RG Ibanez cheap JEM?

[sanitarium]

I was reading a bit about the origins of JEM guitars on this site and it says

So the birthday of the JEM was around 5/87, when Ibanez created the first "production samples". It appears that Summer NAMM 1987 was a huge turning point for Ibanez. Along with the more affordable RG line, the JEM777DY (Desert Sun Yellow), JEM777SK (Shocking Pink) and JEM777LNG (Loch Ness Green) were introduced as production guitars. If anyone has the NAMM press releases, etc. please

Does this mean that the idea/ design for RG guitars came from the JEM? Meaning Steve created the RG as well?

[MehYam]

Yes. Google or search this site for loads of info.

[nuno]

Originally Posted by sanitarium

Meaning Steve created the RG as well?

Mr.Lasner did, actually.

[jono]

I think it's probably more of a collaboration, Rich Lasner (I think he was the then design guru at Ibanez) Mace Bailey (who did the woodworking) and Steve with his Performance customs all had a hand in it. All I'm gonna say is that Steve's white Sticker PErformance, has a near super shaprt identical lower horn to the JEM/RG shape, and that to me, is one of the single biggest differences between the Ibanez body style and the softer Soloist body shape seen on most other super strats of the time.

[Dr_Guitar]

Steve Vai comments somewhere on his site that the RG was a less expensive version of his Jem for the masses.