is the jem really worth it????

stratman219 · #1 10-26-2002, 04:50 PM

i'm looking at getting the jem 7dbk but i can get the rg 550 or other 500 series for more than half as much and there very similar. and i'll probably change the pickups in the rg. if i were to get the jem i would have to sell my fender american strat to get it, which i don't really want to do. if i get the rg i won't have to. and since the 7dbk pretty much has the wizard neck anyway, and the lo pro isn't much different from the normal edge, why not?

sniperfrommars1 · #2 10-26-2002, 05:26 PM

The Jem is worth the extra money. Just remember you get more bells and whistles when you buy a jem. I like to think of it like this. THe 500 series of rgs is comparable to an american standard strat, in quality and line placement by ibanez. The jems are top of the line instruments, so its not just as simple as what you said. Go out and play one, and if you like it go for it. IF you cant justify it, just buy the 500 series

kennydoe · #3 10-26-2002, 06:09 PM

There's plenty of info here on the RG550 vs. Jem arguement.

They're both fine instruments. As SFM said, the Jem has a lot more bells & whistles.

I'd say if you want to keep your Strat, but still want an Ibanez, buy a 550 and replace the pickups (an additional $150-200 or so investment).

For a long time, my two guitars were a 550 and a Strat. They're very different animals and I'd grab whichever one suited my mood better at that moment. They're both nice guitars, both sounded great - in my eyes/ears/hands they were different tools for different jobs.

Better to have a choice, I think.
~K

davester1234 · #4 10-26-2002, 07:53 PM

i find the neck on the jem to feel better. It just feels better in your hands.....maybe thats just placibo or something, because I 'think' its better, therefore it is.....i dunno, thats what the dudes at the music store tell me.
I really find 550's and such to feel cheap though. Its like, tough to play fast, just like it is (for me) to play fast on a fender!

caprile · #5 10-26-2002, 07:55 PM

I think we often over-rationalize these arguments. Expensive guitars ARE luxury items, and you should consider that in your decision.

A $1500 guitar is better built than a $500 one, but is it objectively 3 times better? most likely, not, but you are paying for the non-priceable satisfaction of getting that 'toy'

pawel · #6 10-26-2002, 08:01 PM

Glen (aka Jemsite) has done an evaluation of the RG vs the Jem http://www.jemsite.com/axes/htm_opin...ax.htm#j_vs_rg but as sniperfrommars has said, if you can't justify the price yourself, get the 500 series...

RAI6 · #7 10-26-2002, 08:04 PM

Bells and whistles................
Look at it this way:
What does a JEM have that YOU can hear and feel that makes it worth twice as much?
Can hear and feel the vine/screwhead inlay and the gold hardware?
Can you hear the monkey grip and lions claw?
Is that funky "stucco" finish going to make you play better?
If you like to SHOW your guitar, get a JEM.
But if sound and feel is all that matters, go for something else.
Now, don't get me wrong, I would love to have a 7VWH!
But for the money I would probably rather have a complete custom guitar built, and still have dough left over.
And for that I would probably buy something nice from Frederick's of Hollywood for my wife...

dcord · #8 10-26-2002, 09:22 PM

JEMs have an extra level of quality controls applied to them. This includes the neck forming by hand, to the fret polishing. They also have DiMarzio pickups in them, standard. There's an element of cost also associated to the inlay work.

Personally, I find the RG5xx and above to be the better bargain, since the RG series shares the same body wood generally, and the same hardware. Pickups are easily swappable to your taste for not much money... Also, I have this "weird" dislike of owning "someone else's" guitar.

~d~

stratman219 · #9 10-26-2002, 09:34 PM

i think i'll go for the 550. its much cheaper and i'm only 15 and don't have a job. i really don't want to sell my strat either. i found the rg 550 for 500. to me, its not worth spending 700 dollars more and getting rid of a strat for something that is almost identical. if i find the jem 7dbk used somewhere, i'll probably get that, but i havn't had any luck with that and i don't want to buy it online either, i want to play the guitar first and see the condition and setp and all that so i don't get ripped off. thanks anyway for the help

caprile · #10 10-26-2002, 10:39 PM

you can get (in the US!) a 550 for less than $500. maybe a want ad in the classifieds here??

stratman219 · #11 10-26-2002, 11:37 PM

the 550 i would get new for 500. they go used for about 350

stratman219 · #12 10-26-2002, 11:56 PM

i can get one from music go round online for 700 or 800. i've emailed them and asked the about the guitars. the one for 700 just has yes or no answers but the one for 800 described it and everything. i might order it used from music go round for 800. i have two days to contact them about a return after i get the guitar. since i can return it and everything maybe i'll get that. i'll update you guys later

rvj · #13 10-27-2002, 11:02 AM

Stratman, use caution when dealing with Music-Go-Round. They have a tendency to leave out small details in regards to condition. I checked out a Jem VBK that was described as excellent condition. When I seen it, it had numerous dents and scratches, poor set-up, and a cracked pickguard, all of which were conveniently left out of the description.

urkoman · #14 10-27-2002, 12:17 PM

I prefer rhe Edge over the LoPro, but...do you know there´s a LoPro equipped 550?

jeff l · #15 10-27-2002, 12:21 PM

Stratman,
I'd say get the 550 'cause it's obvious that you'd regret selling your strat. However, if you *do* decide to get a new Jem then do yourself a favor and use Rich Harris. I got my new DBK through him and I was NOT dissapointed.

As a matter of fact, I can thank many of the regulars here for recommending him so highly and so often over the years.