John Petrucci discusses how his Mark V won out over his IIC+

[Gjeven]

People spend to much time worrying about what gear so and so is currently using. I am sure he has tons of gear sent to him free from manufacturer's in hopes that people see him using that piece of gear in a video on the internet and everyone who wants to play like him has to buy it.

People's tastes change, people get tired of how their gear sounds. But he seems to stay with Mesa, it works for him and he likes the gear and relationship with the company. He says he likes the MKV IIC+ better than his original IIC+, who's to say that's true or not. It doesn't really matter. What matters if YOU like the original or the MKV better. You're the one buying / playing it....or not buying / playing. That's the great thing about America!

Happy Christmas!

 

[Badronald]

Endorsees are paid to endorse products.

but sometimes they actually do like the new designs better than the old ones. not arguing or anything, just saying. i mean it is a diferent amp and he could possibly like it better. for me personally i dont get along with vh-4 i like hagen better, but diezel didnt pay me to say that or feel that way to pump hype into a new product. it just happened ya know?

A Wood

Absolutely.

 

[philb]

However, JP is a loyal Mesa guy as he has obviously shown over the years, and he most likely made the video because A) he actually does like the V, and B) knows that his opinion will help sell amps and he did it to help them out.

That's what I believe as well.

 

[Tone Zone]

Well, it appears to me that many ppl here (not all) misinterpreted my post. For one, I don't care what he plays...my post was merely meant as an observation, based on this video that I just stumbled across. And, how did this whole subject of him being an endorsee pop up. Obviously, he endorses Mesa and supports them...whether he is paid or not....I get that. All the posts that centered on this subject really seemed to miss the topic at hand. I've known for sometime that he has repeatedly stated his love for the MKV....and I believe this to be sincere. What I thought was odd, was the fact that while doing this video he made an asserted effort to focus on the MarkIIC+. Why not just talk about how he used the MKV alone, since this WAS the only amp used on the record? Why bring out all this stuff about how he had already planned to use the MKV solely on the record...but, just for the hell of it, he brought in his MarkIIC+'s and tried them out, but went with the MKV because it was superior to him.....but, as he said before all that...I was only going to use the MKV anyway. So, why even bring up past amps, that he had no intention of using anyways? Besides having played MKIIC+'s, he's also played MKIV's, RoadKings, etc. in the past....but he didn't even bring them up in the video. Instead, he brings up the ONE setting on the MKV that has received the most controversy....the MKIIC+ mode. The MKV also has a MKIV mode, but I didn't hear him tell a story on how he brought his MKIV's in to compare them. All I'm saying is, that it sure is a funny coincedence. And really, I wholeheartedly believe that he loves the MKV and might just as well be just as happy playing it over any other Mesa at the moment. I just thought it was odd to go in such great detail about the MarkIIC+, when it wasn't used on the recording afterall. So, I just don't take him as being totally geniune in the video. I'd find him more geniune if he had just praised how well the MKV did on the record without having to go into a story of how much better the MKV IIC+ mode is for him than then his actual MKIIC+'s. Especially, when he's the first person on earth that I have actually heard this opinion from....when every other opinion has gone the other way....and I mean EVERYONE.

And, then you got some posts asking "well, what do you care?" Well, uh.....I really don't that much. This is simply a discussion forum, and I was more focused from an obersvational point of view, on if what he was saying seemed a bit contrived. And, to me....it absolutely did, as well as for others here. I thought I'd see what others thought, and obviously some don't...which I respect. It's just like, when someone reads something, see's something....they automatically try to sniff out the BULLSHIT. So, when I saw this, I thought...hmmmmmm. So, I posted it to get some reactions. That's all.

 

[Tone Zone]

Here's the quote I love best:

"When it came to do the leads, I plugged into that amp [MKIIC+]....and I was playing with it,...it sounded pretty good....you know, something wasn't quite right for whatever reason...so I decided to try the C+ mode of the MKV...."

Wasn't quite right? It seemed to be right when you used it on every other record?

 

[Shiny_Surface]

Instead, he brings up the ONE setting on the MKV that has received the most controversy....the MKIIC+ mode. The MKV also has a MKIV mode, but I didn't hear him tell a story on how he brought his MKIV's in to compare them. All I'm saying is, that it sure is a funny coincedence.

It was a well planted plug, you sniffed out the BS mixed in with the honesty.

 

[scottkahn]

Here's the quote I love best:

"When it came to do the leads, I plugged into that amp [MKIIC+]....and I was playing with it,...it sounded pretty good....you know, something wasn't quite right for whatever reason...so I decided to try the C+ mode of the MKV...."

Wasn't quite right? It seemed to be right when you used it on every other record?

I get where he's coming from on this. We all get an intangible vibe from gear we play, and some days one guitar or amp just suits us better for no particular reason. I know an amazing pro bassist who owns some great gear and has endorsements, but still plays 80% of his gigs on a $300 Cort bass that was his first instrument.

I endorse (among others) Gary Kramer Guitars (the boutique brand, not Gibson imports) and think my Cathedral Deluxe is one of the greatest super-strat style guitars ever made. Killer hard-rock tone from the Duncan JB/Jazz set, fantastic Strat-like single coil tones when split, a neck that plays "like butta." But I don't grab it for everything. I get a totally different vibe when I play my Music Man JPXI and find my style of play inspired in different ways. Both guitars sound "similar" through my rig -- yeah, there are differences when we discuss the finer points of the tone from body wood to Duncans vs. DiMarzios, etc.... but through my rig, in my hands, I sound like me no matter which guitar I grab. And some days I might play one guitar and think "my tone just isn't happening" even though nothing is different, etc... so I grab another one and think "oh yeah."

Actually, a better example might be someone like Yngwie Malmsteen who owns more Fender Strats than anyone I can think of. One days he might love his '65 heavily modded Strat, the next day he prefers the sound of his signature model that was based on his old guitar.

I can't fault JP for just not feeling his IIc+ in the studio vs. his Mark V on a IIc+ setting. For whatever reason, it just didn't hit him right during the tracking. Let's just be thankful he didn't say "My Mark V set to the IIc+ tone wasn't really happening, but when I dialed up the Mark V sound in my axe fx..."

 

[rockstah]

That was just uncomfortable to watch

it was. "okay John, never take your eyes off the camera, lets try it again."

 

[sinfish]

This sounds pretty nice to me.

 

[polaris20]

What I'm really waiting for, is all these artists to talk about when they stop using these amps, and start using only the Axe-FX units for everything, not just effects!

Why would someone like Petrucci do that though, if all he uses are the 3 channels of a MkV? If he can afford a Mark (or many Marks), and that's all he needs, I can't see why he'd bother, unless it's from a touring standpoint where it's more convenient.

 

[verderacer]

That was very interesting !

Thank !

 

[loudgtr]

This sounds pretty nice to me.

+1 Sounds great to me too

 

[abrackas]

With all this talk about the Mark V and the C+, I think we all REALLY want to know more about the Nunya.

 

[primerib]

Endorsees are paid to endorse products.

Wrong. You might be thinking about "signature" models of guitars/amps/gear where the named person does get a fixed sum or a percentage tied to sales. My endorsement deals are like the vast majority out there. You get stuff at or near cost. It varies depending on several factors.

 

[maddnotez]

Endorsees are paid to endorse products.

Wrong. You might be thinking about "signature" models of guitars/amps/gear where the named person does get a fixed sum or a percentage tied to sales. My endorsement deals are like the vast majority out there. You get stuff at or near cost. It varies depending on several factors.

Your right for sure, and im not trying to argue.

But John Petrucci more than likely gets paid for it.

 

[Diplodomare]

So many factors. In the end jp has the time in on the fretboard to sound great with just about any amp. The
"feel" he gets from the amp is something only he can attest to.

Mesa needs to sell to stay in business - this is part of th deal. As much as so many want handouts and hold jp to some ethical high - sorry but YOU go work your ass off and get your own reward....

 

[scottkahn]

Getting tired of beating this dead horse...
Mesa Boogie does not pay endorsed artists.

You greatly over-estimate how much money these companies are making. They can't afford to pay artists or give them much free gear. If an artist appears in an advertisement, it is typically free because the artist wants the free exposure, and while you see it as "John helps Mesa sell amps," it's actually just as much the opposite: it doesn't hurt Dream Theater sales for people to see John in full-page ads for the gear he plays. These ads help drive sales for the artist.

Sometimes, an artist might receive compensation for appearing in the ad, maybe getting one free guitar or amp in exchange for doing the specific ad in lieu of a cash payment. But usually, it's just something they do because it's good for everyone.

Artists with signature model instruments commonly receive commissions from sales of the products they helped design and lend their names to. But they still have to purchase them at a discounted price. John buys a lot of Music Man guitars before each tour. Actually, on the current tour, there were only a few JPXI guitars added. He probably bought 2 6 strings and 2 7 strings, and the other guitars are BFRs and JP6s that he already had from the last big tour.

Some people will continue to believe what they want -- that artists are getting all this gear for free. But as those of who work in the industry know, and those of us with endorsement deals of our own also know... that's just not the case. Even for the guitar gods.

 

[maddnotez]

Getting tired of beating this dead horse...
Mesa Boogie does not pay endorsed artists.

You greatly over-estimate how much money these companies are making. They can't afford to pay artists or give them much free gear. If an artist appears in an advertisement, it is typically free because the artist wants the free exposure, and while you see it as "John helps Mesa sell amps," it's actually just as much the opposite: it doesn't hurt Dream Theater sales for people to see John in full-page ads for the gear he plays. These ads help drive sales for the artist.

Sometimes, an artist might receive compensation for appearing in the ad, maybe getting one free guitar or amp in exchange for doing the specific ad in lieu of a cash payment. But usually, it's just something they do because it's good for everyone.

Artists with signature model instruments commonly receive commissions from sales of the products they helped design and lend their names to. But they still have to purchase them at a discounted price. John buys a lot of Music Man guitars before each tour. Actually, on the current tour, there were only a few JPXI guitars added. He probably bought 2 6 strings and 2 7 strings, and the other guitars are BFRs and JP6s that he already had from the last big tour.

Some people will continue to believe what they want -- that artists are getting all this gear for free. But as those of who work in the industry know, and those of us with endorsement deals of our own also know... that's just not the case. Even for the guitar gods.

I am truly sorry not trolling but It just doesn't make any sense to me at all. I agree 100% with your post until you said "even the guitar gods".

I do understand 90% of endorsees only get a discount. Probably not even as good as an old school G.C. Employee.

But lets be real, and no offense to you or anyone else.

An endorsed guitarist that plays for an "up and coming band" that has a small following, maybe big enough to get an endorsement from a less known company. I can see them not getting paid anything. Maybe a discount.

But I find it hard to belive names like JP, Vai, Hammet, whoever else is doing it for a nice chance of exposure.

I do know certain companies refuse to endorse regardless because of costs but. I just dont buy it. names like Mesa do not make alot of money?

They might be the common household name for guitar cabs. I havent checked the fortune 500 but I do not see how they can not be a multi million dollar company.

 

[verderacer]

I am truly sorry not trolling but It just doesn't make any sense to me at all. I agree 100% with your post until you said "even the guitar gods".

I do understand 90% of endorsees only get a discount. Probably not even as good as an old school G.C. Employee.

But lets be real, and no offense to you or anyone else.

An endorsed guitarist that plays for an "up and coming band" that has a small following, maybe big enough to get an endorsement from a less known company. I can see them not getting paid anything. Maybe a discount.

But I find it hard to belive names like JP, Vai, Hammet, whoever else is doing it for a nice chance of exposure.

I do know certain companies refuse to endorse regardless because of costs but. I just dont buy it. names like Mesa do not make alot of money?

They might be the common household name for guitar cabs. I havent checked the fortune 500 but I do not see how they can not be a multi million dollar company.

First off I dont know anybody at Mesa, but I do know people at several other well known companies in and around the SF Bay Area along with several popular and known musicians. I know for a fact that a certain very famous guitarist who has his own amp being sold does not get paid in free gear. He actually has to pay for the amps, albeit at a deep discount wholesale cost level. I have known this guitarist for over 2 decades and if he tells me this, I have no reason to disbelieve him. How he explained it to me on items of like amps and cabs, he pays his discounted price and then writes them off in various methods as part of his business. In his case, his name is his business. Now he does get regular royalty payments from the amp and cab maker, along with other products he endorses, because they use his name in selling the product.

The only kind of free stuff he gets is when companies send him product to test and check out to try and get his endorsement, this does include some fairly expensive product from time to time, but on the scale of full stacks with 100w heads just does not happen even for him, and he does not want it to. He actually sends a great deal of it back, as he simply does not have the space. He has had companies make and loan him equipment, but its not his and every time this has happened he has to give it back to the mfg at the end of the tour. I imagine the company just writes it off as part of advertising. Now he has to pay the cost of hauling this equipment around, insuring it, staff to manage and maintain it. So its not cheap and think what it cost to ship a truckload of gear overseas. You wonder why ticket prices are so high now? On occasion when he see's or hears about a certain piece of gear and wants to try it, his company will contact the mfg and arrangements are made for a demo unit or he rents/leases it. There are several methods as its all got to be accounted for when tax time comes.

As to the exposure question, absolutely he does it for that. Its keep his name in front of people, namely musicians and fans, thus improves his ability to generate royalties, which means sales of product, and performance revenue. He usually does get paid for using his image in an advertisement, but its usually not very much, it mainly covers his cost of doing it with some extra from time to time. If you think advertising is cheap, just call up guitar player and ask them how much a full page ad cost then multiply it for several months.

2 companies in particular I know quite well and believe me they make money but not the kind of margins your thinking of. Mesa Boogie is a company based in Ca. Its one of the most expensive states, in the top 5 I believe, to run a company. Consider all the costs of just 100 person company, then add all the costs related to mfg a product like an amp and you will quickly find that though it may be, as your say a multi million dollar company, it does not necessarily make millions of dollars of profit. Ask some of our mfg's here on the forum, I am sure they can give you the straight scoop on it and a whole lot more background. I sure hope they do make money, why else would you have a business in the first place.