NAMM 2024: John Petrucci on new Majesty, Dream Theater and picking secrets

Though the Dream Theater maestro maintains that the design of his Music Man Majesty is so otherwise perfect that it hasn't been altered in any way since its release, he can't wait to tell guitarworld.com EIC Michael Astley-Brown about the new-for-2024 Majesty finish options, including a years-in-the-making “Northern Lights” look that has us salivating. Plus, the prog-metal king offers some technical insights, and reveals his favorite up-and-coming players.
Follow along live with all of GW's NAMM 2024 exploits here: www.guitarworld.com/news/live...

[@rudicci]

I love those moments where you can still catch JP just nerding out about guitar and technique. The guy is so nice and willing to talk that you can almost forget he is the Italian Thor of Metal.

[@sjsphotog]

Amen

[@manfredmar]

He really seems so genuine

[@bvq330]

I feel dumb that I only realised now that JP is Italian. The last name was right in my face but I didn't realise until now.

[@anuarox]

​@@bvq330but u r not. His last name is italian, not him. He was born on NY state.

[@bvq330]

@@anuarox Yeah, he's a US citizen but he's still ethnically Italian-American

[@inflames0777]

JP is one of the most humble and down to earth guitarists ever. You can listen to him all day whether he is nerding out on Guitar or gears, or music theory, anything.

[@sjsphotog]

1000%

[@martinoruggero1456]

If he's so humble, why does he release 50 overpriced guitars that bring nothing new to the table each year?

[@LazyFingers-oc4xc]

Props to the interviewer, great job letting the artist speak, man.

[@JLchevz]

yep fantastic job

[@felipealvarez1550]

This was an overall fantastic interview PLUS we finally got confirmation of when DT is getting together to create their new (and probably also their most important yet) album ! Can't wait to listen what the magic will lead us to this time!

[@sansubr]

Looking forward eagerly

[@sjsphotog]

JP my fave guitar player. You rock John!!! Can't wait for the new DT album with Mike P back behind the kit!!!

[@AarosConcerts]

Ah man it’s gonna be incredible!!

[@JLchevz]

same

[@1in7-Twist]

That color is amazing , Music man EB knocking it out of the park every time.

[@CompleteProducer84]

"I tend to look at my right hand more than my left hand" - Extremely interesting! I'm trying to think if there is ever a time that I look at my right hand while playing

[@pellolopez3764]

Exactly! I thought that too

[@kahlrhoam6769]

Majesty guitars & Mesa Boogie JP amps. What a great reputable run! I live & die on color/ aesthetics & even build, for what I compose.

[@JLchevz]

Man I love JP. He's so chill and he's one of the best. Such an inspiring person.

[@Nickshreds890]

One of my guitar heroes . John I appreciate your playing and your enthusiasm so much! Thank you for your beautiful and inspiring music! 🙏 rock on 🤘 JP! It's so special to hear how much John respects otner musicians. He knows about all the youngsters. Plini, Polyphia, matteo Mancuso and a billion other wonderful musicians. I would love to hear Jason Richardson and John Petrucci together. Or maybe JP and Tosin Abasi because they are so different to each other!

[@tumbamarch89]

How many signature guitars do you need? John Petrucci: Yes!

[@bbdill]

As I'm sitting here watching this with my guitar in hand and just noodling, he talks about the pinky palm cave picking. I was like "wow I'm gonna try it" and realized that I have been doing this the whole time subconsciously. I can't believe I've never really paid attention to where my hand is while picking. I've just always done what is comfortable. This is a great interview by the way. Petrucci rules!

[@DEllisMusic]

Got to see him chat with Sterling Ball live at NAMM the other day about these guitars and music and stuff, absolutely awesome. Got to say hi to him too, nicest dude ever. Always a pleasure to meet one of your heroes and find out that they are genuinely awesome!

[@Loftus4345]

Great work on the interview. Felt like listening in on a casual chat with John. The new Majesty looks incredible, but I still have yet to try one out myself, mainly because I feel unworthy.

[@Pure_KodiakWILD_Power]

Enjoyable conversation on both sides. Well done, interviewer.

[@fl1ppe958]

John rocking that Zakk Wylde style

[@SamBrockmann]

The wizard dad that we all enjoy hearing!

[@daroka7320]

Man.... This is a work of art. I don't know if i should play with such a beautifull guitar or frame i in a golden frame and admire it. Absolutely masterpiece. 👌👍

[@paulvinova]

Hey, I'd love to take a picture of that guitar with the northern lights.

[@Wilmer778]

15:54 Well, for starters: use some different brands of guitars and amps at times like you did on Falling Into Infinity! It's my least favourite DT album, but the guitar tones on there are incredible and also quite varied. Okay, it's still a bunch of different Mesa amps on there, but I saw him using a Rickenbacker, a Gibson; etc but his main guitar's still the Ibanez back then, but those other little flavours of tones made it really interesting to listen to. Now, plug a Fender strat into a Marshall for a couple of bits on the new album, or use a Gibson plus a Fender Twin and an Electro Harmonix Big Muff or wheatever (I've never seen him using EH stuff before, which's strange to me. Their pedals are AWESOME!!) and let your EB/MM plus Mesa/Boogie JP-2C be your main setup for the album, but just throw in some different flavours! That'd be lovely! Live you'd just use your AXE-FX to recreate the Fender/Marshall tone bits... EASY!! :D Just my opinion. ;)

[@brownsfan7753]

Great interview!!

[@SnappyJCM800]

I have had the idea to do a northern lights stain scheme for about a decade now. Their’s is similar but mine has a little pink in it here and there. I can’t decide if I want the burst to be black or a dark violet/purple

[@kiezersosay49]

Man that's so true what he says about guitar finishes. It definitely affects which one you wanna grab and obviously how you want to play. I also think your mood plays into that at as well. I can't be the only who as a holoflake? I had an s-style ⅞ warmoth build with warmoth's iteration of a holoflake finish and I Fn love it. As a child or the 90s it's like I picked up the ultimate rare holo guitar! Lol

[@rocknrollsingh7568]

I love John Petrucci

[@user-uc3qs1gx2d]

John’s new look on stage !

[@BurstingVeins1]

When just about every guitar youtuber has a JP guitar or a Majesty, or even both, you know you've got something special. I can't wait to get one of those new finishes this Summer.

[@martinoruggero1456]

When just about every guitar KZbinr owns a Petrucci guitar, you know that you should NOT own one. Believe it or not, I do not look up to people like Steve Terribleberry, Jared Djines, and Ola Gearwhore as my heroes.

[@scythe4277]

Holy fuck I need this guitar NOW 😱

[@fliexvolkovan6704]

i love this guy

[@cashway0420]

I like the jp15 way more than the majesty

[@weedian710]

“Eerie Dess Burst” 😂 looks sick!

[@Sinisterbvnny]

They truly are the greatest guitar IMO - if you want efficiency and a workhorse to get things done. I love mine.

[@AarosConcerts]

Legend!

[@Sam-cv6un]

Two weeks baybeeeeeee

[@jofvenom]

Exactly

[@Deriolama]

one of the great guitars💯

[@boosk2127]

I'm going to have to go and give my Bali Blue Burst a hug and say that it's OK, after seeing the finish on that northern lights.

[@Lord_Stinkfoot]

Wow. Wow. Wow.

[@TK96]

JP is slowly turning into a biker.

[@tommys_hobbies]

Fans of John Petrucci should check out Joaco Luis from Born in Exile and Serapis Project. I wouldn't be surprised if one of his two bands tours with DT one day. The guy is phenomenal.

[@ehcmier]

A paintjob like that should get a lenticular display.

[@reactions4u438]

damn, this vid came out 10 days ago. they have probably started writing the album!!

[@sergiyderkach318]

Hi guys. Nice interview. Hallo from Ukraine. I whant that guitar)❤

[@sharpywilliam4513]

Was I the only one who thought this guitar color was a throw back to liquid tension experiment cover?

[@davebridge5580]

PRS did Northern lights years ago. Nice guitar tho

[@user-rt1lw3ds6q]

Almost perfect guitar, but getting out the 3rd battery is a pita. Looking for ways to improve the 2015? Include a strap to go under the battery to lift it out.

[@jackbootshamangaming4541]

I wish we could get a nice 7 string majesty for less than 3/4 grands.

[@AaroRissanen-pi4td]

Holy fuck, he just keeps getting more cool!

[@LudwigJager7]

ohhh what a waste that he didnt played it! But great interview, good to know they are already working on something new

[@CSebax]

@johnpetrucci, call it “spooky Halloween”

[@TheSateef]

john's beard could start its own band

[@Max72TheOnlyOne]

Best guitar ever, period!

[@captainconvulsion]

This is my Santa.

[@ericnicolleau4331]

Vola did it last year

[@yuliefelice5643]

❤

[@nahnotsomuch2292]

Imagine how much better that guitar would look if the lights were on and it wasn't filmed in 'PotatoVision'. 😄

[@scythe4277]

So you mean I can smoke northern lights while playing a northern lights guitar? That’s fucking sick.

[@kkupsky6321]

This man is like twenty or thirty years older than me and doesn’t have a single grey hair. He loves colour.

[@DTArchive]

Really? Isn't it obvious that he dyes his hair and beard?

[@lukasmoodysson4701]

Swap out black to a red outfit. Tadaaa rocknroll Santa Claus

[@trajtemberg]

Lord Arnis

[@johnkas23]

A little silly to cover the PRS amp with tape. Dont think Paul is waiting for this video or Ernie Ball for promotion

[@justinhenryalcantara3837]

selling my kidney for that one

[@florianrau4091]

This beard can talk! 😄

[@user-uc4tl4is4e]

Like an hourglass shape 3:51

[@Burnt_Gerbil]

He said doodoo. Ha! I’m not 5, I swear. 😆

[@sansubr]

😂

[@Kosmo_Mizo_Channel]

TNT - Northern Lights kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIK3mZR6fralnbMsi=eTKEP1ES3lScweDT

[@petrucci973]

I expected a 10th anniversary majesty tbh..

[@TheGazza83]

Has it been 10 years already???? I still prefer the JPs

[@petrucci973]

@@TheGazza83 I owned a majesty it's the best guitar that's non traditional super strat body.. but in terms of a traditional super strat, the JPXI for me especially with the 20" radius is my sweet spot. Feel and taste is subjective.

[@user-uc4tl4is4e]

I believe ever since the the guitar created it took an ode to the curves of a woman's body 2:33

[@asabovesobelow2299]

Why did you all kick out Mike Mangini from DT?????? 😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠

[@paulpv7]

Because they wanted their friend Portnoy back, duh

[@asabovesobelow2299]

@@paulpv7 yes, I know but..... its not fair

[@ChaosInNythil]

didnt touch inside just color, now it cost just 70k dollars.. not human prices haha

[@stephenh.4476]

Ernie ball music man guitars are priced way beyond what a middle clsss person can afford. $5000 for the Majesty guitar in Canada!

[@MorelloZzT7]

yes. They really are that expensive. More power to people who can afford them.

[@coolguitar88]

Nody shape is bad / but good sound

[@kuntoaji4674]

Joker's colors

[@balazsjb]

Did anyone mention the beard? Oh ok, it's about the guitar.... anyway.

[@benburnett8109]

Only EBMM would have the audacity to take a green/purple guitar and call it "Northern LIghts." EBMM has the best marketing dept by far. Decent strings, average guitars and an Amazing Marketing Dept. At least we don't have to listen to JP talk about how a center section of maple in a mahogany guitar adds "sharpness and attack." That "shield" era was atrocious.

[@bitburg40]

The finishes always have the shield crap and has kept me from buying one of his guitars.

[@kkupsky6321]

Doesn’t sound the same if I can’t see the colour. 🤦‍♀️. They’re selling guitars. Figures.

[@xGuitarInFlamesx]

Crazy that you got a pro guitarist with a guitar in his hands, and managed to upload the part where he is not playing 😴

[@paulpv7]

This is an interview. If you want to see him play, look up some concerts

[@xGuitarInFlamesx]

@@paulpv7 So if he started playing to demonstrate things he is talking about, it's no longer an interview? With that inside-of-the-box thinking I'm sure you are not a guitarist 😂

[@paulpv7]

@@xGuitarInFlamesx I just came up with an explanation and a solution for you to see John play, and look at you starting to get personal and laughing. Weird. Have a nice day mr Guitarist

[@xGuitarInFlamesx]

@@paulpv7 I'm sorry that a little emoji offended you kiddo, I just like using them nothing personal. But I'm convinced that you wouldn't have ignored my question if you had a valid argument (I don't blame you tho, that's convenient when losing an argument) 👀

[@paulpv7]

@@xGuitarInFlamesx why did you start an argument in the first place? Got nothing better to do?

[@OriginalGaucho]

Hurray for John and Music Man but the filter you added to the video suuuuuuuuuuckssssss

[@jamiemorgan4146]

The purple is nice. The green center is gross 🤢

[@jakepyrett1715]

Like jpm100 sound better

[@mx_cage6931]

make a lefty i asked john and music man!!! JUSTICE FOR LEFTIES

[@davidmamat686]

JPs always boring ... but his music iss always exciting and greatest...

[@Oxtorayk]

He should shave

[@martinoruggero1456]

He should also retire from the music industry. Have you heard Dream Theater's vocalist these days?