What turned you on to Music Man guitars?

[acidpuppy]

john petrucci...and everyone in my country was playing ibanez guitars...i wanted to play a different guitar...don't get me wrong, i love their amazing guitars but ebmm has made me stand out from the rest...

 

[Phrat]

For me it started with the artist rosta...Luke, SM, JP and EVH. I always loved the EVH and when I finally had the moolah to spend on a decent guitar I tried an Axis Sport in a local shop and just loved the neck. I did some hunting around and found a PBB axis in Glasgow and bought it based on how it looked from a few phone camera pics!

Hooked from then on!

What I love about the EBMM guitars is they are great in that all of the designs are unique yet they have never had to go down the "retro" or "spikey" look to bring us something different from regular shapes we see every day.

 

[savannah_sean]

I've been a Steve Morse fan for many years, and when I was finally in the market for a new guitar, I learned about all the pickup configurations and the wacky (but logical!) switching and thought "I must have that..."

 

[Hendog]

The neck and the overall quality. I picked up a Petrucci 5 years ago in a Guitar Center and the rest is history.

 

[Jerry Jim]

Definitely Petrucci with the promo video of the "Not even Slinky" Strings during the Train of Thought Tour.

 

[Slowlicks]

A few years ago when I started playing I bought an Epiphone LP.
A year later I bought a Strat and then a Tele. The Epi and the Tele were the first to go at the start of my third year. I found the Tele uncomfortable and the LP fat and heavy. I was left with my Strat and thought this guitar was the only one I would ever want or need.
Then the GAS set in.. Gibson LP.. Jackson Soloist.. Another Strat and so on.
Then: My cousin who is a very good guitar player and very arrogant mentioned Music Man to me.. Said how great they were.. I started looking on and off.. No dealers near me so I stopped looking. Another year later GC becomes a dealer.. I make my way to the local store to have a look.
They have a JP in Mystic Dream color hanging on the wall. I ask the sales guy if I could play it for a while.. I plug into a Fender Super Reverb and picked a few quiet notes.. Holy Grail!.........................
I then decided before I buy a Music Man I better look around before I jump in.... I drove to a few more stores as far as 100 miles from me to see more of them.. I ultimately ended up wanting a JPX. I called AJ to see if he could help me locate one.. He did and the rest is history. I haven't touched my Strat, LP or Jackson since I got it. I am elated...... Who would think a guy who likes playing the Blues would be playing a JPX? Gentlemen, I am that guy.

 

[skerwo]

First experience for me was a couple of years ago as I started again playin guitar after a longer break for work and kids. I came into a shop and was fascinated by the design. It was a Silo Spec and it looked so comfortable. I always was a strat player, so I recognized the singlecoils on it. Played it, loved everything on this guitar, the neck, the playability but I didn´t buy it. Why? Always thought I must have a strat. After several strats, also real good ones, I got the chance to get a 1995 Silo Spec. So I buyed it, changed the pups to my favourites and since that time this is my main axe that I play 95% of the time. Best axe I ever had and no reason to get any other, also no other MM. Had a lot of them in my hands in the last years but none came close to this special 1995 Silo Spec. What I learned in this forum it´s one of the first SS, they built it for the NAMM show in this year and I don´t know how this guitar came to Germany, but now it´s mine and it will stay with me ´til the end of my guitar player days.

Rainer

 

[evolvedmb]

I have been a HUGE Ibanez fan for over 20 years, but I wanted something different. Two years ago I committed the biggest sin and went behind my wife's back and ordered a JP6 from an online music store in NY. I had never even picked up a musicman guitar before, but had loved DT since 1990. I ordered the piezo on it and all I can say is WOW. Such an awesome and beautiful guitar in every aspect. In addition, I now own a Pacific Blueburst Axis with the OFR trem system. I had to sell my 7string custom swirl guitar to pay for most of the funds, but it was well worth it! The wife O.K.'ed the purchase this time, but I'll have to sell more of my older stuff to get another MM.

My favorite player since I was a little kid was EVH, and I have loved the Axis body shape since the F.U.C.K. tour. I hardly ever play my Ibanez guitars, and would love to have a Luke someday. Musicman guitars are the single best product I have ever owned.

 

[Laneto]

Started to play guitar a year ago and picked up a cheap Dean acoustic and started lessons. Really liked the playabilty of an electric, so I rented a Strat for a month. My guitar teacher has a EVH and mostly plays a JP. He let me play his for a few lessons. I went down to GC and the only EBMM they had was a BFR LUKE. It just felt right in my novice hands so I brought it home with me. Once I get a little better and can justify more than one guitar I plan on getting a 25th or Reflex.

 

[azcarguy]

Evh

I was just getting into guitars in 1990 and had a strat and a kramer and a guy at the guitar shop I went into said if you are a Van Halen fan you have to have his new sig model, I was expecting a striped single pickup thing and when he got one in and opened the case I got one of those feelings of "I have to do whatever I can to get this thing right now" So thats where it started and I have had over 20 of them since as well as just about every model except the petrucci and it is a lifetime hook!!

 

[almcg2]

Turned on to Petrucci JP6

I played one at GC and knew I had to have one after the first 2 minutes of playing. I never knew how amazing they were. Just got my delivered by UPS today. Love the hell out of it!

 

[MrLovejoy]

I wanted a high-end seven-string guitar that was gaudy enough for Prince to play.

The JPX 7 was the answer.

 

[mesavox]

I first took notice when I saw the 24 fret silo in a guitar world. It looked very aggressive to me. This was probably 90 or 91.

When the Luke came out I loved it because it didn't have a pickgaurd.

I always loved the headstocks, and I had played an EVH and knew I loved the necks. So, when JP switched I thought "ok, I have no excuse anymore." LOL

I've been addicted to the JP switching system and the knob/switch layout since I first played one in 96... plus that neck was perfect for me. So, when he switched I had a feeling the neck would be even better.

I got the 7 string first since I had a JPM... seemed logical. I'm glad I did, even though I've had a struggle holding on to 7 strings... lol I love the JP7. It makes you play different things than you normally would.

I got the BFR next. It is a very subtle shape difference from the old Japanese made (lol) versions but I haven't been disappointed to say the least. Now, the first Japanese JP had a different neck than the one I had (now that I have mine camo back, I can really tell the difference). I had played the regular JP6 when a friend had one so I knew what the shape of the neck would be like. I was nervous about the paint because I adore MM's unfinished necks, but it's never been a problem... it's that smooth. I played a Shecter with a painted neck not too long ago and it sucked. Music Man's paint folks are phenominal.

I've played Suhrs and Andersons and they are wonderful... the JP is just already what I need. Should I ever become endorsed, there are things I would play with if I could... try one with a floyd, fixed bridge, etc. But, the way it is fits 99% of all my needs and someday my backup JPMs will be eyecandy when I get more MM JPs to fill their spot.

There are other things that always make me drool... I love the Luke, as I said, and the Silo bass is quite yummy. lol I'd like to play one of those and the JP bari side by side and compare them. The Silouettes are still awesome to me, and the Silo Special calls the Strat fan in me.. all the necks are very different, but all of them are great. It's a great marketing strategy to make people like me want one of each thing MM makes. LOL

 

[aleclee]

6-8 years ago I had a local tech named Doc Dreyer (RIP) do some work on my PRS. Doc was nuts about all things EVH so he had a couple of EVHs (as well as some Peaveys) that he let me try out. I was very much a PRS guy at the time but the memory stuck with me. I came close to buying a SUB but passed. Last winter I finally took the plunge with a rosewood ASS.

 

[Josh O]

My buddy who started playing bass the same time I started guitar got a used EBMM Custom Stingray a couple of years after we got together to jam. The birdseye on the neck got to me. Coupled with the fact that I really liked the EVH model, I took a shot at an Axis in '99. I liked the feel and sound and look but the Floyd got under my skin and I ended up moving on. Fast forward to '06, Petrucci clinic that Pete put on. I really took to the JP6 and a month or so after the clinic, I ended up with my first JP6, if I had limitless funds, I'd have kept all the JPs that have crossed my hands over the past four years but man alive, lovin' the rosewood neck JP6 I have now, jonesing for a JP7 version of it now!!

 

[JasonT]

Hmm. I guess I first heard of them with the Morse model, but it was way too complicated for me. lol! I noticed the EVH (how could you not?), but it didn't grab me. Primarily because of the body woods - basswood and maple are just too bright for my tastes. And, I was done with floyd rose trems. I took note again when Vinnie Moore started playing a Silhouette Special. Still wasn't enough to get me. At one point (I think it was around 2000), I did try a Luke and liked a lot about it, but there was something in the clean tones that I didn't love. I always respected the value and quality of the brand but couldn't find the guitar that just fit my ear for tone and my needs for playability. For me, tone starts with mahogany, rosewood and other warmer tones. I ended up buying a PRS, which is where I spent the better part of the last 10 years. Their Standard 22 (mahog body, mahog neck, rosewood fretboard) was my #1 for about 7-8 years.

In 2006, I formed a gigging cover band and wanted a quality backup hardtail guitar to go with a PRS. Having known the feel of a rosewood neck, I was intrigued by the rosewood ASS. I randomly came across one at a GC in Virginia. Loved the variety of tones the 5 way provided and the feel of the rosewood. It was perfect for what I was looking for. I walked out with it that day and used it for about 6 mos. before I left the band because I had decided to relocate.

Finally finding something in the EBMM lineup that worked for me, I kept trying for more, primarily because of the value - great guitars for less money than a lot of other brands. I really wanted to love the JP (since I'm a big fan of his playing) and then the silo special, but something about each didn't work for me. Ironically, after playing the Luke again, this time, although still not 100% sold on the pups, I bought an LE 2007 Blue Dawn Luke. Loved the finish.

Then, BP and the boys came up with the BFR program and I knew I would be in trouble! That led to a 25th Anni, a BFR Luke with rosewood neck and now, a BFR koa Luke. So the ASS and Blue Dawn Luke had to go to make room for these others.

I've thinned the herd a bit but still have some other real nice guitars. But for the last few years, the EBMMs are the ones I reach for first.

So what turned me on to EBMM? I guess ultimately it was the rosewood ASS - finally finding a guitar in the MM lineup that worked for me. Interestingly enough, that guitar is the one aleclee (above) now has.

 

[soundjunkie]

Johnny Winter, years ago turned me on to Music Man amps...sad that amp era ended....where the heck are they today! Recently, the rosewood neck on a Albert Lee HH first turned me on to Music Man guitars. Second is when I plugged the damn thing in. SOLD!!!!! I'm in the process of ordering a hard tail from the factory.

The Music Man story is sooooo cool too. Fender just never recovered in my opinion.

I'm new in the forum. I like / play Reverends, but delve into other makes including Gretsch and Fender. After checking out a couple of these Music Man guitars, it makes all others look like a cheap imitation of a guitar. The fit and finish and more importantly the sound of these guitars and the playability is amazing.

 

[NewLukeGuy]

I knew about the Morse model for a long time having been a Morse fan since before he hooked up with EBMM. But I never had played any EBMM guitar. Then I was in NYC in April 2009 and went into the GC and played a LUKE. Had to have one. Three months later I bought my first one. Then I added a Morse, which is now my #1. My guitar playing days have changed for the better forever.

 

[musikarero]

For me it was the body shape of the AL. I'm a huge fan of Albert too which helped but what made it for me was the neck shape. I just knew the moment I held it I would own one!

 

[denny99]

As for me, the neck was one of the major factor affecting the choice. I tried the Luke 10 years ago and immediately falled in love with the asymmetrical and narrow neck. A couple of months later I got one

Also, EMG pickups was another must have (I only have EMG equipped guitars), and last but not least I am a huge Lukather's fan, so I guess the commercial factor played a minor role as well