Sterling JP70-MDR John Petrucci 7-String Electric Guitar

The Sterling by Music Man JP70-MDR brings key design elements of John Petrucci’s signature guitars into an approachable seven-string instrument. Its Mystic Dream finish changes appearance with the light, while the comfortable forearm scoop, 24-fret layout and floating tremolo aim to support expressive progressive-rock and modern guitar techniques.

Seven-string range for modern music

The JP70 adds a seventh string below the conventional six-string range, giving players access to deeper notes and expanded chord shapes. Its 25.5-inch scale is familiar to many electric guitarists, although the wider neck and extra string require careful muting and adapted fretting technique. The model can be useful for progressive metal and extended-range arrangements, but it is also suited to experimental sounds and melodic lead playing.

Ergonomic body and neck design

A contoured nyatoh body includes a scooped forearm area, designed to improve comfort during longer sessions. The hard maple neck uses a five-bolt attachment for stable construction, and a rosewood fingerboard carries 24 medium-jumbo frets. The 16-inch fretboard radius suits players who prefer a flatter feel for bends, legato and quick movement between strings.

Two ceramic humbuckers with straightforward controls

The JP70 has two ceramic humbuckers with a three-way pickup selector, Volume and Tone controls. This simple layout makes it easier to move between full rhythm sounds and singing leads without navigating complex onboard circuitry. The pickups can sound more focused or aggressive depending on your amplifier gain, EQ and playing dynamics.

Floating tremolo and locking tuners

The modern floating tremolo allows expressive pitch movement, while locking tuning machines make string changes and routine tuning more convenient. Floating bridges require some setup attention when switching between string gauges or tunings, so it is worth planning this before live use. Unlike some specialist signature guitars, the JP70 does not assume an included gig bag in the manufacturer’s standard specification; confirm any case bundle separately.

Who should choose the JP70?

It suits seven-string players who enjoy John Petrucci-inspired ergonomics, a distinctive finish and expressive tremolo control. Barbad Musical Instruments can help with setup preferences and accessories in the UAE.