Boomerang~Junkie Posted January 1, 2020 Posted January 1, 2020 The Armada is an aesthetically polarizing model for sure, but objectively a damn fine playing/sounding guitar - truly a "wow" guitar for me. After less than a five year run, EBMM apparently killed off the Armada model several months ago due to lagging sales. They had already "retired" the finish/color I have and a couple of others after the first couple of years of the run. As I understand it, EBMM put a decent amount of money and time into its design, testing and build process. Dudley Gimpel loves and was very proud of the Armada. A little strange feeling for me as an owner, but still VERY glad I own one. I guess the times are a changin' . . . . .
mrjamiam Posted January 1, 2020 Posted January 1, 2020 1 hour ago, Boomerang~Junkie said: A little strange feeling for me as an owner, but still VERY glad I own one. As you should be - exclusivity will be yours. And Dudly Gimple is a fantastic name.
Steve Haynie Posted January 1, 2020 Posted January 1, 2020 I have yet to try out an Armada. It was interesting from the start since it was the first set neck electric instrument from Music Man. The looks never bothered me a bit.
crunchee Posted January 2, 2020 Posted January 2, 2020 The looks never bothered me either, though it was out of my price range. The design makes me think of similarly-styled guitars like the Fernandes Ravelle or Vertigo, from about 10-15 years ago.
gorch Posted January 2, 2020 Posted January 2, 2020 Strangely enough, they must have removed all pics from the internet right away, including your personal stack. Or why don’t you post any with a black stripe?
Texsunburst59 Posted January 2, 2020 Posted January 2, 2020 Supposedly this one Modeled after the EBMM Armada can be had for cheap. https://ashaudio.com/product/custom-music-man-ernie-ball-armada-gold-black-opaque-electric-guitar-2/?attribute_options=Guitar&msclkid=4f0907092a051a1cef4e5904cd92d07b
tbonesullivan Posted January 2, 2020 Posted January 2, 2020 They are great guitars. Pete DuBaldo, one of their most active dealers, had one specially made just for him, in Diablo Blue, which then launched a whole "Diablo Blue" premier dealer run. Apparently people would keep mispronouncing his last name. There was only one Armada made, just for him, but they made a bunch of others guitars in that color, and it also marks the return of the ROSEWOOD NECK to many models. The Dubaldo Blue armada is in my mind the most beautiful armada ever made. The other members of the color run can be seen here: https://dubaldomusic.com/diablo
hamerican gigolo Posted January 2, 2020 Posted January 2, 2020 If only EB could follow suit with the Albert Lee model...
specialk Posted January 2, 2020 Posted January 2, 2020 Hmmm… Something about blue guitars… Now what was it again? 😁
Boomerang~Junkie Posted January 2, 2020 Author Posted January 2, 2020 7 hours ago, Texsunburst59 said: Supposedly this one Modeled after the EBMM Armada can be had for cheap. https://ashaudio.com/product/custom-music-man-ernie-ball-armada-gold-black-opaque-electric-guitar-2/?attribute_options=Guitar&msclkid=4f0907092a051a1cef4e5904cd92d07b Yes, I've seen those on Evil-bay. They apparenty hit the scene a couple of months after EBMM killed off the Armada. They are Vietnamese knock-offs with blank headstocks. I'm sure Sterling is thrilled about that development.
tbonesullivan Posted January 2, 2020 Posted January 2, 2020 1 hour ago, hamerican gigolo said: If only EB could follow suit with the Albert Lee model... They are actually fairly popular. Not quite sure why, as it's really kind a kinda angular strat, and they have a bunch of other strat-style guitars. But each has their own fans. Pretty remarkable. So is their ability to entice people to build entire collections just made of various models of the John Petrucci signature guitar. They roll out a new one, and the fans buy another.
Studio Custom Posted January 3, 2020 Posted January 3, 2020 4 hours ago, tbonesullivan said: So is their ability to entice people to build entire collections just made of various models of the Steve Stevens signature guitar. They roll out a new one, and the fans buy another. Um, I resemble that remark. 🥴
tommy p Posted January 3, 2020 Posted January 3, 2020 Those fell under the category of "cool looking, but not for me". They kind of remind me of Gibson RD's.
ptm1diver Posted January 3, 2020 Posted January 3, 2020 On 1/1/2020 at 5:19 PM, Boomerang~Junkie said: The Armada is an aesthetically polarizing model for sure, but objectively a damn fine playing/sounding guitar - truly a "wow" guitar for me. After less than a five year run, EBMM apparently killed off the Armada model several months ago due to lagging sales. They had already "retired" the finish/color I have and a couple of others after the first couple of years of the run. As I understand it, EBMM put a decent amount of money and time into its design, testing and build process. Dudley Gimpel loves and was very proud of the Armada. A little strange feeling for me as an owner, but still VERY glad I own one. I guess the times are a changin' . . . . . So was this model known as the Dudley Armada or the Armada Dud? 😏
tbonesullivan Posted January 3, 2020 Posted January 3, 2020 13 hours ago, Studio Custom said: Um, I resemble that remark. 🥴 HAH. At least you have followed the different brands. What happens with JP fans is like what happens with LP fans: they get a collection of guitars with very small differences. Like, John Petrucci changed pickups on his standard model, so your choice is to upgrade yours, or buy another, or BOTH. Then they make their "Ball Family Reserve" guitars that are fully pimped out, and people love to buy those too. JP also now has a new neck-through "Majesty" model, that has already gone through several versions, and people keep buying them all. It's pretty amazing actually. Not quite as amazing as Yngwie's PILE of vintage strats, but still amazing.
Studio Custom Posted January 3, 2020 Posted January 3, 2020 5 minutes ago, tbonesullivan said: HAH. At least you have followed the different brands. What happens with JP fans is like what happens with LP fans: they get a collection of guitars with very small differences. Like, John Petrucci changed pickups on his standard model, so your choice is to upgrade yours, or buy another, or BOTH. Then they make their "Ball Family Reserve" guitars that are fully pimped out, and people love to buy those too. JP also now has a new neck-through "Majesty" model, that has already gone through several versions, and people keep buying them all. It's pretty amazing actually. Not quite as amazing as Yngwie's PILE of vintage strats, but still amazing. As long as all your bills are paid, you are maxing out your 401k and IRA, why not? Enjoy life, its a finite resource.
Tortious Posted May 10, 2020 Posted May 10, 2020 Apparently there is a 'redesigned' version out that smooths over the pizza slice/ 1/2 bow tie deal. Looks rather fetching with that flamey top and block inlays. One thing in the new spec claims a slimmer neck. Why do they think everyone wants an Ibanez? 😕 MF & GC are apparently discounting the old version black ones to $2200. New one: https://shop.music-man.com/ernie-ball-music-man-armada-guitar-tiger-eye.html
shankyboy Posted May 11, 2020 Posted May 11, 2020 On 1/2/2020 at 11:47 AM, hamerican gigolo said: If only EB could follow suit with the Albert Lee model... What? I think the Albert Lee model is cool.
Sugartune Posted May 11, 2020 Posted May 11, 2020 10 hours ago, shankyboy said: What? I think the Albert Lee model is cool. Ditto. I’ll take one of each. HH, SSS, P90 and Bass
shankyboy Posted May 11, 2020 Posted May 11, 2020 1 hour ago, Sugartune said: Ditto. I’ll take one of each. HH, SSS, P90 and Bass Only one I want is the SSS in that translucent Pink Burst. Every time I see one, I think of the Jetsons.
Jakeboy Posted May 13, 2020 Posted May 13, 2020 The new one looks cool too and may very well sell a ton since the look flows better aesthetically and won’t be as polarizing, as the OP said.
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