Please explain the difference.

[Ibanezgrx405]

Can somebody please explain the difference between a JEM 555, JEM 7, JEM 77, and JEM 777?

[failsafe306]

The search function is your friend. Be not afraid.

[screamndemon69]

555 = Made In Korea
all 7's = Made In Japan

The 7's used to have more meaning (rear routed, front routed) but that is now becoming a thing of the past for new models. I haven't read the archives in awhile so you should pop over to the home page here and check the specs for comparisons and more info on different models.

[andy7jem]

The difference is.........they are all different!!!!

[Kerem]

Can't compare 555 with others

[elcid]

The 555 is pretty much the Epiphone or Squire of the Jem series. It looks like the real thing but it just isnt. The 7, 77, and 777 all shoot lazers and make you able to play better.

[Eggy]

Originally Posted by elcid

The 555 is pretty much the Epiphone or Squire of the Jem series. It looks like the real thing but it just isnt. The 7, 77, and 777 all shoot lazers and make you able to play better.

Man, if only this forum had sig's available

[Fender868]

Originally Posted by elcid

The 555 is pretty much the Epiphone or Squire of the Jem series. It looks like the real thing but it just isnt. The 7, 77, and 777 all shoot lazers and make you able to play better.

Yeah but even the epiphones tend to play better than their sister models from Gibson, but we can't even say that for the 555. It's an overpriced mess. For the money you could always go for the prestige Rg alternative. It's much better than paying over a grand for an RG350dx with a handle cut out of it.

[elcid]

Can Epiphone or Gibson ever be mentioned without an "Epiphone is better than Gibson" comment? Sure some people like Epiphone better than Gibson, but some people like McDonald's better than a good steak, and some people put ketchup on hot dogs. Granted these people usually ride little buses and wear helmets but it happens.

[IbanezFreak777]

just like car companies, the more expensive models are better and the cheaper ones are worse.....

If your planning to buy any of them, try and get the best of the lot that you can afford....

[elcid]

Right, because quality has absolutely to do with price.
A Jem and a 555 use different parts and the 555 is made by (generally) lesser skilled workers but the price for the parts and wages are exactly identical.

[CosmicDebris]

Originally Posted by elcid

Right, because quality has absolutely to do with price.
A Jem and a 555 use different parts and the 555 is made by (generally) lesser skilled workers but the price for the parts and wages are exactly identical.

I think we could bet better guitars for less money if we work the children slave labor longer hours for less money. Instead of two bits a week give them a candy bar. Not a full size candy bar but fun size so they have fun you know. It's all about the children.

[Fender868]

Originally Posted by elcid

Can Epiphone or Gibson ever be mentioned without an "Epiphone is better than Gibson" comment? Sure some people like Epiphone better than Gibson, but some people like McDonald's better than a good steak, and some people put ketchup on hot dogs. Granted these people usually ride little buses and wear helmets but it happens.

No we can't elcid because I along with a lot of other members are throwing a friggin flamed **** at the gentlemen who operate the quality control standards at Gibson. I don't get which logo you prefer, the guitar that is worth less should usually play like it does. Otherwise, would you carefully explain to me where the point is in spending twice the cash for a guitar with better parts , but that plays and at times is crafted inferiorly ? I've picked at this topic for ages, but out of the hundreds of Gibsons i've tried ( i mean hundreds as i go from shop to shop searching for a worthwhile LP and SG), so few of them turned out to be able to go toe to toe against their cheaper relatives.

Now the Jem 555 stands in just about the same situation only here we see a difference. You'll very rarely get a guy coming here to talk about how his 555 smokes your Jem 10th or collection of MC's. Maybe it's because there are less 555's, but in general i feel that the work done in korea is decent, but is reflected in the price. Such is the same for the japanese made. Il gladly pay the extra couple hundreds to buy an instrument with outstanding craftsmanship, parts and superior playability.

Anyways, without drifting away too from the topic, i will close by stating a popular opinion. Epiphone > Gibson (that means that Epiphone made Gibson it's B I T C H :P ).

Now then, stay away from 555's unless you play one that you really feel is great. After all, Steve's neck is a 555 neck - he must have saw something out of it.

[elcid]

So absolutely no blame goes to the shop? You just pull a guitar off the shelf and expect it to play awesome, being shipped and sitting in storage or on the sales floor shouldnt affect anything.
But that's not the point Im making right now, the guy asked about a Jems, I compared it to other cpmanies making a premier model and subcontracting another company to make an entry model at no point was this a Gibson Vs Epiphone thread, but you saw the two names next to each other and had to run with it.

Yes, the Gibson name adds to the price, just like the Jem name adds to the price.

Maybe you dont care about how the people that make your instruments are treated as long as you can get cheap gear that looks like the real thing, and keep saying that Epiphone is better, maybe if you say it enough one day you will believe it.

Also I KNOW if you search these boards you will find people who say their 555 is as good as a real Jem.

I will close by stating another popular opinion Gibson > Epiphone (that means Gibson wipes it's ass with Epiphone :P ).

[Dino]

Careful, they may bring down the quality just so Gibson can say they are better...