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Whatever happened to...

Greg Suarez

Greg Suarez

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 25, 2014
Messages
194
Location
Dayton, Ohio, United States
...the 12th fret BFR logo on many of the newer BFR JP models? I'm noticing on pics of for-sale BFR JPs on eBay and Sweetwater that the newer versions only have the dual shields at the 12th fret and not the BFR logo. I'm noticing this pretty much across-the-board, including on the expensive traditional JP6 BFRs.
 
PeteDuBaldo said:
It moved to an engraving on the neck plate beginning with orders placed at the NAMM Show January 2013.

EDIT: some links

http://forums.ernieball.com/music-m...-12th-fret-disappear.html?highlight=BFR+inlay

http://forums.ernieball.com/music-m...ut-older-bfrs-models.html?highlight=BFR+inlay
Click to expand...

Eh. That sucks. I liked the BFR logo. It must have been a cost-cutting maneuver.

Thanks for the response. I'm new to MM guitars (been dedicated to Fender for most of my guitar-playing life), so this is something I only now started to notice.
 
I also remember posts from members saying that they didn't like it. My opinion (fwiw) is that I didn't like it and preferred it inconspicuously on the plate. EB will never be able to satisfy everybody but hey it's a relatively small detail in the whole scheme of things, and no matter where it is located, will not detract from a great guitar?
 
Spudmurphy said:
I also remember posts from members saying that they didn't like it. My opinion (fwiw) is that I didn't like it and preferred it inconspicuously on the plate. EB will never be able to satisfy everybody but hey it's a relatively small detail in the whole scheme of things, and no matter where it is located, will not detract from a great guitar?
Click to expand...

I think it was mostly for bragging rights of owning a top-notch guitar. It is kind of a cool little ego booster. It's not really there for beauty's sake, like a complex vine-of-life inlay.
 
it wasnt cost savings. ITs been covered pretty well in other threads including the ones pete posted...keep in mind most hated it at first....(almost always the case with new things) and have hated it when we took it off
 
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

BP, I have no idea how you've kept your sanity all these years, especially as you have been active on this board, but kudos to you!

Big Poppa said:
it wasnt cost savings. ITs been covered pretty well in other threads including the ones pete posted...keep in mind most hated it at first....(almost always the case with new things) and have hated it when we took it off
Click to expand...
 
Could they be pre-ordered in future, maybe not Ball Family Reserve, but just a simple EBMM logo or something similar? For any EBMM guitar?
 
NO

And Greg there has been not guitar release in our history with the loudest negative reaction than the majesty.....jps facebook was just brutal.....we hung in there and it is selling off the hook
 
Big Poppa said:
NO

And Greg there has been not guitar release in our history with the loudest negative reaction than the majesty.....jps facebook was just brutal.....we hung in there and it is selling off the hook
Click to expand...

It's easy for people to brutally criticize something (be it a guitar design or an original thought) over the safety and anonymity of the internet.

I think if/when half the people who are screaming the loudest about the Majesty actually play one, the screams will be silenced. The thing is a beast. It really is like the sports car of guitars. You guys should have stuck with the "Stallion" name.

At the end of the day, I think both you and JP have the last laugh. JP is arguably the best guitarist alive. Screw that... he IS the best guitarist alive and he has the record sales and bank account and successful line of signature guitars to prove it. You run one of the best guitar companies in the world and mingle with musicians and help design new guitars. It beats the hell out of my boring office job.
 
The BFR badge was cool, but a bit of "whatever" for me... I love the pearl dots and am glad they stayed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalmmm
 
It ought to sell well. I'm not a JP fan (guitar or player), as metal is not my thing although I certainly respect JP's talent. For this reason, I've never been interested in any JP model.

However, I've just now checked out the Majesty, and, well--dang!--what's not to like? If not for the flat skinny neck, I'd be all over this guitar even though I'd expect to replace the pickups. It boggles my mind how JP fans wouldn't go for the Majesty.

Big Poppa said:
NO

And Greg there has been not guitar release in our history with the loudest negative reaction than the majesty.....jps facebook was just brutal.....we hung in there and it is selling off the hook
Click to expand...
 
Eilif said:
It ought to sell well. I'm not a JP fan (guitar or player), as metal is not my thing although I certainly respect JP's talent. For this reason, I've never been interested in any JP model.

However, I've just now checked out the Majesty, and, well--dang!--what's not to like? If not for the flat skinny neck, I'd be all over this guitar even though I'd expect to replace the pickups. It boggles my mind how JP fans wouldn't go for the Majesty.
Click to expand...

I can respect not being into metal. Dream Theater's music is about as aggressive of music as I listen to. My other favorites are Pink Floyd, Queen and Rush, so DT definitely stands out. The amazing thing about JP is his creativity. Yes, he is extremely fast. But to me, being fast doesn't make you a great guitar player. If you can write incredible songs and do more with your talent than just buzz through a bunch of 32nd notes and taps, THAT is what separates the legends from the flashes in the pan. JP's (and the rest of Dream Theater's) ability to write and orchestrate epic, sweeping songs that each tells an individual story is what makes those guys so rare. They are more than a metal band. They are a progressive metal band, which means their style is informed by a varied background of genres. Their music is complex and beautiful.

The grand finale on Dream Theater's latest album (called "Dream Theater") is a 19-minute song called "Illumination Theory." The theme of the song is about what people are willing to live for, fight for and die for. It's a suite presented in four movements. It might be their greatest work in the band's 25-year history. It begins with a driving first movement that is very "metal," but still melodic. The second movement is a sweeping instrumental section recorded with a classical 5-piece string ensemble - no guitars, no percussion, no vocals. Just a beautiful, quiet interlude. The third movement kicks in with a punchy bass line and becomes a musical powerhouse of forward momentum. This segues seamlessly into the final movement, which actually gave me goose bumps and brought tears to my eyes when I first heard it. I'm not at all embarrassed to admit it. This section soars so high with some of the most dramatic melodies the band has ever produced. Vocalist James LaBrie sings about the importance of struggling through the darkest night and believing in love to find light and illumination, while JP plays one of the most heart aching chord progression as he sings echoes of LaBrie's lyrics. This culminates into an outtro solo that pleads and sings to the listener with the kind of longing normally only conveyable in words, not notes. It's not the most technically amazing thing he's ever recorded, but that's my point: raw technical skill is nothing if you don't know how to turn that skill into the kind of songwriting that touches the listeners' very core.

I highly recommend you listen to "Illumination Theory" yourself. THIS is Dream Theater. This is the reason JP is, hands-down (IMO) the best guitar player alive today, and definitely one of the best of all time.

I know this doesn't have much to do with the Majesty, but it is all part of why it is so exciting when MM releases a new JP model, not to mention one that is so groundbreaking and as perfect (from a playability and sound viewpoint) as the Majesty. Putting your hand on the very same kind of guitar that this legend uses is electric for a fan. When I grab a JP model, I feel just a bit of JP's mojo being transferred to me.
 
Greg Suarez said:
I can respect not being into metal. Dream Theater's music is about as aggressive of music as I listen to. My other favorites are Pink Floyd, Queen and Rush, so DT definitely stands out. The amazing thing about JP is his creativity. Yes, he is extremely fast. But to me, being fast doesn't make you a great guitar player. If you can write incredible songs and do more with your talent than just buzz through a bunch of 32nd notes and taps, THAT is what separates the legends from the flashes in the pan. JP's (and the rest of Dream Theater's) ability to write and orchestrate epic, sweeping songs that each tells an individual story is what makes those guys so rare. They are more than a metal band. They are a progressive metal band, which means their style is informed by a varied background of genres. Their music is complex and beautiful.

The grand finale on Dream Theater's latest album (called "Dream Theater") is a 19-minute song called "Illumination Theory." The theme of the song is about what people are willing to live for, fight for and die for. It's a suite presented in four movements. It might be their greatest work in the band's 25-year history. It begins with a driving first movement that is very "metal," but still melodic. The second movement is a sweeping instrumental section recorded with a classical 5-piece string ensemble - no guitars, no percussion, no vocals. Just a beautiful, quiet interlude. The third movement kicks in with a punchy bass line and becomes a musical powerhouse of forward momentum. This segues seamlessly into the final movement, which actually gave me goose bumps and brought tears to my eyes when I first heard it. I'm not at all embarrassed to admit it. This section soars so high with some of the most dramatic melodies the band has ever produced. Vocalist James LaBrie sings about the importance of struggling through the darkest night and believing in love to find light and illumination, while JP plays one of the most heart aching chord progression as he sings echoes of LaBrie's lyrics. This culminates into an outtro solo that pleads and sings to the listener with the kind of longing normally only conveyable in words, not notes. It's not the most technically amazing thing he's ever recorded, but that's my point: raw technical skill is nothing if you don't know how to turn that skill into the kind of songwriting that touches the listeners' very core.

I highly recommend you listen to "Illumination Theory" yourself. THIS is Dream Theater. This is the reason JP is, hands-down (IMO) the best guitar player alive today, and definitely one of the best of all time.

I know this doesn't have much to do with the Majesty, but it is all part of why it is so exciting when MM releases a new JP model, not to mention one that is so groundbreaking and as perfect (from a playability and sound viewpoint) as the Majesty. Putting your hand on the very same kind of guitar that this legend uses is electric for a fan. When I grab a JP model, I feel just a bit of JP's mojo being transferred to me.
Click to expand...


You can hear JP's influences shine through on most DT records..The Spirit Carries on from Score is one of the most moving pieces of music..The intro is beautiful and the solo brings a tear or two to my eyes..The whole song is classic Floyd and the lyrics are very moving..We all question life and death,and we wonder if our spirit will carry on

I had never seen Dream Theater till this February,and quite honestly,i have never been so awestruck by the musicianship,as i was that night
Everyone was on top form..I cannot understand how anyone can not like Mike Mangini..If he was good enough for Steve Vai,who i respect as a guitarist,but do not like his music much,he is more than good enough for Dream Theater
The man blew me away that night,and JP..JP left me mesmerized,spine tingling moments,that inspired me to play guitar for 2 hours after i had returned home
In fact that night inspired me a lot as a guitarist..I am by no means a wonderful guitarist,yet i always take from JP's repertoire and it has helped me immensely to be a better guitarist..We all need inspiration once in a while

My friends dont get Dream Theater,and say JP plays without soul,he's just a million notes a second..two million i tell them.haha
Hollow Years from the Budokan is another that left me without words..That solo is awe inspiring..The outro notes are simple,yet so powerful

I completely agree with you Greg about Illumination Theory..The outro is so life affirming..Majestic if you like..It is an emotional solo,and it has brought a tear or 50 to my eyes..
The lyrics of "To really feel the joy in life,you must suffer through the pain",really helped me through an incredibly heartbreaking time in my life,and its that moment you realise,life is so short
JP got me back into guitar,and without him knowing he gave me a lot of hope,when i was pretty lost
It is a pleasure that we can own such instruments,that are lovingly crafted and help us to escape reality..
Music,JP,Dream Theater and my Jp6,soon to be jp6 bfr and Majesty have reignited my passion for life
I can pay no greater respect to the band or Musicman

Well said Greg,i couldn't have put it better myself
 
Barry1977 said:
You can hear JP's influences shine through on most DT records..The Spirit Carries on from Score is one of the most moving pieces of music..The intro is beautiful and the solo brings a tear or two to my eyes..The whole song is classic Floyd and the lyrics are very moving..We all question life and death,and we wonder if our spirit will carry on

I had never seen Dream Theater till this February,and quite honestly,i have never been so awestruck by the musicianship,as i was that night
Everyone was on top form..I cannot understand how anyone can not like Mike Mangini..If he was good enough for Steve Vai,who i respect as a guitarist,but do not like his music much,he is more than good enough for Dream Theater
The man blew me away that night,and JP..JP left me mesmerized,spine tingling moments,that inspired me to play guitar for 2 hours after i had returned home
In fact that night inspired me a lot as a guitarist..I am by no means a wonderful guitarist,yet i always take from JP's repertoire and it has helped me immensely to be a better guitarist..We all need inspiration once in a while

My friends dont get Dream Theater,and say JP plays without soul,he's just a million notes a second..two million i tell them.haha
Hollow Years from the Budokan is another that left me without words..That solo is awe inspiring..The outro notes are simple,yet so powerful

I completely agree with you Greg about Illumination Theory..The outro is so life affirming..Majestic if you like..It is an emotional solo,and it has brought a tear or 50 to my eyes..
The lyrics of "To really feel the joy in life,you must suffer through the pain",really helped me through an incredibly heartbreaking time in my life,and its that moment you realise,life is so short
JP got me back into guitar,and without him knowing he gave me a lot of hope,when i was pretty lost
It is a pleasure that we can own such instruments,that are lovingly crafted and help us to escape reality..
Music,JP,Dream Theater and my Jp6,soon to be jp6 bfr and Majesty have reignited my passion for life
I can pay no greater respect to the band or Musicman

Well said Greg,i couldn't have put it better myself
Click to expand...

I'm glad there's someone else out there who "gets it." This might sound really pretentious, but I think the people who really, truly, honestly "get" Dream Theater (not just kind of like one or two of their songs) are probably a bit more special of a person than average, and definitely have romantic ideals. DT's fanbase comes across as something different than average metal fans. I think DT fans are looking for more than a charged experience; these people are looking for music that speaks to them on an intellectual level as well as a visceral level.

I got into DT in a BIG way back in 1992 when Images and Words came out. I was in high school and I was a new guitar player. I was in that phase in my life where I was discovering and soaking up all of the great music that would influence me in the future... Rush, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Def Leppard, and then John Petrucci and Dream Theater went full-on atomic with "Pull Me Under." I don't even remember where I first heard that song, but I IMMEDIATELY rushed out and bought that CD and just about burned the pits out of it with my old stereo. Soon after that song broke out, one of the guitar mags published a transcription of "Pull Me Under." I dug right into it, and was depressed because at the time, I was not good enough to get much further in the song past the opening clean guitar licks (but I was pretty impressed with myself that I could play even that).

Frankly, I don't think DT has been as amazing as they are now. I was sort of lukewarm on a lot of stuff they did through the 2000's. Train of Thought, Six Degrees and Octavarium didn't really speak to me all that much. I loved their first few albums, though. It took me a long time to warm to Systematic Chaos, but now it's one of my favorites. I think they really started gaining major creative traction with Black Clouds. There is so much on that album to appreciate that I could write an entire book about it. "The Count of Tuscany" is a song very, very few other bands could even write, let alone have the talent to orchestrate and record. That song IS a textbook Dream Theater experience in every possible way. My favorite moment on that album is the guitar interlude JP plays using a volume pedal that swells into notes. He basically turned the guitar into a violin.

I was not at all sorry to see Portnoy go. I think he was a creative albatross for the band. He kept wanting to drag things into a darkness, death and addiction. As one of the creative forces of the band (and a producer) I think he was somewhat holding them back. Mike Mangini is a breath of fresh air. I think he's more creative, he's a classically trained musician, and I think he's a slightly better drummer than Portnoy. ADTOE simply exploded with a kind of reinvigorated energy that was not possible under Portnoy. And as much as I embraced that album and immersed myself into it, their new self-titled album might be the best thing they ever recorded. It's beautiful, melodic, intellectual, challenging to the ears (in a good way) and is not an album they could have possibly made with Portnoy. If you just consider songs like "The Looking Glass," "The Bigger Picture," "Behind the Veil," and the endlessly mesmerizing "Along for the Ride" on their own, you would have an amazing album. But topping it off with "Illumination Theory" was almost like emotional overload. "Illumination Theory" is lightning in a bottle.

I can definitely see how Illumination Theory would reach someone struggling with life. The final few minutes of that song are so incredibly positive, but not at cheesy. That's a really difficult task.
 
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