JP versatility

[Mikey L]

Hi everybody! (waits for high Dr. nick). I'm new to the forums but only to posting (self admitted lurker for quite some time now. I guess a little background on myself to start. I've been playing music from before I can remember but I have been a guitarist for around six years now. I am a freshman in college and am a music major (performance.) Still trying to decide my minor which may or may not be music related. My main instrument has been a LEFTY Epiphone Les Paul. Now, don't get me wrong, I will always cherish this guitar as it has been though my journey as a guitarist from just about the beginning. But the reason I come here today is because it is definitely time for a change.

My favorite band is Dream Theater, but in terms of musical style I really love all sorts of progressive, jazz, funk, instrumental, classical, bluegrass, and hip hop. Because I have decided to pursue music seriously (we can debate about THAT choice another time) I figured it was time for a professional level instrument. I had pretty much given up hope looking for the perfect guitar because of my leftiness. But like a few other cats around here, EBMM pretty flipped, turned my life upside down when they announced they were making the JPs in lefty. After many, many months of work, including full time over my winter break, I now have the necessary funds to make a purchase.

I just wanted to be sure of this before I go through with it. I don't think I will have available funds like this for a while after this. So, I need to be wise. What I really want to know is how versatile the jp is. Playability wise of course, but even more so in terms of tone. I write my own music that is more of the Dream Theater/Steve Vai/insert another artist I can only dream of being good as persuasion, so I know the Jp can do that no problem. But especially in school I also play a lot of jazz. Can the JP get those sweet jazz tones (Pat Martino, George Benson, etc.) without being too punchy on the high end? Both for soloing and comping? What about other styles like more of that funk rhythm playing?

Sorry for super long first post guys, I guess I shouda registered sooner instead of letting the questions pile up, huh?

 

[Marcus2]

Welcome to our clubhouse.

After a long search, I too came to play EBMM Petruccis. Here's how I look at it: The guitar is top notch on construction and playability. I can literally play guitar better on the EBMM than other guitars made by good manufacturers.

If I can play the instrument well, I can be more musical than with a guitar that I can not play as well, regardless of what kind of tone is inherent to it.

The switching between pickup options is very flexible.

The piezo is the best I've ever played (even more natural than some acoustics with a piezo output).

Though I play jazz, I have not worked to cop a George Benson tone, as I found a clean tone that works well. However, I've heard other guitarists get cool jazz tones out of a Tele. I'd imagine you can do well with the Petrucci.

Best bet is to find a store that stocks the guitar and give it a shot. I still pick up some cool guitars I had previously played/collected. I find myself putting them away rather quickly and going back to my EBMM Petrucci.

Good luck. I respect how hard you worked to save for one of these.

Marc

 

[leftyguitarblue]

Welcome to the forums fellow lefty. I will let you know when I get mine in a week or so. Exciting times for us lefties.

 

[fbecir]

But especially in school I also play a lot of jazz. Can the JP get those sweet jazz tones (Pat Martino, George Benson, etc.) without being too punchy on the high end? Both for soloing and comping? What about other styles like more of that funk rhythm playing?

Hello Mikey

Do you know the record made by John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess called "An Evening with John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess" ?
I believe it was recorded with a JP. Some songs are really jazzy so you can judge if the tone is good for you.
But the best you can do is to try a JP in a shop.

Good luck

 

[mb99zz]

Welcome. I don't own a Petrucci, but I've tried the JP6 and BFR JP6 several times and both were on my short list for my next purchase. I consider it a very versatile guitar in terms of sound. I never even tried it with distortion as most of the stuff I play is clean. I was totally surprised at the tone as I expect this guitar to be meant for shredding with high levels of distortion. IMO, the neck pickup could be used for jazz. The middle position had a very cool clean tone as well. I've also seen a video online of somebody using the bridge pickup for some country style riffs that sounded just fine.

If you spend the extra $ for the Piezo, that's yet another tool in your pocket for sweet sounds. I'll echo the comment above -- go try one before you buy. The neck profile is unlike any other EBMM guitar. I expected to hate it after reading comments here on the forum (do some searching). It didn't really bother me the first time I played it and I came to like it more and more each time I went back to the store. So, make sure you get a chance to try one first.

On that note, try as many EBMMs as possible. You may find yourself lusting after a JP6 but ending up with a Luke, AL, Silhouette, Morse, Axis Super Sport, 25th Anniversary Edition.....

 

[Mikey L]

Thanks for all the input guys. I will definitely have to go check them out There's a sweet store called Make n' Music in the Chicago land area that John Petrucci did a clinic at that had probably about 10+ EBMMs on hand. The only problem with this is they will no doubt all be right handed. I suppose I should just do my best on it and listen to the tone and perhaps bring a friend along that can really take it for a spin. I would gladly travel outside of Chicago to a store if I knew they had a lefty JP in stock to try it out though.

 

[Lou]

I'd imagine running into a lefty JP is going to be near impossible for you. If you want pure jazz neck clean tone, I don't think the JP is gonna do it. Granted, I don't have flatwounds, but the guitar is not going to go that direction. It just wont have the air of a hollowbody.

Since you have a guitar that will handle rock tones, I suggest looking for a Hamer Artist or Newport. Both can be had for about $900 - $1200 on the used market depending on features, and you'll have your jazz tone easily.

 

[Mikey L]

Well to be honest I actually get very good jazz tones out of my Les Paul. And this is coming not from me but from the times I have been complimented on my tone from teachers and other students. I kind of don't buy in to the necessity of a hollow body for jazz. I will honestly have to try it out to judge for myself.

And I did find one place that will have lefties in stock. Product Categories

It's in Colorado and I would be willing to make the trip. I know I'm being neurotic about the purchase but as a college student, and in this economy I need to shop smart.

 

[jamminjim]

What about a Luke? Or a Silhouette Special?

 

[teokiatuan]

imo for different styles, the main ingredient in tone is the fingers

im sure bb king could still sound like him on a JP6

 

[Marcus2]

Well to be honest I actually get very good jazz tones out of my Les Paul. And this is coming not from me but from the times I have been complimented on my tone from teachers and other students. I kind of don't buy in to the necessity of a hollow body for jazz. I will honestly have to try it out to judge for myself.

And I did find one place that will have lefties in stock. Product Categories

It's in Colorado and I would be willing to make the trip. I know I'm being neurotic about the purchase but as a college student, and in this economy I need to shop smart.

Save the time and gas money and purchase from a retailer that gives you a few days time to evaluate the guitar and return it if it does not suit your needs.

Marc

 

[raybies]

I have to agree with the above statement.

Tone is in you hands.

I have a bud that can do anything on my petrucci's, you can see them here if you like.


Pictures by RANGERRAYBIES - Photobucket


country, rock, classical , blues, its how your hands move.

 

[mb99zz]

All I have in my hand is a piece of graphite from a pencil in grade school. It's a constant reminder that one should air-drum with the eraser end in your palm and not the other way around.

 

[1evh2nv]

Welcome to the forum

 

[Mikey L]

What about a Luke? Or a Silhouette Special?

Well it is very hard to resist my Dream Theater fanboyism, but I do hear great things about all of the music mans. That being said, the comments for the JP have not just been great but more along the lines of "best I ever played." Although I really do need to play each one to make any real judgment...

Save the time and gas money and purchase from a retailer that gives you a few days time to evaluate the guitar and return it if it does not suit your needs.

Marc

I honestly had no idea some retailers would do this. I was under the impression all sales are final as like the standard. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

And you guys are all so right about tone being in your hands. I suppose I'm just a little obsessive at times.

 

[Jason2112]

Well it is very hard to resist my Dream Theater fanboyism, but I do hear great things about all of the music mans. That being said, the comments for the JP have not just been great but more along the lines of "best I ever played." Although I really do need to play each one to make any real judgment...

I bought my Silo without ever having played it in person, I went solely off the praises of folks on this site (scary thought), but in the end it worked out really well and I'm happy with the guitar. While waiting for the Silo to arrive, I stopped in to a local shop and tried a Petrucci and an Axis. You can see from my signature which one I preferred The JP didn't win me over with it's acoustic sound (i.e. not plugged into an amp), which is how I first judge a guitar before firing up an amp. The overall feel of the guitar just wasn't right for me, and the placement of the pickup selector absolutely drove me nuts! After the JP I tried the Axis Super Sport, a guitar that has never interested me enough to actually play one, and it totally blew me away. I had to have one. That guitar is my new #1 with the Silo a close #2 (potentially a tie for #1 once I get some new pickups in it).

The point is, don't go by recommendations alone. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don't. It's going to be tougher for you because of the general lack of selection for lefties, but do what you can to play a JP before committing to it. And while you're at it, check out an Axis. You never know....

 

[andynpeters]

You may have to be patient....as you can see from the various L/H Petrucci threads, no-one actually owns one yet. I think I'm the only lefty on here who hasn't ordered one as I never use heavy tones.
I've seen people play jazz on all kinds of guitars from teles to 335s.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

You may have to be patient....as you can see from the various L/H Petrucci threads, no-one actually owns one yet. I think I'm the only lefty on here who hasn't ordered one as I never use heavy tones.
I've seen people play jazz on all kinds of guitars from teles to 335s.

That changes this week! I think one lefty will have his by Saturday. I have already been invoiced for a few by EB, and I even have some coming for store stock.

 

[Nik_Left_RG]

Sorry to hijack the thread but WOW Thats awesome!!

 

[leftyguitarblue]

That changes this week! I think one lefty will have his by Saturday. I have already been invoiced for a few by EB, and I even have some coming for store stock.

Hijack; sorry.
really? wow, they are available left handed? who's getting one this week?