Did Jackson Make a Jem ? - Jackson Jem 7?

[zove]

I have a Candy Apple Red Jackson USA Soloist . *Serial # J5344. *It has the same paint as Steve Vai's Jackson Soloist Eyeball yellow guitar. *I bought it new over 10 years ago. I have yet to see another Jackson other then Steve Vai's or mine with the same paint. *Is there any interest or information out there on whether Steve Vai had anything to do with its creation etc...? Actually the Eyeball paint job that I have is of better quality then SV's yellow guitar, and it also came from Jackson that way. *It was bought at a local music store. Any info would be appreciated. * * * * * *

[Kevan]

SSV's Eyeball Jackson now resides at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV (across the street from Club Paradise). *It's on display there in the gaming room...locked in a case about 12' off the ground. *It's in OK shape, but you could see signs of wear. *Gabe, Bill and I plotted several devious plans to "liberate" the guitar, but those vanished quickly after heading across the street. *

I've never seen another Eyeball. *Got pics?

[gitarguy]

I'm with Kevan I would love to see pics

[Christopher Chen]

This has also been a question on my mind, I've heard a lot of sentiment across the internet about how much Steve should have stayed with Jackson and not have gone to Ibanez....but how much input did Steve have on his Jackson guitars, were they custom shops or stock models tuned by him?

Chris.

[zove]

Yes of course I have picts... anyone wishing to see picts of the guitar email me ...zove@aol.com
I have heard that the guitar was possibly bought at a NAMM show, and it was created around the time Steve had switched to Ibanez. This is all not proven as fact yet. I was just wondering if anyone else has never come across such a paint job, or a jackson with the same specs even. *I wish to believe it was created for Steve Vai but never got to him due to him switching company's. The only thing on the guitar that would lead me to believe otherwise is the fact that the guitar came with EMG's. Anyone with info would be appreciated !

[Vaibanez]

A quick email to Jackson with the guitar's seriel number will get you the answer you need. They take a while to get back to you, but they will answer.

Good luck

J>

[zove]

Thanks for the info. *However, I already knew about a serial number inquiry from Jackson, I have done it before. *I am the original owner of the guitar, so I don't have a need for its spec information. *The information I am looking for is whether or not it is somehow affiliated with Steve Vai. *If it is called a Jackson Jem 777. *Etc... *Possibly made for him, or played by him at a NAMM show.

[Christopher Chen]

There's no way it's called Jackson Jem 777....period.

[jemsite]

Jackson never made a JEM. Neither did Fender, Takamine, Martin, ESP or Gibson (they made a GEM)

Only two companies were licensed to use the JEM name. First Joe Despagni's JEM Guitars out of LI, NY (see photo gallery) and now only exclusively Ibanez So this is not a "JEM" so lets drop that name.

This clearly looks like a tribute to the Jackson Eyeball guitar given to Steve. It's clearly not an exact copy or clone.

If you're trying to validate the guitar as to sell/auction you're out of luck without documentation, because anyone with a red soloist can make such an axe. Not cool, but nonetheless very doable.

It would have to have been made before 1986 to be for Steve, as we all know he went to Ibanez at that time and released the JEMs in 1987. Dig into the serial number for a date of creation. Only a fool would build this "for steve" in 1988

If this were an Ibanez made guitar, you would probably have a better chance getting more info HERE, since this forum tends to lean toward those guitars, and has closer ties to Ibanez. I suggest you surf around for some Jackson fan-sites which perhaps can lead to more information.

Good luck in your search. I'd wager it is was NOT intended for Steve. This should be obvious based on the features of the axe. Enjoy... glen

[zove]

That was the best information yet.. Thanks. *Although I'm disapointed, it would of been nice to of been able to link Steve to the guitar somehow. *I believe it was still worth the chance to post such a question. I did know that the specs for Steve Vai, are not matched due to the pickups and other features, it was the factory paint that kept my curiosity. Yes, I was trying to validate the guitar, however it is not for sale. The guitar plays too well to get rid of it. *I appreciate any and all responses. *Thanks.

[Doink]

Let's not forget that Ibanez made a USA Custom with an eyball scheme, most likely as a tribute to Steve's Jackson.
Just thought I'd through that in.

[Kevan]

A little appreciation would be nice.....

Don't sound so surprised, Zove! *We went thru this all last night, and I said all the same things Glen said. *
No one wants to mention the 3+hour conversation about this guitar last night? *Fine...I will then.....

I spoke with Zove last night on AIM about this guitar. *He sent me a couple of pics. *Glen (and couple other folks) got a transcription of the conversation, along with some questions asked.

Vai with EMG's? *HA HA HA!
Vai with sharktooth inlays? *HA HA HA!
There were about *dozen other "sticking points" as to why this guitar would never make it to Vai's place.

My deduction: *someone ordered an "eyeball-esque" Soloist from the Jackson Custom Shop after seeing 'Yankee Rose' or Vai in concert. *When the guitar was done, the guy didn't have the money, so the guitar went to a Jackson dealer. *That's when Zove picked it up.

Serial Number- J5344. *Any Jackson experts want to decipher that one?

It's a nice ride, but not anything made for anyone....well maybe one guy, but his last name isn't "vai". *
Sorry....it's just a plain ol' red Soloist.

[zove]

Ah yes Moderator from hell, I did appreciate our conversatioin from last night. Sorry for not mentioning you. *I was in a rush this afternoon. *
It seems to keep getting lost that I was just checking out the possibility of this guitar having any influence from Vai. *I think the piont was missed and construde as me trying to claim it as a Jem7 Jackson. *Would *Jackson of built the same exact guitar as the yellow eyeball anyway? Nor would the date on this Jackson matter, as long as it was within a certain time frame, that is the date it was finished, it could of been on hold. To me, my paint is better, as also it makes more sense to have 7 eyes outside the triangle then 8 anyway... whatever is in the triangle such as an eye, with a 7 in each corner would mean that it is multiplied by 7. *Anyway, for those who wish to believe that I am claiming it is Steve's or made for Steve, I am not. *I was questioning the possibility of Jackson making this for Steve and never getting to him. It *wasn't out of bounds, and clearly they wouldn't of made him an identical guitar to his others, if they were trying to keep him from leaving. Who really knows... it is all opinion anyway. *Even Steve Vai himself probably wouldn't know. *Only Jackson would, and they probably aren't too keen on talking about losing Steve. *Are we all clear?

[Vaibanez]

Whew!!!!!
Am I tired! :sarcasm:
I spent a whole 3 minutes on the Jackson site to find out that the guitar, #J5344 was made in 1989 in the Onterio, CA Custom shop. :read:

Wasn't built for SSV.

Now I need a nap. :yawn:


J>

[Kevan]

Just to finish this off....

I accidentally turned on "Any Given Sunday" on HBO this weekend. *The team that LL Cool J was playing against in the playoffs had the same drawing on their helmet as Zove does on his Jackson (the eye in the pyramid with the lightning around it).
I mean, EXACTLY the same graphic.

Oliver Stone...a Jackson fan? *Hmmm....