Ibanez Universe UV777 Guitar Review: It's got it all. No, really.
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- Опубліковано 21 сер 2018
- The 7-string guitar that started it all! Today we're looking at the Ibanez Universe UV777P, made in Japan in 1999. Although the over-the-top styling may turn away some, this guitar has a ton to offer, especially at the price. With it's normal 25.5" scale and super-thin neck, this is a great guitar for players looking to purchase their first 7-string.
Check out Phillip McKnight's excellent video for more background on the history of the Ibanez 7 String: • 7 things you may not k...
There is also a VERY detailed video on Steve Vai's Universe guitars on Craven's channel. For example, I learned Blaze II pickups are the same as Blaze pickups :) • A Brief History of the...
The signal chain was AxeFX2 (USA Lead,Friedman BE, FAS Lead, USA Clean) with the Horizon Devices Precision Drive pedal. This guitar really benefited from the extra attack of the Precision Drive..a bit muddy without. Check out the pedal here: amzn.to/2w2lUd0
I always tweet deals on guitars when I see them. Check me out on Twitter: / theguitarpit
I always loved that guitar. Great video!
Thanks Phil! Wouldn't have started this channel if not for you, so thanks x2 :)
Great review. Really enjoying the videos you've been making!
Thanks George, that means a lot. Thanks for watching!
The five piece necks are actually thinner again than the neck you have there.
The thing Korn added was the volute at the headstock, which helped prevent headstock breaks.
If you ever get a chance to try the later neck, give it a shot. It is a difference carve, as its thinner, but a touch wider at the body joint, which helps the strings not slip off the fretboard if your hands or fingers are a bit wild.
Truth! 1999-2004 are actually the thickest of all the UV necks. It's all relative, of course...
The Falling bit on the 5 way switch test. Chef's kiss!
Got mine fixed by a luthier and getting it today!
Another great review. Good sound as well.
Just got a 99' model too! I gotta say, this is the most comfortable locking trem i've ever used. It sits so flat and flush and the stability is excellent. I've wanted one since i was a broke teenager, and now as a semi-broke adult i got it!
Amen brother. Yeah they still arent cheap all these later, but they still rock. The trem is absolutely perfect, and the neck feels so nice and comfortable. It's as good as I remember from 99 :)
Lovely review! My wife’s work has one and now I’m gonna pick it up and take it home!
Sweet! Lemme know how you like it. They're fun as hell :)
Cool vid!! Gained some knowledge watching this.
Thanks Ben! There is a really great video in the video description on Craven's channel that goes wayyy into depth on the Universe Guitars which I thought was really fascinating. If you're into that sort of thing.
I have this guitar in pristine condition with the 5-piece neck, it's the 2003 model I believe. My favorite guitar :)
2nd favorite Universe. Definitely the prettiest (and yes I'm saying that with the multi colored swirls in mind). I don't know why but the Black/Slime Green Universe has always been near and dear to my heart. I remember seeing this bad boy in the 1998 Ibanez catalogue, on the 7th heaven video and even as a bassist, I still wanted one...they were so cool.
Man I miss these video´s.. hope you come back soon :/
Great review 👍 I believe Ibanez truly are the masters of the 7 string 🎸 I always regret not buying one back in the 90's.
Yeah this one just feels so right. The newer ones just don't compare. There's still time though, plenty floating around reverb under a grand. I suspect prices will gradually go up though...
VERY very good job ! You've got a new supporter !! I just subscribed to your channel.
Sorry, your comment went into the spam area for some reason. Thanks again, Andrew.
I had a 99 and a 2008(?) and I actually preferred the later model. Seemed to have a thinner neck with the 5 piece neck but it wasn’t drastic. Both were amazing necks.
This is an amazing guitar, don’t ever sell it, you’ll regret it later
There is one on Reverb for 1150 right now, cheapest I've seen in a while. Most of the recent ones have been 1800+. Brutal!
@S G Reverb is legit, but it's just like ebay...each seller is just a person, unless you find a seller who is an official store. I'd be pretty cautious ordering to over seas, because if there is a problem returning it will be incredibly expensive.
@@TheGuitarPit I won mine on ebay, about 13 years ago, for 800$us and wasn’t even online when the auction ends... One of my luckiest days ever. I felt sorry for the seller but he wrote to me and said ''I thought it would sell for more, but that’s okay. My lost, your gain''. So, I still have it today and will probably keep it until they bury me :) Great video and thanks a lot for the review :)
@@joeblack007forever Lol it was probably me you bought it from... I had to sell mine on Ebay to help a family member out. :( I sold it 12.5 - 13 years ago and have regretted it ever since. It sold for around that price.
I owned one of these in the Noughties. Sold and regretted it. I bought a Premium UV71P (the White model) a few years back. It's a decent enough guitar but never quite scratched 'the itch'...
This week I took delivery of an absolutely mint year 2000 UV777P-BK with the single piece Maple neck, Lo Pro Edge 7 Trem and UV1000C OHSC. It's awesome to have one back in my life again. All is right with the world! 🤘
I used to have the original white version of this guitar. My buddy and I were able to pick these up when Ibanez first launched the Universe (I had the white one and my buddy got the black one). They are incredible guitars and the neck IS amazing.
Oh man the white one is a fortune now. I would have bought that instead because it's a little less flashy but they are 100% astronomically priced now. Either way, I still firmly believe this is the best 7-string neck out there, so I hang on to it for that reason alone :)
Probably the one guitar i wish they did another batch on. So many people want this including me, and i think Ibanez is missing out.
Great video and guitar.
Thanks Atomic!
Awesome stuff!! LIKE#16
Will they ever re release this guitar?
I used to have one. I miss it. The cleans and leads were great. I did like the rhythm sound when I got into 4 or more rhythm tracks
They're crazy guitars. The pickups seem a little muted compared to the more modern 7 strings...which I like. Not as ear-piercingly sharp.
Loved the video! thanks for uploading it. Btw, whats your pickup height on this UV777? Thanks!.
Glad you enjoyed! My pickups are about even with the fretboard. I should experiment with raising them up a little, they could use a little more juice.
This is a great video. I used to own one of these and it’s fantastic. However another guitar that is similarly easy to play is a Washburn N7. Hard to find but if you do grab it!
Haven't played one of those myself. It's still my go-to 7, this many years later. I'm going to stick with it :)
@@TheGuitarPit keep up the great content. Love your vids. Wish you did more. Cheers :)
The Universe is new to me. No experience w/a 7, 1st Ibanez, no trem experience, and we echo'd similar sentiment. The price you paid exceptional. It appears to be one of your keepers?
The Blaze pups, now that I see more videos of other UVs, I can confirm these sound unique. The hardest time I had was the new low end frequencies grenaded the preamp section. Since I had been EQd for 6, the 7th string As & Bs were explosive. They're also good at irritating those in the vicinity. Wife HATES that music, comes unglued. 😫
But I have found good use for many of the sounds. The 2nd position gets used all of the time for its strange tele-like tones. The low strings can be used for cleans, and that's where I spend most of the time. The 25th is pretty much identical in every way to yours. Neck looks like the same neck. Trem etc. Yours has really nice binding, which I admire. I heard you mention multi-ply neck, but mine is maple w/the scarf joint. 2pc?
The setup was done with 10-59s on mine, since I struggle with thin strings. The trem relaxed to allow +1.5 step pitch on the B string. Then I reset the intonation, and this was about as far as I could go with the tipped trem. Middle pup, also in my way, lowered and neck pup, also lowered. Bridge set closer to strings, loud/clear. Everything sounds great on the bridge pup. It's hot, so for high gain the bridge is explosive.
It has never gone out of tune, and its been years. I'm still waiting to fault this guitar, but I cannot. Another exceptional review.
Yeah I don't see myself selling it any time soon. The prices keep going up. It's almost doubled since I've made this video. And you're right about the 25th neck. It's just like this Universe. But if you look at later universes, they had a larger 5-piece neck. You can see it here: reverb.com/item/1983031-ibanez-universe-uv777-2006-black
Thankfully they brought back the old neck for the 25th's :) Extremely cool guitar, and like you said, the pickups are pretty versatile and unique.
I put Bare Knuckle Blackhawks in mine. It's my main guitar. I AM IN LOVE.
I've been wanting to get the UV777 since high school as well! It's always been my dream guitar, though there are some modifications I'd want to make (update the pickups, possibly install a sustainiac, and maybe a tremol-no depending on the stability of the bridge). I wish I could find one in the 800-1000 range! everything I see on reverb is 1200-1700 for the past year, with an occasional quick seller in the 1200ish range
Yeah, they are really going up in price :( I hate to say it, but you might want to snatch up a $1200 one asap. I paid $900 for mine about 2 years ago. I had bare knuckles in it, but swapped em back out for this review :) I've had good luck with the bridge, but I usually put a tremol-no in most guitars. Haven't on this one yet. It's my favorite neck on a 7 string, so it's a total keeper for me. Love it!
@@TheGuitarPit yeah, I had the change to get one around there in august but I slept on it for just one day and it was gone :( but I'll thankfully have the spare money to grab it finally this year, so as soon as a decent one comes in I'll pick it up :).
Curious what you think of the bare knuckles on the 777? I was thinking of putting in some kind of bare knuckles as well. (though I have no idea how I'll choose cause most sound comparisons are pretty subtle and often use different guitars)
@@RyanCacophony I had some juggernauts in there and thought it sounded great. Very aggressive, but pretty modern. For a 7 string that was fine but I might consider the Ragnarok set, but it probably depends on what you're looking to play.
@@TheGuitarPit Thanks for all the insight! Definitely looking for a more modern sound, I lean towards metal and lead playing, definitely been always more of a Vai guy for his quirkier take on music than say heavy riffer or a djenty boy. Curious on your perspective of the difference between juggernaut and ragnarok? Those are the two I've mostly been considering in the bridge
@@RyanCacophony To be honest I haven't tried the Rag's, only seen demos. I believe the claim is they are a little fuller and more organic sounding. The Juggernauts are well into djent territory. I had Holy Divers in a Kiesel a while back and they kinda had that 80's thrash thing going, but I liked them too. Hard to pick...SO many options. Nailbombs? Hah, roll the dice!
Really like that guitar except the pickguard. Does anyone know, if the UV70P Pickguard fits on a UV777P?
It depends which year because post-2005 the 5 piece neck got a couple of mm wider at the 24th fret (ditto Ibanez 6 String models...). So, Premium scratchplate 'should' fit the post-2005 guitars but probably won't be a perfect fit on the earlier guitars
Such a cool axe
Heck yeah it is!
So is this basically a 7 string jem? If that’s the case how does the jem compare to a suhr or Friedman guitar ? Is getting a used jem for $1600-1800 better then a new Kiesel or a used Jackson usa ?
Yeah it's his signature 7, so basically a Jem with some changes. Personally I'm not in love with Ibanez necks these days (especially on their 6 strings) so I'd prefer a Suhr or Friedman. Suhrs and Friedmans also have more classic/traditional tones which I'm more inclined to want lately. The Ibanez pickups are usually DiMarzio and a little sterile for what I'm looking for.
I just got a one-owner 99' UV777 and I am the happiest man on the planet. This neck feels so unreal you just glide up it no problem. I see what all the hype is about; this really is an inspiring instrument.
Heck yeah, congrats! Since I made this video, prices are nearly double. Ouch! I still have mine. What a killer, hilariously over the top guitar :)
@@TheGuitarPit I've had fleeting thoughts of trading it for maybe a Strandberg eventually but then i snap back to reality and realize this thing is truly special. Never sell it man!
That is Lo Pro Edge ,they did fit the Edge Pro 2 for a while but now back on to that one. Both made by Gotoh but the Edge and Low Pro Edge are the best.
Really like the Lo Pro. It's never given me a single bit of trouble, which is pretty rare for floating bridges.
I just got the reissue green dot not knowing that there were reissues. How does it compare? I played this one in Hollywood 20+ years ago and I loved it! At 41 with 3 kids and I still couldn't afford this one.
Well there are a couple different things going on. There are more recent green dot ones (I think?), then there is also the Ibanez Premium line, which are not made in Japan. From what I understand, most of these changed a couple years after this one...got a thicker neck, different trem, etc. Then the premium models are quite a bit different from what I understand. The one I picked up didn't blow my mind and had some fret work issues and just didn't feel the same. Not sure about the pickups either. Played pretty well though! So I think it's just up to you, what options you want, etc. If you love yours, then it's great :)
Sounds really good. Never played a 7 string. I can barely play a 6 string.
I feel ya. I can barely manage but it still throws me off. I stick to 6's, mostly.
This guitar is beautiful and intimidating.
Hah! Yeah it's a beast. At least it doesn't *feel* intimidating when playing it, like some other 7 strings!
Its an amazing guitar! Btw as an Ibanez fanboy I can say the only difference between that early 2000s 7string neck and the new necks is the Necks have a Bolute behind the Locking nut. But everything is Kinda the same when talking about profiles.
This Universe model got a the same modern 5 piece with a bolute neck and it is the same than the old one, except it has a bolute. Also the new Ibanez Prestige 7 strings have a really similar neck. Give them a Try! You wont be dissapointed :)
those with volutes are also a bit thicker and have a bit rounder radius untill aprox 2007. but they are still amazing necks. post 2010 they are even thinner than the early 2000s and they are wider. in my opinion way more confortable that the early 2000s necks although the specs would tell you otherwise. i literally had all 7 string high end ibanezes. havent played the premium ones they might suck like chris says, but you are right, you really cant go wrong with a prestige 7string neck. they are all amazing. so dont be shy to buy a japanese universe with a later volute neck because they are 99% percent easy to play and amazing feeling like the early one piece necks. again, the post 2010 necks might actually be the best. the neck on my 2011 Apex 100 custom destroyed any Universe i had in the past including my original white one
I just purchased a 2011 mint condition, not sure which bridge it has equipped, but the neck is the 5 piece, not the one piece maple. I really hope its still thin and fast like yours. Any opinions you can provide on this? Thanks for the great video!
Thanks! I haven't played the Prestige version, but the new Premium ones didn't feel nearly as nice. I played a Korn 7 string in 2005ish for an hour which had a similar neck to yours I believe, but I don't honestly remember it's been so long. It's also personal preference, since most 7 strings have slightly thicker necks than the old Universes. So if you like it, it's great...and stronger than the old style necks.
@@TheGuitarPit thanks for replying! I found all the specs for different years and turns out the dimensions of the neck are virtually identical, except mine has 2 more millimeters width at the 12th fret, 68mm vs your 66mm. To me that will be barely noticeable! It's good news, I was worried because I agreed with everything you said in the video about the one piece maple neck.
I bet you'll love it. The trem system may have changed too, but I don't have much experience with whatever it was replaced by. I do like the one on this one though.
@@TheGuitarPit thanks man, I know I will. Your video inspired me, when you were telling the story of walking into guitar centre and being awe struck, I has the exact same experience with this guitar. Also, the bridge on mine is the same as yours :) they went back to the Lo Pro in 2010.
I always wanted that guitar, but I could barely pay my rent at the time... Then they stopped making it and my heart sank. I finally bought one 4 years ago along with a 7 string jem. I will never let them go...
Sweet man! Yeah they are killer guitars from such a specific era. Maybe it's just nostalgia, but I'd have a hard time letting this one go as well.
Thank you very much for your review from Ukraine!!!
Hey man I have a question. I’m looking into getting a 7 string. I’m looking between the UV777 and the rg 1527. The rg 1527 is $910 while the U777 I can only find for $1550. Do you think it would be worth to save $660 more and get the UV777? I know the rg1527 2006 model and has a 5 piece neck. What do you think would be a better choice?
If you like the neck on the RG1527 and don't mind losing the inlays and stuff, you might want to go that route. You get a slightly less desirable bridge on it as well, but it still works great. You could also spend some of the savings to swap to any pickups you want. The UV777's pickups are alright, but if you are looking for modern metal tones, you'd be best swapping the pickups. And that'd just hurt the UV777's price (and the pickguard is a pain to work on).
What sort of stuff are you going to play? If you’re in the states, you may want to consider a Kiesel for similar money.
The Guitar Pit see I was originally gonna go with a Delos 7 for $1500 but idk man. Just always been such a big Floyd guy I feel like it would be a big risk for me to get a non locking trem. As far tone I just like low to medium pickups for just like heavy rock tone I guess would be the best way to put it. My main concern with the UV777 is just how much less stable would the neck be since it’s only 1 piece compared to a 5 piece on the rg1527. Just looking to get a good versatile guitar for my first 7 string
@@CyberSoulLover Those older ibanez necks are pretty stable, but go with the newer one if you live in a climate where it's crazy. And Kiesel will put a floyd on most guitars...not sure about a delos but you can certainly get a 7 string Aries with a floyd.
The Guitar Pit unfortunately man kiesel doesn’t offer Floyd rose on 7 strings anymore. Not even on the Aries or dc. Atleast not on the website. Very unfortunate because I’d buy one without second thought. I think maybe the rg1527 is probably the best option. I just love the look of the UV777 so much but probably better to get rg1527 for the 5 piece neck since weather can be very random here. Thanks for the help man. Really appreciate it
Currently there’s one of these fujigen manufacturered UV777P locally for $2300 is that overpriced for this guitar in 2021?
Hard to say. Mint condition, probably pretty fairly priced. If its banged up, I've seen a couple on Reverb lately for about $1400.
@@TheGuitarPit Awesome I appreciate the feedback Guitar Pit! I will find out by tomorrow but from what I hear it is either near mint or mint condition. Thanks again this was helpful!
I just got one of these. It sounds great but two things are pissing me off. Its not holding tune too well with up bends and the volume control is like a racing car clutch, either full on or off. I love the narrower neck compared to RG's ive had though. I like to do dimeback squeals though and i need to sort the tuning stability out. Ive noticed Ibanez edge trems are about 50 50 whether they hold up bend tuning though.
Kilrush Guitars The oval
I’ve got one of these and it’s the 2010 model. But anyway, my tuning is perfect and always goes back to perfect pitch after all the extensive dive bombs and string bendings I do. It’s may just be how your one is set up but get it checked and fixed at your guitar store as you’ll re-fall in love with the guitar once it’s working perfectly. My volume knob is the same as you mentioned but I got my volume pot replaced and now it works properly.
That's ridiculously killer.
I have the exact universe, most badass guitar on earth
what humbuckers does this guitar come with?
DiMarzio Blaze II HSH set. From what I've heard...it's the same as Blaze I. Unsure if that's true.
@@TheGuitarPit Blaze 2 was a misprint in some Ibanez catalogs. DiMarzio has confirmed a Blaze is a Blaze.
Im an Ibanez guy!!!! I love Kiesel too but if you could marry the two lol Steve Vai is amazing and every guitar he makes with Ibanez seems to stand the test of time
Yeah, sure seems it. Great guitars. I thought there was a chance when Vai got his Carvin amps, but I guess it wasn't meant to be.
Quartersawn neck has great sustain, straight grain. I have this guitar and it is their best playing, best sustaining trem guitar that i own. Not the best pickups i have ever heard although they sound great, and those can be changed if desired anyway.
Best Ibanez ever made, imo :) RGA321 is another favorite but this is my #1.
@@TheGuitarPit I put a black chrome pickguard, looks like black mirror, and black chrome hardware, trem, locking tuner, keys,, strap pins. Looks sick as hell now. Better than original.
Edited version Haha That's my favorite 7-string of all time looks, sound & feel was what I meant to say!! My buddy JP has one with tempered fret set up he says it's never to be sold haha
There is something special about them, I promise! I've tried a ton of 7's and just never love em. This one, for some reason, is totally different. Phenomenal guitar.
I know Universe guitars are epic!! I always think of another old friend in high school Craig Russo he was rockin a Steve Vai 7 string prototype way back in 1992 $1700 he sold it 2007 for $800??? Noooo!!!!!!!!!! It waas white!! He got a Tom Anderson & got rid of most his guitars what an amazing player man jaw dropping soloist!!
Looked back at my comment corrected myself haha your review is spot on these Steve Vai guitars older versions are the best Ibanez guitars! I had a buddy in high school who got a prototype 7 string Steve Vai in white back in 1992 mind blowing guitar Union Grove in Santa Cruz sold it to him $1700 he sold it in 2007 $800 he aquired a super expensiveTom Anderson & that was the end of his Ibanez days ahh well!!
Just waiting to have it at home. I finally found one. As s/n says should be a 97 model even if this one model was sold from 98.
Awesome! Now is certainly the time to buy. It's in my keeper list for sure, I have never found another 7 string I like more (or at all, to be honest).
I agree with you. The same one model finally arrived to me yesterday and really it's a good guitar. It's a pleasure to play with!
@@albertobocchio9337 Awesome! Glad you dig it. I can't imagine a better 7 string, but hey, maybe someone will surprise us some day. Until then, it's the winner :)
The Guitar Pit sure some good surprizes could appear, actually with the 777 I completed my personal list of my young age forbidden dreams😄 both with basses and guitars and amps. Except for the rare Afd 45 ibanez... a bubinga body 30 frets guitar..
I subscribe your channel. You are doing really good!
Ps here you can find an interesting source about Ibanez ibanez.fandom.com/wiki/Ibanez_Wiki
All the best!
wow!!! john mayer is testing guitar now
John Mayer with beard 🤪
Hey, I'll take it haha. Now if only I could play like him :)
I agree with you I waited a long time to purchase one and I found 1 in Japan it is modded and I paid way too much but the neck is the shit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Weight?
This particular one is 7lbs 10oz.
@@TheGuitarPit thanks :-)
Technically a two piece neck due to the scarf joint. LOL had to say it!!
Ah, you got me Ben! :)
No! Just look out and you'll see that in manufacturer's documentation they call it officially as one piece neck!
@@TheSason666 They can all it anything they want but anyone can see it's two pieces glued together.
@@BenCoombs I can't.
Dude, you're funny. That's it.
Holy shit dude , that's a wet dream :O
You'll notice every single guitar I own has been sold and replaced on this channel. Not this one. It's not going anywhere.
@@TheGuitarPit i will say the same for a Universe green dot made in Jap dude
That guitar is definitely the teenage boy's dream. Sounds like balls would drop when playing it.
I bought this guitar and became the guy from that milk commercial. ua-cam.com/video/I9BioMdP0Cs/v-deo.html
I see the resemblance! Uncanny! hahaha
Korn was probably using big gauge strings
According to Wiki, the 5-piece Prestige UV neck is actually slimmer than yours.
i can confirm that, i had all the models and it is slimmer than the one piece neck. its just as fine, just a slightly different feel. still excellent
AHA!!! /w\METAL/w\
6105 frets.
''Free 7 string tab'' ... Lol!!! :D
You kinda look like John Mayer 😮
Damn... I regret selling my UV777...
Might be time to get back in! Since making this video, they've gone from about $800 used to about $1200. Ouch.