Ibanez Jem Jr

[Obsessive Compulsive]

J Custom is for Japan market only.

I have an RG655 Prestige. It looks and smells expensive, maybe cause of the plush hardcase? Plays just okay, nothing spectacular. Waiting for the price to shoot up to 3000 when every Ibanez is either made in Indonesia or Vietnam.

My go-to one is the 150 dollar heavily modified RGA32.

 

[JMP/HBE]

Using 'Jr' makes it sound like a shorter scale, too. Maybe they should have called it the 'Jam', or, the 'Players Series'.

It seemed & felt like a "dinky" to me but not like a Charvel dinky, more like a 3/4 student guitar.
Like i said it was about 6 lbs and felt like a toy but i play 8 to 10 lb Les Pauls so what do i know.
To be honest i wouldn't waste any time or money on the thing its just a money grab riding on the S. Vai legacy.

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Someone should tell MF and Sweetwater.

?????

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[Obsessive Compulsive]

It seemed & felt like a "dinky" to me but not like a Charvel dinky, more like a 3/4 student guitar.
Like i said it was about 6 lbs and felt like a toy but i play 8 to 10 lb Les Pauls so what do i know.
To be honest i wouldn't waste any time or money on the thing its just a money grab riding on the S. Vai legacy.

The wood isn't even normally used for instrument. Meranti is cheap wood common for housing in Asia. Now it's used for instrument with the price creeping up every year. what a rip-off.

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[Obsessive Compulsive]

I have more experience with and know collectors who know more about Ibanez than MF, AMS, etc.

Why do you care anyway, you gonna drop 3 large on one? Lol....

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[Obsessive Compulsive]

Congrats...you just won an argument with a stranger on the internet. Now think about what you gonna do with the rest of your life for the next 25 years other than browsing the internet searching for cool gear..

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[devastone]

OC, in seconding in LPB, I take no pleasure in telling you that the J Customs have been available outside of Japan for years now.

Back to the Jem Jr, it's a beginner level guitar, same quality as the $200 beginner level guitars that don't say JEM. The JEM Premium, while still made in Indo, is a whole different beast.

 

[JMP/HBE]

There are tons of great guitars from Japan in the $800 to $1200 range. No need to drop $6 Grand.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

I would consider paying three for a new Jem if they were MIJ and felt like the originals. As it is, if you want to buy new, do you get just get a Prestige or a J. Custom? I bet a $3k RG would be pretty sweet.

For new from Japan, probably get a Genesis and throw in DiMarzios of choice (PAF Pros, Evolutions, whatever) to get in the sonic territory. You'd clock in at something around $1500. Yeah, I know, the Jem neck is different from the RG; and the 7VWH is alder, but all the others have been basswood.

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Genesis series have the old-style, pre-AANJ blocky neck joint, no? Think I’ll pass.

Why, you gonna play Paul Gilbert fast licks up to 24th fret? You must be real shredder...lol.


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[Obsessive Compulsive]

Wait a minute. Wait. A. Minute. That would cost nearly as much as the floral blue JEM Premium. Do you think those Genesis models are better than a JEM Premium? JEM neck, Gravity Storm or Evo pickups? I know that a real player can shred even with that blockier neck joint, but remember we’re talking about me. I’m starting to wonder if a $2k Prestige wouldn’t be the best value.

LPB you talk too much. You gonna buy one or just keep talking?

The Genesis aren't better than an RG regular. I have 550 and it's pleasant to look at and that's about it. It came in a cardboard can you believe that? It has Edge trem that be appealing to poseurs but real players know it's no better than the Edge Zero2, which I also use.

Now that's real info you can capitalize on to boost your forum cred. You're welcome.

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[mariosyjp]

I went to the local Ibanez distributor a few days ago and tried a few guitars including the awesome looking RG370, the jem jr and the made in Japan RG550.
The RG550 was incomparable to the other two, felt like a really good expensive guitar. This one had the thinnest neck.
I disliked the RG370 in terms of tone and the neck didn't feel very comfortable. Scratchy frets on top, perfect edges on the side.
The jem jr I found that it sounded more to my liking compared to the other two, also the neck was kind of thicker and more comfortable (I play mostly my LP and strat).
It had this fullness in the low mids. This one also has scratchy frets on top, perfect edges on the side.

So I think if you want a great guitar for reasonable money and good re-selling value, get the RG550 (if you like the tone, feel and looks).
I will probably get the jem jr soon, polish the frets and replace the tremolo with Schaller or Gotoh. These two things will make it a great guitar IMO.
In Europe the jem jr is 500€ less than the RG550 so it is still a good price after you add the premium tremolo.
Plus I love the crazy 80s looks of the yellow & pink versions...

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Wait a minute. Wait. A. Minute. That would cost nearly as much as the floral blue JEM Premium. Do you think those Genesis models are better than a JEM Premium? JEM neck, Gravity Storm or Evo pickups? I know that a real player can shred even with that blockier neck joint, but remember we’re talking about me. I’m starting to wonder if a $2k Prestige wouldn’t be the best value.

Yes, the Genesis has the block heel. I know for some that can be a deal breaker.

You may be more likely to get a consistent product from Japan in terms of build quality and fit/finish, which might be something to consider if you're buying without checking it out in person. Though, Premiums have gotten better in recent years. Some people also like the original wild colours but don't care for vines, monkey grips and other Vai-isms, so the Genesis, with the classic looks, hardware and pickups you don't feel bad about changing, is a good compromise. For me, at least, from a $ view and these additional factors, I'd choose a Genesis over a Jem (not dissing Jems, I do like some of them!). I'd get an RFR, chuck a set of PATBs in it and call it a day .

A Prestige RG can be a somewhat different kettle of fish - if you want something with the option of an ash or mahogany body, 7 strings, different kinds of pups and configs, then yeah, spending 2k is good value.

As for the Genesis being without a case, well, it's not advertised as coming with one and that's one reason they are able to keep the price to 1k. If it came with the usual Team J. Craft job, it would probably cost $1300-1400. Technically, the Genesis is not a Prestige, the latter being marked as having extra work done to the fret ends and fingerboard edges.

The Jem Jr. is basically a mid-tier RG with some of the classic Jem features and looks, and compromises on hardware and pups to keep it around $500. As many of us know, these things – with a bit of a setup and some tweaks – can be very fine players.

 

[mariosyjp]

Yes, the Genesis has the block heel. I know for some that can be a deal breaker.

You may be more likely to get a consistent product from Japan in terms of build quality and fit/finish, which might be something to consider if you're buying without checking it out in person. Though, Premiums have gotten better in recent years. Some people also like the original wild colours but don't care for vines, monkey grips and other Vai-isms, so the Genesis, with the classic looks, hardware and pickups you don't feel bad about changing, is a good compromise. For me, at least, from a $ view and these additional factors, I'd choose a Genesis over a Jem (not dissing Jems, I do like some of them!). I'd get an RFR, chuck a set of PATBs in it and call it a day .

A Prestige RG can be a somewhat different kettle of fish - if you want something with the option of an ash or mahogany body, 7 strings, different kinds of pups and configs, then yeah, spending 2k is good value.

As for the Genesis being without a case, well, it's not advertised as coming with one and that's one reason they are able to keep the price to 1k. If it came with the usual Team J. Craft job, it would probably cost $1300-1400. Technically, the Genesis is not a Prestige, the latter being marked as having extra work done to the fret ends and fingerboard edges.

The Jem Jr. is basically a mid-tier RG with some of the classic Jem features and looks, and compromises on hardware and pups to keep it around $500. As many of us know, these things – with a bit of a setup and some tweaks – can be very fine players.

Exactly! Though I do like the stock jem jr pickups, they have that classic 80s throaty tone to them if that's what you're going for. A trem upgrade would also improve tone on this guitar.

 

[Mr. 80's]

Exactly! Though I do like the stock jem jr pickups, they have that classic 80s throaty tone to them if that's what you're going for. A trem upgrade would also improve tone on this guitar.

I imagine with this particular trem that it's going to leave an unsightly big gap around the cavity if upgraded with an OFR or alike trem. It'll stick out like a sore thumb on a white guitar. A black or darker color guitar it wouldn't be so bad. I'd be going for a guitar that at least comes with an FR Special myself or at least a trem with OFR style dimensions.

 

[mariosyjp]

I imagine with this particular trem that it's going to leave an unsightly big gap around the cavity if upgraded with an OFR or alike trem. It'll stick out like a sore thumb on a white guitar. A black or darker color guitar it wouldn't be so bad. I'd be going for a guitar that at least comes with an FR Special myself or at least a trem with OFR style dimensions.

Well, this guy put a Schaller in it and it looks pretty good:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM1to3_3KyA&list=LL&index=5&t=2366s

I believe it is very difficult to find a guitar with a good floyd under 1k.
Any trem that isn't an OFR, original Edge, Schaller or Gotoh 1996T, will need to be replaced sooner or later anyway (FR special included) so....

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

I bought this in 2016, changed the pickups, played it a few times, put it back in its case and it's been in there probably for the last 5 years unplayed. It feels cheap like a toy, probably because I can't get the cardboard box out of my mind. I was thinking about getting the purple neon one but the price makes no sense, I can get a Schecter with Duncans or EMGs with that kind of money.

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[mariosyjp]

I bought this in 2016, changed the pickups, played it a few times, put it back in its case and it's been in there probably for the last 5 years unplayed. It feels cheap like a toy, probably because I can't get the cardboard box out of my mind. I was thinking about getting the purple neon one but the price makes no sense, I can get a Schecter with Duncans or EMGs with that kind of money.

That's a pity. However I can't imagine an RG550 that feels cheap like a toy, I was super impressed at the store the other day.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Exactly! Though I do like the stock jem jr pickups, they have that classic 80s throaty tone to them if that's what you're going for. A trem upgrade would also improve tone on this guitar.

Several Ibanez oem pups are totally fine. I had an RG with Powersounds years ago, which had nickel baseplates and thin (like most alnicos) ceramic magnets, so they were pretty useable, in spite of being among the lowliest in the range.

I bought this in 2016, changed the pickups, played it a few times, put it back in its case and it's been in there probably for the last 5 years unplayed. It feels cheap like a toy, probably because I can't get the cardboard box out of my mind. I was thinking about getting the purple neon one but the price makes no sense, I can get a Schecter with Duncans or EMGs with that kind of money.

Mm, why do you keep it if you dislike it?

 

[JMP/HBE]

Some of you must be easy to please if you consider the JEM jr a "great guitar" after you replace the Floyd [$300} and pups & pots [$400] by then its still not even close to the Japan JEM's from 20 years ago.
Oh and don't forget the hardshell case [$200].

$300 + $400 + $200 = $900