This Ibanez Guitar I LOVE!!!

[amt7565]

I am looking for a better guitar. Currently I have an Ibanez 320DX. Being plying it for 3 years and with time it's really beginning to suck. So I have been trying some high end models. I tried a Satriani series JS100 but I was not impressed. And I still need to check out the JS1000/2000.

Last night I tried out the Ibanez Steve Vai JEM guitar. And OMIGOSH!!!! It's totally awesome...the neck is soooooo easy to play and I can pinch harmonics off almost every note on the scale. The high end of the fretboard has about 5 frets which are scalloped and makes it easy to play. It costs $1800 and if I had the money I would grab it. Anyone has any feedback on this?

The only thing I did not like about the guitar is it's looks. It's plain gaudy and ugly....the color schemes are too bright and they have gold stuff all over the white guitar.

 

[Lopp]

An extremely similar guitar is the RG550. It is pretty much a JEM without Vai's name with a few other minor differences. You can probably get one used for under $300. Definitely worth checking out if you like the JEM.

 

[amt7565]

LOPP are you serious??? The pick ups are the same too?

I think I tried one l550 ast night too, but it was a used guitar and the action was too high....did not have the same comfort as the JEM.
I will check on it then....probably get one new if it's that cheap!

However I am sure the high end frets are not scalloped like the JEM.
Thanks.

 

[Lopp]

LOPP are you serious??? The pick ups are the same too?

Can't say. IMHO, pickups are easily swappable.

I think I tried one l550 ast night too, but it was a used guitar and the action was too high....did not have the same comfort as the JEM.
I will check on it then....probably get one new if it's that cheap!

Make sure you try one first to be sure. Also, if the action was too high, it sounds like a setup problem. I have a RG550 with action that comes close to jazz-style.

However I am sure the high end frets are not scalloped like the JEM.
Thanks.

Correct. Also, no monkey grip. The Wizard II neck on the RG550 is also slightly different from the JEM. Possibly a few other differences such as pickups.

The RG550 was originally sold as a stripped down JEM (i.e, no Vai bells and whistles), so it sounds like what you're looking for.

 

[hixmix]

What are "scalloped frets"? I'm the chef of the household so I should know this.

No, seriously. What are they?

 

[Lopp]

What are "scalloped frets"?

The neck is filed down in a concave manner in between the frets. This allows easier fretting, especially at the higher frets. However, you have to use a lighter touch to avoid sharp notes.

Yngwie was a big fan of scalloped fretboards.

 

[Lopp]

 

[whattaguy]

Have you tried out the RG750, 760, or 770? They dicontinued these babies back in the early to mid-nineties. They had the Dimarzio USA pickups, Wizard II necks with the shark tooth inlays, and the Floyd Rose tremelo. I believe they were very similar to the JEMs, but not as tacky looking. Definitely an upgrade from the 550, 560, or the 570 IMO. I found a '92 RG760 used for about $400.

 

[amt7565]

Whataguy.
No I have not tried them yet. If I find something in good condition I will check it out.

As for the scallop frets, it was interesting trying it out on the JEM last night...here is why:
On my current 320DX I have the action extremely low...this helps me with very fast arpegios...however, bending notes is harder because the string tends to slip from your fingers because they are so close to the fretboard. Here is where a scalloped fretboard will help because you can set the action low and still make those bends. Is this probably why Ywingie Malmsteen uses scalloped frets? Doesn't he like play super fast arpegios?

 

[Lopp]

Is this probably why Ywingie Malmsteen uses scalloped frets? Doesn't he like play super fast arpegios?

He (figuratively) invented them.

 

[amt7565]

Well..yes I hear he used it after he tried playing some wierd european instrument which was scalloped.

 

[detuned6]

If you like those jem necks go look for some older(88-90) ibanez's , the usa ones(you can tell by the neck plate-the first 2 #'s is the year made, and it should say made in PA usa also on it) those necks are bad ass, similer to the jem's, they came w/ ibanez/dimarzios pickups. I allways see the saber models( very thin , moghany(nice spelling) bodies) at daddys junky for around $400.they have the edge bridges, which is much better than these lo pro trs ones they have on the newer ones.
Ibanez's rule!

 

[amt7565]

OK i have looked in 2 guitarcenter stores and some other stores. They dont have the Rg550 or the RG620 in stock. Those Bozos!

They have only one 550 and it's kinda broken.

I hear that the RG620 is the closest to the JEMs....

 

[punkin]

Ibanez Fan As Well but...

I was shopping for a new Ibanez a while back as well. Looked at the satriani...not impressed, the JEMs are nice but for the value,...just didn't seem right.

Having been an Ibanez RG player for quite some time, I've become very comfortable with their necks and thought that I would never find a "different" guitar I could be comfortable with until...

On my way out of the store, I checked out an Ernie Ball Petrucci...the neck is perfect and an easy transition from the RG wiz and wizII necks I've been used to. This is a sweet heart of a guitar!

Consider looking at this if you're going to drop 1.5K down on a guitar.


Cheers!

 

[amt7565]

Thanks Punkin. I will give it a try.

Today I was at the Guitarcenter again....and I checked out the Ibanex JEM 7D series...this costs $1200.00...this model is a step lower than the higher end JEMS selling at $1800.00

Anyway, the nut screws were missing and the action was too high and the tremolo arm was also missing. This is a new guitar though and the sales guy was willing to sell it for $1000.00 and also have it all fixed up to specs....I played it and liked it immediately....just what I want....

I have an IBANEZ-320DX which sells for $400.00, so I am gong to trade this in for the JEM....if they are willing to give me that JEM for $700 with the trade in I will get it this weekend....what do you guys think?

I am 100% certain the JEM will make me a much better guitar player.....today at the guitarcenter some one complimented my playing on the JEM...hehehehe....

 

[amt7565]

OK everyone!! I finally did it!!!
I got myself an IBANEZ JEM VWH. Here is the picture http://www.ibanez.com/guitars/guitar.asp?model=JEM7VWH

I have ordered this used and paid only $1050 inluding shipping. A very good bargain.

I should have it in about a week. I am sooooo excited!!!!