• Ernie Ball
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  • Sterling by MusicMan

jakedawgwhite88

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Dec 14, 2008
Messages
327
Location
Turpin, Oklahoma, United States
Personally I think the JP has revolutionized the heavy sound while at the same time still being a guitar with a nice shape with curves and contours. While being a super-strat model its far less aggressive in looks (although the jpx is more aggressive). Many players that look for more of a paf sound have changed the pickups but that doesn't change the fact that the jp action is probably the most favored flat neck shape on the market imho. (plus ebmm found a way to make the best neck finish along the way) I think bp, jp and everyone else deserves a legendary status. Many players are modding and playing with the sounds and pickups to get their sound, but that contoured super strat, with the most amazing neck keeps bringing people back. Will it keep going?, I bet , for a looong time. Way to go bp, and jp on creating an iconic guitar. Keep at it. I've never seen so much buzz when it comes to what happens when bp, and jp change something lol ;)
 

mojomkr

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Joined
Jan 12, 2010
Messages
206
Look at the bigger picture. Music Man guitars have all evolved to

legendary status. They went from Excellent to Most Excellent.

Can you even imagine your grandchild asking you if they could

hold and play your JP BFR 30 years from now? The answer would

be "Hell no"! but still just imagine :)
 

Slingy

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Aug 15, 2007
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1,526
Location
Fair Oaks, CA
JB is just fantastic in my opinion. Totally underated. I love his acoustic and slide work, and his lead style. Half the time he's not using a pick which is key to his great sound. Great singer too. What's not to like?
 

germangallardo

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Jan 13, 2007
Messages
478
Funny that you mention this. I've always have the same thought.

I like the JP, I own one. I like it for the looks, the playability, the sounds, the quality. I know it's John's guitar, but I feel so comfortable with it and suits my playing, not even close at what John does. And yes I like Dream Theater.

With that said, I like the idea of the guitar used as a guitar for a long time. What do I mean? That gets played, wether is progressive rock, or alternative rock, jazz, blues, whatever. Just like other signature models are used, some people don't even know whose guitar are playing and what he used it for. And thats ok, I dont get the negative comments that surround a guitar, a guitar player or his music. I think there are proper and respectful ways to express ourselves without agreeing with everything.

I'll keep buying EBMMs, I love them! Can't wait for summer NAMM
 

ShaneV

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Joined
Apr 5, 2004
Messages
840
Location
New Hampshire, under some snow.
whitestrat I understand where you are coming from and do see some validity in what you are saying. I bought my JP for the same reasons just like every other guitar I own -because of what it offered.

Same thing goes for me. I tried a JP with no real interest in it due to the artist association simply because it was an EB and I was a huge fan of the company and it blew me away. I don't think I could pick anything that Petrucci has ever played out of a sound lineup, but I love the guitar.
 

Pablo

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Joined
Sep 21, 2006
Messages
431
Location
Galten, Denmark
As much as I love the JP, it will never reach Strat or Les Paul status. However, I see absolutely no reason why it shouldn't reach the status of Vai's Jem and Universe guitars...
 

the24thfret

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Jan 4, 2007
Messages
2,458
The JP has pretty much upended the floating trem guitar market in the last decade, IMO.
 

StormRider

Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2010
Messages
21
I don't really look at the JP as a signature model. I don't think a lot of people do, which makes it more appealing. There are so many different variations and colors of the JP that it really doesn't seem like a sig. guitar. I hadn't thought about it, but it probably is on the verge of becoming like a Les Paul or Paul Reed Smith. I know so many people that refuse to ever own an artist sig. guitar (myself included), but when you bring up the Petrucci they almost completely back-pedal their statement.
I had listened to DT for years before I got my first JP7, but wasn't a HUGE fan. I got the guitar because to me it seemed like the classiest 7 string available. Shortly thereafter I was in a Dream Theater ensemble and going to every show...
 

mojomkr

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Jan 12, 2010
Messages
206
As much as I love the JP, it will never reach Strat or Les Paul status. However, I see absolutely no reason why it shouldn't reach the status of Vai's Jem and Universe guitars...

"Never" is a big word for veteran writer such as yourself
 
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whitestrat

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Aug 13, 2007
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2,589
Location
The Little Red Dot
I think the JP inlay on the first fret is almost akin to the "Les Paul" script found on Gibson headstocks. Thats' one defining point of the guitar. At the same time, I think the JP also put the piezo availability on 6 and 7 strings on floating trems into the spotlight. The Parker Flys weren't as widely accepted as the JP (I think), and the old Ibanez double edge trem didn't deliver a good floating/piezo trem alternative.

This guitar is a classic to me, and I think in terms of mileage, it's slated to go a looooooooooooooooooooooong way.
 

MrLovejoy

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Joined
Apr 22, 2010
Messages
113
Location
City of Angels, Hell on Earth
What I am looking forward to is a Ball in a radical shape like an Explorer or V-style shape.

Sure it will not likely happen even for a one-off endorser model (being how generally "traditional" and "bottom-line minded" EBMM is), but the headstock would go great with those body shapes.
 
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straycat113

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Aug 17, 2009
Messages
2,506
Location
Born and bred in Brooklyn NY
No disrespect but Sterling still has me LMFAO with that Simon Cowell line, that was a classic. I am also a little mind boggled about the Bonamassa comment. Hey that is your preference and rightfully so if you do not care for him, but if you think he is a one trick pony I would say look deeper into him. That guy is the real deal and can rip it up in Blues,Rock,Country,Slide and even gets down on Jazz. There is no questioning his chops and ability in my book and I've pretty much heard them all.

I have never seen as many guitar companies and makers in my 48 years as there are today, so you can just imagine how hard it must be to make a guitar that is well known and sells good. Then add in the fact that the music business is in shambles with all this Hip Hop and Tween Idol nonsense ruling the charts which makes it even harder, as it is not like the good old days where there was an ax slinger in every band that you could pick to endorse if you so choosed. That EBMM is right at the top of the mountain with a really solid line of guitars to choose from says a lot, and it was cool to see in Guitar and Bass Magazines interview with Bonamassa who just got to play the Albert Hall, his guitar rack which was loaded with six Balls in the front. That his Father used to sell vintage guitars when he was a kid and that he has played every high end vintage guitar out there that he uses Ernie Balls just about sums it up.
 

Pablo

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Joined
Sep 21, 2006
Messages
431
Location
Galten, Denmark
"Never" is a big word for veteran writer such as yourself
It's a simple case of who came first: the Tele, Strat and the Les Paul were revolutions in the history of the guitar and pretty much defined the electric guitar.

We all refer to the JP as a superSTRAT, doesn't that tell you guys something? What I see and feel when I abuse a JP is one of the best evolutions on the Strat concept available today... However, it isn't a departure from what came before, but "just" a bloody great expansion on it.

For small revolutions look at Steinberger's headless carbon fibre instruments and his TransTrem... or Parker's sandwich construction and revolutionary use of piezo pickups.

Moreover, I promise you that in 50 years time, a '59 Les Paul wil still be a greater icon than the JP. However, there's a reason why I hang out here - I prefer EBMM to just about anything available and in 50 years time you'll most likely see my arthritic hands still fondling an EBMM ;-)

Cheers

Eske
 
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