Hello Everyone.. its been a while... I have owned 4 different Jems but its been years. Since then I have been playing Prestige models. Anyway... I came across a repainted Jem7V-WH that I am interested in buying. The headstock is still white. I plugged the serial number into the Ibanez database and it came back as a Fugi Japan 2010. I am pretty sure that database only looks at the F10 and automatically spits out that its 2010 Japanese.
The last 4 frets are scalloped. The original hang tag serial number matches the serial number on the back of the headstock. Obviously it has been repainted. The seller thinks it might be a copy of one of the anniversary guitars or one of Vai's private collection. I don't think so. I just want to make extra sure that based on the pics everything looks correct. The trem looks correct to me, the pickups are Dimarzio's. 2nd owner is telling me that except for the pink stuff... and the paint job... the guitar is original. Thanks!

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I think it looks like a legit 7VWH unless fakes have had a massive jump in quality lately. I have yet to see a well replicated edge. Also I actually kinda dig that finish. Before the attachments loaded I was holding my breath lol, but was positively surprised.

It's actually a 2011 model, made in November so early production.

Wouldn't the hang tag saying 00-09 mean it was the last month of 2009? What makes you believe its a 2011?

And another thing.. .if it is indeed a 2011... do I need to be worried about the intonation on the low E? I am buying this guitar privately so I won't be able to check the intonation or return it. During the pandemic it will be a parking lot deal with masks on.

Hang tag says it's the 9th version of a vwh.
The intonation problem was the pickups, lower them to just above the guard if you get wolf tones on the wound strings.

Here is another pic of the back of the guitar.

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Obviously the trem cavity cover is incorrect for a Jem7V-WH. It should have cut outs and be pearloid.

So I know without seeing the guitar in person there is really no way you can tell me if its real or a fake or a parts guitar but in your expert opinion... does this guitar look like a 2011 Jem7V-WH that was reprayed? I am meeting the guy on Thursday and I am going to spend a fair amount of money for it so I really appreciate your opinions!

Without seeing the stamps in the neck pocket you can't be sure of anything except the neck and the parts are correct. But there's nothing about it to make me believe it's not a real body except that plenty can cut a body that looks identical and only the neck pocket tells the story.

And that would hold true for anyone buying any Jem used correct? Should I ask the seller for pics of anything specific? Obviously he has the hang tag for the neck and the serial number matches so I know the neck is a Jem neck. The bridge looks like an Edge... the pickups are stamped Dimarzio and they have the gold poles, the screws for the pickguard look to be in the correct places, the case looks correct ( think), the neck joint looks right. The guy also owns a Pia. The guitar is going to cost me about a grand and I have been saving for while to get it so its a pretty substantial purchase for me.

If it wasn't modified there would be no suspicion, and any other jem that was refinished you can never be sure what the body is. As I already said, only pictures of the neck pocket can confirm the body is original.

Do you think I should steer clear and keep saving?

I think if you're thinking of buying it I'd want to know the neck pocket says it's an original body................

Although I could sell the neck for a grand if it was mint.

FWIW, I also think its a legit Jem. Condition is probably fair-good, and the quality of the refin probably decides between those 2. If the price is right, the few ugly bits could be fixed. Maybe buy some replacement gold bridge saddles(I bet Rich has them). A white cover for the middle pickup should be easy. Even another refinish could probably be done for $250-300. I'd think about going back to the original white, or go black and have the headstock redone to match.