How many BFR owners have played the original versions?

[RAR]

My first MM was a BFR Luke... I had never played a Luke until then. Yesterday I played a 2008 LE Luke, which I believe is the same as an original... apart from the color and gold hardware... and I think I prefer the tone on the LE. To me the BFR sounded a little brighter and thinner than the LE. Don't get be wrong... the BFR is stunning, but if I closed my eyes and played them I think the LE sounded a little better. The maple top on BFR brightens the tone more than I thought. Which means I may regret canceling the BFR Luke with all rosewood neck... I think I would have really liked it. The Koa Luke may be the ticket too... since it has an all mahogany neck and body with koa top... and me being a Les Paul guy.

I suppose MM could have gone with all mahogany bodies on the BFR, but chose a combination of woods instead... to be different or get their own sound... I guess.

Fact - BFR line of guitars are built with more expensive woods than their original versions. I'm guessing more labor is involved too.

Fact - Tone is subjective and the higher price of the BFR's doesn't mean they will sound better to your ears than their original versions.

Fact - It looks like I will be spending more money soon...

 

[dwells]

i have both and love the sound of both But the BFR is a more defined sounding guitar
When playing fast the notes seem to be clearer and has more sustain
plus the harmonics on the BFR are Unbelievable
cheers

 

[Josh O]

I had two original JPs before getting my BFR. The originals sounded great on their own, the BFR really stepped it up in the warmth/sustain department.

 

[starsky]

I had two 'regular' Lukes before getting my BFR. I'd say the BFR Luke has a richer tone to my ears, a bit more sustain, plays and feels as good as it looks.

It's a subtle difference, for sure, and the regular Luke is a fantastic guitar in its own right. But for me the BFR is just that bit better overall and is worth the extra.

It's all good!

 

[colinboy]

i think the clarity and sustain form the BFR,s makes them stick out in the mix amongst other instruments which to me is a great plus instead of using boost pedals or EQ pedals.

 

[Sweat]

Your not crazy, I have owned both regular model and BFR Lukes and while I think the BFR Luke is a fantastic guitar both tonally and visually, I just personally preferred the feel and tone of a standard Luke, plus it doesnt hurt when your standard Luke is a Dargie

 

[Slingy]

I've yet to play any BFR, but I love the tones I get from my Luke. It feels like the most professional guitar I have ever played. Very refined and crystal clear.

Doesn't Luke himself have one with a maple block inside?

 

[Dizzy]

I've got an original JP and a BFR.
I had a D-Sonic in the original, and it was very easy to hear the differences between the 2 guitars. The original sounded somewhat "dull" by comparison, not bad, it's just that the BFR is so rich sounding !
I've recently put the original SS bridge PUP back in the old JP and am enjoying the change - sorta stops me comparing them and gives 2 independent tones.

I've also got two Hardtail 20th Silos (essentially the original BFR's), and the difference in tone between these and my standard Hardtail HSH Silo is remarkable - due (in part) to the different pickups, but mainly from the unbelievable resonance of the wood combination in the 20ths.
You can can feel and hear the difference without even plugging in.

The added Warmth and added organics of the BFR's is awesome.

Can't respond to your comments on the Luke - maybe the way the EMG's interact with the BFR version is a little sharp for your liking ?

Going from Rob's & Wellsy's feedback, it seems they're pretty stoked with them

 

[paranoid70]

As Dizzy said, there is a big big difference between the Silhouette and the 20ths. But, I also attributed a lot of that to the pickups. Definitely more fuller & richer sound on the 20th.

Bottom line is you like what you like. If you like the sound of the standard more than the BFR, who can say you are wrong?

 

[spkirby]

My BFR Luke sounds better to me than my standard Luke, however the standard Luke gets all the playtime...go figure!

 

[Smellybum]

I have a regular and BFR AL,

Both are amazing, I wouldn't say one is better than the other - although I struggle to put down the BFR and the other AL has been cased for a while!!!

They are different tonaly, both good, both different, try before you buy....

The BFR premium tops sure make them look pretty!

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

The one BFR that has spoken to me the most is the Albert Lee BFR. Generally I am a humbucker guy, but the way those single coils sounded just demanded I get one. It sounds different than the HSS Blue Dawn AL, and I actually prefer it to both that AL and the SSS AL. When it comes to the JP, I currently prefer the original model to that of the BFR, it is simply voiced closer to what I hear in my head and expect to hear out of my amp.

I would love to get a koa Luke for myself but I just don't see it in the cards at this point. The Gold Roller Silhouette BFR is next on the list after the koa.

 

[MusicManJP6]

I am probably alone on this one, but I used to own a JP BFR... now I only have my trusty Mystic Dream JP. The BFR was a FANTASTIC guitar, but I found myself still preferring the feel and tone of the standard JP. It seems tighter and more focused than the BFR. I ended up selling the BFR because I was no longer gigging and couldn't justifysuch an expensive guitar especially since I reached for the Mystic Dream JP 7 out of 10 times I played! It's just got too much mojo apparently... To each his own, but the standard JP is good enough tone for my tastes. If money wasn't an issue I would have kept the BFR... like i said, it was a FANTASTIC guitar...