Question JP-6, JPXI, or JP-15?

[EnterOblivion]

I'm considering buying either a
JP-6 in Mystic Dream, or a
JPXI, or a
JP-15 in Flame Trans Black.

I've had a JP-6 before and loved it so much, mainly because of the unfinished fast neck and the ergonomics of the guitar. It fit my body perfectly. The Dimarzio Crunchlab in JP-6 was probably the best pickup I've played for my taste as well.
I have not had the chance to try any other JP models. The fretboard radius is different for these models, so I'm not sure which one would feel more comfortable, and which one is more suited for what style. Here are my questions:

• What do you guys think of these guitars, and if you have them what have been your experiences with them?
• Which one would you go for? (they are roughly similarly priced)
• Which one is more comfortable to play? (forearm scoop good?)
• Which one is more versatile?
• What are the tonal options you have with each of these models?
• What are the differences between the rosewood fingerboard (JP-6), maple (JP-15), and Ebony (JPXI)? I've only played rosewood.
• Should I go nuts and get a majesty?

Images for comparison:

JP-6 in Mystic Dream


JP-15 in Flame Trans Black


JPXI

 

[QuietSpike]

I’ve owned the JP BFR, JP12, and JP15.... and the JP15 is the best iteration of the JP line, IMO. It’s the perfect combination of ergonomics, neck profile, and electronics.

The JP12 is a close second- 20” radius was nice, and the feel was great.

Can’t go wrong with a majesty... different animal though!

 

[johnnyboogie]

I have owned all of the three. The only thing you should worry about is what radius you would feel most comfortable with. Other than that, go with what your eyes like the most. And when it comes to the JP15 keep in mind you will be needing batteries.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

I have both a JP6 and a JPXI, but no JP15 (yet). I'm a big fan of rosewood and ebony as fretboards, and if the time ever comes where a JP15 is available with one of those options and an oil/wax neck to go with the figured top then I will probably have to jump on it.

 

[SpeakingToStone]

I've own multiple versions of all three and I play my regular JP 15 the least. It's cool, but the maple fingerboard is too bright for my Boogies, a little brittle, even with darker pick ups. However, I've been loving my limited jp 15 with ebony. That is the gem, of all JP models, I think. . . . Having said all that. I LOVE my JPXI. If they made that in more finishes . . . .

 

[Etudica]

I own all 3 as well and find that when writing or recording I always end up picking up my JPXI regardless if the track requires a 7 string or not. That neck radius is perfect for fast, technical playing and the riffs and sweeps come out so much cleaner for me on that one compared to the others. Aesthetically though it's the least impressive, so I use my JP6 and JP15 BFRs when playing live. If you are a technical player I'd recommend the JPXI... it will up your game!!!

 

[EnterOblivion]

Thank you all for your insights and recommendations. It will definitely impact my decision.

For JPXI, I actually love the all black look. The only thing that worries me is that the back of the neck is finished like the rest of the guitar, and I presumed that over time it will become sticky. How has your experience been with the finished neck? Which neck feel do you prefer? It is after all the part of the guitar that you touch all the time.

 

[johnnyboogie]

Thank you all for your insights and recommendations. It will definitely impact my decision.

For JPXI, I actually love the all black look. The only thing that worries me is that the back of the neck is finished like the rest of the guitar, and I presumed that over time it will become sticky. How has your experience been with the finished neck? Which neck feel do you prefer? It is after all the part of the guitar that you touch all the time.

Nothing to worry about. You can wipe it with a polish cloth should you need to. But you won't. If that's troubling you, think of all the care an unfinished neck requires.

 

[DrewH]

OP,

Guitars are so subjective and we don't know what your ear likes, but I'm a HUGE fan of the JP15. I have a teal one that I'll eventually be posting some pics of. I've owned both a regular JP6 and also the black sugar BFR with the roasted neck and ebony board. I did not like either enough to keep them around very long. This one isn't going anywhere. It's almost a perfect guitar. Tonally it's very well balanced which lends itself to being very versatile. Basswood (minus maple top) can kind of be a one trick pony which is great if you are going to just play prog/instrumental music. That is why I never ultimately bonded with the 2 JP6's I had. They didn't cut it for other styles of music. The JP15 can go other areas and the pickups sound great in the middle position(s) where the crunch lab/liquifire tended to make that position nearly unusable. I also find the Piezo to be richer/fuller sounding on the JP15 vs the JP6. The JP15 might be the best all around guitar I've ever owned, and I've owned plenty of higher end PRS, Jackson, Fender, Other Music Mans, Suhr, etc that are no longer with me.

 

[EnterOblivion]

Fantastic insights. Thank you! Do you find that the gloss finish on the teal model has an effect on the sound? I feel like guitars with matte or satin finishes tend to have a different sound (especially unplugged) as the wood is allowed to vibrate more. Not sure if this is something other people also hear.
I really wish they made the trans black model with a gloss finish, and an ebony finger board with unfinished maple neck.

 

[EnterOblivion]

Is the maple fingerboard also more difficult to play on? I've heard that it's a little tougher to touch than ebony or rosewood boards.

 

[DrewH]

There is always a small sound difference between gloss and satin finished guitar. Satin tends to be a little more open, less compressed. But, I haven't played both side by side.

This JP15 maple board is a dream. Smooth. Better than rosewood and comparable to ebony. Don't think maple and then start to think something like the Fender gloss finished boards. EB does these right.

 

[Bartman1]

There is always a small sound difference between gloss and satin finished guitar. Satin tends to be a little more open, less compressed. But, I haven't played both side by side.

This JP15 maple board is a dream. Smooth. Better than rosewood and comparable to ebony. Don't think maple and then start to think something like the Fender gloss finished boards. EB does these right.

I recently bought a JP 15 in teal quilt. I am just beginning to learn some solo and theory. What I am saying is I am not even a good player. But I was worried about the neck and fret board. I like dark fret boards because ,not being a very good player I look at the strings a lot. I can’t see the strings on a light maple board. But the roasted board is dark enough to overcome this. Also I have short fat tip fingers. So the JP15 neck has a little wider neck at the nut. That , with a flat fret board make this guitar perfect for me. All I can say is the JP 15 is an awesome guitar. Can’t speak for the other JP guitars because I have not played them.

 

[LordRiffenstein]

I have a JP 6 and a JP 15 and love them both but they are pretty different. You say you like the forearm scoop so that's the only real oddball thing about any of them. I love the feel of the unroasted JP 6 but the JP 15 is more comfortable to play in my opinion. It seems slightly and I mean slightly thicker (2 mm maybe?) and I suppose the radius has something to do with it as well. I think the roasted maple fretboard feels awesome to play on though, super smooth. For me, feel/playability goes to the JP15.

Sound-wise I prefer the JP6 with the CL/LF combo. I hated the Illuminators. Waaay too much presence for my taste. After much agonizing I had a pro tech route the 15 for standard sized pickups (went CL/LF). For what it's worth, I think the push-push coil tap and the on board preamp make the 15 more versatile.

My thoughts weren't very well organized so I apologize for that.

tl:dr

JP15 feels better to me and has more versatile features
JP6 sounds better to me than a stock JP15

In hindsight I think the JP6 BFR would have been the best choice for me. I guess I have to get a 3rd JP.

 

[thejone]

Hi. I have all three of them. Out of those three the JPXI is the best guitar. The playabiliy is superior to the other two due to the extra slim neck and the flat radius. The guitar has a similar fast attack compared to the JP15 but is has more depht in the tone since the JP15 with the roasted maple neck is rather bright sounding. The JP6 sounds quite full though but the neck just is not as great as the JPXI.