Gerry
Well-known member
Well the Reflex arrived on the 11th after a somewhat tortuous journey across Europe. First impressions are not always the best so I hung on a few days before posting. I think this review is spot on.
Music Man Reflex | Guitar Reviews | MusicRadar.com
My only complaint or perhaps negatives would be on the case contents or perhaps the lack of them. I think any guitar in this price range should come with tools to make adjustments. The inclusion of an Allen key to adjust the saddles is not too much to expect. Locking strap buttons are also pretty basic these days and many manufacturers are installing them in the factory. (Luckily I had a set of Schaller’s and have now fitted them)
Three piece basswood body which can be noted by the two joins that run up the back of the body didn’t really float my boat either but that is most probably due to being used to one piece bodies.
In some ways I can understand why this guitar gets less attention than it deserves in guitar shops because it really is a plain Jane in all respects. It is only when you sit down and play it that you realise that this is something very, very special. Wonderful fret board and frets, superb action and a tremolo that springs back in tune no matter how much abuse you give it. The volume and tone controls work superbly and are as smooth as silk but I would have liked a dimple or mark on the top of them so you could instantly see the position. (I had a couple of knobs so have replaced the originals) Pick up selector and tone options from the 5 way blade switch in conjunction with series parallel switch are all useable making the guitar extremely versatile.
I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that if I could only have one guitar the Reflex would be at the top of the list. Do flame tops and birdseye necks sell guitars? Quite possibly but it would be a major mistake to pass the Reflex by because it doesn’t have them as this is a classic example of being simply perfect. In three days I have spent almost zero time in looking at it and nearly all my time playing it and that my friends is exactly what makes a guitar great. If it was lost or stolen I would immediately buy another one and that for me that would be rare as I have no brand loyalty to any brand and enjoy trying and playing them all.
Oh and a special thank you to Mark Hopkin at Guitars4You in the UK for his all help and superb customer service and last but not least EBMM for making such a superb guitar.
Music Man Reflex | Guitar Reviews | MusicRadar.com
My only complaint or perhaps negatives would be on the case contents or perhaps the lack of them. I think any guitar in this price range should come with tools to make adjustments. The inclusion of an Allen key to adjust the saddles is not too much to expect. Locking strap buttons are also pretty basic these days and many manufacturers are installing them in the factory. (Luckily I had a set of Schaller’s and have now fitted them)
Three piece basswood body which can be noted by the two joins that run up the back of the body didn’t really float my boat either but that is most probably due to being used to one piece bodies.
In some ways I can understand why this guitar gets less attention than it deserves in guitar shops because it really is a plain Jane in all respects. It is only when you sit down and play it that you realise that this is something very, very special. Wonderful fret board and frets, superb action and a tremolo that springs back in tune no matter how much abuse you give it. The volume and tone controls work superbly and are as smooth as silk but I would have liked a dimple or mark on the top of them so you could instantly see the position. (I had a couple of knobs so have replaced the originals) Pick up selector and tone options from the 5 way blade switch in conjunction with series parallel switch are all useable making the guitar extremely versatile.
I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that if I could only have one guitar the Reflex would be at the top of the list. Do flame tops and birdseye necks sell guitars? Quite possibly but it would be a major mistake to pass the Reflex by because it doesn’t have them as this is a classic example of being simply perfect. In three days I have spent almost zero time in looking at it and nearly all my time playing it and that my friends is exactly what makes a guitar great. If it was lost or stolen I would immediately buy another one and that for me that would be rare as I have no brand loyalty to any brand and enjoy trying and playing them all.
Oh and a special thank you to Mark Hopkin at Guitars4You in the UK for his all help and superb customer service and last but not least EBMM for making such a superb guitar.
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