Question ?'s for Jp owners

[luv]

I'm considering picking up a Jp6 and had a question for you guys about the trem system. My experience with trems has been limited to a Floyd on an Axis (didn't get on with it too well, but after some practice was able to restring and tune and set up just fine...too many components though) and vintage style trems on Balls and strats (all flush mounted..no issues).

So my 1st ? is: how difficult is the Jp trem to learn and maintain? Is it easier to deal with than a Floyd?

2nd ? (and this is a matter of opinion) - Could you see a Jp replacing an ASS? or more as a complement to an ASS?

I ask the second ? because I have an ASS and a Silo Spec HSS right now. I like both alot. I find a some tonal cross over between the two. I'm wondering if the Jp and the Silo Spec would give me a little more separation (tonally) between the two guitars? Also, after playing my Silo Spec and switching back to the ASS, I really notice the lack of arm contour on the ASS...I'm guessing the Jp might be more comfortable to play than the ASS. I'd love to keep all three, but prolly shouldn't.

As always, any and all input is welcome. Thanks everyone.

 

[leftyguitarblue]

I can answer your first question.

It is by far the best and easiest trem system I ever used. I almost forget that it is there. I use the bar frequently and it returns to pitch every time, no tuning necessary. There are not a bunch of moving parts and pieces to lose, like the little black string holders in a floyd that fall out almost every time I used to change strings. Floyd's are much more complicated.

I can't answer the 2nd question because I've never owned or played an ASS.

hope this helps.

 

[sickindian]

Lefty just saved me writing all the compliments about trem system in JP6 (easiest system to restring).
and same answer on 2 question.

 

[ShaneV]

The trem is super, super easy. There really isn't anything to learn- it just works great and is low maintenance.

Whether it could replace any other guitar is strictly a matter of personal preference though. Both being double HB guitars, they certainly cover similar sonic territories, but with different pickups and switching systems, it's down to individual preferences. I for one am not a big Axis guy, so the JP would easily be my choice over an ASS, but other people feel just the opposite and would say the JP could never take the ASS's place.

 

[JP7Nomad]

I can answer your first question, but the second is up to you. It's largely personal preference as to whether or not they could replace on another.

The trem, however, is absolutely, 100% the best trem there is. I tend to use the trem fairly often, and have them on most of my guitars, with the JP trem leaving all others in the dust. Easy to maintain, no problems at all. Certainly a lot more efficient than the Floyd Rose system.

 

[BigMESA]

The Trem question has been answered. It is the best Trem I have ever used and I've used about all of them (Wilkinson, Kahler, Floyd, Edge..)


Tonally the JP is not as bright and is smoother than the ASS from the few I've played. The neck is much thinner and a little wider feeling, like an Ibanez. The ASS is like a Fender neck to me in it's shape and the hard edge on the ASS is a real turn off to me. The JP's contour is so comfortable it is ridiculous. I highly recommend the JP.

 

[Marcus2]

I agree with all the answers to your first question. I think the trem on the JP is fantastic. It has the tuning stability you expect from a double locking system, but the ease of maintenance/string changing/intonation adjustment of a more traditional system. Plus, the design makes it flush to the body, and confirtable to rest your hand on.

As to your second question, I just happened onto a great deal on a used Axis Super Sport Hardtail. I see it as a fantastic complement to my JPs. The hardtail on mine allows for quick tuning changes that are obviously much more involved on a guitar with a trem. PLus, for as much flexibility as the JP has with its 2 humbuckers, the Axis SS (with 2 HBs) allows one setting where the outer coils of each are activated. That plus the fixed bridge allow me some Tele tones that I like to play with.

Hope this helps.

Marc

 

[Pablo]

I'll chime in here with my observations.
The JP-trem is litterally fool proof - I made it work for me! In a few words, the trem is an absolutely wonderful and great sounding contraption. Moreover, unless you are going completely bonkers with that arm, it'll be very stable indeed!

To me the ASS and the JP simply sound too different to one another to simply be pigeon-holed into the same-y H-H category. Personally I prefer the acoustic sound of the ASS (great clarity, warmth and dynamics) and the electrified sound of the JP - I guess I'm not a huge fan of the ASS PUs. Sadly the absence of a forearm contour completely ruins an otherwise wonderfull instrument to me - where the JP hugs you and fits like a glove, the ASS spanks you and feels like running a marathon on your knees...

Different story with the neck, though: here I truly love the ASS shape, wheras the JP's neck is a tad too wide and thin for my liking. In short: if your idea of a perfect neck shape is what you have on your Silo Spec, the JP will feel very different! Vis-à-vis width, 1 5/8 and 1 11/16 sounds like much less of a difference than what it actually feels like... Of the two I prefer the Strat-ier 1 5/8.

Personally I feel a union of the two guitars would spawn an awesome beast: body shape, trem and PUs of the JP paired with the neck shape, maple fretboard and maple topped basswood combo of the ASS.

Anyway, If I where you, I'd do whatever I could to try and play a JP before shelling out for one - had I known the neck of the JP would be so much thinner and wider than that of my old JPM, I simply wouldn't have bought it.

I know this might seem rather odd, but have you considered the Silhouette? great ergonomics, alder body, familiar neck shape, your choice of maple or rosewood fretboard, great PUs and a very nice trem to boot... As far as humbuckers go, the Silhouette is simply the sweetest EBMM there is IMHO.

Cheers

Eske

 

[luv]

So today I found a fully loaded Jp6 and sat down and played it a bit. I loved the feel and sound of it, the piezo was a pretty cool sounding option...curious what it would sound like to blend the mag and piezo.

One thing that I noticed was that I was continually hitting my little finger on the pickup selector switch (I tend to play with my pick hand open and fingers slightly extended). I guess I'm not the technician that Jp is D). Is this something that others have experienced? do you get used to it and eventually adjust technique?

 

[73h Nils]

I've heard of others definitely having that problem. I personally don't, because I keep my hand "closed" when I'm picking. I guess you'll get used to it? The switch has enough resistance that if I accidentally skim it, it stays where it is, but when I need to it to go from one place to another, it does the trick handily.

 

[YtseJam92]

Which JP model are you playing BFR or standard?

 

[Josh O]

I think the location of the pickup selector switch was the clincher, it's in a perfect spot for me.

 

[ShaneV]

So today I found a fully loaded Jp6 and sat down and played it a bit. I loved the feel and sound of it, the piezo was a pretty cool sounding option...curious what it would sound like to blend the mag and piezo.

One thing that I noticed was that I was continually hitting my little finger on the pickup selector switch (I tend to play with my pick hand open and fingers slightly extended). I guess I'm not the technician that Jp is D). Is this something that others have experienced? do you get used to it and eventually adjust technique?

I have that problem, sometimes knock it to bridge when I have it set to neck. I'm mildly used to it, but if I could change anything about the JP it would be to change the knob and switch positions, just not my ideal.

 

[luv]

Which JP model are you playing BFR or standard?

it was a standard that i played today

 

[ScoobySteve]

The tremolo is by FAR easier than the Floyd. First of all it's a "through body design" so you don't have to clip your strings like you have to on a Floyd. Secondly, there's no locking nut, which is thusly replaced with the locking tuners (which are a thing of genius really)

Once you learn how to adjust the springs and learn to intonate the guitar, its not difficult at all really. I've had my JP6 for three days now, and I'm actually rather shocked at how well it stays in tune, despite playing Eruption over and over again.

 

[marduke]

simply put best trem ever! easy to use, restring, setup etc...
and i thought i would have the same drama with the switch before i played one, but ive never had that issue thankfully.

 

[YtseJam92]

Ok. Play a BFR and compare the two. Unless you have your heart set on the standard.

 

[deadtotheworld]

I love the trem on my JP6 - I have it in standard tuning with 10s. When using Floyds in the past, bending a note up a few steps detunes the other strings as the tension pulls the bridge up.... but not on the JP6 - it feels as sturdy as a fixed bridge and doesnt pull the bridge up when im bending the hell out of my strings - its perfect!

 

[Brand X]

My JP is the best guitar I've ever had. I've always been a big Floyd user and I had the same questions you have here......

Don't worry about it - the JP trem is great, is very stable and feels like a well set-up Ibanez Lo-Pro.......

String changes are so easy and it is by far the most comfortable guitar ever.

 

[lumberjack]

Hey Luv,

Like most of the guys have said, the trem is incredible and without a doubt stays in tune. So much easier to deal with than a floyd. I read your comment about the selector switch. I thought I was going to have an issue with it but it has never been a problem. I actually like where it's located.

To answer your second question..I personally don't see a JP replacing an ASS. I have one of each. They are definitely two different beasts. I would agree that they do complement each other.