I remember as a kid when these first came out. Have always loved them. Don't love the part where I'm old enough to remember these as 'new' and not 'vintage'...
Its awesome seeing an original JEM. I was born in 86' the same time Ibanez announced this model even though they werent released until 87' if I recall correctly. Its cool knowing this one wasnt locked in a case and stuck in a closet for the last 36 or 37 years. Whoever owns this thing has spent a lot of time playing the $h*t out of it and I think that is awesome! Great work getting her back in top shape. And thanks for letting us watch you work.
I started playing bass in 2000, started out with a Pawn Shop special fender jazz bass then fast forward to 2004 my father bought me an Ibanez SR505 which i still have to this day, but i have put the miles on that bass. This is just my opinion on my experience with Ibanez basses, i have owned 4 different ones. But my original SR was made in 2003 and in 2016 i bought another 505 model as a backup and again my opinion but i think the quality has went down some. The original vs the new have the same specs but are completely different.. weight is off, neck is thinner and slightly different shape, body is thinner and felt off, which i ended up selling to a friend. 2 years ago i made an investment and purchased a bass i have wanted for 20 years and found a great deal on a 97 Warwick Thumb NT and comparison to a production bass maid in high quantities the German made Warwick is bu far the superior bass... The quality of it is excellent... That being said i do love my Ibanez it has been like a best friend and companion for so many years... It has had damages to it from stupid choices but still plays and sounds great.. Great job on the restore.. If it didn't cost an arm and leg I'd love to have you repair and do work on my.2 main basses
Hey ! I have an ibanez jem 77 fp from 1988 it's my beauty ! It's a great" axe" as the americans say 😂 i subscribed to your channel , i like the content 😉🤘🎸 bien le bonjour ne Normandie 🇨🇵
Jems are great guitars. Great video. Masterful work! I’m surprised customer didn’t want fretboard cleaned up. Oh well, to each their own. Overall- huge win.
Thanks a lot for watching and your positive feedback Mate. Yes he wanna keep the Fretboard with the play marks and I think it belongs to this Instrument 😉👍Best Regards Nik
If you want it to feel the best it can be, you need to take the time to string the neck, adjust the rod so its straight, and support it in a jig that allows it to stay that way while you take the strings off. THEN level, CROWN and polish the frets. AND clean and oil the board. How about going all the way with disassembling, cleaning and oiling the bridge parts and tuners? You did great general cleaning. Like detailing a car while leaving the engine and suspension alone.
Thanks a lot for watching and for sharing your opinion. Oh I did Level crown and polish the frets, just haven't put it into the Video. If you like to the way I do this process feel free to check out a separate Video about this Process on my RUclips Chanel. You are welcome. Best Regards Nik Here is the link: ruclips.net/video/NEPrjM_M2nI/видео.html
Why didn't you level the frets while you had the neck removed? I thought one of the big benefits of a bolt on neck design is that luthiers can do neck/fretboard work with the neck off the body.
Thanks for your question. Because this is one of the most common failures people make :-) I have made the experience that you get less Fret Buzz id you Level the Frets with the neck attached on the Instrument. Here is a Video were I explain this theory. Best Regards Nik ruclips.net/video/NEPrjM_M2nI/видео.html
From what I've read those types of cracks come from the top locking assembly either being too tight, or just bumping the headstock or a combo of both. Possible because the wood is thinner in that area? I have 2 RGs with similar cracks in the same area.
Thanks for your question. I assume that the neck was bumped against something… They are very thin. I have see a lot of similar cracks on Ibanez RG Guitars. Best Regards Nik
Ya, I have 2 RG guitars that have the same type of crack. Nice work on this guitar. Just subscribed. I look forward to going through your videos.@@petrekguitars
It's kinda amazing that my RG570EX has kinda the exact splint in the neck, near the area of the 2 holes for the screws of the locking nut. Is that common for RGs/JEMs ???
Thanks for you feedback. Yes this like weak spot on this neck construction. I have seen a couple of Ibanez Guitars with that issue. Thanks for watching. Best Regards Nik
Thanks for your question. These are so called "Stresscracks" and it's just the lacquer that is cracked. Quite normal issue on bold on instruments. Nothing serious. Best Regards Nik
you put the locknuts on sideways. on old jems the ridge on the locknut runs perpendicular to the strings (check the catalogue pic's for 1988). which is the way they came off. at the end of the video you have the ridge parallel to the strings. the way to be sure is to check the concave direction on the bottom of the locknuts. you actually flash the serial number for a split second. Looks like it starts with 88. that would make it a 1988 model and the locknuts are definitely perpendicular for that year :)
Thanks a lot for watching the Video and for sharing your thoughts. The starting scenes are filmed before the repair so in the condition I have got the instrument from the owner maybe therefore the nuts aren’t in the correct position. There will be another JEM LNG Video coming up soon on my Channel. Stay tuned. Best Regards Nik
Thanks for your Feedback. Yes I did... I will make a separate Video about Fretleveling because that's one of the most important steps... Stay tuned. Thanks for watching. Best Regards Nik
I have all the original parts and neck of a JEM 777 floral pattern but the guy who once owned the whole guitar flipped out and destroyed the body and I ened up with everything except the body back around 1997 and I've been trying to get a replacement body for years but I can't ever find anything that's in my budget. To be expected though. I have found the original Jay Yang fabric that Steve Vai used for it but I'm trying to find a bare exact to specs body that I can reproduce into the original style. It'll never be what it once was but I'm hoping one day it'll be very close to it. I have everything on an Ibanez RG body for now so I can play it. If anyone has any leads for a body that's not too too expensive let me know. I would really appreciate it.
Awesome video man what a beautiful guitar that’s one of my dream guitars I had the opportunity a long time ago to trade my Usa custom shop Marty Friedman Jackson kelly for one of these in Loch Ness green I regret not making the trade lol 😂
Hey Thanks a lot for your positive Feedback Mate. Yes this are amazing Instrument. Hopefully there will another cross your way someday... Best Regards Nik
Thanks for your question. I was thinking about cleaning it and it is the a normal process after levelling and polishing the Frets but I decided to j leave it like it is and how it become after decades of playing this beauty. Best Regards Nik
Won't the residual oil left on the screws after cleaning them seep into the wood and make it soft causing issues in the future for stability? Especially the neck screws? Same with spraying the cleaner directly on the guitar, some of it ends up in the pickguard screw holes and gets absorbed by the wood, this isn't good either, manufacturers suggest that you spray the rag and then wipe the guitar.
Thanks for your question. You don't have to worry about that. If you stray and clean it directly there is no time for the product to damage the Guitar. Same with the oil. Best Regards Nik
This is really a very good question, thanks for asking. Sometimes I have Instruments on my Workbench that have a incredible value, the most expensive Guitar I have to work on was a 1960 Gibson LP...I have a huge respect but never any fear...Sure maybe because I have repair several 10.000 of Instrument in my 30 years Luthier life but the key is to listen to your inner voice. If I have a strange and not comfortable feeling to work on something I wait till it's feel "natural" or fine for me. And that's not just on guitars it's on cars, bikes whatever...Treating thinks a people and everything that surrounds me with this attitude is the way I try to manage my life. Nobody is perfect but accepting this takes away a lot of pressure and allows you the work as a "Free Craftsman". Sorry for the long explanation hope this helps you out. Best Regards Nik
Thanks for your question. I have a lot of Videos with talking and some videos I decided to make in silence... No special reason just different...Best Regards Nik
These early jems were not so great. Compare them to modern guitars that cost less and they don’t add up. Plus, what the hell were they thinking with those colors? I guess the hair metal thing spurred all of those decisions. As far as this particular build, the early Floyd rose and the tuners would have to go if I owned it. Original or not, those two things were junk on these models.
@@petrekguitars So am I, l own a FLoral Patern 1989, bought for 600 bucks best deal I ever made about 30 yrs ago. You have to be very dumb to change anything on this beast, tuners were good and the edge tremolo were first class. The EVH striped series...well don't get me started. Floyd Rose special was junk, had to swap that out with a real FR. Tuners were fine, besides they are behind the locking nut, lol 😆 you don't need to change them. Worth 5 to 10k US depending on condition according to ebay prices
Thanks for sharing your experience Dave. On this Instrument in the Video every component was original and perfectly working even the input jack. These Instruments were build for last. Great quality and very innovative. Best Regards Nik @@davekiddie4467
I remember as a kid when these first came out. Have always loved them. Don't love the part where I'm old enough to remember these as 'new' and not 'vintage'...
Thanks a lot for your Feedback. The same story fort me 🙂 Best Regards Nik
Its awesome seeing an original JEM. I was born in 86' the same time Ibanez announced this model even though they werent released until 87' if I recall correctly. Its cool knowing this one wasnt locked in a case and stuck in a closet for the last 36 or 37 years. Whoever owns this thing has spent a lot of time playing the $h*t out of it and I think that is awesome! Great work getting her back in top shape. And thanks for letting us watch you work.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. Yes long time ago but still an amazing Instrument. Thanks for watching. Best Regards Nik
The amount of excess string that was wound around the tuning pegs will haunt my dreams forever!
Thanks fort watching and for your Feedback Chris. Best Regards Nik
ibanez is my favorite guitar company, good bang for your buck.
Yes that's absolutely correct. They produce great Instruments. Best Regards Nik
I started playing bass in 2000, started out with a Pawn Shop special fender jazz bass then fast forward to 2004 my father bought me an Ibanez SR505 which i still have to this day, but i have put the miles on that bass. This is just my opinion on my experience with Ibanez basses, i have owned 4 different ones. But my original SR was made in 2003 and in 2016 i bought another 505 model as a backup and again my opinion but i think the quality has went down some. The original vs the new have the same specs but are completely different.. weight is off, neck is thinner and slightly different shape, body is thinner and felt off, which i ended up selling to a friend.
2 years ago i made an investment and purchased a bass i have wanted for 20 years and found a great deal on a 97 Warwick Thumb NT and comparison to a production bass maid in high quantities the German made Warwick is bu far the superior bass... The quality of it is excellent...
That being said i do love my Ibanez it has been like a best friend and companion for so many years... It has had damages to it from stupid choices but still plays and sounds great..
Great job on the restore..
If it didn't cost an arm and leg I'd love to have you repair and do work on my.2 main basses
Hey ! I have an ibanez jem 77 fp from 1988 it's my beauty ! It's a great" axe" as the americans say 😂 i subscribed to your channel , i like the content 😉🤘🎸 bien le bonjour ne Normandie 🇨🇵
Thank you very much Frederic. This is surely an amazing Instrument you have. Congratulations. You are welcome. Best Regards Nik
Jems are great guitars.
Great video. Masterful work! I’m surprised customer didn’t want fretboard cleaned up.
Oh well, to each their own.
Overall- huge win.
Thanks a lot for watching and your positive feedback Mate. Yes he wanna keep the Fretboard with the play marks and I think it belongs to this Instrument 😉👍Best Regards Nik
@@petrekguitars great channel my friend!
Thank you so much for saying this Mate. Best Regards Nik@@hexn00b52
Another great job
Thank you so much for saying that James 🙏🕺🏻💁🏻♂️Best Regards Nik
Hi Nik, as awesome as all your videos. You did it again. Very well done, it is a real pleasure to watch your stuff here on YT and on Insta. Have fun !
Thanks a lot for your kind words Mate. You are welcome. Best Regards Nik
I've always loved these guitars ever since they first came out! A true work of art to me🤘
Thanks a lot for your Feedback. For me too... Old Ibanez are amazing instruments with a great innovations...You are welcome. Best Regards Nik
RAWK! Thanks for the vid 🤘🏼
Thanks for watching and you Feedback. Best Regards Nik
Great stuff ! ...
Thank a lot for your positive comment. Best Regards Nik
♥♥♥ Geile Sache!
Vielen herzlichen Dank 🕺🏻👍BG Nik
If you want it to feel the best it can be, you need to take the time to string the neck, adjust the rod so its straight, and support it in a jig that allows it to stay that way while you take the strings off. THEN level, CROWN and polish the frets. AND clean and oil the board.
How about going all the way with disassembling, cleaning and oiling the bridge parts and tuners?
You did great general cleaning. Like detailing a car while leaving the engine and suspension alone.
Thanks a lot for watching and for sharing your opinion.
Oh I did Level crown and polish the frets, just haven't put it into the Video. If you like to the way I do this process feel free to check out a separate Video about this Process on my RUclips Chanel. You are welcome. Best Regards Nik
Here is the link:
ruclips.net/video/NEPrjM_M2nI/видео.html
Why didn't you level the frets while you had the neck removed? I thought one of the big benefits of a bolt on neck design is that luthiers can do neck/fretboard work with the neck off the body.
Thanks for your question. Because this is one of the most common failures people make :-) I have made the experience that you get less Fret Buzz id you Level the Frets with the neck attached on the Instrument. Here is a Video were I explain this theory. Best Regards Nik
ruclips.net/video/NEPrjM_M2nI/видео.html
From what I've read those types of cracks come from the top locking assembly either being too tight, or just bumping the headstock or a combo of both. Possible because the wood is thinner in that area? I have 2 RGs with similar cracks in the same area.
Thanks for your question. I assume that the neck was bumped against something… They are very thin. I have see a lot of similar cracks on Ibanez RG Guitars. Best Regards Nik
Ya, I have 2 RG guitars that have the same type of crack. Nice work on this guitar. Just subscribed. I look forward to going through your videos.@@petrekguitars
Thanks a lot you are welcome. Best Regards Nik@@bizzski
A great video, if the crack in the headstock not been fixed could it eventually become a complete headstock break?😊
Thanks a lot for your comment. It´s just a small crack nothing serious...It a amazing Instrument. Best Regards Nik
It's kinda amazing that my RG570EX has kinda the exact splint in the neck, near the area of the 2 holes for the screws of the locking nut.
Is that common for RGs/JEMs ???
Thanks for you feedback. Yes this like weak spot on this neck construction. I have seen a couple of Ibanez Guitars with that issue. Thanks for watching. Best Regards Nik
Curious to why you didn't glue the neck pocket cracks
Thanks for your question. These are so called "Stresscracks" and it's just the lacquer that is cracked. Quite normal issue on bold on instruments. Nothing serious. Best Regards Nik
Great video as always Nikola, I was wondering do you crown the frets after the leveling? How do you do it? what file do you use? Thanks best regards.
Thanks a lot for your positive Feedback. If its necessary I do crown them. I use files from Stewmac. Best Regards Nik
Amazing 👏
Thanks a lot. Best Regards Nik
you put the locknuts on sideways. on old jems the ridge on the locknut runs perpendicular to the strings (check the catalogue pic's for 1988). which is the way they came off. at the end of the video you have the ridge parallel to the strings. the way to be sure is to check the concave direction on the bottom of the locknuts.
you actually flash the serial number for a split second. Looks like it starts with 88. that would make it a 1988 model and the locknuts are definitely perpendicular for that year :)
Thanks a lot for watching the Video and for sharing your thoughts. The starting scenes are filmed before the repair so in the condition I have got the instrument from the owner maybe therefore the nuts aren’t in the correct position. There will be another JEM LNG Video coming up soon on my Channel. Stay tuned. Best Regards Nik
Nice work. Just curious....after you leveled the frets why didn't you crown and dress them? Didn't need it?
Thanks for your Feedback. Yes I did... I will make a separate Video about Fretleveling because that's one of the most important steps... Stay tuned. Thanks for watching. Best Regards Nik
🔷Check out my Guitar Midi Pickup installation Video🔷
▶ ruclips.net/video/ip2UcK1ztD0/видео.htmlsi=6GBOabVrFVxwrSuv ◀
I have all the original parts and neck of a JEM 777 floral pattern but the guy who once owned the whole guitar flipped out and destroyed the body and I ened up with everything except the body back around 1997 and I've been trying to get a replacement body for years but I can't ever find anything that's in my budget. To be expected though. I have found the original Jay Yang fabric that Steve Vai used for it but I'm trying to find a bare exact to specs body that I can reproduce into the original style. It'll never be what it once was but I'm hoping one day it'll be very close to it. I have everything on an Ibanez RG body for now so I can play it. If anyone has any leads for a body that's not too too expensive let me know. I would really appreciate it.
Thanks for sharing the Story of your Guitar. Hope you will fine a Body o finish your project. Best Regards Nik
You can buy those models still. I see em on reverb. They are a couple thousand.
Yes that's correct they are pretty rare but still available. Best Regards Nik@@BrianLTanner
Awesome video man what a beautiful guitar that’s one of my dream guitars I had the opportunity a long time ago to trade my Usa custom shop Marty Friedman Jackson kelly for one of these in Loch Ness green I regret not making the trade lol 😂
Hey Thanks a lot for your positive Feedback Mate. Yes this are amazing Instrument. Hopefully there will another cross your way someday... Best Regards Nik
How about cleaning the fingerboard?
Thanks for your question. I was thinking about cleaning it and it is the a normal process after levelling and polishing the Frets but I decided to j leave it like it is and how it become after decades of playing this beauty. Best Regards Nik
Won't the residual oil left on the screws after cleaning them seep into the wood and make it soft causing issues in the future for stability? Especially the neck screws?
Same with spraying the cleaner directly on the guitar, some of it ends up in the pickguard screw holes and gets absorbed by the wood, this isn't good either, manufacturers suggest that you spray the rag and then wipe the guitar.
Thanks for your question. You don't have to worry about that. If you stray and clean it directly there is no time for the product to damage the Guitar. Same with the oil. Best Regards Nik
Do you ever get worried working on old rare expensive guitars like this?, I feel like i'd screw something up cause i would be so nervous lmao.
This is really a very good question, thanks for asking. Sometimes I have Instruments on my Workbench that have a incredible value, the most expensive Guitar I have to work on was a 1960 Gibson LP...I have a huge respect but never any fear...Sure maybe because I have repair several 10.000 of Instrument in my 30 years Luthier life but the key is to listen to your inner voice. If I have a strange and not comfortable feeling to work on something I wait till it's feel "natural" or fine for me. And that's not just on guitars it's on cars, bikes whatever...Treating thinks a people and everything that surrounds me with this attitude is the way I try to manage my life. Nobody is perfect but accepting this takes away a lot of pressure and allows you the work as a "Free Craftsman". Sorry for the long explanation hope this helps you out. Best Regards Nik
Give the owner a $100 Amazon Special until he learns how to take care of his guitars.
Thanks for sharing your opinion. Best Regards Nik
I don't think it was necessary to remove the neck or tuners.
Thanks for your Feedback . I have to glue the Headstock crack and that's why I did this. Best Regards Nik
Hmm, two videos of the same guitar with a cracked headstock. I would suggest not buying one.
Yes seems to be a common issue on theses models. Best Regards Nik
👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎
Thanks for sharing your opinion. Best Regards Nik
What is the point of doing this without dialogue?
Thanks for your question. I have a lot of Videos with talking and some videos I decided to make in silence... No special reason just different...Best Regards Nik
OMG. YOU RUIN FLOYD ROSE BLADES CAUSE YOU LEFT ONLY ONE SIDE TENSION. SAD STORY/
Thanks for watching and sharing you opinion. Best Regards Nik
@ka_nobi Hehe he No!
@@ElmaRaniyo yes
@@ElmaRaniyo Thanks for your comment. Best Regards Nik
These early jems were not so great. Compare them to modern guitars that cost less and they don’t add up. Plus, what the hell were they thinking with those colors? I guess the hair metal thing spurred all of those decisions. As far as this particular build, the early Floyd rose and the tuners would have to go if I owned it. Original or not, those two things were junk on these models.
Thanks for your Feedback and for sharing your opinion. Best Regards Nik
Lol, No they were not 😂😂😂
I am a big Fan of these Guitars. Best Regards Nik@@davekiddie4467
@@petrekguitars So am I, l own a FLoral Patern 1989, bought for 600 bucks best deal I ever made about 30 yrs ago. You have to be very dumb to change anything on this beast, tuners were good and the edge tremolo were first class. The EVH striped series...well don't get me started. Floyd Rose special was junk, had to swap that out with a real FR. Tuners were fine, besides they are behind the locking nut, lol 😆 you don't need to change them. Worth 5 to 10k US depending on condition according to ebay prices
Thanks for sharing your experience Dave. On this Instrument in the Video every component was original and perfectly working even the input jack. These Instruments were build for last. Great quality and very innovative. Best Regards Nik @@davekiddie4467
So RUclips As usual
Thanks for your Feedback. Feel free to check out my other extended Repair Videos. Best Regards Nik