Ibanez Jem vs GMW Green meanie

[Chameleonfong]

I can't find this topic with the search engine, and is hoping to get some really down to earth answers. Other than the 24 and 22 frets difference, kindly give me your views of the two guitars.


Thanx
Fong

[Chameleonfong]

Re: Ibanez Jem vs GMW Green meanie

And please don't tell me Ibanez is cheap ass because they are made in Japan and original floyd is KING , I DON'T BUY THAT!

Sorry to rant, just don't want to get into those usual crap.


Fong

[BigDaddyD]

Re: Ibanez Jem vs GMW Green meanie

I actually owned a jem and it was one of the best guitars that I have ever owned. I would personally want another before getting the GMW.

[fuel0707]

Re: Ibanez Jem vs GMW Green meanie

Just from looking at the pictures and the websites, I think the GMW offers more options, especially for pickups, finishes, etc, and for a reasonable price. I think you could also specify body wood for the GMW Meanie instead of being stuck with Ibanez's choice.

I also haven't been very impressed with Ibanez's inlays. A lot of them have quite a bit of black epoxy filler, especially the vine inlays. I think that is rather inexcusable in this day and age of CNC machines, especially given the fact that Ibanez uses a whole lot of automation in their production process to begin with.

[BTB007]

Re: Ibanez Jem vs GMW Green meanie

Blah, blah, blah, blah...
Ibanez uses bad wood, the neck pockets are poor, etc.
I don't know much about that stuff with guitars, but I do know that my Jem sounds awesome. The guitar just has some serious mojo going on. [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Brian

[speed monkey]

Re: Ibanez Jem vs GMW Green meanie

Originally posted by Chameleonfong:
I can't find this topic with the search engine, and is hoping to get some really down to earth answers. Other than the 24 and 22 frets difference, kindly give me your views of the two guitars.

Thanx
Fong

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Well Fong, how bout this....GMW has one IN STOCK right this second that you can buy...and I bet you'll be pretty happy with it, all things considered (especially not waiting to have it built)

Steve E

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: Ibanez Jem vs GMW Green meanie

Ibanez Trem and Original Floyd Rose are the big difference besides the fret #s.
The neck shape should be different too.
Many of Jems are made out of Basswood,GMW's are Alder I believe.
Most important is GMW guitars are built by few guys in U.S. while Ibanez guitars are made in Japan and the quiality of GMW guitars are great.
You can call them and ask questions.
So thier customer support is perfect compares to big company like Ibanez.
I have heard people sending e-mails to Ibanez and no replys.
GMW,Lee usually replys within a day or two.
Also,you can ask Lee for different pickups at no extra cost.
If you like Duncan, Lee can install them instead of Dimarzio Or different Dimarzio pickups.

[jgcable]

Re: Ibanez Jem vs GMW Green meanie

The Japanese factory where they make the Jems and the Prestige guitars is one of the finest guitar manufacturing facilities in the world and has been for some time now. I don't buy the arguement that the only reason Satch and Vai play Ibanez is because of the endorsements. They could get endorsements from any company. Vai plays Jems because they are fantastic guitars suitable for any style of music. Ibanez's committment to quality on their high end guitars is as strong as ever. Even the old Artists were beautiful Gibson Les Paul killers. That was back in the late 70's!

[speed monkey]

Re: Ibanez Jem vs GMW Green meanie

Originally posted by jgcable:
I don't buy the arguement that the only reason Satch and Vai play Ibanez is because of the endorsements. They could get endorsements from any company. Vai plays Jems because they are fantastic guitars suitable for any style of music.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Well - I do...for a couple of reasons...In Vai's case the actual "Green Meanie" and a few others from this period were built for him by Tom Anderson, who was under the impression that Vai was entering into an endorsement deal with him, only to be quote "heartbroken" to find out he went with Ibanez....Sorry - Ibanez doesn't even get close to Tom Anderson - but they do have deeper pockets and a comittment to building entry level models of their stars guitars, which ultimately means more residual money in the endorsees pocket...Satch is right there too.

Steve E

[j2379]

Re: Ibanez Jem vs GMW Green meanie

ibanez's are crap for other reasons, poorly made neck pockets. its only on the sides. they use lower quality body wood. its a one tricky pony. ive yet to play a jem that had a good rounded full tone when playing jazz or clean stuff. IMO they play & feel like toys.

[edgar allan poe]

Re: Ibanez Jem vs GMW Green meanie

"Blah, blah, blah, blah...
Ibanez uses bad wood, the neck pockets are poor, etc.
I don't know much about that stuff with guitars, but I do know that my Jem sounds awesome. The guitar just has some serious mojo going on."

Yes...by all means..ignore the cheap wood and the poor neck pocket...buy it for the mojo. [img]graemlins/bs.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/poke.gif[/img]

[RR05xx]

Re: Ibanez Jem vs GMW Green meanie

For what it is worth, I had one of those "Vine" Jem things back in the 80s and it did have a nice unfinished neck, smooth action and decent sound. I must admit it played very well. I did end up getting rid of it as it was not my thing at all at the time (I was playing Jackosn Vs in a metal band - surprise/surprise). I also recall feeling like Ibenez almost over-did the wide thin flat thing at the time - but that probably was an over-reaction based on the Jacksons and Gibson Explorer I had at the time. (Still have both Jacksons BTW).

Lee makes great intruments and I am sure that you will be happy with any guitar that you order from him (and its really nice to be able to order a totally custom guitar (woods etc) from a guy that is attentive to detail like he is). Also, his guitars are absolutely incredible players, necks as fast and action is excellent right out of the box (although, unless you live in cali - expect temp/hum. changes - especiallly on the east coast).

Conclusion. If you like the Ibanez Jem as it is or dont want to wait for a guitar, I would say to buy it and enjoy.

On the otherhand, if you are like me and generally find faults with "off-the-rack" guitars and/or find yourself wishing it had this or had that, call Lee and order it spec (you may have to wait, but it is worth it).

My $0.2

[Chuckracer]

Re: Ibanez Jem vs GMW Green meanie

One's a virtual Charvel and the other is an Ibanez.
You're comparing apples and oranges.
The only similarity between the two guitars is the Vai connection.

[Chameleonfong]

Re: Ibanez Jem vs GMW Green meanie

Originally posted by Chuckracer:
One's a virtual Charvel and the other is an Ibanez.
You're comparing apples and oranges.
The only similarity between the two guitars is the Vai connection.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That's what i'm trying to compare "apples" and "oranges" which are stll guitars! i want to know from people with had experience with two guitars. And tell me which one they prefer and why.

For everybody's info, i used to owned a Jem and i do happen to like them. And if any of you feel that Jems plays like a toy, try playing a Parker(not the import).

Fong

[jjw]

Re: Ibanez Jem vs GMW Green meanie

Ibanez always get a hard time with guitar players who say there jap rubbish!!!
These guitars do the job very well just as well
as Jacksons but perhaps not as sturdy or heavy [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

BTW parkers are amazing,i have a majic blue deluxe and it has the best action EVER.Versatile
instrument able to do anything you want it to