which JP ??

[darkhorse]

Hi everyone. new guy here. I ve checked out the forum a few times since i ve been looking into aquiring a EBMM jp6.
I tried a JP6 mystic dream w/piezo a few months ago. I loved it. unfortunatelly i cannot try any of these guitars due to my current location, so my question would be what are the differences between the dif jp's?
My main guitar is a j-custom (ibanez) and i have an RG750 from back in the day as a backup. I play through a Diezel Einstein 100.
I have read the specs of each dif model and i ve noticed the larger bodies on the x,xi and jp12; but how obvious is it soundwise? for example the ones that have chambered bodies (i think jpx) how would you compare it to the basswood jp6 i tried? and how would it compare to a jp12? I was set on the jp6 i had tried but now i m not so sure. I m digging the barollo colour of the jpx at the same time i m not very enthousiastic about the chambered body and i would preffer a 3 way toggle instead of a 5. what about the BFR models? is it the wood that hikes up the price or is the craftsmanship that much better on them?
all opinions from personal experience are very much appreciated.
thanx
d

 

[FantasyMetal]

I own both a JP12 and a JP6 and I can say that the JP12 sounds leagues better than the JP6. The mahogany tone block makes a huge difference. That being said, the JP6 still sounds better than almost any other brand guitar I've played.

 

[darkhorse]

thanx for your input FantasyMetal. i like mohogany in the guitar body. hows the painted neck? i really liked the feel of the unfinished neck on the jp6.

 

[FantasyMetal]

The painted neck is easily as fast as that of the JP6. I honestly don't notice a difference.

 

[yellowv03]

Yep somehow the EBMM painted necks never get sticky like other finished necks. They are smooth and fast as can be.

 

[darkhorse]

Yep somehow the EBMM painted necks never get sticky like other finished necks. They are smooth and fast as can be.

Since you ve had an x, xi and a jp12 how do they compare? mostly interested in the x and the jp12. does th pup selector on the x ever get in the way? it looks like it's placed kinda high. and would you agree that they sound better than s regulaer jp6?

 

[Lou]

I prefer the 3-way on the JP model. So the JPXI and JPXII are improvements on that design for me. Sounding better is totally subjective. You need to play each because the neck radius and profile are different on the XI and the XII. Also higher fet access on the XI XII if that's important to you. Body woods will also influence the sound although there is not a huge diff between the JP models. BFR's sound a bit beefier but the overall tones are not that far off. We're not talking strat vs Les Paul.

 

[darkhorse]

hi Lou,
i wishhhh i could try them out, but as i said it s almost impossible to do so. I was set on that jp6, but the x is kinda looking good to me too, the chambered body and the PUP selector are making me hesiatate. i might have to wait for my next trip in october to actually get to try some out. I guess i m kinda craving a new axe now so i was trying to go ahead with some reserach. Which one of your jps is your favorite? how would you rank your guitars?

 

[Lou]

The Koa is my fave right now (new to me). That has the most noticable difference in tone. Punchier - more pronounced mids - prob due to the mahogany body. My JPs are all from different eras and have different pickups as the guitar evolved. I probably prefer the standard JPs over the BFRs by a hair, but I love them all. The new pickups are great, especially the neck.

My Dargie 2 JP is probably my fave overall if I were to rank. But that's like saying which one of your kids is your fave.

I like the bodystyle of the X, but the 5-way not so much. JP himself was not spotted playing one much so I think that says a lot. It was definately a transition model IMO.

 

[darkhorse]

Thanx for all your help. I pulled the trigger on the jpx. I came to the conclusion that it is the best fit for me right now. As for the fact that JP himself doesnt use jpxs, thats not an issue at all. i had actually sworn never to go for someones sig model but this felt too good. So i ll give a detailed review once she arives; sometime next week i think. thnx again!!
d.

 

[FantasyMetal]

Congrats man, I'm sure you'll love it. It's pretty hard to go wrong with any of the Ball Family Reserve guitars. I've been considering a JPX as my next purchase too, so I'll be anxious to hear what you have to say about it!

 

[Lou]

Pics or it didn't happen.