Thinking of a UV

Fender868 · #1 11-08-2007, 06:11 PM

Hey all!

I am soon expecting a Jem 777SK, but i just occured to me that i want a guitar that will do a much different job. I've played a few sevens, but i was told the universe is really one of the best ones out there. It would seem they are easy to adapt to because of the neck.

Would anyone be willing to share some pictures and some experiences with them ? OR compare them to the Jem. I do not own a 7 string, but would this be a good guitar to recommend ?

Thank you , and btw which one should i get? I'd like to get one for as little as i can , but i don't want it to be the cheapest model either

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**jemaholic** · #2 11-08-2007, 06:21 PM

I love UV's. Vai actually designed these guitars and they are sensational - once you've gotten used to them....it's like playing a piano with only 73 keys and then discovering an 88-key piano. More range, more options...I just love them.
Here are some I've owned..

You should definitely pick one up
-jemaholic

Fender868 · #3 11-08-2007, 06:29 PM

Wow that pink one is amazing :O definately not authentic though right ? I was thinking about the black one with pyramids. It seems to be widely available and therefore i could probably find one for cheap. I guess il keep my eyes peeled :O. Your MCs are amazing btw

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So with the extra range what do you do exactly ? Is it like being able to play a down-tuned guitar but yet have the melodic prowess of a guitar in standard tuning ?

**jemaholic** · #4 11-08-2007, 06:42 PM

Yup. You get a lower 'B' under the low 'E', but all your patterns for chords are different - you can still play normal cowboy open chords but the low 'B' must be muffled.
It does take a while to acclimate, but once you do these guitars offer a cool change to your playing. It makes you think differently about how you approach the instrument - and THAT makes you a better guitarist...

-jemaholic

scotte_za · #5 11-08-2007, 07:06 PM

I've been playing a 7 for about 5 months now, when I move back to 6 i feel like I'm not really playing guitar any more. It feels like a downgraded version, but I'm not sure if this is a common phenomenon. Somehow 7 string technique also makes 6 string technique a *lot* easier...

RG1820X · #6 11-08-2007, 09:04 PM

I bought a UV777PBK from Rich (ibanezrules.com) and his set up made all the difference in its playability. It was a very smooth and easy transition.

Fender868 · #7 11-08-2007, 09:17 PM

Yeah the SK i ordered is from him, so i guess il decide whether to deal with him again when i finally experience this legendary set-up. I've heard about it on several forums.

The 777pbk is the Black with mirror pick guard and dissapearing pyramids right ?
That's pretty much the one i'd like, or the 7PWH, or UVLNG would be cool but i bet it's pricey along with the MC's.

**elcid** · #8 11-08-2007, 09:28 PM

Universes are great guitars, but I'd take an EB/MM JP7 over a UV all day.

eelblack2 · #9 11-08-2007, 10:57 PM

Old UV's are my axes of choice. The necks are much different than modern 5 piece necks and imo more buttery when set up correctly.

Fender868 · #10 11-08-2007, 11:03 PM

Wow! You really have a beautiful group of UV's there!

I can't wait to try one out, but what exactly are the prime differences apart from the neck joints ? I always assumed that as time goes on, things would be refined and this newer instruments are usually better due to things being looked after and altered in time.

eelblack2 · #11 11-08-2007, 11:13 PM

Thanks, I heart my older UV's. I dont know if its a question of better, although, some would argue that the 5 piece necks are more stable and consistent as a whole. For me, its personal preference. The contour of the older UV necks is thinner and more flat which works well for me as I still wrap my thumb around in certain walking bassline situations. I find it harder to do the same with the more rounded modern necks. Also Lopro Edge7 vs Edge Pro7 is pretty much a deal breaker for me from a tone and performance perspective. I do have several Edge Pro 7's, but I always gravitate back for heavy trem noodling. As to the neck joints, AANJ is awesome, and I always thought it was a must, but honestly, the more time spend on on square heel, the less I feel it is completely necessary. Certaily not worth giving up the flatter neck profile for me personally.

**jemaholic** · #12 11-08-2007, 11:28 PM

I agree with eel, but Cid's point of view also has merit - the Pertrucci 7 is a nice guitar too - I've had both and the original UV's feel the best to me.
It's all a matter of personal choice, but historically the UV's have always been the most popular of any 7's out there.

-jemaholic

Distantshore · #13 11-09-2007, 01:50 AM

I was always a UV fan, but all sevens seem pretty easy to adapt to playing.

heffergm · #14 11-09-2007, 07:45 AM

Play one before you buy, whatever you do. I love my UV, and it's almost all I play now. My JEM neck feels a bit toy-like in comparison. There's a feeling of playing a more substantial instrument with the UV for me, just because the neck is so different. Another big plus is the UV777PBK has an unfinished neck... it's the most beautiful neck I've ever played, bar none.

But, it's not for everybody. I can see people being turned off by the size of the neck, but personally I love it. The big plus is that anything you can play on a 6 you can play on a 7, but not the other way around

Here's my UV in action:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=CvQSh_K4j7I