I dont think Jem's are right for me.

luvuvibanez · #1 04-02-2007, 03:26 PM

Ok so I work my ass off for somewhere in neighborhood of 2 years to acrue enough cash for a Jem, I get a incredible, sparkly minty '98 VWH, and at first I'm speechless. Now I'm kinda thinkin its not really for me. For one I'm afraid to play it because it is mint, and I'm not really accustomed to the unergonomic design as opposed to the '88 saber I got when I fisrt started. I'm thinking I might take a stab at a Wolfie or something along those lines, maybe a Parker. I dont know.

Seth

rastachild · #2 04-02-2007, 03:32 PM

jems aren't for everyone. nice guitars, but you should definitely try out a lot of guitars before plunking down $2000+ dollars. things to take into account are the feel of the neck/fretboard radius, pick-up preference (you probably don't want to spend that much money just to have to switch out the pickups), string tension, bridge/trem preference, how the body feels against you when you play it (comfort-wise) and, of course, aesthetic appeal. sounds like you may only have considered aesthetics when you purchased that jem. also sounds like you really haven't given it a fair shot since you're afraid to play it. don't be afraid of dinging it. guitars are meant to be played and you'll never know if it's right for you if it stays locked up in its case.

JJEMMER777 · #3 04-02-2007, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvuvibanez

For one I'm afraid to play it because it is mint,

Every time I hear this I laugh

ALL my Jems are mint and I PLAY them ALL without incident!! Just be congnant

And don't but a guitar unless you're gonna play it, period! (and yes, I still consider myself a collector)

Sorry you don't like it. (can't fathom why, but to each their own)

Hey....Seth, you could always get a "Daisy Rock" guitar

bpd111 · #4 04-02-2007, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvuvibanez

I'm not really accustomed to the unergonomic design as opposed to the '88 saber I got when I fisrt started. I'm thinking I might take a stab at a Wolfie or something along those lines, maybe a Parker.

I went from an S circa 1988 to a Jem, and as much as I lived the S the transition was seamless. But that's me.

Why don't you stay with the S? If ergonomics is a concern, I don't think you're gonna like the Wolfie. Fat neck as opposed to thin on the S, and the body style is about as bulky as you can get compared to the S. No belly or forearm routs.

luvuvibanez · #5 04-02-2007, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJEMMER777

Hey....Seth, you could always get a "Daisy Rock" guitar

Ya know those swirl stickers really inspire me to pick one up and burn a few Arps

RichS · #6 04-02-2007, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvuvibanez

.... I'm not really accustomed to the unergonomic design as opposed to the '88 saber I got when I fisrt started.
Seth

When I got my RG550 years ago (this was before my JEM, but the RG is pretty much the same shape) I didn't get on with the sharp-edged body right off, but you soon get used to it.

How long have you had the JEM?
If it's a recent purchase, maybe give it a little longer before you write it off.

As for worrying about playing it because it's mint - well I guess that could apply to any quality guitar.
Don't worry - play!

Rich

dragsternj · #7 04-02-2007, 05:07 PM

If you are really concerned about design, weight, playability, innovation and features get yourself the Parker you mentioned. I have some jems and they do NOT in any way compare to the fly, nor do the others.

Playing a Parker is totally different, not only because they are so light. They somehow make playing alot more effortless and give you a variety of tonal options. Not only mixing the piezos with the magnetics also the coils splitting and stuff.

And if you start comparing features they beat almost any other guitar bar none. You just have to get over the looks, whch i personally find quite nice.

I am probably changing most of my guitars to Parkers.

espshredder · #8 04-02-2007, 05:27 PM

I dinged the edge of my 7V a few weeks ago... I was so annoyed.

The annoying thing is there is not a mark on my 555 I play for everyday use.

TongueShredder · #9 04-02-2007, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvuvibanez

For one I'm afraid to play it because it is mint

Welcome to the club

**elcid** · #10 04-02-2007, 07:34 PM

Just take the thing and smack it against a chair to put your first ding in it. Then play the fcker like you mean it

JJEMMER777 · #11 04-02-2007, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvuvibanez

Ya know those swirl stickers really inspire me to pick one up and burn a few Arps

- I WAS kidding

Quote:

Originally Posted by TongueShredder

Welcome to the club

Oh come on guys

It's not like you're playin for "The Who" or something

PLAY IT!!!!!!!!!! Or SELL IT!!!!!!!!!!

rastachild · #12 04-02-2007, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragsternj

If you are really concerned about design, weight, playability, innovation and features get yourself the Parker you mentioned. I have some jems and they do NOT in any way compare to the fly, nor do the others.

Playing a Parker is totally different, not only because they are so light. They somehow make playing alot more effortless and give you a variety of tonal options. Not only mixing the piezos with the magnetics also the coils splitting and stuff.

And if you start comparing features they beat almost any other guitar bar none. You just have to get over the looks, whch i personally find quite nice.

I am probably changing most of my guitars to Parkers.

i've tried parkers time and time again and really haven't been able to get into them. one thing that i found is that the top horn really digs into my sternum when i play sitting down, even after a few minutes. not very comfortable unless they are exclusively played standing up, imo. secondly, i didn't really like the neck or fretboard radius of the 3 that i played. very flat and thin, which others may like, but i found to be uncomfortable to my hand. but then again, i'm not a fan of the wizard profile either. i prefer something along the lines of the rt/js neck and fingerboard radius. to each his own...

rickcard71 · #13 04-02-2007, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by espshredder

I dinged the edge of my 7V a few weeks ago... I was so annoyed.

The annoying thing is there is not a mark on my 555 I play for everyday use.

Oh man that sucks! Things like that always happen, hate that. I had my VSBL, hanging on the wall always afraid to play it. Played my Wolfgang all the time at band practice at my house wasn't afraid of hurting it at all, I start to play my VSBL cuz I miss it, in a matter of 2 weeks it had 3 dings on it and I was babying it. I always take care of my guitars, but those incidentals happen. It is so easy, at band practice you turn around and "bang, " you bump into the bass players guitar.

rickcard71 · #14 04-02-2007, 10:03 PM

But anyways, in regards to the topic here. My first Jem was a VSBL (my favorite Jem by-the-way, just thought I would throw that in there), I played it for a little over a year, I figured it wasn't the right guitar for me since I'm not really a trem player and I'm not a shredder, I'm more bluesy, I'm trying to be shredder though (takes a lot of practice). I sold it, a year later I missed it, even though I'm not a shredder, it is still a great playing and sounding guitar, I bought another VSBL, than, a FP, than a BRMR, than another VSBL, sold the FP but now I'm looking for another Jem (an older model), I love these guitars. But I still have to get a LP, Strat, and 2 PRSs, (maybe my favorite). But, play it hard for a while, they are great guitars, they are good for any type of music. Ergonomacally, what? these things fit the body great!

**elcid** · #15 04-02-2007, 11:03 PM

Ergonomic? Quit Nancy-ing around and play the damn thing. Did Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, EVH, or any other legend worry about ergonomics. Hell no, they worried about rocking. Ergonomics.....In my day we didnt worry about things like that. Sell the Jem and buy a Daisy Rock, and a Coldplay CD