How difficult is it to part with your Jems?

[philzeta]

Let's admit one thing. They are a sheer pleasure to anyone's eyes. I just love them. However, I am considering parting with them because neither rock nor electric guitar assumes much importance in my musical pursuit any more. I am now mainly focusing on classical guitar. Should I let them all go or just keep them? They bring back a great deal of fond childhood memories of learning to play guitar and drawing much inspiration from Steve Vai who's no longer my musical inspiration. Has anyone ever experienced this kind of dillema?

[vaijem777]

Welcome to the site!

This subject has been touched upon in the below links. While JEMs and UVs are great guitars, there comes a time when most people are forced to part with them. Tastes change, and at the end of the day, they're just guitars. I've gone through dozens of JEMs and Universes over the years and have survived, but there are one or two of them that I miss once in awhile.

http://www.jemsite.com/phpbb/viewtop...elling+parting

http://www.jemsite.com/phpbb/viewtop...elling+parting

[jim777]

I really don't want to add too much here when there are two other similar threads already, but I'm looking at selling a VWH now and it's tough. I like the guitar (adore the neck), but I want a Kenny Hill Munich, and I also want/need to get a Yamaha Motif. I sold both my FPs recently to friends who'd been begging me for them for a decade (I wasn't playing them any longer and the money helps with 4 kids ), so the VWH is my last one. Tough stuff if you still play the style of music they're meant for I guess. As long as you get another instrument or still have one or two its easier. A musician without the tools to make music can't ever be really happy.

jim

[MALAM]

I'll part with my Jems when I part with my fingers

[weserman]

well, if you decide you don't want your Jems anymore you can always have my address.....

[bpd111]

Apparently I'm not as grown up as some members of the forum here. So, I can't give any advice as to parting with them. I am curious though, you referred to your JEMs as "all" of them. I'd like to know how many and what you have. Sorry for being a little off-topic.

I guess it would come down to a number of things. Do you play them at all? It sounds like you've got some cash tied up in them, do you need it elsewhere? How badly to want to keep them around? Are any of them collectible?

Don't be in a hurry to make your decision.

[Akhenaten]

Having been in this position with many guitars, I find it's best to just keep the faves. Especially something that can't be picked up anymore. Keep one or two that feel and sound most comfy to ya'. The ones that you've broken in and know the personalities of. The ones you gravitate towards when you first walk into the room and pick 'em up. Those will be the ones that you'll miss most, and the ones that will keep you happy enough to not miss the others as much, if at all.

The other point is that Jems are pretty versatile. They kinda cover alot of bases at least as far as sound. Maybe shocking pink isn't really all that big a hit anymore, but it'll sound like whatever you put into it...

[zerolight]

i'd never part with the VWH. but i was glad to get rid of the terrible SK I once had many years ago. horrid thing.

[babahi]

I am going to write up descriptions to sell my VSBL GMC and UV777BK this week, which will rid me of all Vai signature guitars. Pretty easy for me, since I have long since found guitars that are much, much better for me. I held onto them for nostalgia's sake and nothing else. Jem's have their place, but are by no means the greatest. Find out what your own signature model is, perhaps Steve's is not as suited to your needs...

[Fry]

I got a nice broken in dbk that I will take to the grave. I was going to sell it and save for a kh-2, but I decided to just work overtime for the kh, and hold on to my dbk.

[codnchips]

I had a beautiful GMC that I had to sell after finishing university. Man, that was the hardest thing to do at the time. I sulked for days and wished I'd sold the dog instead. I recently got a UV77mc, so I use that as my mental replacement. To rub salt into the wound further, I found the website of the git who owns it now!! It's painful.

[disassociative1]

it all depends for me, i get attached to particular guitars because of the emotion they have been my lease for (because of there sounds playability etc).

im never botherd about the entrinsic value of my guitars just the sentimental value to me and if there is somethin special about them. for example i will NEVER sell my jem77gmc as its just got that special somethin, the wood has aged in that special way and it just sounds and feels awsome.

guitars have to feel right in everyway for me to even keep them over a month and beyond that i will normaly get attached.

hope that made some sorta sence

[ukwan]

I sold a 1980's Fender Contemporary Strat with an EMG85 in the neck and DiMarzio Paf Pro in the bridge.. someone once told me you couldnt combine these pickups but a guy in scarborough UK did it for me.. anyway that was the most worn in beautiful playing and sounding guitar i've ever had... oh god do i regret selling that. btw it was scalloped from fret 12 to 24.. i did that myself and im proud of how it turned out.. very funky it was

[zerolight]

Originally Posted by babahi

I am going to write up descriptions to sell my VSBL GMC and UV777BK this week, which will rid me of all Vai signature guitars. Pretty easy for me, since I have long since found guitars that are much, much better for me. I held onto them for nostalgia's sake and nothing else. Jem's have their place, but are by no means the greatest. Find out what your own signature model is, perhaps Steve's is not as suited to your needs...

on the other hand, for many it fits perfectly. i was swayed away from the 7VWH after having owned and hated the SK. everytime I was tempted back with the VWH, I chose other less hated guitars (yes the JEM is often despised by non-Ibanez players). I've had a number of ibanez guitars (the SK, an RG, and a sabre, all in the early 90s), I've had a hamer, 2 gibsons, 2 fenders, a musicman axis, a wolfgang, a kramer, and I forget what else. I picked up a VWH in place of my Axis to supplement my PRS McCarty with more fender-ish rock tones. And I gotta say, I wish I'd found the VWH earlier. It surpasses all my other guitars in terms of playability. Its on a par with the Axis tonally, and thats a real tone machine. It's far less resonant than my PRS, but I prefer the VWHs subdued tone. of all the guitars I've ever owned, I'd say the VWH is the best. though I'd like to replace the bridge evo someday to something less hot and muddy.

[philzeta]

I've decided to keep them all. I don't play them. Probably never will since I am a classical guitar enthusiast. So what? They will always provide me with fond memories of my early days. After all, these were the guitars endorsed by Steve Vai, without whom I would have never learned to play guitar. Thank you very much for sharing with me your thoughts.