Played a Jem555 today.

[thedonutman]

It seemed an alright guitar, but I don't think it felt as good as my RG. And at over twice the price of my RG(I think they were selling it at £729 or something) It really didn't seem worth it.

Whats with the inlays? Did they run out of MOP or something?
Also, why is there an Edge Pro, Lo-pro or Edge on it? I mean, guitars that are almost half the price have the Edge Pro and are made in Japan?
And why is "Steve Vai" inlayed into the 24th fret? He doesn't even play a 555?

The one thing I really liked about it was the sound though, the pickups were really nice (evolutions right?)


If I get a Evolution and stick it in the bridge of my RG570, will it sound more like the 555?

[Drow Swordsman]

Yup, the pups were Evo's.

Btw, the bridge is an Edge III if made in 2007, Edge Pro II if made from 2003 to 2006, and a Lo-TRS II if made before 2003.

[Jemplyr77]

I believe 2000 was the last year for the Jr's so it would be a Lo TRS II

[Dee]

Originally Posted by thedonutman

It seemed an alright guitar, but I don't think it felt as good as my RG. And at over twice the price of my RG(I think they were selling it at £729 or something) It really didn't seem worth it.

It's really not worth it, as you've found out. The RG550 was supposed to be the stripped-down affordable JEM, and the 555 simply shouldn't exist.

Whats with the inlays? Did they run out of MOP or something?

They have to keep something in reserve and not give you TOO much! They save the full vine for the real JEM, and put half a vine on the 555 so everyone can laugh at you.

And why is "Steve Vai" inlayed into the 24th fret? He doesn't even play a 555?

Marketing.

If I get a Evolution and stick it in the bridge of my RG570, will it sound more like the 555?

It'll sound exactly like a 555 or a JEM. Anyone who tells you any different is lying.

[morris"squid finger"daley]

He's right you know.Either buy a 550 for a lot less or save your cash and buy a jem.To be honest with you the quality between the two is just the same,the only real differance is one has a monkey grip and branded pick ups.
Yes I know there are other differances,but a lets be right RGs and Jems play just the same.

Heres where the flood gates open and people will say my 7vwh is made of alder and sounds differant than base wood,my brmr sounds brighter than a bsb.I owned a Gibson Les Paul standard a few years ago and a friend of mine owned a Epiphone Les Paul and I could not tell the differance between the two,apart from one cost 1000 pounds more than the other.

Lets be right its just snobbery.I read a thread on this forum where one guys friend said he had a poor mans collection of Jems because he only owned a 7vbk and a 77brmr and he owned a pmc,like those two are rubbish compaired to a pmc,I think not.

There Ive had my rant,Im off to put my head in the fridge to cool down.

[nickcoumbe]

Originally Posted by morris"squid finger"daley

He's right you know.Either buy a 550 for a lot less or save your cash and buy a jem.To be honest with you the quality between the two is just the same,the only real differance is one has a monkey grip and branded pick ups.
Yes I know there are other differances,but a lets be right RGs and Jems play just the same.

Heres where the flood gates open and people will say my 7vwh is made of alder and sounds differant than base wood,my brmr sounds brighter than a bsb.I owned a Gibson Les Paul standard a few years ago and a friend of mine owned a Epiphone Les Paul and I could not tell the differance between the two,apart from one cost 1000 pounds more than the other.

Lets be right its just snobbery.I read a thread on this forum where one guys friend said he had a poor mans collection of Jems because he only owned a 7vbk and a 77brmr and he owned a pmc,like those two are rubbish compaired to a pmc,I think not.

There Ive had my rant,Im off to put my head in the fridge to cool down.

To be fair, I would take my jem over any of the RGs I have played/owned.

Also, to be fair againd, my jem cost more but I feel that it is worth it, although for no quantifiable reason.

I am happy with every Jap RG I have ever played, and have almost bought every one I have played.

[buddroyce]

[quote=thedonutman;661559]
And why is "Steve Vai" inlayed into the 24th fret? He doesn't even play a 555?
[quote]

It's to sucker people in. But technically EVO did have a Jem 555 neck on her for a bit.

[Dee]

Originally Posted by nickcoumbe

To be fair, I would take my jem over any of the RGs I have played/owned.

Also, to be fair againd, my jem cost more but I feel that it is worth it, although for no quantifiable reason.

Yeah, but you also like the Edge Pro II over the original Edge and Lo-Pro! I'm just messing with you. I mean, hell yes, a JEM should play better than an RG, it's a top of the line signature model versus a stripped down no-bullsh!t version. Yet somehow the RG550 appeals to me much more. I hate fanboy-ism, though.

[David McCarroll]

Well, all I can contribute is that having A/B'd a brand new 7VWH and a brand new 555, there is just no comparison, they may as well be from different planets! The 555 is square, clunky, oddly coloured, has a wierd neck finish and at least in the case of the one I played, pretty poorly set up. The 7VWH was none of the above - it did cost over double what the 555 does mind you, but the difference in quality is blatantly obvious - they may share the same pickups, but that's about it.

Is the 7VWH really worth that much more ($4995AUD as opposed to $1795AUD)? - I don't know, all I can say is that I'd consider buying a 7VWH, but I wouldn't buy a 555!