Question Question for JP-X owners

[mikeller]

I have a couple question for my fellow JP-X owners:

1. What string gauges do you use
2. How many springs do you have installed and what pattern

I use 9.5-44 and have 3 straight. Problem is (and I have discussed this before a while ago, sorry) my trem is very stiff. If I change to two in a V pattern, then I have to screw the claw all the way to the cavity wall and still can't level bridge out front to back. Much unlike my JP6 and Majesty both have 2 springs and are fine.

I appreciate your replies!

 

[MikeVt]

I just switched my JPX to 9's last week...3 springs, original straight pattern, only a few twists on the claw screws to level out. The trem is stiff, but seems fine to me.

Mike

 

[QuietSpike]

Ok... mine is a 12, but essentially the same...

and I run 3 springs on all of my JPs, all 3 springs straight. I had 2 (angled) on my JP12 for a while, and never ran out of room with the screws.

I'm running 10s on all of my JPs.

 

[mikeller]

Thanks for the replies.

It is seeming apparent then maybe since the X came with 10's and I am using 9.5's they are just too light to go to 2 springs.

 

[tekwerk]

Thanks for the replies.

It is seeming apparent then maybe since the X came with 10's and I am using 9.5's they are just too light to go to 2 springs.

JP guitars with 9's use two springs. 10's and all 7 string guitars use three. If three are too stiff, remove the center spring and turn the claw screws to balance the bridge and level it out.
Maddi

 

[MikeVt]

JP guitars with 9's use two springs. 10's and all 7 string guitars use three. If three are too stiff, remove the center spring and turn the claw screws to balance the bridge and level it out.
Maddi

Too general a statement. All of my guitars with 9s use three springs. When I was learning to do setups, I hosed my first JP and got it as close as I could with two springs, but then sent it to EBMM to fix....and it came back with three springs. I think ultimately it comes down to personal preference.

Mike

 

[mikeller]

JP guitars with 9's use two springs. 10's and all 7 string guitars use three. If three are too stiff, remove the center spring and turn the claw screws to balance the bridge and level it out.
Maddi

That's kinda the issue - I use 9.5-44 gauge strings. 3 springs is stiff, and if I move to 2 springs and V them, I have to tighten the claw springs all the way to the cavity and the bridge still doesn't quite level out.

 

[QuietSpike]

Too general a statement. All of my guitars with 9s use three springs. When I was learning to do setups, I hosed my first JP and got it as close as I could with two springs, but then sent it to EBMM to fix....and it came back with three springs. I think ultimately it comes down to personal preference.

Mike

Ehhhhh... You do know Maddi is John Petrucci's tech, right?

My 12 cam with 9s and 2 springs. As soon as I changed the strings to 10s (within a week of receiving it), I put the third spring on. We will definitely agree it is all personal preference, but, as Maddi stated, JP uses 2 with 9s and 3 with 10s and 7 string.... so that is how the JP guitars arrive at your doorstep.


To the OP: I guess maybe either commit to 9s with 2 or 10s with 2 or 3 and see how you do?

 

[MikeVt]

Ehhhhh... You do know Maddi is John Petrucci's tech, right?

Well no, I didn't. No offense to Maddi - as he is clearly the expert - but if he had said "John's JP's", I never would have commented. I still think it was too general a statement. If there's one thing I've learned through all my years on this forum, it's that setups are a personal thing. Just read the plethora of threads on action, and I think you'll see that while the staff may tell you how they leave the factory, they won't tell you how it SHOULD be set.

Mike