JP 12/13/BFR Guitar Quest

[tonechaser1]

Hi All,

Well I decided to try out a JP12 BFR about a month ago and loved it as I like ebony boards and was starting to get used to it through my AxeFX and MarkV25 rigs but had to return it as the fret ends were so sharp they were causing callouses on my left hand.

So I then found a good deal on a BFR - cherry burst quilt for which I am still trying and like it as well. Most beautiful looking guitar I have ever owned. Only downside is I thought it was new when I bought it and found out after by contacting MM that it was over 2 1/2 years old and the original owner had it for 15 days and then returned it and it had been in the guitar shop ever since which is strange as its a lovely guitar. The guitar is spotless but it still bothers me a little.

Anyway, so I ordered a JP13 to try as well as I wanted to try the new pickups and preamp boost before making my final decision. I was really digging getting to know the guitar and then the push/push volume/boost knob failed and wouldn't stay down so that I couldn't disengage the boost function. Needless to say this cut my demo of the JP13 short and I'm returning it.

My take-aways for the short time with each is the BFR easily feels like the highest quality guitar and has the fullest sound, the JP12 seemed like the darkest sounding but the easiest to play with the ebony board. The JP13 is definitely the brightest and most resonant unplugged and the new pickups seemed more open and a little less compressed than the old models. It also sounded the best with the MarkV25 especially with the onboard boost feature.

So for all you experts here, which one of these three models do you prefer?

What do you think about the new pickups and boost feature of the JP13?

 

[luiscesaripad]

The boost feature is a really nice upgrade on the JP13 and even on my Luke 3.

 

[Tollywood]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Regarding the fret sprout issue: that's common in the winter when the heating systems are belching out dry air. You can correct that with a humidifier running in the room that your guitar is in. So, the JP 12 BFR would be okay if you run a humidifier. It might take a week or so if it's really dry, but it will be fine once it absorbs some moisture.

Good luck deciding which JP to buy.

 

[QuietSpike]

Not trying to troll you buddy, but you sound either hard to please or never happy... Any truth to that?


The JP12 could have easily been fixed... But you got rid of it. TBH, any of those guitars are a great choice (I own two of the three in question). You really can't go wrong.

 

[tonechaser1]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Regarding the fret sprout issue: that's common in the winter when the heating systems are belching out dry air. You can correct that with a humidifier running in the room that your guitar is in. So, the JP 12 BFR would be okay if you run a humidifier. It might take a week or so if it's really dry, but it will be fine once it absorbs some moisture.

Good luck deciding which JP to buy.

Thanks for your feedback. I bought and tried a good room humidifier for almost 2 weeks with very little change. The fret ends were still sticking out and very sharp. I have heard some boards never come all the way back once they shrink and dry out.

 

[tonechaser1]

Not trying to troll you buddy, but you sound either hard to please or never happy... Any truth to that?


The JP12 could have easily been fixed... But you got rid of it. TBH, any of those guitars are a great choice (I own two of the three in question). You really can't go wrong.

I guess I am pretty particular when spending that much for a high-end guitar. I have many guitars that were half to one third of the price that have very stable maple, ebony, and rosewood boards with beautifully finished fret ends.

 

[Tollywood]

Thanks for your feedback. I bought and tried a good room humidifier for almost 2 weeks with very little change. The fret ends were still sticking out and very sharp. I have heard some boards never come all the way back once they shrink and dry out.

Oh well. It was worth a try.

 

[Metlupass2]

Yeah that's why you get the ends filed down and they won't be sticking out next year during the winter but you still need to properly humidify your room.

I had to do this to one of my Tom Andersons and haven't had the problem since. Another Tom Anderson has been fine and never had the problem. Proper humidity is key.