I'm so ashamed

Dug · #1 05-17-2007, 07:41 PM

I picked up a JEM for the first time this past weekend. I have played for 20 years and have owned an RG 570 in the past.
I have to say.....I didnt like it. I didnt like the feel of the neck and I didnt like the Edge trem. I played a JEM VWH. I also played an RG 350 DX and it felt worse. The trem felt like a toy.
I also didnt like the middle pickup. I kept running my pick into it. If I have to recess the pickup that much to clear my pick whats the point of having one there?
These are just my opinions.
I currently own a copy of an EBMM and really prefer the beefier neck and no middle pickup.
Also, when I put the pickup selector in the neck position (on the JEM)....my hand constantly bumped it.
Too bad really. I LOVE the looks of these bad boys and am a HUGE Vai fan.
I am sorry to say, I cant play a JEM.
I really cant afford it anyway but wanted to wrap my hands around one while I had the chance.
I guess I will have to stick with a Wolfgang or EBMM.
I have a love/hate relationship with the flush mount trem. It stays in tune perfect but sometimes I want to pull on it. I also miss 24 frets from time to time.
Rant mode off......
CRAP! Jems are so beautiful!

**jaxadam** · #2 05-17-2007, 07:44 PM

To each his own. Sometimes it takes a little while to get used to things.

I'm a Hum-Hum type of guy, and when I got my FP, I wasn't fascinated with the middle pickup being there, but I got used to it.

buddroyce · #3 05-17-2007, 07:47 PM

I just lower the middle pickup in my guitars until it doesn't bother me.

Davey · #4 05-17-2007, 07:51 PM

I'm in the same boat, but it's the thickness of the neck for me

(Funny really, I can never seem to get it right.)

**jaxadam** · #5 05-17-2007, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davey

I'm in the same boat, but it's the thickness of the neck for me

As in the thickness of the neck being too thick?

I think Jems have pretty decent sized necks. But I hate super thin necks.

Davey · #6 05-17-2007, 07:55 PM

Nah, not thick enough, I don't like particularly like thick necks either.

I posted about it here: http://www.jemsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62822

Petie · #7 05-17-2007, 07:57 PM

I've never had a problem with my pick hitting a pickup, but my pick tends to sort of skim the surface of the string rather than dig in below it. The Dunlop Jazz III picks are great for that.

My only problem with my Jem is the whammy bar flicking the pickup switch.

**jaxadam** · #8 05-17-2007, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davey

Nah, not thick enough, I don't like particularly like thick necks either.

I posted about it here: http://www.jemsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62822

I hear ya... I like a thicker neck.

Some of the thinner necks just don't do it for me at all...

Dug · #9 05-17-2007, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petie

I've never had a problem with my pick hitting a pickup, but my pick tends to sort of skim the surface of the string rather than dig in below it. The Dunlop Jazz III picks are great for that.

My only problem with my Jem is the whammy bar flicking the pickup switch.

I use Jazz III's.
I guess that was another problem. The bar seemed to close too the switch/knobs.
Once again too bad for me......they are the most beautiful guitar on the planet...as far as I am concerned.

Maybe if I had one with a blocked OFR and the middle pickup buried it would be OK. I could maybe get used to the neck over time.
(If I didnt play my OLP)

JJEMMER777 · #10 05-17-2007, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dug

I am sorry to say, I cant play a JEM.

Hmmm.....can't play it, or won't give it a chance

? Remember you are used to an entirely different feel here and you can't expect it to feel right in 5 mins of playing. Ever try switching shampoos??

(bad example, lol) Also, the set up was probably crap if you tried one in a music store??? You didn't specify.

When I tried my first Jem in 2000 (vwh) it felt different (foriegn) to me as well. I was used to a strat neck. But I quicky became accoustomed to the Jem and now the strat feel TOTALLY fails in comparision. Not to mention you can do so much more with a Jem. If you ever get a chance, give it some more time.

Also, if your pick is hitting the middle pup then you are not picking correctly. Your picking too deep (just IMHO

)

Jax and Davey, I'm with you on the "super thin" necks. Feels like your playng a piece balsa wood, lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petie

My only problem with my Jem is the whammy bar flicking the pickup switch.

I had that problem too, until I got it set up correctly. I've never had that problem since with any Jem. If your trem is set up correctly, it shouldn't hit the selector switch

**jaxadam** · #11 05-17-2007, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJEMMER777

Also, if your pick is hitting the middle pup then you are not picking correctly. Your picking too deep (just IMHO

)

That's what I'm thinking. I felt a little mentally obstructed with a middle pickup, but now I don't even notice it (with no change in technique).

Jems (and Ibanez in general) might just take a little getting used to.

Especially when I went from playing Wide-Fat necks on PRS's for years.

It's strange... I pick up one of my RGs and play it. Then I go to my Caparison. The neck feels thick. Then I play the Caparison for a while and pick up an RG, and I'm like, "man, this neck feels thin..."

It's all JBND (just below noticable difference). It's what happens when our bodies get used to something, and then we switch to something else.

Like when you're driving you car home from work, and you hear a killer song. You crank the volume up. Then you get in your car the next morning, and your radio is blasting you ears off. It didn't sound that loud last night...

**jaxadam** · #12 05-17-2007, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petie

My only problem with my Jem is the whammy bar flicking the pickup switch.

I've never had that problem...

David McCarroll · #13 05-17-2007, 08:52 PM

I don't think there's any shame in not liking JEMs - what is ideal for one person doesn't suit someone else, otherwise there would only need to be one model of guitar full stop!

Mind you, of course you now have to resign from Jemsite ....... ;-)