Possible new Music Man owner here!

[benoa]

Hello everyone! New member here. First post but I have been lurking for a while.

I've been haunted by... a John Petrucci model lately. Played one a couple of weeks ago and that was it, I wanted one! Luckily, one showed up in local adds and on the pictures it looks good and the price fits my budget more than a brand new one.

So I'm about to pull the trigger!

Any advice? Anything I should check on the guitar prior to giving away my money.

Except the case and the bar for the whammy, what else should come with the guitar, any special tools?

Let me know, time is ticking and I don't want to lose that offer.

[paranoid70]

No special tools. Good luck.

[PaoloGilberto]

It was the same for me, I've joined the forum , after few weeks even I couldn't play it before buying it I knew the JP is my dream guitar :-P
if you can see/play the guitar before buying it, there are the common aspects to check : dings, nut, fret wear, tremolo plate - the area touching the 2 metals studs- to see if is not starting to serious chip off, pots, possible unusual noise when plugged ...
good luck! if you already had the chance to play one JP an liked it you will love every minute after owning one :-)

[threeminutesboy]

welcome here and try to stick around this place is good

as for the petrucci like the others said. High quality guitar, you won't be disappointed

[benoa]

Thanks everyone for the "welcome"!!!

I'm still waiting for the reply from the seller to know when I'll be able to pick it up. I will be sticking around for sure. We have a gig next week and will be tempted to set up the guitar for our show. We play a half step down so you'll see me around asking for questions. And I'll post pics when I'll get the guitar!

[benoa]

Got a question for you. How can I identify the year of the guitar by looking at the serial number? Thanks for the help.

[PeteDuBaldo]

The only way to ID the guitar by serial number and get year and the exact date of manufacture is to have EB run the serial number - the neck plates are not assigned in any particular order, and are literally grabbed from the neck plate bin at random.

You can post the SN in the sticky thread at the top of the forum and someone from EB will respond with DOB later during the work week.

Other ways to figure out manufacture date:

What color is it?

Certain colors were only offered during certain months/years, but if you are looking at a standard color like Pearl Redburst it could have been made any time between June 2001 and today.


What does the nut look like?

Check the nut, and if it is compensated (with notches/reliefs) cut into it then it is post-2005.


What bridge pickup does it have?
Check the bridge pickup, if it has a solid pole-piece/bar then it is 2007 or more recent.

Is the area behind the nut tapered?
Check behind the nut, and if it is smoothly sculpted to fall away into the headstock then it is 2009 or more recent.

[benoa]

You can post the SN in the sticky thread at the top of the forum and someone from EB will respond with DOB later during the work week.

Other ways to figure out manufacture date:

What does the nut look like? Check the nut, and if it is compensated (with notches/reliefs) cut into it then it is post-2005.

Thanks Pete for the info. Would you have a pic of that "compensated" nut?

[benoa]

Like this Pete?

[Norrin Radd]

Yup. That's a compensated nut all right.

[mesaboogieman]

Bought my first EBMM JP off eBay and it was the best guitar I ever played -- then I got Pete to sell me 2 JP BFR's. You won't be disappointed with your purchase!

[straycat113]

Welcome to the forum and on landing a JP, let us know how that first gig goes with it.

[benoa]

The JP has landed... And... I'm very happy. Nice guitar. Easy to setup. Can't wait to try it out at loud volume (will be on next Thursday).



Not easy to take decent pics of that very nice color changing finish.

This guitar sustains for days! Neck is thin and fast. I really like the feel of the whammy bar. I'm very happy up to now. According to the seller, guitar is one year old and it looks like he did not play it much.

One thing, this guitar is precise so if you don't play well, it shows! Makes me feel I'm not worthy of it...

Some more pics here: https://picasaweb.google.com/jbaubry...hnPetrucciJP6#

I will be more active here in the coming weeks to learn much more about my new guitar.