The last time I buy a new guitar

[Crewood]

I bought a new left handed Music Man guitar a few weeks ago and after a few days I realised I couldn't get comfortable with it and decided to go for another Fender instead. I've always had strats in the past.

I spoke to the dealer where I bought the guitar, he mentioned the taxes involved and one or two other things, but basically he wasn't interested at all in taking it back.

As it is now I have a guitar where I stand to lose about half of the £1500 I paid for it. One thing I've learnt for sure is never to buy a new guitar without first making sure it's the one for you. Beautiful looks are not everything and that's what attracted me to the Music Man

Mike

 

[passarellee]

Perhaps you are righthanded after all?

Seriously, maybe you need some more time to get used to your new guitar. An EBMM is an EBMM and a Fender is a Fender.

Could you be a little more specific as to what the problem is? Which model did you get btw?

 

[Crewood]

It's just a comfort thing, the American Fender I have has rolled fingerboard edges. It's just the way the guitar sits when I play it.

With the possible loss I look like taking, I may have to get used to the guitar. It's a shame to let such a beautiful guitar sit in its case.

Translucent Blue Axis SS

Mike

 

[robelinda2]

beautiful axe, give her some time.

 

[candid_x]

Mike, you didn't mention what model MM you have. MM models vary hugely - not like the difference between Strats, which are only variations on the same guitar. Fender only has two really popular models: Tel and Strat. MM has ten, eight of which are radically different, except for the same great quality.

If after getting used to it it still isn't your thing, you may be able to find a trade for another more suitable model with someone here. Keep an open mind; you may be surprised at what you find.

 

[Big Poppa]

I dont understand your post here.

How long have you had it/ Are you a working musician? Have you gigged with it yet?
New shoes take awhile to fit your feet.

 

[francric]

I dont understand your post here.

Me too...................me thinks this thread needs to walk the plank.

 

[andynpeters]

Maybe I can help. See private message

 

[Psychicpet]

as a retailer, well actually just a sales monkey, I've gotta say that when it comes to higher end purchases there is nothing more frustrating than a customer who doesn't do their homework, does a bit of an impulse buy, takes home an expensive instrument for a sew weeks and then comes back and says "ya, this isn't really me, take it back, I want a full refund,but you sell it again as new"

reeeeally frustrating and not terribly fair. it sucks that it seems like she isn't jiving just yet but you have to respect your local shop and what it means to try and sell a used instrument as new, etc., etc.

sorry to rant but it's a touchy subject

 

[Big Poppa]

Crewood

Please dont take my post worng I just think that you should make sure that you have given it a fair chance.....Gigs are the best way.

 

[Crewood]

Candid_X: the big red Translucent Blue Axis SS should give you a clue to what guitar I have.

Psychicpet: How can you do your homework on a completely different kind of guitar without actually buying one. MM are a reasonably rare beast in the UK.

Big Poppa: I'm just someone who loves playing guitar in the comfort of their own home as a method of relaxation away from work.

francric: Why does this thread need to walk the plank? I'm not saying anything against the guitar or Ernie Ball, it's a beautiful guitar as I stated. It just doesn't suit me. With an attitude like yours I'm just as well staying away from the MM fraternity.

Mike

 

[roburado]

Mike, for a long time I used to think as you did. My F3nd3r was all I was willing to play. I wasn't even willing to consider playing a new F3nd3r what with all the inconsistency of the workmanship these days. No guitar seemed like it was worth the money anymore, because no guitar had the right combination of sound and feel that was necessary for me to feel like it would be worth it. I bought my Str@t Plus in 1989. I got crazy for a moment and I got an Ib@nez in 1990, which I played for a while before just going back to the Str@t whose clean tone was just miles and miles better than the Ib@nez. I played that Str@t exclusively until I went and lived abroad for 5 years. I bought a cheapo Str@t copy so i wouldn't endanger my real Str@t by placing it in the hands of airline baggage handlers. Except that brief hair-metal insanity with the Ib@nez, I had played a Str@t (or a copy) for 14 years before finding a guitar that seemed worth the money--my EBMM JP6. So, I kind of understand the feeling. I even rejected a number of EBMM JP6s that I'd tried, but they were mostly shopworn examples of the guitar whose set-ups were not what came from the factory.

Then, in 2003, I found a JP6 which must have been pretty fresh from the factory. It hadn't had the opportunity to get abused by the customers yet. It was magic! I love it. As much as I'd loved my Str@t, there was a whole world of sounds that my Str@t couldn't touch. I longed for those sounds. The JP6 had them in spades, and the playability was out of this world. So, the Str@t started it's process of retirement that day.

Since then, I've gotten the 20th Anniversary Silhouette and a 2001 Silhouette Special. Both are magic as well. Like you I don't really perform out there in public. The extent of my public playing was a couple of poetry readings, a couple of talent shows, and playing the guitar for a friend's wedding ceremony--probably my most satisfying "gig" ever.

I'm totally rambling here, but I guess my point is that I understand your attachment to your Str@t. I'm sorry the Axis SS didn't seem to work out for you. I'm sure you'll find a buyer if you never warm up to the guitar. Don't sell it back to the shop. I say give it a chance. If you never fall in love with it, well...sell it to Andy. Maybe, you ought to meet up with Andy and try his lefty Silhouette Specials. Maybe, you can make a trade. I think Andy was trying to sell one of his.

The Silhouette Special has finally forced my Str@t into complete retirement, and it has gone quietly--not a peep out of it. It used to be able to come out and play once in a while, but the SS fulfills every unfulfilled dream I had of Str@t tones. It's fairly similar to my Str@t in feel, but it feels worlds better and sounds worlds better. The SS gets a lot closer to the single-coil sounds I had in my head than my Str@t ever did, and it's got a humbucker I love.

 

[lock-ny]

I think your biggest issue is that you like strat style guitars and you bought a tele style guitar - you should have gone after a silo special, I have both guitars in mention but the silo is like a better sounding strat with better components and a much better neck, theres no way you can tell me that the strat has a better neck than any of the guitars in question -

 

[robelinda2]

just got back fro a gig, used my silo special, total strat killer! love em!

 

[Dizzy]

The ASS body would definately take some getting used to if you're coming straight from a strat.

If it's a body/comfort thing I'd be answering the PM and getting yourself a lefty Silo Spec from Andy

 

[roburado]

The ASS body would definately take some getting used to if you're coming straight from a strat.

If it's a body/comfort thing I'd be answering the PM and getting yourself a lefty Silo Spec from Andy

Yeah. Andy's Silo Spec will be more to your liking, I think. I myself don't particularly like the way the ASS sits on my lap, but I don't play sitting down for the most part.

 

[paranoid70]

Might not be the most diplomatic post on a Ernie Ball message board, but I thik I know where you are coming from. Some guitars just never click an individual. I remember trying out a Parker at the Guitar Center and thinking that it was the most uncomfortable guitar I ever tried. Although it sounded pretty good, I would not even consider buying one.

However, I would reiterate the statement that if a guitarist is used to the feel of a Strat he should go with a Silo Spec or a Luke rather than an Axis.

 

[robelinda2]

Of course if we are talking strat tone then it would be terrible of me to not mention the mighty ALBERT LEE!!!!!!!!! It is after all part of my daily duty as a member of the ALOC.

 

[paranoid70]

Well, he never did mention tone, just "feel" of the guitar. However, I do think a guy used to Strats will probably have no problems getting used to the feel of an AL either.

 

[MikeVt]

Of course if we are talking strat tone then it would be terrible of me to not mention the mighty ALBERT LEE!!!!!!!!! It is after all part of my daily duty as a member of the ALOC.

Exactly what I was thinking. Although the AL isn't for me, it's tone is definitely a strat killer - and the neck is AMAZING. I personally think it's the best neck in the EBMM lineup....

Mike