Why you chose EBMM

[Hookpunch]

I was just reading the "EBMM Needs More Exposure" thread and it occured to me to ask what made everyone decide on EBMM.

I'll start - I think it was Eddie Van Halen using them that first brought EBMM to my attention - then when I was looking for a high end axe I read a review of the Silohouette in a defunct guitar magazine called Guitar Shop - and that made up my mind - my next (and it was also my last) axe would be a Silo. I tried one at Steve's Music in Toronto , thought it was great and then ordered one with my options.

So how did everyone else decide on EBMM?

 

[Raz]

I think for a lot of people, it was the signature artists that sold them, however for me that wasn't the case. Sure I've seen Ernie Ball in guitar magazines for years, but I am a hands on guy and I've told this story many times, but after trying almost every single guitar in the music store, and returning my ESP, I was blessed on that special day, the day in Sept. '04, when the sales dude said they just got in this EBMM SUB1 and claimed it had the fastest neck...well sure enough he was right, and I should know cause I tried every single comparable axe in that place...so to make a long story short, playability at an affordable price, plus, and I stress this AMERICAN MADE. I only found out later that they were WELL BUILT AMERICAN MADE

 

[phatduckk]

i started off with EBMM basses. they have a lot of artists playing 'em ... not just sig guys. So id always known of EBMM.

After getting a Sterling i started loving EBMM ... then i got a Stingray 4 and when i started GASing for a new 6 string I was already a loyal customer so i naturally went for an EBMM guitar.

 

[francric]

I looked at many guitars. I was interested in 2 humbuckers, 24 frets, and locking tuners. A piezo was a plus. Not many gutars fit the bill. I bought my JP6 because JP plays it but I mainly got interested in a JP6 EBMM because of everybody's positive comments here at the forum. They helped me make up my mind. The price was also right. They look good, they play good and they are priced appropriately.

 

[koogie2k]

For me, it was not the artist. I did not get into Petrucci's playing until a year or so ago. I have been looking for years for an axe that was as comfortable as my Custom Ibanez. The neck and tone on my Ibanez is like no other. I have tried PRS, Gibby, F**der, BC Rich, ESP and others to no avail. I just happen to see a Mystic Dream JP sitting up on the wall. I asked the salesman about it and he pulled it off the wall and let me at it. The minute I strummed 3 chords, I knew it was for me. The neck was the clincher. I played about 10 tunes unplugged to get a feel for the tone and the way the neck would let the notes rings. Simply amazing. I was waiting for a huge price tag and was very happy to see the JP was under $2K. Well under I might add! That did it for me. I had a Tom Anderson that I liked, but not love, that I gave to a friend of mine. Just didn't play it anymore and my friend really needed something as he is a superb player. But, I would not give up the JP. My friend said that the JP is the most outstanding axe he played. He love the piezo on my Rad Red and he is sold on them as well. But, like I said, it was the neck. I can't put the guitar down. I even have one in my office (new promotion...I ride a desk now) so I can practice at lunch. It just makes me want to play more and more!

 

[phatduckk]

I even have one in my office (new promotion...I ride a desk now) so I can practice at lunch.

damn thats awesome! i've got a cheapy ibanez hollowbody for that ...

 

[NorM]

Steve Morse

 

[mhorse]

For me it was a combination of the artist (John Petrucci), the reputation, the features, and the price tag.

I learned about EBMM because JP plays one. Then I looked around for more info about MM guitars, and most reviews and such were positive.

And then I got sick of my Schecter C-1+. It's great guitar, but it didn't sound good through my Mesa, and the neck was too thick for me.

So I decided I want a Strat-shaped dual humbucker guitar, with bolt-on neck, trem (no Floyd) and locking tuners. And the budget, of course.

There were 3 guitars that saticfied all the requiremnts fully: SUB1, F***er SE Showmaster, and Brian Moore i9. I also thought of Ibanez RG or SA. In the end, F***er didn't have that good of a reputation, BM was more expensive, RG had a floyd, SA didn't have locking tuners (it had a piezo though). And SUB1 was on sale at Musicians Friend.

So far I'm moderatly happy to happy with it.

 

[Eddie Van Halen]

It started with my guitar teacher ordering a Petrucci 7 string, I loved the look and the feel.

Then I discovered that Eddie Van Halen used to be with EBMM so I tried out an Axis at the local guitar dealer and I loved it. Had everything I wanted, unfinished neck, Floyd Rose non floating, 2 humbuckers, simplicity (only one knob), and excellent harmonic response, so I finally ordered one last Saturday

 

[mhorse]

Also about the exposure issue:
ironicly enough, I was able to try only SUB1 in the store.

I could NOT find ANY moderatly-priced japanese Ibanez or Fender (that would be somewhat close to my specks) in Western Mass/NH given the limited amount of time I had.

So in a way EBMM has much better exposure then those brands.

I recently found Brian Moore dealer around here. BM's are great guitars, but Korean-made except for Custom Shop models, and overpriced. So EBMM still wins :-D

 

[fogman]

The first time I saw one, I laughed (yes I'm sorry). I saw the EB name and thought they made strings? The tiny headstock made the guitar look too cute.
I didn't give it a second thought.
Then a couple of weeks later I came across an OLP (I know not the same). Go figure!? But I thought they were great for a $300 guitar. The licensed by ERNIE BALL name on the head stock got me curious, from there I investigated further.
WOW!!! great reviews and a solid price tag to boot!
I then came across a JP and tried it out. Holy S--t! This thing was made for me. Short fingers and all.
After further research I came across this forum and the rest is history!

 

[lock-ny]

Im suprised more people havent said this but I saw a MM EVH in madison wisconsin while I was in college and I thought it was the coolest looking fastest playing sonically beautiful guitar ever. 6 months or so later I moved to LA and I bought a black one on the strip, guitar center had tons of them back in the day and I played the s^*t out of that guitar. When EVH took his name off the guitar I sold it to a japanese guy for 3 grand and bought an axis with a hardtail and that was my main guitar for years. 4 years ago I bought a SS with a rosewood fretbourd and last year I finally got a silo with a rosewood board and that has now become my main gutar. But its the necks and the quality that has kept me with MM, they figured out what every player wants in a guitar, like if I could build my own guitar it would be very close to the guitars that I have, with maybe a few minor changes and wood changes -

 

[deadringer]

I had been a long time fan of John Petrucci. I actually wasn't excited about him leaving Ibanez and knew very little about Ernie Ball. I was playing a lot of other brands looking for that "special" guitar that would be comfy like an old pair of jeans.

I had been playing seven strings for awhile and prefered them. I had had to keep at least one six string around so that I had a piezo equiped guitar for acoustic tones live. I finally decided that I wanted to switch to only having seven strings. Unfortunatey I made my decision after Ibanez discontinued their seven string with piezo guitars.

I was watching a Dream Theater guitar when I noticed that even John's seven strings had a piezo switch. So I started checking around and found that his sig model was available as a seven with piezo. My next problem was trying one out. I ended up on Vacation only about 5 hours from home an decided to check out the local Guitar Center. They had a few six string Pets but not a single seven. I tried out the six and liked it but I really wasn't into sixes anymore.

So I decided to go ahead and place my order. Frankly, I only expected to use it for the piezo. I'd use it a few times each night and that would be it.

When it arrived however, it was amazing. It was that "special" guitar I had been searching for. The neck, the look, the feel, the tone, the versatility, you name it; it was everything I was looking for. I've since sold all the other guitars I had except an old emergency six string I take incase I break a string mid set.

Since I've had my Pet I haven't seen, played, or heard a guitar that was even close as perfect for me as it. I've done a ton of recording sessions, live gigs, and jams over and over. It's starting to get those special wear marks that you get when you break a neck in to be your very own. This actually makes me love it more a little every day. I will absolutely buy another one just like it (maybe a different color) when I wear this one out. And no, that isn't a slam on EB quality but a statement on how much I actually play it. In the time I've had it I've played more on it than on guitars I've owned ten times as long!

 

[mbgreene]

Sheer Dumb Luck
Was looking to get back into playing after a long layoff. Was not a afficianado and knew a bit about the more "popular" brands, but also heard the quality control from those guys were suspect. I was looking for something tele-esque and had done some research on G&L but couldn't find one to play. Stopped into a local shop to inquire if they were a dealer and saw the AL on the wall. I knew of the EBMM brand (Morse, EVH and when the Stones toured with those white Silo's) but not much about it and had never seen that model. I new of Albert Lee from years earlier but had always thought of him as a Tele guy.

My initial reaction was to say what the heck is that and the shop guy said its a better strat. I didn't even pick it up. But then each time I went back to check when they were getting the other brand - I did pick up the AL and it just felt better than anything else in the store.

Started the internet research to learn more about the company and found this web site and forum. I was as much impressed with the people that played the brand as I was with the guitar. It wasn't just a bunch of kids claiming their axe was the best and all others sucked. The praise was informative, quantifed and qualified and the other brands were discussed with both their attributes and faults (with just enough obnoxiuos sarcasm to make it seem right).

Ultimately the quality, feel and playability sold the guitar. Even if the company and support are the best in the world, if you don't like the product you shouldn't buy it. But the rest of the equation made me comfortable in ordering a "custom" (sorry Jon) instrument and spending the money on something that will probably never leave the bedroom. It was worth it.

 

[Warg Master]

Like most people I've known of the EBMMs.... I've always wanted an axis... but that was always at the bottom of my list... that was about to change..

Before I even started listening to Dream Theater, before I really knew who JP was (as in researching and following). I found my guitar, my JP6 (literally) at Guitar Center. The very day the store recieved it for their stock I was there as they put it out on the floor... I thought it looked like an interesting guitar so I picked it up and played allittle unplugged and DAMN I was floored... plugged it in and DAMN!! I was floored! Over the next YEAR I came in to that very Guitar Center and played that very guitar at least once a month. Everytime I played it I left the store thinking... ****, why hasn't anyone bought that guitar yet? why haven't *I* Bought that guitar yet??

Finally, January 2003 came and I had some cash together wondering what I was going to buy....Headed into Guitar Center to browse... and would you look at that, the JP was STILL there! I picked it up for the LAST time at Guitar Center, still played like new... and knowing how this guitar center treated their guitars, that was an AMAZING thing. I talked a bit to my "personal" sales guy and walked out of the store with the JP. I've not looked back since.

 

[edensdad]

John Petrucci was my initial reason for checking the JP6 out, as I am a obsessive Dream Theater fan and have been for 12 years. However for such a big ticket item as a new guitar, Quality, Sound and Playability eventually take precident. I tried a number of high end guitars and finally settled on EBMM. I almost went with Anderson, but the price was twice as much and the only thing they offered that EBMM didn't was pretty wood grain and stains.

I'm very happy and will continue to buy EBMM gutairs

>^..^<

 

[beej]

> Steve Morse

Me too.

 

[SteveB]

After watching Petrucci on DVD (both some Dream Theater concerts, and the "Rock Discipline" instructional) I noticed that several elements of his technique (mostly pertaining to posture and positioning) were similar to mine. (Not the skill level, obviously!)

I had decided to buy myself a better guitar than the Ib@nez RG and S models that I owned. So I went to some stores and checked out Petrucci's guitar, along with an Ib@nez JEM, Ch@rvel San Dimas, PRS Custom 24, and Brian Moore models.

I felt more comfortable with the JEM, quite honestly, because I was used to playing Wizard-2 necks. The Petrucci felt different and I wasn't sure if I liked it or not. I looked at the videos of development of the guitar and decided to order one, loaded, and that I'd just have to get used to the feel.

I'm glad I did.

 

[blackspy]

I actually ended up with a MM after going shopping for a Wolfgang. The place I was buying from had two or three Wolfgangs and one MM Axis. I spent the better part of morning playing the Wolfgangs and wasn't getting what I wanted. The sales guy suggested something different, and handed me the Axis. I kept comparing for the rest of the morning until I bought the Axis, but I knew in the first five minutes which one I wanted. The MM sold itself.

 

[Jimi D]

I had been playing Ibanez Jems for years before I tried my first EBMM. As a Programmer By Day I was beginning to suffer the onset of RSI and CTS as a result of the strain I was putting on my hands, arms and wrists day and night... add a touch of encroaching arthritus and I knew I had to do something, so I started looking for a deeper neck that was more narrow across the fret board that would give my left hand more support and require it to stretch a little less... I bought a couple Jacksons, a couple PRSs, and three Les Pauls, as well as maybe eight or nine Fenders (but I always owned at least one Strat, even when I was using Jems all the time), and though they all had their pluses and minuses, none of them was quite perfect... Then on a whim, I traded off my Soloist for an Axis (which I still own today) and it was like I had found the perfect neck! I sold off my remaining PRS and LPs and bought more EBMM guitars, trying out most of the models but finally settling on the Axis as my absolute fave (sometimes, first impressions are right impressions). That was a few years back, and I've never been happier with my guitars - in fact, I used to pretty consistently have twenty or so axes lying around the house; now I've only got half that number, and three of them are up for sale. I'm keeping all my Axes though - they're really the perfect guitar for me!