Japan or Korea?

[aliensurfer777]

I'm a bit confused on the whole Japan/Korea issue with newer jems. I've heard that they are now made in Korea. But I have a brand new jem here that says "made in Japan". Can someone explain what the deal is there? I know what the headstock says doesn't always dictate where it was made. My kramer says "Neptune, NJ", but it isnt an American guitar. anyway, any help would be appreciated. thanks

[ryanb]

Jems are still made in Japan. Many of the lower-end lines are made in Korea.

[King Knall]

The only Jems made in Korea are the JEM-Jr (Jem333) and the JEM555. However, these are no longer available to the American market. The rest of them are made in Japan, along with the Universe, JS (excluding the JS100), PGM, PM, JSM, GB, AT, K7, RG Prestige, and the J-Customs (which are sold in Japan, though some other countries have the priviledge of selling them).

[JJEMMER777]

Originally Posted by aliensurfer777

But I have a brand new jem here

Eh...hem........on this forum you must state WHICH JEM

If it's brand new....gotta be a 7vwh or Brmr


We love pics too

Oh yeah...and what they said.

[King Knall]

Originally Posted by JJEMMER777

We love pics too

Definitely

PICS ARE NEEDED!

[aliensurfer777]

I see. So all the upper end models are made in Japan still, but the starter packs and Rgs and a bunch of others were shipped to Korea for yet even cheaper production costs. Genious >_< Im sorry for not specifying. Its a 7VWH. And I figured posting pictures of the trillionth vwh would be redundant. But, if someone can explain HOW to post pics, I'd be happy to. Ive got a few good shots of it.

[giannifive]

Originally Posted by aliensurfer777

I see. So all the upper end models are made in Japan still, but the starter packs and Rgs and a bunch of others were shipped to Korea for yet even cheaper production costs. Genious >_< Im sorry for not specifying. Its a 7VWH. And I figured posting pictures of the trillionth vwh would be redundant. But, if someone can explain HOW to post pics, I'd be happy to. Ive got a few good shots of it.

Actually, it seems that the hierarchy is now Japan, Korea, and Indonesia. Many of the cheap (and not so cheap) electrics are now made in Indonesia. This includes the 2005 RG321 and the RG7321. The mid-level electrics, the Prestige S-series, and the high end acoustics are made in Korea. All other Prestiges, J-customs, etc., are made in Japan.

[lyconxero]

Well I just learned something new. You mentioned that the RG321 was now made in Indonesia and I thought it was made in Korea with the rest of the regular RG line but I picked up my guitar and low-and-behold it IS made in Indonesia. That explains a lot, but at the same time very little.

[chjemp]

Definitley Japan, beacuse Japan have the best luthiers and workers producing the best guitars in their factories. But then you have your starter packs and **** made in korea, or indonesia, or china, but even though those Inbanez ae made in the "****ty" factories they are still better than the generic brands

[JESTER700]

I wouldn't lump Korean instruments as a group with Chinese & Indonesian ones. They're generally a step up these days. And certainly the cheap Ibanez models I've seen don't beat competitors across the board at a given price. If you like a certain model (especially if it's unique to Ibanez), that's fine, but they don't have the market cornered on quality. It's gotten very competitive from the cheap Agiles and Jay Tursers to the "high line" stuff, and very few stand out.