JP70 or PRS SE 7?

[lil_petrucci]

OK. So pretty much as the title says, which one?

The JP70 is a touch plain for my liking, but freaking NO ONE in Australia has one. So, I can't play it and get a feel for it, as no one has it for me to sit and freaking play. As a result, i'm a bit hesitant to order one as retailers here suck (source: Used to work for a certain one before it collapsed)

But i HAVE played the PRS. And holy hell it's a good guitar. But the pickup switcher is a bit eh and the controls are a bit out of wack for my liking. I have a JP BFR 6 at the moment and i love it to pieces, but I have a feeling the JP70 would be better for me as i'm not going to be playing 7 strings all the time.

Also, there's some talk that the JP70 will be released in a different colour next year (Pearl White i hear) which will pretty much make me want to buy it, but it's still only basswood. Whereas the PRS is mahogany. Soo..

Forum members! Which one would you take? Better yet, does anyone in Sydney have a jp70 that would be willing to let me fiddle with it for an hour or so to get a feel for the guitar?

Cheers!

 

[phatduckk]

As this is the EBMM forum id imagine most folks here will vote for the EBMM.

Hopefully someone comes around who's played both & can give you some basis of comparison.

 

[Vastone]

Sure, the JP70 is a pretty practical looking guitar but I can tell you from my personal experiences with the ones I own that it's a phenomenal instrument. It doesn't look the way it does because it's designers were lazy in the slightest. It's designed perfectly to accommodate that 7th string. If you're familiar with the BFR 6 and love it as much as you say you do, you'll love the JP70 just as much I'd imagine.

PRS has some pretty great options and I've own my fair share of them yet I've only kept one. They are well crafted and are decent lookers, but there has always been something about them that just didn't suit my tastes or needs. The only reason I kept my PRS Al Di Meola Prism is because it's Al Di Me-friggin-ola's signature guitar and I plan on chopping it up for parts to line my coffin with.

The looks for the PRS guitars for me is a novelty that seems to wear off rather quickly for me. For you, you mention you don't appreciate the electronics and controls of some of the PRS instruments. This is something that will, perhaps after awhile, cause you to regret your purchase. I think the design and feel of the JP70 will make for a more worth while purchase for you in the long run, based on the fact you already like the general design of JPMs. I'd definitely pick a guitar that's more configured to my standards that are conducive to my needs. Seems like a better choice over something you'd just buy because it looks good and is made out of materials I'm more mentally polarized with.

Bottom line from my perspective: Forget the mahogany and the PRS line and go with the JP70. It will compliment your BFR anyway.

 

[ohdamnitsdevin]

JP70! A no brainer.

 

[SBMM]

Well, considering I am just a little bit biased...the JP70 is the choice!

Now, to address your other issue or concern about dealers: Our Aussie Distributor, CMC Music, is PHENOMENAL!
Please contact Rick at CMC and he will direct you to a retailer in your area that can hook you up with your new JP70.
Rick's email is [email protected]
Feel free to tell him that I sent you his way.

I'll jump ahead of this and congratulate you on your new JP70! Post some pics when you get it

 

[lil_petrucci]

Well, considering I am just a little bit biased...the JP70 is the choice!

Now, to address your other issue or concern about dealers: Our Aussie Distributor, CMC Music, is PHENOMENAL!
Please contact Rick at CMC and he will direct you to a retailer in your area that can hook you up with your new JP70.
Rick's email is [email protected]
Feel free to tell him that I sent you his way.

I'll jump ahead of this and congratulate you on your new JP70! Post some pics when you get it

Hey Brian, thanks for taking the time to post!

My biggest problem here is that I can't get one to play first, which I'd like to do. I assume they'd play extremely similarly to the JP7. I've played the PRS, and it's unbelievable. But I'd assume the JP is going to be just as good if not more comfortable, but i'm really not in the game of dropping $1200 on a sight-unseen guitar, and un-played guitar.

I'm also aware there are some interesting developments to be released next year if i'm not mistaken... New colours or something?

 

[lil_petrucci]

OK So i've decided to go with the Petrucci.... Only because of that new colour! Pearl White. mmmm.... Pearl White.

So can anyone tell me who will be able to order it in Australia?

 

[Minoin]

Australia

Great choice! The Pearl White is amazingly pretty!

 

[SBMM]

Drop CMC Music a line. They are our exclusive Distributor in Australia and will be able to direct you to a retailer in your region.

CMC MUSIC welcomes you! - CMC Music

 

[lil_petrucci]

Sterling, I'm going to give you an update because I can and because I feel like this is total bull****.

I got onto some people from a music store who were awesomely helpful and lovely. Really wanted to buy from them... buuuuuut then I got the price tag.

$1950 RRP. Nineteen-hundred-and-fifty-dollars. For a KOREAN guitar. Dude, screw that.

I'm happy to pay for a good quality guitar - never have been a problem. But when I can get the PRS 7 for $660, or alternatively I can get the JP7 Music Man USA guitar for $2200 from the USA, I have to ask what the FREAK is going on.

That is just completely ludicrous. Care to share a reason as to why these things are so freaking expensive? I was excepting maybe $1350, $1250 somewhere around there going off the prices of the other ones around, but nearly two grand for a guitar that isn't even made in the USA? Nope. Not happening.

Sorry Sterling, I love your guitars I really do, but I refuse to be ripped off.

 

[faris]

Sterling, I'm going to give you an update because I can and because I feel like this is total bull****.

I got onto some people from a music store who were awesomely helpful and lovely. Really wanted to buy from them... buuuuuut then I got the price tag.

$1950 RRP. Nineteen-hundred-and-fifty-dollars. For a KOREAN guitar. Dude, screw that.

I'm happy to pay for a good quality guitar - never have been a problem. But when I can get the PRS 7 for $660, or alternatively I can get the JP7 Music Man USA guitar for $2200 from the USA, I have to ask what the FREAK is going on.

That is just completely ludicrous. Care to share a reason as to why these things are so freaking expensive? I was excepting maybe $1350, $1250 somewhere around there going off the prices of the other ones around, but nearly two grand for a guitar that isn't even made in the USA? Nope. Not happening.

Sorry Sterling, I love your guitars I really do, but I refuse to be ripped off.

$1950 for a Korean guitar? I'm sorry but I'm quite lost here, you're talking about the JP70D right? I'm buying one from the US and it costs like $800-ish and it's made in Indonesia.

 

[lil_petrucci]

$1950 for a Korean guitar? I'm sorry but I'm quite lost here, you're talking about the JP70D right? I'm buying one from the US and it costs like $800-ish and it's made in Indonesia.

WOW. That's even worse. Indonesian guitar, that's costing $2000? Nup, I'm out.

By the by, here's the email I got this morning from the store. (Click the link to see it). I Blacked out the names from teh store to protect them as best I can.

$2000 for an Indonesian guitar? That's beyond insanity. I mean most strats and teles are under that by a way. Some Les Pauls. ALL of the PRS SE range. I mean... what the hell are you's doing?

 

[faris]

WOW. That's even worse. Indonesian guitar, that's costing $2000? Nup, I'm out.

By the by, here's the email I got this morning from the store. (Click the link to see it). I Blacked out the names from teh store to protect them as best I can.

$2000 for an Indonesian guitar? That's beyond insanity. I mean most strats and teles are under that by a way. Some Les Pauls. ALL of the PRS SE range. I mean... what the hell are you's doing?

I think the parts are from somewhere else (Japan maybe?), assembled in Indonesia and quality checked in the US. I don't know how the store is charging that much, but if you buy it directly from the US it costs way less. For me it's like 1200 in your currency, the same price as my JP100D which is an awesome guitar. These guitars have the reputation for being the best value for money in the mid range, so I don't think it's Sterling's fault, I think the store you're contacting is the one ripping you off.

Sterling makes great guitars, period. You should look for another dealer or even just buy it from Pete.

 

[DrKev]

They are listed at $1295 AUS at guitar.com.au, which is correct relative to the prices of the JP70s and PRS SEs that I've seen anywhere else in the world. It's also cheaper than we get 'em in Europe.

 

[Kenji20022]

Just because a dealer priced a guitar wrong doesn't mean you need to blame the father company for it.

Also, I don't understand what your beef is with Indo/Korean Instruments. I've played and owned countless instruments from those regions and they've all been superb with nothing that you would deem a defect of any sort. Many of them are very well made and they can stand above other instruments in the mid range. Don't trash those countries of origin, from various companies there's been a noticeable increase in quality being put out by those regions.

Also, if anyone buys a guitar just because it's from a specific place is missing the point, IMO. Find another dealer with the correct pricing, or ask that dealer to price match other dealers and buy whichever one you bond with the most.

The PRS and the SBMM are very different instruments, and both are high quality mid range guitars. You can't really compare them, the SBMM has:
Floating Trem
Locking Tuners
25.5" Scale Length
17" Radius
Basswood Body
Maple Neck/Rosewood FB
Crunchlab/Liquifire
Thin JP Neck Profile

PRS has:
Hardtail Bridge
Standard PRS SE Tuners
25" Scale
10" Radius
Mahogany Body
Maple Neck/Rosewood FB
PRS SE HFS/Vintage Bass Pickups
Push/Pull Tone
PRS Wide Thin Neck Profile

Radically different guitars that do radically different things. The PRS has a shorter scale length, so you have to compensate with heavier strings if you want to tune down, it also has stock pickups which aren't bad but aren't the best for clarity on the Low B/A. It's a hardtail, and it has a round neck radius which feels different to the SBMM. The SBMM has a larger scale length, has excellent aftermarket pickups, locking tuners, a floating bridge that can be blocked if you don't plan on using it.

They are both however high quality guitars that are built incredibly well, I've had no qualms with any that I've gotten my hands on from both parties. Play both if possible and decide what works for you.

 

[lil_petrucci]

Just because a dealer priced a guitar wrong doesn't mean you need to blame the father company for it.

Also, I don't understand what your beef is with Indo/Korean Instruments. I've played and owned countless instruments from those regions and they've all been superb with nothing that you would deem a defect of any sort. Many of them are very well made and they can stand above other instruments in the mid range. Don't trash those countries of origin, from various companies there's been a noticeable increase in quality being put out by those regions.

Also, if anyone buys a guitar just because it's from a specific place is missing the point, IMO. Find another dealer with the correct pricing, or ask that dealer to price match other dealers and buy whichever one you bond with the most.

The PRS and the SBMM are very different instruments, and both are high quality mid range guitars. You can't really compare them, the SBMM has:
Floating Trem
Locking Tuners
25.5" Scale Length
17" Radius
Basswood Body
Maple Neck/Rosewood FB
Crunchlab/Liquifire
Thin JP Neck Profile

PRS has:
Hardtail Bridge
Standard PRS SE Tuners
25" Scale
10" Radius
Mahogany Body
Maple Neck/Rosewood FB
PRS SE HFS/Vintage Bass Pickups
Push/Pull Tone
PRS Wide Thin Neck Profile

Radically different guitars that do radically different things. The PRS has a shorter scale length, so you have to compensate with heavier strings if you want to tune down, it also has stock pickups which aren't bad but aren't the best for clarity on the Low B/A. It's a hardtail, and it has a round neck radius which feels different to the SBMM. The SBMM has a larger scale length, has excellent aftermarket pickups, locking tuners, a floating bridge that can be blocked if you don't plan on using it.

They are both however high quality guitars that are built incredibly well, I've had no qualms with any that I've gotten my hands on from both parties. Play both if possible and decide what works for you.

This is the new JP70D Pearl White. I got the pricing from the supplier here, who said it was $2000 RRP. The store said special price of $1750...

I can buy a JP7 from the USA for a couple hundred bucks more. Why in gods name would I buy an indonesian instrument for that?

My beef is not with the instrument. It's with the price of the instrument. It's not even remotely worth paying that amount for an Indonesian instrument, period. The prices here are bull**** and it's half because of CMC taking their cut. If it was a hundred bucks or two hundred more, i'd understand for freight and such. But not over a grand more. It's total crap. I'll stick with my US instruments for now. Unless CMC can give me a realistic price, that's in line with what an indonesian guitar should be, then i'm out.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

It's a limited production model with only 60 units available worldwide. It makes sense to me that the price is significantly higher, provided the market is able to bear it.

 

[Kenji20022]

This is the new JP70D Pearl White. I got the pricing from the supplier here, who said it was $2000 RRP. The store said special price of $1750...

I can buy a JP7 from the USA for a couple hundred bucks more. Why in gods name would I buy an indonesian instrument for that?

My beef is not with the instrument. It's with the price of the instrument. It's not even remotely worth paying that amount for an Indonesian instrument, period. The prices here are bull**** and it's half because of CMC taking their cut. If it was a hundred bucks or two hundred more, i'd understand for freight and such. But not over a grand more. It's total crap. I'll stick with my US instruments for now. Unless CMC can give me a realistic price, that's in line with what an indonesian guitar should be, then i'm out.

I can't comment on the price, that's something you'd have to work out with them. And you can do that also, although it's looked down upon and you'd be throwing away your warranty if the guitar ever needed work done.

And correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the minimum wage in Australia far over double what it is in the US right now? Considering that our currencies are pretty close in value, it makes sense that things are priced far more over there than here. I saw an unloaded JP6 sell new there for 2700AUD, yet here it costs $1575USD. Makes sense considering the amount of money you can make starting at a job down there.

 

[christheasian]

my answer: lol

 

[SBMM]

Well, I'll chime in here.

These are a Limited Edition of 60 pieces, so out of the gate it's collectible (we planned it like that you know!).
As far as the prices, here in the USA/Canada the list price is $1185, and I know that most of our retailers that got in on this rare bird are sticking close to that and not necessarily dropping their pants down to MAP just to make the sale, since, really, there is no reason to do so. Perhaps, some time down the line, if there are some floating around out there the prices will go down to MAP, but I'd imagine these will disappear pretty quick.

When Ford reintroduced the small T-Bird some years ago, dealers were adding on ADP, or "Additional Dealer Profit" of more than $10K USD to the MSRP of the cars, and they could not keep them in stock. Just sayin'.

CMC is a longtime, loyal distributor of our products down under, and they make a substantial financial commitment to our brand. We are well served by them, as is our customer base. I'd say if the Limited Edition JP70D is not for you, a wiser fiscal decision would be a standard JP70, load it with the CL/LF or another pickup of your choice, and you'll be quite satisfied. Granted, it won't be a Limited Edition JP70D in Pearl White, but you'll be into the same basic instrument without settling for a lesser product from one of our competitors.