In 1987 Ibanez Introduced the Jem series that was designed along with Steve Vai. These guitars were a new direction for Ibanez. The...
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.
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.
