JPX stuff

[jmmp]

I'd like to begin by thanking everyone in the forum for being so dedicated to Ernie Ball Music Man. It is so wonderful that there are products out there that can muster up such a following. Thanks for all of the help in other threads.

Now on to my question.... I nearly bought a JPX today after A/Bing it with a standard jp6. The JPX sounded like it had more character than the jp6, and it honestly left me in awe. I just have two main concerns.... The first one is about the neck. Does the painted neck become sticky when one sweats? My second concern is the five way switch. The sounds that it allows are amazing, but when I was playing it I bumped the switch a few times. Does anyone find the placement of the switch to be bothersome?

And as a sidenote, does that extra character that the JPX had come from the chambering and different woods, or maybe one more than the other, or is the jp6 just a lemon? Maybe my ears are off? Thanks in advance for any and all help

 

[Slowlicks]

Play it, Love it, Great choice... So was mine, I'm livin it.

 

[walleye]

And as a sidenote, does that extra character that the JPX had come from the chambering and different woods, or maybe one more than the other, or is the jp6 just a lemon? Maybe my ears are off? Thanks in advance for any and all help

i think the chambering makes a huge difference. there is a BFR JP model that is similar to a JPX in terms of woods but does not have chambering and for me the JPX has way more .. character (ill steal your word, it works well ). i think the chambering makes the most difference

 

[SteveJP6]

Ok, I have to contribute on this one.

In January, after a lot of research including various models by PRS, Suhr, Fender, Gibson and other EBMM models, I bought a 2009 Pearl Burst JP6 w/Piezo & matching head stock. Wonderful guitar!!! The best I've ever played.

This was a GuitarCenter guitar so it hadn't seen much love in the almost year it resided in their care. I'm sure you know the story. I brought it home, replaced the 10s it ships with to the 9s I was use to. Better for me. I learned about cleaning the unfinished neck and applying the tongue oil and wax recommended on the FAQ. I learn how easy it was to set the relief of the neck and setting the bridge and saddle heights. I discovered how amazing the Piezo was and the many ways to cable it and use it with my existing amplification, recording system and how great having 2 amps, one acoustic, one electric, sounded together live. My dream guitar realized.

Fast forward a few weeks. I enter the same store to pick up some acoustic string for my 'real' acoustic guitar that hasn't seen much use since my JP6 acquisition and there it is, hanging in the same spot that my JP6 occupied for so long; The JPX.

I wasn't blow away by the color, at first. I'm an old guy that likes the colors of natural woods first but, I had been convinced to buy my JP6 over a 25th Anniversary based on feel and sound. I had read a little about this guitar but how different could it really be from my 'dream guitar'. Curiosity got the better of me so without plugging it into the amp, I took the guitar down from the wall and played it, finger-picking. Big mistake!!!!!

I could not believe what I was feeling and hearing. Could this Purple Sparkly guitar be that much better than my 'dream guitar'? Well, could it? Naw, I must be just having a good day, or maybe my allergies were acting up and I was just hearing differently. Yeah, that was it. Planet alignment, solar flares, gremlins? Something.

I went home, did a little research to see how this guitar was different. Ebony board, chambering, yadda, yadda, ok. Next week I go in and plug it into a 5150III. Not the greatest amp, but not bad. Big mistake!!!!! This guitar is FREAKIN AMAZIN!!!!

Go home and stew on this a few more days, then weeks. Research the pickups this time. OK, little difference, according to DiMarzio. Post here about the differences in the woods, pickups, solar flares, elfs, Wall Street. Some folks offered suggestions, saying the pickups could get you most of the way there so next week I ordered a F-spaced CrunchLab and a standard spaced LiquiFire. Got them about a week later and was VERY pleased with difference in the sound. MUCH better. Cleaner, clearer, grittier, meaner, brighter, singing, inspiring... Dream Guitar Improved.

Fast forward a few more weeks, I can't take it any longer. I play the Dream Guitar Improved JP6 for an hour that morning then head into the GC again. I ask for a strap this time, I have the pick I like, I tell the salesman,(*same guy who sold me Dream Guitar), I need to play this thing loud. 'Crank it up', says he. OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

'OK, now it's no longer am I going to buy one of these guitars', I tell him, 'it's whether I'm going to buy it from you'.

We haggle back and forth and I'm not going for the 'discount' he says his manager is limiting him to give me. I remind him I just spent over $2k for the first one, he says sorry, best he can do..... (*I sill have to figure out how I'm going to tell the wife) :^(

OK, now we are to June. Enter the Father's Day GC discount. I call and ask if the JPX is still there? Yes. Will this discount be appicable? Yes. Will saleman hold the guitar until I drive there? Yes. I'll be right down....

The JPX is the best guitar I've ever play, or owned or heard. Ever.

And, my JP6 with the CL and LF make a close, but not very, second.

I now have 2 Balls to call my own........

 

[the24thfret]

the jpx is the best guitar i've ever play, or owned or heard. Ever.

+1

 

[MikeVt]

Here are the simple answers to your questions: NO, and YES.

I'm very sensitive to sticky necks as my hands sweat a lot. I can't play my LP for long before wiping the neck down. I don't have that problem with the JPX polyester finish. It slides nicely and I now prefer it over the unfinished necks. The 5 way could be in a better position for me, and I do bump it occasionally - but remember, these guitars were designed for John.

Mike

 

[Mephistofes]

JPX has definitely a great finished neck and luckily for me my hands don't sweat easily either so I greatly prefer finished neck to an unfinished one. I still wipe the neck down after playing, though.

Now, the switch position, I sometimes hit it accidently but it isn't a big problem. On the plus side it's very easy to switch from position 1 to position 5 since it's very near.

 

[the24thfret]

The 5way is in an ideal position for me. It retains the original 3way's ability to be flicked from position to position very easily during playing. And it is a pretty high quality switch from what I can tell.

 

[jmmp]

Wow!! Thanks for all of the info guys!! Especially Steve! You guys answered my questions and then some! I guess now its just a matter of when I can get to the guitar store and buy it. Another reason why Music Man is the best guitar company in the world. (Didn't JP say that a few days ago?)

The five way switch doesn't bother me, I was just making sure it wont get worse. The switch feels solid, just easier to move than the three way. Thanks again for all of your knowledge and wisdom!

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Hitting the 5 way is a playing style problem. I have that problem and cannot play even a regular JP without switching the pickup. Heck....I sometimes even did it on my sub 1 when it was in the stock location. I also can't play a strat for more than a minute before turning the volume all the way off with my strumming hand.

 

[jmmp]

I have a five way on my strat knockoff and I hit it occasionally, but its only when it is in positions 2-4. My guess is That it is because when I am in those positions, I am strumming differently. I don't foresee it being a problem though.

Does anyone miss the jp6 arm contour versus the bfr and jpx? Is that a problem for anyone?

 

[the24thfret]

I have a five way on my strategy knockoff and I hit it occasionally, but its only when it is in positions 2-4. My guess is That it is because when I am in those positions, I am strumming differently. I don't foresee it being a problem though.

Does anyone miss the jp6 arm contour versus the bfr and jpx? Is that a problem for anyone?

Jack is right, it's just how one plays. JP obviously doesn't have a problem with it, and over the years I've become accustomed enough to it that I never hit it by mistake.

The forearm cutout is great on the JP, but actually since I got my JPX I've found that my arm feels better on that contour now. I think because it is bigger and I have longer arms. But they're both great. It's just personal preference. Play both if you can and see how your playing reacts.

That said... you can probably get accustomed to just about anything if you spend enough time with it... this goes for the switch and the contours as well.

 

[jmmp]

I have played both back to back and they seem equally comfortable to me and I guess that is what really matters. The five way won't be a problem. I am quite excited about buying this guitar!

 

[fernandomora777]

Hi I own the JPX7 and the strings are buzzing what can I do? The strings are the same that came with the guitar for 1 month.

 

[the24thfret]

Hi I own the JPX7 and the strings are buzzing what can I do? The strings are the same that came with the guitar for 1 month.

Welcome. You need to adjust your truss rod or otherwise set up your guitar. If you don't know how to, take it to a professional at a music store. We can't help you very much here because we can't see the guitar.

 

[jmmp]

Is the JPX only going to be produced this year, or was it introduced to commemorate the 10th anniversary and continue to be made?

 

[straycat113]

Not sure on that JMMP, I would guess just this year only but dony hold me to it. That is why you are seeing JP players spinning there heads like Linda Blair as you have the Blue GC hand signed run of 50, The JPX and the Roasted Maple neck guitar all out with a very short time frame.

 

[bod]

Holy crap you think this guitar is gonna be produced only this year

 

[Colin]

Is the JPX only going to be produced this year, or was it introduced to commemorate the 10th anniversary and continue to be made?

I believe it's here to stay like the Y2D

 

[jmmp]

I see valid arguments for both. I read the jpx preview thread last night and noted many people asked this same question and were never answered. I think it would be more special if it was only made this year, or if only this color was made this year, but I guess only BP knows the answer to that. It being like the Y2D does make sense though.