I think this about sums it up...

[B2D]

There's a thread going on over at the Duncan board as to what EBMM guitars sound like, in general.

A few pages into it, someone came along and put this up after detailing and praising his own personal EBMM instrument:

"I think they allow you to sound like 'you', without the baggage of more traditional brands."

And I think that says it all right there. EBMM instruments always have seemed relatively association-free to me and as a result they allow me to be me. I can do stuff on my Silo Special that no other guitar would let me get away with. Joe Satriani has said that when he feels like he needs a "clean slate" creatively he plays a white guitar. I feel that way picking up a Ball. I'm not compelled to play certain things like I am with an Fender or a Gibson, you know?

Just thought I'd share that.

 

[Sweat]

That sir is a true statement and what makes them the best

 

[straycat113]

There have been a lot of post lately on forums like Harmony Central and the Gear Page on EBMM guitars, and they are summed up as guitars of the highest quality and playability. So it is cool reading what guys think of them on totally neutral forums.

 

[meanMRmustard]

I couldn't agree more. Its nice to see others who feel the same way out these wonderful instruments in a neutral forum. Having gone through all the big names EBMM is where I'll be staying for good and very happily at that

 

[peterd79]

i never thought about it...

but thinking back when i had a slough of guitars in my possession i would play certain styles when i'd pick up lets say a hollow body- i'd tend to be more jazz and rockabilly, and then i'd pick up teles and it's be twang gang, strats were my blues monsters and my lps were rock n roll...

but now i've got my EBMM and it does them all and it's me playing my guitar and i can't be any happier

 

[paranoid70]

I think I sound like me (for better or worse) no matter what I am playing. Although I admit the Silhouette really gives me the tone I want.

 

[Big Poppa]

Nice to hear that stuff Harmony Central (owned by GC not so secretly) has been very hard on us over the years.

 

[TNT]

I think that EBMM guitars are very highly respected, and as such (my personal opinion), I think many players feel that they are somewhat out of their league (not price wise but perhaps skill wise).

Subsequently, they may migrate over to a I..., G... or F....

 

[djlynch]

the feel of my AL neck just begs me to play effortlessly without thought of what I am playing. Many nights I have to force myself to put it away. I could caress that neck all night! It truly has made my playing more self gratifying and musical.
Thanx EBMM

 

[John C]

Great point - when I was playing EBMMs I felt that way also. I've not been around much lately; I've pretty much gone to playing shorter-scale set neck guitars these days to ease some hand issues; I have had to search high and low to find one that equalled this aspect of EBMM. I won't waste BP's bandwidth on another brand but I did finally find one. However that doesn't stop me from hoping that sometime BP & the EBMM crew will bring out a shorter-scale guitar.

 

[yan12]

Well I haven't been around much here lately either...too busy playing with my Balls! I agree with all the sentiment that EBMM guitars are without a doubt the best bang for the buck, period. I switched to them full time just about a year ago and now have three...and praying for a maple board 7!!!!
I think the "ease of playing" statements are in fact due to the very high quality of the instruments, but let's face it, a top notch set up has much to do with the playability of any instrument. The all rosewood ASS I bought used needed one bad, and in fact needs a fret job, but once I set it up right, it really came to life...not to mention the tone is just off the charts.
Lastly, the statement of letting the guitars be "you" is somewhat off for me. I never realized how much tone and nuance is really in the player until I saw George Lynch a few years ago. Hanging out and signing things, he signed an off brand flying V copy for a kid who asked him how he played a particular lick. Without plugging in, he grabbed the guitar and whipped out the lick and it sounded EXACTLY like Lynch...no amps, no pedals, no cords, just Lynch Mojo...so if you sound like "YOU" then congrats, you have a style of your own!
Yan

 

[cjl5150]

I agree with the sentiment. I like that I don't feel like I need to change guitars to play a certain style. I am confident that I am only limited by my skills, not my guitar. With a decent setup, an EBMM is unstoppable which is more than can be said for other guitars on the market-even ones that say 'custom shop' on the back of the headstock.

 

[Mpcoluv]

What I like the most is the hype free marketing and attitude of Music Man.
Just extraordinarily good products. No claims that the pickups are hand wound on the thighs on virgins, no bodies made from the same wood as used in Robert Johnson's casket, etc....
Just well thought out, ergonomic designs.
BTW I have owned hundreds of guitars including '50s Gibsons (Jrs, 225s, ES-5, ETC...), Pre CBS Teles, custom shop guitars, boutique guitars etc... and I think my AL MM90 is perhaps the best guitar I have ever played.