"Jem Series" 2002 Ibanez Catalog - They know you're here....

kirk · #1 04-04-2002, 09:56 AM

I didn't see that anyone had mentioned this, but it is kind of noteworthy as it refers to a lot of us here on Jemsite:

From the Ibanez 2002 catalog:
"Thanks to a loyal legion of dedicated Steve Vai/JEM fans (an amazing number of whom are impressive guitarists in their own right) each JEM guitar becomes an almost instant collector's item. *Why "almost?" *Because Steve Vai and Ibanez designed his gutars to be so playable and capable of such a wide range of tones that they simply can't be left in the case."

I like to think that they're talking about "us" in this catalog blurb.

BTW I am actually starting to like the new blue - more and more every time I look at the catalog.

One more thing, they are also listing the "Prestige" moniker by the description of the Jem neck - don't know if that means anything to anyone, but it's the first time I'd seen these necks referred to by this name.

(Edited by kirk at 9:02 am on April 4, 2002)

vaijem777 · #2 04-04-2002, 11:04 AM

I saw that little blurb too and instantly thought of Jemsite

I played one of the new JEMs last night when I picked up my RGT3120 (as well as one of the new JS2000s), and the finish definitely does grow on you. *It's so subtle that you can't really appreciate it unless you've got one in your hands. *Cool guitars, but I think I'll wait until they start hitting the secondary market before I even consider getting one.

I think that the Prestige neck simply means that the neck undergoes the extra few hand-finishing steps that the JS and Prestige model necks get. *It's definitely a nice, smooth feeling neck. *

Joel Lyndgohrd · #3 04-05-2002, 03:03 AM

Haven't seen the catalog yet, but it is nice to see that Ibanez recognizes all the JEM fans. I give it two thumbs up! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :lame:

Two hands31 · #4 04-05-2002, 07:17 AM

I asked about the "Prestige" comment before, and there is NO CHANGE in the process from what it was before, they're simply acknowledging the fact that JEMs are better than, say, RGs. *:biggrin:

babahi · #5 04-05-2002, 02:25 PM

Interesting, but then -- what do they do to a guitar to consider it a PRESTIGE? Only hand finishing on the neck? It seems like no one knows this exactly. I mean, Ibanez sure charges a bit more for the PRESTIGE guitars, not just the signature models...

kirk · #6 04-06-2002, 05:49 PM

I think there are significant differences in the Prestige models besides the finishing of the necks - you're taking about "upgraded" (using that term lightly) woods in the bodies, fingerboards and tops, different hardware (finishes on hardware more specifically) usually non-Ibanez pickups that are commonly direct mounted.

But we're talking about the necks here aren't we? *I just thought it was unusual to see the Prestige tag on a "signature" (there's another heavily debated moniker) guitar.

**jemsite** · #7 04-06-2002, 05:52 PM

time to add "prestige neck" to the FAQ.

as discussed before, the "prestige" logo shown in the cats is a marketing designation of a process that has been done to the signature model necks since they were first made. With the various models now sold, and signature axe pricing, labeling the japanese signature model necks as "prestige" makes absolute sense to me

nuno · #8 04-06-2002, 06:05 PM

dear Ibanez,
since you know we're there, i got a question for you:

...put out a new 540PII!!!!

babahi · #9 04-06-2002, 06:47 PM

Glen, that makes sense! However, I knew that much already. The only thing I want to know (which was my question in the first place) is what these exact "6 extra steps" are. Ibanez only says that and no more. So I'm curious as to what the difference will be between, say a SC620 and teh SC1620 Prestige model. Or the Prestige RG. Or the Prestige S. Ok, so it's something done to the necks -- but what? Do feel silkier? Are they multi-radiused? Do they deep fry them in batter? Or are we all swayed by the hype, citing "Prestige is better" as our mantra without realising that we don't even know why?

jem7vwh · #10 04-06-2002, 06:49 PM

yup. *As I understood it, "Prestige" necks receive extra attention from the crew. *Aren't Prestige Ibanez models simply a subset of the J-Custom line? *Since the sig models are made in the same place, it makes sense that they would be classified "Prestige" too.

caprile · #11 04-06-2002, 07:09 PM

well, if they put a list price of nearly $2400, at the very least it should be a prestige neck......

kirk · #12 04-06-2002, 08:25 PM

Shouldn't it be a J-Custom neck? *

**jemsite** · #13 04-06-2002, 09:58 PM

Quote:

babahi on 5:47 pm on April 6, 2002
Glen, that makes sense! However, I knew that much already. The only thing I want to know (which was my question in the first place) is what these exact "6 extra steps" are. Ibanez only says that and no more. So I'm curious as to what the difference will be between, say a SC620 and teh SC1620 Prestige model. Or the Prestige RG. Or the Prestige S. Ok, so it's something done to the necks -- but what? Do feel silkier? Are they multi-radiused? Do they deep fry them in batter? Or are we all swayed by the hype, citing "Prestige is better" as our mantra without realising that we don't even know why?

what jem7vwh said

Prestige is *not* hype.

Ibanez has not outlined what the steps are, but with the Prestige neck you can deduce the extra finishing touches, sanding/finishing the rear, tweaking the frets, etc. They are not multi-radiused (which would be absurd IMHO anyways) unless specified for a certain model (ie. JS1000 line). The difference between a 620 and 1620 should be *very* obvious and if it's not then get the 620 and pocket the spare change.

See the FAQ (last entry) for my outline of Prestige. Ibanez has been using the Prestige label since '96 with the USRG30s and when those were discontinued, simply shifted the "prestige" label to the j-custom for sales in the domestic japanese marketplace. Later on reintroducing "Prestige" guitars in the USA (import marketplace). It's very obvious that Ibanez is also using "Prestige" to distinuguish the models which get extra TLC, which is very smart IMHO... glen

jem7vwh · #14 04-06-2002, 10:39 PM

yup. *JEM's and J-Customs and their early USA Custom brothers and sisters have nicer necks IMHO. *If you ever get a chance to A/B them, grab the highest model RG (non Prestige) you can find, then grab a JEM or a J-Custom. *You'll notice a difference.

The first thing I always notice is the Quality Control. *No one's perfect, and you'll come across a bum JEM or J-Custom every once in a while, but on the whole- a JEM7VWH neck is a JEM7VWH neck. *There's a certain consistency that is sometimes lacking in the RG models. *A perfect example is this RG-450 I have. *I love it's neck. *It's as close as you can get to a JEM7VWH neck at under $300.00. *However, I've never found another one that plays like it. *On the other hand, pretty much every JEM7VWH plays similar. *Wide, fast, and rounded. *Not as thick as the original 777 necks, but not as "flat" on the back as Wizard neck. *That's the difference.

Of course, with bona-fide Prestige models (ie. RG3120 on up) you'll get the special Super Wizard neck with the extra volute work and all the fun stuff.

Kevan · #15 04-06-2002, 11:13 PM

[quote] jemsite on 8:58 pm on April 6, 2002

Quote:

Prestige is *not* hype.

But the J-Customs are?
Dude...make up your mind.