EB/MM John Petrucci - Stress Cracks in neck-joint

[Crimson Sunrise]

Many might not know about this, but the Petrucci model has quite a bad rep for having this problem.


First off, let me say that I own two of these models and think their great. And, I actually have not encountered this problem with either of my guitars....but, many others have. So, the reason I even bring it up is to find out if I might have this problem down the line with my guitars?


Here's the story I've heard thus far from rumors and what not:


Some have said that these problems only occured on the very first models that were released originally. And, these people say that they were contributed to the cases they were shipped in. They said this happend while the guitar was in shippment. (moving around and what not) Yet, I have also heard some recent accounts of such problems that makes me wonder if this matter was ever resolved? I've heard people say that they had to send their guitars back so EB could install new bodys/necks or something like that....which if the case, must be costing them quite a bit.


Anyhow, I thought it'd be a good idea to get this matter addressed so such rumors (rather true or not) can be answered by EB. (Pic below!)


Thanks!

 

[Curt Mangan]

Stress Cracks

Your right, The "Stress Crack" rumor is an unjustified, undeserving "bad rap" for an amazing instrument and is limited to a very few number of customers.

With thousands of Petrucci guitars shipped worldwide, we have 23 reported problems. The majority of these problems were reported within the first few months of the model's introduction. We have since redesigned the case to better protect the instrument.

Our factory tests indicate "abusive" handling during transit as primary cause of these problems.

We encourage all buyers to promply and thoroughly inspect the box, the case, and the guitar for damage upon delivery and immediately report any damage to the shipper.

 

[cocobig]

Mine has a neck joint crack also, but I don't worry about it that much. It's just a finish crack... It doesn't have any effect with tone or playability. Just like a ding or scratch on your guitar. I believe the case cause this problem... But again, I don't care about this issue that much. The Petrucci model is still one of the best guitar I have anyway.

Rock on!

 

[Shnook]

I would not except any finish crack on a new guitar as expensive as the EBMM Petrucci model no matter how well it played. For more discussion on this subject check out the Gear section on John Petrucci's site. Seems like quite a few folks over there are or have dealt with the Petrucci model stress cracks.

 

[Dr. Metal]

I have owned a JPM since August and it is an unbelieveably great guitar. I don't think I"ve encountered this problem (just heard about it today here), but I will say the for the money I paid for this guitar (Piezo, Inlays, Matching Headstock, Mystic Dream), I really am VERY disappointed with the case!!

It is not even close to snug :-( I took it back to Guitar Center in Towson, MD (where I custom ordered this guitar) and they told me that this the case they come in. They even pulled out a case for the stripped down JPM they had in stock and sure enough it is the same. Looking up on Ebay at some of the better pictures, I see the same problem with the cases. So I would NOT be surprised to see the stress crack problem occurring on a regular basis. I'll have to keep a close eye on mine.

The only other disappointment I have is the serious lack of documentation. No instructions on proper care of the guitar are included. Cleaning, adjusting the truss rod, etc... I even specifically asked GC about adjusting the rod and they blew me off!! I've been wanting to call Customer Support and write up here for a few months, but haven't found the time. I'm just glad that my JPM doesn't break A strings like the JPM "loaner" I had from GC for almost three months while waiting from mine to be built.

And for the record, it stays in tune beautifully! My band just played an 90 minute set the end of November and it performed wonderfully. I never had to retune it! And mu USA Jackson that I've had and loved for almost 18 years sat there untouched the entire show. I NEVER put down the JPM all night!

Rick
http://www.CriticalPathBand.org

 

[kevin7]

So far, So good with my JPM!

 

[Shnook]

I'm really surprised that there isn't more discussion about the JPM
stress cracks on this forum. Over at Petrucci's forum, there seems to be quite a few people who are having problems with stress cracks.

At this point, I've decided against the EBMM JPM. I just read on Petrucci's forum of a guy who paid $2000 for one and got a stress crack. Sent it back to have the body replaced, which EBMM did. That guitar arrived with a stress crack.

I personally think that this issue needs to be resolved before shipping more of these guitars out. EBMM has to be losing money everytime one of these guitars come back. Granted, they have excellent customer service, but it doesn't look good to be selling $2000 guitars with stress cracks. Once this problem is taken care of, I'll reconsider the JPM.

 

[The Miracle]

I suppose people think more of the John Petrucci Signature than they do of the ERNIE BALL logo. Oh well, I guess it goes to show ya!

I'm really surprised that there isn't more discussion about the JPM
stress cracks on this forum. Over at Petrucci's forum, there seems to be quite a few people who are having problems with stress cracks.

At this point, I've decided against the EBMM JPM. I just read on Petrucci's forum of a guy who paid $2000 for one and got a stress crack. Sent it back to have the body replaced, which EBMM did. That guitar arrived with a stress crack.

I personally think that this issue needs to be resolved before shipping more of these guitars out. EBMM has to be losing money everytime one of these guitars come back. Granted, they have excellent customer service, but it doesn't look good to be selling $2000 guitars with stress cracks. Once this problem is taken care of, I'll reconsider the JPM.

 

[The Miracle]

Re: Stress Cracks

Any chance of getting a different case for the JPM? I mean to say, is there one with a better fit?

Your right, The "Stress Crack" rumor is an unjustified, undeserving "bad rap" for an amazing instrument and is limited to a very few number of customers.

With thousands of Petrucci guitars shipped worldwide, we have 23 reported problems. The majority of these problems were reported within the first few months of the model's introduction. We have since redesigned the case to better protect the instrument.

Our factory tests indicate "abusive" handling during transit as primary cause of these problems.

We encourage all buyers to promply and thoroughly inspect the box, the case, and the guitar for damage upon delivery and immediately report any damage to the shipper.

 

[Dr. Metal]

I'm not sure I follow your thinking here, but I know that I love my JPM! I started thinking about it when someone joked around to me about it. I then started checking the net for reviews and found nothing but praises for it. I then went to Guitar Center (the one in Towson, MD) to check one out. I walked in and they had one sitting right up front and center as you walked in. I sat down with it and started playing it without an amp and IMMEDIATELY loved it. I had been playing an '85 USA Jackson Randy Rhoads for over 17 years and was very comfortable with that guitar so for me to just pick up the guitar and start playing it like I had owned it for years spoke volumes to me. I went back a few weeks later and ordered mine. I had the one I tried out on loaner for close to three months while EB built mine.

My biggest complaint about the guitar is the same as yours -- the case. I can't believe that guitar costing this much would come with such a piece of junk case!! The case that came with my Jackson is beautiful compared to this thing. It fits the guitar like a glove whereas the MM case might as well be a big empty rectangle inside as loose as the guitar is. It truly is a shame to put such a fine instrument into a second rate case like they do.

The other big thing is the total lack of documentation for the proper care and setup of the guitar. I was told from the salesman that they need truss rod adjustments more often than many guitars, but couldn't or wouldn't tell me how and how often. Also, the proper care of the finish on the neck would be a huge benefit. EB should have that stuff in some sort of care manual.

So the biggest problems aren't even with the guitar itself, it is with the rest of the package. My only real complaint with the guitar itself is the back plate doesn't seem to line up real well with the bottom of the tremelo edge. So changing strings can be somewhat of a beast. I would've sworn that the loaner wasn't like this but can't remember for sure. I ned to address this I just haven't had the time to call customer service yet.

BTW, I notice that you are from Glen Burnie. I live right over the line in Stewartstown, PA about 50 minutes or so from you. I grew up in Catonsville. My band, Critical Path, will be playing an all progressive/power metal show this coming Friday night at the Thunderdome. Check my bands website, http://www.CriticalPathBand.org, for details. You should come down and check the show out -- it should be great! Plus it's only like 5-10 minutes from your house.

I suppose people think more of the John Petrucci Signature than they do of the ERNIE BALL logo. Oh well, I guess it goes to show ya!

 

[The Miracle]

Well, I've never heard of your band until I saw you on the forum. Well, if it's prog rock then I guess I have plans Friday night now. I'll be there. I go to the Guitar Center towson store too. I'm infamous in there. I don't have a JPM yet, but i'm looking to get one soon.

I'm not sure I follow your thinking here, but I know that I love my JPM!

 

[The Miracle]

My thinking was that, they're posting to the JP forum instead of here where it matters. there a JP sig on the headstock on the guitar, so naturally people flock there instead of here. That's all.

 

[Dr. Metal]

COOL!!! That is excellent! Make sure you introduce yourself. Small world, eh? Our website has the details of the other two bands playing there too. It should be killer!

Infamous, eh? I think they know me in there pretty well by now. I guess there are so few guys out there that actually wear their hair long these days, I must stick out. Plus, I did make a very nice purchase there Well short of the guitar case issue, it is a great guitar!!! I think you'd be happy. Now you'll get to hear one cranked through a Mesa Boogie through a PA.

Well, I've never heard of your band until I saw you on the forum. Well, if it's prog rock then I guess I have plans Friday night now. I'll be there. I go to the Guitar Center towson store too. I'm infamous in there. I don't have a JPM yet, but i'm looking to get one soon.

 

[Lou]

CASES

I have 2 JPM's. The case on the one I bought a few months ago is snug around the guitar body. I bought this one used.

Last week I bought a new one from Guitar Center and when I got it home, I realized the case was much different. The cutout around the body is much bigger. It almost looks like the case is a catch-all, and could even work for lefties. For a moment, I thout GC gave me the wrong case, but they had a hang tag on the case and hand written on it was 'for petrucci model.'

I called EB on this and they explained that the case is fine and it is indeed a generic type case. It does have a cut out in the top for where the piezo swich would fit into. I prefer the snug fitting case. I am not sure if either will lead to the stress crack problem.

I have owned other guitars that had this problem and I think I got one delivered via UPS that had these cracks. It was a Hamer Californian, and the shipper told me they were not there when ha had the guitar. It is cosmetic really, so I am not concerned at this point.

 

[headshop]

From the threads I've read about the stress cracks whether from shipping or the case, the stress cracks are a cosmetic problem. Evidently it does not effect the playability of the guitar.
I bought a blemished JP from an online store, so if it doesn't effect the stability and playability of the guitar I won't worry about it unless anyone knows of any instances where the stability of this fine instrument is a problem caused by the stress cracks.

Thanks

Bill

 

[guitar99]

Yeah, thats probably true. What's the big deal? They are just a crack or two in the neck area.

Just get it repaired. That way the cracks won't spread out over the rest of the guitar.

 

[headshop]

I know the JP model hasn't been out that long, but has anyone noticed the neck joint stress cracks increasing in size since they first noticed it?

Bill

 

[Fortimir]

I will be recieving a JP Signature with a half-inch stress fracture. What would be the best way to get that repaired? Also, if you have one of the crappy loose cases, would Ernie Ball replace it and/or fix the crack?

 

[guitar99]

From what I have read, the fix is to replace the guitar body. Did not know this before. If the crack gets bigger, then it maybe time to get another body. Do you have to go to Ernie Ball for this?

 

[Fortimir]

My guitar was taken to a local Luthier, and he said it was NO deal at all. the crack was no where near the wood. IT was 100% finish. He sealed it and polished it, and it is really nice now.