Ernie Ball's Music Man branch of quality USA-made guitars and basses, has teamed up with John Petrucci of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER to continue making improvements to his already popular signature line of guitars. This year, however, instead of the usual neck and body adjustments, they did something that's brand new to the series: they put an on-board preamp inside the guitar to deliver a gain boost right from your fingers.

Commented Petrucci: "It's amazing to see all the positive comments about the JP13. I really appreciate the support and enthusiasm. Of course, I love and use all of the sig JP Music Man models we've created over the years, but I have to say that the 13 is my favorite of all! It just has that 'magic' thing about it. The new DiMarzio pickups, the preamp and boost, the 17" radius rosewood fretboard, the beautiful silver finish and of course the perfect neck and body design make it the ultimate guitar.

"I spent all day writing with the DREAM THEATER guys [the other day] and the 13 sounded so incredible and felt so amazing that the riffs were flying out of the guitar with such ease and intensity that was so inspiring and so satisfying!"

Video footage of Petrucci introducing the JP13 guitar at this year's NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) show, a massive music-products convention that took place January 24-27 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, can be seen below.

DREAM THEATER has commenced work on the follow-up to 2011's "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" for a tentative late summer/early fall release via Roadrunner Records.