[WillingWell]

Yeeeeeeep, I really am that indecisive. I realize these guitars are near identical in specs except for the pickups, so I guess it's coming down to looks for me. I dunno if an Air Norton/D-Sonic would sound as good in a UV (Would either sound similar?) or have nearly the playability. People keep screaming "GET THE JP7 YOU SASSY BASTARD" at me and man, do I love that Pearl Redburst, but the UV has this sort of mystical sentimentality for me because it's what attracted me to 7-strings. Plus it just looks plain sweet with the whole pyramids and glossy black and what not.

Are the JP7's really that much better than the UVs? I've played a fully loaded Mystic Dream JP7 and man it was godly, the tone was to die for, but I couldn't get into that sort of flat/round neck profile it had in my trial. For some reason the Ibanez style seem to fit into my hand better, even though I haven't played specifically a UV777BK. It hardly even feels chunky or wide. Then again, I don't think the neck measurements are very different on the two.

I ask you guys because all the musicians I know think 7-strings are ridonculous and unplayable and I haven't owned many 7's before. But I guarantee it's going to be one of these. I think UVs are more my style, I like pointy guitars and I'm a big fan of Vai's guitars but I hope I'm not discounting the JP7 just by it's modest looks (and nicer price tag) and such. I swear that neck pickup is the best I've ever heard.

[noodles]

Yes, the JP7 really is that much better than a UV. I'm probably going to piss off all the Ibby guys here by saying it, but EBMM operates at a higher level than Ibanez. They have superior materials, hardware, electronics, and workmanship. The JP7 doesn't have the mass production feel of a UV.

[sakeido]

I dunno but my JP7 beats the pants off any Ibanez I've ever played. The neck profile is ultimate comfort and it plays just so fast, and it is built so well. Its just the combination of woods that went into it are my last choice for everything. I would still have a total boner for my JP7 if it was just a normal maple neck, or three piece laminated, then ebony board, and alder body (basswood is so blah and I've tried a couple pups now with no success in making it sound for heavy riffing). The Universe also suffers from this same problem, but then is also piezo-less, has a crappier trem, and looks dumb, so they are even less appealing to me.

[7slinger]

well, to make your decision more difficult, I had a dead mint JP7 that I traded for a JCRG7...I've never regretted the decision since I first held the JC in my hands

[sakeido]

JCRG7? J-Custom RG 7?

[Matt08642]

JP7.

[B Lopez]

Definitely JP7.

Plus they're made in my favorite town in the world

SLO!

[technomancer]

I'm with 7slinger on this one, forget both of them and get a J-Custom 7. I've played J-Customs, UVs, and JP7s and the J-Customs smoke the UVs and JP7s.

[Plaschkes]

JP7. Best guitar I've ever played, period.

[WillingWell]

Well, thanks. I'm leaning towards getting a JP7, you guys just sorta reinforced it for me. I have like zero outlets for 7-string discussion so this forum is pure awesome.

As far as J-Customs, they don't really interest me. Maybe someday, but I'm really gonna get a JP7 for sure. Then after my upcoming money sinks are gone, maybe the UV fund will begin.

Also, is the JP trem really that much better? I'm a big trem user, not like Vai crazy but I do make a lot of use out of it so that is a big deal for me. And when I tried the JP7 I tried it through a Diezel amp and just kinda roughly cut the mids and boosted the bass and presence and turned up the treble a little (California Smile EQ + Paul Gilbert, am i rite) and it sounded pretty crunchy and heavy to me. I dunno how it'd sound through the Mesa Dual Rectifier I use but I was satisfied with the tone.

To rant some more on the pickups, I'm a big neck pickup user like every other shredder hack and hearing Petrucci's use of the neck pup and then actually playing it was amazing. That is the best tone for a neck pickup I have ever heard. I like the sound of a Duncan Jazz in the neck as well, but those Air Nortons are just godly. But my offshoot question no one answered, would an Air Norton have that similar sound in a UV?