[darren]

... and i have a serious case of GAS.

I had played a 6 before (unplugged) and was impressed with its feel, its resonance and its ergonomics. The 7 impressed me just as much, maybe even more.

So here's what happened.

I went to the store where i "rented" the Nomad to return the amp. They had just received a HUGE shipment of EBMM guitars and basses the day before, so there were all kinds of fresh goodies out on the floor. I noodled around unplugged for a bit on a Mystic Dream non-piezo, non-inlay 6 they had. (Trippy finish, absolutely SICK birdseye neck.)

I left the store, and just as i walked past their storefront window, a little flash of red caught my eye. I doubled back and saw a minty-fresh Pearl Redburst EBMM JP7 with piezo and no JP inlay in the window.



I went back into the store and asked to play it. I just plugged into a little Line 6 Spider II combo to take it for a quick spin. (I wanted to try it with something i knew i could dial in a decent tone on in seconds... i didn't want to wrestle with getting a good tone out of a complex amp, in case my frustration with the amp might cloud my judgement.)

The finish was gorgeous. Unlike the OLP "pearl redburst" which seems to be more of a black burst around the red, this one goes from red to a very dusty reddish purple. Smooth and flawless, except inside the trem recess, which was a bit knobbly.

It was so fresh that the strings were still stretching in. I had to re-tune a few times to get them to settle down. I mean, they were GLEAMING fresh strings.

The fretwork on these guitars is nothing short of spectacular. They're easily the slickest-feeling frets after Parker's stainless steel ones. Beautifully finished at the edges.

The ergonomics are fantastic. They really did their homework on this guitar. Everything falls comfortably to hand, the contours hug the body, and the armrest takes any kind of pressure off the tendons in the wrist. My hand falls naturally to a perfect playing position, and all the controls are not as far a reach as i thought they would be. The bridge is very flat and comfy, and the tuners felt very smooth, tight and accurate.

The neck was the biggest surprise. Normally, i like slightly more beefy necks. I've tried several Ibanez RG 7s over the years and always found their necks to be too thin and "flat" in the middle. Being primarily a rhythm player, i found they caused too much hand fatigue when playing them for even a short while. The JP7 neck is significantly thinner than i'm accustomed to, yet i found it to be extraordinarily comfortable, and had not even a hint of fatigue after about 20 minutes of banging away on it. The oil and wax finish is just awesome. Silky-smooth and drag free.

The pickups got some really great tones... very versatile. I was really amazed at how "stratty" the middle position was. Very spanky. It was hard to judge the piezo effectively through a guitar amp, but dialing in a clean setting with a touch of delay and reverb got some very nice acoustic tones. The brand-new strings were maybe a touch too bright to make it totally convincing, but i'm sure a more effective EQ and some acoustic modelling would bring it to life.

So now i know what you EBMM JP7 owners are raving about. No argument from me. It's a spectacular guitar.

The price? CAD$2075. Pretty steep. I'm going to see if they might take my Parker in trade for it. I may put it on hold and put my Parker up for sale.

[Donnie]

Now you see why I'm so damn addicted to them. That price is about the average street price for that version. The last one I bought was tagged at $1859, I believe. Of course, I didn't pay that.

[guitarjitsumaster]

Man thats a great review, If I had an organ to spare or a bank to rob i'd go buy one now. Practically ill probably have to wait till more used ones start turning up on Evilbay. That neck sounds very intriguing

[Shannon]

IMO, the JP7 is the best 7-string currently on the market. Donnie's guitars are just amazing in every facet of the word.

However, knowing my history of continually buying & selling gear, I just can't justify investing that much in a guitar. What can I say? I like trying out new stuff.

[eaeolian]

Originally Posted by Shannon

IMO, the JP7 is the best 7-string currently on the market. Donnie's guitars are just amazing in every facet of the word.

However, knowing my history of continually buying & selling gear, I just can't justify investing that much in a guitar. What can I say? I like trying out new stuff.

Shannon Sharp, Gear Slut.

I was very impressed with the one I played. I still don't like basswood tonally, so I still won't buy one, but the guitar was just perfectly put together, and the fit & finish were excellent.

[noodles]

Originally Posted by Shannon

What can I say? I like trying out new stuff.

When I joined Division, I sold off five guitars to help finance a pair of seven strings and a new rig. It wasn't even half of my collection.

I definately know where you're coming from, because I like to buy stuff to fuck with. It's like dating, really: sometimes you just have to go out with that one chick for a couple of months, and move on.

[darren]

Originally Posted by noodles

When I joined Division, I sold off five guitars to help finance a pair of seven strings and a new rig. It wasn't even half of my collection.

I definately know where you're coming from, because I like to buy stuff to fuck with. It's like dating, really: sometimes you just have to go out with that one chick for a couple of months, and move on.

Then i must be a gear polygamist (or polyamorist)... i love trying out different stuff, but i usually end up keeping 'em around.

[jacksonplayer]

Originally Posted by Shannon

However, knowing my history of continually buying & selling gear, I just can't justify investing that much in a guitar. What can I say? I like trying out new stuff.

You and me both!!!

I've gotta stop and get off the merry-go-round for a little while, though, because my current GAS affliction is to upgrade my studio a bit, and the money tree only produces so much fruit...

[Shannon]

Originally Posted by jacksonplayer

the money tree only produces so much fruit...

Shouldn't the money tree produce money, not fruit?

[jacksonplayer]

Originally Posted by Shannon

Shouldn't the money tree produce money, not fruit?

Metaphors are just wasted on some people...