WTB a JP model guitar!

[version411]

Hi guys, I'm a first time poster, all the way from South Africa. I'm happy to be a new member of the forum

You see, my problem is this: I badly want a MM JP model and I have now come to two choices but I would love if you could help me figure out which option to go with.

A local music shop now has a (barely) used EBMM JP6 - 2005 or 2006 model I believe - in mystic purple(?) - It's sort of a pearlescent purple/green - for R17000 (Rand not rupees :P) which equates to about $2 394.977 at the time of writing. That seems to be a lot, comparing it to US prices. Now, I would like to know if this is a good buy?

OR

Should I just get the JP50 and replace the pickups with the CL/LF set? I can get the JP for R5800 ($821.58) and the pickup set for R2400 ($339.96). Would this be relatively the same guitar if I do replace the pickups? Perhaps the pots and switch too?



What are the main differences aside from the bridge, pickups and missing-piezo?

I realize that our prices here are EXTREMELY high, but I'm trying to make the best of a bad situation.

What would also help, is if someone could recommend a place where I could buy the JP models (EBMM and SBMM) in the States and have it shipped here? Does anyone know of such a procedure?

I have searched the forum and none of the other posts answer my exact questions.

Thanks so much for your help!

[fbecir]

Hello and welcome aboard

Concerning the prices, you have to keep in mind that you have to pay for the shipping and the VAT. It's the same in Europe : the EBMM guitars are expansive (for instance a guitar that costs 1400$ in the US will cost 2000€ in Europe, that means 2800$ ... yes the double).
US shops cannot sell new instrument outside US. But there are a lot of wonderful second hand guitars that you can buy ! Try the the Music Man Guitars for Sale thread :
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/musi...ts-please.html

Good luck

[version411]

Thanks for the info, but now, I am still left with my other question:

"A local music shop now has a (barely) used EBMM JP6 - 2005 or 2006 model I believe - in mystic purple(?) - It's sort of a pearlescent purple/green - for R17000 (Rand not rupees :P) which equates to about $2 394.977 at the time of writing. That seems to be a lot, comparing it to US prices. Now, I would like to know if this is a good buy?

OR

Should I just get the JP50 and replace the pickups with the CL/LF set? I can get the JP for R5800 ($821.58) and the pickup set for R2400 ($339.96). Would this be relatively the same guitar if I do replace the pickups? Perhaps the pots and switch too?

What are the main differences aside from the bridge, pickups and missing-piezo?"

I would really appreciate any advice here.
Thanks

[DrKev]

It's hard to find any SA based website that lists any Music Man instruments and the SA distributor has next to nothing on their site at all so I have no idea what the recommended prices are to make some sort of comparison. It's not easy for you guys at all!

I wouldn't compare to US prices. There is shipping costs and distributors fees and all that extra stuff that comes with the prices of any product outside it's country of origin. European prices might give you a better idea but even still you should try to figure some sort of % markup to add to them to get an idea of a normal price in SA. That said, there is some good news...

I did find one site (orangemusic.co.za) that lists a new Silhouette Special. Forum rules ask that we not post "street prices" (i.e. actual shop prices, which are always below RRP) but I will say that the used Petrucci you're looking at is significantly below the street price of said Silo Spec. That's a good sign!

Just doing a quick rand to euro conversion, the R17000 asking price is not unreasonable compared to 2nd hand non-piezo Petruccis on the French market. Expecting SA prices to be higher than Euro prices, I have a feeling this is a very good price (in SA).

As always, the final decision rests with you and how comfortable you are spending that much money but if you're happy to do so, and the Petrucci is the guitar you want, GO FOR IT.

BTW, unwritten forum rule - once you own it, it doesn't exist without pictures!

[RCh]

Thanks for the info, but now, I am still left with my other question:

"A local music shop now has a (barely) used EBMM JP6 - 2005 or 2006 model I believe - in mystic purple(?) - It's sort of a pearlescent purple/green - for R17000 (Rand not rupees :P) which equates to about $2 394.977 at the time of writing. That seems to be a lot, comparing it to US prices. Now, I would like to know if this is a good buy?

OR

Should I just get the JP50 and replace the pickups with the CL/LF set? I can get the JP for R5800 ($821.58) and the pickup set for R2400 ($339.96). Would this be relatively the same guitar if I do replace the pickups? Perhaps the pots and switch too?

What are the main differences aside from the bridge, pickups and missing-piezo?"

I would really appreciate any advice here.
Thanks

With all due respect Sterling JP50 is not in the same league as JP6/BFR. JP50 is great guitar for the money and if you just want a good instrument with decent sound and playability there's nothing wrong with JP50. But it will never has the sound and feel of JP6.

Taking a Squire Bullet Strat and putting Fender's Custom Shop pickups will not make it sound as a Custom Shop Strat. On the contrary - good pickups will highlight the compromises the builder had to make in order to keep the cost at reasonable level.

[straycat113]

Well all things being equal if you are saying the guitar is barely used which means it is in mint condition and has a Mystic Dream finish which was a $300 up charge, plus it has a Piezo you are paying just about what the guitar sold for when it was new in the states, and I would say jump on it.

I have never played a Sterling model but I have (honestly) only heard good things about the guitars and if you so choose you can go that route and switch out the pups and I believe you will be happy with the final product , though you will not have a Piezo which is really amazing on the EB guitars in so many ways.

fbecir-WOW I did not know with all the crazy taxes and stipulations that it cost you guys that much money, which I honestly have to say is unfair. I really am now amazed when see someone in Europe with a nice amount of Balls since you guys are practically paying two for one. I also know they use some guys at the airports who are very guitar savy lol, as I can remember a few years back on the Fender Forum guys saying they got busted coming to the states to buy Fender Relics and guys at the airport knowing they were really new models. Honestly that is really going to extremes.

[version411]

Well now, I've come across another gem. The original mystic JP6 was no longer available when I went to put down my deposit (( BUT! I happened to stroll into another music shop and they had a Mystic JP7! With Piezo and the works, but it was used a bit more. It plays like no body's business. The neck on it seems to be even thinner than the Wizard II on my Ibanez'. It is on sale for R16000. I'm not sure of the year, but the body seems to be in great condition. There is some dust and gunk buildup on the pickups and the neck has darkened, or is that a roasted maple neck?

What do you guys think, should I bite?

[redburst21]

I'd say if it's in a condition where ur comfortable paying that price, then why not??? It's seems to b in decent shape from ur descriptio and a little cheaper then the previous 6 string. If ur willing to go with a 7 go for it and enj an awesome guitar. As for the neck I would say it's either dirt or heavily birdseye'd lol. Def not a roasted though....