Meaning of "JEM" - It's not in the FAQ

6828 · #1 03-10-2002, 02:20 AM

G'day all,

I tried to search the old archive for the origin, and the current archive, but couldn't find what I was looking for. I also checked the FAQ but it doesn't seem to be in there either.

I know it relates to Vai's dealings with Joe Despagni, but not much more than that.

Can someone please shed some light on the origin and then perhaps submit it to Glen for inclusion into the FAQ ?

Cheers,

Tony

**jemsite** · #2 03-10-2002, 02:30 AM

http://www.jemsite.com/axes/model/despagni.htm

6828 · #3 03-10-2002, 02:52 AM

Thanks Glen.

I guess Joe just used the phonetic spelling of "Gem" since part of the logo is a diamond shaped jewel like object.

Tony

**jemsite** · #4 03-10-2002, 03:00 AM

it's always been my personal belief (ie. non-fact) that joe just put the J in Gem and made JEM... going by the ads as your observed. I also added a blurb in the FAQ

6828 · #5 03-10-2002, 03:13 AM

Yes I thought that too, just as I hit "Submit" : )

Thanks for doing that Glen.

Tony

caprile · #6 03-10-2002, 09:12 AM

ok this may be extremely stupid.... i remember a cartoon series called JEM, featured a girl rock band. any relation? Vixen was a girl rock band...
your explanation seems so much simple anyway.

Frozen1 · #7 03-12-2002, 05:52 AM

JEM & the HOLOGRAMS ! yeah that cartoon was pure retro trash *LMAO* anyways my sister had the
set of dolls they came with guitars & a bass (bright pink & silver no less) & yeah they were b.c rich
inspired mockingbirds not ibanez 777's.

raijin · #8 04-03-2002, 08:39 AM

I threw the same question at Ibanez Japan months ago and I finally got reply from them. Here's a translation of the letter:

Thank you for your inquiry.
As you may already know, there are many theories concerning the origin of the name, "JEM".
What we were told when the Ibanez JEM series first started was that the name of Steve Vai's technician at Performance guitars was "Jem". Since the name "JEM" can also be found on Steve Vai's guitars during the years with Performance guitars, we are pretty certain this is where the name came from.

- raijin

edit- spelling

(Edited by raijin at 7:42 am on April 3, 2002)

Polaris20 · #9 04-03-2002, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Frozen1 on 3:52 am on Mar. 12, 2002
JEM & the HOLOGRAMS ! yeah that cartoon was pure retro trash *LMAO* anyways my sister had the
set of dolls they came with guitars & a bass (bright pink & silver no less) & yeah they were b.c rich
inspired mockingbirds not ibanez 777's.

Dude, they were totally hot. I was in love with Jem herself, that's why I came here in the first place. I thought it was a forum dedicated to her. But when I realized it wasn't, I thought I'd better at least go out and buy some Ibanez guitars, before someone thought I was a freak or something. :biggrin:

**jemsite** · #10 04-03-2002, 10:15 AM

Quote:

raijin on 7:39 am on April 3, 2002
I threw the same question at Ibanez Japan months ago and I finally got reply from them. Here's a translation of the letter:

Thank you for your inquiry. As you may already know, there are many theories concerning the origin of the name, "JEM". What we were told when the Ibanez JEM series first started was that the name of Steve Vai's technician at Performance guitars was "Jem". Since the name "JEM" can also be found on Steve Vai's guitars during the years with Performance guitars, we are pretty certain this is where the name came from.

Judging by their response here, Ibanez of Japan is misinformed :biggrin:

raijin · #11 04-03-2002, 10:27 AM

Quote:

jemsite on 9:15 am on April 3, 2002
Judging by their response here, Ibanez of Japan is misinformed :biggrin:

Yeah, I think so too. Just thought I'd share it. :biggrin:

- raijin

FrenchJemlover · #12 04-04-2002, 03:20 AM

Hi,

what is the relation between GEM and diamond?

thx
fred

raijin · #13 04-04-2002, 08:37 AM

A gem is a precious stone or jewel. In other words, diamond = jewel = gem.

- raijin