I always interpreted the 'monkey grip' to be a kin to a briefcase handle. Like Steve was a business man of music and the guitar was his briefcase.

I have a Jem from the 80's and it's still so much easier to play than any other guitar I've ever used. I'm talking about the low action, smooth neck -- it just feels fantastic.

I remember a guy using a JEM for jazz. It was weird at first, but it sounded like jazz, so why the hell not. Anyway, great guitar.

I think the fact that the JEM is the second longest running signature model, second only to the Les Paul speaks volumes. I have a JEM '90 JEM 777VBK and it is a fantastic instrument and of all my guitar is is the one I enjoy the most.

The Jem is the longest running signature Series guitar only behind Les Paul

thank you for this, glenn danzig

*Of interesting note... The DiMarzio PAF Pro pickups used in both the neck and bridge positions of 1st gen Jems were originally custom prototype pickups designed for Bill Connors, the jazz fusion guitarist best known for when he was in the band Return to Forever, with Chick Corea, Stanley Clark, & Lenny White, on the album and tour for Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy. His replacement in RTF on the next album was Al Di Meola, who used DiMarzio Super Distortions and PAFs, and later his own signature model DiMarzios... The PAF Pro was sonically designed to be fairly moderate and vintagish in output, like it's late 50's PAF namesake, but with added clarity and articulation, to accentuate the nuance and detail of fine technique. The PAF Pro in the bridge position of the 1st gen Ibanez Jem was the lowest output pickup relative to any used in later generations, but because it wasn't overly wound, and was designed more for Bill Conners' fusion than for rock or metal, it had an extra clear and detailed top end that like good P90s or Fender single coils, really exposed the proficiency of the player. If your playing isn't up to snuff, your entire audience will hear your flaws in detail..., but if you do got the chops, like Bill Conners or Steve Vai, then even the back row of the balcony will hear every badass nuance and detail of your phrasing...*

"Thanks to my brother in law, Steve.." Interesting, Hmm... something suspicious 😕🤔

I bought mine the week it was released and I still use it. Over 800 shows with it and never out of tune. You forgot to mention that the guitar is wrapped with silk on both the body and headstock. The guitar was released with the pink pickups ( which was the first run in 88) then it got released with the orange pickups in late 88. ✨👌😃👍🎶👍🎶👍🎶🎶🎶

I myself own the Ibanez RG 570 (1990). It was the golden era of Ibanez.

I think my favorite thing about the JEM, was that it also launched the RG series. And IMHO the range of the RG types pretty much have every config you could want.

I first saw the JEM when a friend was helping me learn to play. He was so good, and that JEM was awsome. He had the flourescent green, pink, and yellow with the Vanishing Pyramids. Such a hot looking piece. But it played so sweet that I chose the RG550 for my first guitar. Which as I understand was the starting point for Steves mad creation in this JEM, I think his was model 777. Cant be sure its been a bunch of years and a few beers ago. Your ability to show this guitars potential is on caliber with the guitar itself, great article.

Love listening to your videos, I consider them proper educational lectures. Don't stop!

These are amazing guitars . This model you're looking at has a great pattern. I am lucky to still have a good condition 1988 model & it still rips. I do love the all access neck joints of the later Jem models though.The great thing about Jems are the fact that they are so much more versatile than most would expect with the pick up configuration and that neck that gives endless possibilities . There are very few limits to these guitars.Great video and playing too!

Bought the hot pink 777 with disappearing pyramids in '89, paired it for years with a 100 watt Mosfet. Extremely playable, extreme sustain, crisp leads, ballsy rhythm. Still own it. Much easier to play than my American Strat, but happy to play both.

still have my Ibanez. My first real guitar. Very great guitar to start learning on, like the man said. I was impressed and intrigued by the tonal spectrum that guitar produces. I’m looking forward to getting mine set up and playing again.

Great stuff Maxx! I've been waiting for this video. The JEM is one of the best shredders ever! You're the man..er uh..the Maxx rather! Could you give us a run down on the who,what,when,where and why of the Wizard neck? Keep it up brother!

i have a jem 77FP of 1989 and i totally agree with you!

Great video. Very informative!

Thanks for your reviews and suggestions...especially on budget guitars

I have the yellow Jem 777 in a case under my bed right now. serial # 882816. i bought in 1989 i believe. After owning many guitars, and playing hundreds of guitars, the Jem is still WAY up on the list of the best ever i've played (that's including various custom shop guitars from dean, fender, ESP ect.).. I don't believe i would ever sell it.

I think these and the Satriani's are the best signature Ibanezes ever

The Peavey Vandenberg. I've had one with the dual humbuckers, incredible guitar. It had such a tiny neck. Like 24 frets crammed in a Mustang length fretboard with an Ibanez neckprofile but a rather Les Paul like scale. Made classical chords feel like warm up excersizes. Factory Alnico 2 high gain pickups and an awesome Kahler trem that you could lock, so it became a fixed bridge. So underappreciated. Also that Dime ML blue/lightning bolt, that has to be one of the best guitars I've ever played. Coincedentally both signature guitars as well :)

I still have my swirly and my white one and I love those guitars. I sold it to Steve twelve years ago because it wasn't getting much use. I knew it was going to a good home

I used to want one of these so badly.

I got a jem jr, and it's awesome. I can only imagine what a high end one plays like. Will never own one so my Jr will do✌❤😁

Amazing playing ! Excellent overview of this amazing instrument!

LOVE. I absolutely adore the JEM series. I own 2 and they've been the best playing guitars I've had the pleasure of jamming on.

Pure Vanilla sterile tone in clean mode. Sounds like allot of EMG 80's guitars I tried. Shred on.

Completely in accord to you my friend! I've a vintage model of JeM FP (1998) and I love it so much... She's not a perfect guitar, but her sound is full of personality and able to create the Groove of Rock* - Thanks for this Video ;)

Thanks for the hard work doing the vids man. You are taking me back with this one.

Such a great guitar. thanks for the video.

I had this stunning guitar. Should never have sold it. One thing I never got over were the thin in between sounds which had quite a volumedrop too. For the rest, a brilliant axe. Stayed in tune, no matter what.

The jem is my dream guitar either floral or swirl I just love them

Don't forget its very useful bass roll off system for the volume control. Which cleans up your distorted sound without losing any highs.

I own Jem7V and 555 with Sustainiac sustainer. My favorite guitars for all time. The tone, the shape, the neck are awesome.

30 yrs of production, makes it a classic, for sure. in the top 5.

the link points to absolutely different guitar, "wolf WLP 750 brown burst Electric Guitar (Les PAUL type)" to be exact. cheers!

that gutiar is totally awesome and your video is great. i like the different camera angles etc. nicely done.

Steve rocks lending you his floral jam. Good one Steve 🤘🏻🕶

I bought rg 570 a couple of days ago. I use a translator. color-sour apple breeze, 98 years in ideal. worth fred and paf. not a single scratch.

Used to have one of these. Exact same year floral pattern. I sold it and have regretted it ever since. I agree, best guitar ever.

you are playing and sounding really cool man!

I've got one and it was one of the first and I still love it.

you look like mark wahlberg in Rockstar except black hair cool video!

Good thing is you can get this HSH setup with tapped humbuckers on many guitars which is the most versatile pickup combo, not lovin the floral though, maybe on curtains?

I've been playing an '89 JEM77FP since the early 90's and it covers all styles beautifully... and no fatigue on your fingers... add a JCM800 2204 and you have guitar heaven! :-) (before the JEM was the RG750...and before that a late 70's Ibanez Artist) Slick video that Max!

I’ve always wanted one, the idea of super tall frets along with scallops where they are needed, thin neck, three pickups with a floating bridge and that handle. Plus they’re fucking beautiful

ibanez is the best guitar company today because even their lower end models sound and play better than many other guitars.

That voice, you are like the Morgan Freeman of guitar reviews!!

Thanks for another great review. It takes a lot to make hit Subscribe, but you had me convinced within the first minute of the first review I came across.

I just love your videos :)

I almost bought one with same design, still to this day i regret not getting it.... aaarghhh super fast guitar.

Maxx, I would have to concur on that it may just be the best electric guitar ever made, production model that is.

Absolutely have 2. The newer fp2 the successor to the one you played and a white 7v. Love em

Great video, great playing, great speaking voice.

I've had my Jem 7V WH now for 15 years and other than my Mexican Strat, it's the only guitar I've never wanted to replace after time. It goes everywhere with me and is the best guitar I've ever owned in my 27 years playing. But that's just the player that I am. I can understand different players of different skills and musical tastes disagreeing with me because It's all down to player that you are. There is no best ever guitar ever made, there's just the best guitar for you.

Fuckin' Steve the brother in law! Nice guitar, man!!

HEY MAXXXWELLC! i am a vintage strat guy but i have always wanted one of these jems and yours is one of the best looking i have seen alot of the time the pattern does not cover the top horn of the guitar but yours has it on the top horn KILLER GUITAR!

love your vids

I can't play any instruments ... and have always lusted after the ability to play guitar (well). Also, I'm only 70, left handed ... and have somewhat crooked fingers (which makes it a biatch to frete) ... so is it too late to learn to play, say ... like Stevie Ray Vaughn (jus' kidding). And, I seriously appreciate your reviews. Thanks ... and keep 'um coming. BTW--I have a ticket to see Joe Bonamassa in May 2018 at the St. Augustine, Fl, Amphitheater. Really looking forward to that one.

Absolutely one best guitars ever made🤘

Great video. Used to own an '88 JEM 77FP myself. Great guitar for shredding and high gain. Once I started getting into 60's & 70's rock, blues, and jazz it really did not hold up tone wise. Ended up selling the guitar. It was indeed easy to play and worked great for specific genre's.

I have a 1991 Blue Floral Jem and i have to say its a very well made guitar for sure it is my go to guitar i have a 1996 custom shop strat a 78 Les Paul which was my uncles but that jem just does it for me

Another excellent vid. I'd call the jem the best Production lead guitar or hard rock / metal guitar.

Lord Farquad

Friend of mine had that same guitar back then, played amazing.

Great video, and all valid points.

I built a Jem with parts from BYO Guitar and surprisingly it plays better than a real Jem.

1989 RG550 Japanese better than any LP or Strat I ever owned

Great vid mate

The inlays are beautiful.

Do you even lift bro?

omg best guitar ever made no doubt.

Beautiful guitar one of my fav

I have alot of Ibanez guitars mainly bcuz of their thin necks. Max, keep up the straightforward, no bs, hype!

Simple answer: yes

Greatest Guitar ever Made . And to those of you who think it was based on the RG , slap yourselves around the Head , because Mr Vai gets a Royalty check every Year because the RG is based on the JEM . I know most of you know that , but Central Scrutinizer Doesn't . Anyway , the JEM is atleast the best of the Superstrats , and in my opinion it is hands down the best Electric ever made !

Nice review and channel in general. Didn't know Cisco Ramon played the guitar

your videos help me a lot and remind me to pick up my guitar. i'm 42 and new to the guitar world. unfortunately, my parents never bought me a guitar

Saying a guitar is the best is pretty indulgant. Nothing is more subjective than opinions about guitars. But oh well nice presentation nonethless.

The jem is the longest runnning signature series guitar ever. How could it run so long and be wrong?

mine comes friday super exited

I own an Ibanez RG 450 1992 made in Japan (a cheaper son of the Jem) and it is for far the best guitar I have ever played. I cannot find any other guitar that will allow me to play faster. It 's simply fantastic. The neck is the thinnest I have ever played, so easy to play and sounds great. And it still plays unreal. Those Japanese guitars from the 80s/90s were incredible

Should remove the pickguard, and remove the dust, so impossible to watch :(

Ibanez make great guitars however i prefer jacksons

Man I’ve always wanted a JEM. My first electric was a black RG; but man your floral JEM is freaking gorgeous

I have an 88 myself...took out the PAFs and put in a Fullshred SH10B and a 59 in the the neck (twin humbucker only...relax its my workhorse and NEVER getting rid of it ever)..lol re-did all the wiring the way i like it and want it.! It's one that will always be amongst the 5 of my top 5s i always go to..👌👍🤘🤘🤘🤘

The JEM is an amazing guitar, and likely is the best metal, rock, shred ever!!! The problem.... it's an Ibanez! You either lover Ibanez or hate them.... I cannot stand Ibanez (except the Iceman is cool)

You have to be kidding. Nobody of any note has recorded anything on it, except Vai. There isn't any classic songs or sounds that use a JEM.

I've got 12 expensive guitars and my Jem has always been my favorite, I got mine about 12 years ago and had to have the white, but I love just about every Jem.

I have 2! Love them

This guitar’s metal tone is good, but the clean is totally crab😓. For this price range I better buy a PRS customer 24.

I’ve always wanted to prove to people that a guitar is a guitar and what you put into it is what you get out of it. Hence I would love to get a mid range jem and use it for blues...that would be a great way to show someone expecting a shredder by the guitar “look” great vid, again love the smooth plays you start off with!

Max...i would really like you to do a video about setting a floyd rose tremo setup n tunning the guitar....please just for begginer level.

This was the first Jem guitar I saw close up (Spring of '88). It was perched on the checkout counter at a local guitar store. Stunning to look at, and I still regret not playing it. Of course noticing the $1299 tag, I wasn't going to take that chance. lol

In the early 80's still thought of him with carvins...and then this next evolution for him.

My friend has an '88 floral as well. SUPER sick guitar

This will always be the best looking Jem of all time. Was a dream guitar for me as a teenager, loved it.

I know a guy who saved his pennies and got the 88 model and jaysus he could play it too. A big shout out to Maurice 'Mossy' O' Brien from SE Ireland, a gentleman and fantastic player.