What's the best musicman model for heavy/thrash metal?

[kleinmeiner]

What's the best musicman model for heavy/thrash metal in your opinion?

Also, what are the best modifications for non-metal musicman models in order to be OK for heavy/thrash metal in your opinion?

Thanks!

 

[ScoobySteve]

lol, I'm sorry your inquiry just raises so many memories from this board.

I imagine that the new JPX will suit your needs the best, or any JP for that matter.

Although many here have dropped EMG 81's and SD Blackouts in their various other balls, Lukes, ASS' etc. and have found great results.

 

[lumberjack]

I agree with Steve. You could also add the Petrucci in Stealth Black. Very cool lookin' metal machine.

Ernie Ball Music Man John Petrucci 6 Guitar

P.S. Welcome to the forums.

Scott

 

[JP7Nomad]

Being someone that plays/has played that stuff, I'd say the JP models.
I don't have much experience with the BFR, and no experience with the JPX, but I can say that the standard JP will give you a tight attack that you'd need for that kind of tone.

 

[Sweat]

LOL here we go again, just joking and welcome aboard, been lots of threads on this subject, JP would be great but any EBMM with Hums wold get you there personally, and if you really want to tune down try a Silo Bass (baritone guitar) or a JP baritone.

 

[ScoobySteve]

JP baritone or JP7 string will also cover your grounds no doubt.

 

[kleinmeiner]

Thanks! It's nice to be a member of this forum

And a tough one (I think); would it be "safe" for me to sell my made in USA Jackson Soloist to buy a JP? Ups and downs?

 

[Spudmurphy]

how about an AL with 'buckers?

 

[JP7Nomad]

If he's doing thrash, he likely won't be tuning down any significant amount. 99% of thrash is in E or Eb.

In the case that you are tuning down - the JP is a pretty good guitar for that, so unless you plan on doing anything in Bb or lower, I'd probably just stay with the 6 string (or 7 if that's something you're interested in)

Can you give us a few more specifics on what styles you'll be doing? Are you talking Testament/'Deth style thrash, or are you thinking more Maiden type stuff?

I also didn't answer your question about modifications. For the most part, you shouldn't need any. If you got something with a single coil in the neck, you could swap it out for something like the Hot rails from Seymour Duncan to give it a little more girth. If you choose a Luke with EMG's, you may want to swap those with something else if you're not a fan of them. Otherwise, the guitars sound and play really well out of the box.

I've always been a believer that the huge majority of metal tone comes from your right hand. Absolutely any guitar may work for you - I'm simply sharing what works for me. If you've got a solid right hand, pretty much any guitar you play can do metal.

 

[kleinmeiner]

My guitars are tuned in E , Eb and D. Never lower.
The styles I'm talking about are those of Metallica/Testament/Slayer.

I've always been a believer that the huge majority of metal tone comes from your right hand. Absolutely any guitar may work for you - I'm simply sharing what works for me. If you've got a solid right hand, pretty much any guitar you play can do metal.

This is 90% true. You know I can play metal even with my SG Junior with its P90, but there is soooomething missing. So, I was wondering if it would be wise to sell my Jackson Soloist for a JP...I'm afraid that I will be missing this aggressive sound of my Jackson...

 

[browndog]

The Axis may not look as “metal” as a JP but their like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

 

[dwells]

LUKE with an 81 emg

 

[kleinmeiner]

The Axis may not look as “metal” as a JP but their like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

I am concerned about a metal sound, but I don't care of the guitar looks "metal". Actually I'd rather if it doesn't. I'm tired of those pointy ugly (to me) metal guitars.

 

[balance]

About half way down on this page, there is a JP Stealth with an Ebony board. That would look and work great for metal.

MusicMan Guitars

 

[Zippoman]

About half way down on this page, there is a JP Stealth with an Ebony board. That would look and work great for metal.

MusicMan Guitars

Shhhh!!!! I know a "friend" that wants that one

 

[bkrumme]

And a tough one (I think); would it be "safe" for me to sell my made in USA Jackson Soloist to buy a JP? Ups and downs?

Welcome to the forum!

If you're used to a Soloist, the closest you will get is a JP. So I think you're on the right track. I played a Soloist and for a long time. They're still very different guitars, but the JP is going to be the closest you will get to a Soloist.

The reason I say this is mainly the neck profile. The JP has a thin, flat neck much like the Soloist does. They're not identical. To me, the Soloist neck feels a bit thinner. The SL1 and SL2 are also neck-thru where all of the EBMM guitars are bolt-on. Just something to keep in mind you're particularly accustomed to the complete lack of heel on USA Jacksons.

You'd also be making the switch from Seymour Duncan to DiMarzio. To me, this is an upgrade, but that's just my opinion. I think the Crunch Lab and Liquifire pickups which come on the JP now are killer. And depending on whether you had an SL1 or SL2, you could be going from HSS to HH configuration. This may not be as big of a deal if you're going to be riding the bridge pup a lot, but if you're accustomed to a single in the neck, you'll notice some tonal difference.

One aspect of the JP which is a HUGE advantage is the versatility. If you get it with a piezo, you add a whole new dimension to the guitar. If you were to choose the BFR, you get another option with the push/pull tone pot. So while it's a great guitar for metal, it's also quite suitable for other styles.

My advice in this matter would be do play a JP. Find a shop nearby or within a reasonable distance who carries EBMM and try one out. Take your Soloist with you and make the comparison for yourself. The only person who can really decide is you.

If you're like me, you'll choose the JP.

 

[kleinmeiner]

Thank you for your replies, my friends!

@bkrumme
Thank you very,very much for your extensive reply. You are really helping me out.

One aspect of the JP which is a HUGE advantage is the versatility. If you get it with a piezo, you add a whole new dimension to the guitar. If you were to choose the BFR, you get another option with the push/pull tone pot. So while it's a great guitar for metal, it's also quite suitable for other styles.

This versatility is the main reason I want to switch to a musicman! Thanks again.

 

[Dante]

1 - the guitars

the jp6 will work. offerings with an ebony board alot better (stealth black, dargie 2, Koa top BFR and JPX). they're crisp and pretty in their attack. thin flat neck.

the morse y2d, unless you really need 24 frets. it comes with a tune-o-matic (awesome for that stiff hetfieldness) or a floyd rose. i have a hardtail with EMGs. it kicks butt. it's also a bit heavier, which, imho, has a positive effect on the tone and feel. the controls are also set in a place that makes expressive playing easier. the neck feels thinner than a normal neck but still a bit thicker than a petrucci.

the axis. well... it's the one axe i never thought of buying but there's absolutely no reason why it wouldn't work. maple neck, floyd rose. and go. also 22 frets, and the chunkiest of the three, neckwise.

2 the pickups

EMGs are the safe way out, but if you're going for the petrucci, try the crunchlab first. (beware of how old the guitar is, since the crunchlab is a new thing. before it, they had D-Sonics in the bridge position, which look the same but sound totally different). the crunchlab actually sounds alot like an EMG but is not as quiet BUT a hell of alot ballsier than an 81. the liquifire is also very cool.

if you need 24 frets or a thin neck, then the petrucci is probably the way out. if you want to unleash relentless riffing on a guitar that's bombproof stable, then the Y2D gets my vote.

 

[kleinmeiner]

@Dante
Wow!!!! Thanks a lot! I really,really appreciate it!

I think I'll print your answers and study them carefully.

 

[Dante]

hhahaha, sry, tend to write too much.

good luck man.