Ibanez JEM Junior. Does it Live Up To The Hype?
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- Опубліковано 10 вер 2024
- This video discusses the features of the very affordable Ibanez Jem Jr. for the shredders who are looking for a great quality guitar without the high price point. A very impressive guitar for any Steve Vai fan.
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The guitar market is 90% mental games. If I had a used Jem for sale at $6000 you'd say I'm crazy. If I then added it was Steve Vai's 1st Jem you'd suddenly think it's a deal.
the guy from andertons had a prototype played by vai. he sold it when his cat got a broken leg from a car crash. the shop he sold it to cheaply wouldn't sell it back to him later as they said it was too expensive.
@@commentfreely5443 fuckin cat.
YES! Like magical thinking.
@@truescotsman4103 They're like little members of the family.
Nice video. It was actually good to hear someone talk about the guitar (and it's pros/cons) instead of playing it the whole time. There are plenty of those videos as most people probably already know what a JEM sounds like.
I just bought the hot pink Jem jr. I instantly found my fingers were easily gliding around the fretboard, and the low action made it even easier. I love this thing, I haven't even plugged it in, still setting up my music workspace. I didn't know that you could purchase the actual Jem Floyd Rose! Something that I'll definitely do in the future! I think that the true Jem Floyd Rose would send the capabilities of playing out of the atmosphere. Can't wait to do that!
Very awesome review!
The paint on mine had some discrepancies. I bought mine brand new.
But, I'd have to say, I'm now able to do things on this fretboard that I couldn't do on my other guitars, and it used to frustrate me really bad.
You're awesome, Man! Great video!
Very nice guitar!
The tree of life does have somewhat of an effect on the whole guitar, to me it does. It sort of adds more of an artistic feeling when I'm playing it. It helps in setting the mood when I sit down with it. Pleasing to the eye and mind.
AzBirdDog glad you are happy with it. Thanks for watching!
What a great detailed review of Ibanez JEM Jr, quite of long video but it cover all the aspects of this guitar without sound check. Most people wanna hear the pickups, how you said, there s a lot of sound check and demos over the Internet about the Quantum pickups. Now I want a JEM in my collection, I'm not a pro, I love and enjoy to play the electric guitar. I have an Ibanez RGT42DX with INF pickups and I spend a lot of great time playing it, and even worse, I have an Ibanez GSA60 (2002, US$200) and it looks great, sounds fantastic with generic Ibanez pickups, stay in tune well without locking tunners and I use the vibrato bar a lot (just down), the bar and the bridge has kept the chrome color during years I can't say the same of the frets. The guitar body paint still shine.
i was wondering if i should replace the bridge pickup. I find it hard to pick out the false harmonics on mine, then i tried a jem 77p and it squeeled with total ease. So wondering if there's something I can do to upgrade or adjust.
i didn't watch the video. thank you.
I have this in a lefty version. Not a bad sounding, or playing guitar. I only paid 200$ USD through a second hand selling site called OfferUp, and the person who sold it to me was selling it for her ex boyfriend who moved out of their Apt. or something..
Considering its true cost, I would say that i got a damn good deal.
I played one of those in a local shop. Really great guitar for the money. The neck didn't feel like the most expensive or highest quality but it was still comfortable and very playable. It was surprisingly very acoustically loud and I couldn't stop playing it.
I like this kind of reviews. It's always good to hear others opinion on stuff.
Thanks for watching
I bought the blue floral print 30 years ago. I just bought the junior for my Frankenstein project! The bridge is made of cheap metal and the knife edge will not stay in perfect tune. Deck the bridge!! I have completely tore the guts out of both of these guitars and created diabolic mods! I turned the junior into a early 60s mahogany body style vintage Strat. The junior was not sanded and polished very well. You can polish the frets and the neck and it will feel much better. All the edges are much sharper around the body but that doesn’t make it play any worse. If you’re on a budget and don’t mind decking the bridge, this is a great buy. You could replace the bridge with an original Floyd Rose. The frets don’t seem perfectly leveled and I’m sure they only glued the ends. I am going to add fine glue to the frets then I will level and dress them. 🎸🍀🕊
Thanks for your comments!
The Jem is associated with shredding, but they clean up beautifully as well. The neck and fingerboard are conducive to faster playing only because they are slim and flatter. They are practical for any style. Great Video.
....Thanks for the review....I've just bought one...my first Ibanez...previously had 20+ Fender Strats, I actually thing the Ibanez is better than my Fenders, Ibanez guitars are my new favourites, I'm going to save up for a high end Ibanez, they're truelly amazing....
I just bought the Jem Jr and I absolutely love it, greatest guitar I've ever owned for the price. Thank you for this awesome review.
Glad you like it!
Just did a full upgrade on mine. Swapped out the "DL" trem for a FR Special w/ Brass Block ( I had one not being used so why not and it fit perfectly). Installed Dimarzio Sd-3 bridge, an Dimarzio Paul Gilbert Injector in the mid and an EVO in the neck ( I had those all in white and not being used, I was going to try something else, but happy I stuck with these). It sounds incredible. Put on a black pearloid pickguard ( NO not all the screw holes lined up, I just predrilled the couple that didn't and screwed it in, and you can't tell at all and it looks way better). I also put in the nut that the Special came with as well as the tension springs. I had black locking tuners so I used those as well, so everything matched in color. It completely turned my Jem Jr from my least favorite guitar to my absolute favorite.. easy to upgrade and once you do upgrade it, they're just as good as any premium Jem etc..
Sounds really cool. Wish I could see it in action!
After watching several videos I FINALLY found the info I was looking for here! Subscribed!
I love mine. It's not just my favorite guitar. It's my favorite thing.
Matt Channing is that the Jem Jr?
Yep.
Matt Channing awesome. for what's it's worth, I think they look fantastic for the money.
They sound pretty groovy, too, and mine feels like sex.
It sounds close enough to the more expensive Jem for my purposes. When set up properly, through a good amp (in my case a 1973 Peavey Deuce) and a sensible effects rig (basically alternating between a clean, chorused sound with a little delay, or a dry distorted or overdriven sound with no compression) it gets the job done nicely.
I would not say that Steve is shredder. He is great composer who can impress his musical thoughts through the melodies that have more that 7 notes.
Malmsteen is the first name that comes to my mind, then Gilbert.
I've bought one, n it's good. It's not a budget buy by any standards. Thanks Ibanez 🤟
Amazing review, man. Thank you.
I've been playing more than 10 years with really garbage guitars, so upgrading to this one will feel like being in heaven.
when i think of shredding, steve vai really don't cross my mind, yngwie malmsteen, michael romeo, joe stump, paul gilbert, jason becker are who i think of.
Johnny Six
Yep!
SHAWN LANE!!! The Memphis monster!!!🎸🕊
Thanks for the very thorough review. I tried one out at an area GC and was surprised to find it was not bad. The switch was a little unreliable and the feel of the fingerboard was not great (the newer ones are not the same as this one), but overall, surprisingly solid.
loved this review. Thanks for the depth and not just a sound demo.
I have owned a Jem 7VWH since 2004 and have owned an original Jem &77FP since 1997 and have played them both for all that time.A friend of mine has
a Jem 555 Blk -they are great guitars -no question.But the ultimate question is if you spend the big bucks in buying the most expensive Jem -in the long term you will not regret it! The quality that most seek from a real Jem experience is to be able to replicate that sound and playability .The frets, the sound, the neck everything that gives the extra quality will show itself instantly and each time you put that guitar down you will think -"I've got something new out of that thing, again"-that feeling won't happen with a cheap Jem .
You are probably right yet some people just want a poser guitar that looks cool and the Jr fits the price just right...
The frets are jumbo not medium jumbo and as someone has has already pointed out a "D tuna" wouldn't work with a floating bridge and probably wouldn't fit on this guitar. But you are right about this being a good guitar for the money, the neck in particular feels fantastic, well dressed frets and no rough edges.
This guitar is incredible I have not had a single issue
8 months later what do you think? Still holds up?
Great review sir!!
Just ordered from Andertons. Can’t wait to rock that Badass guitar..
Don't forget Charvel and Jackson. The Jack Butler Jackson is still one of the iconic "shredder" guitars, and of course, it was played by Steve Vai.
I bought my Jr. I absolutely love it. I bought the hot pink model.
I can do things on my Jr. That I can't on my other guitars. I don't buy expensive guitars. This one just fit, it sounded good, it feels good.
My quirk is the whammy bar. It sticks up a little too high straight off of the body. I've had to teach myself to just get used to it.
Well it's like 500$ nowadays which is a pretty good price for a 6-string Ibanez Floyd-Rose with good enough tuners,pickups (i'd personally change them) and a nice,thin neck for shredding.
I'm not a shredder, but after using a Fender Squier strat for a couple of years I wanted a better guitar with more versatility that did not cost as much as the regular stratocaster. The review convinced me and I can't wait until it ships. Thanks for the very thorough review.
Rock on!
In regards to the pickguard...I haven't found anywhere that a tislly sells them, internet, music shops etc. ... but an RG350 pickguard is the same size most of the holes lining up except 2. Drill those and you're in business! Good luck! My black pearl pick guard looks awesome and really changes the look along with the new black chrome knobs I added!
I heard that thing has coil split when you have the pickup switch in position 2 and 4. So you don't mix humbucker with single coil
I picked a used one up for $375 (US) in Shocking Pink, with a Dimarzio rail humbucker in the bridge. Pretty sweet guitar!
He really covered a lot in this video. I'm impressed. 👌 I've played a lot of guitars and this one I fell in love with even though it's not the most beautiful but it played like velvet so smooth.
I'm glad the video was helpful!
They list in the USA for $499.99. I haggled a bit with Sam Ash and got mine for $450.00 and I play it about 200X's more than my brand new Jackson Pro-Dinky. For the money you would be hard pressed to find a better guitar. The feel of the neck itself makes it worth it. It really is an AMAZING guitar.
I played one and it felt so cheap. I hope I just had a bad one in my hands but looks like I'll just save up for an old Jem.
This is for you. Cheers ua-cam.com/video/2hXztiYx2S0/v-deo.html
I hope the one you tried was not fake. Those are terrible.
I played one and just bought it. I own an American strat,and American SG. But I wanted a, "shredder" guitar with a floating tremolo. Wasn't looking to be too picky. I'm hoping to be gigging,again soon. There are plenty of songs to cover out there that may call for a trem bar and faster neck. I saw the JEM JR. Played it for a while and that was it!!. Perfect price, plays, and sounds good.
eBay has perloid pick guard, I ordered one for the Indonesia model, came from England, the holes matched up perfectly
The 7jr runs abt 400$ US. I paid right at 4000$ for my 7v but I also got to see 5&1/2 month build process online by Ibanez. Absolutely my best guitar EVEN OVR my #248 jem777 autograph. ULTIMATE flexibility w/7uVwht.🤟
I Got Mine for $499.00 Brand New Including Tax and Shipping! at AMS My First Ibanez was a Tallman Acoustic-Electric Then a Mikro in Purple then a Blue RG Then the JEm Jr.! Love the Versatility of the Guitar.I go Easy on Dive Bombing That Jem Jr. Stays in Tune. Even when Whammy Up, It does Insane Tones in the Endless Harmonics!
Wish the did them with pyramid inlays
Just a small information : on the back of the "high end "Ibanez necks, there are lines of different colors that run the whole length because there are 3/5 pieces of different woods glued together for greater stability. Nothing in common with the "skunk stripe" that appears on Fender neck and help place the trussrod on one piece maple necks (and even with 2 piece necks sometimes). Thanks a lot for your review.
I have a Jem jr, just planning a couple of modifications; pick-ups and bridge. I might also put a graphic on it (not a fan of white on white). Your rundown of the guitar was excellent, thanks
Go for it!
just had one today, amazing guitar! and I'm very satisfied specially for the price!
Excellent job reviewing this. I feel much more comfident choosing to buy this as a binner. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful!
About the detuner: you can't install it on a floating bridge anyway, the bridge has to be set to dive-only.
It can be done but tuning gets tricky.
I have a jem jr and I want to upgrade to evolution pickup... Will that be a good choice or waste of money ??
Quite an informative video, thanks for the review. I was planning on getting one.
Curiousity finally got the better of me and I bought a used '17 Jem Jr WH. Just set it up to my liking and, I have to say, I am impressed thus far. Tuners & Trem seem far better than I expected (based on other reviews/comments). Build quality is very,very good. Great fretwork and the paintwork is flawless. I like the Quantum pups too. The previous owner fitted a White Pearloid scratchplate (Bonus!). The rear profile of the neck is definitely thicker and more noticeably "D" shaped than either my Premium or MIJ Jem but it's certainly not a thick neck - just different. All in all, a great guitar for what I paid. If you want Vai style for minimal money, the Jem Jr is terrific value - especially as a used buy!
if you play guitar you need tuning stability ,pro or not....
Thank you. I was about to buy this guitar but I understand now that the quality of some parts is below my minimal acceptance criteria. Also I don't like very much the handle. Finally I think that the only thing I wanted was the tree of life and the Ibanez brand because I liked my fist Ibanez guitar. This is not enough to make a guitar. I will switch to a model with a Floyd Rose. But this will be double the price.
the white pickguard is meant to very slightly offset the finish. it's just a subtle contrast. personally I think it'd be boring matching the colours but I guess everyone's taste is different.
I agree
LOL My Jem JR is yellow, black, pink, chrome... all at once :) So there's that option...
Hello! I'm interested in such a guitar, but I noticed that the wood of the neck is more brown than black in color. That's right? I liked the pink model, but if the neck used ebony wood would look better. Do you agree?
This particular guitar made in Indonesia, not in Japan as original Ibanez Jem. Recently my student bought this model but asked for return due to manufacture fault. The 1 st string was too close to the edge and always slipped out of fingerboard.
Nicely done! Thank you so much!
How would you know if you came across a fake?
I want to order this guitar from guitar center. I want the pink one though....
i have this axe too, sweet toy.
I just wish they would make it in black
You can get an Ibanez Jem 555 in black, it’s another budget version of the 7v but slightly more expensive and less cheaper feeling then the jr
the mine is black
Just a quick note. The evh Dtuna can't be used on a floating trem. Can only use it on dive only 😉.
Awesome video, I appreciate the depth you go into for something like this. But I wanted to ask, what do you think about the JEM JRs that now use Meranti wood for the body and Jatoba for the fretboard instead of mahogany and rosewood? I was wanting to pick up a JEM JR myself, but I'm wondering if the change in wood types is a hit to the quality of the guitar.
Great question. Since I haven't tried a new version I can't really answer that one sorry!
Solid review mate! Kudos
Been watching your review like 10 times a week since I ordered mine a couple weeks ago. Hopefully mine won't disappoint! Good video btw ^^
I'm sure it will be great
Is the Jem 555 is much more better than this jem jr? (it has dimarzio as stock)
Just read a lot of "stuff" here.
I tested the 450 and the JemJr yesterday. They do sound quite different. The Jem sounds much sweeter, mid-high sound and chords appear to sound tighter. The 450 didn't sound at all, the tones fall apart, overall truly not inspiring. Sounds very dark.
I was about to buy the JemJr when I noticed that two of the oickguard screws were set in uneven and a tuner missed the nut. The Jem came fresh out of the cardboard, with several QC labels attached, what urges me to say: Ibanez, are you fooling me?
Two years ago I bought a standard Saber with a bad neck. Back then I swore that I never come back to Ibanez again. Yesterday I gave them a new chance.
Now I'm done.
Can I ask, what you mean by "uneven" pickguard screws? I bought a Jem Jr today, and now you've got me wondering. Is this something you can visibly see? Cause my screws are just screwed in and look "normal" (?) to me?
very good review
I'm thinking about getting one of these cause I want a reliable guitar with a floyd that doesn't cost to much.
It is basically like an RG with Jem cosmetics. It has the same pick ups, neck and tremolo as mine. Extremely easy to play. The tremolo once set to parallel is as easy to tune as any guitar with a hard tail. I have a Les Paul but the Ibanez is what I always pick up to play.
I bought a Jem JR a while back, good guitar for the price. Although you can buy the RG370 or RG350 for about the same price that have the ZERO-EDGE II and quantum pickups in them. I will never understand why Ibanez chose to have the standard tremolo in a Vai Model. I ended up swapping out the tremolo and replaced the pickups with dimarzio Evolution and a Darkmatter single coil. It now sounds much better, but I still haven't found an Edge Tremolo yet.
Mainly because they started using the Edge Zero 2 on the Premium Models and wanted to differentiate them from the Jr
I've been wanting one of the gyms for very long time,
The inlays on the neck are very busy I play a lot of leads I'm worried that would add to some confusion?
The D tuna that you described requires that you use a stop . which eliminates the ability for Pull-Ups on the tremolo. the original are made in Japan are they not? If I'm going to buy something other than USA made I might as well buy something less expensive imported Guitar body ? I can purchase a double neck gym from China replace pots tremolo and Pickups an end up with a possibly better guitar for 300 to 350 ? They are doing a much better job with their guitar necks lately And as far as the guitar being white I like white guitars because on stage they can become whatever color I want them to be at any moment that's if I didn't tick off the light guy for running around too much?
Good video thank you !
which do you think is better for playing all kinds of rock (and metal) fairly decently. Mexican Strat or Ibanez JEM JR?
I know this is 9 months later but just to put a response here, I own both and either one would do pretty much anything you want in most modern musical styles, with the ibanez leaning metal and the strat leaning rock, but at the same time, they really are both versatile enough for just about anything thanks to the HSH style pickups (humbucker, single coil, humbucker)
Comprehensive review. Thanks. One point tho. The original Jem has never had a 'skunk stripe' for Truss Rod fitment. The first versions had a scarf jointed maple neck similar (but much thinner) to the Jem Jr. Later Jems have the 5 piece laminate Maple & Walnut necks.
I've just bought a 'pre-owned' Jr. Expecting mid-week delivery. Should be a fun modding platform!
what is the radius neck freatboard in the first fret and the last one?. thanks
so i've heard the newer your model is the better it is makes sense because ibanez's new cheap guitars are outstanding players for the price. still bring my gio around for every gig in drop c so I dont have to re set up my floyd
I bought one and returned it. For a Fender or Gibson player the flat neck is very uncomfortable. Because it was flat it felt wider which I didn’t want. I also did not like the sharp corners. I thought since Steve Vai likes it, it would play fast. Not for me. The tree of life is cool but not enough to offset the negatives. I have Squires that are much faster, even my old $100 Affinity Tele. The pickups may have been ok but I never played it on a gig since the feel of it was not good for me. I have a Carvel Strat with a Floyd and a Squire Stagemaster HSH set-neck Strat with a Floyd that was $210 when I got it and it rocks comfortably. I’m obviously partial to a Strat shape but Fender put a lot of research into determining the Strat shape was incredible.
#999 Great video my friend. I just picked up the exact same one with a hard shell case for $300 bucks in mint condition. I couldn't pass it up.
You are spot on with owning a shredder guitar for your collection. I'm a strat guy also, so when I noticed the wide neck at the nut was a plus, (due to my long fingers) The middle pick up does get in the way a little, so I just lowered it. The tuners are really the only issue I don't really care for, BUT with the locking nut, cured that issue for now. I'll probably end up changing them in the future. 😉👌 Nice job, and thank you again!
Thanks, I am glad you like it.
Well ...i hope it's not too late to comment but I'd like to suggest if there is a possibility to get a pearl finish vinyl film job on the pick guard. As it would cover every hole and when we apply screws they ll fit to their exact position. N its quite safe u can remove it immediately it it doesn't suit. Hope that's helpful. I am planning to buy a jem jr n ur detailed review would b the most helpful one. Thank you..
Can this be a good beginner guitar? Or should I go for something like an Epiphone Les Paul? I want to play classic rock. I am a Steve Vai fan, but his style of music is not what I want to play but I still think this guitar is pretty cool.
Both would work but classic rock is more often associated with a Les Paul style guitar.
I have a Jem Jr. I love the guitar. The only disappointment is the painting inside the monkey grip, it's less than quality. Rough and bumpy
I bought the yellow version yesterday and it’ll be here sometime today. Can’t wait, coming up 60 and not bothered what it looks like. I have seven guitars and over the years they’ve all been ‘refashioned’..............starting with a paint job. So they yellow doesn’t phase me. I like the reviews and already have an Ibanez that I’m happy with. So saw one of these on offer for £360 and went for it (£140 more for the white one). I think it’s a decent bit of kit for £360
who uses the monkey grip?
Very good review! i love my jem jr, changed the pickguard tho
Great review, I have an Ibanez Prestige rg1570 and an rg3exfm1, but I’m also considering getting a Jem jr at some point..I don’t think you can have too many guitars. Lol
jem Jr or PRS custom SE 24?
Go! Lol
watched your video to the end. very interesting, well done!
Thanks for watching
I wouldnt say steve is a shredder. He can shred when he needs to but he can also slow it down and play with emotion. He can play any style and mix between them freely. He is so much more than a shredder. He is just very good at playing technical licks quickly.
Considering buying this in less than a year after I finish school. Would this be a good choice if I play Eric Johnson, Yngwie, Vai himself, Joe Satch etc?
I think it would be great. You can upgrade the pickups if you feel they are not what you like.
Your reveiws are very good; congratulations! i´d like to buy this because i like the sound of mahogany; can i install a tremol-no system a use it as a fixed bridge? i mean, is there enough space for the installation! thank you!
Mines getting frets 20=24 scalloped this weekend.
i so want to do that but i dont want to mess up my main player or put it out of action for days or weeks
I just pre ordered a pink one, hopefully I won't be dissapointed!? I can replace the Floyd, and I have extra good quality pick ups.
very informative video thx.
You forgot to mention the way the trem handle fastens. It screws on with a cap, like a Floyd, rather than pushed in like the JEMs do. Much easier to stay tight than the way this one works.
Jackson Soloist series (SL3X/SL4X) or Jem Junior?
The slx the necks feel way better
Hi, Addicted to Gear, nice video, thnx. Question: I have a new one bought last week, but the fretboard is in Jatoba wood instead of the Rosewood these days because of the CITES regulations. This Jatoba wood looks a lot lighter colored than the Rosewood wood so the fretboard isn't really matching
One possible solution for the neck wood is to use a leather dye to darken it. It is not difficult to do but you still need to be carful with it. Factory stings are usually bad. You should change them as it will make a big difference. If you are getting buzzing then the neck truss rod may need to be adjusted for proper setup. I am personally not a fan of flat wound strings except for Jazz guitars. Thanks for watching!
In the US now it’s $500 new
Are you Glen from Spectre Studios, btw?
Dressed neatly?
Have a great day!
Ha! I noticed it too, but wasn't going to say anything, lol!
I have the Jem 555 model with the Dimarzio Evo pickups...they are the same ones going in the higher end Jems and sound awesome! However, in my haste I tried to retrofit a Foyd Rose by Schaller...refilled the post holes😳. In short... It was taken back and now I have a brand-new edge 3 ... I just hope I can get this bridge to sit perfectly, I pray to the guitar gods that this goes well !!!!
Is there any aesthetic way to tell if the guitar is fake or real, or is the only way you can tell by playing it
very comprehensive. thanks!
Great video and Sorry if I've missed it but does it have a 2 piece neck like the yellow and pink jem jr?
Shame that the last 4 frets aren't scalloped. Cool entry into the Ibanez line though.
Go on Amazon Canada and check the pick guards they're like 8$ with shipping. Mother of pearl and all. Type JEM or even RG should fit too
A note for 12:30.. You go: "if you pull the arm up with a d-tuna..." well in order to install and use a d-tuna, modifying the tremolo in the way that it CAN'T GO UP is the first thing.. (that's what I also did after buying this same guitar) Otherwise, you cannot use a d-tuna because it will change (drop) string tension and you'll be out of tune. So, a d-tuna is no problem with this guitar.
Ozan Absolutely correct. Glad someone else spotted this. EVH himself says the D-Tuna is designed for a Floyd that is 'flat to the deck'
you said Rose wood Fret board..was thick/ mine says its made from JATOBA..
Great starter guitar !
Is this guitar only good for shredding? I am more of a classic rock guy but like the Strat shape with humbuckers.
No, you can use this guitar as you would any guitar. Not just for shredding.
You can try telecaster deluxe
As usual great info, not a fan of the wizard neck but like you say all guitarist should, at least, have one and yes a sound check would be nice other than shredding again thank you, T.
William Pereira There are several different wizard necks.
cool did not know that thanks