JP7 BFR Walnut Burst: First Impressions

[Dizzy]

cmon jeffrey it was great by both of you

Yeah, C'mon Jeffrey..... toughen up mate !

 

[Big Poppa]

thanks your funky self

 

[Lou]

"...more of everything you loved about the JP7's with quite a bit more note definition."

Yup, makes the standard JP sound almost dull and lifeless in comparison. It's not a fair fight, really.

 

[Bluepicasso]

I am actually returning my JP7 Walnutburst today. I agree with some comments above, but I actually found this guitar much harder to play than my regular JP7. It seems "thicker to me". The setup was really odd also. The bridge was way too high and nothing I did could fix it. I tried adding a spring, which left it unplayable. The tension on the string seems much greater to me. Maybe .09's need to be put on it. I don't know, but after several frustrating days, its going back. Believe me its a beautiful guitar, but it's just not for me. I feel sad because I really do want to keep it, but when I pick up my other JP7, its just so much better for me. I'm sure I could get it adjusted the way I like it, but I just don't have time to mess with it now.

Do any of the other BFR owners feel a little like me?

Jay

 

[beej]

There's no change in the scale length, so there really can't be any change in the tension. Keep in mind that every piece of wood is different- the neck here is slightly different than your old JP and with the finish it might be a tad thicker. So the overall feel might be different.

As far as the setup goes ... if you're not happy with the stock setup take it back to your dealer and have them take a look at it. You can always do another setup

 

[Zaphoid]

"...more of everything you loved about the JP7's with quite a bit more note definition."

Yup, makes the standard JP sound almost dull and lifeless in comparison. It's not a fair fight, really.

This is what Ive wanted to hear. At band practice last night I used my 20th silo for most of the evening but I often switch to my regular petrucci for a few songs that are tuned differently. My bass player always comments on how awesome my 20th sounds and how dull and just blah that the JP sounds in comparison ( even though my JP sounds better than most other guitars I have tried ... really says something for the amazing tone of the 20th silo ) . My BFR will be here next week so this comment made me very excited.

 

[jeffrey]

Bluepicasso: Mine had kind of a weird setup as well, the bridge was REALLY high on the treble side for some reason, and very low (buzzing even) on the bass side.

I had to adjust the bridge height and saddle height (best to do saddles though IMO with a trem) to get it right. It only took me about an hour but now it plays just right.

 

[Bluepicasso]

Yeah that's how mine was. Really high on the high strings and buzzing on the lows. I tried to correct it and couldn't. Oh well it has now been returned and will play my JP7 Mystic. Loved they way it looked though. Maybe i'll get a 6 string BFR in the future.

 

[chrisallen]

glad i'm not the only one who felt more string tension... at first it seemed harder to play then the standard jp... I set mine up a bit more to my taste but my left hand really had a work out when I gigged 3 hours with it. I recently dove the trem bar about 100 times to see if maybe the trem springs were just super tight or something. it seemed to help a bit altough I may be just making it up.

agree with the description said here: the standard jp just more. clearer and more defined notes everywhere on the fretboard. it does feel like a different guitar though. not a bad thing. imma keep mine and perhaps use it more than my LE, but it is taking some adjustment for me. the sound is worth it though!

gonna gig it tonight in my rock element (previously gigged as an acoustic guitar only hehe). maybe i'll take both and use one in 1st set, the other in 2nd set, and the winner in the 3rd haha. nah.

also the coverplates on the back sit ontop of the body, the pot and piezo switch cavities are not routed for the covers to sit in the guitar, thus the piece of solder for the ground has to touch the little metal sticker thing on the pot cover... make sure you know that if u go snooping arund in there.

wiring diagram anyone? juuuuuust in case...

and does this mean I have to work out a lot to enjoy the new arm contour? hahah... nah it's pretty comfy.

 

[jeffrey]

I honestly didn't notice any more string tension than with my other JP7's. Could it possibly be the strings you are using?

One thing I DID forget to mention is that the electronics in the JP BFR's are MUCH quieter than the previous JP (not that those were screaming noisy either). I notice a lot less noise/feedback in general with the new guitar.

Very cool.

 

[Rossie]

How's the coil-splitting?

 

[jeffrey]

Well, the standard JP's actually already split the coils, the BFR's allow you to have both humbuckers on FULL.

I really like this option. My PRS had it and I just thought it was a very cool tone, especially clean or slightly dirty.

 

[Rossie]

But the BFR allows you to only split the neck pickup right?
Like a neck pickup on an SSS guitar?

 

[jeffrey]

I dunno, it didn't sound like it to be honest , but I didn't spend a lot of time with the tone knob pulled up.

I'll check it out when I have an amp to plug in to. (ie: when I get home! hehhe)

 

[Rossie]

Thanks for the info Jeffrey! Mucho appreciated!

 

[jeffrey]

You know what, I just realized I have my little PXR4 headphone amp thingy.

Give me a few minutes and I'll tell ya.

 

[jeffrey]

Okay.

As far as I can tell, my assumptions were correct: the pull up tone knob only adds both humbuckers on full in the middle position. It doesn't turn the neck/bridge humbuckers into single coils.

 

[Rossie]

Shocker...

But I guess it will be an easy mod... But then again I'll put off that idea before BP comes in and scream at me

 

[jeffrey]

Well, I finally had my first full practice with it last night. After beating on my guitar for five hours I have to say, I'm really, really pleased.

Even the guys in the band noticed the difference in tone, especially my lead tone (even though I changed nothing on my amp). I did have to change the clean tone a bit as the BFR seemed a lot more "compressed" in tonality, so I had to bump up the mid and highs a bit and take a little low end out. No biggie, just differences in electronics and woods I'm guessing.

It was the first time I played a lot of these songs all the way through on it, so it was really interesting for me to see how some of the solos felt on the guitar as I'd never played them on it. All in all everything went fine.

The guitar does feel a little different standing up. It seems to "strap up" somewhat differently than the original JP7. Maybe it's the lack of forearm relief (compared to the original) or the upper horn being longer (not sure there, but it seems like it)? Either way, I honestly prefer the "new" position of this guitar, it seems to be easier on my thumb, which is good.

Lastly, the upper register access is really nice. I don't have near the trouble I used to reaching the low E and B strings around the 18-20th frets, much easier to get to.

Can't wait to play it at our big show coming up.

 

[roburado]

But the BFR allows you to only split the neck pickup right?
Like a neck pickup on an SSS guitar?

The BFR middle position should have the two "inside" coils on. So, on the neck pickup, the coil closest to the bridge will be on, and on the bridge pickup, the coil closest to the neck will be on. It should be the same as this

.

The only difference is the push-pull thingamajig, I think.