Reflex opinions?

[Chad Gladstone]

I very recently fell down the EBMM rabbit hole, with a chance encounter with a beautiful quilted maple Trans aqua blue Floyd axis. I had been a longtime G&L Legacy and Fender Strat player, but after a few minutes of noodling with the Axis, I became an obsessed convert. It was so easy to adjust and play and the neck was a dream (changing strings is a nightmare, however).

Thereafter, I have acquired a number of other EBMM guitars and love them all (25th anniversary, reflex, y2d and an HH AL, but I find myself gravitating towards my plain jane, white Reflex. Anyone else have a strong opinions, one way or another when comparing the Reflex to other guitars? Is is just perceived as an oversized, less esoteric axis? I have yet to try a Luke or JP, but I have most of the line, but for everyday playing, I invariably grab my reflex. All my other EBMM guitar appear much nicer in appearance, but for comfort and tone, I find myself drawn to the most affordable of all the entire line, the reflex. There seems to be a lot of discussion of the other models, but not a whole lot of discussion of the reflex, here. Opinions? Am I in the minority, here? There are cult like followings for AL's and JP's and of course, the axis. Is there a consensus on the reflex? I guess I am late to the party. Maybe I need to go back through the archives to 2010, when it was first launched after the 25th for further discussion? Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Johnny Alien]

I prefer plain finishes to be honest. I have never been big on anything flamed or quilted.

For the Reflex, as an Axis fan, I get along with the look of it just fine. I like the slightly hollow part of it as well. But having owned one I just never cared for the series/parallel switch and always played it the way a stock Axis would be. I also prefer the Axis neck to the Silhouette style neck on the Reflex.

As all things Music Man it was brilliantly made and I really love the look of the goldtop with rosewood.

 

[guitarp77]

I love my 25th, which is a Reflex.

It is a killer TONE machine, so "percussive" in its attack its insane.

 

[edhalen]

I REALLY love my Reflex. As mentioned above it is a killer TONE machine - it can do any tone you want. The neck is unreal - perfect for me. Perfect profile and radius. The thing feels like it plays itself. Notes jump off of the fretboard. Very percussive as was mentioned. I've tried an Axis or two and I prefer the Reflex's feel and tone options. Probably the MOST under appreciated guitar in the EBMM line. Some day I will own one with a trem as well....

EDIT - one other thing that I simply LOVE - the compensated nut. It is amazing to me the tones I get all over the neck that sound unreal that played on other brand guitars don't sound nearly as good as they aren't in the rock-solid tune of an EBMM with the compensated nut. That doesn't get mentioned enough.

 

[Chad Gladstone]

My reflex and my 25th sound identical, to my ear.

 

[Gio_Force_One]

I had a reflex for a little while and didn't really care for it , I really like my purple sunset morse and always find myself using that guitar. And after my pickup swap I love it even more . Great all around guitar for me.

 

[Larry]

Love my gold top Reflex!

 

[ozzyrules]

Love my 25th. Dean Wells will chime in. He's a complete monster player and raves about his Reflex's.

 

[JayDawg]

I have a Game Changer Reflex and love it. I have also played some regular Reflex guitars and they have been great as well.