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Crafting Your Guitar Tone with Steve Vaiplay button

Crafting Your Guitar Tone with Steve Vai

Steve Vai - "30 years of the Ibanez JEM"play button

Steve Vai - "30 years of the Ibanez JEM"

Ibanez

collapse expand iconDescription

This signature model provides affordable access to Steve Vai's innovative and iconic design. Equipped with a meranti body and ultrafast Wizard III neck, the JEMJR delivers the playability and tone suitable for any style. The iconic "Monkey Grip" handle and striking Tree of Life inlay leave no doubt as to this guitar's inspiration.

Wizard III Neck Allows Lightning-Fast Runs

The JEMJR features Ibanez's renowned Wizard III neck, one of the fastest necks ever produced. This slim, comfortable neck profile facilitates effortless shredding at breakneck speeds. The Wizard III neck provides a substantial platform for chords when needed but truly excels during lead passages, allowing complex runs and arpeggios to flow unimpeded from the fingers.

Quantum Pickups Produce Aggressive Tones

The JEMJR is equipped with a pair of Quantum humbucking pickups and a single Quantum single-coil pickup. This versatile H/S/H configuration can produce tones from warm cleans to blistering high-gain distortion. The five-way selector switch provides a wide range of timbres from the individual pickups or combinations thereof. The JEMJR's pickups are tuned to deliver an aggressive tone suitable for shredding and metal while retaining clarity and note definition.

Double-Locking Tremolo Enables Extreme Pitch Bending

The JEMJR features Ibanez's standard double-locking tremolo bridge, which provides exceptional tuning stability even when subjected to extreme pitch bending. The bridge locks the strings at both the nut and bridge, allowing radical dive bombs and squeals without the tuning issues associated with traditional tremolo systems. The double-locking tremolo is a must-have for any guitar meant to withstand the rigors of shred guitar performance.

Iconic Styling Immediately Recognizable

From its distinctive shape to eye-catching appointments, the JEMJR's styling leaves no doubt as to its inspiration. The acrylic vine inlay adorning the fretboard is an unmistakable hallmark of the JEM series. The familiar "Monkey Grip" handle provides a secure handhold for theatrical flourishes and fretwork acrobatics. With its iconic design and high-performance features, the JEMJR allows shredders to emulate their hero's style and tone.

Ibanez JEMJR Steve Vai Signature JEM Series Electric Guitar White
Ibanez JEMJR Steve Vai Signature JEM Series Electric Guitar White
Ibanez JEMJR Steve Vai Signature JEM Series Electric Guitar White

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • Body: Mahogany
  • Neck type: Wizard III Maple neck
  • Fretboard: Jatoba
  • Fretboard Inlay: Tree of Life
  • Frets: Jumbo
  • Fretboard radius: 400 mm (15.75")
  • Scale Length: 648 mm (25.5")
  • Neck Width at Nut: 43 mm (1.7")
  • Neck Width at Last Fret: 58 mm (2.3")
  • Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: 19 mm (.75")
  • Neck Thickness at 12th Fret: 21 mm (.82")
  • Bridge: Standard Ibanez Double-Locking Tremolo System
  • Pickup configuration: HSH
  • Neck Pickup: Quantum Neck Humbucker (Passive/Ceramic)
  • Middle Pickup:Quantum single-coil mid pickup (Passive/Ceramic)
  • Bridge Pickup: Quantum Bridge Humbucker (Passive/Ceramic)
  • Hardware Color: Cosmo black
  • Other Features: Monkey Grip, Lion's Claw tremolo cavity
  • Case: Sold separately

collapse expand iconWarranty

Warranty terms vary. Check with manufacturer for specific product warranty.

Featured Articles

collapse expand iconReviews

4.25

48 Reviews

84%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

JemJr Delivers an Overkill of Excellence for Beginners
Ok entry level/beginner guitar
Great guitar after some TLC
Very good bang for your buck

Most Liked Positive Review

5

An Absolute Stunner!

Another winner from Ibanez. Let me give my major criticism first. The action on this guitar at the store sucked. But when I checked the neck curve it was good.The frets were level AND the fret ends were dressed. The Wizard 3 neck profile is perfect modern technique (shredding). The H-S-H pickup configuration is versatile. The tone and response of the pickups are good. No they are not Dimazio, but they work well in this guitar. The full humbucking positions are not that much louder than the other settings.The vibrato system is smooth and stays in tune. The guitar looks fantastic. The inlay corresponds to regular fret markings. All things considered, this guitar is a fantastic buy at this price. This guitar blows away others that cost twice as much. I gave this guitar 5 stars because of the features at this price.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

2

Does Not Meet Expectations

READ FOR YOUR OWN GOOD: The day I bought this beautiful was on my birthday in late May. I took it home immediately, tuned it, and then started playing it. The pickups on the guitar were extremely bright, and didn't match my tone or style of playing at all. At the time, I figured it was the amp tone I was using. But over time, after trying many different tone setups I realized that The pickups sounded like garbage. Also the guitar would not stay in tune, even with the double locking tremolo and also had fret buzz. I found temporary solutions to these problems but they kept coming back. At the time of writing this, I have had the JEM for a month, and more problems keep developing. For example, the hole where the tremolo arm is placed keeps becoming loose and wobbly, no matter how many times I tighten it. I and most other people would have high expectations for a Steve Vai, or anyother signature edition guitar, and this thing turned out to be trash. I highly recommend not buying this guitar and instead, if you can afford it, buy an EVH Wolfgang Standard. It is a much higher quality instrument, and sounds a lot better. I am definitely returning my JEM ASAP, and hopefully finding a better guitar.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Practicing34
  2. Jamming31
  3. Recording19
  4. Small Venues19
  5. Rock Concerts15
Cons
  1. Fret Buzz10
  2. Craftsmanship6
  3. Poor Pick Up4
  4. Flat Sound3
  5. Small fret buzz1
Describe Yourself
  1. Experienced31
  2. Novice7
  3. Professional Musician5
Pros
  1. Fun To Play38
  2. Good Feel34
  3. Good Tone31
  4. Good Pick Up26
  5. Solid Electronics26

Reviewed by 48 customers

  • Pretty good for intermediate and advanced guitar playing.

    5

    submitted8 months ago

    byMateo

    fromNew Mexico

    I've had this guitar for about 6 months now and it has done me great. Everything was okay when I got it. It could have used a tiny tiny bit better intonation and relief but after it was setup by a proper luthier it has been my baby ever since. Good pick ups. Good body and finish.

  • I would buy other Ibanez guitars

    5

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitteda year ago

    byJohn

    fromSparks,NV

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Great quality guitar at a great price

  • JemJr Delivers an Overkill of Excellence for Beginners

    5

    submitted2 years ago

    byFernando

    fromMcAllen Tx

    As a novice guitarist, the JemJr has become my inaugural companion on this musical journey, and let me assure you, it's the ideal guitar for anyone stepping into the world of strings. While some might argue it's overkill for beginners, allow me to elucidate why this guitar is an absolute gem. To begin with, the weight is just right—striking a balance between substance and comfort. While it may not be the lightest, for a newcomer like me, it feels spot-on. Moving on to the neck, it's unbelievably thin, providing a perfect grip that surpasses even the sleekness of a Fender. The pickups, well, they're simply overkill—in the best possible way. No need for any immediate upgrades; these pickups deliver a fantastic tone that will keep you satisfied for a long time. However, every rose has its thorn, and in the case of the JemJr, it's the Floyd Rose system. As a beginner, tuning can be a bit of a challenge, prompting a visit to a luthier for assistance. Yet, overlooking this minor setback, everything else about the guitar is flawless. And let's not forget, it proudly boasts the signature of none other than Steve Vai—the cherry on top of an already delightful musical experience.

  • Not good

    1

    submitted2 years ago

    byAle

    fromFlorida

    This guitar is beautiful in the pictures but when i recieved mine today one of the screws was stripped many of them were completely loose, the guitar itself was very dirty and the tremolo system was unhooked (purposely I assume). Don't buy this guitar from here at least.

  • Yes

    4

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted2 years ago

    byJoe Dirt

    fromSunrise Florida

    Submitted as part of a sweepstakes

    Great guitar being from production, stays in tune, action came pretty good as well. Overall happy with purchase after seeing some negative comments

  • Ok entry level/beginner guitar

    3

    Verified BuyerVerified Buyer

    submitted3 years ago

    byBenjammin

    fromNashville

    Pickups muddy and unclear, needs boost, 1/4" jack comes loose and needs to be tightened often, setup was good but strings weren't so I'm going to have to setup again when I change those, tremolo sounds nice but looks and feels suspect, neck is very thin and easy to fret, much lighter than my Les Paul, locking tuners work well. Good intro to Ibanez but I am going to have to change out the pickups and trem before I feel okay with this onstage.

collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitted3 months ago

    asked byrizalito

    fromCherry Hill New Jersey

    what made

    what made

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Made in Indonesia.

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked bySara

    fromTulsa Oklahoma

    Does it conw with a whammy bar

    Does it conw with a whammy bar

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Yes, the Ibanez JEMJR has a whammy bar.

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked byAnthony

    fromIA

    Can the whammy bar be removed easily?

    Can the whammy bar be removed easily?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    Yes, you need to unscrew it.

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked byKyaw Htoon

    fromStockton

    Which country made in?

    Which country made in?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    This model is made in Indonesia

  • submitted2 years ago

    asked byAidan

    fromSmithfield RI

    What it the type of finish on the neck

    What it the type of finish on the neck

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    This neck has a Gloss finish

  • submitted4 years ago

    asked byAbigail B

    fromundisclosed

    How much does it weigh?

    How much does it weigh?

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    The weight is 8 lbs.

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byThe Jackal

    fromRussellville Ar

    I know the case is sold separate do you have the case available for this guitar? Preferably a hard shell case

    I know the case is sold separate do you have the case available for this guitar? Preferably a hard shell case

    Open Reply - Beau
    This guitar would be compatible with any standard electric guitar case. The Road Runner RRDWE Deluxe Wood Electric Guitar Case would be a good choice.