MajtasticVoyage
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2014
- Messages
- 213
I was a bit hesitant, after owning 4 EBMMs, to get this little guy. The pups, rarity, and signature sold me on it though. Here's the Sweetwater pics:
Initial thoughts: Decent build quality. Definitely not EBMM tier, but decent nonetheless. It feels good. The pups make this thing scream! The bridge is nice and responsive. Time will tell how well it stays in tune (I don't dive bomb, so don't ask lol). I wasn't too thrilled that the trem arm doesn't stay in unless you tighten the screw on the side, but I do like how it's easier to adjust than the standard EBMM trem bar adjuster screw.
The fretboard looks nice and healthy, but this is because there's some sort of lacquer on it; and there's a little extra smudge on the fretboard lip just beyond the 24th fret. The electronics are responsive, though there is a little audible scratching when you turn the knobs (not through the pickups, but you can hear that some friction is there). Frets feel good, though I'm so used to SS frets on JP guitars that this feels a little weird, but they're still nice. The signature is just a gold sharpie (or paint pen, as I was told) - barely noticeable in certain light, but still makes it a signed JP
Overall, for about $850, it's a great option in the mid-range guitar milieu. To be honest, I was a little surprised with how well it plays and how nice it sounds - all my local stores don't take care of their SBMMs so I had VERY low expectations. This was just gonna be a wall-hanger, closet classic, etc., but I suspect it's gonna get some good playtime. It feeds back in a very musical way and plays nice with my pedals. The inlays are very nicely done too. The neck feels very nice and small - not like JPXI small, but smaller than a Fender or Gibson. My only worry is that the fretboard might start to look wonky; I prefer a nice fresh piece of rosewood and keeping it oiled. We'll see. Time will tell. I didn't open it up so as of yet I can't speak to the electronics cavity or bridge cavity, but if I do and there's anything remarkable, I'll post it.
Don't hesitate to get one of these! They're actually pretty good guitars; again, not quite up to EBMM par, but way above Squire, Epiphone, lower Gibsons, any LTDs I've played, mid-range Ibanezes, etc. I'm very satisfied - just need to find a place for it in my guitar rotation now! haha Cheers, y'all!
Initial thoughts: Decent build quality. Definitely not EBMM tier, but decent nonetheless. It feels good. The pups make this thing scream! The bridge is nice and responsive. Time will tell how well it stays in tune (I don't dive bomb, so don't ask lol). I wasn't too thrilled that the trem arm doesn't stay in unless you tighten the screw on the side, but I do like how it's easier to adjust than the standard EBMM trem bar adjuster screw.
The fretboard looks nice and healthy, but this is because there's some sort of lacquer on it; and there's a little extra smudge on the fretboard lip just beyond the 24th fret. The electronics are responsive, though there is a little audible scratching when you turn the knobs (not through the pickups, but you can hear that some friction is there). Frets feel good, though I'm so used to SS frets on JP guitars that this feels a little weird, but they're still nice. The signature is just a gold sharpie (or paint pen, as I was told) - barely noticeable in certain light, but still makes it a signed JP
Overall, for about $850, it's a great option in the mid-range guitar milieu. To be honest, I was a little surprised with how well it plays and how nice it sounds - all my local stores don't take care of their SBMMs so I had VERY low expectations. This was just gonna be a wall-hanger, closet classic, etc., but I suspect it's gonna get some good playtime. It feeds back in a very musical way and plays nice with my pedals. The inlays are very nicely done too. The neck feels very nice and small - not like JPXI small, but smaller than a Fender or Gibson. My only worry is that the fretboard might start to look wonky; I prefer a nice fresh piece of rosewood and keeping it oiled. We'll see. Time will tell. I didn't open it up so as of yet I can't speak to the electronics cavity or bridge cavity, but if I do and there's anything remarkable, I'll post it.
Don't hesitate to get one of these! They're actually pretty good guitars; again, not quite up to EBMM par, but way above Squire, Epiphone, lower Gibsons, any LTDs I've played, mid-range Ibanezes, etc. I'm very satisfied - just need to find a place for it in my guitar rotation now! haha Cheers, y'all!
