Ernie Ball Music Man unveils February’s Family Reserve line-up

Ernie Ball Music Man has pulled the curtains back on February’s Family Reserve models. The collection features new appointments for two John Petrucci axes, James Valentine’s signature guitar and the Stingray Special 4 HH bass. Like previous Family Reserve editions, these are only available in limited numbers.

Majesty Charred Silver

This Majesty model is decked out in a shiny Charred Silver Sparkle Burst finish. Its tonewoods comprise a resonant basswood body and a Runway ebony fingerboard adorned with two lines of pearl inlays – a departure from the conventional shield inlays.

In the electronics department, the axe is loaded with two DiMarzio humbuckers, an active preamp, and an internal piezo system which provides acoustic tones. Its main controls include two master knobs – volume and tone – that have push/pull functions. The former is capable of a 20dB gain boost, while the latter can be tapped for single-coil sounds.

Rounding out the axe’s features are a piezo floating trem, Schaller locking tuners and a hand-signed tremolo cover.

Limited to 120 pieces. Retails at $3,499.

JP15 Paradise Pink

The second Petrucci signature model in this collection, this axe boasts an alluring Pink Paradise Burst finish. It features a selection of boutique tonewoods, including a body made from African mahogany, a flamed maple top, a roasted maple neck and a 17-inch-radius ebony fingerboard with no fret markers.

Tone comes by way of two DiMarzio Illuminator humbuckers and a custom piezo-rigged tremolo that serves up acoustic tones at the flick of a switch. Other controls include push/pull knobs that have similar functions to the Majesty model above.

Limited to 110 pieces. Retails at $3,499.

Valentine Baby Blue

James Valentine’s signature piece now comes in a custom Baby Blue finish with a matching headstock. Its tonewoods consist of an ash body, a figured roasted maple neck and a 10-inch-radius rosewood fingerboard with pearl block inlays.

The guitar is voiced for versatility, with a single-coil bridge pickup – housed in a humbucker-type cover – and a humbucker at the neck combining for a wide range of tones. Wrapping up its features are a hardtail bridge and tailpiece, black pickup rings, as well as chrome hardware.

Limited to 68 pieces. Retails at $2,999.

Stingray Special 4 HH Dargie Delight 3

This four-string comes in a custom Dargie Delight 3 matte finish and all-black hardware. It features choice tonewoods, including an ash body, a maple neck and a Runway ebony fingerboard.

Where pickups are concerned, the bass is loaded with two soapbar-style humbuckers which are governed by an active preamp and three-band EQ. As a final touch, the headstock is fitted with the brand’s new lightweight tuning keys.

Limited to 98 pieces. Retails at $2,799.

More info at music-man.com.