I was thinking about the most fitting headline to open this test. Really, I'd sum it up in one sentence: one hell of a guitar for around 800 € (at the time we tried it). I had long since lost faith in finding a moderately priced guitar that had it all. I've found instruments that were excellent at some things and ideal for others, but hardly one I found noble in each and every department. It had been a long time since I'd played a guitar so versatile and so well made for this kind of money. I loved it. I want it.
By now there's little to add about the exciting, virtuoso guitarist John Petrucci. Twenty years of making astonishing records and setting every stage he steps on on fire. His powerful band, Dream Theater, is one of those “mystiques” for any self-respecting hard-rocking guitarist.
The guitar model we're tackling today, Sterling's JP50, is based on Music Man®'s JP6, carefully following all the specs, circuits and details of the original while delivering high performance. Imagine how demanding a guitarist like Petrucci can be. Now get an idea of how well thought out his instrument must be.
On Second-Tier Brands
My analysis already takes the companies' commercial strategies into account. I'm not offending anyone, since the “marketing” magic is well known to everyone. As you'd expect, John Petrucci's guitar is somewhat more sophisticated and “refined” than the one we're covering today. But that's not a negative; I'll explain why.
I've tried second-tier brands on many occasions. I see the manufacturer's clear intention to capture the followers of the original brand by offering much lower, competitive prices. That way it takes advantage of the “big brand's” marketing to sell “copies” made with cheaper materials and production methods. Nothing new so far. You already know this.
Once in a while this has put me in a bad mood. Like when I tried a second-tier brand that imitated a custom instrument (of someone well known), and I came to feel that it was a trap. The copy really wasn't worth a thing.
In today's case, the feeling is exactly the opposite. I already had this idea preconceived in my head. John Petrucci's guitar, right? My surprises were many and came one after another: when I opened the case, when I put my fingers on the neck, when I plugged it in and heard it. And I'm not saying it struck me as a decent copy. I'm going further. What I'm saying is that it's one hell of a guitar, even more powerful than some from the original brands of well-known companies. And at an affordable price on top of that? Truth be told, every day more powerful things are being built at more accessible prices. This is a clear example. Not only did it strike me as decent, I find it an excellent option for a professional guitarist as well.
The Reasons for Its Charms
I've never been a big Petrucci fan, although I acknowledge his talent. What I mean is that it didn't impress me at all that this was a replica of his guitar. In fact, I was completely indifferent to it at the start of the test.
I open the case, first surprise: a streamlined design, lightweight, comfortable and visually attractive. An aggressive but discreet look. I like it. Next I rest the instrument on my lap before plugging in, while the amp's tubes warm up. Wow, nice feel, smooth, balanced, and that good sensation a well-finished instrument gives us: confidence.
Time to plug in. I start with cleans and I'm very pleasantly surprised. Strong low end, yet very defined and with attack, perfect, flexible mids, and balanced highs that run from shrill to “dense crystalline vibe.” I thought it was more of a hard-rocking guitar, but it handles clear, clean contexts perfectly.
On to crunch. That clarity, definition and low-end power with attack make it fantastic for strummed rhythms and bluesy contexts too. Well, well... I like this. So if it's built (judging by its design, it looks that way) for battle, what happens when we saturate it wildly? Indeed, what you expected to read: a cannon.
Materials, Electronics and Hardware
Nobody gives anything away. This, like everything, is a business. Offering a guitar this effective at that price has to involve a trick. Or rather than a trick, an excellent optimization of resources. That's how you cut costs without ceasing to build a truly competitive piece. We're not talking about the most exquisite materials on the market, but who needs them when the thing sounds so fantastic? We don't want it to cost more; we want it just as it is. Besides, its touches of maple add an elite flair.
On the other hand, its electronics and hardware (as you can see in the spec sheet) are carefully chosen and effective. Well developed and installed. Efficient and balanced.
Conclusion
I think I wrote my conclusion at the start of the text. And I assure you these aren't gratuitous compliments. It has very stable tuning, it's rich in harmonics, its sound is defined, with attack, it has a fairly smooth feel and all its components work perfectly. It costs about 895 €. I assure you I've tried dozens of guitars more expensive than this one and they are clearly of lower quality. The instrument is versatile and borders on professional. Perhaps it's more akin to fans of Ibanez®, Jackson® and Fender®, and a little further from the Gibson® concept. In any case, it's versatile and punchy in different contexts. Frankly, I loved it. Now I wonder: if this one is like this, what must the original be like?
