Looking to purchase a JP6...a few questions.

[antigoon]

Hey, after a few days of lurking around here I decided to register and start posting. This seems like a really nice community.

I'm a huge fan of Dream Theater and John Petrucci and I'm really dissatisfied with my current guitar (Ibanez S Series) and I don't want to make the mistake of rushing into a purchase without knowing everything there is to know. If I'm gonna drop nearly 2 grand on an instrument i need to be sure it's for me.

One of the main reasons I'm unhappy with my Ibanez is the Floyd Rose-like tremolo. I hated the awkward tuning and string changing process along with the locking nut and the fine tuners. Call me lazy but I hate dealing with it. I just want to tune up to my tuner and play. I know the JP sig has a floating bridge, but there are no fine tuners nor a locking nut. Does it stay in tune well, and does it tune like a guitar with a strat-type bridge or is it one of those where if you raise the pitch of one string the rest fall flat?

This is really my biggest concern with the guitar. I know it sounds great from listening to Petrucci play and all the sound clips and videos of people on Youtube, and obviously it's very aesthetically pleasing.

The neck on my Ibanez is reeeealy flat and thin, and I was wondering if the JP model was similar or had a more rounded shape,

Lastly, I was wondering where i could go to actually PLAY one of these things as most places don't carry EBMMs. I live on Long Island.


Thanks for the help, I look forward to becoming a part of this community!

 

[73h Nils]

Well, to dismiss your concern over the tuning right away: It is the best trem in the world, as far as I'm concerned. Everything about it is amazing. You can literally put a whole new set of strings on in under 10 minutes and be playing again just as fast. You can put the strings through hell and they'll stay in tune no matter what.

As for the neck, it feels like butter. I don't really know how to describe it though, it is something unique to the JP, and really, all EB instruments.

I can't help you in terms of that last question though! I'm sure someone here will jump in!

JPs are freakin' SWEET guitars and cash shouldn't really be a concern when you're paying for a world-class instrument. (I own 2 and need more!

 

[dannymusic]

If you're used to playing a wizard neck, the transition time will be nil. This JP is just plain WICKED fast. It's design puts you in position to play fast. I bought one sight unseen and was overwhelmed.

PS, get the piezo

 

[73h Nils]

Yeah, I forgot to add that! Get the piezo!!!! I bought my JP6 having never tried one, either! No regrets!

 

[Bungo]

Hi antigoon

I played Floyd equipped guitars for years until i got my first Petrucci. I now find the string changing, unclamping/clamping, snipping balls off thing almost unbearable on the Floyd type guitars.

As others have said, string changing is very fast with the JP. It really doesn't need fine tuners as tuning stability is excellent, and once you get away from the Floyd, you will never want to go back.

If you find yourself in London in the near future, you're welcome to try one of mine!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Edit: Whilst most on here rate the piezo, being a fairly straightforward rock player, I actually prefer the JP without, especially for live work.

Whilst it sounds great (if you need that kind of thing), I find I knock the switch with my arm during live performance. I therefore prefer non-piezo for gigs.

Hows that for a balanced view!

 

[Johnny Guitar]

You can try Royal Music in Merrick, NY. They have a bunch of EBMM guitars in stock all the time.

 

[Headstock]

Welcome! The JP trem is the best I have played, not tuning problems as the tuners do have a locking mechanism on the back of them.

 

[antigoon]

Thanks for all the advice and information guys!

Any other opinions about the Piezo system? I'm playing through a Cube 60 if that makes a difference.

 

[Charles]

Well piezos usually sound best through a PA or something, but for playing at home it'll be fine.

The trem is indeed the best I have ever played, I can beat the unholy hell out of it and it'll still stay in tune. If it's anything like my Luke then changing strings is a total breeze.

The neck is designed to play very fast for sure. You won't be dissapointed.

 

[whitestrat]

I'm really dissatisfied with my current guitar (Ibanez S Series)...

One of the main reasons I'm unhappy with my Ibanez is the Floyd Rose-like tremolo. I hated the awkward tuning and string changing process along with the locking nut and the fine tuners. Call me lazy but I hate dealing with it. I just want to tune up to my tuner and play. I know the JP sig has a floating bridge, but there are no fine tuners nor a locking nut. Does it stay in tune well, and does it tune like a guitar with a strat-type bridge or is it one of those where if you raise the pitch of one string the rest fall flat?

The neck on my Ibanez is reeeealy flat and thin, and I was wondering if the JP model was similar or had a more rounded shape,

Ok. The JP6 is similar to the neck shape of the Ibanez SA, but it's a bit wider, and the shoulder is a bit more pronounced. Sort of almost like a JS, but flatter. I think the closest neck Ibanez has I can think of would be the Andy Timmons AT300, but the JP6 has a much flatter radius. It's almost a similar shape to your S, but it's a bit thicker. not thick enough to impede your playing, but enough that it's more comfortable.

The compensated nut is best with a slight pencil lead lubrication, I find. Once that's done, the locking tuners will do their job well. The floating bridge (believe it or not) is more stable than any FR system I've encountered, and is much easier to fix. Also, the guitar doesn't really go out of tune much when the high E breaks. That's good news, which means that with ENOUGH distortion, you can probably finish playing the song in mid performance... heh...

I have 3 balls now. I have to say, while I'm TOTALLY in love with the Silo 20th, the JP6 has still got to be the most comfortable guitar I've ever owned... (which includes the Ibanez JPM)

 

[koogie2k]

Welcome to the Addiction!

Get the JP. You will not be disappointed. Get it with the piezo. You will not be disappointed. Great advice above, so, I won't go any further.

 

[mesaboogieman]

I had only played high-end Ibanez guitars with the Floyd type tremolo for the last 20 years when I bought my first EBMM JP model over the web this past summer without ever playing one. I can honestly say that has been the best guitar purchase I have made in a long time. I can't ever see myself going back to a locking nut/fine tuner set up. The guitar stays in tune, strings are much easier and quicker to change and it is incredibly comfortable and extremely easy to play. The Piezo sounds incredible.
You will not be disappointed if you buy this guitar!

Welcome to the forum.

 

[GoKart_MoZart]

Well, to dismiss your concern over the tuning right away: It is the best trem in the world, as far as I'm concerned...

Yeah man, the trem is amazing.

 

[roburado]

This question is one that actually gets asked fairly often around here.

Here's a demonstration of the tuning stability of the JP trem. This was posted in another thread on the same topic.

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-guitars/18608-some-questions-about-musicman-john-petrucci-not-asked-before-i-think.html#post257480

 

[Sweat]

Just buy one and you will not look back, if I had the cash I would have another

 

[colinboy]

i concur.just do it!

 

[adam-antium]

Hi guys , im new around here!!!! am seriously considering buying one of these babys very soon, except id really like to play one and dont know anywhere in Ireland that sells them!!!!! and just have a couple of questions. how does this guitar stand' to just say' a top of the range ibanez?? if there are any former ibanez players on here...!

one more question. i have a esp horizon with seymore duncans and wonder how these compair with the mmjp6 setup???? im useless when it comes to the electronics and what not of a guitar.
anyway any advice would be great
Thanks

ADAM-ANTIUM

 

[Multiversal]

Hi guys , im new around here!!!! am seriously considering buying one of these babys very soon, except id really like to play one and dont know anywhere in Ireland that sells them!!!!! and just have a couple of questions. how does this guitar stand' to just say' a top of the range ibanez?? if there are any former ibanez players on here...!

one more question. i have a esp horizon with seymore duncans and wonder how these compair with the mmjp6 setup???? im useless when it comes to the electronics and what not of a guitar.
anyway any advice would be great
Thanks

ADAM-ANTIUM

Former/Current(in transition) Ibanez player here, and EBMM pretty much destroys them in playability, CUSTOMER SERVICE, quality, attention to detail, sound, etc.

I've got an Ibanez Jem 7VWH(will always be my favorite guitar, only because my mother bought it for me with money we didn't have when I was younger), Ibanez Prestige RG, RG7620, and another RG 7 string. I love Ibanez guitars, but I love EBMM that much more and let me tell you, as soon as I get one more EBMM.. I'm retiring my Ibanezes(except for the 7s until I can get a JP7 + backup.. gotta have a backup)...

I'll probably sell my RG and the 7s and put the Jem away in storage.

Anyway.. just to add to it.. I've owned tons of Jacksons, Charvel, Fender, Gibson, and have come close to buying PRS, Hamers, etc.. but let me tell you, EBMM slays them all in playability and customer service in my opinion.

Great company, great people, GREAT LOVE!

EBMM IS THE BEST!

 

[SteveB]

All of my electrics were Ibanez until I bought a Music Man JP6 a few years ago. Now I don't own a single Ibanez, and all my electrics are Music Man.

'Nuff said?

The JP is simply a great design on so many levels. The trem is the best I've ever used, the ergonomics of the forearm contour are perfect for me, it's nice and light, and the quailty is apparent in every detail.

 

[fatoni]

dont count ibanez out. the korean s is sub par but i picked up a 93 470 made in japan and it is as high quality as guitar gets. eb is a smaller us based company so quality control and costumer service is better in america. having both, i changed the tuning of the ibanez to justify keeping both. different but equal in playability and quality if you ask me but the s cost only 400 used. maybe i see them that way because i love mohagony and the jp i have is basswood but if the best s doesnt meet your needs i dont see you being too happy with a jp...but thats ridiculous because the jp is the best guitar ive ever touched (followed shortly by the ibanez s)