Do you bump the switch??

[Wheresmypick]

Hello, I'm in the market for a new guitar. Due to recent wrist problems I'm looking to gig with a guitar that has a thinner neck than I'm used to, and from the research I've done so far it seems like the neck on the JP6 gets a lot of praise. I was thinking that I was going to get myself some sort of Ibanez, but now I'm not so sure.

Unfortunately, I cannot try one for myself. I went to my local GC and they didn't have any in stock. A sales guy told me that they usually have one in stock and to check back later. A week goes by and I give them a call..just in case. I was then informed that they only carry the budget model and that they don't ever have the actual EBMM model in stock...but that they can order one for me. Kind of a bummer as I'm dying to try one.

Looking at the guitar, my biggest concern is that the pickup selector switch is in a bad spot (for me) and that I might accidently knock it around while playing. I've played nothing but strats for 10 years, and recently switched to PRS as my main guitar, so I'm used to having a switch that is more out of the way.

Obviously this guitar gets tons of love around here, but I'm curious if anyone (especially the more experienced players) had to make adjustments in their technique and playing style to compensate for the switch location. Sorry for the wall of text, I probably could have got by with two sentences.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Welcome to the forum hope you get to find a JP 6 to try and that you join the family.

You should have no problem with the pickup selector switch - it switches from 9 o'clock to 3 o'clock, rather from 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock, so if you inadvertently struck it on a downstroke you should have no problem.

 

[Sticky1973]

Just to echo Spud, welcome to the forum!

Your "wall of text" is very welcome round these parts. In my opinion, it's totally ok to have a well constructed question, especially as an intro. Top drawer!

As for the switching layout, I actually changed my guitar layout to mirror that of the JP6. I absolutely love it.

The switch position is totally at hand, but never in my way. That said, for the amount of money you are considering shelling out, i'd have hoped your dealer could source a JP6 from another of their stores perhaps? Definately give it a good trial run.

If they know their stuff, it'll be a safe bet for a sale!

 

[MikeVt]

While I have had to make some adjustments with my JPX (I do hit the 5 way occasionally), I never had any issues with my JP6's. The switch was in a great location...

Mike

 

[BrickGlass]

Never had a problem with where the switch is. I actully love where it is.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Sorry to be a contrarian, but the only reason I don't own a JP is that I always hit the switch. I've tried a regular JP, BFR, JPX, SBMM JP and I hit it on all of them and switch the position.

You can always order one from Guitar Center's site. Free shipping and if indeed, you don't like it, bring it back to your local Guitar Center within 30 days.

 

[savannah_sean]

I've never had a problem with bumping that switch- in fact I've found that it's placed perfectly for me.

I played a gig on friday night, however, and somehow accidentally bumped the piezo switch without realizing it (leave it to me) and it took me about 3 measures to figure out why the hell there was no sound coming out of my amp...at first I thought my amp quit, glad it wasn't that...

 

[mikeller]

No problem here either

 

[TheShreddinHand]

Never had a problem here either, it's in the perfect spot for me. I may be wrong, but don't the budget JP's have the switch in the same spot? Couldn't you still try one of those to see if the switch is in fact in the same spot?

-Eric

 

[Kuf]

I just got my jp6 last week and I have found myself bumping the piezo switch during heavy rhythm strumming. I'm trying to adjust by moving my arm back ever so slightly. If you don't get the power bridge, you shouldn't have a problem. That said, I absolutely love my JP and have a hard time going back to my strat.

 

[roburado]

Occasionally, I bump the switch on the JP6, but it's a more robust switch than a Strat's 5-way. So, even if I hit it, it doesn't necessarily move. I did adjust my technique slightly after I got that guitar, but it had nothing to do with the switch. It was just about being more precise and economical with my right hand movement.

Now, the Strat 5-way, I hit it frequently, and it moves frequently--at least historically. After I went EBMM, the Strat went into the closet, and really never came out.

 

[Wheresmypick]

Thank you all for the kind feedback. I was wanting to trade in my Eric Johnson strat towards a guitar, so ordering one isn't an option right now (at least as far as I know, unless you can still do a trade in that situation, but I didn't think so). It probably is worth playing the budget model if only to see if the switch will be problematic for me. I don't get too crazy when in rhythm mode so it shouldn't be a big deal, but ya never know...and actually sometimes I avoid switching pickups on my PRS (if it has to be done quickly) because of the distance my hand has to travel, so I might like it closer. I'm just so used to where it is on a strat its been hard to adjust.

Welcome to the forum hope you get to find a JP 6 to try and that you join the family.

You should have no problem with the pickup selector switch - it switches from 9 o'clock to 3 o'clock, rather from 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock, so if you inadvertently struck it on a downstroke you should have no problem.

Thank you for mentioning this. Right after I posted my question I realized I wanted to know which direction the switch swept more than anything else, lol. I was hoping it was side to side and not up and down.

Looks like there is a JP6 about 70 miles from where I'm at, so I may have to take a road trip this week. Thanks again for the replies!

 

[TheShreddinHand]

I just got my jp6 last week and I have found myself bumping the piezo switch during heavy rhythm strumming. I'm trying to adjust by moving my arm back ever so slightly. If you don't get the power bridge, you shouldn't have a problem. That said, I absolutely love my JP and have a hard time going back to my strat.

That's some serious strumming to hit the piezo switch!

-Eric

 

[TheShreddinHand]

and actually sometimes I avoid switching pickups on my PRS (if it has to be done quickly) because of the distance my hand has to travel, so I might like it closer. I'm just so used to where it is on a strat its been hard to adjust.

On the JP, it is so effortless to switch pickups you'll wonder how you ever lived without a switch in such a perfect spot. It's so easy to even mid solo switch from bridge to neck and vice versa. For the lead guitarist that needs to make quick changes, it's the best!

-Eric

 

[Bungo]

I just got my jp6 last week and I have found myself bumping the piezo switch during heavy rhythm strumming. I'm trying to adjust by moving my arm back ever so slightly. If you don't get the power bridge, you shouldn't have a problem. That said, I absolutely love my JP and have a hard time going back to my strat.

This is what happens to me too.

The pickup selector switch is fine for me, but I avoid using my only piezo equipped JP live as I will quite regularly hit the piezo switch and effectively turn the magnetic pickups off mid song.

I'm not exactly Pete Townshend, but I think even moderate arm swingage can catch it when you least want it to!.

I suppose this is not an issue for JP as his style is all about the arm being locked down in position very precisely.

Hope you enjoy your guitar! They are great.

 

[Dizzy]

I love the location of the JP PUP selector - absolutely perfect for me.

But I have bumped the Piezo switch once or twice when tapping.

 

[Wheresmypick]

That's funny that the piezo is giving people more problems than the main pickup toggle, because it looks as if it's out of the way. Watching footage of myself at gigs it's apparent that 99.9% of the time my wrist is the only thing moving (which is also what makes the scoop of the JP6 look so appealing, it looks comfortable, lol) so I believe I shouldn't bump either switch...I just don't know for sure yet, I haven't been able to make the road trip yet to go play one!

Another quick question: What colors jump out at you most in a Mystic Dream finish? I know it changes depending on the light, but what is it changing too?

I'm color deficient and I can't tell what it is I'm looking at. My main concern is I don't want it to be *too* purple. I don't like the JPX mainly because it only comes in that purple finish, and to my eyes it just looks....bad...lol.

 

[Spudmurphy]

It goes from Green (trust me it's green )

to


Purple (yup it's purple honest!! )

 

[Wheresmypick]

Wow thanks much for those, I can definitely tell the difference. It would be cool if they gave the option of just the green, that looks nice! Looks like if I do in fact find the JP6 to be comfortable in my hands that I'll actually prefer the cheaper paint option (Pearl Blue looks nice) on a guitar for once! LoL

Dumb question, but do they give the option of JP Inlays without the piezo, or is it an all or nothing deal. Thanks!

 

[Spudmurphy]

Wow thanks much for those, I can definitely tell the difference. It would be cool if they gave the option of just the green, that looks nice! Looks like if I do in fact find the JP6 to be comfortable in my hands that I'll actually prefer the cheaper paint option (Pearl Blue looks nice) on a guitar for once! LoL

Dumb question, but do they give the option of JP Inlays without the piezo, or is it an all or nothing deal. Thanks!

So glad you were able to make it out .

On the EB Musicman web site , they list the option as follows ...
Fret Markers:Standard-Dots; Optional-Custom JP Shields
so you could have them without the Piezo - the piezo is a great option to have however.