A “333” history (with pics inside)

Juanozzy · #1 02-19-2006, 09:14 PM

Well this is the real history about a guitar so called “Jem 333” (aka the cheapest). Some time ago (around a year) I bought a guitar so called “Jem Jr.” from a local store. The GUY from the store tell me that guitar was “like the real Jem with a little differences” (????). And it was made in Korea (like the second line of Ibanez). So I test the guitar...it was very comfortable in the neck and it has a great sound (especially position 1 and 5) for being Ibanez pickups. So I bought it. I was happy. But I never know the real history behind that guitar. After a little search (and discover this page) I know the real deal behind this guitar (a so-called guitar for the Asian market against piracy). The main dealer of Ibanez here (and the only one) bought it from the factory in Korea (I think). I was very sad because everybody says this guitar was a F***ing joke. And it was even low than the infamous Jem 555 (aka knows the REAL JEM JR). I was even sadder when I really saw the “differences” between this guitar and the JEM 555. Here are some examples:
1) Very bad finish: The way in which they paint the guitar is really bad. If you see behind the pickguard or in the tremolo cavity (see pics) you will see a very (very) bad paint finish.
The neck is really good but the finish in the neck is very bad too.
2)floyd rose: the floyd rose is some kind of cheapest version of ILT1 or the original Floyd Rose. The good thing here is that the tremolo cavity (in deep) is perfect if you are going to change the Floyd in the future.
But against all I´m really happy with this guitar. WHY????
Well this is why….
First I ‘m very comfortable with the neck and the jumbo frets makes me fell that I can play even more fast (and make better bendings). The pickups are good (better than I think). The neck is a three piece maple, but this neck don't have the scarf joint, and instead have the volute where the neck wood extends straight thru the headstock in a continuous piece. The overvall size of the neck it’s a some kind of wizard neck (like Jem 555). I make some changes in the guitar (see pics); first I change the pickguard (and all the plastic things...) with a pearled one. And the Floyd Rose with a Lo Pro Edge kit (with some little changes in the cavity). Them I use 0.10 strings instead of the classic 0.9 (Ernie Ball). Thanks of that changes the guitar sounds a little deeper and gain some sustain (a lot of better than before).
After all this I must say I´m happy with this guitar. I know she isn´t the best (and never will be) or even the worst of all (may be...). but she has some kind of magic (just for me). For me she is “Jr”.
thanks...

P.s.: sorry for my english and photos (I used a cell phone camera).
and now YOU can see a real 333 in detail (almost...).

http://photobucket.com/albums/e100/j...=strplck01.jpg

JM5150 · #2 02-19-2006, 09:43 PM

Hey, man, as long as it works for you. I don't own a Jem (although I'd like to some day), but have owned a couple Ibanez RGs (as well as other brands), and if you find something that works for you and helps you create musically, I say it's all good!

A LOT of people slag the 333 and 555, but IMO, if you make it work, then good for you!

Juanozzy · #3 02-19-2006, 09:50 PM

thanks a lot. that´s the idea. I know the pics are bad but i try to show the feel (and the history) behind the axe. thanks a lot again.

j.

mi2tom · #4 02-19-2006, 09:59 PM

actually the 333 and the 555 is not as bad as others claim, played some and it's quite alright

Juanozzy · #5 02-19-2006, 10:04 PM

if you "upgrade" the axe with some things it´s quite good. But in the end it´s the way how you feel the guitar. how i say early...after all she works fine for me.

thanks.

JM5150 · #6 02-19-2006, 10:08 PM

I think part of it has to do with perspective:

If someone has a collection of 15 guitars, including 5 Jems, and is regularly gigging, then yeah, the 333 and 555 is most likely not going to get the job done, and they shouldn't be expected to say something nice about it when they just don't measure up.

Just the same, if someone likes the Jem look, and wants to give it a go (and can only afford the "jr"), then, by all means. It may be just what the person is looking for.

I would probably just pick up a used RG, (but that's not to say if the opportunity to get a killer deal on a 555 arose, that I wouldn't pull the trigger).

Just my two pennies....

Juanozzy · #7 02-19-2006, 10:21 PM

it´s true what you say. an example here is any used Jem goes very "up". An example: a used jem bfp maybe around 1500 bucks. a used rg 350 or 570 in mint condition around 600. It´s a deal grab some used rg here. But for me my "Jr" works. I know she isn´t the best but now with the upgrades works very good.
thanks...

Elysian · #8 02-20-2006, 01:27 AM

uh whats wrong with that trem? it looks like a lo pro edge to me

buddroyce · #9 02-20-2006, 01:44 AM

That trem actually looks like an Edge Pro 2 or 3. There's no neck volute on it either (kinda thought it was strange that a Jem 33 would have one).

There's nothing wrong with a Jem 333 as long as you like it. It probably plays a hell of a lot better than those fake jems floating on evil bay.

King Knall · #10 02-20-2006, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddroyce

That trem actually looks like an Edge Pro 2 or 3. There's no neck volute on it either (kinda thought it was strange that a Jem 33 would have one).

There's nothing wrong with a Jem 333 as long as you like it. It probably plays a hell of a lot better than those fake jems floating on evil bay.

Well, Steve himself said that it was designed in order to combat sales of fake Jems.

I myself don't like the Korean Jem models, but hey, more power to you.

Demiurge · #11 02-20-2006, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elysian

uh whats wrong with that trem? it looks like a lo pro edge to me

He said that he replaced the ILT bridge with an LP Edge.

With all those upgrades, it doesn't look like that bad of a guitar. Being in the US, though, I'll probably never get a chance to try one for myself to really cast judgment; however ironically I have a better chance of getting one of those Chinese VWH fraud-copies sent to me than the "real thing" that was marketed solely for the purpose of quashing those frauds.

Juanozzy · #12 02-20-2006, 12:14 PM

like demiurge says it´s a Lo pro bridge. the old bridge was really bad. my mistake, The neck is a three piece maple and extends straight thru the headstock in a continuous piece.

maybe in the future i change the mics with some dimarzio but really i don´t know.

thanks for read this post.

j.

Juanozzy · #13 02-21-2006, 08:27 PM

one last thing i hope you like the photos. i know the quality isn´t quite good but at least you can see the guitar.

and again thanks for read this post.

j.

Ozzdoc · #14 02-21-2006, 10:03 PM

Looks alot better then what people have said about it, the lo-pro would add alot to! It looks sweet for customizing.

Juanozzy · #15 02-22-2006, 09:17 PM

thanks ozzdoc (nice nick too). the thing is: lo-pro+0.010" strings= more deeper sound and some sustain. The only bad thing is that ernie ball strings turns black very fast (even if i use fast fret).
and (like you say) this guitar it´s excelent for customizing (you can repaint, change picks bridge, tunning machines, etc.). It´s a great start to make your own jem.
i´m thinking change the mics in the future with some dimarzio.
i´m thingking in this mix: breed (neck & bridge); class of ´55 (middle).
why?: breed (a lot of mid & bass); class of ´55 (a lot of trebble).

what you think?

again thanks for read this post.