Need help with a BIG decision crossing over to EBMM

[teof]

Hey guys,

So sorry for starting yet another thread on this topic comparing Ibanez JPM with EBMMJP. I'm seriously considering to make a big move investing in a EBMMJP. After years of Ibanez, I thought it will be nice to try something different. One thing I wish to check with you guys is how is the EBMMJP neck compared to Ibanez JPM. I did heard that it's somewhat thinner. Over my experience with Ibanez JPM, I feel that the thickness is good but somehow the JPM neck doesn't feel 'solid'. Kinda empty feel. I dunno, that's my thought. How is the EBMMJP like? especially with the solid issue? In terms of sound, I heard that EBMMJP is kinda brighter than Ibanez. In addition, I did read that it is also wider sounding. Hope some of u could confirm that for me.

I'm looking at investing in a 7 string. How is the width of the neck like? I havent been able to find any dimension of EBMMJP neck. For eg how is the width as compared to a Universe or Wizard 7 neck? Thanks so much guys. Really appreciate it.

Regards
Ric

 

[jeffrey]

I currently own one Ibanez, a JPM1. I don't really play it much but it's kind of sentimental so I'm hanging on to it (for now).

I originally got into 7-strings with a UV777BK and an RG7CT, both of which were replaced by EBMM JP7's.

Comparison's are tough, but I'll put it this way: if you are comfortable with the UV neck, you will have no trouble with the EBMM neck. The EB neck, IMO, is superior in all facets. The fretwork is light years beyond Ibanez's (their fretwork has always been pretty poor IMO regardless of what you pay, especially in dressing the edges), the build quality is something Ibanez could only hope for and the fit and finish is easily as good if not better than my PRS Archtop (which incidentily costs about 3x what my JP7 does).

The neck does feel a little more "substantial" for lack of a better way of putting it. I wouldn't say it's much thicker, but it may be a tad thicker. I liked it immediately over the UV neck. I do like the JPM1 neck though (which is very similar to the EBMM JP6 actually; just with way better frets, fit and finish).

With EBMM you get a largely handbuilt guitar. You can go through any of the many photogalleries from those of us that went to the EB Open House. So there's a far greater attention to detail, which is amazing for what you pay.

Any Ibanez is a machine-made, mass-produced instrument. I'd be surprised if human hands even strung it up.

There's really no comparison as far as build quality, fit and finish is concerned. EB is far ahead, IMO. I liked my Ibanez's fine, but when I got my first JP7, I felt liked I'd moved up to a whole new level of instrument.

Tone wise, I never liked any of the stock pickups in any Ibanez I've ever owned (which is probably close to 10 total). I've found them all to be lifeless, toneless and noisy to boot. I did have some good results with Duncans and Dimarzio's in various combinations (Tone Zone 7/PAF 7 in the UV; JB and Jazz7 in the RG7CT) in my Ibanez's as replacements.

The EBMM JP7's are the only electric guitars I've owned, execpt for two (a Strat I wanted to leave stock, and my PRS) that I hadn't changed the pickups in. At first I wasn't sure about the pickups, but they really had something unique going on so I stuck with them for a bit before deciding whether to change them or not. Well four years later I still have the same pickups in my original EBMM JP7. When I bought a second one (as a backup for live gigs) last year, I didn't even consider changing the pickups.

I find the tone over all to be very crisp, clear, lots of transients, good clarity for big chords with weird intervals, quiet (important) and most of all, different. To me they don't sound vanilla like everything else out there. That's important to me.

Sorry to drag on, hope some of this information helps you.

 

[Knox]

Go and play one....thats the only way you'll be able to tell if its for you or not...

 

[Wide'Iwas]

This is not a big decision! It really easy after you play one and own one....You will never play any other guitar again! period! I was a big jackson ibanze guy my self till I plugged a EBMM in and was blown away!

 

[teof]

Thanks so much guys for your input. The guitar really sounds promising. I would love to try it out before making the decision, the problem is the local dealer over my side doesnt even have one on display for trying. It sure sucks man. That's the biggest issue and risk for me to take. How? How? How?

 

[jeffrey]

Before I bought my first JP7 (and my first EB incidentily), I had to drive 4hrs each way to play one.

It was a lot of driving but I figured in the end it would be worth it.

Worst case scenario you can always buy it and if you don't like it, eBay it. EB's seem to have a really good resale to me.

 

[roburado]

I have an Ibanez RG570 from 1990 or so. No comparison. The EBMM stuff destroys Ibanez for build quality. My JP feels very solid. Better than any other electric I've owned. (#1, my JP over all others by a large margin; #2, my Strat Plus; #3, my cheap Korean-made Strat copy; #4 Ibanez)

EBMM has customer service that is fantastic. I imagine that it's probably unparalleled by any other "famous" guitar company in the world.

 

[Big Poppa]

listen you will get better chicks with our stuff...

 

[fogman]

listen you will get better chicks with our stuff...

Awesome! Maybe my wife will get one too then!

 

[teof]

listen you will get better chicks with our stuff...

Haha...that's an important consideration too!

 

[teof]

Before I bought my first JP7 (and my first EB incidentily), I had to drive 4hrs each way to play one.

It was a lot of driving but I figured in the end it would be worth it.

Worst case scenario you can always buy it and if you don't like it, eBay it. EB's seem to have a really good resale to me.

Hey Jeff,

Thanks alot for the advice. I think it's quite worthwhile to take that risk. I'm from Singapore, there's only one sole dealer over my place. The next possible place will probably require me to cross the borders over to Malaysia hehe. Btw, the tracks over at ur band's site are fantastic. Great tone. Are those recorded using ur JP7? powered by mesa stuff i guess? I'm using only a GT6, wonder how it will turn out with a JP7.

 

[Eilif]

Well DAMN! Does anything else matter?

Get the EBMM!


Of course, if you're not wanting to get chicks, then just forgetaboutit. Please continue with your Gregorian chants, scripture studies, and meditation. I now return you to your regularly scheduled program.

listen you will get better chicks with our stuff...

 

[Roubster]

There is no way you can go wrong with the geetar, even without trying it. The JP is close enough to a feel of an Ibanez at least in the neck, but 100000000000000000000000000000000 times BETTER!!!!! My first EBMM was a Silhouette, and I NEVER even tried one out before placing an order, and now it is my true LOVE and am selling all the garbage Ibnz I have (not too much thank godness). And also my 2nd EBMM should be in my arms in the next week or so .

 

[ripley]

I have owned the JPM1 and currently own a MMjp 6 sting. for an ibanez, it's a good guitar. but the MM is hands down a better instrument. everything about it is superior.

I've come to rely very heavily on my MMjp6. you can't go wrong with it.

 

[jeffrey]

Hey Jeff,

Thanks alot for the advice. I think it's quite worthwhile to take that risk. I'm from Singapore, there's only one sole dealer over my place. The next possible place will probably require me to cross the borders over to Malaysia hehe. Btw, the tracks over at ur band's site are fantastic. Great tone. Are those recorded using ur JP7? powered by mesa stuff i guess? I'm using only a GT6, wonder how it will turn out with a JP7.

Thanks for the compliment about our tunes! I'm blessed to have a hard working crew to play with.

Those are 100% EBMM JP7 tracks! Straight to track, very little EQ'ing, no post-processing (all effects were done in real-time by me), recorded with a Sure KMS32SL on a Roland VS2000CD. My amp is a Rivera TBR-1SL, effects are TC Electronics G-Force and M-One and cabinets are 2 Mesa Recto Traditional straight-front 4x12's with V30's.

Now I just need to get Big Poppa to send me a big giant Ernie Ball sticker to smear across the front of my rack for when we play (which is a lot!).

 

[Fenway2006]

I agree with the above. I bought my Steve Morse on the web without even playing it. It is easily the best guitar I ever played. I have owned an Ibanez JP too. I just bought a used EB JP6 on E***. No contest there. The quality is incredible.