A few months ago a friend brought me his uncles white JEM7V from 2005, because he needed an output jack repair. After opening the case and seen this beauty i felt like i opened an expensive jewel/watch case. This thing is a work of fine art, with its tree of life vine on a black ebony scalloped fingerboard, with a 5 piece maple+walnut neck! I just cannot find the proper words... After examining closely for hours, i concluded that the Japanese luthiers did an excellent job on every detail, everything was perfectly executed on this guitar. Examining and repairing this guitar and afterwards spending hours reading about it's heritage etc, gave me lots of respect for Ibanez as luthiers and Steve Vai as a great artist persona. The guitar was never setup after leaving factory, and until today it still does not need any adjustments, plays perfectly in tune and smooth harmonics, on low action without any fret buzz etc, all year long still on the factory setup. Only the original output jack failed after all those years playing on sofa with straight cable...
I have the RG 570 from 1991... haven't played in a year properly because focussing on other stuff and it needs a set up but it used to feel really nice to play... such a thin nice neck
A colleague of mine, when we were working at Guitar Center in Kirkland WA (late 90’s-early 2000’s), owned the 7-string version (possibly had more than one). I got to see it once, and those instruments really make an impact - real functional works of art. Apparently, applying those finishes is quite a proprietary process, and not easy to replicate. Cheers, happy New Year.
Something I have always loved about those guitars were their squared with pointy horns body and the Pyramid inlays. Why Ibanez don't make guitars with pyramid inlays?
I'm not a Steve Vai fan boy but I do love Jems - and that PMC is delicious. I recall you playing the original Jem Floral Pattern that belongs to your Brother-in-Law Steve in an earlier video. That's the one I really want but they have become soooo expensive. I'll just have to content myself with my Jem Floral Pattern 2 😍
Wow. That’s probably my “perfect guitar” if one ever did exist. Splittable HSH pickups do everything, I actually prefer floating bridges, and it looks insane.
@@thedude7726 My first guitar had a licensed FR and my dad always got it set up for me until I learned how myself. Definitely a lot of extra steps but I love the tuning stability and bar movement.
My San Dimas with the rolled fingerboard is one I would ride with every day vs a Jem it doesn't look as cool but if I were going to buy a top level Ibanez it would be a Chrome Boy JS model
I remember when that model came out. If I'm not mistaken, his next version of the Jem guitar, he introduced the world to the Jem 777. A 7 string guitar with a special made 7 string floyd rose(I think) tremolo. I had never seen or heard of a 7 string guitar before then. There was also the Jem 666, the 6 string version of course.
Not quite right in fact... the Jem 777 was the first model of the Jem, and was a 6 string only. You're thinking of the Universe for the 7 string, I suspect. That came later on, in 1990.
@marklnz Yeah, you're right. There was a Jem 777,but it was a six string, and it didn't have the neon swirl paint it was just a neon color. I found a few on Reverb. A vintage one with the pyramid markers on the fretboard in neon yellow is selling for $10,658.81(+ $347.57 shipping). They also have a few Jem 777's in black with vine work on the fretboard. From about $5000 - $7000. I thought it was a Jem that came in 7 strings. But that's been many,many years ago, and being the grumpy old f**k I am, emphasis on old, the memory isn't as sharp as it used to be. Thanks for cluing me in.
Hi Max - many years ago I had the honor of performing a setup on that same model of guitar from a buddy of mine here locally. What a treat for me after it sat hidden away in his closet for 12 years! After a small neck tweak plus a good cleaning & setup it would practically play itself. Tone! Tone! Tone! It can growl, it can scream, it can cry, from a slightest whisper to making your ears bleed! This guitar has it all wrapped up in an eye catching package! Thank you Ibanez & thank you Max for showing off a HUGE iconic guitar from the 80's - 90's!
I hate dot inlays, and to see the fantastic inlays on the GEM did my heart wonders 🎉, What a beauty and the sound is phenomenal, please sir, may I have one too? Thanks Max.❤😢
Every time I see one of your guitar reviews it motivates me to pick up my guitar and experiment while soloing, great videos keep it up man. Also Dean is back👀
Hi Max...you brought up that you wished that more guitars had scalloped fretboard...there is this LTD ESP guitar...I think it's either the SN 100 or SN 1000...it comes with a scalloped board on the last frets like the Jem...I've never played one, but I've seen them online...thanks for another video!
I put a similar looking vinyl wrap on an Ibanez RG170R (on my channel) that I got on eBay for $40. It's not as nice as a real swirl paint job, but good enough.
I love the Jem! I own a 7v and its easily one of my favorite guitars to play! One thing I've noticed is how well the heat from my hand transfers through the wood on the neck. I'm not 100% sure why, but maybe someone else out there knows more than I do.
I bought this guitar,and the 7 string version brand new when I was in jr highschool for $3749.63 for both,,can not touch those guitars for that price now,,my 6 string version is #3,,and my 7 string version is #5..
Didn't Vai also do a run of the swirl models where they added his blood in with the paint? As if the paint job on these wasn't radical enough as it was!
Man I had a 8banez one of them rg i think 300 idontremember . It had a wiza4d neck and lic floyd. I got rid 9f it it was like a toy from a toy store. Im class8c purist I guess. You know Ace played a LP and since a kid LP was not aff9rdable. I just dont have floyd experience either it feel like a toy the bars n9t even real feel8n or 8ts length and shape. I k8nda learned trem from uli and stock
The Jem was developed before the RG. The RG550 in fact when it came out was known as the poor man’s Jem. Without the Jem, the RG550 wouldn’t exist as we know it today.
Because there's very little wood in line w the strings. I have a Warmoth testing Strat for pickups that has a HB route from the neck to the bridge. Thin and weak w way too much high end. Mines Ash, but Bass wood wouldn't be any better. I have one w Cocobolo that tho super thin supplys the necessary stiffness.
I honestly have never warmed up to the pyramid inlays, I always thought they looked cheap and still do. Not that it takes away from the iconic nature of it tho.
I love Ibanez guitars and own 6. That Jem sounds 10x better than this. Why is your tone such a garbled mess ? Sound like you're playing thru a very cheap solid state amp.
I had the chance at getting the JPM over 20 years ago. I regret not getting it. That said. Steve Vai at that point in time was a bigger star than Petrucci at the time. The Jems were way more visible. The swirls in particular were played by Vai during Whitesnake’s Slip of The Tongue tour which that album sold a lot of at the time. Whitesnake was still playing arenas and stadiums at the time. Dream Theater was just breaking out. Unfortunately I think they hit it big a bit too late since they broke out post grunge. I think if I&W came out in like 87 or 88 they would have been on another level popularity wise. As much as I too dig the JPM, by every metric at the time that just isn’t true.
I remember when I was about 15 i went to guitar center to buy my first Ibanez. It was the Ibanez RG120 satin white 🤍. 300$. And the first one I picked up was a signature Steve Vai with the monkey grip signed by Steve Vai himself. Guitar wanted $7,777.. I threw up in my mouth 🤢🤮 . That $300 rg120 was worth the money. Factory set it was great action fast neck. Humbucker pick ups. I later switched em to emg and made a mod for the active bridge pick up. I later traded it for a single cut Dean Evo redish black sunburst with a satin white trim around the edge of the guitar. I went to work and someone came in stole my Evo and my Dean Vendetta 7 string.😂 And it's funny your iaw Steve let you borrow. It isn't Steve Vai by chance is it. 😂😂
When I first got into guitars in 1986 they had just introduced the Ibanez Jem guitar. A green guitar with a monkey grip that sold for $800 dollars. Steve Vai has always liked weird guitars. I suppose if you live, eat and breath with your guitar like he did the monkey grip feature would come in handy.
The guitar you're referring to was the Jem777-LNG (Loch Ness Green). It was limited to 777 examples and all were hand signed by Steve Vai. Pretty sure they were more like $2800, even back then... The standard production models in Desert Sun Yellow and Shocking Pink were just a shade under $2K
It looks like the Jem guitar was released in 1987. Vai could have used the extra money to replace all the guitars he had stolen in that Los Angeles studio. Somebody cut that lock on the equipment storage box to get at his guitars inside the building. I dunno it sounds like an inside job to me. Ibanez would provide posters of that green Ibanez Jem model to guitar stores for display. I know they had different priced models but I was never interested in buying one of 'em.@@ThePedroDB
A few months ago a friend brought me his uncles white JEM7V from 2005, because he needed an output jack repair. After opening the case and seen this beauty i felt like i opened an expensive jewel/watch case. This thing is a work of fine art, with its tree of life vine on a black ebony scalloped fingerboard, with a 5 piece maple+walnut neck! I just cannot find the proper words...
After examining closely for hours, i concluded that the Japanese luthiers did an excellent job on every detail, everything was perfectly executed on this guitar. Examining and repairing this guitar and afterwards spending hours reading about it's heritage etc, gave me lots of respect for Ibanez as luthiers and Steve Vai as a great artist persona. The guitar was never setup after leaving factory, and until today it still does not need any adjustments, plays perfectly in tune and smooth harmonics, on low action without any fret buzz etc, all year long still on the factory setup. Only the original output jack failed after all those years playing on sofa with straight cable...
Love those old Ibanez maple necks. And that disappearing pyramid inlay is the coolest!
Those inlays were THE inlay when I was growing up. Still haven't managed to snag a guitar with one yet, but it will happen some day!
Square neck joint, maple fretboard, lo pro edge with the claw cut... Perfection.🔥🔥🔥
I have a 1988 Ibanez JEM 77FP. Best guitar I've ever owned. I've had it for 26 years now.
I bought my Ibanez JEM 505 brand new back in 2011. Will always love it...always play it.
I've always wanted that exact model.
I have the RG 570 from 1991... haven't played in a year properly because focussing on other stuff and it needs a set up but it used to feel really nice to play... such a thin nice neck
A colleague of mine, when we were working at Guitar Center in Kirkland WA (late 90’s-early 2000’s), owned the 7-string version (possibly had more than one). I got to see it once, and those instruments really make an impact - real functional works of art. Apparently, applying those finishes is quite a proprietary process, and not easy to replicate. Cheers, happy New Year.
I miss my old RG 350DX custom white, with mop pick guard.
Something I have always loved about those guitars were their squared with pointy horns body and the Pyramid inlays. Why Ibanez don't make guitars with pyramid inlays?
I never cared for the handle built in but the vi guitars do sound awesome
Absolutely gorgeous guitar. Grail level for me back in the days.
Google up the 89 JEM VSK! I turned down 2 of these in trade for my VSK. Its not known how many VSKs are out there but there are 11 of them known.
I'm not a Steve Vai fan boy but I do love Jems - and that PMC is delicious. I recall you playing the original Jem Floral Pattern that belongs to your Brother-in-Law Steve in an earlier video. That's the one I really want but they have become soooo expensive. I'll just have to content myself with my Jem Floral Pattern 2 😍
I always wanted one of these. I also wanted a 7 string Universe. But at this point I will be happy to get a MAX Signature from Harley Benton.
Reasonable adult expectation heh
Fantastic guitar Max! I hate traditional boring guitars. It is a work of art! Thanks for sharing!
Wow. That’s probably my “perfect guitar” if one ever did exist. Splittable HSH pickups do everything, I actually prefer floating bridges, and it looks insane.
I'm with you on that one. Best of both worlds with the pickups being splittable and a trem system that can bend both ways.
@@Davivd2if you've never had Floyd rose , good luck man
@@thedude7726 Acquired taste for sure.
@@TylerJohnstonGuitar I'm dealing with one for the first time. A friend of mine built me a fraken castor kinda guitar and so far I'm not a fan.
@@thedude7726 My first guitar had a licensed FR and my dad always got it set up for me until I learned how myself. Definitely a lot of extra steps but I love the tuning stability and bar movement.
JEM series is probably the most succesful signature guitar model
Sounds beautiful and looks amazing.
I usually prefer Jackson/Charvel or Gibson, but those Ibanez guitars are really nice! Usually great guitars!
My San Dimas with the rolled fingerboard is one I would ride with every day vs a Jem it doesn't look as cool but if I were going to buy a top level Ibanez it would be a Chrome Boy JS model
I remember when that model came out. If I'm not mistaken, his next version of the Jem guitar, he introduced the world to the Jem 777. A 7 string guitar with a special made 7 string floyd rose(I think) tremolo. I had never seen or heard of a 7 string guitar before then. There was also the Jem 666, the 6 string version of course.
Not quite right in fact... the Jem 777 was the first model of the Jem, and was a 6 string only. You're thinking of the Universe for the 7 string, I suspect. That came later on, in 1990.
@marklnz Yeah, you're right. There was a Jem 777,but it was a six string, and it didn't have the neon swirl paint it was just a neon color. I found a few on Reverb. A vintage one with the pyramid markers on the fretboard in neon yellow is selling for $10,658.81(+ $347.57 shipping). They also have a few Jem 777's in black with vine work on the fretboard. From about $5000 - $7000. I thought it was a Jem that came in 7 strings. But that's been many,many years ago, and being the grumpy old f**k I am, emphasis on old, the memory isn't as sharp as it used to be. Thanks for cluing me in.
Love that tone!
Thanks Lester!
That's sick. I have been eyeballing the Ibanez uv777 lately
really sick jam in the intro
Steve's a fortunate guy. That's a very cool guitar.
Cool piece! Ibanez is a great company. I have one. Very good instruments!
I still use the Dimarzio PAF pro's that came stock in these JEMS back then. Great sounding pu's
it's nice i also like steve vai universe 7 string.
I loved that Guitar!!🎸🎸🤘🏻🤘🏻
Sir…..you are truly an amazing guitarist.
*That flat thumb* on that pick hand is a speed killer, a throttle.
That opening was some inspired playing Max. This whole video was some great playing, excellent video.
Love the purple DiMarzio pickups and the fingerboard inlays.
I really like those ibanez guitars especially the older ones great video awesome job Max! 👍
Congratulations on 200k subscriptions.
Thank you!
Hi Max - many years ago I had the honor of performing a setup on that same model of guitar from a buddy of mine here locally. What a treat for me after it sat hidden away in his closet for 12 years! After a small neck tweak plus a good cleaning & setup it would practically play itself. Tone! Tone! Tone! It can growl, it can scream, it can cry, from a slightest whisper to making your ears bleed! This guitar has it all wrapped up in an eye catching package! Thank you Ibanez & thank you Max for showing off a HUGE iconic guitar from the 80's - 90's!
I hate dot inlays, and to see the fantastic inlays on the GEM did my heart wonders 🎉, What a beauty and the sound is phenomenal, please sir, may I have one too? Thanks Max.❤😢
Hey Max , you need to fire up your GTX more often..sounds super with that axe .
Way cool! I've wanted to try a dip job on one of my builds...haven't found the balls yet.
Really awesome axe! I would say the other iconic 90's electric guitar would be the Dimebag Darrell signature.
Every time I see one of your guitar reviews it motivates me to pick up my guitar and experiment while soloing, great videos keep it up man. Also Dean is back👀
A buddy of mine has a regular white jem and it's such a amazing guitar.
When I think about what a "signature guitar" means, this is one of the first ones which comes to my mind.
Congrats on the 200k subscribers!
Hello, Les Paul !!!
Yes!!!! This is a celebration of the race car of guitars. Great video!
The is one on Reverb right now and the seller want $20,000 for it.
I went ahead and got an RG220B from Ibanez. That's as close as I need to get!
Wild. Thanks for sharing. Looks a little heavy but everything else looks to be magical
Basswood Jems are typically 7-8 lbs weight. Pretty much same as a Strat
You've improved your skills. 👍🏼
Absolutely beautiful!
A few of Steve’s current guitars have a slight scallop on the fretboards, was really surprised by this when I saw him bout a year ago
Pretty cool. Love those purple pickups.
Dimarzio PAF Pro's! I use them in several of my guitars they are great!
Hi Max...you brought up that you wished that more guitars had scalloped fretboard...there is this LTD ESP guitar...I think it's either the SN 100 or SN 1000...it comes with a scalloped board on the last frets like the Jem...I've never played one, but I've seen them online...thanks for another video!
I put a similar looking vinyl wrap on an Ibanez RG170R (on my channel) that I got on eBay for $40. It's not as nice as a real swirl paint job, but good enough.
I'm gonna be honest, when I think of guitars in the 90s I think of Lace Sensor pickups or a PRS with extremely quilted maple tops
I love the Jem! I own a 7v and its easily one of my favorite guitars to play!
One thing I've noticed is how well the heat from my hand transfers through the wood on the neck.
I'm not 100% sure why, but maybe someone else out there knows more than I do.
What a beauty 🥰
My favorite 89-90’s guitar was the Kramer holoflash guitar..h-s-s configuration (sustaniac neck pick up).
the tremolo is used by vai some what differently. But what a beautiful guitar. I have a cheaper one alas
PMC FTW 💜
The Deeper The Love? 🙂
I bought this guitar,and the 7 string version brand new when I was in jr highschool for $3749.63 for both,,can not touch those guitars for that price now,,my 6 string version is #3,,and my 7 string version is #5..
Wow bro, that’s amazing. My friend who I bought this guitar from also has another PMC and the 7 string swirl.
Jag-Stang is the 90s guitar… of nightmares
Jag-Stang was pretty ugly.
*And now for the most iconic guitar of the 1990s: Fender Strat with scalloped frets held in the hands of Yngwie Malmsteen.*
Anyone know why only 271 were made? It's an odd number. A quick google didn't seem to surface any info or even speculation.
Didn't Vai also do a run of the swirl models where they added his blood in with the paint? As if the paint job on these wasn't radical enough as it was!
Yes, I remember that the DNA Swirl!
@@mallardtheduck406 Yeah, that was it DNA Swirl! Some crazy guy at Hoshino came up with the idea apparently.
In general love the colors and inlays. Just got that stupid clumsy pinky that makes strats last choice
Brother-in-law Steve…hmm, Steve Perry…Steve Stevens hmm 😎
Why the scallops, what do they do for the player? Please explain to me ,I have never tried one.❤
Always interesting. ❤️🎶🎸
JEM 😃🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗. I love my jem jr 😀
More iconic guitar from the 90s? Fender Jagstang
original earnie ball musicman
I remember seeing all these JEM variants in different guitar magazines when I was a kid.
Goood times indeed.
P.S. What kid of watch is that?
Why wasn’t there a Christmas episode?
When I was a kid it was fling v. And anything bc rich
7:17 Well, that didn't age well
Man I had a 8banez one of them rg i think 300 idontremember . It had a wiza4d neck and lic floyd. I got rid 9f it it was like a toy from a toy store. Im class8c purist I guess. You know Ace played a LP and since a kid LP was not aff9rdable. I just dont have floyd experience either it feel like a toy the bars n9t even real feel8n or 8ts length and shape. I k8nda learned trem from uli and stock
Wtf did you just say dude
Dang, if only I had a sister.. then I could have cool brother in law. 😂
You could also have a wife who has a guitar-collecting brother 😂
You could marry my brother and borrow my axes 😂
Is Steve Vai really your brother in law?
Awesome guitar but the Ibanez RG550 set the standard for all Ibanez guitars.
The Jem was developed before the RG. The RG550 in fact when it came out was known as the poor man’s Jem. Without the Jem, the RG550 wouldn’t exist as we know it today.
That bridge sounds pretty weak. Why does it sound like a neck pickup with really weak distortion?
Because there's very little wood in line w the strings. I have a Warmoth testing Strat for pickups that has a HB route from the neck to the bridge. Thin and weak w way too much high end. Mines Ash, but Bass wood wouldn't be any better. I have one w Cocobolo that tho super thin supplys the necessary stiffness.
If you use bass frets, scalloping is unnecessary
I honestly have never warmed up to the pyramid inlays, I always thought they looked cheap and still do. Not that it takes away from the iconic nature of it tho.
uzas mralee
Kinda dull. I don't think they used enough colors 😕
Hetfield’s ESP snakebyte is the most iconic rock guitar of the ‘90’s. That guitar looks like clown vomit.
The snakebyte did not exist in the 90s. Hetfields EET FUK guitar was a ESP MX220
I love Ibanez guitars and own 6. That Jem sounds 10x better than this. Why is your tone such a garbled mess ? Sound like you're playing thru a very cheap solid state amp.
Petrucci's Picasso guitar is more iconic
I had the chance at getting the JPM over 20 years ago. I regret not getting it. That said. Steve Vai at that point in time was a bigger star than Petrucci at the time. The Jems were way more visible. The swirls in particular were played by Vai during Whitesnake’s Slip of The Tongue tour which that album sold a lot of at the time. Whitesnake was still playing arenas and stadiums at the time. Dream Theater was just breaking out. Unfortunately I think they hit it big a bit too late since they broke out post grunge. I think if I&W came out in like 87 or 88 they would have been on another level popularity wise. As much as I too dig the JPM, by every metric at the time that just isn’t true.
@visionquest09 jem is just an rg with a Kung fu grip handle
@@hotrod8915it’s more like the RG is Jem without the monkey grip.
@@visionquest09 pee pee poo poo
@@hotrod8915I’m just spiting facts pal. If you don’t like it, oh well. 🤷🏽♂️
Did Steve sell his kidney to get this guitar??
What is going on here.
nah that's not for me.
Sux for u😂
Ugly look but pretty sound
Meh…..
Haters going to hate. 😎
I remember when I was about 15 i went to guitar center to buy my first Ibanez. It was the Ibanez RG120 satin white 🤍. 300$. And the first one I picked up was a signature Steve Vai with the monkey grip signed by Steve Vai himself. Guitar wanted $7,777.. I threw up in my mouth 🤢🤮 . That $300 rg120 was worth the money. Factory set it was great action fast neck. Humbucker pick ups. I later switched em to emg and made a mod for the active bridge pick up. I later traded it for a single cut Dean Evo redish black sunburst with a satin white trim around the edge of the guitar. I went to work and someone came in stole my Evo and my Dean Vendetta 7 string.😂 And it's funny your iaw Steve let you borrow. It isn't Steve Vai by chance is it. 😂😂
When I first got into guitars in 1986 they had just introduced the Ibanez Jem guitar. A green guitar with a monkey grip that sold for $800 dollars. Steve Vai has always liked weird guitars. I suppose if you live, eat and breath with your guitar like he did the monkey grip feature would come in handy.
The guitar you're referring to was the Jem777-LNG (Loch Ness Green). It was limited to 777 examples and all were hand signed by Steve Vai. Pretty sure they were more like $2800, even back then... The standard production models in Desert Sun Yellow and Shocking Pink were just a shade under $2K
It looks like the Jem guitar was released in 1987. Vai could have used the extra money to replace all the guitars he had stolen in that Los Angeles studio. Somebody cut that lock on the equipment storage box to get at his guitars inside the building. I dunno it sounds like an inside job to me. Ibanez would provide posters of that green Ibanez Jem model to guitar stores for display. I know they had different priced models but I was never interested in buying one of 'em.@@ThePedroDB
@@ThePedroDBI wanted the shocking pink, that is a cool guitar!
I remember seeing all these JEM variants in different guitar magazines when I was a kid.
Goood times indeed.
P.S. What kid of watch is that?