Piezos into a Jem

abwalsh · #1 05-09-2002, 01:18 PM

Has anybody replaced the trem or saddles on a Jem with transducer pickups? Is it possible? A friend of mine is dead set on a Jem, but wants piezos as well. I recommended other Ibanez guitars that came with them, but he loves the way the Jem plays. Any options or opinions are welcome. Thanks

Kevan · #2 05-11-2002, 07:56 PM

Retrofitting a Double Edge system into a JEM would be costly (purchase of the JEM, purchase of DE-equipped guitar, installation, etc.), take a ton of time, and kill any hopes of retaining resale value.

...but, I do know one guy who put a DE-system in his DNA. :-)

A better option: purchase an RG-2020X or the RG-2120X and route out a Monkey Grip and the Lions Claw (click on the Universal Jem's banner above and ask them for a quote). Re-finish if desired, but be VERY CAREFUL of the trem. The wires and components "underneath" the trem aren't made to be handled excessively.

Good luck!

Project Guitar · #3 05-12-2002, 02:44 AM

Or you can even do it yourself with a few basic tools and the tutorials! I'm just wrapping up a 2020 thats gotten the full treatment. I'll see about posting pictures soon.

abwalsh · #4 05-13-2002, 11:28 AM

How close is the neck profile of RG series to a Jem, specifically the 7VWH? I think if he could find a guitar that he liked the feel of as much as he liked the Jem, but could get the dual pickup action as well, he would buy it. I've never owned, or even extensivly played an RG, so I couldn't give a valid opinion on the comparison of the two. And I must admit, I'm nervous when I take an allen key to my DNA, no less put a router to it, if thats what it took for retrofitting. That takes balls. Thanks for the help.