Magazine \ Daily News \ New Products \ Ernie Ball Music Man Unveils Game Changer and JPXI Guitars

Ernie Ball Music Man Unveils Game Changer and JPXI Guitars

The Game Changer system electronically rewires a guitar or bass instantly, combining any order of pickup coils in series, parallel, and in or out of phase to create tones unique to the individual creating them.
Coachella, CA (January 12th, 2011) -- Ernie Ball Music Man today announced that it will unveil The Game Changer, a ground-breaking, all analog pickup switching system that unlocks an extensive library of natural guitar tones previously unavailable in traditional pickup technology. Available in select Reflex guitar and bass models in 2011, this progressive innovation leads a host of new and exciting products Ernie Ball is set to launch at the 2011 Winter NAMM Show.

The Game Changer
The Game Changer fundamentally changes the guitar player's experience. Rather than relying on pre-set pickup configurations traditionally provided by instrument manufacturers, The Game Changer gives guitarists unrestricted access to a vast library of tones via a true analog pickup switching system. Available on select Music Man Reflex models, this patent-pending system electronically rewires a guitar or bass instantly, combining any order of pickup coils in series, parallel, and in or out of phase to create tones unique to the individual creating them. Imagine having complete tonal control of your instrument with more than 250,000 pickup configurations*, without rewiring anything. With The Game Changer, the audio signal is never digitized or modeled in any way, providing a transparent analog signal path for the absolute purist. In conjunction with The Game Changer website (www.gamechanger.music-man.com), musicians can also create, save and share their tonal selections with other players from around the world.



"The Game Changer is the most significant innovation our company has developed," said Sterling Ball, CEO of Ernie Ball Music Man. "I'm truly proud of this technology and am looking forward to sharing and creating new and unique tones with musicians and artists alike. This really paves the way for musicians to personalize their tonal options like never before."



The Game Changer is currently offered in Music Man H-H, H-S-H Reflex guitar models, as well as the Music Man H-H Reflex bass model.

*More than 250,000 with a 5-coil instrument

Music Man JPXI
Continuing the tremendous success of the JPX, Ernie Ball Music Man introduces the latest evolution in the John Petrucci line of signature guitars. The JPXI is the newest collaborative effort between John Petrucci and the Music Man research and development team. The JPXI features a combination of top appointments from JPX and BFR Petrucci signature instruments. Most notably, the JPXI neck has been streamlined to a symmetric, extra slim profile featuring a flatter 20" radius, medium jumbo stainless steel frets with a finished mahogany neck and an ebony fingerboard. Combined with a solid alder body, mahogany tone block and maple top, the JPXI has become the ultimate rock machine. Similar to that of the JP BFR line, controls include two three-way toggles perfectly wired for the Custom Dimarzio LiquiFire and Crunch Lab humbuckers, in addition to a redesigned Wide-Spread Pivot tremolo with a Music Man/Fishman piezo system bridge pickup.



The JPXI guitars will be available in 6 and 7-string versions, adorned with chrome hardware, mother of pearl inlays and a new onyx finish.

Ernie Ball will also be displaying their Gig Bag Amp released at Summer NAMM and new super-long bass and 8-string guitar string sets.

For more information:
Ernie Ball
Music Man

     

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Comments

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UsernameComment
Justauser
on 05/09/2012 		As a Variax user I am completely unimpressed. And believe me, I'm not a fanboy. Actually I was hoping for some serious competition, since the vax still needs improvement. But this? Hell no. And the name isn't making it better either.
Drew
on 09/23/2011 		Exactly, Vic. They stole the Guitar Max from Precision Music Technologies. I saw the prototype Ernie Ball guitar he put the Guitar Max in. You can still find the pictures online
Victor G.
on 02/21/2011 		It’s not original at all. It actually looks like an exact rip-off of a programmable switching system that I saw at the NAMM show a while back from precision music technologies. That system did the same thing and could be added to your own guitar. Probably why they can’t get a patent.
AVeraGe1
on 01/26/2011 		@Robert F: I'm sure Music Man will eventually over the tech to other companies so they can offer a Game Changer Strat, or Game Changer Les Paul, once the patent is fully in place. This is Iin no way "similar to the Variax/GK-3". There are no digital effects or modeling going on. @Steve M: Most digital instrument are obviously digital. The tones of a digital guitar do not sound like an analog guitar. From the Variax to the Firebird X still don't feel or sound like an analog guitar. Maybe one day, but right now this is the best choice for analog sound with ridiculous tonal options. Ever consider the sound coming through on the videos is from the mic on the camera used? @Mike McFarland: Music Man has one factory in San Luis Obispo where all Ernie Ball Music Man instruments are made. Definitely not an import.
Panties Changer
on 01/15/2011 		"Game Changer"? I absolutely despise that overly used, mindless, uncreative catch phrase du jour. Painful.
Robert F
on 01/14/2011 		I’d be more impressed by the Variax if they’d used the 13-pin connector rather than coming up with an incompatible one. Plus, the new Roland GR-55 now puts guitar f/x, virtual guitar modelling, and synths all in one floor module for an amazing price. I think you underestimate the number of guitarists who are happy with conventional pick-ups, Steve. Even as a VG convert myself, I still enjoy conventional pick-ups, and I have long wished we had something like the Game Changer to make experimenting with wiring easy and allow arbitrary presets to be assigned to pick-up toggles. I’d love to be able to this easily reconfigure my HH guitar like the Blacktop Strat. Of course, this is similar to the Variax/GK-3 choice too. I’d like the option of buying just the Game Changer electronics and installing them in a non-EB guitar.
Steve M
on 01/12/2011 		Go watch the documentaries on their web site about this guitar. Having explored the new Line 6 Tyler Variax guitars, the technology built into the Ernie Ball Game Changer seems extremely subtle and somewhat dull. What does it matter if it is a straight analog signal if, as demonstrated on many of their videos, the noise comes along also. This will appeal to some niche of players, because they are just great, well made guitars. IMHO, the HUGE BUZZ is going to be ALL with the Tyler Variax guitars. They are a breakthrough in sound, innovation (virtual capo) and usability.
JIMI MEZA
on 01/12/2011 		my brian may guitar changed that some time ago!!!
Mike McFarland
on 01/12/2011 		it smells like import material.



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