Best Petrucci Guitar in his career

[Aythesryche]

Wow, that new Majesty guitar is horrible.

JP was having a conversation with Sterling Ball some time ago about how there's always going to be people out there that make statements like this. Whenever they brought out the BFR JPMM, they got quite a lot of critical negative feedback and a lot of the Facebook comments were downright hostile about it, but it turned out to be one of their best selling guitars. There wasn't any difference when Sterling released the Majesty. JP and SB knew that would happen. A ton of people bashed it, said it was an abomination, a disaster, it'll never sell, what were they thinking, etc.

The guitar was completely designed to JPs specifications and aesthetic desires. Sterling makes it no secret that the artist has always come first when it comes to design and rightly so imo. If it was designed differently to accommodate your tastes, someone else will take your place in hating it. Fortunately, Sterling didn't factor your or my opinion into the design. It's something I genuinely like about MM instruments and Mr. Balls attitude toward running his business.

Personally, I think it's odd design makes it fantastic. When you go to a guitar store, you'll easily be able to pick out the Majesty from the rest of the instruments since it's so unique. To me, that's one of the aesthetically pleasing aspects of the guitar. I can't wait to order mine!

Hope you didn't take this as an attack to your statement, it's just something that sparked a statement of my own.

[Cable]

This is the first pic I've seen of the body, and I like it a lot. About time JP had a neck-thru model. Wouldn't buy one myself ($ and something about artist sig models), but it definitely is the most unique shaped guitar he has ever had. The RG and normal EB JP bodies are not *that* different to me.

When is this out, and will he be touring with it?

And am I the only one that feels the body curves matches the M logo?

[gentaishinigami]

This is the first pic I've seen of the body, and I like it a lot. About time JP had a neck-thru model. Wouldn't buy one myself ($ and something about artist sig models), but it definitely is the most unique shaped guitar he has ever had. The RG and normal EB JP bodies are not *that* different to me.

When is this out, and will he be touring with it?

And am I the only one that feels the body curves matches the M logo?

I'm not sure when its dropping, but I would bet it will make an appearance on tour.  I doubt the have baritone and 7-string models ready since it seems he just recently got the finished 6 so I doubt he will fulltime it.

[wolfking]

Wow, that new Majesty guitar is horrible.

JP was having a conversation with Sterling Ball some time ago about how there's always going to be people out there that make statements like this. Whenever they brought out the BFR JPMM, they got quite a lot of critical negative feedback and a lot of the Facebook comments were downright hostile about it, but it turned out to be one of their best selling guitars. There wasn't any difference when Sterling released the Majesty. JP and SB knew that would happen. A ton of people bashed it, said it was an abomination, a disaster, it'll never sell, what were they thinking, etc.

The guitar was completely designed to JPs specifications and aesthetic desires. Sterling makes it no secret that the artist has always come first when it comes to design and rightly so imo. If it was designed differently to accommodate your tastes, someone else will take your place in hating it. Fortunately, Sterling didn't factor your or my opinion into the design. It's something I genuinely like about MM instruments and Mr. Balls attitude toward running his business.

Personally, I think it's odd design makes it fantastic. When you go to a guitar store, you'll easily be able to pick out the Majesty from the rest of the instruments since it's so unique. To me, that's one of the aesthetically pleasing aspects of the guitar. I can't wait to order mine!

Hope you didn't take this as an attack to your statement, it's just something that sparked a statement of my own.

I was purely basing it on the look of the guitar.  I have no problem JP playing it and it probably is one of the best playing guitars out.  just don't like the design myself, but if JP loves it, it's cool with me.

[Tis BOOLsheet]

I know you didn't really ask EBMM v. Ibanez, but...

As a seasoned guitar player familiar with both Ibanez and the JP line made by EBMM I'm conflicted a bit, but I have to say the EBMM model. The JPM is based on the Ibanez RG shape. I have played many RGs and I think it's one of the best guitar bodies out there in terms of comfort and aesthetic. I think most of the Ibanez necks I've played on them have been a breeze to play. I think before the last couple albums, his Ibanez tone was his best.

As far as the EBMM line goes, I own a JP12-7. It is the guitar I play the most out of any and I have never really been a 7 string player. The others are just hard to go back to now, including my Ibanez Prestige. I know you mentioned a different model, but I would probably go after one of the regular line EBMM models if you are considering the Ibanez, whose price is probably not that far away. Models like the JPX, 11 and 12 have a VERY flat neck. The 6 string version is bordering on too flat for my personal taste. That said, it is a very high quality instrument with fantastic pickups. I think EBMM guitars have higher quality parts than Ibanez, which tend to feel like toys at times. Also the JP models have stainless steel frets (the newer ones come with, but older ones will have to be ordered new for this feature) that will not change shape and get worn down when you play. If you play a lot, this is an issue. Also, the EBMM has way more sustain than the RG. Unless you really find the Ibanez way more comfortable, I think your best value would be in the EBMM. Try one of the older models, some of which may still be available on Musiciansfriend.com, or you can try the JP13 which has a fatter neck than the preceding two models.

Bottom line is that they are both great guitars (signature Ibanez and regular JP line EBMM offers) that sound equally good, but the EBMM is a higher quality instrument. I would not consider the lower end JP model if you can afford the higher end one, which it sounds like you can. The regular JP line is the way to go above all his other guitars.

No one can comment on the Majesty's feel and sound obviously, since we haven't played it, but aesthetically it looks really....unappealing. Stick with the regular JP line.

[gentaishinigami]

Also, in addition to great post above I'd like to recommend anyone getting a EBMM learn from my mistake and just pay the extra for the Piezo system.  Can't add it in later and it's quite a nice feature in my opinion.  Definitely worth the few hundred extra for it.   

[DTFANATIC]

I've seen Youtube videos on both the Ibanez and the EBMMs. Comparisons show that the MMs are better in many aspects. The JP MMs are one of the most versatile guitars ever. I have noticed something with sound though. Listen very carefully to his tone on everything from I&Ws to FII. His tone is much brighter, and has an abstract sound. The only album that matches his old tone is BC&SL. I do prefer his Ibanez over the MMs, two reasons: his Picasso style art, (I enjoy art) and his tone from I&W to FII. I do appreciate his Music Mans, they're great in every sense of the word.

Oh, and his new Majesty guitar doesn't fit my criteria, If you know what I mean...

[PwnsomeWin]

I was just talking to a friend about the last 3 DT albums. IMO, the actual music hasn't been as good for me, but I think JP's guitar solos have been consistently stronger and better sounding; for example, This Is The Life, The Enemy Inside, The Bigger Picture. Anybody agree?

[DTFANATIC]

I love his playing on Enigma Machine.

[Tis BOOLsheet]

I was just talking to a friend about the last 3 DT albums. IMO, the actual music hasn't been as good for me, but I think JP's guitar solos have been consistently stronger and better sounding; for example, This Is The Life, The Enemy Inside, The Bigger Picture. Anybody agree?

I doubt it, but what does that have to do with the thread about his guitars with Ibanez and EBMM?

[Podaar]

I thought the Majesty guitar was pretty cool when it was introduced but I've grown to appreciate its aesthetics even more seeing the concert videos from the current tour. Now if we could just get JP to sling that motha a bit lower. That would pump up the cool factor!

[BlobVanDam]

The Majesty guitar he's playing live this tour looked quite nice in the video I saw (it's either black, or very dark), but I don't like the look of it in other photos. So maybe my problem with its aesthetics is the middle black scratch plate, or whatever it is breaking up the paint work. But when it's all one colour, it's not so bad looking!

[ishak540m]

The Majesty guitar he's playing live this tour looked quite nice in the video I saw (it's either black, or very dark), but I don't like the look of it in other photos. So maybe my problem with its aesthetics is the middle black scratch plate, or whatever it is breaking up the paint work. But when it's all one colour, it's not so bad looking!

[genome]

It looks nicer in the darker finishes to me, where the middle pattern doesn't stand out so much. I generally like the shape though.

You won't get nicer than a Koa BFR6 though.



Lord have mercy.

[BlobVanDam]

The Majesty guitar he's playing live this tour looked quite nice in the video I saw (it's either black, or very dark), but I don't like the look of it in other photos. So maybe my problem with its aesthetics is the middle black scratch plate, or whatever it is breaking up the paint work. But when it's all one colour, it's not so bad looking!

Yeah, that's the one!
The shape isn't too bad at all, reminds me of a bass guitar like JM's old Yamaha, but it's definitely that middle bit that makes it look a little ugly to me. In those pics though? I like it. I think I do still prefer the look of his older EBMM models though.

[RaiseTheKnife]

The new Majesty guitar does not look appealing to me at all.  Something about the thru-neck pic that makes me think it plays like a graphite guitar.  Yecchh.

[gentaishinigami]

It looks nicer in the darker finishes to me, where the middle pattern doesn't stand out so much. I generally like the shape though.

You won't get nicer than a Koa BFR6 though.



Lord have mercy.

This is what I would get if money was of no concern (though I'd probably get a 7-string).  So incredibly gorgeous and such a warm and smooth tone.   

[Kotowboy]

^ If I had the money - the *only* guitar I'd get is a Gibson Les Paul Custom in Silverburst *drool*.


I'd like to see JP play a Les Paul once. He's playing what looks like one ( or it's a PRS ) in the making of Train Of Thought doc.

[Cable]

^ If I had the money - the *only* guitar I'd get is a Gibson Les Paul Custom in Silverburst *drool*.


I'd like to see JP play a Les Paul once. He's playing what looks like one ( or it's a PRS ) in the making of Train Of Thought doc.

Agreed about buying a high end guitar = LP for me too. So classic and elegant IMO.

It was a Tremonti PRS sig, it was a gift to JP so he used it to write SoC.

[Aythesryche]

Pretty nice well lit interview in 1080 here with a bit of John talking about his new Majesty guitar. I think it looks gorgeous and I can't wait to get mine in 6 string Arctic Dream in March. So nice... 

Worth changing the quality over to 1080, too.

https://youtu.be/VF39uABIQk4

[adastra]

Pretty nice well lit interview in 1080 here with a bit of John talking about his new Majesty guitar. I think it looks gorgeous and I can't wait to get mine in 6 string Arctic Dream in March. So nice... 

Worth changing the quality over to 1080, too.

https://youtu.be/VF39uABIQk4

Cool interview!   The guitar looks better in this video , but I'd still go with Ibanez JPM

[Aythesryche]

Pretty nice well lit interview in 1080 here with a bit of John talking about his new Majesty guitar. I think it looks gorgeous and I can't wait to get mine in 6 string Arctic Dream in March. So nice... 

Worth changing the quality over to 1080, too.

https://youtu.be/VF39uABIQk4

Cool interview!   The guitar looks better in this video , but I'd still go with Ibanez JPM

I have a couple of his ibanez signature guitars already (JPM100 P1 and JPM100 P4), so I figured this would be an awesome addition. I'd love to get the JPM100 90th someday if I can find one in mint condition.

[adastra]

Pretty nice well lit interview in 1080 here with a bit of John talking about his new Majesty guitar. I think it looks gorgeous and I can't wait to get mine in 6 string Arctic Dream in March. So nice... 

Worth changing the quality over to 1080, too.

https://youtu.be/VF39uABIQk4

I only have P4    I wish i could get my hands on the P2   someday!


Cool interview!   The guitar looks better in this video , but I'd still go with Ibanez JPM

I have a couple of his ibanez signature guitars already (JPM100 P1 and JPM100 P4), so I figured this would be an awesome addition. I'd love to get the JPM100 90th someday if I can find one in mint condition.