RJKANEAO
Well-known member
Sorry.. I meant the jp100- 6 strings.. The 7 strings are jp70s..
- Thread starter Michael919
- Start date
Sorry.. I meant the jp100- 6 strings.. The 7 strings are jp70s..
SBMM
Well-known member
NAMM 2013 SBMM Guitar Lineup is here: http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-guitars/55268-namm-preview-sterling-music-man-guitars.html
techwannab
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Hi Brian and others;
Recently bought a AX3 from AMS. Selling points were 5 position toggle, decent maple neck, look, and PRICE. Immediately started trying to set intonation (should have changed strings first). Noticed that the strings were leaving gray marks on the fretboard. After I removed the strings I noticed that the maple fretboard was rough from the 7th through 12th fret (bad sanding job? overspray?), I smoothed it out with 00 steel wool. Setting the intonation I had to bottom out the saddles especially the low E. I noticed it wouldn't stay in tune and it was pointed out to me that the bridge at rest was high on the back not flat. I tried tightening the 2 springs it came with but that was still not enough tension so I added a third spring and that did it but now the vibrato is stiff (never been much of a wammy bar guy anyway. Emailed AMS and told them my complaints, they offered to take it back but at this point I felt I was starting to have a decent guitar. Had to dress the frets ofcourse. Looks and sounds great. Single coil settings seem to sound better than the double. Was thinking of trading out the stock zebras for a pair of black seymours, LP style cream pup rings (don't like the pups mounting straight to the body) and painting the headstock to match, thought it might give the guitar a classier look and cover up the big SUB on the head. Thoughts?
Recently bought a AX3 from AMS. Selling points were 5 position toggle, decent maple neck, look, and PRICE. Immediately started trying to set intonation (should have changed strings first). Noticed that the strings were leaving gray marks on the fretboard. After I removed the strings I noticed that the maple fretboard was rough from the 7th through 12th fret (bad sanding job? overspray?), I smoothed it out with 00 steel wool. Setting the intonation I had to bottom out the saddles especially the low E. I noticed it wouldn't stay in tune and it was pointed out to me that the bridge at rest was high on the back not flat. I tried tightening the 2 springs it came with but that was still not enough tension so I added a third spring and that did it but now the vibrato is stiff (never been much of a wammy bar guy anyway. Emailed AMS and told them my complaints, they offered to take it back but at this point I felt I was starting to have a decent guitar. Had to dress the frets ofcourse. Looks and sounds great. Single coil settings seem to sound better than the double. Was thinking of trading out the stock zebras for a pair of black seymours, LP style cream pup rings (don't like the pups mounting straight to the body) and painting the headstock to match, thought it might give the guitar a classier look and cover up the big SUB on the head. Thoughts?
Slater
Well-known member
The truss-rod adjustment wheel will interfere with a neck pickup ring.
How many springs come with the Silo3 (Haven't removed the plate to look)? On Strats, adding a 4th or 5th tremolo spring is said to improve bridge and tuning stability. My Silo3 stays reasonably well in tune, but has anyone tried adding additional springs?
techwannab
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2 springs, came stock on my AX3, the pup ring could be ground out around the truss rod adjustment.
techwannab
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- Jan 8, 2013
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Ordered the pickup rings for cheap on ebay, will send pix if I install.
techwannab
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- Jan 8, 2013
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Installed a 3rd spring, stays in tune better but now bar is pretty stiff. Do love the playability and sound options of this guitar. Pups sound a little weak. Still getting a bit of a problem with the fretboard greying after play. Will try smoothing it out some more on mt next string change. Pup rings came in, will install them soon, if they look ok with the test fit.
techwannab
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- Jan 8, 2013
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Finished Sterling
What did I do and how much did it cost? Pair of flat bottom, cream pup rings; Dragonfire chrome covered, screamers; sealed the fretboard with urethane; new top nut; painted head stock to hide the big SUB; and you already know about the added tremelo spring. Thought I really messed it up bad when I couldn't get the intonation right, took it to a trusted luthier, found out the strings were too high at the nut. Fretboard turned out nice but had to polish and polish to make it come out. Dragonfire screamers are awesome and quiet, single coil sounds great too. Techs did the set-up and while they were at it put in the new pups = $188 + dragonfire pups= $30 + rings and high gloss car paint= $10 + guitar cost me=$225? from Musicfriend (best deal) = $453 not bad I think. Now if you'll excuse me gonna play this thing until my fingers fall off.
What did I do and how much did it cost? Pair of flat bottom, cream pup rings; Dragonfire chrome covered, screamers; sealed the fretboard with urethane; new top nut; painted head stock to hide the big SUB; and you already know about the added tremelo spring. Thought I really messed it up bad when I couldn't get the intonation right, took it to a trusted luthier, found out the strings were too high at the nut. Fretboard turned out nice but had to polish and polish to make it come out. Dragonfire screamers are awesome and quiet, single coil sounds great too. Techs did the set-up and while they were at it put in the new pups = $188 + dragonfire pups= $30 + rings and high gloss car paint= $10 + guitar cost me=$225? from Musicfriend (best deal) = $453 not bad I think. Now if you'll excuse me gonna play this thing until my fingers fall off.
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SBMM
Well-known member
...as long as we were able to provide you with a platform for you dream guitar on a budget, and you dig it, and it works for you and the way you see fit to modify it to get you where you want it to be, that rocks! Glad you enjoy it and hope that it takes you to that special musical place of fun and inspiration.
On a serious note, thanks for choosing one of our instruments to help get you there!
techwannab
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Note to Sterling; Love the toggle and electronics setup. Pups are expectedly mediocre, not bad for a guitar in this price range and finish is nice. More attention should be paid to the fretboard finish, the nut, and lose the ugly SUB at the top; it makes me think of something being sub-parr or a 2nd or the cheap one. Pay closer attention to the placement of the bridge had to take the springs off and move the saddles all the way back to get the intonation right.
beej
Moderator
Loose the "SUB"? That's the name of the guitar, hearkening back to the MM SUB guitars & basses ...
techwannab
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Just a suggestion, I personally thought it made the guitar look cheap and 2nd rate. I knew I was going to paint over it and make it look more like a more expensive Musicman as soon as I got it.
My Red AX40 I bought last year. It was stock but I've begun to modify it. I swapped out the tremolo arm because I didn't like the angle of the Sterling arm and I just changed out the toggle switch. I have a Gotoh Floyd Rose on order so that I can install a D-Tuna. Pickups are probably going to be my next modification. I keep hearing Tone Zone and Air Norton but I'm also looking at EVH pickups.
Ben
Ben
techwannab
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I started a sterling guitars facebook page where we can show off pix and talk about the guitars and bass'. Since I'm mainly a bass player I might buy one in the future. If Sterling doesn't like it, I can always change the name.
SBMM
Well-known member
Well, we already have a Facebook page, so I see no need for this
Thanks Benoa! It is really a great guitar. I'll keep you posted on my tremolo swap as soon as I get my hands on one. I've placed two orders for a Gotoh and they've both been cancelled because they are on back order. I guess it's a popular bridge or they don't make that many of them. I've also been looking at another tremolo that looks like the one on the Peavey Wolfgang. I can't decide if I want to wait on a Gotoh or just order this other trem and be done with it. Either way when I get one I'll post an update.
Ben
SBMM
Well-known member
On the final day of the NAMM show, Sunday January 27, 2013, we filmed a spot with Premier Guitar.
Here's the link to that demo for the new for 2013 JP70-TGB, AX40D-TP, and JP100D-RRB
NAMM '13 - Sterling by Music Man John Petrucci JP70, AX40D, and John Petrucci JP100D Demos - YouTube
Here's the link to that demo for the new for 2013 JP70-TGB, AX40D-TP, and JP100D-RRB
NAMM '13 - Sterling by Music Man John Petrucci JP70, AX40D, and John Petrucci JP100D Demos - YouTube
RJKANEAO
Well-known member
Boom! There they are delivered to my Household yesterday. 
L-R new ray 35 translucent white blonde, jp70 Signature John Petrucci SBMM 7 string model and a sub series silo 3 in a Honeyburst looking finish.. Bought that one cause I liked the finish and ended up playing her last nights and was absolutely floored at how great she is. Amazing job Brian and everyone at SBMM.. Homerun!
L-R new ray 35 translucent white blonde, jp70 Signature John Petrucci SBMM 7 string model and a sub series silo 3 in a Honeyburst looking finish.. Bought that one cause I liked the finish and ended up playing her last nights and was absolutely floored at how great she is. Amazing job Brian and everyone at SBMM.. Homerun!
