home | jem/universe | ibanez | setup | forum | reviews | vendors | buy & sell | links | etcetera | search

- - - support jemsite - - -

- - - jemsite sponsor - - -

- - - jemsite sponsor - - -

Ibanez Neck Specifications

Quick Jump:   Ibanez Neck Wood Cuts |  Neck Construction: 1-pc vs 3-pc | Scarf Joint | Neck Feel
1993 Ibanez Chart | 1997 Ibanez Chart

Related Links:  Necks Joint Types

---

Neck Type	Scale	Thickness, mm		Width, mm		Radius, mm	Notes
		Fret-1	Fret-12	Nut	Fret-22
JEM	25.5"	19.0	21.0	43.0	57.0	430
JCM	25.5"	19.5	21.5	43.0	56.0	430	J-Custom
JPM	25.5"	19.0	21.0	42.0	56.0	430
JS (1993)	25.5"	20.0	21.8	42.0	57.0	250
JS (1997)	25.5"	20.7	22.0	42.0	56.0	240
JS (2000)	25.5"	20.0	22.0	42.0	56.0	240
MA (1989-90)	25.5"	17.0	20.0	43.0	57.0	430	American Master
MA (1991-92)	25.5"	17.0	20.0	43.0	56.0	430	American Master
S7 (7-string)	25.5"	19.0	21.0	48.0	65.0	430
Ultra	25.5"	19.0	21.5	42.0	56.0	430	USA Custom
UV	25.5"	21.5	23.0	48.0	65.0	430
Viper		19.5	21.5	42.0	56.0	305
Wizard	25.5"	17.0	20.0	43.0	56.0	430
Wizard II (USA)	25.5"	19.0	21.0	43.0	56.0	400
Wizard II (Japan)	25.5"	18.0	20.5	43.0	56.0	430
Wizard, Super	25.5"	17.0	20.0	43.0	56.0	430	Bubinga stripe
Wizard 7-string	25.5"	21.5	23.0	48.0	65.0	430

Ibanez Neck Woods & Cuts

One-piece and Three-piece Necks

The original JEM/UV (and RG, USA Custom ) necks are one piece maple.
The quartersawn maple strip (see cut diagrams) is one solid piece and
is joined just before the nut to the separate maple headstock. The cut
of wood is important, since the quartersawn maple provides a stronger
and more stable slab of maple which to construct the neck from.

Newer JEM (and Ibanez RG, J-Custom ) necks are three piece maple.
The dark bubinga strip (see arrow) is sandwiched between two
strips of maple. This creates a strong neck, while allowing for
various grades of wood to be used. The hard bubinga strip
helps eliminate the natural twisting or curling of wood

Scarf Joint: Attaching the Headstock

The original JEM and UV necks were one piece maple.
The scarf joint (arrow above) is where the maple headstock
attaches to to the neck just behind frets 1-3. The separate
headstock allows for a much stronger neck.

Newer JEM (and Ibanez RG) necks necks are three piece maple.
The scarf joint (arrow above) is where the maple headstock
attaches to to the neck just behind frets 1-3. The separate
headstock allows for a much stronger neck.

Some Ibanez guitars don't have the scarf joint, and instead have the volute (hump at the nut)
where the neck wood extends straight thru the headstock in a continuous piece.
The neck shown above is a 3-piece neck. The neck is 3 laminated pieces (2,3,4)
and the headstock shape is completed with the top and bottom pieces (1,5).

Approximate Neck Thickness Reference

A common source of question and confusion is "how does the size of this JEM neck compare to that JEM neck". If you've read Jemsite.com, you will know that JEM (and most Ibanez) necks are hand finished which will provide some variability in the final neck size and proportions. Making matters more confusing is the fact that the "JEM" neck has changed and evolved over time according to Steve Vai's demands, since it's a signature model guitar. It has gotten smaller and more "Wizard-like" compared to the original 777 necks from 1987

 

Estimated Neck Overall Sizing (Largest listed on top, Smallest on the bottom)
Description (Official names in Italics)	Featured Models (listed alphabetically)
Largest Overall Size Neck Original JEM "777" Neck	777DY 777LNG 777SK
77 Floral Neck	7RB 77BFP 77FP 77GMC 77PMC 777VBK 777VSK ??? JEM10
Ultra & Wizard-II  Neck	J-Customs (select models) JPM RG421 RGT UCEWs "Exotic Wood"
- - - the necks listed below have a notably smaller feel - - -
AANJ model VWH-style Necks	7BSB 7VWH 7VSBL
Post VWH necks	7DBK DNA JEM90
Smallest Overall Size Neck Wizard Neck	7PBK 777VDY J-Customs (many) RG5xx/7xx USAC "Custom Graphic" 555