Test drove a Jem20th and Rg550 through a JSX...

[MelodyMan]

Yes, I may be a bit behind the rest of you, but I finally had the chance to get my hands on a Jem20th. I didn't even know my local music store had one, but there it was in the corner and I couldn't pass up the chance to play that puppy. It sounded great - not as hot as a 7vwh, but still awesome and of course played beautifully. Now, if only I had an extra 6 grand laying around..

I was also unaware our music store had an RG20th in ROAD FLARE RED - that is one sexy guitar. Also played very well...

I don't think I've heard a better sound than what came out of that JSX - just my opinion, but wow - it was just clear, crisp, crunchy, solid rock tone.

So do you think the RG20th only sounded good b/c it was through the JSX, or do the stock Ibanez pickups sound good through most amps? I'm wondering, b/c my plan has been to save up for a 7vwh, but if the RG550 can make me just as happy, I'd much rather not spend 2 G's...

Opinions?

[Drow Swordsman]

From what I've heard, the 550 stock pups are pretty bright. Some like them just fine, others have switched them out.

However, imo you should get the JSX head AND the RG550, which would equate to the price of a 7VWH (maybe a little bit more).

If I had the money...man oh man I'd like a JSX head myself...

[MelodyMan]

Ooooo, I never thought of that. Except I don't have a cab, so I would have to get that too...so the total would be more than the 7vwh, but it's def a better deal...

[MelodyMan]

Oh I could totally just get the 212 JSX combo - that would be cheaper and should sound the same, right?

[JJEMMER777]

Originally Posted by MelodyMan

So do you think the RG20th only sounded good b/c it was through the JSX, or do the stock Ibanez pickups sound good through most amps?

That is a very tough question because tone is such a "subjective thing" and you'll get differing opinions EVERY SINGLE time.

My advice to you is if you have been saving up (and have the money) for a Vwh, then go for the Vwh!! A Jem is a Jem and an RG550 is an RG550. Not cutting down one or the other, but they have their places in the ranks for a reason

Ya get what ya pay for Mello Man.

[Dee]

The 550 pickups are surprisingly good. I feel no need to switch them for something else, which is what I was expecting to do before I got the 550RF. They're not the best pickups on earth but they really are very usable. My only problem is the noise I'm getting. Lots of hum, but that was after I replaced the volume pot. I cannot trace any faults and I've rewired it once already. It's just a matter of moving away from the amp, but that's annoying because I play right near my computer, and it didn't happen before.

Of course, I will disagree with JEMMER. The 550 kicks ass, it's not a lesser guitar, in my opinion. Once it's set up, it plays as well as any JEM I've ever tried (I've played A LOT of JEM's) and looks a whole lot better than a VWH. Again, just my opinion. I know some will disagree but Road Flare and maple = beautiful.

[waylay00]

Originally Posted by Dee

Of course, I will disagree with JEMMER. The 550 kicks ass, it's not a lesser guitar, in my opinion. Once it's set up, it plays as well as any JEM I've ever tried (I've played A LOT of JEM's) and looks a whole lot better than a VWH. Again, just my opinion. I know some will disagree but Road Flare and maple = beautiful.

I have to agree on that as well. Granted, the quality of the wood selection might be a little better on the JEM's, but it certainly doesn't justify 3x the price.

[Dee]

[ohioplayer]

I almost fell over yesterday at GC (yes, blasphemous, I know) when the sales kid that sold me my EVO pup told me he bought the only 20th my GC got. This kid practically knocked down a nun to get my sale, yet he can afford a $6,000 jem 20th?

[MelodyMan]

Originally Posted by JJEMMER777

That is a very tough question because tone is such a "subjective thing" and you'll get differing opinions EVERY SINGLE time.

My advice to you is if you have been saving up (and have the money) for a Vwh, then go for the Vwh!! A Jem is a Jem and an RG550 is an RG550. Not cutting down one or the other, but they have their places in the ranks for a reason

Ya get what ya pay for Mello Man.

Mmm, perhaps...but how much of the 7vwh's price is due to the fact that it's Steve Vai's signature guitar? If it wasn't it prob would be somewhere in the 1000-1500 range...am I wrong? I kinda made that up...

Yes, tone is quite a subjective thing, but I feel like anything would sound kickass through the JSX...maybe I need to buy the JSX first - then figure out what guitar I want...hehehe...

How does the RG550 stack up against other high end RG's...I know you guys know a lot more about RGs than I do, so help a brotha out...please?

I agree with Dee - it looks a lot more badass than the 7vwh. True, I love the vine and the beauty of the Jem, but the Road Flare Red is just calling out to me...and it would be the first time I had a NICE guitar with a maple fingerboard...oh, decisions decisions...

[mi2tom]

What's the sheep doing up there?

[bikeman]

Originally Posted by waylay00

Granted, the quality of the wood selection might be a little better on the JEM's, but it certainly doesn't justify 3x the price.

I've said before I would expect the wood to come from the same pile for either a Jem or an RG. If they used higher spec woods for the JEM, they'd promotoe it in the literature. They don't, so I would guess for ease of manufacture they're made from the same pile of blanks in the factory.

[nuno]

agree with Dee: doing the "job" i do, i luckily have the chance to play and test many, many Ibanezes, and i can tell you that a 550 has nothing less than a JEM. in fact i prefer the 550 over the JEM. then, if you want more punchy pickups, it's just a 120$ charge.

JEM (with pickups they've choosen) = 2000$
RG550 (with pickups you've choosen) = 1200$ max.

[Dee]

Originally Posted by mi2tom

What's the sheep doing up there?

Same as the ones down here...

[funkdubious]

Is that the welsh rugby team?