NGD: My MVF..... (pics included)

[etfmusic]

On my recent trip to Singapore, I found some time to look for a small traveler guitar (preferably a Traveller Speedster). While I tried hard to find any brand of small (but full-size neck) carry-on guitar and after many visits to several local guitar stores, I found myself sitting down and chatting for a good two-hours with a repair-man about Jems etc....

At one piont, he told me that he had recently purchaced a wrecked instrument (minus the broken neck) that reminded him of the Vai guitars. He had started to take the laquer off the body but time restricted him from finishing the tusk and asked me if I was interested.
It proved to be a Floral Jem.....


The upper part of the body was brighter....

Immediately, a bell rang in the back of my head, reminding me of an Ibanez-Modulus graphite neck (square heel join) that was laying around my playroom for more than two years (bought on evilbay) (there was a very short period of cooperation between Ibanez and Modulus Graphite).



The neck was number 15 as shown; I have no clue how many of these were made


That would be a nice Franken-Floral project, so the total was purchased......
(including the Lo-Pro Edge, original pickups, but no clear pickguard)

[etfmusic]

Following, since it was going to be a Franken-Floral Jem, one-of-a-kind pickup system had to be installed.

After some carefull thinking (and a lot of talking with my bro) a PRTB system (Passive Rotary Tone Booster) along with the according H-S-H pickups was purchased from Villex.



I knew that had to drill an extra hole, but I wasn't going to hurt a mint instrument.

To make the long story short, It took a few days for setting up this Modulus-Villex-Floral Jem. I wasn't even near, as I was away on a seminar. The MVF was completed on Sunday 9/27 noon time

[jono]

But no picture of the guitar as a whole

You can't make a bitsa and not show it in all its glory, that's just not fair

[jb4674]

Looks like you're missing a few frets on that neck

Jimmy

[etfmusic]

I made it just on time for tuning her myself. A show was on for that night, so (after the initial test at home) there was no doubt that the MVF was going to hit the stage.

First half was performed on my Jason Becker.



Very nice tone, sexy looks and some talking over the numbered inlays....

Then MVF went in the game and EVERYBODY noticed the difference -soundwise.



From big Les-Paul sound to nice funky clinging and everything in-between.

I hadn't been that impressed for a long time: Clear and Robust note, Full-sounding chords....

When the Passive booster was engaged, BIG TIME!



I could FEEL the difference.

The only thing that I was missing, was the high-squeeled-pinch harmonics when trying to pull them out of the instrument.

I have to try harder to see the boundaries of this pick-up system. I am thinking of getting a second one and placing it on one of my player Jems......


Any info on the number of the Modulus-Ibanez necks made and/or opinions on the PRTB system and Villex pickups, are welcome :-)

[etfmusic]

Jono you are right. I missed that one

And The MVF at home

[etfmusic]

The neck sports 22 frets (I need at least a zillion frets to show my immaculate playing style ;-) ) but I think I can survive if a have a few of my guitars are handicapped (21 or 22 frets)

[Homebake]

wow...just...wow.

[Ironjose]

wow... a what a nice story mate... are planning to buy a 24 fret neck?

[jonnyboy mills]

Hmm. womder if i have the (formerly) broken kneck on my swirl project? I will start a thread soon. just waiting for pick ups to arrive from states.
I purchased my neck off a seller on thingy bay earlyer this year, it was from tai land.
The head stock was realy faded and discoloured just like your fp body. I flatted it with 800 wet and dry and then buffed it back up with compound.
Interesting stuff.

[etfmusic]

It was there - just fixed. The owner wanted to keep it.
So it is another one.

All these projects are full with sweat but very fun if they work out the way we want them

[jim777]

Those graphite necks were for the short lived Stanley Jordan model, back around '85 or so. Stanley went to Vigier almost as soon as Ibanez started making those guitars, so the guitars themselves are pretty rare. There's a pic of Stanley playing one in the '86 catalog, but there's no info on the guitar itself. I'm guessing the board is pretty flat?

[etfmusic]

Jim

Thanx for the info. I googled myself for more info, to no avail.
The fretboard is pretty flat but very comfortable. Just a hair thicker compared to my PMC player.

I tried her on Monday on my hair metal 80's band's rehersal and my singer complimented my new guitar and sound, suggesting that I should stick to her at least for this year