ibanez jem or music man John Petrucci BFR, which one to buy??

[tjphoenix]

Hi, I want to invest in a really ultimate guitar that can last me years.While saving for the goal, I am researching on the best option, and so far I am left with only two choices: ibanez jem 7v and music man John Petrucci BFR.

Personally I play a lot of metal, rock, maser solos, as well as some jazz and blues like Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Paul Gilbert, Eric Johnson, dream theater, guns n'roses, deep purple, dragonforce etc. I am also exceptionally obsessed with shredding and all the technical stuff.

I went to Swee Lee to try the jem already, the sound is really well sustained and tight, but never got the chance to really try a music man JP BFR. Although I heard that the music man BFR is versatile, but I still have no conception on the actual strengths of it. I am looking for a guitar that is well entrenched in those different styles without compromising sound quality.

Based on my economic situation, this could possibly be the greatest expense in my life, so I really cannot afford to take the risk and end up with something that does not really fit me.

Therefore, I sincerely plead for all the guitar professionals for advices.
Thank you

 

[relinquish69]

the price for the two guitars mentioned differ by A WHOLE LOT. the BFR would most definitely be more expensive as compared to the Ibanez Jem for a truckload of reasons. you could check out cinemax to see if they have any BFRs available.

 

[Unwanted]

honestly..
i think jem7 is more realistic....
anyway the price is better..
and i believe its wizard neck can allow fast player..
like paul gilbert...

 

[tjphoenix]

the price for the two guitars mentioned differ by A WHOLE LOT. the BFR would most definitely be more expensive as compared to the Ibanez Jem for a truckload of reasons. you could check out cinemax to see if they have any BFRs available.

Thanks, I know the difference in price, and I am fine with the extra money that has to be spent if necessary. My prior concern is still whether guitar itself is the one I am looking for.

BTW, where is this cinemax?

 

[teokiatuan]

honestly..
i think jem7 is more realistic....
anyway the price is better..
and i believe its wizard neck can allow fast player..
like paul gilbert...

and john petrucci does not play fast?

 

[tjphoenix]

Sorry?
Of course John Petrucci shreds, that is why I am practising his music.

 

[relinquish69]

if you are looking for guitars to play and great for investment, I'm afraid the 2 options might not offer you the best of both worlds. both should feel great but if you are looking at investment you should steer to the vintage Fender direction.

however in terms of investment between the two, the BFR would be the better choice. it is the top of the line for EBMM guitars. quite limited if I'm not mistaken. an Ibanez Jem7v is just a regular production signature model. no custom shop or limited model whatsoever.

in terms of playability totally up to your preference in terms neck profiles, finishes, fret size cutaways, pickup configurations, locking trem etc etc.

do note that the EBMM Petrucci model is made up of all sorts of different woods while the 7v is just made of alder. tone preference? up to you too.

 

[theunknown]

hi TS, is this guitar you're planning to buy going to be your first guitar? if so, i really don't think that it is going to stay as being the first and last. hehe. just my humble opinion. reason being: you're not entirely sure of what you want.

on the topic, i'll go for the musicman.

 

[tjphoenix]

No, this guitar is not my first one. I have been using a cheap stuff for over three years, and really want to switch to a good stuff.

 

[Levent]

except paul gilbert doesn't use wizard necks... not on his latest guitars anyway.

IMO both are really good guitars. obviously both steve vai and john petrucci have no problems with their guitars.

if it was a few years back i'd definitely recommend the MM, but that was back when JEMs were basswood and the lower end ones came with ibanez v7/8 pickups.

so when you pick between the two guitars. craftsmanship is not something you can determine just by reading online, as opposed to trying the actual guitars out. the biggest difference IMO that you can form an opinion about would be the pickups.

 

[Ized]

Neither....why settle for signature models only? How about other options?

 

[faekildare]

Get the RG1520? (I think thats the model number). Comes with piezo option. Mahogany body with prestige neck. Edge pro bridge... Almost as good as the guitar can get imo.

 

[faekildare]

Ok.. ignore my above post. I think that was an older model.
On a side note, this is pretty cool.

http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/eg...2&color=CL01&year=2009&cat_id=1&series_id=221

 

[Whitestrat]

The one ultimate do-it-all guitar?

PRS 513.

No need anything else anymore... Single coil, low output humbucker, high output humbucker, all have... Somemore with trem, and it looks damn great. And can retrofit a piezo after that from Graphtech if you want...

 

[keithC]

how about a suhr modern?
http://suhrguitars.com/modern.aspx

 

[penta-tonic]

all valid choices but then id suggest TS go try out all and see which one calls to him.

 

[XLayaR]

You should try both guitars and see which one you like.

I faced this problem awhile back and I've decided that I'm gonna custom. I LOVE both guitars and players but there are few options I don't like about both of them.

Both are great guitars in they're own respect and they play great, so try em out and see which is for you

 

[Ized]

I faced this problem awhile back and I've decided that I'm gonna custom. I LOVE both guitars and players but there are few options I don't like about both of them.

That is the way to go...I dont like the stereotypical vibes that more often that not emitted from signature models.

Maybe there'll be one day I'd fully custom make a guitar from scratch for myself, but till then, I'm a happy camper customising standard off the shelf guitars to my specs.

 

[leecs]

honestly..
i think jem7 is more realistic....
anyway the price is better..
and i believe its wizard neck can allow fast player..
like paul gilbert...

I dont think so. JEM neck is thinner than BFR but bigger if you know what i mean.

 

[Rossie]

I dont think so. JEM neck is thinner than BFR but bigger if you know what i mean.

You meant thinner, but wider?

The one ultimate do-it-all guitar?

PRS 513.

No need anything else anymore... Single coil, low output humbucker, high output humbucker, all have... Somemore with trem, and it looks damn great. And can retrofit a piezo after that from Graphtech if you want...

No doubt for its versatility, but it just didn't do it for me...
Not heavy enough maybe... Can't really put my finger on it...

Back to TS, I have a BFR (so do leecs and a few others here), we all feel that in terms of workmanship, it is far superior than than the JEM7v... As for the sound that you're going for, I think it's pretty much different, I guess it's pretty much up to your own ears... And lastly for its feel, you've got to try one at Sinamex (basement, Parklane Mall), it feels very much different from a JEM...