So... lots happening these days. Moved from NH to Palm Coast FL last month. Also me and my girlfriend (who came along with me) decided to get engaged in the last week. She thought that I should get something too since she gets the ring. Therefore, it was decided I'd have a guitar of my choice.... one that I was barred from ever selling or trading. I had to keep this one as the "engagement guitar". A PRS was discussed but I'd ultimately have it as a wall decoration and not play it much due to the 25" scale. I'd always wanted an axis or a BFR axis but the PDN reflex I have has the same pickups and there had to be some variety in sound. I eventually decided on a JP. Bass Central is an hour and a half from me. I had planned to visit these guys anyways since I had drooled over their online inventory from afar for many years. We made the trip to Fern Park on Saturday. These guys are in a small retail space that typically you'd find a hair salon in...with no windows and one door. I was expecting...well...I guess a lot more from one of the largest bass dealers on planet earth. Boy was I surprised when I walked in the door! Every wall is lined with boutique basses that you'd have to visit your financial planner before purchasing. We walked all the way to the back where there were about 5 or 6 MM guitars on the wall. "Thats it?", I said to my fiancee. I'm wondering where this massive inventory I see online is. I ask one of the guys where the rest of the guitars are and he asked me what I was looking for. I list off a couple. He runs into the stock room and pulls out guitars that are still in boxes. Out comes a Luke 2 PDN (by mistake) A JP12-6, and a JP6 BFR black sugar roasted. I had more of a BFR or Koa in mind but the JP6 roasted really was a stunner in a simple elegance kinda way. I also thought a basswood guitar would pair incredibly well with the Mini Rec. My fiancee took to it and we never did make it to asking him to pull out the other BFRs. I tried the JP12 and did not like it at all. That fretboard is seriously not ergonomically comfortable with the 20" radius. Sadly, I found the color in person to be...well....kinda hideous. The JP6 was the winner. We headed over to the Shipyard Brewery after, in Winter Park. Coincidentally, there was a diamond dealer right next door. After a couple of beers, we ventured over there and picked out a stone and a band which she will be picking up on Tuesday. Now I am broke, but happily so. Here is the Bass Central picture from the website.
