Steve Vai, Ibanez Jem Guitars...questions!

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Re: Steve Vai, Ibanez Jem Guitars...questions!

You should definitely give the Evos a try, they're very unique pickups. If you don't like them then you've at least tried. I do find that Jems have a more comfortable neck than the Wizard, but they're definitely still a very thin neck. Chances are you'll feel the same way about the Jem neck as you do about the Wizard neck.
 
Re: Steve Vai, Ibanez Jem Guitars...questions!

The Jem is an amazing line. If you can get past the cosmetics (for some people) the guitars themselves are amazing.

I owned a JEM7RB for a little while but had to return it because I blew the drive shaft out of my car which made paying for it difficult... but that's another story.

For information's sake:

EVO is THE prototype for the JEM7VWH model. At one time she had gold hardware and an ebony fretboard. Evo is on her 4th or 5th neck if my count is right and who knows how many bridges have been on her. Hardware is now black. She still sports her original set of Evolutions.

Flo was a JEM77FP that was modified to the all access neck joint and got a 7VWH Spec'd neck. She's equipped with a Fernandes sustainer in place of the neck pickup along with a blank cover to fill the humbucker sized hole.

Evo is Alder
Flo is Basswood


Early Jems had PAF Pro pickups until the Evolution and Breed pickups were developed.
The Jem Neck profile is similar to the Wizard II with a 16" radius, but they are hand finished so there is some slight variation.
The 7VWH had an ebony fretboard until 2003, which also the year they changed to the Edge Pro Tremolo.

I've played a number of 7VWHs and find them to be awesome guitars. Ihope to make a couple of them permanent parts of my collection one day. For now my RG750s will have to do.
 
Re: Steve Vai, Ibanez Jem Guitars...questions!

pinto79 said:
The Jem is an amazing line. If you can get past the cosmetics (for some people) the guitars themselves are amazing.

I owned a JEM7RB for a little while but had to return it because I blew the drive shaft out of my car which made paying for it difficult... but that's another story.

For information's sake:

EVO is THE prototype for the JEM7VWH model. At one time she had gold hardware and an ebony fretboard. Evo is on her 4th or 5th neck if my count is right and who knows how many bridges have been on her. Hardware is now black. She still sports her original set of Evolutions.

Flo was a JEM77FP that was modified to the all access neck joint and got a 7VWH Spec'd neck. She's equipped with a Fernandes sustainer in place of the neck pickup along with a blank cover to fill the humbucker sized hole.

Evo is Alder
Flo is Basswood


Early Jems had PAF Pro pickups until the Evolution and Breed pickups were developed.
The Jem Neck profile is similar to the Wizard II with a 16" radius, but they are hand finished so there is some slight variation.
The 7VWH had an ebony fretboard until 2003, which also the year they changed to the Edge Pro Tremolo.

I've played a number of 7VWHs and find them to be awesome guitars. Ihope to make a couple of them permanent parts of my collection one day. For now my RG750s will have to do.
Click to expand...

Thanks! That's much of what I needed to know. Lew
 
Re: Steve Vai, Ibanez Jem Guitars...questions!

theodie said:
Ok, I have never played the Jem's but, how do they differ from RG's? Odie hates basswood and pencil thin necks.
Click to expand...

I generally find the necks on both the RG's and the Jems to be managable for me and my large hands as the fretboard is at last wide. It keeps my hand in the "classical" position more often than not and is actually quite comfortable for me to play.

Lewguitar said:
The guitars he plays are white and one has EVO written on it down by the Floyd Rose and the other has FLO e=written there.

FLO seems to have a differant neck pickup than EVO.

What pickups came in these? I know the Evolution pickups came in some and those are pretty hot.

I think I'd like the Paf Pro better...but I don't know!

Any thoughts or insights?
Click to expand...

Flo is actually a re-painted "Floral" model that Steve had with a Sustainer in the neck.

I'm not a big fan of the Evo pickups. I find them too mid-rangey.

Now, the PAF Pro's....I could live and die with a set of those in a shredder axe and be perfectly happy.

B2D said:
Oh man... do NOT get the 555 version! Spend the money and get the 7VWH or any of the variants.
Click to expand...

The 555's can be easily modded to take one of the original Floyd Rose trems.

I concur, they are garbage. But if you block the trem or change it out I would say that the issue regarding it would be minimal.

Honestly Lew, they're good axes that hold their value exceptionally well. If you can find one for a good deal and hang onto it for awhile the ods are good you won't lose anything if you decide to sell it.

The ones that have generally dumped in value are the DBK models and the BSB models; they're just ugly finishes on them and were largely unspectacular looking.
 
Re: Steve Vai, Ibanez Jem Guitars...questions!

i'd love to have the top of the line Jem model as well.... nice superstrats!!!! i love the fact the top one has an alder body
 
Re: Steve Vai, Ibanez Jem Guitars...questions!

Lew,

One option, whether you're looking for new or used online, might be Rich Harris at www.ibanezrules.com.

Note that I have never dealt with him personally, but he's a "connoisseur's connoisseur" when it comes to Ibanez Prestige guitars, especially the Satriani and Vai models. He seems very picky about the condition of the guitars he sells, and his pro setup and fret level are legendary over at jemsite.com.

Not an endorsement on my part -- I've never bought from him, although I'll probably purchase a JS1200 from him once I win the lottery. Just an option you might want to consider if you're looking for a good one.
 
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Re: Steve Vai, Ibanez Jem Guitars...questions!

Skarekrough said:
The 555's can be easily modded to take one of the original Floyd Rose trems.

I concur, they are garbage. But if you block the trem or change it out I would say that the issue regarding it would be minimal.

Honestly Lew, they're good axes that hold their value exceptionally well. If you can find one for a good deal and hang onto it for awhile the ods are good you won't lose anything if you decide to sell it.

The ones that have generally dumped in value are the DBK models and the BSB models; they're just ugly finishes on them and were largely unspectacular looking.
Click to expand...

Hm... doesn't surprise me that the bridges could be swapped out, and that might've taken care of the sustain issue I was having, but it still wouldn't prevented the neck from warping on mine.

Either way I think the alder body of the 7VWH is a better match for the pickups. They are very high-output and bassy (especially the bridge) and I think basswood is too warm for those pickups and contributes to a "woofy" tone tendency. Likewise the ebony fretboards on the pre-03 versions contributes to a wonderfully detailed treble edge.

My preferences, of course. YMMV.
 
Re: Steve Vai, Ibanez Jem Guitars...questions!

Mononoaware said:
Lew,

One option, whether you're looking for new or used online, might be Rich Harris at www.ibanezrules.com.

Note that I have never dealt with him personally, but he's a "connoisseur's connoisseur" when it comes to Ibanez Prestige guitars, especially the Satriani and Vai models. He seems very picky about the condition of the guitars he sells, and his pro setup and fret level are legendary over at jemsite.com.

Not an endorsement on my part -- I've never bought from him, although I'll probably purchase a JS1200 from him once I win the lottery. Just an option you might want to consider if you're looking for a good one.
Click to expand...

I myself have not dealt with Rich yet, but my cousin has when he purchased a used 2005 J custom a couple of months ago. His descriptions are quite accurate and his pro setup that my cousin got with his guitar were superb. I would not hesitate to buy from this guy, and I actually plan to get some parts for my edge trem in the next few days. Between his site and Jemsite you should find plenty of info to find the right Jem.
 
Re: Steve Vai, Ibanez Jem Guitars...questions!

I can also highly recommend Rich Harris for both his impeccable attention to detail, and no "BS" approach to selling guitars.

Lew, you may want to consider an older RG 500 or 700 series, as it is a very close "cousin" to the JEM series without the price.

That being said, you really can't go wrong if you pick up a used 7V because you will never lose money on it if you don't like it.
 
Re: Steve Vai, Ibanez Jem Guitars...questions!

there is nohing about a Jem while I love Ibanez Rg guitars that makes it worth 3 grand nor $1,500 dealer cost IMHO.
 
Re: Steve Vai, Ibanez Jem Guitars...questions!

I'll throw one in for Rich too. I've bought parts from him and he's quick and fair.

I love his "I don't care what others are selling for, Anyone can sell a guitar, I sell Instruments." Attitude...
 
Re: Steve Vai, Ibanez Jem Guitars...questions!

LuredMaul said:
there is nohing about a Jem while I love Ibanez Rg guitars that makes it worth 3 grand nor $1,500 dealer cost IMHO.
Click to expand...

One could say the same for buying any Signature model or any top-line instrument.

A Chevette and a BMW both have 4 wheels and an engine. There can't be any reason the BMW is many times the price... Right?
 
Re: Steve Vai, Ibanez Jem Guitars...questions!

pinto79 said:
One could say the same for buying any Signature model or any top-line instrument.

A Chevette and a BMW both have 4 wheels and an engine. There can't be any reason the BMW is many times the price... Right?
Click to expand...

This coming from someone nicked pinto79????
LMAO j/k man
 
Re: Steve Vai, Ibanez Jem Guitars...questions!

I have Managed a Music Store for 17yrs, been an I banez Dealer since the 90's and played and repaired guitars for 25yrs.I just don't see the value is all ................
 
Re: Steve Vai, Ibanez Jem Guitars...questions!

Mononoaware said:
Lew,

One option, whether you're looking for new or used online, might be Rich Harris at www.ibanezrules.com.
Click to expand...

I have alot of respect for Rich as his reputation has been earned with alot of hard work and sweat.

With that said I often times find his prices are unreasonably high. Anyone that has the capacity to do their own work on their guitars has little value for his "value added" options in regards to his setups. It's just a setup; if you know how to do them yourself then it shouldn't be worth anywhere near the premium from going through him.

His "connisseur's connisseur" attitude always came off as arrogant to me and as much as he does know his stuff I wouldn't want to deal with him.

For a man that runs a business doing what he does with the profit margins he does his website sucks out loud. He has product but I find his attitude off-setting and his prices are just unreasonable.

I have every sympathy in the world for someone that deals with tire-kickers but I consider him more of a dealer for those with more money than brains or time.
 
Re: Steve Vai, Ibanez Jem Guitars...questions!

If I buy a JEM, I'll buy a used one guys. I never buy anything new. Thanks! Lew
 
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