Is anyone happy with a 555

[Darin]

I know it's to a Jem what the JS100 is to the JS1000. But is it a complete waste of money at any price?

[elcid]

I would think the 1000 other threads about this would have your answer.
People that can afford real Jems tell you the 555 is crap, and people that cant afford real Jems tell you their 555 is just as good.

[Darin]

True. But in an effort to save time searching endless threads, I thought I'd just make it a simple question. My daughter wants a Jem. I thought this wouldd be a good 'entry' Jem. But If it's unplayable. I don't want to waste the money.

Thanks, Darin.

[elcid]

General concesus seems that they are ok, but an RG is a much better guitar at a cheaper price.

[drizzt75]

well i got a jem 555 as a present and i love it although i do tend to mod my guitars heavily but before i modded it i loved it (still do love it but it aitn exactly a jem 555 anymore with bridge swap refinihsh new neck) although when it was purchased it was a silly price from sound control and found out later i could have got a decent "real jem~" for the price but yea to answer your question theres nowt wrong with the jem 555 unless your anally retentive and dont liek what they did twith the fret board like me:P oh and my bridge knife edges wore out fast so changed to gotoh trem hope this answers ya question.

[vy100]

They´re not as bad as some blame on them (and I have got a 7DBK, 777VSK, and 90TH HAM too).

[mike570]

I'm with elcid. I've played all three and say the RG is the best bet.

[Darin]

I agree. I've had endless RG's and have owned a Jem. I think 570's (and the like) are the very best $300 guitars you can buy. But, we're talking about a 14yo daughter that likes Vai and wants to learn to shred. In 14yo girls eyes, an RG just asn't as cool as Jem, even if it's 555. I don't even see any used units for sale anywhere right now. How much are they going for when they are available?

[Dee]

RG550 = the original (and still best) budget Jem! If she won't play a superior guitar because it's not cool, there's not much I can say. As far as inexpensive, versatile, shred-style guitars go, it doesn't come much cooler than a Desert Yellow or Road Flare RG550, IMO. I'll tell you what ain't so cool... half a vine inlay. The 555 screams "I couldn't afford a Jem!", whereas the 550 doesn't.

[ColinMmmmm]

Why don't you just get her the white RG350 with the sharkies and pearloid pickguard? It's pretty JEM-looking, and way cheaper.

[Darin]

Originally Posted by ColinMmmmm

Why don't you just get her the white RG350 with the sharkies and pearloid pickguard? It's pretty JEM-looking, and way cheaper.

I was actually just looking at those online and thought the same thing. Now here's a real goofy though. Like the fake F holes on the PGM, why not a fake grip sticker on a white RG? *hmmmm* I'm suing Ibanez if I see that on the market next year!!!

[CosmicDebris]

She can learn to shred on any guitar dude. Give her your JS as the slightly smaller neck would probally fit her hands and fingers better than the wider JEM.

[Matheau]

If you think she is going to stick with playing the guitar, that she will take care of it, and you can realistically spend that much money on a guitar for her, I would probably say get it.

It might not be cost-efficient, but particularly if this is her first guitar, the fact that it something she really wants might be more important to her.

[shredhead74]

Roll with the 555. I have 3 kids and they're only young once. If she wants a Jem to learn on...then that's the only way to go. Grant it the 550's are better (mostly for the fact that they have the Edge trem & wizard neck). And as we anal IBZ players are, the 550 is Japan as opposed to Korean.

But I've owned a 555, and it was a good solid guitar. And like Drizzt75 said, you could always mod it for her later by updating the trem, etc.
It does come factory w/ Evo's. So it definitely sounds good as well!
I changed out the pickguard/truss rod cover, painted the lion's claw black, and changed the trem to a Floyd Rose. It stood up to all of my other real Jems (BSB, VBK, DY, PBK, & DBK). Honestly, it felt like a heavier made guitar than all of them. The body weight was more for sure.

As for her being a beginner shredder... the dot inlays from the 12 to 24 frets will be huge in her learning to shred.



So, hope that's helps on your decision bro.
Good luck and take care!
Joe
www.LFire.com
www.myspace.com/lfiremusic
www.myspace.com/joerileymusic

[omsjawmusic]

I own a 555BK for 10 yrs, own also a classic JoseRamirez R-2 and a Carvin NS1 (I'm a former classic-trained guitarist). I'm thinking upgrading now to a JEM 777BK.

1. w/ very high sustain/distortion, there are a lot of unecessary harmonics (!!) - you may/may not like this
2. the original FR tremolo does not hold as well as an Edge Pro
3. the original pickups (I don't remember the type) are quite good, though.

I tried for a couple of weeks an RG few years ago, but I have to say I did not like it as well.