NGD Ernie Ball Music Man JP XI

[HungryGuitarStudent]

Belated NGD post. I got this guitar in 2020. It has been my main guitar ever since.

Why do I love it?

• The neck profile and fretboard radius make for the best six string playability I’ve seen.
• The lead tone is incredible. It just resonates.

Why not get a JP15?

• I had a JP15 six string and sold it because ever since getting the XI I haven’t touched it. Playability wise and lead tone wise, the JPXI is better (for my tastes).

Any defects?

• We’ve seen a bit of a decline in EBMM QA in recent years, but this build was near perfect.
• Only thing I had to change was a saddle that hand a micro dent in it. This resulting in me breaking high E strings more often (I hadn’t broken a string in years).
• EBMM shipped new saddles (for free), very quickly, and that solved the problem.

Here’s a quick cover I did of Scar Symmetry’s Domination Agenda solo.

 

[sell2792]

Sick! I’m in the same boat though - selling a 15 & buying an X or XI soon to compliment my X.

 

[HungryGuitarStudent]

Sick! I’m in the same boat though - selling a 15 & buying an X or XI soon to compliment my X.

Nice! Doesn’t the X have a 15 inch radius and a thicker neck? For lead playing I’d go with the XI, but that’s just me.

 

[bassisace]

Missed this! Love it! Those are pretty hard to get nowadays. Did you buy new?

 

[SalsaWood]

Sick playing.

Oh yea, and nice guitar.

 

[HungryGuitarStudent]

Thanks guys!! I was happy with the result, although I find the tone in the video a bit mid heavy (dialed it back since).

@bassisace Definitely harder to find now. Got mine at Sweetwater. Some pop-up on the local used market every year.

 

[Furtive Glance]

Nice! Doesn’t the X have a 15 inch radius and a thicker neck? For lead playing I’d go with the XI, but that’s just me.

X has a 17” radius. The JP12 has the 20” like yours.

These are cool. I just wanted more exciting finishes!

 

[EarlWellington]

I have a JPXI but found the tone on it really muddy when I got it... I ended up swapping the bridge for a Juggernaut which helped fix it up. I've had crunchlab in other guitars which was weird that I didn't like it. The neck and playability on it is great though

The only QC issue I had was fretsprout on the sides

 

[HungryGuitarStudent]

I have a JPXI but found the tone on it really muddy when I got it... I ended up swapping the bridge for a Juggernaut which helped fix it up. I've had crunchlab in other guitars which was weird that I didn't like it. The neck and playability on it is great though

The only QC issue I had was fretsprout on the sides

I’ve heard similar complaints about the crunchlabs. Really depends on amp/cab/settings. I use a Mk IV and Mesa IRs in my AxeFx3 and for leads it’s great (bridge and neck pickups).

Did it come with fret sprout or did it develop over time?

 

[EarlWellington]

I’ve heard similar complaints about the crunchlabs. Really depends on amp/cab/settings. I use a Mk IV and Mesa IRs in my AxeFx3 and for leads it’s great (bridge and neck pickups).

Did it come with fret sprout or did it develop over time?

I bought it second hand with fret sprout... got it on a great deal, and the finish covers it so there's no sharp edges, just small bumps you can feel

 

[bassisace]

Music Man are dropping the ball more often these days. They're cutting corners.

 

[73647k]

Music Man are dropping the ball more often these days. They're cutting corners.

A lot of companies are doing this, it’s a shame

 

[73647k]

Happy NGD - I am jonesing for one of these some day. Awesome job on that solo

 

[fortisursus]

Great grab! I still remember trying a JP12 in a GC many years back. Left an impression on me to this day. Those early JP's really have a distinct feel. Enjoy it!

 

[HungryGuitarStudent]

Great grab! I still remember trying a JP12 in a GC many years back. Left an impression on me to this day. Those early JP's really have a distinct feel. Enjoy it!

Definitely great playability. I love the lead tones I get out of it. It really resonates.

Here’s an example of “in the room” tone (phone audio).

 

[bassisace]

Definitely great playability. I love the lead tones I get out of it. It really resonates.

Here’s an example of “in the room” tone (phone audio).

Sick!Love me some Raf Trujillo leads! What amp are you playing through?

 

[Lax]

I think my JP12 is my favorite guitar ever, I can play anything effortlessly. Just the crunchlab pickup SUCKS
I'm still in a honeymoon phase with the majesty, which sounds better, but I think I need to tweek a little more the setup for it to be as effortless as my JP12. And classical position isn't as confortable.

 

[HungryGuitarStudent]

Yeah, JP12 and XI are a cut above in terms of playability. Tone wise, I find the JPXI sounds better than the JP12 with crunchlabs. Also, if you don’t play settings/amps/cabs near those of Petrucci, they can sound muddy af.

@bassisace For the Obsidious cover, I was using an AxeFx3.

 

[katsumura78]

Congrats! The XI is killer!