Sterling John Petrucci Majesty 7-Strings MAJ170

Collaboration between Music Man and John Petrucci

The MAJ170 is the result of a collaboration between Sterling by Music Man (the more affordable subsidiary of Ernie Ball Music Man) and legendary guitarist John Petrucci of Dream Theater.
This model was created to give players access to Petrucci’s modern design, style, and high-level functionality at a much more approachable price point compared to the U.S.-made Music Man Majesty.

Origins of the Sterling Brand

Sterling by Music Man was established in 2009 as a budget-friendly alternative to Ernie Ball Music Man instruments.
Production takes place primarily in Indonesia (and earlier, some in China), under strict quality control to ensure consistency with the higher-end U.S. models.

The MAJ170 – “Majesty 7”

Launch: First introduced around NAMM 2023–2024 as a mid-tier option within the Majesty line.

Colors: Initially released in new finishes such as Chalk Grey and Arctic Dream.

Design: Features a set-neck construction for seamless fretboard access, and a nyatoh/mahogany body for warm tone and long sustain.

Features: Equipped with modern performance-oriented hardware including:

Push-push volume boost (12 dB)

3-way pickup selector

Locking tuners

Floating modern tremolo bridge

Comparison with the JP70

Both the MAJ170 and the JP70 are built in Indonesia, but they differ in materials and construction:

MAJ170: Set-neck design, nyatoh/mahogany body, integrated volume boost circuit.

JP70: Bolt-on neck, basswood body, no built-in boost.

The biggest distinction is the active boost feature on the MAJ170, which allows players to instantly increase output and presence—ideal for solos or heavier tones—something the JP70 lacks.

Sterling by Music Man Majesty MAJ170 – Specifications

Model: MAJ170

Body Wood: Nyatoh

Body Colors: Chalk Grey (CGR), Arctic Dream (ADR)

Bridge: Modern Floating Tremolo

Pickguard: None

Scale Length: 25.5″ (64.8 cm)

Neck Radius: 16″ (40 cm)

Frets: 24, Medium-Jumbo

Neck Width: 1.95″ (49.5 mm) at nut, 2.60″ (66 mm) at last fret

Neck Wood: 3-piece Nyatoh

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Inlays: Custom John Petrucci (JP) inlays

Tuning Machines: Locking tuners

Truss Rod: Dual-action

Neck Attachment: Set-in construction

Electronics / Controls:

1 Volume knob (Push/Pull with 12 dB boost)

1 Tone knob

3-way toggle pickup selector

Pickups: HH – 2 Ceramic Humbuckers (Sterling by Music Man)

Strings: Ernie Ball 2621 Regular Slinky (7-string set)

Gig Bag: Not included (sold separately)

Model: MAJ170

Body Wood: Nyatoh

Body Color: Chalk Grey (CGR), Arctic Dream (ADR)
Sterling by Music Man

Bridge: Modern Tremolo (floating)

Pickguard: ไม่มี

Scale Length: 25.5″ (64.8 cm)

Neck Radius: 16″ (40 cm)

Frets: 24, Medium-Jumbo

Neck Width: 1.95″ (49.5 mm) at nut, 2.60″ (66 mm) at last fret

Neck Wood: 3-piece Nyatoh

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Fret Markers: Custom JP inlays

Tuning Machines: Locking tuners

Truss Rod: Dual-action

Neck Attachment: Set-in design

Controls: 1 Push/Pull Volume Boost (12 dB), 1 Tone

Switching: 3-way toggle pickup selector

Pickups: HH — 2 Ceramic Humbuckers (Sterling by Music Man)

Strings: Ernie Ball 2621 Regular Slinky

Gig Bag: ไม่มี—จำหน่ายแยกต่างหาก