Rootbeer 1987...

Gary Qwa · #1 07-12-2007, 06:45 PM

So, I've got a '87 Rootbeer on my hands.
Does anyone here have somekind of info how this can be? This isn't my guitar, but a friend of mine, and he wants to sell it (later on I'll post an ad for it in the classifieds).
I'd like to know if it's the real deal, not some let's-do-a-trick-and-switch-the-neckplates type of scam, because - as far as I'm conserned - the mass-production for these took place between the years '88 and '89.
One difference that can be instantly seen, is that the fretboard is a lot darker than in my '88 Rootbeer (eben, maybe.?.)

Share some light if You can.

Thanks in advance,

G.Q

Sabre · #2 07-12-2007, 06:55 PM

Theres 2 apparently, Steve himself has one and:

http://www.jemsite.com/forums/showth...&highlight=Vai

jemplayer55 · #3 07-12-2007, 07:09 PM

You'll have to post some pic's of that baby..... Please??

Gary Qwa · #4 07-12-2007, 07:30 PM

Aww man... The guy who ownes this guitar told a story, like it was somekind of proto batch that was made in '87 and it never should've ended up here in Finland, but some of them were up for sale

...
He bought it from a local musician back in the 90s. This thing has been heavily played and has dings in the body and rust on the trem, but it works great!
Tomorrow I'll post the ad for it and send pics via email to those who share interest for it.

Thanks For helping me out!

G.Q

jemplayer55 · #5 07-12-2007, 07:32 PM

Heck, I'd still like to see it.

stratosqueeg · #6 07-12-2007, 07:48 PM

Hey bro

Does the axe have the rare palm rest over the tremolo?

In any case if it is an 87, then yes it is a rare batch that was never intended
for the consumer market.

Those 87's do not even exist in the archived production chart.

http://www.jemsite.com/jem/production.htm.

I was told this by Mr. Vai's dealer rep who has been his rep for a very long time while Steve himself was beside him with my axe in his own hands
agreeing that it should never have been let go to the public.

Vai himself said that he thought he was the only one with the 87 batch.
But with confidence his rep knew exactly the history of my 87 and admitted that he screwed up and had released a few into the wild so to speak!

That to me is really cool so if buddy wants to sell it, buy it or let him know what he has. Rich on Ibanez Rules just recently sold an 87 RB for $2,000.

They are really gorgeous!!! Mine is mint and luckily the original owner I bought it from loves SRV so was about to hack and strip that RB because he wanted a custom look! I ended up trading his RB (now mine) for a Kramer tele (MIck Mars) At first I thought I got screwed because those Kramers are rare too but who ever knew!!!

Congrats....... Hey if it does sell, let me know.....
I'd love to have a player..

Cheers

Squeegy

bluealien · #7 07-12-2007, 08:02 PM

I have a 87, without the palm rest.. #870881, the fretboard is rosewood and the best felling oiled neck out of all my JEMs.

JJEMMER777 · #8 07-12-2007, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluealien

I have a 87, without the palm rest.. #870881, the neck is rosewood and the best felling necks out of all my JEMs.

and it's not for sale

Gary Qwa · #9 07-12-2007, 08:07 PM

Great info!!!
It doesn't have the palm rest, though, but it comes with the original hard case. But the story goes so fine with Your's Stratosqueeg, so no doubt that it's an '87.
I checked the story where mr. Vai signed Your RB twice and, darn, Your guitar IS MINT - CONGRATS

! This one is no where near, but it was previously owned by a pro-musician and he must have liked SRV, so there you go

.
I'm not setting the price for it, I'm just more of a "middle-hand" and an interpreter, so all You folks have to wait until tomorrow. Then I'll know the price he wants and then, obviously, You'll know too

.

I'll email pics to those who share interest, but if demand runs high, then I guess I'll put some to my Photobucket.

Until next time...

G.Q

Rich · #10 07-12-2007, 08:19 PM

Some people should never believe what they're told. That story is rediculous, as if his rep had some kind of control over the factory or the 52 distributors.

I've had several 87's, they're not that rare. It's no mystery batch, the years posted on jemsite are the years of US importation only, and that's as "official" as it gets. The number of guitars found with 87 plates tells a different story, but it's not the one your friend wants to believe because that story would somehow add imagined value. A 87' is worth a little more because it's a first year, but typically only to a collector that type of thing matters too, and then it has to be in condition comensurate with "collectibility".

JJEMMER777 · #11 07-12-2007, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

and then it has to be in condition comensurate with "collectibility".

com·men·su·rate (k-mnsr-t, -shr-) KEY

ADJECTIVE:

1.) Of the same size, extent, or duration as another.

2.) Corresponding in size or degree; proportionate: a salary commensurate with my performance.

**3.) Measurable by a common standard; commensurable.

stratosqueeg · #12 07-12-2007, 08:27 PM

Sweeet axe bro

Those are my over all fav, then the Jem 10th.....

My serial is 870880. I have no clue after the first two digits
on what they mean but a fellow forum brother told me that
the number is at mid point production, so..........what ever that means...

In any case it's a shame on my end because I never play it any more.
After that little history lesson I just left her in her case.
It still has Steve Vai's oily finger prints all over the axe.

It's funny I first bought a mint 88 FP with no neck joint cracks or anything.
The pink on the pick ups faded a tad. So I figured I better by this
RB for a player and not use the FP so much. Then I find out it's history and now have 2 jems I don't touch because they are almost mint.

So I bought a Jem 10th which is a good 7.5 / 8 out of 10 which I was hoping it was played too shyt so I wouldn't feel bad. So I caved and finally snagged a VWH and a DY for my players... Thanks again Eddie & Robin!

I just love these axes. Those jems and some of my Kramers are just amazing!

My buddy Tony Springer is coming over on Sunday to Jam and I'm gonna pull out a Jem for him to play. He loves his strats equipped with a real floyd!
(Almost sambora-ish) SO it should be fun to see his expression with as Jem.

Even when he was David Bowies axe slinger he was crazy!
Then again he is pure nuts
Good times

Squeeg!

stratosqueeg · #13 07-12-2007, 08:38 PM

Hi Rich

I know you are a well respected person here on the forum
and a good business man making some good coin on some inflated pricing!
That is just your opinion and that's all. No offence bro I know you have the connections but your no Ibanez Historian. I believe what I was told
one on one with Vai and his rep!

I don't really like the fact that you are simply calling me a liar!
Not cool but hey it's your opinion.

That's what really happened and yes Steve's rep did tell me that he screwed up!

It's too bad you were not there but 15 other people were.
It could be confirmed if you would like to speak with Rob from LA music.
(owners son)

I have nothing to be dishonest about, either way I like my axe and am excited to own one

Believe what you want Rich, I don't really care!
In fact if those axes are not so rare then please everyone who reads this, if you get the opportunity to meet Mr. Vai in the near future, ask him "If he thought he was the only person with the 87 RB and if you like ask him about meeting the guy with the 87 RB in Toronto" If he says no & no then
I'm full of crap, you have my word.... the person who proves it will obtain a free RB out of my hands!

Thanks

Squeegy

Rich · #14 07-12-2007, 08:43 PM

I said people should not always believe what they're told, and somehow you imagine that's me calling you a liar? Whatever.

The story is rediculous, the guitars prove it. And in those days they would make guitars in large batches for release, just because it was built in 87' or has an 87' plate does not mean it was SOLD or released in 87'. If his "rep" knew anything he'd know this of course. And Steve, was just talking, because his "rep" said something he was "backing him up".

Love the crack about the inflated pricing. That same RB I sold for 2k RESOLD on e-bay a few months later, for 2k

stratosqueeg · #15 07-12-2007, 08:49 PM

Well Rich if that's the case then Steve VAi is good salesman because
I believed every word and thought it was cool!

Hm,mmm either way it's still a nice axe to play on! Rich any idea (ballpark)
on how many 87 RB's were produced? Out of curiousity.

Blue Alien it's cool to see that our serial numbers are one digit off!

Our RB's are brothers.

Good times