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When some one stole all his guitars. He needed some guitars fast so he purchased some parts from Performance and had them modified. Ibanez sent him for Christmas in 1986 a modified Maxxas guitar that had 24 frets and a Green Snake skin finish. Steve than sent one of the guitars that he had modified to Ibanez to see if they could reproduce it. Ibanez had many of there own ideas to add to this model. The first Proto types were made in the USA at the Ibanez company. There were 3 models made all with the same body style and neck but three different materials. One was Mahogany one was Alder and the third was Basswood. Steve liked the sound the best of the American Basswood also it was much lighter than the other models. At this point they decided to move ahead with the model development. Ibanez Added the Lions Claw under the tremolo route and the disappearing Pyramids. Steve wanted the Jack to be located so that when he put the cord around the strap the jack would be there so Ibanez put the jack on the lower side of the body and called it the tilt jack. The Tremolo rout was designed so the tremolo could be pulled up a full fifth. At this time there was a guy in New York Joe Dispagney that was painting, modifying and assembling the guitars for Steve. He always would put the monkey grips in the guitars so Steve had Ibanez do the same. Sound wise Steve played the Dimarzio PAF pickups and needed more sounds than just a Lespaul or a Strat so the Split 5 wiring was designed. This uses a standard 5 way switch with 2 Humbuckers and one single in the middle. The guitar is wired so that that as follows. 1 Position is the Bridge Humbucker. 2 Position is the Inside Bridge coil and Middle single. 3 Position is just the Single. 4 Position is the Inside Neck coil and the Middle single. 5 Position is the Neck Humbucker. They also added a 331PF capacitor across the volume pot. This is so that the highs don't roll off when the volume is turned down. Ibanez designed a new color plating called Cosmo Black to use on the Jem series. If you look at the original Jem brochure you will notice another thing the bridge cover this was used so that you could palm the bridge and the tremolo would not go sharp. This was only on the original JEM777LG models but not on any guitars after that. The neck was designed with the upper four frets scalloped and had a neck extension that went over the body. Ibanez scooped the heel of the guitar so that the upper frets were easy to play. The original Jem guitars used Dunlop 6100 fretwire. Here is a picture of the original Jem777 spec, It is Dated 10/6/1987. The Fretboard marking states Rosewood so I guess this is a mistake.
Info
Jem777LG Body: American Basswood Neck: Maple 14 Degree Scarf Joint Fingerboard: Maple with Disappearing Pyramids Neck Shape Jem Thickness 19mm X 21mm / Width 43mm X 57MM Fretwire: Dunlop 6100 Pickups: Pink PAF Pro in Bridge and Neck, Jem Single in the Middle. Bridge: Ibanez Edge Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone, 5 Way with Split 5 wiring Machine Heads: Smooth Tuner Hardware: Cosmo Black Color: Lochness Green. Available in 1987 only
Jem777SK Body: American Basswood Neck: Maple 14 Degree Scarf Joint Fingerboard: Maple with Disappearing Pyramids Neck Shape Jem Thickness 19mm X 21mm / Width 43mm X 57MM Fretwire: Dunlop 6100 Pickups: Pink PAF Pro in Bridge and Neck, Jem Single in the Middle. Bridge: Ibanez Edge Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone, 5 Way with Split 5 wiring Machine Heads: Smooth Tuner Hardware: Cosmo Black Color: Skocking Pink. Production Years 1987,1988,1989,1990
Jem777DY Body: American Basswood Neck: Maple 14 Degree Scarf Joint Fingerboard: Maple with Disappearing Pyramids Neck Shape Jem Thickness 19mm X 21mm / Width 43mm X 57MM Fretwire: Dunlop 6100 Pickups: Pink PAF Pro in Bridge and Neck, Jem Single in the Middle. Bridge: Ibanez Edge Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone, 5 Way with Split 5 wiring Machine Heads: Smooth Tuner Hardware: Cosmo Black Color: Desert Sun Yellow. Production Years 1987,1988,1989,1990.1991,1992,1993,1994,1995,1996
Jem7RB Body: American Basswood Neck: Maple 14 Degree Scarf Joint Fingerboard: Rosewood with Dots Neck Shape Jem Thickness 19mm X 21mm / Width 43mm X 57MM Fretwire: Dunlop 6100 Pickups: Pink PAF Pro in Bridge and Neck, Jem Single in the Middle. Bridge: Ibanez Edge Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone, 5 Way with Split 5 wiring Machine Heads: Smooth Tuner Hardware: Cosmo Black Color: Rootbeer Burned. Note: The Basswood is burned with a torch to give it the color and then the guitar is stained and cleared over. Production Years 1988,1989
Jem77FP Body: American Basswood Neck: Maple 14 Degree Scarf Joint Fingerboard: Rosewood with Green Tree of Life Neck Shape Jem Thickness 19mm X 21mm / Width 43mm X 57MM Fretwire: Dunlop 6100 Pickups: Pink PAF Pro in Bridge and Neck, Jem Single in the Middle. Bridge: Ibanez Edge Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone, 5 Way with Split 5 wiring Machine Heads: Smooth Tuner Hardware: Cosmo Black Finish. Florial Pattern. Note: The Floral Pattern is actually a Fabric that was copied from Steve Vai's Curtains in his house. There are 3 front patterns, 3 Back patterns and 3 headstock patterns. All of these combinations could be on any model so they all do not look exactly alike. Production Years 1988,1989,1990,1991.1992,1993,1994,1995,1996
Jem777VDY Body: American Basswood Neck: Maple 14 Degree Scarf Joint Fingerboard:Rosewood with DY Tree of Life. Neck Shape Wizard Thickness 17mm X 20mm / Width 43mm X 57MM Fretwire: Dunlop 6140 Pickups: Pink PAF Pro in Bridge and Neck, Jem Single in the Middle. Bridge: Ibanez Edge Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone, 5 Way with Split 5 wiring Machine Heads: Smooth Tuner Hardware: Cosmo Black Color: Desert Sun Yellow. Production Years 1989,1990,1991
Jem777VBK Body: American Basswood Neck: Maple 14 Degree Scarf Joint Fingerboard:Rosewood with Green Tree of Life. Neck Shape Jem Thickness 19mm X 21mm / Width 43mm X 57MM Fretwire: Dunlop 6100 Pickups: Pink PAF Pro in Bridge and Neck, Jem Single in the Middle. Bridge: Ibanez Edge Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone, 5 Way with Split 5 wiring Machine Heads: Smooth Tuner Hardware: Cosmo Black Color:Black. Production Years 1988,1989,1990,1991,1992
Jem7PBK Body: American Basswood Neck: Maple 14 Degree Scarf Joint Fingerboard:Rosewood with white pyramids. Neck Shape Jem Thickness 17mm X 20mm / Width 43mm X 57MM Fretwire: Dunlop 6100 Pickups: White PAF Pro in Bridge and Neck, Jem Single in the Middle. Bridge: Ibanez Edge Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone, 5 Way with Split 5 wiring Machine Heads: Smooth Tuner Hardware: Cosmo Black Color:Black. Production Years 1989,1990,1991
Jem777BFP Body: American Basswood Neck: Maple 14 Degree Scarf Joint Fingerboard:Maple with Blue Tree of Life. Neck Shape Jem Thickness 19mm X 21mm / Width 43mm X 57MM Fretwire: Dunlop 6140 Pickups: Blue PAF Pro in Bridge and Neck, Jem Single in the Middle. Bridge: Ibanez Edge Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone, 5 Way with Split 5 wiring Machine Heads: Smooth Tuner Hardware: Cosmo Black Color:Blue Florial Pattern. Note: The Blue Floral Pattern is a out of focus picture laminated to the top of the body and then bursted and cleared over. Production Years 1991,1992,1993,1994
Jem777GMC Body: American Basswood Neck: Maple 14 Degree Scarf Joint Fingerboard:Maple with Disapearing Pyramids. Neck Shape Jem Thickness 19mm X 21mm / Width 43mm X 57MM Fretwire: Dunlop 6100 Pickups: Green/Black PAF Pro in Bridge and Neck, Middle Jem Single Bridge: Ibanez Edge Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone, 5 Way with Split 5 wiring Machine Heads: Smooth Tuner Hardware: Cosmo Black Color:Green Multi Color Note: The Green Multi Color was first Painted white and shipped to the USA to a company called "About Time Design". They would dip the guitars and send them back to Japan for clearing and assembly. Production Years 1992,1993
Jem777PMC Body: American Basswood Neck: Maple 14 Degree Scarf Joint Fingerboard:Maple with Disapearing Pyramids. Neck Shape Jem Thickness 19mm X 21mm / Width 43mm X 57MM Fretwire: Dunlop 6100 Pickups: Purple PAF Pro in Bridge and Neck, Middle Jem Single Bridge: Ibanez Edge Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone, 5 Way with Split 5 wiring Machine Heads: Smooth Tuner Hardware: Cosmo Black Color:Purple Multi Color Note: The Purple Multi Color was first Painted white and shipped to the USA to a company called "About Time Design". They would dip the guitars and send them back to Japan for clearing and assembly. Production Years 1992,1993 Universe 7 strings In 1990 Ibanez introduced the Universe 7 string models. These were the same basic specs as a Jem except it used a 48mm neck with 7 strings a low pro edge and an added Low B string. The pickups were Dimarzio Blaze pickups
UV777 Body: American Basswood Neck: Maple 14 Degree Scarf Joint Fingerboard:Maple with Disapearing Pyramids. Neck Shape UV Thickness 20mm X 21.5mm / Width 48mm X 65MM Fretwire: Dunlop 6140 Pickups: GR/YL Blaze in Bridge and Neck, Middle Blaze Single Bridge: Ibanez 7 string Low pro Edge Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone, 5 Way with Split 5 wiring Machine Heads: Smooth Tuner Hardware: Cosmo Black Color:Green Production Years 1990,1991
UV7 Body: American Basswood Neck: Maple 14 Degree Scarf Joint Fingerboard:Rosewood with Green dots. Neck Shape UV Thickness 20mm X 21.5mm / Width 48mm X 65MM Fretwire: Dunlop 6140 Pickups: Green Blaze in Bridge and Neck, Middle Blaze Single Bridge: Ibanez 7 string Low pro Edge Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone, 5 Way with Split 5 wiring Machine Heads: Smooth Tuner Hardware: Cosmo Black Color:Black Production Years 1990,1991,1992,1993,1994,1996
UV7P Body: American Basswood Neck: Maple 14 Degree Scarf Joint Fingerboard:Rosewood with Disapearing Pyramids. Neck Shape UV Thickness 20mm X 21.5mm / Width 48mm X 65MM Fretwire: Dunlop 6140 Pickups: GR/YL Blaze in Bridge and Neck, Middle Blaze Single Bridge: Ibanez 7 string Low pro Edge Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone, 5 Way with Split 5 wiring Machine Heads: Smooth Tuner Hardware: Cosmo Black Color:White Production Years 1990,1991,1992
UV77 Body: American Basswood Neck: Maple 14 Degree Scarf Joint Fingerboard:Maple with Disapearing Pyramids. Neck Shape Jem Thickness 20mm X 21.5mm / Width 48mm X 65MM Fretwire: Dunlop 6140 Pickups: GR/YL Blaze in Bridge and Neck, Middle Blaze Single Bridge: Ibanez 7 string Low pro Edge Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone, 5 Way with Split 5 wiring Machine Heads: Smooth Tuner Hardware: Cosmo Black Color:Multi Color Note: The Multi Color was first Painted white and shipped to the USA to a company called "About Time Design". They would dip the guitars and send them back to Japan for clearing and assembly. 1990,1991,1992 |
