John Petrucci Signature Electric Guitar Series Buying Guide

Monarchy Majesty

Newly updated for 2017, the Monarchy Series Majesty is constructed with a through-neck design of mahogany and flame maple top, and is available in 4 rich translucent finishes. The Monarchy Series Majesty comes with chrome or black hardware featuring a custom John Petrucci Music Man® Piezo floating tremolo bridge and Schaller locking tuners.

Buy this if you want the Majesty with a gloss-finish top and matte-finish back, updated body shield and DiMarzio Sonic Ecstasy pickups.

JP6

The JP6 is the original John Petrucci signature guitar, and features a basswood body. It also features a scooped forearm contour that helps keep your arm, wrist and elbow in natural position for maximum playing comfort. It has a smooth modern tremolo system with an optional acoustic piezo bridge system, and a very flat 15-inch neck radius.

Buy this if you want the original JP model, upgradable options, a basswood body for even tonal response, and a rosewood fretboard with 15″ radius.

JP6 BFR

The John Petrucci BFR (Ball Family Reserve) 6 model refined the original JP6 in an effort to get more sustain and thick lead tones. This was achieved by replacing the basswood body with mahogany, alder and maple. We also added flame or quilt maple top (or koa top, shown), mahogany tone block with maple top and alder body, and standardized the piezo option. A polyester finished neck replaced an oil and wax finish.

Buy this if you want the classic JP6 electric guitar design with some bells and whistles, and an alder body, maple top, and mahogany tone block for strong low end and focused mids.

JPX

The JPX electric guitar model features the same great trio of premium quality tonewoods as the BFR with the addition of 19 hollow body chambers, allowing for a more resonant response from the guitar. The sound is unique and slightly more “alive” than previous JP models.  Other changes include an extended recessed lower cutaway for easier playing from the 12 frets to the 24th.  A five-way pickup selector switch also simplifies access to usable tones and minimizes the amount of controls on the guitar. The neck is the same as the JP6 and BFR with a 15” radius.

Buy this if you want a chambered alder body with maple top and mahogany tone block, ebony fretboard with jumbo frets, and a 5 way pickup selector switch.

JPXI

The JPXI electric guitar is similar to the JPX but does not have the hollow chambers. This creates a less airy more focused sound.  The JPXI neck is flatter than any previous models at a 20″ fretboard radius.

Buy this if you want strong low end and a focused midrange sound, high fret access, and a flatter 20″ neck radius ebony fretboard.

JP12

This electric guitar model shares features with the JPXI but has a basswood body & maple top. The basswood is a bit lighter and provides a tonality similar to the original JP model. This guitar retains the very flat feeling neck shape.

Buy this if you want the 20” neck radius, a basswood body with maple top and mahogany tone block for strong low ends and sizzling highs.

JP13

This electric guitar is the first JP model to feature the new boost circuit and Dimarzio Illuminator pickups. The JP13 boasts a basswood body with mahogany tone block and maple top. The boost and coil split functions are activated via push/push knobs offering ease of operation and tonal variation.  Illuminator pickups are much bolder with added clarity and presence.  The neck is a little less flat than previous models, with a comfortable 17” radius.

Buy this if you want the JP12 body style but with less-flat neck, and a preamp circuit with solo boost for enhanced tonal range. 

JP15

The 15 model electric guitar is similar to the JP13 with active electronics and boost function, but has a lightweight African mahogany body with figured roasted maple top.  The addition of mahogany with maple brings back the robust sound of the BFR with an expressive and thicker lead tone.

Buy this if you want JP13 design elements, a roasted maple top and neck with a completely mahogany body.

JP16

Retaining all the electronic features of the JP13 and JP15, the JP16 combines elements from the original JP6 electric guitar. It has a basswood body and forearm scoop, with the addition of a Floyd Rose 1000 Pro double locking tremolo system  The sound of the guitar is a little more focused dynamically with greater emphasis in the mid to high range frequencies.

Buy this if you want JP6 design elements + Floyd Rose 1000 Pro double locking tremolo system, 20 db gain boost and DiMarzio Illuminator pickups.

Majesty

This unique guitar body shape was inspired by sports cars and running stallions, with sleek lines and modern aesthetics. You get uninhibited access to all 24 frets on both sides of the neck. The sound of the Majesty incorporates all the great tones from the past models with a clean preamp and 20db boost.  This is truly the most advanced design of all Petrucci models.

Buy this if you want a sleek, modern feel and performance; the Lamborghini of signature electric guitars.

Artisan Majesty

The Artisan Majesty is constructed with a through-neck design of mahogany and laser etched flame maple top, and is available in 5 rich translucent finishes. The Artisan comes with gold hardware featuring a custom John Petrucci Music Man Piezo floating tremolo bridge and Schaller locking tuners.

Technical Specifications