The Sterling by Music Man JP157 DiMarzio 7-string delivers the power and precision of John Petrucci’s signature sound in an accessible, extended-range format built for modern players. At the heart of this model are Petrucci’s custom DiMarzio LiquiFire and Crunch Lab pickups, offering articulate leads, punchy rhythm and nuanced clarity across clean and high-gain settings. The lightweight nyatoh body paired with a flamed maple top provides a balanced tonal foundation with warmth, clarity and striking visual flair. A roasted maple neck with ebony fingerboard offers fast, fluid playability and precise control, while the modern tremolo system and push/push volume boost give expressive versatility. Designed for progressive metal players and technical guitarists, the JP157 DiMarzio combines speed, power and dynamic response in one commanding instrument.
Nyatoh Body and Flamed Maple Top for Articulate 7-String Tone
The JP157 pairs a lightweight nyatoh body with a flamed maple top to create a balanced tonal foundation that handles the extended low range with clarity and focus. Nyatoh adds warmth and midrange presence, giving low strings definition without muddiness, while the maple veneer enhances articulation, snap and harmonic richness across all seven strings. Contoured body edges provide comfortable playability during extended sessions, and the figured top adds an eye-catching boutique aesthetic. This combination ensures the JP157 projects clean, punchy notes and harmonically rich chords—perfect for complex modern riffs, sweeping arpeggios and melodic solo work.
Roasted Maple Neck and Ebony Fingerboard for Speed and Stability
The roasted maple neck offers exceptional rigidity, smooth playability and enhanced sustain, making it ideal for fast technical passages on a seven-string layout. Its ebony fingerboard delivers crisp attack, articulate highs and precise response across all strings, ensuring clarity on both high and low registers. Designed with a slightly wider nut to accommodate the seventh string, the neck supports comfortable hand positioning for extended-range chord work and sweeping runs. Together with stainless-steel frets and a 16" radius, this neck/fingerboard combination provides a fast, reliable platform for high-speed, precise modern metal playing.
DiMarzio LiquiFire and Crunch Lab Pickups for Signature Petrucci Tone
The JP157’s DiMarzio LiquiFire neck and Crunch Lab bridge pickups define its sonic identity. The LiquiFire delivers smooth, singing leads with warm highs and tight, articulate lows, while the Crunch Lab produces focused, punchy rhythm tones with open mids and clarity under gain. Combined with the push/push volume boost and three-way pickup selector, these pickups give players immediate access to dynamic expression, harmonically rich chords and soaring solo lines. This electronics package seamlessly translates Petrucci’s studio and stage tone to the seven-string format, providing both clarity and aggression for complex modern metal arrangements.
Modern Tremolo and Performance-Driven Hardware
A modern floating tremolo system allows expressive pitch manipulation while maintaining tuning stability, even under aggressive playing. Locking tuners and a dual-action truss rod ensure precise setup, consistent intonation and long-term reliability. Custom JP inlays enhance visual identity, and the five-bolt neck attachment maximizes sustain and rigidity for articulate note definition across all seven strings. Every hardware element is engineered to complement technical playing, fast runs and wide-interval chord work without compromising comfort or control during extended performances or studio sessions.
A Signature Extended-Range Guitar for Modern Progressive Players
With its premium tonewoods, fast-playing roasted maple neck and Petrucci-designed DiMarzio pickups, the Sterling by Music Man JP157 DiMarzio 7-string offers a high-performance platform for technical and expressive modern guitar work. Ideal for progressive metal, instrumental rock and players exploring the full spectrum of extended-range riffs, the JP157 balances speed, clarity and tonal authority. Stage-ready, versatile and meticulously designed for demanding modern playing, this signature seven-string gives guitarists the tools to execute complex passages with precision while maintaining Petrucci’s hallmark voice and feel.