Sterling by Music Man John Petrucci JP60 SBK
The Sterling by Music Man John Petrucci JP60 SBK pairs a 24-fret layout and two humbuckers with a floating tremolo and locking tuners. It is a well-equipped option for players who want a Petrucci-inspired guitar, though buyers will need to provide their own case.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 6 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Sterling by Music Man John Petrucci JP60 SBK review
The Sterling by Music Man John Petrucci JP60 SBK is a solid-body electric guitar specified with a nyatoh body, a bolt-on maple neck, a rosewood fingerboard, and a two-humbucker pickup layout. Its listed price is 699. This assessment is based solely on the supplied specifications. No customer reviews or hands-on findings are available, so playability, tuning stability, sound, and finish quality cannot be confirmed here.
The model is finished in high-gloss Stealth Black, with black hardware. The body has no separate top listed. That describes the stated construction and appearance, but does not establish details such as body weight, contouring, or the depth of the finish. Buyers who need those details should verify them with the seller or inspect the instrument in person.
Neck, fingerboard, and scale
The maple neck attaches to the body with a bolt-on joint. Its rosewood fingerboard carries 24 medium-jumbo frets and JP inlays, including a JP Shield logo at the first fret. The listed scale length is 648 mm, also specified as 25.5 inches. The nut width is 41.9 mm, and the fingerboard radius is 406 mm, or 16 inches.
These measurements provide a useful outline of the playing surface without establishing how the guitar feels in use. A 25.5-inch scale and 24 frets are concrete specifications, while fret condition, factory setup, neck relief, and string action are not included in the data. Those setup factors can affect the experience substantially and should not be inferred from the model name or measurements alone.
The first-fret logo is a distinctive marking in the supplied specification, alongside the JP fingerboard inlays. The information does not state the inlay material, fret wire dimensions, neck profile, or fingerboard edge treatment. Anyone comparing the JP60 with another guitar should check those details rather than assume they match a higher-priced instrument bearing a related design.
Pickups and controls
The JP60 SBK has two humbucking pickups, described in the summary as an HH configuration. The listed controls are one volume control, one tone control, and a three-way pickup selector. The supplied details do not identify the pickup models, magnet type, coil-tap functions, or switching options beyond the three-way selector.
That leaves the guitar's actual output and tonal range unverified. The pickup layout indicates two humbuckers, but it is not enough to predict how bright, compressed, powerful, or quiet the instrument will sound. Players who need a specific sound should seek a demonstration of this exact model or confirm the pickup specifications with the retailer.
Tremolo and tuning hardware
A modern floating tremolo and locking tuning machines are listed. The tremolo is also described as a two-point design in the summary. These terms identify the stated hardware arrangement, but the data does not specify the bridge manufacturer, materials, adjustment range, or maintenance requirements. It also does not describe how the tuning machines lock or provide a setup guide.
A floating bridge can move in response to tremolo use, so setup and string changes may require more attention than on a fixed bridge. That is a general consideration of the stated design, not a claim about this guitar's tuning performance. Locking tuning machines are included in the specifications, but their presence alone does not establish tuning stability. String condition, setup, bridge adjustment, and playing technique can all matter.
What is included, and what is not
The listed strings are Ernie Ball 2221 Regular Slinky. Neither a bag nor a case is included. The sales unit is one piece, and the item number is 638452. The color is listed as black, with the more specific finish description given as high-gloss Stealth Black. These details help clarify what the listed package contains, though the supplied information does not cover accessories beyond the strings or any warranty terms.
At a listed price of 699, the JP60 presents a defined feature set: a 24-fret rosewood fingerboard, two humbuckers, a floating tremolo, and locking tuning machines. The specifications do not establish whether those features justify the price relative to other instruments, since comparative prices, component brands, and tested performance were not provided.
Verdict
The Sterling by Music Man John Petrucci JP60 SBK is specified as a black, bolt-on electric guitar with a 25.5-inch scale, 24 medium-jumbo frets, two humbuckers, and a two-point floating tremolo. Its dimensions and included hardware are clear enough to guide an initial shortlist. However, there are no customer reviews or hands-on test results available for this assessment. Confirm the neck profile, pickup models, setup, instrument weight, and included documentation before buying if those details are important to your decision.
Shipping and duties
The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.
Scores by area
Where it shines, where it stumbles
What convinced me
- The 24-fret layout and 25.5-inch scale offer an extended range with a familiar feel.
- Two humbuckers, a three-way switch, and volume and tone controls provide a straightforward range of sounds.
- Locking tuners and a two-point floating tremolo add practical tuning and performance features.
What bugged me
- A gig bag or case is not included.
- The floating tremolo may be less convenient for players who prefer a fixed bridge.
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
A good fit for players seeking a 24-fret guitar with two humbuckers and a floating tremolo. Also worth considering for fans of the John Petrucci design and players who value locking tuners.Look elsewhere if
Not ideal for players who require a case or gig bag in the purchase. Consider another model if you prefer a fixed bridge.Suggested level: Intermediate
Specifications
- Color
- Black
- Body
- Nyatoh
- Top
- None
- Neck
- Maple
- Fretboard
- Rosewood
- Frets
- 24
- Scale
- 648 mm
- Pickups
- HH
- Tremolo
- 2-point
- Incl. bag
- No
- Including case
- No
Watch and listen
Before you decide
Questions players ask
Does the JP60 SBK come with a case or gig bag?
No. The supplied specifications state that neither a bag nor a case is included.
What pickup configuration does this guitar have?
It has two humbuckers, controlled by volume and tone knobs and a three-way switch.
How many frets does it have, and what is its scale length?
It has 24 medium-jumbo frets and a 25.5-inch scale length.
Does it have a locking bridge?
The specifications list locking machine heads and a modern two-point floating tremolo. They do not describe the tremolo as a locking bridge.
Is this guitar suitable for players who prefer a fixed bridge?
It may not be the best fit for that preference because it has a floating tremolo.
The last word from the bench
The JP60 SBK offers a practical feature set, including two humbuckers, 24 medium-jumbo frets, locking tuners, and a two-point floating tremolo. Its 25.5-inch scale and 16-inch fingerboard radius suit players who favor a modern playing feel. The listed specifications do not include a bag or case, so budget for separate protection. No customer reviews were provided, so this assessment is based on the supplied specifications.
Hanging next to it
Sterling by Music Man John Petrucci JP60 SBK
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.
Guitar Gear Reviews