- Thread starter Mark61
- Start date
Firesource
Well-known member
BFR: Ball Family Reserve
Some models are BFR, meaning that they have some exclusive features compared to the "standard" models (could be a flame top or a roasted neck, for instance), but they are still available to order at all times.
For instance LIII and LIII BFR (the BFR has a flamed top and different colors)
PDN: Premier Dealer Network
Sometimes, EBMM makes limited runs with special features available to order in a limited time period. These runs often include some features (possibly body/neck wood or finish) that can be applied to a lot of different models.
For instance the Neptune blue run (African mahogany body, roasted maple neck, optional maple fretboard on models that didn't feature maple fretboards previously, the JP and Luke models for instance.)
Some models are BFR, meaning that they have some exclusive features compared to the "standard" models (could be a flame top or a roasted neck, for instance), but they are still available to order at all times.
For instance LIII and LIII BFR (the BFR has a flamed top and different colors)
PDN: Premier Dealer Network
Sometimes, EBMM makes limited runs with special features available to order in a limited time period. These runs often include some features (possibly body/neck wood or finish) that can be applied to a lot of different models.
For instance the Neptune blue run (African mahogany body, roasted maple neck, optional maple fretboard on models that didn't feature maple fretboards previously, the JP and Luke models for instance.)
DrKev
Moderator
Good question!
BFR = Ball Family Reserve. Started back in 2007(?) intended as a line of limited guitars with special features. Initially that was versions of Luke, JP6 and 7, Axis and Albert Lee guitars with the "tone wood cocktail" of an alder body, mahogany "tone block" inlaid into the body, and capped with figured maple top finished in a burst colour not available on other instruments. Those BFR JPs, Lukes, and LIIIs are still being made, including a Mahogany body with Koa top option.
PDN = Premier Dealer Network, a limited edition run of regular production instruments, available for order through select EBMM dealers. Often a one-off finish with some other cool features, e.g. stainless steel frets, roasted maple neck, etc. The first one was a Luke in "true gold" finish with all-rosewood neck and 18V EMG-X pickups. Due in part to forumites requests, maple fretboards were made available for the first time on JPs, Morses, and Lukes, and the Bongo bass, for one of the PDN runs (Neptune Blue). That presumably prompted the JP15 (how cool is that?!) and has been repeated again on the most recent Vintage Tobacco PDN.
Before the PDNs were introduced some limited runs were released as BFRs that did not have the tone block/maple top. The introduction of the PDNs ended the confusion between 'true' BFRs with the tone block/maple top and limited runs of otherwise standard body instruments (like the BFR rosewood neck option that was available for a while but were otherwise standard instruments).
Before the BFR/PDN thing there were yearly limited edition colours which after 2005 had a limited edition logo or neck inlay, but otherwise had no other unusual features. (2004 - Envy Green and Radiance Red; 2005 - Buttercream; 2006 - Black with gold hardware; 2007 - Blue Dawn sparkle; 2008 - Sequoia Gold).
There are also some limited runs of guitars done for specific dealers or countries but that don't necessarily count s BFRs or PDNs.
How'd I do? Anyone feel like correcting me?
BFR = Ball Family Reserve. Started back in 2007(?) intended as a line of limited guitars with special features. Initially that was versions of Luke, JP6 and 7, Axis and Albert Lee guitars with the "tone wood cocktail" of an alder body, mahogany "tone block" inlaid into the body, and capped with figured maple top finished in a burst colour not available on other instruments. Those BFR JPs, Lukes, and LIIIs are still being made, including a Mahogany body with Koa top option.
PDN = Premier Dealer Network, a limited edition run of regular production instruments, available for order through select EBMM dealers. Often a one-off finish with some other cool features, e.g. stainless steel frets, roasted maple neck, etc. The first one was a Luke in "true gold" finish with all-rosewood neck and 18V EMG-X pickups. Due in part to forumites requests, maple fretboards were made available for the first time on JPs, Morses, and Lukes, and the Bongo bass, for one of the PDN runs (Neptune Blue). That presumably prompted the JP15 (how cool is that?!) and has been repeated again on the most recent Vintage Tobacco PDN.
Before the PDNs were introduced some limited runs were released as BFRs that did not have the tone block/maple top. The introduction of the PDNs ended the confusion between 'true' BFRs with the tone block/maple top and limited runs of otherwise standard body instruments (like the BFR rosewood neck option that was available for a while but were otherwise standard instruments).
Before the BFR/PDN thing there were yearly limited edition colours which after 2005 had a limited edition logo or neck inlay, but otherwise had no other unusual features. (2004 - Envy Green and Radiance Red; 2005 - Buttercream; 2006 - Black with gold hardware; 2007 - Blue Dawn sparkle; 2008 - Sequoia Gold).
There are also some limited runs of guitars done for specific dealers or countries but that don't necessarily count s BFRs or PDNs.
How'd I do? Anyone feel like correcting me?
