![Ibanez JEM777 [1987-1996]](https://img.audiofanzine.com/img/product/normal/1/3/137499.jpeg?fm=pjpg&w=300&h=218&fit=max&s=dc333934c1f029e45091ddc4fa78788f)
View other reviews for this product:
Hatsubai « One of my favorite JEMs »
Published on 10/01/11 at 13:16This is probably one of my favorite JEMs ever made. It is very similar to the RG550 that they used to release but with a few minor changes. Aside from that, in all honesty, it's pretty much the same. However, these get big bucks when compared to the original RGs back in the day. The guitar features a basswood body, a maple neck with a maple fretboard, 24 jumbo frets, unique triangle inlays, an Edge tremolo, unique handle cutout, HSH configuration, one volume, one tone and a five way switch.
UTILIZATION
The guitar had some wear on it, but considering this guitar is going on over 30 years old, it's not too bad. The frets were recently leveled, and although they were getting a little low, they still felt nice. The ends were perfectly beveled, and I could get some insane action on this thing without fretting out. The neck joint on this was the old school one, and it had some of those finish cracks that everyone seems to experience. However, it didn't have any huge neck gaps, so no issue there. The maple fretboard was getting dirty, and it looked absolutely amazing. I love the look of worn maple, so I was really bonding with this.
SOUNDS
The guitar had two PAF Pros in it with an HS3 in the middle. The PAF Pro in the bridge is very nice. It's open and sounds great through most any rig out there. It's a touch too open at times, though. When I start playing metal, it gets to be a bit vintage-esque sounding. That can be a good thing or bad thing, depending on what you're going for. The middle HS3 worked nicely when it came to splitting with the neck/bridge, and I got some good clean tones with it. The PAF Pro in the neck was where everything really came together. It was clear, smooth and open sounding. It worked awesome for leads, and I'd rate it up there as one of the top five DiMarzio lead pickups.
OVERALL OPINION
The guitar is great, but expect to pay a pretty penny for one of these. If you can do without the fancy inlays, you might be better off customizing a standard RG550. However, the hardcore collectors out there will want to have the original, and this is what helped start the whole RG craze back in the 80s. Awesome guitars, and if you can afford one, go for it.
UTILIZATION
The guitar had some wear on it, but considering this guitar is going on over 30 years old, it's not too bad. The frets were recently leveled, and although they were getting a little low, they still felt nice. The ends were perfectly beveled, and I could get some insane action on this thing without fretting out. The neck joint on this was the old school one, and it had some of those finish cracks that everyone seems to experience. However, it didn't have any huge neck gaps, so no issue there. The maple fretboard was getting dirty, and it looked absolutely amazing. I love the look of worn maple, so I was really bonding with this.
SOUNDS
The guitar had two PAF Pros in it with an HS3 in the middle. The PAF Pro in the bridge is very nice. It's open and sounds great through most any rig out there. It's a touch too open at times, though. When I start playing metal, it gets to be a bit vintage-esque sounding. That can be a good thing or bad thing, depending on what you're going for. The middle HS3 worked nicely when it came to splitting with the neck/bridge, and I got some good clean tones with it. The PAF Pro in the neck was where everything really came together. It was clear, smooth and open sounding. It worked awesome for leads, and I'd rate it up there as one of the top five DiMarzio lead pickups.
OVERALL OPINION
The guitar is great, but expect to pay a pretty penny for one of these. If you can do without the fancy inlays, you might be better off customizing a standard RG550. However, the hardcore collectors out there will want to have the original, and this is what helped start the whole RG craze back in the 80s. Awesome guitars, and if you can afford one, go for it.