Question The MMJP BFR vs '07

[Waldemariel]

Hey all! A long time lurker/reader here, writing my first post.

I was just wondering what the differences between the Ball Family Reserve and the '07 are? I mean, besides the visual ones. I can see they have used different type of colorings and inlays and stuff like that. I've been looking for the specs all over but I can find any. Could anyone for starters tell me what DiMarzio pickups is mounted on it? Would be nice if you could somehow compare it to the '07 one.

I'm sorry if this thread belongs somewhere else, or has already been asked.

Thanks a lot!
- Waldemariel

 

[D.K.]

Hi, welcome here!

That's essentially a difference between a standard JP and a BFR JP. There is tons of information about both guitars on the Welcome to the Ernie Ball Music Man Company, and also on this forum - just use the search funktion.

The pickups are the same - Custom Wound in the neck, D-Sonic in the bridge.

 

[Waldemariel]

Oh right. I found the specs on the instruments-section, and not on the artists-section which I have visited earlier. Thanks a bunch D.K.! I'll do some more thorough research next time (search function)

- Waldemariel

 

[D.K.]

No biggy!

BTW, There are quite a few people here that own or have owned both models (including my overly humble self ) - that means You get pretty detailed opinions on this subject on the EBMM forum

 

[Lou]

The feel of the guitars are the same, IMO. They sound very different. The BFR is punchier, more harmonically rich. You can't go wrong with either. If you are a fan of the extra bling go BFR.

 

[MusicManJP6]

Well said, Lou...

Welcome to the forums, Waldemariel!

 

[colinboy]

BFR all the way my friend.welcome to the forum!

 

[Dizzy]

The feel of the guitars are the same, IMO. They sound very different. The BFR is punchier, more harmonically rich. You can't go wrong with either. If you are a fan of the extra bling go BFR.

+1.

The BFR tone is awesome.

I've been playing mine a lot more recently, as my regular JP needed new strings.
I picked up the regular JP this morning after re-stringing it last night.
The first thing I noticed was that it sounded relatively dull compared to the BFR.
And that's saying something, especially when it's got spanking new strings.

The Tone block and maple top certainly give more punch & clarity.

I must differ on the feel though - to me the BFR feels a whole lot more slick & refined than the regular JP.

 

[lifeson1]

+1.

The BFR tone is awesome.

I've been playing mine a lot more recently, as my regular JP needed new strings.
I picked up the regular JP this morning after re-stringing it last night.
The first thing I noticed was that it sounded relatively dull compared to the BFR.
And that's saying something, especially when it's got spanking new strings.

The Tone block and maple top certainly give more punch & clarity.

I must differ on the feel though - to me the BFR feels a whole lot more slick & refined than the regular JP.

I have to agree, 100% I actually owned one of the 'original 100' JP's, and I've been mad as hell for the past six years for selling it. That being said, the BFR is MUCH tighter (I've owned two, so far), sonically, and the painted neck feels really nice (which, I was very doubtful about), and I didn't miss the bird's eye as much as I thought I would. trully, one of the modern marvels of the guitar world.

 

[Waldemariel]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

I appreciate the detailed descriptions that you've given me, which eventually has made me go for the EBMM JP BFR-edition. I've been doing some extra research on this subject since I'm going to buy it online without even trying it, hehe. But theres not a doubt in my heart that the guitar is going to be nothing but pure awesomeness and worth every single dollar. I've tried three different EBMM JP '06-'07 guitars, 6-strings without piezo, and I've enjoyed them quite alot.

So, late in september - I'll be picking up my first Ernie Ball Music Man guitar in Chicago, IL.

Thank you