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Pims

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Mar 28, 2015
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6
Hey everyone, in my local store there's a blue majesty and I can possibly get a JP13 but there's also a near mint JEM 10th anniversary that are all in the same money ballpark.

I just can't make up my mind between the JEM which is collector and a JP guitar such as the Majesty or the JP13 which has the boost.
I'm a big fan of Petrucci and Dream Theater but happen to be hypnotized by the looks and sound of the gem

any opinions?
 

Pims

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Mar 28, 2015
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thanks for the reply


I just registered, I put the message into the musicman guitars discussion.

The thing with the Majesty is the looks.., maybe a BFR or the 13 would be better. I used to own a jp6 before I was fine with it but it lacked the punch my emg loaded esp has. That's why I was considering the preamp of the 13 and the Majesty
 

QuietSpike

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I had the privilege of playing a majesty just yesterday for the first time. Fantastic machine... very versatile, great upper access... the jem doesn't even come close, IMO.

Smooth, responsive, and dream to play... the majesty is a great guitar.


You're in the "musicman guitars" forum.... I think all in here will agree with me. I gotta go get some sleep.. just finished 6 hour rehearsal with my two JPs. :)
 

mystixboi1

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Feb 18, 2010
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As much as I love my mm guitars, go play both and see which one does it for you more.

For the record, I have sold all my jems at this point.
 

Pims

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Mar 28, 2015
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I played both the Majesty and the jem this morning. For Comfort, they are equivalent and I do like the sound of the Majesty with the preamp and the piezo sound
but the evo's sound good too on the Jem and the look is killer (bear in mind I already owned a 10th back in 96 and sold it around 2000 because I wanted to get a triaxis/2:90)

What I'm thinking would be shooting in the middle with a jp13 or jpx and get both looks and sound on check maybe a BFR or a Polar Noir Majesty (I don't really like the blue one). But then I won't be able to try any of these before they hit the store and I buy them

any of you have good things to say about the 13 and how it's better tran the majesty?
 
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Metlupass2

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Play them all and decide which you like best. The necks are VERY different. The Jem has a very wide thin and flat neck.
 

lifeson1

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Oct 31, 2007
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Jersey City, NJ
I've owned two Jems, one original multicolor Universe, and about seven JP's including the Maj - Hand's DOWN if you sat and played both I would expect sonically that the Maj would tear apart the Jem. While I still have some affection for the Jem, and even looks aside, the Maj is just a better player. . . unless you really need a Monkey Grip. . .

Oh, and the non locking trem for the Maj is a deal breaker for me, too.

Just my ten or fifteen cents. . .
 

Pims

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Mar 28, 2015
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thanks for your input, I think I will go the musicman route, try the jp13 or the 15 and decide between that and the majesty
 

QuietSpike

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The JP15 with the roasted neck.... Or the majesty....

Tough one!! I have a roasted neck on my BFR, and it is sublime.... Some nights, I don't even play it... I just sit there and rub the wood. Yeah, I said it mods. :)

It really is a beautiful thing, I'm not trying to be funny! :)
 

DrKev

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For Comfort, they are equivalent and I do like the sound of the Majesty with the preamp and the piezo sound but the evo's sound good too on the Jem and the look is killer

You could get a Majesty and put Evo's in it? Best of both worlds provided you like the styling of the Majesty enough to be happy. Not a fan of that blue color myself, but did you see these?

Artisan Majesty
 

Astrofreq

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The EB Axis guitars have been my mainstay for over 15 years now. I absolutely love them. HOWEVER, I can't lie. My 1987 LNG Jem is the best playing guitar I've ever owned. Ridiculously stable. That being said, it is the ugliest guitar I own and only use it in the studio. LOL
 

BUC

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Nov 16, 2011
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Phoenix, Arizona
If it's looks that are bothering you, I have to say that the JEM has never struck me as a good looking guitar. That Monkey grip is such a contrived design feature. I typically don't get wrapped up in guitar styles, but that is one weird style element. Only someone with the chops of Steve Vai can make that legit.

I'm an Ibanez fan and an old RG3120 used to be my main gigging axe. I've never played the Majesty but I love my Petrucci and my EBMM's in general. I seriously doubt that you'll regret buying a Majesty.
 

Etudica

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I would expect sonically that the Maj would tear apart the Jem.

Agreed. I still have one JEM left but the EBMMs blow it away sonically. However, the action on the JEM is so insanely low without any buzz. It's the fastest guitar I've ever played, with my JPs coming in second..
 

QuietSpike

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Agreed. I still have one JEM left but the EBMMs blow it away sonically. However, the action on the JEM is so insanely low without any buzz. It's the fastest guitar I've ever played, with my JPs coming in second..

Interesting...

My JPs are equally low to my Jem, and find my JP12 to be the fastest. The Jem neck is so wide compared to the MMs... When it was all I played, I didn't notice it... But now, when I switch from one to the other, it is very noticeable. The SS frets make the JP necks more comfortable and joyful to play as well, IMO.

I use 10s (and three springs), and they are easier to play on the JPs than the Jem.
 
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