I've finally joined the JS family!

djohns74 · #1 06-03-2008, 09:15 PM

After a significant amount of time spent pondering the purchase, I finally decided to pull the trigger recently on a 2006 JS1200. I played a JS1000 several years ago at a guitar center and really dug the feel of it, but was really wanting a Jem at the time. After buying my 7VSBL, I figured that was enough money spent on guitars for a while and the idea of a JS took a back seat. More recently, my financial situation has improved somewhat and I liked the color of the JS1200 more and more every time I saw it. Since it's essentially functionally identical to the 1000, I decided it was for me, and here we are.

It's dead stock so everyone is already quite familiar with what it looks like, but I know I'll get yelled at if I don't post pics, so here's a couple. Note that you can click them for a slightly larger version, if you'd like.

The feel is just as nice as I recall from my test drive, quite different from my Jem, but it's at least as easy to play. The lack of 23rd and 24th frets used to bug me a little, but I've long since gotten over that, and besides, I have plenty of 24 fret Ibanezes already, all of them RG shapes. This one stands on its own quite nicely as it's so much more distinct from the others than the Jem. On a side note, this is also my first Edge Pro and I have, thus far, noticed no significant functional differences between it and a Lo-Pro. I'm not a major bar abuser, but I indulge in both dives and pull-ups occasionally and it handles both with no trouble and stays perfectly in tune.

I love the electronics on this guitar, the pickups have a wonderful tone that is immediately very Satch-like, particularly the neck. You can tell it's not meant to be a high-output screamer, which again is fine as I have plenty of those. What blows me away is the versatility! Between the coil tap and the high-pass filter, two humbuckers with a three-way toggle switch have never had such a wide range of available tones. Fat, bright, even twangy, this one guitar delivers it all. I couldn't be more pleased with the sound.

Anyway, just thought I'd share, sorry to ramble on like that.

Eco · #2 06-03-2008, 09:30 PM

Welcome haha :P

Looks like one you'll want to hold onto

i've had my 1000 for about 5 years and i still love it.

CosmicDebris · #3 06-03-2008, 09:52 PM

I know what you mean bout the feel of it.

Paul_R · #4 06-03-2008, 10:20 PM

Hey Congrats on the JS! They're excellent guitars.

Robotalk · #5 06-04-2008, 10:00 AM

Congrats! Quite a sexy guitar! Enjoy!

richard1973 · #6 06-04-2008, 10:38 AM

I agree with everything you said there, its a sweet guitar

southpaw_lefty · #7 06-04-2008, 11:15 AM

I am very jealous

but congrats anyway

I hear what your saying about frets 23 & 24. My fingers are to fat to play those frets anyway.

richard1973 · #8 06-04-2008, 11:38 AM

also the upside without 23 & 24 at a glance its easier to work out quickly going to fret 19 etc

but yeah frets 23 n 24 arnt needed too much , well not for me anyway, though fret 24 makes it easier to quickly get a 24th fret harmomic

djohns74 · #9 06-04-2008, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard1973

also the upside without 23 & 24 at a glance its easier to work out quickly going to fret 19 etc

but yeah frets 23 n 24 arnt needed too much , well not for me anyway, though fret 24 makes it easier to quickly get a 24th fret harmomic

Of course, the 24th fret harmonic is the same as the 5th fret harmonic obviously, but I get your point.

As far as finding certain frets, I think it's just about what you're used to. I have so many 24 fret guitars that I actually have to think for an extra split second sometimes when playing on a 22, but it's not a big enough difference to worry about too much.

andy7jem · #10 06-04-2008, 12:42 PM

Congratz

A choice you will enjoy for many years

DarthLamer · #11 06-06-2008, 10:19 AM

Congratulations!

I also, enjoyed the versatility of that particular instrument. In an RG, with the same pickups/wiring configuration/body wood, I can get close to the tones offered, but still....something is missing. Possibly due to the sweet spot for humbucker being placed at the 24th fret's location?

Anyhow, I'm surprised to find that a forum member purchased it. What a small world it is. I'm glad it arrived safely, and that you are happy with it. How was the setup? Also, I noticed there are quite a few...what appears to be pick shavings between the bridge and bridge humbucker. Either I didn't thoroughly clean it prior to shipment as I had assumed, or you've really been shredding some picks with it. In addition, it looks as if there are some swirl marks and a couple, possibly just from sweat and that you didn't give it a thorough cleaning prior to taking the pics, what appears to be scuff marks where you rest your picking hand. I know those marks weren't there prior to shipment. Maybe it's just the reflection of the light? Also, keep in mind, you should wipe down the trem, especially near the low E to keep it from possibly pitting. Ok, enough bickering, it's no longer my guitar.

Enjoy!

One thing you might take note of, I believe I setup the trem with the spring claw being angled, which from what I have noticed recently...does allow for the trem to stay in near perfect tune regardless of the abuse, but you might think about taking Rich's advice, which I have recently done, and straighten the tremolo spring claw. I've noticed that with the spring claw angled, there is a bit more pressure on the stud near the low E, than with having the trem spring claw straight. Seeming that I've being setting my guitars up with the trem spring angled for quite some time, about 10 years, and although I have not had an issue with it, I'm not really sure if there would be an adverse effect in doing so. I did; however, rip the stud near the high E string out of a RG570 once, but this was partly due to laying the guitar in my lap with the trem bar inserted, sitting on my knee and having accidentally applied to much downward pressure...I believe while reinstalling the springs. Although I don't feel that angling the trem spring claw to be at fault, it quite possibly could have been a contributing factor. Regardless, it's something to make note of.

Again, thanks for the business! I'm glad you are happy with your purchase! Selling that guitar allowed me to purchase a RG7620, something that I have been wanting for quite some time, but never found in stock locally. In addition, thanks for posting the pics, it's like revisiting an old girlfriend.

djohns74 · #12 06-06-2008, 12:02 PM

Wow, strange, I didn't know you were a forum member either. Particularly since this is supposed to be a site for Jems, that's a little odd.

I must say that the setup is excellent, which is likely a contributing factor to why it plays so well. Amusingly, the high E string actually broke near the bridge the very first time I touched it straight out of the case. One of my coworkers was like "geez, you already broke a string?" I just unwound it a bit from the tuner and then replaced the string entirely when I got home. Otherwise, I've had to make no adjustments to the setup whatsoever.

I've had my RG7620 for a couple of years now, another great Ibanez product, enjoy it.

southpaw_lefty · #13 06-06-2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djohns74

Wow, strange, I didn't know you were a forum member either. Particularly since this is supposed to be a site for Jems, that's a little odd.

You'll find a lot of people here who don't even like jems. Personally, I've never even touched one.

P. Aaron · #14 06-06-2008, 07:14 PM

Congratulations upon obtaining a lovely guitar!

The only dissapointment I experienced was that while I accquired a superior instrument (JS1200), my talent did not commensurately adjust upwards.

Thus I plod on wood-shedding as best I can.