Ernie Ball Music Man Revises Options on John Petrucci Signature Guitar
February 8, 2001Ernie Ball offers its new John Petrucci Signature Guitar with several optional, rather than built-in features, giving guitar players the ability to customize the signature guitar. Features such as inlays and the matching headstock are now optional, and as a result, the retail price for the base model is now $1,705.
"We’d like to give more players the opportunity to purchase an outstanding signature guitar at different price points," said Byron Smith, product manager at Ernie Ball. "By making previously standard features optional, this can be achieved."
The guitar is extremely versatile for any playing style, especially with the addition of a piezo bridge available on particular models, as a wide variety of tones can be achieved with different magnetic and piezo combinations.
The Petrucci Signature Guitar will come in four models: 6 string standard ($1,705), 6 string with piezo bridge ($2,005), 7 string standard ($1,905) and 7 string with piezo bridge ($2,205). With the piezo option, the guitar can be operated in mono and stereo mode.
Each model will feature a basswood body, a maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard. The optional matching painted headstock costs an additional $100. The fretboard may be ordered with an optional custom inlay, with a "JP" inside a shield just above the first fret for an additional $190. All Petrucci Signature Guitars will have newly designed Music Man bridges and saddles, and will come with a tremolo.
Guitar players can choose from a variety of standard Music Man colors, however the new Pearl Redburst and Petrucci’s signature "Mystic Dream" are exclusive the Petrucci guitar. Mystic Dream, available for an additional $400, refracts light, creating a prism effect that changes color when viewed from different angles.
Photos and videos on Ernie Ball's web site show some of the process of John Petrucci’s collaboration with Ernie Ball during the development of his Signature Guitar. For more information, visit their web site at www.ernieball.com. | 
