Help! Different models designed for John Petrucci

[Norstorm]

Hello guys.
I'm from Norway, and recently I got my hands in a 2010 JP7 Stealth.
I was amazed it fits my style and fingers, so well.. So I've decided to sell a few high ends, and buy another one, or the new BFR model.

But here's the thing..

I don't understand the model hirearchy.
On MM web I see a few models, yeah.. But when I surf around the web elsewhere, it seems like there's a lot more models containing different kinds of wood, necks, and so forth.
I've seen the BFR models with hard maple, but also rosewood.
I just... I don't get it.

Can someone illuminate the list for me?

 

[the24thfret]

There are basically 3 models.

- Original JP6 and JP7 (released 2001). Basswood bodies and rosewood fretboards on maple necks. (Stealth finish available has an ebony fretboard and a finished neck I believe, also black hardware). With the standard JPs, you have choices to get dot inlays or the JP shields, piezo or no piezo, and painted headstock or no painted headstock.

- BFR 6 and 7 (released 2007) and also baritone JP model (released 2008). Alder body with mahogany toneblock, figured maple top (quilt or flame), mahogony finished neck with a rosewood fretboard. All come fully loaded and there are no options other than color and flame/quilt. There is a Koa finish option that has a slightly different wood combination and also has gold hardware.

- JPX (released 2010). Alder body with mahogany toneblock and maple cap but the opaque finish hides any figured wood. Body is chambered. Mahogany neck with ebony fretboard. No options (only one color). Black hardware.

Any other variations you see are limited runs. Here are some examples (not a complete list):

- The Dargie Delight package had a green finish and martini glass inlays (limited run in 2007).
- The Dargie Delight II package had a color-shifting green finish, and ebony fretboards with custom oval inlays (limited run in 2009).
- The RW neck option was available in late 2009 and so there are BFR and other models out there with unfinished solid rosewood necks (complete with BFR logos at the 12th fret).
- The original run of JP stealths had rosewood fretboards, but this was later changed to ebony and now all new stealth models have ebony. The stealth is only available on the basswood JP and not the BFR or JPX.
- There were limited edition models for years 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 (I think just these years) that had a specific limited color and the 2007 and 2008 models had the year as an inlay at the 12th fret. Some also had a "limited edition 200x" print on the back of the body. At least two of these models (2006 and 2008) had gold hardware.
- There is at least a few "one-off" models out there done for clinics or shows or fundraisers.... A few come to mind: silverburst BFR, spalted maple top BFR, and a few others. Also, there is apparently a single left-handed BFR7 with an unfinished maple/rosewood neck available (I think at drumcityguitarland?). So there are some JPs out there that are not production models but people have them.

All production JPs also have the same pickups (Dimarzio Crunchlab and Liquifire). But there are two previous combinations: the first was two custom unnamed Dimarzios from 2001-2006, then the D-sonic and custom Dimarzio from 2006-2009, and now the current combination.

I'll add more if I remember any more.

 

[Norstorm]

Thank you so very much, the24thfret..
I belive now that the limited runs were the ones I got confused about.

Allright.. I feel ready to buy

Thank you again..

 

[the24thfret]

I have to say... I think I did a pretty good job

 

[Norstorm]

I am a blood fan of Petrucci and his style, so it sounded pretty spot on..

But with all the models existing, for his design.. God damn.. :S:S
But yet again.. Now I know.

Thanks

 

[MikeVt]

I am a blood fan of Petrucci and his style, so it sounded pretty spot on..

But with all the models existing, for his design.. God damn.. :S:S
But yet again.. Now I know.

Thanks

So which one are you going to get?
Mike

 

[Norstorm]

Well.. I have to sell one of my Ibanez' first, but I guess I'll go for either the JP7 BFR Quilted, or a JP7 Mystic, or something..

 

[Mike Y]

This might help with the "something" part........

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eerIO5bDCqM&feature=related]YouTube - Building The Ernie Ball Music Man JPX with John Petrucci[/ame]

 

[Norstorm]

Cool video..
I doubt I will end up with a JPX, though..

 

[Norstorm]

Surfing instrumentlist..

Would be cool to have JP7 BFR Quilted Ruby Red Burst, w/ Ebony frets..

Hah! Imagine that