2007/2008 Jem555wh. Should I get it?

[Evo II]

I've been wanting to get a Jem for quite a while now. I have a '07 Ibanez S470DXQM. However, my dad won't let me buy a $2600+ CAD guitar until I'm as good (if not better) than Mr. Vai. Anyways after taking a look at this guy I thought this would be a good one. It still has the Dimarzio Evolution pickups just it doesn't have the full tree of life inlay and it has the Edge III bridge instead of the Edge Pro. Plus it's almost 2 times cheaper. What are your thoughts?

[Petie]

There are a lot of negative feelings towards that guitar, mostly stemming from earlier versions with an inferior bridge, and before Korean production quality stepped up a notch.

A 2007-08 Jem555WH will be a good guitar compared to an older one, and the necks are quite comfortable. However you'd probably get a better guitar if you buy an RG1570 or RG2550. But if you want Vai vibe and don't want to buy a used Japanese Jem, the 555 is a better choice now than it was 5 years ago.

[quiksilverdew]

If you get it prepare to do a trem swap. I personally don't like the 555's and I don't think it would compare at all with a real Jem. For the same price can't you get a really nice Prestige?

[Lordiesel]

id have to agree. go for a prestige 1570 or something.

[Fender868]

Or look on Rich Harris's Site. He's got lots of awesome used Jems at decent prices. Right now he's got some 7dbks at good prices and some pretty cheap bsbs , 90ths. You'll pay them less and you'll have a better service and set up than you would from a shop. Or even just prestige guitars on there.

Have a look.

Fender

[Ki swordsman]

Originally Posted by quiksilverdew

If you get it prepare to do a trem swap. I personally don't like the 555's and I don't think it would compare at all with a real Jem. For the same price can't you get a really nice Prestige?

don't they have the edge 3 now? i've seen a lot on this forum saying when setup right it's quite a competent stable trem.
as Petie said, it's a much nicer guitar than it used to be

[Petie]

Originally Posted by Ki swordsman

don't they have the edge 3 now? i've seen a lot on this forum saying when setup right it's quite a competent stable trem.
as Petie said, it's a much nicer guitar than it used to be

Yeah, they now have the Edge III, and I've found the Edge III to be MUCH better than the LO TRS, and better than the Edge Pro II which felt a little flimsy and fiddly to me. The Edge III seems to be made of the same material as the Edge Pro II but because the parts are smaller they just feel more stable and secure.

[elcid]

There are tons of better guitars for the same money, unless you absolutely need a guitar with a handle on it.

[Ayrton]

Originally Posted by elcid

There are tons of better guitars for the same money, unless you absolutely need a guitar with a handle on it.

I concur with Dr. Cid...

[mi2tom]

Originally Posted by elcid

There are tons of better guitars for the same money, unless you absolutely need a guitar with a handle on it.

Agreed! I have nothing against a 555, I think they're great guitars but I've always think they are crazily priced. I've tried a cheaper highend yamaha guitar which IMO plays better than the 555 and it cost only half the price of the 555.

[rob777vdy]

i played a jem555 for 11 years.they are ok guitars but mine had the terrible lo-trs 111 trem it was a nightmare keeping it in tune.my advice is buy a second hand real jem,if you do buy a 555 make sure it hasnt got the lo-trs trem.

[xklusivly4u]

Originally Posted by Evo II

I've been wanting to get a Jem for quite a while now. I have a '07 Ibanez S470DXQM. However, my dad won't let me buy a $2600+ CAD guitar until I'm as good (if not better) than Mr. Vai. Anyways after taking a look at this guy I thought this would be a good one. It still has the Dimarzio Evolution pickups just it doesn't have the full tree of life inlay and it has the Edge III bridge instead of the Edge Pro. Plus it's almost 2 times cheaper. What are your thoughts?

asking wrong question at wrong site Look for decent second hand 7DBK if you must have a JEM.

[ColinMmmmm]

Originally Posted by elcid

There are tons of better guitars for the same money, unless you absolutely need a guitar with a handle on it.

Agreed . . .

[Evo II]

Well, from what I've read, a lot of you are agaist the Jem555. I understand the problem with the old trem but if you look at the link that I posted in the beginning, you'll see that it has the Edge III trem now. And I would buy a different Ibanez if it looked as sexy as the Jem. Anyways, I definately going to look into some used Jem7Vs. One more question, what's the difference between the Edge III trem and the Edge Pro trem besides the fact that with the Edge Pro you don't have to cut off the ball of your strings?

Oh by the way, where can I find some used Jems? I mean can someone give me a link?

[Ironjose]

i think how it was made... the edge pro feels more solid than the II and III... haha... but i'd guess that the new 555 would be much better than the older one, but... a prestige is and would be even better...