Anybody own an Ibanez Jem or RG series (shredder guitars)?

[Diablo]

Just wanted someone to explain to me why they're so expensive and whats so great about them.
Frankly, I dont get it...Over $1000-1500 USED, often even more (JEM's at least, I know RG's are less) for a mass produced Japanese made guitar with a knock off trem, rosewood fretboard and bolt on neck....these things dont exactly scream out expensive guitar" to me.
I just dont get it :confused: Yet they're obviously madly popular.

[violation]

Well the JEM was co-designed and made popular by Steve Vai so naturally they're going to get every dime they can out of it by using his name. On top of that, much like the PGM, there has been a ton of limited runs making the value of those go up even higher... like the one where Vai's blood was in the paint used.

Most RG's aren't too bad... the ones that are expensive (Prestige models) typically have a fancy finish, swapped pickups, I believe they're made in the US and/or Korea and have a good Edge tremolo. It's brilliant really. They offer reasonably priced guitars with Edge III tremolos which are designed pretty shitty (especially the trem bar) and make you pay more for a guitar with a good tremolo. The lower end ones also have pretty bad pickups, decent finishes and are made in Indonesia (and Korea if you're lucky).

That's why most people look for RG's made in Japan. Expensive Ibanez tremolos are much better than Floyds IMO... I love the low profile.

[Mogwaii]

I have a 7-string prestige (RG1527) in Royal Blue and it was well worth the money I paid. The pickups do suck at practice volumes, but when your amp is cranked, they sound awesome. The trem is also really good, sits low in the cavity which lowers your action. The higher level RG's are worth it.

[SinCron]

I have a 7-string prestige (RG1527) in Royal Blue and it was well worth the money I paid. The pickups do suck at practice volumes, but when your amp is cranked, they sound awesome. The trem is also really good, sits low in the cavity which lowers your action. The higher level RG's are worth it.

I think I played one of those at L&M. They are indeed very nice. I got an RG 7321 with a PAF 7 in the bridge. I love the sound compared to stock pickups.

[Budda]

It's well known that ibanez's prestige line and the JEM's are overpriced. bout all there is to know.