Get a "real" JEM... - Page 2

brianxtr · #16 10-12-2009, 06:03 AM

buy a real jem or real RG the rest are 'beginners guitars'
you can have fun with them,but they aren't good as the (riginal)jems

rob777vdy · #17 10-12-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayrton

The 555/333 series was offered to try and combat the rash of far east fakes. Personally, I would rather see someone spend thier money on a Prestige RG before the cheaper JEMs.

The Prestige is basically a JEM, but without the holes and inlays.

To each his own, but that is my opinion.

good point ayrton.that said ive had a rg2550z and a jem555,and i can honestly say the rg2550z was better built but the 555 murders the rg2550z for tone,evo's v ibanez/dimarzio im with evos.if i had to choose between any rg prestige or a 555 id choose the 555 providing its not fitted with that hideous lo-trs trem.

IbanezFreak777 · #18 10-13-2009, 12:42 AM

Of course its a real JEM, Its like saying that a 200 series Mercedes Benz isnt a real benz because its the lowest of the range of Mercedes.. Its still mercedes its just the cheapest of the bunch... Yes all mercs are made in Germany, but still the lowest of the Jems is still made by Ibanez and its been created in the Jem series...

j3yps · #19 10-13-2009, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IbanezFreak777

Of course its a real JEM, Its like saying that a 200 series Mercedes Benz isnt a real benz because its the lowest of the range of Mercedes.. Its still mercedes its just the cheapest of the bunch... Yes all mercs are made in Germany, but still the lowest of the Jems is still made by Ibanez and its been created in the Jem series...

+1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 000000000

**jono** · #20 10-13-2009, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IbanezFreak777

Of course its a real JEM, Its like saying that a 200 series Mercedes Benz isnt a real benz because its the lowest of the range of Mercedes.. Its still mercedes its just the cheapest of the bunch... Yes all mercs are made in Germany, but still the lowest of the Jems is still made by Ibanez and its been created in the Jem series...

I disagree,

I think it's more like saying "imaginary new Mercedes" isn't a "real Mercedes", because it's toll manufactured by Hyundai in Korea.

Hyundai make great cars these days, but...

DavyH · #21 10-13-2009, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IbanezFreak777

Yes all mercs are made in Germany,

Not so. As far as I can ascertain, only the S Class and variants are uniquely made in Germany. Even then, the bits are from all over.

Which Mercs are highest rated? Which cost most?

Certain standards are expected of every manufacturer, but even so there are top of range models people aspire to.

Sounds exactly like Ibanez to me.

eviltwin · #22 10-13-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Sounds exactly like Ibanez to me.

Absolutely!

For the record many Benzes, are built in different factories in Germany, there is already a huge spread in quality among those factories (for example A-/B-class vs S-class). The Mercedes-Benz "flagship" factory near Stuttgart builds the C-, E- and S-class cars, with varying quality.

Don't even get me started on the USA-built Benzes (ML-, GL-, R-clas: Vance, Alabama) plus they also build cars in France, the UK and Brazil.

This is true for many car brands and people in the know will prefer one location of origin over another within one brand.

**jemaholic** · #23 10-18-2009, 01:45 PM

For "professional" grade guitars, all the 7,77,777 series Jems would probably be the right choice, but Ibanez has made a decision to market 555/333 models under the Jem line.

From a marketing standpoint Ibanez wanted to expand marketshare with an entry-level price-point Jem model as all the other major manufacturers have done.

Since when do we compare $500 guitars to $2700. guitars and expect them to be equal?

wilch · #24 10-18-2009, 03:43 PM

I agree jemaholic, it's stupid to compare a $500 guitar to a $2700 guitar. But the confusing thing with the 555 here in Australia is that it's at the exact same price point as a Japanese made RG, or other "high quality" guitars. Jem 555's are priced at retail AUD $2495 here!

I believe that's where alot of the confusion comes from.

**jemaholic** · #25 10-19-2009, 09:28 AM

Wilch, I would think that the pricing of the 555 is due to the association with Steve. Most signature models command higher prices. The RG's built in Japan might be higher quality instruments, but don't have the Vai stigma associated with them.

Strategy is: Steve Vai fans who cannot afford a 7-series Jem would still be able to get a guitar associated with Steve. There is a huge market for budding players without the funds to jump into a 'real Jem' and the 333/555 allows them to emulate their favorite player.

So the thought is that Vai fans will choose a Vai guitar over a better-made RG for the same money.

Other low-cost examples would be:

Music Man Petrucci JP50
Epiphone Zakk Wylde LP
Fender/Squire Mike Dirnt P Bass

Eddie_UV777 · #26 11-11-2009, 04:11 AM

Speaking as man who has had both 5 series and 7 series... I can honestly say, a real Jem is not a 555.

Claudio Passamani · #27 12-23-2009, 11:10 PM

and a JEM 557 (

) ?

http://images.orkut.com/orkut/photos...GVbyhxCvWL.jpg

littlephil · #28 12-24-2009, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jemaholic

Wilch, I would think that the pricing of the 555 is due to the association with Steve.

That, and the fact that Aussies get ripped off for gear. Other JEM's are even worse, almost $6000 retail! RG321's retail at almost $1000. There is an alright used market for some amps and guitars, but Ibanez isnt really in that.

Bahamut · #29 12-24-2009, 06:51 AM

I have to disagree that RGs and Jems are the same. I have a 520 and a 2550, and a 7vwh. I've also had an RGT42 and a 1570. Maybe its just me, but none of them hold a candle to my jem in terms of playability or sound.

I'm trying to decide what's next for 2010, a new edge equipped jem? or do I take the plunge and order a J-custom I've never played.. it's daunting lol.

Shockme.au · #30 12-24-2009, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlephil

That, and the fact that Aussies get ripped off for gear. Other JEM's are even worse, almost $6000 retail! RG321's retail at almost $1000. There is an alright used market for some amps and guitars, but Ibanez isnt really in that.

+1 The ONLY 555 I have seen in a shop and they wanted +A$3k !!!!! I know you can get them cheaper but there are heaps of better guitars out there for that sort of money (ESP MII's and Horizons for example) IMO. I am not saying that the 555 is not a good guitar but in Australia they are priced only just under a 77VBK!