The Ibanez Jem - 50K Celebration (feedback wanted)

[johncowan]

But...what if the buyer doesn't order a case? What if they just want a gig bag? Cases aren't included in the purchase price. LOL

I knew when I wrote that post you in particular would bring this up.  So here's the alternative, pick 50 serial numbers of the last 5,000 guitars.  People who buy Jem's through that year go to Ibanez.com and see if your serial number wins a prize.  Prizes could be Jem memorabilia, actual JEm's and a day with Stevie and Mike.

How cool would that be.  

If the celebration has to include a guitar, I would suggest some way of personalizing them by possibly using good figured maple caps on mahogony bodies with an unfinished rosewood neck.  I'd say the vine inlay would be done in paua.  Oh and yes, you would have your choice of stains for the top.  Of course with the wood change, we'd probably need some different pups...although I bet EVO's would work well.  I like it when the Jem's are swirls or would offer more personal choices...so that your guitar is a little more personal.  I also agree that keeping the price tag more reasonable would be really helpful to everyone.

[babahi]

Originally Posted by vaijem777

Then your posting here is completely and utterly useless and without merit. If you don't like it, don't read the thread and don't post. Obviously you have no interest in buying such a guitar anyway, so why waste everybody's time with such tripe?

Go over to the PRS Forum and waste their time whining about the $10K and up they charge for the overly-ostentatious Dragon models. The DNA proved that there is a market for extremely high-priced JEMs, therefore Ibanez knows that they CAN (and most likely will) ask that much, if not more, for a guitar. It's more than obvious that you're not the target demographic for such a model as is being discussed here and that's fine. But the purpose of this thread is to offer constructive suggestions in regards to the model itself. Not to bitch about prices that YOU think are too high.

Aside from simply being wrong, you're judging a bit too quickly; I never said I wasn't interested in buying one, only that I would like it not to be expensive. MM asked for thoughts and opinons and I gave it. Or should I start a whole new thread to state my opinion?

Also, I am just as entitled to my opinion about the pricing of their guitars as I am to their features. Both are relevant points. I happen to find the DNA very nice, but would never gratify Ibanez's pockets with what they were asking for them. Had they been considerably cheaper, I would have picked one up, as I did with other JEMs in the past.

Also, this is relevant because I am part of the Ibanez guitar market. I have bought 2 JS10's, a JS2K, a JEM GMC, VSBL, FP, UV777BK, PGM10 and other high end Ibanez signature guitars. Check out Ibanezregister.com. You are dead wrong when you state that I "obviously" am not interested in buying one. Where is this obvious? The only obvious thing is that I disagree with their pricing of some past commemorative models. You only assume the rest by rushing to your own conclusions based on your own agenda. That's not a good thing.

And since I own a number of Ibanez's and no PRS guitars, this is the approriate place to post my opinon, which is neither slanderous nor derogatory. This is also the appropriate thread. since it is about the possoble next commemorative guitar. As for features, I have no opinion on what I'd like to see, I prefer to be surprised.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Jeff

The choice for this is obvious ::

Royal Blue (not a transparent/stained top)
White pickguard with some etched feathers and a vine in it filled with black or silver paint
Chrome hardware
12th fret inlay of 2 feathers
Painted headstock with something to do wtih 50k models

Another dark color would work as well.

[Petie]

How about this milestone is celebrated with a simultaneous Jemfest in several countries? Have Ibanez produce a batch of commemorative Jems - something unique but recognisable like Neville maybe - and give one or two away at each country's event? And Steve could broadcast a set by satellite (or pre-recorded on video if that's too expensive) like David Bowie did recently for the launch of his Reality album, with an interactive Q&A session.

Oooh! And Steve could use a different model Jem for each song!

[vaijem777]

Babahi- YOU couldn't be more wrong if you tried, and I couldn't care less about what you have to say if I DID try. It's simply not possible. All that youv'e done is bitched and whined about how expensive the recent limited models have been. You offered NO suggestions, constructive or otherwise, in regards to a 50K celebration. None. Not one. I couldn't give a $hit as far as what you have or what you have had. You've offered NOTHING of value in this thread.

I have no agenda. I'm honestly not that interested in where the JEM line goes anymore. But I do realize that the purpose of this thread is to voice ideas and thoughts of what a fitting celebration would be for the 50K sales landmark. Whining about how some Ibanez' models have been "overpriced" is idiotic and is as pointless as can be.

[CrossingStar]

I like the idea of re releasing the LNG but with AANJ.

[jemsite]

NOTE TO EVERYONE

LETS LOSE THE DEBATE IN THIS THREAD

[Akhenaten]

Like many here, I got really excited to hear the commentary track and started itching for February to come only to find out the Chrome Jem was a phantom that would not materialize. I understand the reasons...just wish it'd happen. Sustainer or not, it's a beautiful guitar, and 5 grand or not, I'd buy it...

[babahi]

Sorry glen, I wrote before yours came up in the post. I just removed it to correspond to your wishes. But it was friendly!

I have ruminated a bit on the features of the guitar itself: whatever Ibanez does, I think a lot of people, myself included, would like to see an AANJ on it. But a swirl might be a bit redundant on this model, unless they found a way to make it radically different. Still, I can't see how, as neon colours have been done, as well as dark colours (DNA). Maybe it would be best to do an updated (not reissued) GMC? Those colours seem timeless to me.

[mattj]

I like the thought of a special one off guitar, maybe have a big contest to give it away or something. Just taking the 50,000th Jem off the line and making a special case for it and nice certificate for it would be cool too, maybe have Steve sign it and have a drawing to give that one away or put it in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or the Smithsonian. It is after all for the 50,000th jem, not 500 or so 50,000th model Jems.
Matt

[Fry]

I don't know if it has already been said, cause I'm not gonna read this whole thread, but I think that a version of a neck-through vwh would be perfect.

[disassociative1]

I have ruminated a bit on the features of the guitar itself: whatever Ibanez does, I think a lot of people, myself included, would like to see an AANJ on it. But a swirl might be a bit redundant on this model, unless they found a way to make it radically different. Still, I can't see how, as neon colours have been done, as well as dark colours (DNA). Maybe it would be best to do an updated (not reissued) GMC? Those colours seem timeless to me.

i think a TRANSPARENT SWIRL is the way to go.
maybe 2 different blues over quilt or flame maple, i almost think this is the ovious thing to do realy, it would be nice and fresh subtle yet jem esque wacky, it woukd have everythin

i dont think think they should touch green and black again the gmc is a classic and to do somethin coparable would mar that.

[ukwan]

Gold Floral Pattern with AANJ.. ooh how would that turn out.. purdy!

[bpd111]

In my opinion, the gold anniversary edition isn't really appropriate. While it is a very neat idea, and one that occurred to me before I read any other posts, to me the 50th "golden" anniversary refers to 50 years. If it did refer to product numbers, should there be a 50th anniversary model Chevy Corsica (and many other car models).

I'd like to see those who may purchase the 50,000th JEMs get treated somehow. I don't know if they'll be able to know exactly who the lucky guy will be, but maybe a sweepstakes of some kind. Maybe Steve goes on a mini concert tour, and those who bought JEMs around the 50,000 mark get free tickets. Something like that.

It seems to me that there are plenty of special edition JEMs. To create too many lessens their value. I don't think Ibanez wants to do that. Although, I do like the idea of a color-changing JEM.

[jem7vwh]

about the p&w idea, nevermind....


I still think a very formal elegant one would look great. White and gold with detail work.