New Valentine Collection

[Ted]

Hey,

I was pleasantly surprised to see that EBMM has very recently updated the Valentine series of guitars. At first I was not blown away by the new finish choices-- I confess I like more of the sparkly bright colors and these are more of the basic classic finishes like you'd see on an old Gibson-- but given the influence of the ES-335 on the Valentine model it just makes sense and looks very classy.

The basic Black with gold hardware is very slick looking. The Ivory White HH version with gold hardware is nice too. It's really cool that they have brought back the Trans Buttermilk-- I have one in this finish from 2018 and I never tire of staring at it. I think it's the most iconic iteration of the Valentine and everyone needs one, haha.

For me, that trans Cherry Red HH model would be the GAS inciter--gorgeous finish. I find the pickup/electronics configuration of the original Valentine model to be perfect-- but I suppose there are times when I want an HH guitar and I want that guitar to also be a Valentine. I like that EBMM has made one that retains the preamp/boost etc and adds 5 way position selector-- like I have on my Albert Lee HH. The see thru Cherry shows more grain than on the original Trans Maroon (though I've always wanted one of those too). I really like that they added the rosewood fretboards on the two versions with darker colored bodies ( looks better IMO-- and nowadays I like rosewood fretboards as much as maple and ebony-- never thought that would happen but I really bonded to the rosewood on my Valentine BFR Pine Green and the all rosewood neck on my Albert Lee-- I didn't want to believe it but I think they sound different tonally too).

It's interesting that EBMM went with the HT (heat treated humbuckers) on these. I will be awaiting some in depth tone reviews. I'm curious to see how the neck humbucker in the HH version differs from the neck humbucker in the standard version.

I know the Valentine doesn't get as much discussion here compared to some of the "hero-worship" signature models, haha-- but I think it's really a fantastic choice of instrument for any player looking to step out of the box and just try something new that is modern and yet classic looking--and not necessarily the signature guitar of their favorite player (though JV seems like a really cool guy). I know that since I started playing the Valentine models, something about them has influenced my playing in a stronger rhythmic direction.

Anybody else rocking the Valentine on a daily basis?

 

[jlf599]

I don't have one, but I'm still extremely curious about them and want to try one...but despite most of my guitars being HH, I want to try the traditional staggered single model.

I'd love to hear people's take on these, especially compared to other EBMMs

 

[TripHazard]

Just got round to watching the video. I dunno. Felt pretty uninspired by the colours and the HH especially. Think they have leant to far into the 335 roots with the colours and should have stuck to emphasising its own uniqueness as that combo of 335 and Tele by not using those colours. If I was shopping for another Valentine I would only buy the Trans Buttermilk from that collection

 

[Ted]

Just got round to watching the video. I dunno. Felt pretty uninspired by the colours and the HH especially. Think they have leant to far into the 335 roots with the colours and should have stuck to emphasising its own uniqueness as that combo of 335 and Tele by not using those colours. If I was shopping for another Valentine I would only buy the Trans Buttermilk from that collection

Yeah, that was pretty much my exact feeling right off the bat seeing the new collection. I was hoping for something more vibrant and edgy-- but the more I looked at each one individually, I was envisioning them as if I was just some dude walking into a guitar shop and seeing one one the wall-- and not being that familiar with the model; and I had to admit that I they would still appeal to me-- even if maybe not as much as previous collections. A shoreline gold or plum crazy or Gallium or something would have really gotten me going.

But that trans Cherry red just looks like one of those guitars I'd never want to put down once I picked it up.

It seems like EBMM has gone with a generally more conservative color palette for several of their collections this year. The Cutlass RS and StingRay RS models are more basic colors than what we've seen in the past. Strange because there were some interesting prototypes in like a lavender grey and fiesta red type satin at the NAMM show and then those finishes never made the cut.

One odd thing I noticed is that both of the rosewood necked models in this collection have black painted headstocks instead of either color matched or exposed maple. Seems to be a new thing. I don't think I am a huge fan of that look as much as just seeing the maple or a matching color, but I don't really dislike it either

I would agree with jlf599 that the original Valentine with the staggered single coil in the bridge is the way to go-- at least starting out. I used that guitar to record so many parts that I would have normally used a bridge humbucker and I found the Valentine's single coil bridge pickup gave me tones I didn't know I was looking for. I'm surprised at how much I actually use both of the push/push pots in dialing in my sounds.

As a strange aside--, as much as people say the neck pickup in the Valentine sounds like that of a semi-hollow, I actually have to say that the neck humbucker in my brother's Mariposa has an extremely semi-hollow sound to my ears-- even more so than the Valentine.

The glow-in-the-dark fret markers are a great idea. The black dots on the side of my Buttermilk Val's neck are a tad hard to see with it's dark roasted neck, even in good lighting. A nice little improvement there.

 

[TripHazard]

Something I thought about was, if I’m walking into a guitar store, leaning towards 335-ish body-shaped guitars, with 2 humbuckers, would I be intrigued enough by Valentine HH that looked like it was intent on aping the traditional 335 aesthetic to pick it up over an actual 335? I can only speak for me, but I’d sooner get an actual 335 if I’m wanting that kind of aesthetic. I’d go Valentine when I’m looking for that blend of tele and 335 wrapped in EBMM goodness. I don’t think I’d ever choose a guitar that felt to me like a guitar playing 335 dress up when I can go for a 335 (or 339 of if I want a smaller body) in all its trad glory instead. Hence why for me, it’s the original Valentine recipe and less common colours you associate with the 335 that flow my boat.

The one that got a way from me was a Valentine on Starry night at Regent Sounds in London back in 2017. That was epic. Missed out on that but eventually got a trans buttermilk which I later sold to get the target burst bfr cos I’m a sucker for those bright vivid bursts on any guitar, and I tend to see that burst as having been used by so many guitars I can’t tie it to any one make or model. So I’m kind of a contradiction - I like non traditional on the Valentine but my favourite finish next to starry night is one of the most traditional colours ever in sunburst (albeit the sunburst less favoured by most!)

Horses for courses tho and whatever floats a player’s boat - each to their own and all that.

Oh, and I really don’t like black painted headstocks. I only find the black headstock look acceptable on a Gibson

 

[Ted]

Triphazard, you make some very good points that I agree with. Regarding the 335 style guitars, I have to admit that I've never liked much about semi-hollow electrics; never liked the look, never wanted one. But I've been slowly getting more and more intrigued and this year I was surprised with my first semi-hollow. My brother got me one of those Vox Bobcats from Reverb-- the semi hollow with three single coil pickups (in what else but Cherry Red) and I absolutely love that guitar (after getting a good setup on it). The single coils are really great with the semi-hollow design ( I swear it can out-twang my tele and Valentines sometimes) but obviously now I'm craving a semi-hollow with humbuckers. I really wish EBMM would have released a semi-hollow Valentine-- maybe some day.

I did play a 335 earlier in the year at a local shop and I liked some things about it, but the ass end of the body had a weird balance to it and it never wanted to sit in the right position on my body; it felt like the neck always ended up in the wrong position for me.

The Starry Night finish was cool. I just hated that they omitted fretboard makers on instruments with this finish. That would be a deal breaker for me. Still, the Target Burst was one of the best BFRs I've ever seen-- looked amazing and had a lot of cool extra detailing on it.

I saw a one-off Trans Buttermilk Valentine on Reverb earlier this year. I think it had a trem. It had a bound ebony fretboard instead of the usual figured maple-- looked awesome--I didn't need another Trans Buttermilk but this was a looker. Too bad there were no fret markers on the fretboard-- that killed it for me.

I wish they'd have done more flame topped Valentines besides just that brown flamed BFR they did.

Maybe some day when the EBMM Custom Design experience comes to guitars we can spec out some outrageous Valentines.

 

[beej]

Maybe some day when the EBMM Custom Design experience comes to guitars we can spec out some outrageous Valentines.

That day is going to be dangerous to my wallet

 

[jlf599]

I saw a one-off Trans Buttermilk Valentine on Reverb earlier this year. I think it had a trem. It had a bound ebony fretboard instead of the usual figured maple-- looked awesome--I didn't need another Trans Buttermilk but this was a looker. Too bad there were no fret markers on the fretboard-- that killed it for me.

I saw a one-off artist Valentine in a flip blue to purple to green finish, kind of like the PRS Nebula finish. I wish I'd jumped on it.

I do keep looking at buttermilk Valentines...I'd have to change the pickguard from the tortie to Sapphire Blue Pearl or Green Pearl or Purple Pearl, though. I'm entirely tempted by them but I don't need one.

 

[TripHazard]

I didn’t expect to be comfortable playing that starry night without the dot markers, but to my surprise I adapted to it pretty quickly. Aesthetically I still prefer the dots, but I would have accepted their absence on that one.

 

[Ted]

I saw a one-off artist Valentine in a flip blue to purple to green finish, kind of like the PRS Nebula finish. I wish I'd jumped on it.

I do keep looking at buttermilk Valentines...I'd have to change the pickguard from the tortie to Sapphire Blue Pearl or Green Pearl or Purple Pearl, though. I'm entirely tempted by them but I don't need one.

Wow, I wish I'd have seen that one! The coolest one-off I saw was a pic from the vault for a Satin TV Yellow Valentine with 2 MM90 pickups and some kind of antique brushed black hardware. P-90 style pickups would be such a great fit on the Valentine.

This year I was in the act of buying a used BFR Carmelo and somebody else swiped it right out of my cart as I was finalizing my transaction. I was so pissed.

 

[TripHazard]

P90s on a Valentine would sure be interesting. Quite partial to a P90 in general

 

[QuietSpike]

Triphazard, you make some very good points that I agree with. Regarding the 335 style guitars, I have to admit that I've never liked much about semi-hollow electrics; never liked the look, never wanted one. But I've been slowly getting more and more intrigued and this year I was surprised with my first semi-hollow. My brother got me one of those Vox Bobcats from Reverb-- the semi hollow with three single coil pickups (in what else but Cherry Red) and I absolutely love that guitar (after getting a good setup on it). The single coils are really great with the semi-hollow design ( I swear it can out-twang my tele and Valentines sometimes) but obviously now I'm craving a semi-hollow with humbuckers. I really wish EBMM would have released a semi-hollow Valentine-- maybe some day.

I did play a 335 earlier in the year at a local shop and I liked some things about it, but the ass end of the body had a weird balance to it and it never wanted to sit in the right position on my body; it felt like the neck always ended up in the wrong position for me.

The Starry Night finish was cool. I just hated that they omitted fretboard makers on instruments with this finish. That would be a deal breaker for me. Still, the Target Burst was one of the best BFRs I've ever seen-- looked amazing and had a lot of cool extra detailing on it.

I saw a one-off Trans Buttermilk Valentine on Reverb earlier this year. I think it had a trem. It had a bound ebony fretboard instead of the usual figured maple-- looked awesome--I didn't need another Trans Buttermilk but this was a looker. Too bad there were no fret markers on the fretboard-- that killed it for me.

I wish they'd have done more flame topped Valentines besides just that brown flamed BFR they did.

Maybe some day when the EBMM Custom Design experience comes to guitars we can spec out some outrageous Valentines.

Have a starry night Val…. The last one off the line in 2017, actually. Still a go-to after all this time.

The fret markers are on the side of the board, so you don’t get slowed down at all not having them on the board itself.

Love that guitar and get compliments on the finish every time I play it.

 

[Astrofreq]

The no-dots on my Starry Night Cutlass is exactly what led me to pull the trigger. It just looks so sleek without dots.

 

[beej]

The Starry Night was a home run- I wish I'd bought one at the time. I did pick up an L3 with that package after the fact, however it has fretboard dots.

 

[Sweat]

Yea hoping for a semi/hollow body Valentine for 2025 and yea Beej the custom design would be a wallet killer, hell the vault has been bad enough

 

[Etudica]

Still holding out for a purple nebula valentine... with ebony board...

 

[jlf599]

Still holding out for a purple nebula valentine... with ebony board...

I'd totally go for that. Not a stickler on the board, but that finish would rock.

 

[msquared]

I dig the HH layout on these. I had a pair of humbuckers in one of my Valentines for a while and it was a lot of fun.

The finishes are a nice change from the '70s sparkle thing they had on the last run. None of them are really up my alley but they make sense given the softer market right now.

Very cool to see the rosewood fretboards. It makes it feel like this platform has "arrived" to be deviating into that outside of the BFR space.

I LOVE the glowing side dots. My natural finish Valentine's neck is so visually busy that I've stopped bothering to look down at it. The side dots just get lost. I wish I could get these as a retrofit on that one.