Greetings, from this new JEM owner!

[kingtj]

Hi folks. I've visited this web site a few times in the past, but I finally can say I'm "part of the group". I just purchased an Ibanez JEM 7V (white, 2003 model) from the local Guitar Center. (Actually, they have two stores where I live, and neither had a JEM in stock, but they located one for me at a Michigan store and had it shipped here for me.)

I've been a long time fan of Ibanez electrics, and owned a Vampire Kiss Purple RG-570 which my (soon to be ex) wife stole from me and sold during a messy divorce we're still trying to get finalized. Until now, that was the best guitar I've ever owned.

The only guitar I had left was a cheap B.C. Rich Mockingbird that I got a few years ago, just because it was on sale and was so cheap, I figured I couldn't really go wrong with it. (Honestly, it doesn't really have too bad a neck, and it looks pretty cool. The only real "weakness" I've seen with it is the pickups. They sound pretty "dull". If I play through effects like my Pod Pro XT, it's perfectly fine - but nothing to write home about when played clean, straight through an amp.)

So anyway, I decided I needed to break down and buy a replacement guitar for my RG-570. Since GC is running the "0% financing for a year" thing, it seemed like the time to go for a JEM, and get what's supposed to be the best Ibanez has to offer.

Now, just to clarify (because hey, I'm still brand new to JEMs here!), do these 2003 models lack the locking studs, or is that a problem only with the current '04 models? I got the ebony fretboard, not the rosewood - so I'm thinking that's probably a plus, at least. (I have nothing against rosewood, but ebony makes a JEM stand out as a little more unique.)

So far, I have to admit, I'm having sort of mixed feelings on this purchase. It's, without a doubt, a beautiful guitar and sounds great! The only thing is, my RG-570 only cost me about $500 new, and I'm not sure I really feel like this JEM is "4x the guitar" it was, despite the nearly $2000 price tag. People played my RG and always came away totally impressed, saying "Wow - I gotta buy myself one of these! That's awesome!" I just feel like in some ways, this JEM plays/feels too similar to the RG for costing so much more. I mean, yeah - it has the "easy access" design for the upper frets and that's an improvement, and probably a little more tonal flexibility when adjusting the volume and tone knobs. But overall, I don't feel like it really plays any "faster" or "smoother" along its neck than my RG did?

I realize this might be "heresy" in this group of loyal JEM fans ... but what's the general "vibe" on this? Am I way off base, because I just haven't given it enough time yet - or is it maybe more of a deal where a JEM costs $$'s primarily due to the looks and collectibility factor?

[MehYam]

Welcome!

Originally Posted by kingtj

Now, just to clarify (because hey, I'm still brand new to JEMs here!), do these 2003 models lack the locking studs, or is that a problem only with the current '04 models?

2003 was the first year of JEM that has the new Edge with non-locking studs.

Originally Posted by kingtj

So far, I have to admit, I'm having sort of mixed feelings on this purchase. It's, without a doubt, a beautiful guitar and sounds great! The only thing is, my RG-570 only cost me about $500 new, and I'm not sure I really feel like this JEM is "4x the guitar" it was, despite the nearly $2000 price tag. People played my RG and always came away totally impressed, saying "Wow - I gotta buy myself one of these! That's awesome!" I just feel like in some ways, this JEM plays/feels too similar to the RG for costing so much more. I mean, yeah - it has the "easy access" design for the upper frets and that's an improvement, and probably a little more tonal flexibility when adjusting the volume and tone knobs. But overall, I don't feel like it really plays any "faster" or "smoother" along its neck than my RG did?

I'm a Jem owner (VSBL), I think this is not heresy at all. Although it's entirely subjective (as many things are when it comes to $$$ value), in my opinion your RG570 was a much better value than the Jem. Slap a set of Evo pickups in the 570, and would you really miss the monkey grip, lion's claw, pickguard, and vine inlays? I'm in the camp of people who wouldn't.

Sure, the Jem is probably the better guitar for most people, but if you're assigning bang-for-the-buck quotients to the two models, the 570 gives you much better mileage for your $$$.

I have a 470 (had a 570 for a while that I traded in, neck too thin for me), and I'm stunned at how nice that guitar is, even with it's stock p-ups and crappy TRS bridge. The low end RG's provide hard-to-beat value, and if you look on evilbay right now, there are some stunning deals to be had.

Hope that didn't sour it for ya. Other people will disagree with me. Vai would, for one! And I'd defer my opinion to his...

[screamndemon69]

the RG570 was made to be an affordable "good-quality" Jem w/out all the special artist touches (handle, claw fancy inlays and alder bodied -7VWH, 7VSBL). i own one and i have had sooo many compliments on it. i also own a 7DBK and a 777VBK. IMHO, if i put the same pups in the RG as my Jems, there wouldn't be a big difference other than the overall cosmetics.
i think the big difference (besides the cosmetics) is that one might be more "inspirational" than the other to some people. when i'm on stage i sometimes forget which guitar i'm playing when i'm playing Ibanez guitars as i try to not look at my instrument and keep eye contact with the crowd- not always so easy.
welcome to the wonderful world of Jems and especially Jemsite - where GAS (Guitar/Gear Aqusition Syndrom) lives and thrives.
the 7VWH is supposed to be the best "player" of the Jem line and the fit and finish is supposed to be A+. you are also now part of a "club", if you will, of guitar enthusiasts that have set themselves apart from the average RG owners - even though most of us own a RG or two.

[kingtj]

Thanks for the reply! I'm glad to hear you owned pretty much the same guitar I did, so you know exactly where I'm coming from with my opinion and questions!

I'm not really "soured" on my JEM purchase, so much as struggling to decide if I want to sink my $2000 into it, or put it in other places. I'm not a "working musician" or anything like that. I'm not even in a band at all (though I was, years ago). Right now, I do computer repair for a living, and music is just a pastime/hobby interest of mine. In some respects, I thought maybe this was a *plus* for buying something like a JEM, since I'm not going to be dragging it all over the place, getting it beat up. All my music gear stays in like-new condition - because I keep it all in my basement, generally in cases whenever not in use. I definitely wouldn't consider a "collectible" type guitar if I was using it for gigs.

I have to confess, the new guitars from Line 6 are attracting my attention too. Being a computer guy already, I'm less opposed to putting some technology to work for me than some, more conservative, guitarists might be. (I keep thinking, "Wow - for much less than the price of my JEM, I could have a guitar that lets me instantly change to one of many non-standard tunings, all digitally, and simulates all sorts of famous guitar sounds too!") Of course, I also realize they're probably compromises in quality of build/construction - and may not hold their value at all over the years. (Like old computers, what if they depreciate to almost nothing, as newer, better computer simulations are put in newer models?)

<sigh> If only I had enough money so this $2000 purchase wasn't such a difficult thing to do, huh?

Originally Posted by MehYam

Welcome!
I'm a Jem owner (VSBL), I think this is not heresy at all. Although it's entirely subjective (as many things are when it comes to $$$ value), in my opinion your RG570 was a much better value than the Jem. Slap a set of Evo pickups in the 570, and would you really miss the monkey grip, lion's claw, pickguard, and vine inlays? I'm in the camp of people who wouldn't.

Sure, the Jem is probably the better guitar for most people, but if you're assigning bang-for-the-buck quotients to the two models, the 570 gives you much better mileage for your $$$.

I have a 470 (had a 570 for a while that I traded in, neck too thin for me), and I'm stunned at how nice that guitar is, even with it's stock p-ups and crappy TRS bridge. The low end RG's provide hard-to-beat value, and if you look on evilbay right now, there are some stunning deals to be had.

Hope that didn't sour it for ya. Other people will disagree with me. Vai would, for one! And I'd defer my opinion to his...

[MehYam]

Originally Posted by kingtj

I have to confess, the new guitars from Line 6 are attracting my attention too. Being a computer guy already, I'm less opposed to putting some technology to work for me than some, more conservative, guitarists might be. (I keep thinking, "Wow - for much less than the price of my JEM, I could have a guitar that lets me instantly change to one of many non-standard tunings, all digitally, and simulates all sorts of famous guitar sounds too!") Of course, I also realize they're probably compromises in quality of build/construction - and may not hold their value at all over the years. (Like old computers, what if they depreciate to almost nothing, as newer, better computer simulations are put in newer models?)

You never know. Every now and then a piece of solid state (or modeling) technology comes along that has a charm that doesn't get matched for years to come. I've heard that the original Palmer speaker emulators are much more valued than the newer ones still in production.

The other thing with this modelling technology I find interesting is that it gives you a baseline for what's out there, so that you're not buying a $1500 amp rig blind. I own a POD as well, and although I know it's not the same experience as owning the real thing, it's given some experience that will come in handy when it's time to slap down that $1500 - or maybe that $500 steal at a particular pawn shop. Veering off topic here, but the $200 you spend for a POD is another big bang-for-the-buck because of this. Dunno if the Variax guitars offer the same benefit, but they could.

[nickcoumbe]

I have got to say that I feel the Jem is a significantly better guitar when compared to the mid range RGs.

I have just traded in an RG 570, against an '88 77fp, so perahps I am slightly jaundiced.

I definately felt that the overall feel was alot better, the amplified sound was much better, the trem is the same. What really did it for me is the neck though. It just plays better, I am sure that the QC values are higher, and anyway it's a jem. I have no qualms whatsoever about trading one for the other

I do agree that the RG570 is shockingly good value for money, and obviously I am comparing a (very) 2nd hand jem which isn't costing $2000.

[screamndemon69]

there is a lot more finishing and time spent on the Jem necks, so the feel should be silkier. the body is also made of alder (7v) so the tone should be an improvement over the basswood.
i did a side by side test last night using a basswood RG550 w/ an evo in the bridge, a 777VBK w/ an evo in the bridge and my '91 Strat Plus with an evo in the bridge. the basswood bodied jem and RG sounded more aggressive and while the alder Strat still had "bite", it smoothed out to a little richer sound in the tone dept..
i still think that the RG (MIJ) is not far behind the Jem series - but they are behind the Jem series - cosmetically and the extra effort on finishing. they share the same hardware and once you match the pups - they are one step closer to spec. a Jem neck will always win out over the RG - but that can change as you can have adjustments and mods done to the RG necks.

[domwint79]

I can understand where you're coming from with this. I recently bought a J-custom for over £1200, replacing my £350 second-hand RG470, which I have adored for over 8 years.

When I first got the J-custom I thought "have I done the right thing?, Is this guitar three+ times better than my RG?" And for the first week I have to admit I wasn't convinced. However, I've been playing a lot of guitar recently and now I am very glad I bought the J-custom - it is incredible. The sustain, playability, action, tone, inspiration factor… I love playing this guitar. But I still have that feeling of sadness for my RG, I'll be heartbroken when it gets sold.

Stick with your JEM. You may not like it - compared to the Wizard neck on an RG, the JEM is a pretty big leap. But I reckon in a few weeks you'll be playing things you never thought possible. It sounds weird to say but I feel like I can become a better guitarist now I have this new guitar.