Complain to Steve about the JEM/UV LINEUP here (no long winded rants elsewhere)

[Drew]

First, let me open by saying that I'm a seven stringer, and accordingly biased as hell.

Second, I think first and foremost a "thank you" is in order for ywenty years of forward thinking designs. I have very little desire to own a Jem these days (I am a UV player, however, and a PWH is my go-to), but the impact the guitar line had on the contemproary "shred" guitar - popularizing recessed trems, the "RG/Jem" body shape, neck profiles, the first production seven string, etc - cannot be understated.

Pricing is obviously inappropriate here, as that's Ibanez and not Vai. I will say in passing that a UV is no longer as good a buy new as it used to be, however.

Now, a 777BK is still out of the box one of the best seven strings on the market. We haven't seen a new design in something like 8 or 9 years, but frankly that doesn't bug me - the 777BK is still a classic, elegant, and timeless design that looks just as good at a jazz gig as it does playing death metal.

Would I like to see anything different? Sure I would. I'm a maple fretboard wh0re, but Vai's never really associated himself with that so I figure that's out of the picture. However, he has gone back and forth with basswood and alder in the Jem line in the past, and I personally would be all about an alder UV.

Aside from that, as a seven stringer there's not much I can ask for. The 777BK may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's close enough for enough players that it's been a reasonably popular model. I'd love to see the return of the Lo-Pro Edge, but I suspect Ibanez is really pulling the strings on that one, and it's not in the cards. Locking studs for the Edge Pro, however, would certainly even the playing field. And Vai's not playing his UV's enough these days for me reasonably to ask for an additional production model.

so, pricing aside (which is Ibanez and the plummeting dollar at work) I guess things are pretty much ok in UV-land.

(though I for one would burn puppies for that UV10th prototype, if you're feeling generous, Steve... )

[jemsite]

guys, please curb the bickering as this should be a useful thread. the only thing i changed in the title was adding the word LINEUP cause you guys were going on jem20 tangents and the thread was not to be an exclusive 20th bitchfest ...glen

[jem7vwh]

I have my doubts that Steve will read this stuff, or that he really cares all too much what we think about his guitar. It is after all...his guitar.

Nonetheless, few of us pass up an opportunity to nitpick our favorite guitar.

Here we go.

1. The trend towards gimmicky models... Seriously. Sandblasting, chrome, acrylics, etc. This is not why I buy guitars. If I really wanted a flavor-of-the-month fad guitar, I'd buy a BC Rich. The JEM remains my favorite guitar because, at its best, the JEM represents a very high level of quality and exotic flair in an affordably priced upper-level production guitar. At $1500-$2000, a JEM7VWH was an excellent deal. $7,000 for a plastic guitar is absurd and clearly a different story.

I'd like to see this range move back towards the musician rather than the collector.

2. The steady ratcheting up of price. Why is a JEM7VWH so much more today than it was in 1997? I understand that inflation occurs over time, but we're talking about significant cost increases, not just cost of production. Furthermore, each new JEM seems to be more expensive than the last. The JEM77BRMR, which was no more than a JEM7DBK with a gigantic, and trouble-prone, pickguard-- cost more than the JEM7VWH. In every other respect (inlay, body wood, hardware, finish) the guitar was equal or inferior and yet cost more.

[David McCarroll]

[quote=jem7vwh;595287]I have my doubts that Steve will read this stuff, or that he really cares all too much what we think about his guitar. It is after all...his guitar.

QUOTE]

+1 he he he

The JEM is designed for Steve Vai, specifically for Steve Vai - if you don't like it, why should he care, really - go and buy something else - or better still get someone to make your own custom signature model.

I'm sure Mr Vai cares deeply about his fans - he seems like a really nice guy, and after all, it's his fans who keep the wolves away from the door, but, c'mon, the JEM is designed for him, to be what he likes, not us! If anyone thinks they are overpriced, fine, spend a third of the price on a 2550, stick in some Rickenbacker pickups, a Bigsby and paint it with tyre black, or whatever, to get the guitar that spins your wheels.

[guitarkatana]

Originally Posted by jem7vwh

1. The trend towards gimmicky models... Seriously. Sandblasting, chrome, acrylics, etc. This is not why I buy guitars. If I really wanted a flavor-of-the-month fad guitar, I'd buy a BC Rich. The JEM remains my favorite guitar because, at its best, the JEM represents a very high level of quality and exotic flair in an affordably priced upper-level production guitar. At $1500-$2000, a JEM7VWH was an excellent deal. $7,000 for a plastic guitar is absurd and clearly a different story.

Agreed. Acrylic guitars look and sound like crap.

[JJEMMER777]

Originally Posted by guitarkatana

Agreed. Acrylic guitars look and sound like crap.

Again - this isn't just an acrylic guitar!!

It's space age cutting edge tech "vai-crylic" specially designed for TONE. That coupled with the equally cutting edge "trans-Jem" pups and look out!!!

Guys...Vai is a tone FREAK!! This is his 20th Anniversary Sig. Model! Do you think he's gonna release a tonal piece of sh*t?????

Why don't all you cynics WAIT until you actually hear the tone and reviews of the tone before passing judgement....

M..kay???

Unless ya'll really enjoy eating your words

[michblanch]

Originally Posted by JJEMMER777

Again - this isn't just an acrylic guitar!!

It's space age cutting edge tech "vai-crylic" specially designed for TONE. That coupled with the equally cutting edge "trans-Jem" pups and look

VAI-CRYLIC!!!!!!!!

Dude, you had better haul you ass and patent that word before Pat Riley or Gene Simmons.

[waylay00]

My only gripe about about the JEM/UV line is the price. Sure they play nicely, but for that money? Hell no.

I know that Steve can't directly control the price, but he sure can have an influence. For instance, the new production JEM...It would be great if it weren't $2400...I can get so much more for $2400.

As others have said, variety would be great as well (more colors, etc).

[waylay00]

Wow Eggy...haha some ESP going on there

[Eggy]

Originally Posted by waylay00

Wow Eggy...haha some ESP going on there

Yeah, I even know that right now you're thinking about doughnuts and coffee.

Freaky eh?



Ben

[waylay00]

Originally Posted by Eggy

Yeah, I even know that right now you're thinking about doughnuts and coffee.

Freaky eh?



Ben

Yes indeed.

[morris"squid finger"daley]

Right here goes,

1 The Jem7VWH should be fitted with a ebony fret board,thats what it started life with and should not be messed with.

2 More swirl patterns should be made,but if they were made they all should look as good as the ones shown in the catalouge,and what I meen by that is Ive never seen a purple multi colour look as good as the one shown in the 1992 catalouge.Its just my opion here dont shoot me down please but multi colours on both Jems and UVs have varied so much in the past from very cool with lots of swirl and colour mix to very poor with large blocks of same colour and not enough balance of colour.The Jem2K dose not apply here as all swirl patterns Ive seen have been first class.

3 A larger range of both Jems and UVs.At least 5 Jems and 3 UVs to chose from.

4 Get back to the roots,7 77 777.Screw the 555 drop it now.Lets have some definition here,Root beers and PBKs were susposed to be the lower end but they kicked ass over the crap box 555s.Lower end Jems should be based on the ideas of these guitars.

5 Bring back the EDGE trems.The EDGE Pro is a far superior trem on paper and does hold its own in real life with no problems,but its not an EDGE.

6 Price to me is ok.Limited edition models will always be over priced by default and £1500 to £2000 for the production lines is not stupid considering what Fender and Gibson want for some of there stuff.

In general more models to chose from please,and maybe some reissues,people want them let them have them.

On the plus side,nice work on the Jem77BRMR,very Vaiish in its differant from the norm in witch it is(I feel)what the origins of the Jem was all about.It made me buy one.

[Frontier05]

I agree - Jem prices are pretty high! This is coming from a potential buyer too.

I have an old les paul custom and a couple taylor acoustic guitars and I'm looking to add another to the stable. I really like the Jem looks. Guitar center nor sam ash carries the jem so I'll keep looking until I hold one myself and make a decision.

But, then I think, $2000+ is a bit much for a guitar made in japan. This is not a car, but a guitar! A USA Jackson or even Carvin made to my specifications (stainless steel frets, etc .. professional set up from the manufacturer and the whole 9) may be the better route, and I'd fork over a little less cash to boot.

Well see though. There does seem to be a big following on the Jems by just looking at this forum.


Oh, and as I read in some post here, I'm not sure how Steve Via could care less what his fans thought?? That doesn't even make sense. There would be no Steve Via "rock star" if there were no fans.

[timi_h]

glens gonna need some therapy after all this jem 20th stress!!

[Dee]

1: Steve will read this.

2: I agree 100% with Morris Daley about the 555. It should be dropped. Even Dave Weiner doesn't think it should exist and that it dilutes the JEM line. I couldn't agree more. The Root Beer JEM and PBK were some of my favourites and they shouldn't have been stopped. Ass kicking guitars.

3: Edge Pro is OK. It ain't no Edge or Lo-Pro, but it can be better with locking studs fitted and I think they will eventually bring them back. Tak Hosono has mentioned it after several people suggested that guitars could be supplied without them, he seemed to think it's a good idea that the buyers could purchase them separately. The necessary inserts / anchors could come fitted as standard but with no locking studs. The reason they were discontinued is because they kept getting broken by users who didn't know they were there. If the guitars are supplied ready to have them fitted, everyone's a winner.

I'd like to add that Ibanez should stop catering to the ignorant masses. If someone breaks their locking studs because they didn't know they were there, they should try reading the manual. It takes seconds to learn about the feature, I myself had no problems with my first RG550 back in 87, and if a dummy like me can suss it out, I'm sure anyone can!

Originally Posted by jem7vwh

I have my doubts that Steve will read this stuff, or that he really cares all too much what we think about his guitar. It is after all...his guitar.

Again, I doubt this very much. Steve's not the kind of person who doesn't care about his fans, in fact he's quite the opposite. He'll probably come on here one day and tell you all he loves you again as he has done in the past.