Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
$1,599.99
Guitar Center
$1,599.99
Amazon
$1,599.99
Reverb
5.0 (5)
$929.99 New
$1,378.35 Used
Musician's Friend
$1,599.99
zZounds
$1,599.99
Thomann
$1,555.00 $1,550.00 $5.00 · All time low

Average Price: $1,482

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Sterling by Music Man JP157". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

The Sterling by Music Man JP157 is a masterstroke of design, blending meticulous craftsmanship with cutting-edge functionality to meet the high standards of progressive metal virtuosos. Born from the collaboration with Dream Theater's John Petrucci, this 7-string electric guitar is engineered for speed, precision, and tonal versatility. The roasted maple neck and ebony fingerboard offer a silky-smooth playing experience, while the nyatoh body capped with a flame maple veneer provides a robust tonal foundation with remarkable sustain.

Equipped with DiMarzio LiquiFire and Crunch Lab pickups, this guitar delivers a dynamic range of tones from crystal-clear cleans to searing high-gain leads. The modern tremolo bridge and locking tuners ensure tuning stability, even during the most demanding performances. The intuitive control layout includes a push-pull volume knob for coil-splitting, extending your sonic possibilities without complicating your setup. Whether you're shredding through intense solos or laying down complex rhythm patterns, the JP157 is designed to keep pace with your creativity.

Key Features:

  • 7-string model designed in collaboration with John Petrucci
  • Nyatoh body with Flame Maple veneer top
  • Roasted Maple neck with Ebony fretboard
  • 25.5" Scale Length and 16" Neck Radius
  • DiMarzio LiquiFire neck and Crunch Lab bridge humbuckers
  • Stainless steel frets for smooth playability
  • Modern Tremolo bridge and locking tuners for excellent tuning stability
  • Push/Pull Volume knob for split-coil tones
  • Deluxe gig bag included

Product specs

Model JP157
Artist John Petrucci
Fret Type Medium Jumbo
Fret Material Stainless Steel
Number of Strings 7
Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
Body Type Solidbody
Body Shape Signature Doublecut
Body Material Nyatoh
Top Material Flame Maple Veneer
Body Finish Gloss
Neck Material Roasted Maple
Neck Joint 5-way Bolt-on
Radius 16"
Fingerboard Inlay Custom JP Inlays
Number of Frets 24
Scale Length 25.5"
Nut Material Polyphenylene Sulfide
Tuners Locking
Neck Pickup DiMarzio LiquiFire Humbucker
Bridge Pickup DiMarzio Crunch Lab Humbucker
Controls 1 x master volume (push/push volume boost), 1 x master tone
Switching 3-way toggle pickup switch
Strings Ernie Ball Regular Slinky, .010-.046
Case/Gig Bag Gig Bag

FAQs

What type of neck profile does the Sterling by Music Man JP157 have?

The Sterling by Music Man JP157 features a roasted maple neck with a smooth satin finish, designed for fast playability and comfort, making it ideal for technical playing styles.

Are the pickups on the Sterling JP157 suitable for progressive metal?

Yes, the Sterling JP157 is equipped with DiMarzio LiquiFire and Crunch Lab humbuckers, which are known for their high output and clarity, making them well-suited for progressive metal and similar genres.

Is the Sterling JP157 suitable for advanced players?

The Sterling JP157 is designed with advanced players in mind, featuring high-quality components, a 7-string configuration, and a versatile tonal range, making it an excellent choice for experienced musicians.

Does the Sterling JP157 come with a gig bag?

Yes, the Sterling by Music Man JP157 comes with a gig bag, providing convenient protection and transport for the guitar.

What is the function of the push/push volume boost on the Sterling JP157?

The push/push volume boost on the Sterling JP157 provides an active 9V powered 12dB boost, allowing for increased output and dynamic range at the push of a button.

Trey Xavier

Trey Xavier

STERLING BY MUSIC MAN JP157 Guitar Review | GEAR GODS

Video thumbnail for STERLING BY MUSIC MAN JP157 Guitar Review | GEAR GODS by Trey Xavier

STERLING BY MUSIC MAN JP157 Guitar Review | GEAR GODS

Trey Xavier

Trey Xavier

Video thumbnail for Sterling by Musicman JP157 - One Year On - John Petrucci Signature by Jamie Ford

Sterling by Musicman JP157 - One Year On - John Petrucci Signature

Jamie Ford

Jamie Ford

Video thumbnail for Sterling by Music Man Petrucci JP157 FMIB - Sound Demo (no talking) by Guitar Bonedo

Sterling by Music Man Petrucci JP157 FMIB - Sound Demo (no talking)

Guitar Bonedo

Guitar Bonedo

Video thumbnail for John PETRUCCI's Signature STERLING by Music Man JP157 / Review & Sound by Strings of Rock

John PETRUCCI's Signature STERLING by Music Man JP157 / Review & Sound

Strings of Rock

Strings of Rock

Video thumbnail for Sterling by Music Man John Petrucci JP157 7-String, Neptune Blue | Gear4music demo by Gear4music Guitars

Sterling by Music Man John Petrucci JP157 7-String, Neptune Blue | Gear4music demo

Gear4music Guitars

Gear4music Guitars

Video thumbnail for Sterling by Music Man JP157 Overview - Sterling by Music Man John Petrucci JP157 Electric Guitar by American Musical Supply

Sterling by Music Man JP157 Overview - Sterling by Music Man John Petrucci JP157 Electric Guitar

American Musical Supply

American Musical Supply

Video thumbnail for John Petrucci JP157 7-String | Sterling by Music Man | REVIEW by A MINOR ERROR

John Petrucci JP157 7-String | Sterling by Music Man | REVIEW

A MINOR ERROR

A MINOR ERROR

Reviews

PROS

  • Smooth, flat neck reminiscent of high-end Ibanez models

  • Comfortable arm bevel prevents forearm discomfort

  • Stays in tune exceptionally well

  • Versatile sound, great clean and with distortion

  • Affordable alternative to high-end Music Man models

CONS

  • Some fret ends are slightly sharp

  • Stock pickups may sound muddy with high-end replacements

  • Stock electronics setup not ideal for non-active pickup systems

  • 20db boost circuit considered unnecessary by some users

  • Initial string quality might be lacking

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Sterling by Music Man JP157.

Setup and maintenance

  • Common issue with the high E string slipping off due to misaligned nut; replacing with a Graph Tech nut and adjusting neck position can resolve this.

    Source

User experience

  • Transitioning from 6 to 7 strings, the neck width is noticeably wider, enhancing playability in lower tunings like drop G, providing a unique feel.

    Source
  • Despite nut issues, overall build quality and feel are often compared favorably to higher-end Music Man models, implying good value for a signature model.

    Source
  • Despite some quality concerns, a user appreciated the unique sound and playability differences of a Sterling JP70D with Crunch Lab and LiquiFire pickups compared to other guitars.

    Source
  • Roasted maple neck with Sahara burst finish exceeded visual expectations, looking better in person than anticipated.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Some users prefer purchasing from Sweetwater due to their Guitar Gallery feature, allowing careful selection of guitars with centered strings.

    Source
  • The Sterling Richardson's neck is slightly flatter than the JP157, affecting playability and comfort slightly, but remains accessible and user-friendly.

    Source
  • Veneers are used instead of solid wood slabs, maintaining quality but differing from higher-end models.

    Source

Build quality

  • The fretboard is praised for its smoothness, enhancing the overall playing experience despite initial concerns with string alignment.

    Source
  • A user reported that the frets on a Sterling JP70D needed a fret dress to improve playability, suggesting potential variability in fret finishing.

    Source
  • Locking tuners are noted as decent, enhancing tuning stability, though some users disliked the plastic knobs.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners suggest replacing stock pickups due to a flat sound; DiMarzio Crunch Lab and LiquiFire pickups are recommended for improved tone and playability.

    Source
  • Upgrading to Illuminator pickups was favored for voicing changes, though stock pickups were adequate for some.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The mid boost feature is considered cool but not universally favored; some users plan to replace it with a coil split for more versatility.

    Source

Critic Reviews

STERLING BY MUSIC MAN JP157 Seven-String Guitar - The Gear Gods Review - Gear Gods

geargods.net

The Sterling by Music Man JP157 is a standout in the realm of affordable seven-string guitars. It boasts premium features like a roasted maple neck, locking tuners, and a 12 dB output boost, which are rare at its $700 price point. The guitar's aesthetics, inspired by the Petrucci signature line, lend it a high-end feel. While the neck is slightly thicker than other JP models, and the white inlays can be hard to spot against the maple fretboard, these minor drawbacks don't detract from its overall performance. It's a solid, value-packed choice for those seeking a quality seven-string guitar without breaking the bank.

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Genre Usage

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