MM JP (non piezo) vs Sterling JP models.

[knguro]

So basically watching at both specs, even woods are the same, and now with the DiMarzio pups which is a great upgrade, please don't take this wrong at all, but why would someone pay over $1,000 more? I know except for the bridge which is a big plus, other than that, could someone just explain to me (quoting the great Joe Miller) like I'm an 8 year old? Probably I'm letting some (or several) details behind.

 

[ksandvik]

Just my take, the new Indonesian made Sterlings are pretty good indeed but compared with a US made one you still need to find the right one from a batch in case there are deviations. You basically pay more for a US inspected guitar with no flaws as well as better resale value. If you have few guitars, getting a quality instrument is a good investment, anyway.

I've purchased cheaper Asian made guitars (non-Japanese) in the past but dumped most of them. My reasoning is that I don't need that many guitars and the ones I use on-stage should be good and I should bond with them for 20+ years.

 

[Sigvard90]

Just my take, the new Indonesian made Sterlings are pretty good indeed but compared with a US made one you still need to find the right one from a batch in case there are deviations. You basically pay more for a US inspected guitar with no flaws as well as better resale value. If you have few guitars, getting a quality instrument is a good investment, anyway.

I've purchased cheaper Asian made guitars (non-Japanese) in the past but dumped most of them. My reasoning is that I don't need that many guitars and the ones I use on-stage should be good and I should bond with them for 20+ years.

Yup, very true. I can only agree.

Even if the sound difference over an amp might just seem a bit better for some with a US model, the feel and quality of the instrument and its tone woods still has a great effect which is worth the extra price alone to me(besides better resale value etc.)... in direct comparison i find the original Ernie Balls easier to play, as if the higher grade tone woods resonated more and gave me a directer feel, and the neck just feels so much better.

If you can, try it out yourself (with and without an amp) and see what you think.

 

[guitvai1]

I have found the neck on the MM to feel better which could be due to the finish, shape and fret work.

 

[Mordimer]

In cheaper models of Ibanez guitars body is made of 3 (and even more) pieces of wood. Don't know how it is with SbMM, but imo it's very likely that they are doing it in the same way.
One more thing - it's the same species of wood, but not the same wood (seasoning etc.).
+ what guitvai1 said - finish, fretwork…

 

[ksandvik]

I don't know the details of the Sterling guitars but with for example Squier versus US Fenders sometimes they use different materials, for example for the tremolo block, cheaper (less resonant) versus more expensive (more resonance.)

 

[Kenji20022]

There's quite a number of differences besides the obvious quality jump you're getting with them being made here by the guys at the factory.

The MM JP6 has these features
- Schaller Locking Tuners
- Musicman Floating Trem
- Stainless Steel Frets
- Better Wood Selection
- Piezo (Optional)
- Other Finishes (Optional)

The last two are just there because they're huge features and you can order them with or without them. But the Trem/Tuners/Frets alone make it worth it to me, I'd rather own the better product with the better features than just settle on the SBMM although in it's own right they're unmatched in a price range of $500 or so. If I were in a touring band and I didn't want to put my EBMM Guitars through the potential damage and wear, I'd probably stock up on SBMM to tour with.

 

[savannah_sean]

i own a jp-100 as well as a few jp6's. for me, the most noticeable difference is the feel of the neck. the sterling is a terrific guitar, particularly in comparison with other guitars in its price range. but there is (for me) something about that unfinished, oil n wax birdseye maple neck that is second to none.

 

[Primo]

I think it all boils down to is the cost-to-quality ratio. I try not to compare a SBMM JP to a EBMM JP (yup, I said "try" because it is hard not to. ). But everyone here pretty much knows that the EBMM versions have a higher quality, hence the higher cost. I bet you though that if SBMM would have the same high quality stuff, they would also sell their guitars at a higher cost. Not to say though that SBMM aren't good guitars. At the price range the SBMM guitars are at, they're actually better than most other guitars out there in the same category. I actually owned a SBMM JP50 first before I got my EBMM JP guitars - and I totally enjoyed playing the hell out of that SBMM. I'm actually planning on purchasing a SBMM JP soon and turn it into a project guitar: change the pick ups, have it re-fretted with stainless steel frets, and install a floating Floyd Rose tremolo system.