Music Man 25th Anniversary Reflex Question

[FantasyMetal]

So I just picked up a 25th Anniversary Reflex on clearance from Guitar Center at a stupid low price. However, since I've been playing with it, I've noticed something strange. I've set the intonation perfectly as I would on other guitars all over the fretboard, but I notice that when I play an open E power chord it is quite dissonant (definitely not in tune). Has anyone experienced this? And does anyone know what the cause could be? When you intonate your guitars do you use the 12th fret flageolet method, or is there a better way? I hate to bother customer service over such a minor issue.

 

[dwells]

have you put new strings on it? ive found that old strings can do this and it may not even need a setup. just a thought

 

[FantasyMetal]

I have actually put new strings on it, but that has not helped. I wonder if it could be that the pickup is too high on the low E side?

 

[dwells]

i dont think pickup hieght will have much to do with it, maybe adjust the neck slightly. back it off abit.

 

[DrKev]

Pickups can definitely do this! If the pickups are too high, the magnetic pull can affect the vibration patterns of the string. The string can even sound out of tune with itself! But it's not usually a problem unless the magnets are quite strong and the pickup is quite close (< 2 mm).

Low E strings will sound sharp if we hit them hard enough - you can hear it with a clean tone if you hit the low E-string quite hard, the initial attack will sound sharp and as the note dies off the string returns to the pitch it was tuned to. It happens quickly and you may need a good ear to hear it but it could make a chord sound funky-in-a-bad-way. Many tuners will show that effect too but people tend to think that the needle is just settling - no, the string is really doing that! I often tune the low E string a few cents flat to compensate.

 

[Miqueas92]

How much did you get it for¿
Aaaaannnnddd... no pic = didn't happen.

 

[FantasyMetal]

DrKev, thanks for the response! However, if it were simply me hitting the string too hard I would hear it on fretted notes of the low E as well (at least I would think). I will check the pickup height when I get home and see if it is high as that is the only thing I can think of that would be wrong with it (and it does sound a bit like the E warbles when I pluck it, so maybe that's the case; perhaps I should just back off the pickup pole piece?).

Miqueas92, I got it for 1199 on clearance. It's got a maple board, quilt top and trem (the list said it was like $3600). It's brand new other than a little darkening of the fretboard which is natural for a 4 year old unfinished neck. I will try to post a NGD this weekend if I get a chance!

 

[dwells]

if its the stock pickups id highly doubt its them doing it, sounds strange though, ive had 4 reflexes and never heard anything like that maybe customer service can help

 

[ozzyrules]

NOS guitars from GC need a lot more attention than you'd think. At least that's what I've experienced. Do a complete neck care cleaning and full set up. I'd be willing to bet that this will improve things. No telling how many people have put their grubby hands on that precious Ball. My emerald Ass was in horrible shape when I got it(NOS). It took a lot of "elbow grease" to get the neck back to specs.
Good luck & congrats. You'll love the 25th. Great price,also.

 

[Barny]

Whats the action like? You might need to give the truss rod a tweak. Apologies if you have tried that.

Got 4 reflex's (reflexi?) and they all play like butter, had a massive cold snap in the UK and the two roasted neck ones action is still spot on and the other two have had to be tweaked.

 

[FantasyMetal]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I have the appropriate amount of relief in the neck. However, the trem is not set up to float (rather it is just flat with the top), maybe that is the issue? I'll mess around with it over the weekend, before bothering customer service.

 

[Oh3AreSicks]

Action too high at the nut will cause that too. Usually it will be all over the fretboard though. It'll sound good when you strum open string but as soon as you fret something that's when things go wrong. Haha

 

[Oh3AreSicks]

Can you take a video or sound clip so we can see/hear the problem?

 

[Stevie C]

Hey folks.....first post here. Not an EBMM owner yet but I'm in the market. Just an FYI.....the GC in Raleigh, NC has a 25th on clearance for $999.99. Flame top, trem, RW board.....appears to be in really good condition. Has two small dings on the back, both about the size of a ball point on a pen. Killer figure on the neck. Guitar plays and sounds great, just needs a cleanup and a setup.....bridge pickup is up too high and is hitting the low E string. I came close to pulling the trigger on this one, but I've got some money put back for a Silo Special. Hope it finds a good home!

 

[FantasyMetal]

I think that I successfully identified the problem. The bridge pickup too close (<3 mm) and was pulling the low E string and causing it to warble. I backed it off and now it seems to be fine. Haven't gotten a chance to take photos yet, but I promise I will! Thanks to all who offered help & suggestions, I really appreciate it!

 

[Ishmun]

Hey folks.....first post here. Not an EBMM owner yet but I'm in the market. Just an FYI.....the GC in Raleigh, NC has a 25th on clearance for $999.99. Flame top, trem, RW board.....appears to be in really good condition. Has two small dings on the back, both about the size of a ball point on a pen. Killer figure on the neck. Guitar plays and sounds great, just needs a cleanup and a setup.....bridge pickup is up too high and is hitting the low E string. I came close to pulling the trigger on this one, but I've got some money put back for a Silo Special. Hope it finds a good home!

amazing prices!....any idea why they are going so cheap?

 

[mtrejo]

Dr. Kev for the win!

 

[Stevie C]

amazing prices!....any idea why they are going so cheap?

The sale's guy said it had just simply been in the shop too long.

 

[Eric O'Reilly]

Do you work for GC Raleigh? Haha! Just kiddin, or maybe not.!! Ha.

 

[FantasyMetal]

Occasionally, GC will clearance out old inventory and you can get some serious steals. My dad has been cleaning out the Gibson clearance pretty aggressively (lol!).