EBMM John Petrucci guitar advice

[tritheory]

Hello,

I am looking to buy an Ernie Ball Music Man John Petrucci Model 6 string with inlays, matching headstock and Piezo system

Trying to decide on a color: 1st choice: Black, or 2nd choices: Saphire Black or Egyptian Smoke?

How duable is finish to scratches and dents since basswood?

Wondering how you all like the stock pickups in this guitar?

How does it compare to the Ibanez JPM1 model that I have?

Thanks,

Steve

 

[jeffrey]

I have a JPM1 as well (Ibanez). The EBMM is by far a superior instrument in every respect. Build quality (especially), neck, fretwork, finish quality, sound, etc.

I like the stock pickups a lot. I have not changed them as I really like the unique character of them.

I've found the finish to be very durable. I beat the hell out of my guitars and mine have held up very well thus far.

The only thing I will tell you in comparison to the JPM1, is if you are a heavy trem user, it will not stay in tune as well as a double-locker. I'm not really so I wasn't worried about it.

Food for thought.

 

[Katana6506]

Jeffrey, what's the neck profile and fret size like on a Pet?

 

[shreder75]

I have a JPM1 as well (Ibanez). The EBMM is by far a superior instrument in every respect. Build quality (especially), neck, fretwork, finish quality, sound, etc.

I like the stock pickups a lot. I have not changed them as I really like the unique character of them.

I've found the finish to be very durable. I beat the hell out of my guitars and mine have held up very well thus far.

The only thing I will tell you in comparison to the JPM1, is if you are a heavy trem user, it will not stay in tune as well as a double-locker. I'm not really so I wasn't worried about it.

Food for thought.

hey, that ibanez has a steve's special in it, right? I'm kinda goin' back and forth about actually puttin' that thing in my pet (yeah, I know.sounded like I was totally sold on the stock ones, right? lol)

anything you can tell me about how it sounds? tight? how are the harmonics? output, etc, etc

thanks!

 

[jeffrey]

Jeffrey, what's the neck profile and fret size like on a Pet?

To me the frets feel just like jumbo Dunlops. If not 6100's, very close.

The neck profile, it's hard for me to say. I only have Petrucci 7 strings (2 of'em) so my only comparison could be to an Ibanez UV. In comparison to a UV777BK (which is the Ibanez I used to have), the Petrucci feels similar in profile, but just a touch more meat in the middle (which is what I prefer). The fret work and finger board on the EB are light years better than the Ibanez though. EB's fretwork is just amazing.

 

[jeffrey]

hey, that ibanez has a steve's special in it, right? I'm kinda goin' back and forth about actually puttin' that thing in my pet (yeah, I know.sounded like I was totally sold on the stock ones, right? lol)

anything you can tell me about how it sounds? tight? how are the harmonics? output, etc, etc

thanks!

Well, I find the pickups in my JPM1 to have a bit more midrange and a bit less 'bite'. The ones in the EB JP seem to have a bit more attack to them. At least that's what it sounds like to my ears.

I'm very, very happy with them. I'm one of those people that almost always pulls out stock pickups, but I've had no inclination to do that with these.

 

[shreder75]

Well, I find the pickups in my JPM1 to have a bit more midrange and a bit less 'bite'. The ones in the EB JP seem to have a bit more attack to them. At least that's what it sounds like to my ears.

I'm very, very happy with them. I'm one of those people that almost always pulls out stock pickups, but I've had no inclination to do that with these.

guess that's what I'm interested in..the attack..I like the voicing of the jp pups, but I don't think they're quite hot enough for my liking..

not sure what I'm gonna do yet...I like the JB I have in my lynch, but I don't like to mix and match brands..which is hwy I got the SS...but I haven't opened it yet..so I might return it...no idea what I'm gonna do yet..lol...maybe I'll see how they sound through my quick rod...

 

[jeffrey]

Mine are more than hot enough...

I run my gain on maybe 7 and get tons of gain.

Not sure why yours doesn't sound hot, maybe the amp?

The JB is also abnormally hot and has a lot more midrange than the JP pickups do. Depends what tonality you are looking for.

 

[tritheory]

Thanks for the replies so far... WOnder what the average time is for completion to order the guitar?...My usual pickups are evolutions in my JEM and I love them...

Which color would you get between the 3 colors I have picked?

Steve

 

[koogie2k]

Average time is usually 3 months roughly.

Color....you picked black. So, if that was your first choice, that should be the one you should get. However, all the colors are awesome.....do like ernie, buy them all! LOL

 

[AlanJR]

I waited 4 1/2 months to get mine in, but you know what? It was so totally worth it. So far, I've had two gigs with my JP6 and both times we played out, the sound fit so well with the rest of the band much moreso than the '78 Les Paul I've been using for the last two years.

As far as the pups go, I'm still in a debate whether or not to change them out with something else. It's going to take me quite a while before I decide to do something like that just because the JP pups are so distinct, especially in that center position (Not including the Piezo). The only real way to figure out how well those pups sound with your rig is to actually put the two together and play. I was really worried about how they would react with the Svetlana's in my amp. Fortunately, the JP pups have less of an output than most other DiMarzio's and they balance each other out really well so, you can see what my dilemma is.

 

[Roxy]

The JP7 I have is most likely the best guitar I've ever owned. I just got it in July, but the honeymoon isn't over. I still have a lot to learn about it yet. I may add a JP6 next year. A stunning instrument.

I like the pickups. Dimarzio says this on their website:

These pickups are only available as original equipment on John's MusicMan guitar. The 6-string neck model is very similar to the Air Norton™. The sound of the bridge pickup resembles the Steve's Special™, although it is not as close. The 7-string Air Norton™ is fairly close to the MusicMan neck pickup, and the Blaze™ bridge

 

[tritheory]

EBMM Petrucci 6 string ordered!

Well...I am proud to say...pulled the trigger on a black JP6 with inlays, matching headstock and piezo....3-4 month estimated delivery time....

Can wait to get my hands on it..I will post pics as soon as I get guitar...


Thanks for all the advice so far...


Steve

 

[SteveB]

Steve,

Congrats on your purchase. You'll love your JP, and you will end up neglecting your other instruments!

 

[koogie2k]

AH HA! Went with your first choice.....good move! That's awesome....I always go with the gut instinct. You will love that axe....and the others that you will buy afterwards.....

 

[jeffrey]

Congrats man, you will love it.

 

[tritheory]

Still thinking on the color...Since it is a while out..I am looking at some pics of other peoples guitars and I think I like the Egyptian smoke the best...

Steve

 

[ernie1966]

Still thinking on the color...Since it is a while out..I am looking at some pics of other peoples guitars and I think I like the Egyptian smoke the best...

Steve

I think you can't go wrong with Egyptian Smoke. It's a mixture of gray, brown and I sometimes see some green highlights in it. To me, it's like 3 colors in one.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

I think you can't go wrong with Egyptian Smoke. It's a mixture of gray, brown and I sometimes see some green highlights in it. To me, it's like 3 colors in one.

Yep, Egyptian Smoke shifts the most out of any standard color EB offers. Way more shades to it than Carbon Blue Pearl has. Both are awesome colors, you couldn't possibly go wrong with either

 

[tritheory]

Too many cool colors to choose from....

Steve