Comparing a JEM777VBK and JS1000BP

[kirschman13]

I've been looking around for a while and these are the two guitars I've narrowed it down to. I've found both around for about $900-$1000. What I was wondering about is the quality. Is one much better than the other. I haven't had much experience with the JEMs so I was hoping for some help or suggestions. I liked the JS, but I was wondering how a JEM in the same price range would compare. Thanks

Also, If someone could explain what the numbers and letters stand for it would help me better find what I'm looking for.

[waylay00]

They are both different. Satch likes the feel of a more vintage instrument (bigger neck, smaller frets, etc), while the JEM is more modern (HSH, 24frets, thinner neck, etc).

You can't go wrong with either, IMO.

[andy7jem]

They both have completely different feels but both are very high quality beasts What sort of neck feel do you prefer??

VBK means vine inlay black, BP is Black Pearl.

[kirschman13]

I love the look of both. As for style, I haven't played a JEM yet but I like the body of the JS. I agree that the frets are small.

As for necks, I liked the neck on the RG550MXX. I would like the JS better if the frets were bigger.

If I do get to try one what should I look for and try out?

Also what do the 7's after the JEM mean. And what kind of tones should I look for in the middle pickup positions.

[waylay00]

For the JS, the middle is a less powerful, more open, bluesy coil tapped sound. With the JEM, it's similar, but you get more of a glassy, ballsy type tone in positions 2 and 4. (Like a Strat in positions 2 and 4; or listen to "Sisters" by Vai) The middle position on the JEM is just a single coil by itself.

[kirschman13]

Cool, thanks for the info. I think I'm gonna go with the JEM. I still have a couple more questions. First of all, since the 777vbk has been out of production for around 15 years, will I be able to get a good one. Also, where would you recommend that I look for one. There aren't a lot of places around here to look. I'd be ok buying one off of **** (that's how I got my last one), but what do you guy recommend?

[David McCarroll]

Absolutely,totally different guitars - if you are undecided, you really need to spend a bit of time playing both - All JEMs can be divided into two categories - traditional neck heel, and AANJ heel - within those categories, the JEMs feel pretty similar to each other (there are exceptions to this, but that woud be complicating things a bit too much here) - so, a VWH will feel pretty much like a VBK, or a DNA, or a VSBL, whereas an FP will feel a lot like a DY, or an SK, or an original VBK - so if you can get your hands on one that falls into the category you are thinking of, you can be pretty sure that the VBK will feel at least quite a lot like that.

[kirschman13]

Thanks for the advice. So if I'm going with the original JEM777VBK which ones should I try. I know you listed some stuff, but I'm new to JEMs and am not sure what those mean.

[waylay00]

Anything with the square neck joint (LNG, DY, VDY, BFP, FP, SK, etc)

[kirschman13]

Thanks for the help. I'm not sure when I'll get a chance to play a JEM. I do have ready access to a 550 re-issue. How would the 777vbk compare to that feel-wise. I know that the tone will be sweet, so I'm mostly concerned with the feel.

[arrowman1969]

id have a jem any day of the week ive got a 777vbk and would never part with it id pick the jem every time but everyones different so its whats best for yourself

[Lord Lemons]

Originally Posted by kirschman13

I love the look of both. As for style, I haven't played a JEM yet but I like the body of the JS. I agree that the frets are small.

As for necks, I liked the neck on the RG550MXX. I would like the JS better if the frets were bigger.

If I do get to try one what should I look for and try out?

Also what do the 7's after the JEM mean. And what kind of tones should I look for in the middle pickup positions.

If you like the wizard neck, how about the Jem7pbk?

[Rodney James]

The JEM!

The JS is awesome, yet nothing has the impact like a JEM overall.

[Kerem]

Go with jem dude!
and post your pics when you buy

[HDS]

I have played JS's for a few years and then changed to a JEM. I found that the extra space in the frets was to good to pass up.
I now only have one JS left in my collection and thats JS Crystal Planet.