upcoming 10 years a knucklehead... and some Armada Love?

[Smellybum]

Hi All,
I've been a lurker for some time now, but felt the need to get this off my chest (as only some of you follow me on FB) SO ....

Almost 10 years ago I got my first axis, bought it from a US dealer, broke all the rules and PM'd BP twice in the first week - takes skill to be this stupid.

10 years on the skill has stayed the same, the hair is less and thinner, any my gut has had BBQ almost weekly thanks to being a closed BP Smokers follower too! I have been incredibly lucky over my time here, the re-open of the dargie window, the chance to get a 25th, and my most treasured possession my one off HH AL in Lake placid blue that Sterling ok'd the sale of. I am and always will be a knucklehead.

So what now ? - I'm not ready for the field, and we're only 10 years in ? - I had a rant recently on FB about the price of guitars and a certain other company launching a signature model that costs as much as a compact car. however I am somewhat taken with the shape of the Armada, and although there are none within 250 miles of my place I could be tempted to make this a 10th anniversary gift. What I can't figure out is why more of you don't have one? - don't reply if you're in the same boat but if you have played one tell me what you think, and if I shouldn't buy one of those as my special 10th Anniversary Knucklehead present to myself then what should I get.... time starts now.

Smelly.

 

[ozzyrules]

Never played one. I'd personally pm BP for the 3rd time just for old times sake. Seriously though, I want to play the Armada also. My only gripe would be the painted neck. The gunstock oil/wax on an unfinished maple neck is one of the greatest attributes of EBMM guitars. On second thought, go ahead and pm BP on my behalf and ask him if I could special order a PDN Neptune blue Armada with roasted mahogany, neck thru body guitar. Lol

 

[BUC]

I have a lot of EBMM's and a lot of Strat and Strat-ish type guitars. No LP's.

Bought an Armada because 1. the price was right 2. It was beautiful 3. I wanted to take a departure from my previous axe's and have a different voice available in the studio.

End result is I love the guitar. I really love playing it. Very unique tone from my other guitars and way different feel. It has taken me a while to get used to the way the guitar hangs on my body as the strap buttons are much farther back than anything else. Switching from a Y2D to it is kind of a trip as the Y2D strap buttons are very far forward; i keep reaching for the wrong frets! But the Armada has killer mojo, not just a pretty face.

It was bought to be a studio queen but I'm really tempted to take her out and gig. Must resist.

 

[Tollywood]

I played an armada once and I really liked it. The painted neck is what is holding me back. That being said, I have been gassing for one. I changed my avatar to my 81 Corvette in an attempt to remind me that I need to sink a little money into her. Anti-GAS avatar.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

 

[Barny]

In January I was in New York for work and spent a few evenings in the Guitar Center there playing all the MM guitars I could get my hands on, but I specifically went there as I knew they had 2 Armadas (lets not get in to pricing though).

Finished neck, didn't bother me, I have had a few MM guitars with finished necks and while I prefer the unfinished not a huge deal, in fact my Black Sugar Reflex is one of my favourite necks and that is finished. It did feel a little strange playing a MM with a different scale length, but within a few minutes you adjust and are not even aware of it (such is the quality of MM necks). Balance and contouring of the guitar is of course perfect and while the switches and knobs look in a "non standard" position, they are of course in the perfect positions for easy access while playing (just not where you are used to!!).

Sounds, I am not going to go in to obscure descriptions of something so subjective like "smooth, spiky, warm etc" but for me this is how it broke down, Neck pickup = amazing, middle (both Pickups) = amazing, bridge = too bright for my liking. However it is really important to caveat that with saying the guitar was strung with old tarnished strings and the action was about double what it should have been.

I ended up being really torn, ultimately I left without one, but I was 99.9% sure that if I could have got the guitar home fed that poor fingerboard some Lemon oil, put some decent strings on and adjusted the action and the pickup heights to my liking (which I do on every guitar I buy) then I would have had a stunning guitar to do the job of a LP in my collection. I just didn't feel comfortable taking that kind of chance, especially as I would have had no warranty etc.

There is no doubt in my mind that one day I will have have an Armada, most likely the MM90 version in Black Cherry burst.

Hope that helps!!!

 

[Spudmurphy]

Nice to see you back Smelly - well you hadn't really been away had ya!

Congrats on the 10 year anni - we've seen quite a few things over the years huh?

On my "anni" I think I'll have a ramble on about what has happenned over the years.

I'm 3 years away from retirement, and the only guitars I have "acquired" over the last couple of yeqars has been a 60's Watkins Rapier (my first ever guitar) and one that I finished building just this weekend, it's made from a brass beer drip tray, Gibbie P100 neck pickup and a MM style bridge. I made it as a slide guitar as the action on my balls are too all too low, but conventionally set up it plays great!!- I couldn't get the Landreth vibe going with the low action off my 'balls.

Anyway, back on track ... if it's an itch you just gotta scratch get one. Judging from what you spend on yer cars and mob phones it seems just another thing to get.

Wouldn't it be great to all meet up again - I wish that there were guitar shows like the "old days", but what with the state of the economy - It seems unlikely that we'll have those evening events again.

Get one - hey, leave it for 3 years - I'll come with you - you can get yer guitar and I'll get my Delorean.

 

[dwells]

I played one for a week, it was beautiful , tone city a little different beast to any other music man kind LP style but slicker and with the nicest finish, it's not really a shred guitar but it's an overall amazing guitar.
Loved it

 

[colinboy]

Hello Mike never mind your Armada get a luke III instead ;-)

 

[mtrejo]

I'd have to say DEFINITELY get the Armada.

I've played one extensively and have one on order, and I can tell you it's (for me) one of the best models MM offers.
It is often compared to the LP for many reasons…i.e. scale length, body/neck/headstock binding (on the good LP's), tune o matic bridge, thicker neck, etc, etc…Yes, there are some similarities between the two.

The guitar in sitting playing position does balance perfectly and man is it fun to play. Playability like all MM guitars is superb and the pickups are voiced SO WELL to this guitar. Comparing them to both my LP's, it's about on par weight wise. The body contouring is exceptional and whenever I play it, it feels like the "Cadillac" of MM guitars, very classy and refined. But hey, that's just me. I love the SS frets, the easier bending due to less string tension (shorter scale & string wrapping) and the neck binding is sweet.

It's a bit of a crap shoot, I think, buying an Armada having never played one for specific reasons: Painted neck, Scale length, neck size/thickness, weight.

Personally, I like variety in guitars. The painted neck that everyone moans about has no relevance for me. It feels good in my hands and that's all that matters to me. I do not mind a change in neck thickness switching between guitars, others hate it.

Good luck with your decision! Keep us in the loop.

 

[jzeijen]

I played one, very different feel from my other MM guitars. But I like versatility and I think that encourages you to play different. I actually tried to get one through eBay but the deal fell through (payment was made and all..), still bummed out about that. Since then I'm watching used Armada ads like a hawk

All I really want to say is: Yes, get the Armada!