2004 JEM7VWH Spec change

[UV]

An ebony board costs about six bucks. I have a friend that builds boutique guitars and the cost difference is negligable. A dollar or 2 isn't going to make Ibanez rich. I for one like rosewood better. I doesn't seem as hard on your fingers like maple or ebony.

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[jager]

A dollar or 2 times how many they build? It adds up.

[Dave Goodland]

Someone earlier said that people have complained for years that the VWH wasn't the same as Vai's, but it still isn't.

I think the hardware is the thing that separates the factory models to evo more than the rosewood fretboard.

Steve still doesn't use the gold hardware on Evo and uses the old style bridge.

(but hey, i don't want to see that happen to the factory models hahaha - well maybe a few chips in the paint)

[Meedlyx10]

I just bought a brand new one in april that i was sure was an '04, but it has an ebony fret board.....hmmmm

[jager]

what does the serial number start with? I.e. F**

[Shredlix]

It would be better with Brazilian Rosewood

[scottyzeppelin]

I like the look of the vine on ebony.... hence my purchase of a used 7VWH rather than a new one (not to mention cheaper and broken in). Heck, if you want ebony, there are plenty of used Jems out there.

[phlame]

Originally Posted by Shredlix

It would be better with Brazilian Rosewood

I agree, but that would be more expensive for Ibanez to make. Not cheaper like they want it, I think that's the real reason they changed the fretboards.

[jessecruzastoria]

I have the 7v with the ebony fretboard, always loved the feel of the ebony board, glad I scored one before the spec change. Rosewood is an excellent fretboard also, but the vine inlay sure shows up nice on the ebony. My777dy obviously feel's much differen't, maple and all, but the ebony takes the blue ribbon. Just my opinion. JCA

[fusionid]

ebony change can be a major tone change, feeling and dynamics. personally I love it. From my personal experience sustain is increase, presence (highs) are increased and mids are slightly flattened. I'd guess it depends on the guitar but it is a major change in tone, at least for me.

[fusionid]

oh oh but on a guitar with such hot pups, this wood change might make just a minute change if noticed at all. Regardless if feels completely diffferent

[toshiro]

Geez people, the 7VWH is Vai's sig guitar. Vai plays rosewood boards. The 7VWH should have a rosewood board.

People complain endlessly that the 7VWH should have a Sustainer, or Buzz Feiton, or whatever, because "Vai's guitar has it". They change the thing to be more like Vai's by putting rosewood on it and everyone complains. Pick one: Do you want it to be Vai's guitar or not?

There are 10 years of 7VWH guitars out there with ebony, buy one of those if you have to have it.

[jager]

Originally Posted by toshiro

Geez people, the 7VWH is Vai's sig guitar. Vai plays rosewood boards. The 7VWH should have a rosewood board.

People complain endlessly that the 7VWH should have a Sustainer, or Buzz Feiton, or whatever, because "Vai's guitar has it". They change the thing to be more like Vai's by putting rosewood on it and everyone complains. Pick one: Do you want it to be Vai's guitar or not?

There are 10 years of 7VWH guitars out there with ebony, buy one of those if you have to have it.

We have/will.

I think the complaint here is IMO Ibanez started with a new bridge that could've had locking studs but didn't (Thank God for Rich’s quick fix). Even if we amuse the "floyd patent running out and the lo-pro tooling nearing end of life cycle" they could've installed the locking studs which set this floating bridge apart with a form of tuning stability yet they didn't for the public. Then they abruptly changed the fretboard to rosewood w/o any news yet at the same time the rumor/news emerges about ebony wood. In addition many of us loved the look/feel of ebony on this white guitar (and it was really the only model available in the US with ebony).

The claim to the fretboard change is Vai has been using rosewood so they finally got around to changing it to match what the artist has been using however the artist (and other endorsees) still receives a lo-pro. Basically it seems they only want to match the artist to the artist's production model when it suits their bean counters.

Correct me if I'm wrong however the only big "high-end" guitar builders left widely offering ebony on a super strat is Jackson and Carvin (with some cuttings into to replace the pups I've read).

Though I admire Vai's talent and music I didn't buy a VWH to emulate him. I bought a VWH because I wanted a quality super strat with a great neck, a stable floyd trem, alder body, and ebony neck. (I have to admit though the vine is very cool.)

[phlame]

I didn't buy a VWH to emulate Vai either. I really could care less what Vai has on his guitars. I am happy with my '03 with ebony, Vai is happy with his rosewood, and Ibanez is happy to skimp on thier products.

[KAEx]

I am happy that they have changed to rosewood, i like it bether!!!