Sounds like JP and EB/MM know their guitar ain't worth the $

[jem7vwh]

Nope, they're not *My Jem7vwh (showroom condition '9 is made of a 2 piece maple neck with ebony fretboard with plastic and abalone vine inlays. *It's body is made of alder. *The hardware color is gold. *The pickups are matched Evolution Humbuckers and a S-3 single coil. *The top 4 frets are scalloped for better tone and ease in articulation. *The neck is flat 430 mm radius and the traditional flat D jem profile. *It has a Lo Pro Edge Tremelo and a reverse routed output jack. *The finish is bright (non yellowing) white.

The JPM is a Sillouhette. *for a grand extra, you may have someone else's initials inlayed on the otherwise stock fretboard. *For an additional $400, you may make it look like a mood ring. *

Granted, the EB/MM does have DiMarzio pickups, but even with the pickups, it is still nearly a grand more expensive than my JEM. *In my book, this makes it a hell of a bad deal.

(Edited by jem7vwh at 9:35 pm on Feb. 8, 2001)

[Paul Warren]

My bad, I didn't know it was alder. *That's interesting.

But you know what, man, I defend Ibanez JPMs, Jems and Prestiges all the time from people saying they aren't anything different from a RG470 or something. *They only see the RG body style. *You're making the same generalization by calling it a Silhouette. *Silhouettes don't have this new trem, nor do they have piezo pickups wired like Parkers, nor do they have these new Dimarzios or this fast neck which happens to be quilted maple. *Silhouettes are also made of alder, not basswood.

My only point by responding to this thread initially was to add my thoughts on it since I personally had played it and found it rather good. *If you dislike the guitar that much without ever even trying it, write EB and tell them. *You the consumer have the power to change things by giving feedback.

[cmartin]

A lot of interesting points being brought up here.

I want to mention something a little off the point. Suggestions that JP may be a current flavor of the month are off-base. John Petrucci is not the most widely known figure in the music world, but he has had a hardcore following among prog music and guitar fans for the last 12 years. His popularity among these admittedly small groups is not fading and he is not going anywhere. His status as a celebrity in these circles is secure.

Now I'm not going to say one way or another if its smart to base the sale of a sig model on his fame. I'm just pointing out that he is not someone who recently came out of nowhere and can be expected to disappear just as suddenly.

[jem7vwh]

cmartin, the fact that JP had more than one company (at least Ibanez and EB/MM) indicates he is probably not a flavor of the month (or year) artist. *My instincts tell me he could be the Vandenberg of the 90's. *Who knows. *It is my feeling that the EB/MM will probably be a solid guitar (most sig. models are), but just that it IMH(but accurate opinion, not worth the tremendous amount of money listed. *However, upon review, my earlier post sounds a little mean, and I appologize to anyone offended. *In my defense, I'm going through a mother of a bout with food poisoning. *None the less, I will attempt to be a little more civil even when discussing guitars I have negative opinions of. *sorry guys.

[Paul Warren]

No offense taken here at all man - it's just discussion. *Hope the food poisoning thing is gone fast.

[jem7vwh]

cool cool. *Back to the subject- I love the idea of a piezo bridge. *Makes you wonder why JP made the switch at all (from Ibanez to EB/MM) when both had the piezo trems coming. *Must've been a money thang...

[cmartin]

The Vandenberg of the 90's? Say what? You lost me on that one.

JP helped found the progmetal genre, and was one of the first guitarists equally admired by fans of guitar heros, metal, and progressive music.
Over the past 12 years:
-Dream Theater's debut WDaDU was a cult favorite and solid start despite less than awe inspiring vocals
-Images and Words a pretty big mainstream success, and a monumental album for progmetal in general. The album is still 'cloned' by many to this day
-Awake saw Petrucci annointed a "guitar hero" (named best Guitarist in GW and Gftpm)
-He stayed on top of his game with A Change of Seasons
-I'll skip over Falling to Infinty
-Both LTEs were well received and critically acclaimed.
-His leads on Explorer's Club were some of the best of his career
-DT recently the released SFaM- considered by many the best and most ambitious DT album yet

My point is JP has fairly consistently produced for the past 12 years since entering the scene. He hasn't really dipped off the radar during that whole time. I don't see any reason he won't continue in his place for the forseeable future. His fame was gained by playing melodic, heavy, and complex solos along with melodic, heavy, and complex music.

I might be seriously slighting Vandenberg here, but to me, his fame was gained by playing air guitar in videos over John Sykes guitarwork, and by sitting in the studio and watching Steve Vai lay down tracks for a forgettable Whitesnake album. His time in the public eye seemed to last about a 1-2 years, none of which was due to his playing.

Am I way off base here?

[jemsite]

FYI - Vandenberg had several hit songs (unlike DT actually) before joining Whitesnake, which was the beginning of the end of his career. I'd venture to say AV was more popular than JP FWIW.

Food for thought... without the internet and does EB really issue a JP model (or Ibanez a DNA?) ...glen

[jem7vwh]

hmm.. more food for thought. *How much is Glen himself responsible for the Swirl resurgance on the net and the DNA by extension? *IF there were no place for all us shredheads and jem-freaks to loiter, would Ibanez be aware of the demand for this stuff? *I personally think not. *Take a bow Glen

[cmartin]

I must admit, I'm not at all up on Vandenberg's career like I should be. Out of curiousity, what were the hits, and with who?

I still take a long, consistent career over hits. FWIW, 25 minute epics don't usually make the pop charts!

When was Vandenberg's peak in popularity and how do you want to judge it? I'd guess JP has been more consistently popular, won a number of polls in rags, and has a good-sized hardcore following to this day. Again, you'll have to forgive me, because I'm not very familar with Vandenberg's career.

[Rich]

Vandenberg's solo act named Vandenberg of course had some pretty strong material! I believe it ended when he joined Whitesnake.

[megawzrd]

Ahh...poor, poor petrucci, I feel so sorry for him and his new crappy looking/ overpriced guitar. He desrves a nice, unique looking beast vs. that plain jane EBMM turned out.

[jem7vwh]

Vandenberg was very popular for most of the 80's and only really lost it when his hand injury stopped him from recording with Whitesnake.

[Scott Smith]

Vandenbergs first album "Vandenberg" was quite good. Anyone remember "Burning Heart"? That acustic riff was too cool. I don't remember the name of the second album but I remember it was a road in the desert with sharks traveling down it. Both were strong albums with great guitar playing. He also had his own sig guitar by Peavey. He was one of the "early" guitar gods, IMHO...

[jem7vwh]

I've never played a Peavey Vandenberg. *Are they any good?