Why on Earth did the REFLEX not Take OFF? Video

[DevRock]

Well, to be honest, I think it would do EBMM and the Reflex wonders if you and your playing were widely featured in promotion of the axe. As a whole, I don't know if the Reflex gets nearly as much attention as the AXIS or JPM.

That said, I'm blown away by how simple you make those riffs look when playing. I envision one thing in my head when listening to the songs. Then, I see you play it and it's effortless. Amazing.

A white Reflex is def on my gas list.

 

[BUC]

The Reflex guitar alone (sans gamechanger) is pretty sweet and capable of so many tones. And as anyone who owns one knows, it has the most natural sustain of any guitar.

I can understand how most neanderthal guitar players are stymied by the Gamechanger tech. Most guitar players I know use only a couple of their pickup switch positions anyway.

For those of us not afraid of technology it's awesome. I'm a pretty big Line6 fan and have used the Variax in various forms since it first came out. It's a great gigging tool for guys in a cover band who need to cover a wide spectrum of tones. The Gamechanger beats the Variax in almost every category except that the Variax does virtual alternate tunings. The GC put my Variax on the bench and then slowly took over most of my gig duties.

 

[Rialas]

The Reflex guitar alone (sans gamechanger) is pretty sweet and capable of so many tones. And as anyone who owns one knows, it has the most natural sustain of any guitar.

I can understand how most neanderthal guitar players are stymied by the Gamechanger tech. Most guitar players I know use only a couple of their pickup switch positions anyway.

For those of us not afraid of technology it's awesome. I'm a pretty big Line6 fan and have used the Variax in various forms since it first came out. It's a great gigging tool for guys in a cover band who need to cover a wide spectrum of tones. The Gamechanger beats the Variax in almost every category except that the Variax does virtual alternate tunings. The GC put my Variax on the bench and then slowly took over most of my gig duties.

Neanderthals lol, man that's harsh. What's wrong with using just two pickups? Absolutely nothing.!!!

I spent most of my life playing Bouzouki with ONE pickup. Yes, one pickup is all you need.
I went to a gig, plugged into a fender twin reverb, and just played. I had my own style, and my playing was recognised by my tone, and what my fingers played.

I'm highly into tech stuff also, went deep into learning cubase (then in to early logic audio), and was an early adopter of hard disk recording on Yamaha's cbxd5 system which cost me an absolute fortune for 2x4 digital tracks (now gathering dust in my loft).

My Godin guitar which I've now sold was a masterpiece of an instrument, coupled with my VG99, would blow away any variax. The virtual power of that system was limitless. Unfortunately I began to hate it with a passion!!

I quickly came to realize, that if I carried on down this route, I'd not develop my own identity as a guitarist, although too late for me now anyway, and besides, music is just a hobby nowadays.

I'm not the only who's realised this, as I could barely give the VG99 away!!

I also sold the Goldin even though I could have carried on using it as a "normal" instrument, I just didn't want any redundant clutter on my guitar.

The instruments I love playing most right now are my recently purchased musicman axis ss, semi hollow, and my fender strat, with its 69 custom shop pickups which puts any virtual modeling to shame.

And yes, I mainly use the neck pickup, as that five way pickup selector is way too complicated for my brain.

 

[BUC]

Don't take it personal. But it's truth, as a group, guitar players fear change and many of us don't use a wide palette of tones. I'm sorry the VG99 didn't work for you, it seems like a great piece of gear. The Gamechanger and Variax for that matter are much simpler.

I can't do the setlists that I do on just the neck pickup.

I started out as a keyboard player. Maybe that's why I'm into a wide variety. Always loved guys like Steve Morse, Jeff Kollman and Trevor Rabin (and many others), who get many different voices from their instrument.

 

[Rialas]

No problem, I try not to take things personally, 50+ years old, gigging/clubbing since my teens, and pretty hard skinned.

 

[Spudmurphy]

I had a one pickup guitar made for me in the 80's - hated it! I soon had a second pickup installed that gave me further options required in the band I was playing in. Seemed a good idea at the time a la fender Esquire but nahhhhh!

In the scheme of things my perception is that EB manufactures a lower volume of guitars than Gibson/Fender. There are enough people out there who want to buy Gibson/Fender and EB would in all probability not fall into their choice list.
- now add further innovation and even the list of potential EB guitar owners may lessen rather than broaden because of innovation.

MM has been innovative over the years but in the scheme of things is "playing" (pandering) to a smaller audience, which becomes smaller as they bring in something like the GC perhaps? I was hoping that the GC would eventually be included on a wider range of their guitars but it wasn't to be. Time stands still for no man. EB has regrouped and we have larger instrument choices albeit fewer option s on them - and I understand that.
So back OT why did the reflex never take off - from my perspective, not one reason but a combination of a few?

 

[DevRock]

I also think the lack of finishes hurt its appeal.

 

[Spudmurphy]

I also think the lack of finishes hurt its appeal.

see - there's another

 

[Wahoonc]

I love the Game Changer. Have two--saw the second one at a price that I couldn't justify not buying it. If nothing else, you can have your favorite single-coil and humbucker guitars in one package by simply pulling a tone pot. What's not to like? I've heard the knocks about lack of finishes, but if you see one and pick it up there is something about that guitar that makes you forget about finishes--IMO. Oozes craftsmanship. And like Dean said, it plays like warm butter. At least mine do.

 

[dean701]

It's a true shame that the Reflex (non-game changer) was discontinued. I am an Axis fan and when I had the opportunity to pick up a Reflex I was blown away by the sound. The custom Dimarzio pickups sound huge in this thing and the neck is now my favorite. It's my new #1.

 

[skelt101]

It's a true shame that the Reflex (non-game changer) was discontinued. I am an Axis fan and when I had the opportunity to pick up a Reflex I was blown away by the sound. The custom Dimarzio pickups sound huge in this thing and the neck is now my favorite. It's my new #1.

View attachment 47280

What’s the story on those bridge saddles? Locking Gotoh?

 

[dean701]

What’s the story on those bridge saddles? Locking Gotoh?

yep, good eye. those are in fact, the Gotoh Ls108 locking saddles.

 

[GWDavis28]

yep, good eye. those are in fact, the Gotoh Ls108 locking saddles.

So what's the deal with them, I've never seen them before?

Thanx, Glenn |B)

 

[edhalen]

So what's the deal with them, I've never seen them before?

Thanx, Glenn |B)

LS108 - G-GOTOH

Steel, Lockable simple operation

g-gotoh.com

Looks like it locks the string in place in the bridge.

 

[Norrin Radd]

LS108 - G-GOTOH

Steel, Lockable simple operation

g-gotoh.com

View attachment 47283

Looks like it locks the string in place in the bridge.

Does that overhead bar actually pinch the string against the top of the saddle? Is that how it works?

 

[edhalen]

Does that overhead bar actually pinch the string against the top of the saddle? Is that how it works?

Looks like it. I think it's just meant to hold the string in place. Not really meant for tight lockdown like a locking trem.

 

[dean701]

Does that overhead bar actually pinch the string against the top of the saddle? Is that how it works?

exactly. the hex screw is on a pivot point and as you tighten it locks the string in place.
back story:
I have been playing Axis supersports since '98.
I had some tuning stability issues with a few over the years (some nut, some saddle related) so I adopted my own process over time. They all get graphtech nuts and locking saddles and it makes them rock solid. I have them on 6 guitars. I can do ridiculous dive bombs and bar antics and it brings them to par with my floyd guitars.
I have been using Wilkinson WLS130s since they came out. This time around, I thought I would give the Gotoh product a try. I think the LS came out in '23








sometimes I replace the Schallers too, over time they do start slipping. (Gotoh sg381 MGT)

 

[GWDavis28]

Hmmm interesting. Thanx very much.

Glenn |B)

 

[nervous]

exactly. the hex screw is on a pivot point and as you tighten it locks the string in place.
back story:
I have been playing Axis supersports since '98.
I had some tuning stability issues with a few over the years (some nut, some saddle related) so I adopted my own process over time. They all get graphtech nuts and locking saddles and it makes them rock solid. I have them on 6 guitars. I can do ridiculous dive bombs and bar antics and it brings them to par with my floyd guitars.
I have been using Wilkinson WLS130s since they came out. This time around, I thought I would give the Gotoh product a try. I think the LS came out in '23

View attachment 47284

View attachment 47285

View attachment 47286


sometimes I replace the Schallers too, over time they do start slipping. (Gotoh sg381 MGT)

View attachment 47287

That is very intriguing. Maybe the next test for my Silo Special. I am with you on the tuning stability but I have never been great at perfectly dialing in trem guitars. I have had a couple that were exceptional but all others were frustrating to the point that now I just deck them with the ability for down only light trem work that keeps me out of trouble.

 

[nervous]

exactly. the hex screw is on a pivot point and as you tighten it locks the string in place.
back story:
I have been playing Axis supersports since '98.
I had some tuning stability issues with a few over the years (some nut, some saddle related) so I adopted my own process over time. They all get graphtech nuts and locking saddles and it makes them rock solid. I have them on 6 guitars. I can do ridiculous dive bombs and bar antics and it brings them to par with my floyd guitars.
I have been using Wilkinson WLS130s since they came out. This time around, I thought I would give the Gotoh product a try. I think the LS came out in '23

View attachment 47284

View attachment 47285

View attachment 47286


sometimes I replace the Schallers too, over time they do start slipping. (Gotoh sg381 MGT)

View attachment 47287

What Schaller direct replacement Gotoh's are those? SG381-01?

GOTOH SG381 MGT - Locking Tuning Machine w/ Large Button - Pre-Configured Sets - Philadelphia Luthier Tools & Supplies, LLC