NGD and other questions

[FuzzFace80]

Greetings EB players. I've always been interested in getting an EBMM guitar for many years. It finally came between the JP series and the Luke series. After playing both, I decided to give the JP a nod. JP has many offerings. I was about to put an order in for the JP 15 sahara matte finish and right when I was gonna click, I stumbled on the limited edition burstberry. That top had me sold and I pulled the trigger. My JP15 will arrive in 3 days and I've been watching videos and checking out all of your pictures to make the time go by.

Since this is my first EBMM guitar, I have a question for you EBMM enthusiasts. Based on your experiences, how does the JP15 compare to other EBMM guitars or other guitars for that matter? Does the roasted maple neck sound that much different compared to the ebony or typical rosewood found on JP guitars? I'm used to the typical 9.5/10" radius stuff, so i'll have to get use to the 17.

I apologize for the rant and EBMM newbie questions. I'm excited for my first EBMM guitar and the waiting period is killing me. Thanks for any replies

 

[Dr. Rock]

Congrats, and welcome to the board. I can't speak specifically to compare the JPs, besides casual store noodling. But from general experience, you should find your maple neck/fretboard (roasted or not) to add some brightness relative to rosewood, while not being as bright or snappy as having an ebony fretboard. I find the differences subtle but present. I feel the hardest thing for me to adjust to with the larger radius fretboards is when making chord shapes, which is compounded by flatter necks - e.g., I've got smaller hands so the thumb wrap-around isn't comfortable on a shred-style neck.

 

[FuzzFace80]

Congrats, and welcome to the board. I can't speak specifically to compare the JPs, besides casual store noodling. But from general experience, you should find your maple neck/fretboard (roasted or not) to add some brightness relative to rosewood, while not being as bright or snappy as having an ebony fretboard. I find the differences subtle but present. I feel the hardest thing for me to adjust to with the larger radius fretboards is when making chord shapes, which is compounded by flatter necks - e.g., I've got smaller hands so the thumb wrap-around isn't comfortable on a shred-style neck.

Thanks for the reply. I agree with you on the neck width as I have small/avg size mits myself. I'm planning on using this guitar for mostly metal/shred, super fast lead stuff. i felt the difference when I demo'd a jp6, so i know what i'm getting myself into.

btw, do you own any ebmm guitars? if so, how do you compare it to your noodling around on the jp?

 

[Dr. Rock]

Yeah, I have a Game Changer. Very different neck. 1-5/8ths width, fairly chunky, and 12" radius. Fast enough, but not "shreddy" like a JP or other metal style guitar. The JPs are wide and thin, more like an non-Super Wizard Ibanez RG, or perhaps a Jackson. JP used to play an RG for many years, so that general profile makes sense. Someone else will have to comment on the specifics.

 

[MajtasticVoyage]

I have a JP13 7, a JPXI (6), a JP15 7, a SBMM JP60D, an Albert Lee HH, and previously a Majesty 7 (thus the username lol).

You're going to love the roasted neck - regardless of tone (if you believe it affects tone) it feels amazing.
You're going to love the playability. Flatter fretbaords are great for shredding, tapping, sweeping, etc.
The neck is super thin and super "fast." It almost encourages fast, tight riffs; as opposed to the AL or, say, a strat, which encourages bluesy, spanky, rock licks.

You're in for a treat, my friend.

 

[FuzzFace80]

I have a JP13 7, a JPXI (6), a JP15 7, a SBMM JP60D, an Albert Lee HH, and previously a Majesty 7 (thus the username lol).

You're going to love the roasted neck - regardless of tone (if you believe it affects tone) it feels amazing.
You're going to love the playability. Flatter fretbaords are great for shredding, tapping, sweeping, etc.
The neck is super thin and super "fast." It almost encourages fast, tight riffs; as opposed to the AL or, say, a strat, which encourages bluesy, spanky, rock licks.

You're in for a treat, my friend.

Thanks for the info majtastic. I have to twiddle my thumbs until Friday when my guitar arrives.

I know it's all preference, but out of all your listed guitars, which do you prefer to play (or find yourself playing most)?

 

[MajtasticVoyage]

My JPXI and JP60D sit in their cases - the JP60D because it's crap (relatively, compared to my EBMMs) and the JPXI because it's a 6-string and I play 7s and 8s. I got the JPXI because it was signed by JP and Rudess, so to me it's just a collector's item, though it had some fret issues when I got it so it's in the shop right now getting worked on.

The Albert Lee is ver "me." I love playing it when I'm working on my own personal songwriting, and not in my heavy metal band. But it can handle all sorts of music; it's the same guitar Mike Einziger from Incubus plays.

The 13 an 15 see the most play. The 15 is my main studio guitar and the 13 is my main live guitar - they are basically the same guitar in every way but neck feel and looks. I love them both. But if I HAD to get rid of one, I'd sell the 13. But since I don't have to, I love them both. The 13 has the most luscious rosewood fretboard I've ever seen on anything south of a custom Suhr. The 15, while playing and feeling amazing, the roasted bird's eye maple neck is quite figureless and really nothing to write home about aesthetically.

The Maj I sold because it felt cheap and light and the first fret inlay started to come out. I even spoke with JP about why his anniversary guitars are much better than the Maj. The Maj looks cool and sounds great, but there's just something about it that turns me off when I actually play it.

So yea. JP15 and 13, in that order ar my favs

 

[FuzzFace80]

Thanks for the breakdown Majtastic. I know i'm gonna love my jp15, but a little validation from fellow users doesn't hurt.

I am currently playing a Gibson LP standard 2007, 1998 Fender American deluxe fat strat w/ maple neck (my 1st electric purchased), John Mayer Fender Strat, 51 nocaster custom shop telecaster, and two Martin's (OM-28v, DR). As you can see, I do not own a guitar that is ideal for metal/shred etc, and playing JP licks on my LP through my Mesa Boogie isn't doing it for me. I'm a blues/jazz guitar player by craft, but I'd like to dive into the metal/progressive stuff hence the JP15 purchase. I was planning on getting a suhr, but as you stated, it'll cost a pretty penny.

anyhow, thanks for your breakdown. I'll post pix of my stable when my new pony arrives.

 

[YandasMusic]

I would agree with Majestic on most of his points. The JP15 is hands down my favorite petrucci guitar. Everything about it is fantastic. The Figuring on the neck can be hit and miss. They can be either flamed or birdseye, some look incredible and others are a little less impressive. It's luck of the draw as far as that goes. I agree that the majesty feels cheap, but only because it's so lightweight. It's obviously and awesome machine but I prefer to have a little bit of weight there. You won't get the same easy access on the upper frets of the 15 as you would the majesty, but that's true of just about any guitar.

 

[FuzzFace80]

I would agree with Majestic on most of his points. The JP15 is hands down my favorite petrucci guitar. Everything about it is fantastic. The Figuring on the neck can be hit and miss. They can be either flamed or birdseye, some look incredible and others are a little less impressive. It's luck of the draw as far as that goes. I agree that the majesty feels cheap, but only because it's so lightweight. It's obviously and awesome machine but I prefer to have a little bit of weight there. You won't get the same easy access on the upper frets of the 15 as you would the majesty, but that's true of just about any guitar.

Just received my JP15. All I can say is, "WOW..!" the neck is smooth as butter and fast hell. My picking hand couldn't keep up w/ my left hand. I literally had to slow it down a bit. All these years of playing a neck w/ lacquer w/ my les paul and strat had my hands confused.

the neck was more on the birdseye end vs the flamed end. The quilt top isn't as "quilty" as I hoped and the blue finish is noticibly darker that it's really hard to see the quilt. Aside from the cosmetics, the guitar plays like a dream. I will post pictures soon.

 

[misterB]

Yep, . . . . no pics, it doesn't exist!!

 

[FuzzFace80]

Yep, . . . . no pics, it doesn't exist!!

Sorry for the delay. I was too busy playing her.

Just placed an order for a MKV:25 w/ a 2x12 recto cab. My pockets is hurtin...

 

[FuzzFace80]

Heres another shot.

 

[Tollywood]

Nice, fat sausage quilt. It's beautiful.

 

[FuzzFace80]

Nice, fat sausage quilt. It's beautiful.

Yeah. The quilt is definitely fatter. can't stop playing this guitar. i wish the mkv25 was here already. Estimated ship date is next wednesday. Been using my MB heartbreaker in the meantime...

 

[scooby61]

You will love that markV as well. Great amp. Even though I'm using a fractal and Mesa 2:90 I can't make myself part with my mkV. The clean channel is amazing and the markIV setting wow.

 

[FuzzFace80]

Thanks Scooby. I'll post pictures of the whole rig soon. Maybe do a youtube review if I have time. Cheers.

 

[misterB]

Very nice '15 fuzzster!! Yeah, a Petrucci and a Mesa is a great combination. (But it makes you play your "A" game as it doesn't hide any mistakes) But it makes you a better player. Enjoy

 

[scooby61]

Mister b is correct your mistakes are as clear as the right notes are and you will be a better player in short order

 

[FuzzFace80]

Mister b is correct your mistakes are as clear as the right notes are and you will be a better player in short order

This guitar is definetely humbling. typically you can hide behing your distortion or other gainy settings, but not so much w/ this guitar. I had to crack out a few of the lessons from JP's rock discipline dvd and dust off the old metronome.