Looks pretty good, how does it sound/feel? The Sterling Luke and JPs I tried never felt quite right in regards to their Neck Shape, compared to my Original EBMMs, although they're pretty good for the Price.<br />
I didn't like the Mariposa when it came out. Not a Fan of Block Inlays and the Bodyshape.<br />
But in that particular Color it just looks stellar. It's a perfect package.</div>
<div class="bbWrapper">I've never been tempted by any of the Sterling instruments, except sometimes when they run sales on the Mariposa-- It's something I wouldn't mind buying for cheap and trying just to see if the aesthetics of the instrument (upper fret access supposedly a bit difficult) would work for me if I later wanted the EBMM version. It's such a cool shape.<br />
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That color is beautiful. It reminds me of the Baby Blue BFR Valentine.</div>
<div class="bbWrapper">It's a very cool shape and design, though I love the EBMM engraved pickguard and it really would have to be part of the package for me too.</div>