Music Man Majesty VS Sterling Majesty Guitars: In-Depth Review

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The Music Man Majesty and Sterling Majesty are two signature guitars for prog rock guitarist John Petrucci. There's tons of reviews about these guitars that are all positively glowing... But I to give you an in-depth guide and compare the features that a lot of guitar demo videos overlook.
Either the Sterling Majesty of the Music Man Majesty can be a versatile choice for any guitarist, but can you really "save money" by getting the sterling?
I'm going to go deeper than just the price and the features. We go over the differences between the locking tuners, the quality of the knobs, what kind of sounds you can pull out of the Sterling Majesty... Even though it doesn't have the piezo, and whether or not you should upgrade to the DiMarzio pickups!
One notable difference is the depth of the whammy dive, with the Music Man Majesty allowing for a much bigger dive. This could make it or break it when it comes to choosing between these two...
In terms of sound, the Music Man Majesty with the Sonic Ecstasy pickups and the Sterling Majesty with DiMarzio pickups both deliver great tones. However, the stock Sterling pickups are not as impressive in my opinion.
No matter which one you go with, the Music Man Majesty is a testament to John Petrucci's influence on guitar design.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 3 Big problems with other guitar reviews
00:38 What most people assume about these guitars
01:14 Sterling VS Music Man
02:49 Locking tuners comparison
05:30 Neck design
06:02 Nut material comparison
06:54 Bridge comparison
10:46 Pickups comparison (most important factor)
12:13 Volume boost comparison
13:14 Tone control comparison
13:42 Piezo volume control
14:10 More subtle differences in controls
15:17 Sound comparison start
15:49 - Demo 1 - On the Backs of Angels
16:19 - Demo 2 - A Change of Seasons
17:02 - Demo 3 - In the Presence of Enemies solo
#guitarist

[@mattwright466]

Subscribe to my channel for weekly video tutorials HERE: kzbin.info/door/iZ7_2imrQj36Eq4ea_ZmZQ

[@jordanj9069]

I used to want to make a review channel because I felt that existing review channels were lacklustre and tiptoed. Don't really need to do that any more; you're great! Really covered EVERY detail and did so straight-up

[@NorthSanctuary]

Crazy how this video has over 7k views and under 200 likes. Super impartial, super straightforward and very well spoken. Awesome video! You earned a sub from me!

[@mattwright466]

How about we get it over 7k views? 🤣 Glad you liked it!

[@2hatsandadream]

Amazing video and great breakdown! You definitely touched on a lot of things other reviews missed so thank you 🤙

[@nautilus1753]

Hey Matt, ive recently discovered you and i love your videos, as well as your ability to dig deeper into the topics and the way you make yourself understood. Heard you mentioned Scottsdale. Hello from Peoria !😀

[@mktzombey]

Im not interested in buying any guitars but this video was still really really cool and intersting

[@cardbored_]

I have absolutely no issues dive-bombing on my EBMM JP6 and keeping tune, fantastic guitars

[@user-xc8vd1bx6p]

100% agree on the bridge. I bought my Sterling Jp157 used a few years ago and its my favorite guitar. I can't speak much on the stock bridge as I upgraded it to a gotoh ns510tsfe7 because the previous owner was missing parts on the sterling bridge so I went ahead and got a replacement. But the main reasons why I bought my sterling is #1 its a seven string with a tremolo bridge that has an amazing neck. #2 the trem isn't a floyd. I don't utilize divebombs in my play style and never have, but have always had multiple floyd guitars. I only use the trem for flutters and vibrato, so a floyd is literally useless to me. If you're not doing divebombs you don't need a floyd as the whole entire purpose of a floyd is to do crazy divebombs and pop right back into tuning, so the Sterling is literally perfect to me. I wish that more affordable brands would start producing 7 string guitars with gotoh style floating trems even if its their own house brand. Sterling is extremely underrated in my opinion, I preferred it over my schecter c-7 hellraiser frs and my made in japan ibanez s7420fm so much that I sold those two cause I didn't even play them anymore.

[@jrlajarin]

Music Man bridges are so amazing... I own a Sabre Bougie Burst, such an awesome guitar...

[@lucasbelloni]

Nice video man! Thank you

[@elevenAD]

fantastic review!

[@nickv.7181]

Actually JEM radius is 16.9+ inches (in other words, 17").

[@Twy7chTec_Vayper]

Actually just bought/Treated myself to one *Sterling 'Mystic Green' JP6O earlier this afternoon 🤘🏻 Actually ordered the last one off the site lol... It's been one of those top (3) Guitars/Gear I've been wanting for the 10 out of 25 yrs of playing guitar lol The EBMM models, to me, are just WAYYYY to much out of a ball park number that's reasonable to buy lol Plus, outta the Sound demo vids I've heard, the JP60(one I just ordered), JP150, can't remember the third model...but those (3) actually ALL just have slammin' TONE!!!! Great vid/job dude 😎!! Subbed to ya as well🤘🏻😈🤘🏻

[@jetblack7044]

Great video

[@GeronimoBiggles]

great video!!! After comparing these in person myself I felt like the Sterling MAJ200 (royal red is my choice as well) was the one for me because the slimmer neck plays the best IMO and I even like the angled bridge better on the Sterling. Downsides are slightly less fine finishing touches that the EBMM has and the lack of piezo. Can you do a video on how to add a piezo to the Sterling?

[@mattwright466]

Angled bridge? When properly setup, the base of the bridge plate should be flush with the body. You can't add the piezo to the Sterling. The piezo pickups exist literally in the bridge of the MM Majesty and the bridge is custom made for that guitar... And you can't buy it separately. I think there is maybe one person I've seen do any kind of a bridge swap on the guitar...

[@GeronimoBiggles]

​@@mattwright466 The bridge plate is flush with the body but the saddles feel more angled upwards on the Sterling whereas on the EBMM it has that big flat hand rest over the saddles making the angle of your hand feel more flat. Also the Sterling saddles might be quite a bit bigger in size.. And yes it is properly setup by a high end guitar shop. Also yes there are a several aftermarket piezo systems available you should look into it. I believe Music Man uses the Fishman one but there is also other brands that make a piezo system for any guitar including basic strats and LPs and teles.

[@JA_0143]

Those finish cracks on the Majesty’s are a result of the nut being put on in the mill instead of being made to fit in the setup department. Sometimes they don’t sit flush or nor have a tight seal (gap) and usually gets filled with glue or finish which results in it cracking. It could also crack during the buffing process. The heat generated causing expansion and contraction from the glue or finish heating and cooling at different rates. It’s one flaw of the company. I would never own a majesty because they cause too many problems down the road. Imagine trying to put a new nut on the Majesty and paying to delaminate it and refinish it. No thank you! Good video by the way :)

[@waliveroliver5854]

Just an addition, as far as pickups go, the dream catcher is designed to work with the music man Majesty's preamp system!

[@mattwright466]

What do you mean? Do you mean piezo system? Because of course.. It HAS to work with the preamp system. There's no way around that.

[@QuinnBradshaw]

This video helped me alot thanks! I think I'm gonna go with the Sterling with DiMarzio pickups since I cant afford a music man lol!

[@mattwright466]

I’ve got mine for sale on Reverb right now :-) reverb.com/item/81378006-sterling-maj200x-fm-john-petrucci-signature-majesty-dimarzio-2021-royal-red

[@mattwright466]

Or if you want to email me we can maybe work something out

[@QuinnBradshaw]

@@mattwright466 Thanks I’ll look into it!

[@louieplaysguitar]

Sterlings aren't made in the Philippines though, just in Indonesia. Sterlings aren't even sold here in the Philippines.

[@mattwright466]

Thanks for the correction! I don't claimto be perfect 🙂 The reason I said that was because I swear I've tried 1-2 in a music store and they said Philippines...

[@louieplaysguitar]

@@mattwright466 just a minor thing, great video nonetheless! I have a Sterling JP157 that I purchased from the US and had it shipped here to the Philippines, and your video has helped me to decide on which pickups to upgrade it with.

[@mattwright466]

@@louieplaysguitar Rainmaker Dreamcatcher are GREAT! But I'm finding that Rainmaker in the neck pickup position is too round with some tonewoods. Could sound great. Could sound completely muddled.

[@bluematrix5001]

really great video, which Nut lubrication do you recommend?

[@mattwright466]

I use Music Nomad’s product. Haven’t tried anything else. Big Bends Nut Sauce is another popular product. You can check my tuning video for more info :-)

[@konstantinmokeyev9745]

Hey! Could someone kindly clarify the neck joint construction differences (if any) between Sterling Majesty and Music Man Majesty. Music Man Majesty is clearly a neck through. It can be seen in many videos that review the production process, the neck and central part of the body is one part. But for Sterling Majest official website says that it's setneck or set-in neck design. I couldn't find any photos or videos of Sterling Majesty production process, so it's still unclear to me if these 2 guitars have really different construction...

[@mattwright466]

I don't know the technical difference but I can tell you the result is that they are exactly the same.

[@deeda3332]

Anyone have an opinion about the sterlings natural sustain? What i mean is when bending a note, does it not only have a reasonable amount of sustain but very good sustain? Without effects. Thus is important to me cause i play a variety of music and often like to play pink floyd style stuff with nice long bends. Would appreciate any opinions.

[@mattwright466]

How often do you change your strings? LOL 😜

[@deeda3332]

I change the strings on the guitars I do have quite often. I don't own a sterling, though I was considering it and wanted anyone's opinion on its sustain. I'm 53 tears old. Been buying strings in bulk for years. I don't need any tips and New stings don't always equal good sustain.

[@mattwright466]

I'm just giving a coy response haha@@deeda3332

[@deeda3332]

Right on.

[@Sporrko]

I don’t think I’m that big of a person in height I have hands that fit into some large but most xl gloves but I always felt that the sterling maj is small even though it’s like an inch or two shorter than my SG but still

[@mattwright466]

I could totally see that! Try a JEM if you can. The string spacing is massive! That might feel better for you.

[@Sporrko]

THANKS will definitly try my store has a few too!

[@RussellmaniaKW]

"I think it's obvious which one I recommend" not really dude. a bit more of a summary would have been nice. sounds like you play the music man model more but who wouldn't if you have access to both. also was expecting you to go more in depth on the bridge construction. obviously the piezo is a big difference but what else makes the MM bridge better? The sterling bridge mechanically looks like a budget Gotoh 510 design. How does it compare to something like that?

[@mattwright466]

Hey man! First, thanks for watching the video all the way through. I appreciate it. You’re right. In hindsight, I could have gone a little more in depth in the bridge comparison for sure. The Sterling has a completely average bridge. I don’t have any giant complaints with it besides that it’s likely a lower quality material leading to less sustain than the Majesty. There’s no sharp points on it unlike some designs out there. It works great for the subtle vibrato. It can’t dive as deep. The MM bridge has the shield cover which actually is a little bit more difficult to adjust intonation on because you can’t see the adjustment hex screws and you can’t remove the “plate” unless you disassemble the ENTIRE bridge. You have to dive the bridge in order to adjust tremolo bar rotational stiffness, which always makes me a little nervous, but I’m just extra aware when I do it. The tremolo bar has a better curve and feel, but that could come down to opinion. Some might find the angle too high. All I know for sure is that I find the Sterling angle too low. In summary, I like the Music Man models better. The nut, bridge, and pickups are higher quality and they have better sustain and resonance. The neck FEELS slightly thinner, and the piezo is nice to have. In terms of what I recommend, it all depends on your budget. The more you pay, the better your experience is going to be. Biggest difference between Majesty Monarchy and Monarchy is the pickups. I really hope this helps and please let me know if you have more questions. :-)

[@mattwright466]

I will be looking at some more guitars soon and talking with a collector/expert who pointed out to me some things about how the tone woods make a difference. I’ll be releasing that in 2-3 weeks. :-)

[@RussellmaniaKW]

@@mattwright466 thanks, I really appreciate the thoughtful reply. I actually have a sterling JP150D. I got a really good deal for it on reverb, basically like new, but it did need some setup & fretwork from my local luthier. Since it was properly set up it has been a dream. I love the roasted maple neck, the SS frets & find that these sterling Petrucci models have truly impressive veneer tops that look incredible (mine's a blood orange spalted maple top). I don't use the trem much, but have seen people claim the system goes out of tune way too easily so that's why I was curious if you had any more thoughts about the sterling bridge vs the MM bridge. Obviously the MM bridge works great & stays in tune (just watched Petrucci absolutely hammer that thing at a concert last week with no issues). Seems like the issue with the sterling system may just be the nut (which I haven't upgraded) but I have wondered if there would be value in trying to swap the bridge for a similar Gotoh model (if it even fits).

[@mattwright466]

@@RussellmaniaKW Let me know how it goes! I just got to try another guitar today and what I can say is your intuition is spot on. To sum it up - Different guitars stay in tune better than others. With a tune up, you can solve basically any issue. :-)

[@TheDrummingXbox360]

​@@RussellmaniaKWI got a JP157DSM (same as you) and tuning stability has been a non-issue for me to my surprise!

[@DanielCardin_ATX]

2:25 Thank You for skipping all the “tonewoods” discussion. Leaves more comparative energy for actual factors.

[@mattwright466]

I’ve played Majesty’s of virtually every spec. It matters quite a bit!

[@mtt9589]

For the budget, the build of a Sterling the last 3 years, it is totally aplausable. I own MM JP BFR. I laught off whenever I play the Sterling JP70 black stealth, for 560 USD! . I think is brutally good. That sterling majesty jumps by a K just for tha top end (just add cool things to our eyes) plus majesty design ( costlier) and the Pickups that you can easily upgrade them Sterlings cheap JP70 Black stealth even bring tune lockers. Have you ever considered how fool we over pay just for the finishs? This is the second golden era for me in general for this company.

[@mattwright466]

I do not think we are fools for "paying for finishes". They genuinely sound different. I've played MM Crystal Amethyst, Purple Nebula, Spice Melange, multiple Monarchy variants... The tone woods all make a tremendous difference. So much so that my perfect world is recording solos with Maple top Majesty/Dreamcatcher/Rainmaker and recording rhythm with Majesty Monarchy/Sonic Ecstasy. All of that said, yes the Sterling's play very well for the price. :-)

[@TheDrummingXbox360]

I have a base MAJ100 in Arctic Dream, a MAJ200XSM in Blood Orange Burst, a MAJ270XFM in Cerulean Paradise as well as a couple of EBMM Majesties (6 and 8 string) and there are notable build qualities and feel differences between them all. The base Sterling Majesty feels good, but hardware seems a bit lacking in my opinion, just less refined. The Sterling Majesty with Dimarzios has a higher build quality and slightly better feel, and less issue with hardware quality to me - not to mention stainless steel frets, and ebony fretboard. THE Majesty (EBMM) obviously outranks them all, no need to elaborate there. They're all great in their own rights. Base Sterling is a good starting platform to add your own pickups in, custom mods, etc., while the Dimarzio one already has premium appointments on it. I also have multiple JP150s and JP157s as well, and they are all great too. The Dimarzio models have more premium appointments.

[@constantinosmavroyannis9409]

i see you have a pc case with a glass side. i get major interference from that thing. don't you?

[@mattwright466]

1. Electromagnetic fields likely penetrate beyond even a metal side panel. The pro move would be to move the PC off the desk. I just love custom stuff soooooooo 2. If speakers are turned DOWN and DAC is turned UP (the best way to do it) you won't hear any interference. I DO hear interference when rendering videos and the GPU is drawing 100% power. I don't hear interference when working in my DAW.

[@constantinosmavroyannis9409]

@@mattwright466 i'm getting it while playing. it's being picked up by the guitar pickups. i used to have a closed metal case and didnt notice any interference but i recently upgraded my pc and the new case has glass and i've been getting it ever since

[@donadams1505]

JUNK !!!

[@cutsomeone]

Awesome review! I’m curious how the sonic ecstasy would compare to a dimarzio X2N, or even a Nazgûl (or ragnarok which sounds like a more refined Nazgûl with a db boost). It’s definitely up there with the best to my ears