Well I no longer wish to offer complaints but possible solutions to some of our concerns. I have the utmost respect to the fact that Steve dictates what and how the JEM/UV line is developed. However, is seems to me that with a little compromise and some serious discussion this could turn into a win/win for everybody.
Let's start with us the consumer..... let's face it Ibanez is in the business of making a profit from the manufacture of guitars and related equipment. They have a growing roster of musicians to please and maintain. I spent some time viewing all the pic's supplied by Rich from Ibanez Rules and was impressed with the amount of models and slight variations between some.
I saw new colors, player innovations, as well as variety in types of guitars ava. (6 string up to 8 string) and everything between hollow bodies to exotic solid bodied guitars not to mention player endorsed models. So it does look as though we the consumer are getting through to the "suits" controlling the dollars. I agree it would be nice to have a few extra "options" to some of the more popular lines, but lets face it this is a numbers game and also about endorsement deals and maintaining a roster of varied player demands.
Every 7 stringer who was influenced by Steve wants an update and options on the UV.... the deal is Steve has decided that utilizing 7 strings is best done by another band member (yep, giving that guy a job too) and now concentrates more on his six string guitars. Not a big deal to me..... besides Ibanez now has several endorsees who are into 7's. Most of these axes are based on the super strat configuration very similar to the UV. So asking Steve to "let go" of something he still holds dear (7 string instrument) is not something we should expect. Besides we don't know that Steve hasn't contemplated more color selections only to find it less of a priority in the course of making both corporate and personal decisions. So lets give him the opportunity to sort through things and who knows maybe Dave Weiner can start playing a UV model or Steve could let Dave make some suggestions regarding updates.
Now about our JEM's...... we've all asked for more colors to be released in any given year. Oh sure it's possible to do..... but look over the years at the colors that have been available to all of us. Maybe not in the current configuration, but heck I see more people whining about E/LP/EP bridges than I do color. Besides, It is Steves' line of guitars and whether he chooses to have one of every color in the rainbow produced in a single year or over 20 years we'll just have to deal with it and continue to support the aftermarket on painting our precious babies.
Now let's address the hardware issues..... here's where I have strong feelings. It would seem to me that both Steve and Ibanez could make some compromise here and at least offer two different hardware finish selections on say both the JEM7VWH and the latest addition the JEM7VBK. Either do it on split production runs or on a special order basis for a small premium..... yeah, I said more money! Now this could also go for fingerboard wood species as well as offering pyramid inlays also. It's my understanding and certainly not confirmed, but apparently Steve likes rosewood..... great, keep giving us that. But Jeez..... let ebony be an option! Heck the man himself used it for some time and some of his loyal fan/guitar playing customers want it back after owning their first ebony graced JEM. Besides it can only help to boost sales, profits, & royalties if that's the case.
It's been clarified that Steve no longer uses the Buzz Feiten system. Why, I don't know and it's not really important. But I do have some questions and suggestions regarding this. I here players swear by this all the time but never notice any of these guys with locking nuts like I see on a JEM. Maybe that's why Steve stopped using them, they don't come as a locking nut. This could have added back to the problem of maintaining tuning with heavy trem use. Whatever the issue, couldn't Ibanez get it's engineers to look at the theory behind this and apply it to a locking nut? Especially if it adds to tuning ease and tonal stability?
Now about the sustainer..... gosh, Ibanez has worked out deals with DiMarzio for pickups, Floyd Rose for trem's, why not at least approach Fernandez about an exclusive "partnership" regarding this little baby. Or better yet Maybe Steve could hook up with the guys at Sustainiac and design one to his specs to be offered exclusively through Ibanez for a year or so. Then open sales to the general public for Sustainiac to increase their sales figures. But everyone would have to remember what the goal was and not see $$ only!
Same deal with the LP vs EP bridge. Come on, offer it as a upgrade option or maybe Steve could just simply "update" all his babies to the E/P and kill all the speculation about why he still uses the L/P.
My guess is, it has to do with bodies and modifying them and what he cherishes about one particular guitar. It's kinda like expecting somebody who owns a 50's guitar to start routing away wood that certainly adds to it's tonal characteristics. Again.... sheer speculation, but what the hey, EJ used to insist on Duracell's (and may still) when he could have used an a/c adapter. :roll: But that's just a players choice.
Besides at some point Steve will run out of Low Pro bridges and will have to cross that bridge then! (no pun intended) I'm pretty sure I've seen a E/P equipped guitar in his hands though and it sure didn't hinder his performance. (like much could)
The other thing Ibanez could do is make the Lo Pro available through it's parts catalog and with better distribution through it's dealers. Heck, I've tried to get Ibanez parts and it was like trying to get "un-a-tanuim" on the black market! :lol: I ended up scoring from an individual who buys these instruments and molests them for their parts. Just look at the problems that could solve, making the correct parts available. I know, Ibanez isn't in the parts business. But adding an organised and dedicated resale division to what has to be a monstorus parts inventory wouldn't kill them either and may help enhance inventory level and quality control.
Anyway, all these are just thoughts. But with some dedication, patients, communication and compromise these issues could become a win/win deal.
Sorry for the long winded...... babble!