Steve Vai - "30 years of the Ibanez JEM"
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ม.ค. 2017
- Hey folks, Steve here.
It’s stunning to me that the Jem is celebrating 30 successful years of it’s life. It’s quite an honor for both myself and Ibanez. Who would have thunk that a dayglo skinned guitar with a hand holding monkey grip would have such legs!
Still, to this day when I pick up my Jem I feel that school boy excitement as my hands caress it and it speaks to me the resonating vocabulary of my inner secrets.
-s - เพลง
Homeboy who carved the body needs his own documentary.
Its super clean.
Why are so many Luthiers meth heads? I personally knew a legit luthier who would make his own meth pipes with a glass tube at a friends house. He looked and acted alot like this guy.
Straight meth
Castlehill650 most tweakers say it helps the work but it’s just an excuse to do it it’s sad
Rev VII truth
Castlehill650 imagine if they were into dope (H) instead lol guitars showing up months late to wrong countries
I was 17 years old in 1991 had my first job making $7.50 an hour, and I took out a loan to buy an Ibanez JEM FP (Floral Print).
One of the happiest days of my life. A guitar I still have to this day. (2022). Thank you Mr. Vai, and Ibanez.
Nothing more 90’s than a loan for gear. I bought an SVT head and an 8x10 brand new for a grand.
@@snapcult464 Nice! :)
Same here. At 19 years old, I worked a whole year for my JEM FP, which I finally was able to buy in 1996. I loved that guitar so much. Unfortunately I had to sell it a couple of years ago, which really hurt. Very special instrument! At least I know, it's in good hands.
idk why but that story is beautiful man, i just think every guitarist no matter the age has that 1 guitar that you would take out a loan or give our right pinky ;) for!.. and just the hapiness that you had that day when you got home n plugged it in i can imagine!!
All my friends were saving for and buying their first car. I was taking the bus, but I had my dream guitar. I was never happier. :)@@sleevelessace
The smile on his face at 8:00 when he grabs the grip says it all. The man loves what he does, and he loves his guitar. And he's obviously a really nice guy.
I love seeing the Japanese working with american musicians , very inspiring , make music not war.I never realized how humble Mr. Vai is , he trully deserves all the recognition coming his way.
AMEN. damn U.S Government.
His just a normal human
had a quick hello with him backstage after a show back in 06. he's a perfectly lovely guy.
I always thought he was an arrogant, conceited, scrotum until I watched some of his interviews and realized he's actually not like that at all. Very humble. According to Dave Weiner he has seen Steve on various occasions remain in freezing cold signing items for fans until he had signed everything for everyone there. That seems like a cool cat to me. Cheers!
In a word, the JEM is legendary, as is Steve and his creativity.
Legendary was the word, dummy.
tumeni notes is awesome!!
sub me ill sub u back
I've always been a huge fan of Steve's playing but over the years I've gotten to really respect him as a artist and as a person, seems like the kind of role model our kids sorely need these days.
"I was concerned with how cool I looked." Don't worry, Steve, you always look cool, simply put, you are cool.
He said he used to always practice playing guitar in front of the mirror to make sure he looked cool, tried to practice "cool faces" and "cool poses" lol. Gotta love Vai ;)
Ibanez has always been my favorite company, and the RG is my all time favorite shape- something about it looks so perfect, like it should have always existed. I love how much they tried to work with artists to become a huge force in the industry and I think they are still the best. Nothing is more beautiful than an RG550 or a 7 string RG with a maple or ebony board
Beautiful to see such dedicated people come together to create a genuine masterpiece.
This makes me proud to own an ibanez
every 14 year old brat owns Ibanez. How fun is that?
I’m 29 and I love Ibanez. If every 14 year old owned a Ferrari would they not be a fun car to drive? Not the brightest observation.
Totally agree. Iv got a 7 string iron label ibanez. Best guitars
Sad
Love my Rg1570 Prestige. That and my new 1992 Peavey Tracer.
Ibanez seems like a really good group of people. Maybe I should look into Ibanez more.
Whole gem series is over--priced hype.
Despond If I got a Ibanez, I'd go the hollow body route. Or, I'd go with that type of look. I never really liked the Gem look. I'm not a big fan of 80's looking guitars. Nor, do I like "Metal" looking guitars. The only metal guitar that I sort of like is Hetfields guitar. But, I wouldn't buy one. It just looks right with him. I'm more of a Fender/Gibson person. I like guitars that look classic. I'm not saying I wouldn't own a metal guitar. I just wouldn't buy it.
I am strongly against going for specific brand because of anithing but visual look ... Look is my main priority about guitars ( I have glossy white jackson - js11 .. because is simply freaking beautiful and at the same time fairly afortable ) you can make ENY kind of modifications on any kind of guitar : you can put humbuckers on singlecoil guitar ; you can make humbucker guitar spit coil ; you can add more switches for what ever you want - kill switches , volume switches for separate pickups ext. ; ... and basically after all , gear does not matter at all ..
I'm not a fan of jem type axes now because they just take some much away from the tone compared to a traditional guitar. However I've never had a bad Ibby. Left one in a case for four years and it was still in tune.
I can assure you,you will not be disappointed mate!
OMG, the tone in the intro -- absolutely massive. It's seriously one of the best guitar sounds I've ever heard.
I've got a Jem 1988 7RB and a Jem 90. The 7RB still plays like new. Love it.
Mr Vai, you are one of my biggest hero's. I already own a Gibson Les Paul Custom. I want my next purchase to be a high end quality Jem. I'm in love with the woody series. Cudos and congratulations to you sir on 30 years with Ibanez.
wilmaman I was thinking of going with a custom Jem just like Steve's. May cost a couple grand more but worth it if they make them. If they don't, I know Charvel does.
Mrnicguy00 I played a higher end Jem at guitar center with gold hardware and I believe it was $2000? Not trying to sound biased but holy shit that guitar was sweet. Something I never experienced before was how sensitive it was to noise, in a good way. I plugged it in and messed around with plucking different notes, squealing, bending and it was like a Mercedes Benz. You barely barely play a note and you hear it, you try screaming it and it screamed the note or squealed the note. It was effortless. I wished to God I had bought that one because everything was just so so sensitive. Would have made me a better musician over time. That was about 5 years ago and it's going to be my next guitar whenever that is. Don't listen to the guy that says Ibanez are junk. I have an inexpensive $400 ibanez with a Floyd rose and it stays in tune. I think some people just don't know how things work. That specific guitar by the way has Steve's Gravity Storm pickups too.
I own an 89Jem77FP, i can't play a single note on guitar, i'm a drummer, but i will never sell that guitar, it was my best friends and his Parents gave it to me when he Passed away, it Hangs locked up in my buddy's studio and gets played every once in a while when i think the guitarist deserves to play it.
No such thing as a high end Jem. They are all pretty much junky guitars, with components that play no different than the 1987 RG550. In fact, add a monkey grip and a lion's claw tremolo and the RG550 is even FASTER. Th RG550 has a THINNER neck than the Jem. Having owned over 40 Jems over the years, including the EVO, DNA and all others before and after, I can clearly say that none compare to even a bargain Paul Reed Smith in quality, craftsmanship or components. They are cool to look at, innovative for the time (even today), but more show than quality. They have lasted 31 years, but so has the RG550. I would definitely say that by adding the latest DiMarzio's to any RG550, digging out the tremolo, you have a stellar - and arguably FASTER guitar than any Jem. The woods are awful and cheap so the tone is all in the electronics and not the woods. Resonance comes from turning them to "11" and adding reverb and gain.
T Meo you don’t play guitar
steve has done so much for the guitar as well as guitar players. such an adventures, inovative player. the guy is brilliant.
Met Steve after two shows in the late 80s Whitesnake and DLR. He came behind the venue both times and took time to meet every single person there waiting and hoping to see the band. Huge impact on a high school kid... Great lesson in humility that has always stuck with me. 777 still on my bucket list, amazing guitar with a great history...
I own a Jem V7 early model SV Signed, and it makes me excited every time i play it, dry or amplified no other guitar satisfies me the same way my jam does.Thank you all!
You said jam
BillyBongwaters thank god you noticed
Duck I need a JEM
I can’t afford one right now, but one day I will own one! I have to have that guitar. Ever since I bought my first Ibanez guitar I’ve been in love with them.
Your jam?
Steve Vai is the reason I play guitar today (30+ years later). I wanted to play guitar as a kid but seeing Crossroads and that showdown at the end placed a burning fire in me that has never subsided.
I have 13 Ibanez guitars (and one that may rest in peace). I'm sure I'll have a few more by the end of the year (addiction is a funny thing).
I'd say Steve succeeded spectacularly in his partnership with Ibanez and is still my favorite guitarist. I saw him in the 80s/90s with David Lee Roth and Whitesnake (Kansas City). It was like winning the lottery as a kid.
How long have you been sober brother???!
How can anyone give thumbs down to this. Regardless of any brand ........ see how humble down to earth Vai (being one of the greatest) is and look at the company’s people how receptive they were. Hats of to one of the best guitar brand in the world and hats of to Vai
Thank you for making this doco Mr. Vai. Definitely my favourite kind of guitar!!
Это история света! - This is a history of light! Thank u Steve!
Ibanez would be very different today without Mr. Vai.
Anucha SeoDml no doubt
Anucha SeoDml almost as Randy Rhoads was for Jackson.Actually Jackson existed due Randy Rhoads but both guitars have been huge
atteljas I was thinking the same when I saw the "Ibanez without Vai" comment.
So would Be My dads guitar collection
True, Timur, but I think Steve had more technical input that made it's way to being standard on guitars. I'd even throw Korn in there for bring seven strings back to the public after the Universe flopped, and breaking enough headstocks off to get the volute standard.
This is great! I always remain greatful for these types of videos.
Steve and the jem are one I believe you can't have one without the other!! He's a legend
That was great, and will be my next one for sure!!!
The guy that made the guitar reminds me of someone from Wayne’s world!
Mike Myers (Wayne from Wayne's world)?
Omg I was thinking the same thing 😂😂😂
Omg😂he does lol
Looks like Dana carvey
Thanks for this incredible video Steve Vai! I loved your analogy of a "comfortable bed." Very beautiful story!! I've heard a lot of your interviews and you always remind the people watching that what you do and play is comfortable for yourself, but may not be right for the audience. That's an important viewpoint to remember. I don't play the guitar, but I love all your work! The next time you tour, I will see you live!
Steve Vai + Ibanez = Musical and Craftsmanship perfection. Congratulations on such a wonderful partnership and thankyou for your vision, passion and art. 🤘🤘
This is just sick. It’s honestly the best guitar ever. There is nothing you can’t do on it. You just have to have the ultimate ability. I love mine.
such a beautiful documentary.. I can feel the passion in every words of steve..
Cihan Özdemir did the original LA guitar maker survive after this?
He's a fraud.
I enjoy listening to Steve so much. If there was a reality show about of his life, I'd watch non-stop. Also, that NAMM show must have been the experience of a lifetime for the Ibanez folks!
You're a legend man. Hearing your work when I was a kid in the 80's is what made me get into guitar. I once had a original root beer float edition, was one of the worst days of my life when I had to sell it when I was down and out. Seriously the best guitar I ever owned, everyone that played it fell in love with it. Been looking for years to replace it.
The friendship between Ibanez & Steve Vai, which ultimately culminated in the birth of the iconic Jems & RGs taking over the shred guitar world, has got to be one of the greatest guitarmances in all of guitar history...
I didn't know that Steve vai came up even with the design (or at least most of it) of the JEM and RG guitar. Ibanez really owes so much to him...
What an informative piece! Thanks so much for that. I got my JEM77BFP used from Sam Ash in Cherry Hill NJ around 1998, and it has been a beloved tool of expression ever since. I don't think I've ever been able to get any of my electric guitars (Gibsons, Jackson) to play as crazy low and easy as your JEM creation. The tone is great, the feel is great - thanks for your vision. I LOVE IT!!
Ive been wanting a jem for so long. It was really cool to watch this video and get some insight to the roots of the guitar.
"I was very concerned with how cool I looked," said the man who is still very concerned with how cool he looks. I love this dude.
It's genuinely impressive seeing how much work Ibanez as a company put into making something God himself loved. Much respect to Ibanez and Steve Vai.
I've got an '87 white FujiGen squier strat that plays like a dream, but those JEMs' are real beauties in the hands of the master SV!!
Awesome video, I love Ibanez guitars, I've got 3 of em! Really cool to hear the backstory of the JEM
Hey Steve, thanks for yet another gem of a guitar indeed. Rock on, shine on and by all means, please come back to Nashville for more shows in the future!
Proud to own an '89 Jem. Hasn't needed any work other than a replacement jack socket and has been my main player for almost 30 years now. 👍🏼
I had sold all my guitars a few years ago except for my Japanese blue Ibanez RG570(?) that I bought off ebay in the 90s. I then customized a few things like pick ups with my dad ...the neck still plays perfectly. Even though I had left it aside for years playing other newer guitars...this one never failed me or broke...and today I still have it next to my Orange amp.
I remember in 89 I was in 9th grade and a guy in my class got 1 for Christmas. he brought it to school and I thought it the coolest guitar I'd ever seen. I love the neon colors and the sharp edges.
He was close to tears at the end. So was the Japanese old dude.
The passion for the process is awesome.
Yea
It's amazing some of the guys from Ibanez are retired and Steve still rockin
Thats the difference between an artist and a craftsman.
Bones brigade stickers on the guitar? I'd like to hear the story behind that..
The Rad Man Same.
right i noticed those too, i was like wait a second
#don'tputbonesstickersonyourguitarifyoudontskate
@@daniels1293 don't put stickers on your guitar at all. Ruining a perfectly good instrument
Me too.
Great minds combined. Such a milestone.
Excellent video. Love the behind the scenes history of music and musician's experiences, gear, anything music. We need more things like this. Imagine if they had Twitter or TH-cam back in the day? We would already know this story.
The JEM guitar i played on looooong ago just lend itself to be shred. Such awesome guitars.
I wanted one the first time around but being 15 and no job I just couldn't afford one. Now 30 years later i can finally afford one so hopefully tomorrow I'll be the proud owner of a loch Ness green gem.
So chuffed
Did you get your Jem?
Yes the algorithm has given us this video after two years and we must know did you get the guitar?
Well did you get it???
Did ya?
He probably won't see the replies. TH-cam mutes notifications after some time.
Thank you 🙏🏽
This is a great story.
Steve Vai is my favorite virtuoso... 👍🏽👍🏽
Like Steve himself, this is a very in-depth, detailed, and insightful look into the world of guitar making, Business, and Entrepreneurship. And it's nice to see the back and forth between the different folks involved in the process of making this guitar.
Thanks Steve for being an influence in my early days. I remember when I started as a worship leader I was really concerned as to how my guitar tones would blend in and how my presentation would less be a performance and be more of a devotion. And that's when my first guitar teacher introduced me to Steve Vai's philosophy and teaching methods and I was just amazed the way he did it. And so for a perfect example would be the analogy of the bed at home and that of other places he mentioned. There is always be a hype about the ergonomics, tonality or sturdiness but it is always a set of specifications that is made for an individual to bring out greatness. I guess it is all about where you "feel like home" as Slash defines it in relation to his Les Paul signature.
Dude, I have the same issue. I'm always trying to find where my tones sound good in worship, as well as trying to not come off as a "performer".
Why the F**K ONE person dislikes that epic part of guitar history ???!!!!
He is the "legend of Ibanez".
You will never be tired of just listening Steve speaking about music .. (or everything)
And we should give everyone from Steve all the way down to the person that keeps the building clean a big round of applause. They all had a part in the making of history.. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Mr.Vai is 4 me, the best gutarist, if not, one of best musician ever touching this earth.
As a 62 year old skater, I dig the old stickers. I also worked as a stagehand in the 80s and 90s I worked the David Lee Roth show . SV is incredible in concert
For Metal guitarists, you have to have at least one Ibanez.
I've got 6 (Four RG's w/6 strings, one RG 7 string and a RGA 8 string) \,,/ :)
My first guitar was a gio Ibanez got it for about 200 and still play it to this day. It’s a great guitar.
I don't know if we HAVE to, but these guitars are really amazing. No other brand has such comfortable necks. And the RG shape is simple but quite elegant in my opinion.
Ibanez guitars fell so good the neck doesn’t feel so round and bulky like strats and les Paul’s. I’ve even used an Ibanez RG for jazz band cause switching through chords feels so nice.
I've started my journey with an ESP. But, my next guitar is going to be the JEM JR.
In 2020 I saw this guitar at first time, it incredible and I will buy it. Thanks for the opportunity to be a part of this history🤘
Very articulate about his subject.
I'm a singer and I love hearing all this stuff as I'm fascinated by guitar players.
Steve is one of my favourite guitarists, along with Tommy Bolin, Alan Murphy and Phil Manzanera.
Loving this footage
My 14 year old son has been playing on a Squire Strat for a couple of years now, and a few weeks ago he came to me and told me he needs a new guitar that he can't play the Squire the way he wants to play. I asked him what he needed that the Squire didn't offer. His list of things he needed out of a guitar was the same that Steve Vai listed off in this. As soon as he was done telling me what it was he felt his was missing I immediately told what you need is a Jem. His response was what's that? That's when I played him a video of Steve Vai playing Tender Surrender at the TEC Awards in 2012. He didn't speak for about a minute after the video was over.
This is the most hilarious and true thing ever
did he get a Jem jr?
Ibanez are effortless to play! My forever favorite ❤️
I clearly remember ordering the yellow JEM 30 yrs ago before stores even carried them. The introduction of that guitar was all I could think about. Took a few months to come into my local music store. I can still remember opening that case with the pink inside and my brain almost exploding. I can also still remember the smell it had right when it opened. JEM's are worth every penny and they set the bar so high for electric guitars to follow. A total masterpiece and work of art.
Look at the neck radius on that Jem! Ibanez are made for fast hands! I remember when that guitar came out. The good ole days!
I have an '89 77FP. Got Steve to sign it the 2nd time I met him :)
I love this guy so AWESOME!!
Steve,
you have been an inspiration to me from the word go .
keep up the good work
Wow, the story behind this guitar is amazing. Two thumbs up for this. Great job Ibanez and Steve. 👍😁
Hey Steve, when's the autobiographical documentary coming out?? :)
I'd rewatch that to the point I could predict the dialogue.
@@THEDRAWINGSTUDIO1 hahah me too. I did that with Metallica's Cunning Stunts concert dvd when I was younger. I eventually memorized all the dialogue and randomness James and them spoke in between each song.
Who would actually want to read it?
This an awesome and inspiring story. Thank you for sharing. ✌️
Wonderful story...great company, and gem of a guy.
Yay! He said Bensalem! haha...The Hoshino building is right behind the high school I went to. In the 90's we'd go through the Hoshino dumpster in hopes of finding a guitar or something. It was usually just shredded paper. haha. :)
A testimony that no junk was ever made there.
Don't know much about Mr. Vai, but I keep hearing how great he is. After seeing him express himself in a few videos, I'm struck by how down to earth he is. He comes across as the kind of guy you would want as a friend if he had never touched a guitar in his life. Refreshing lack of ego. I get the feeling that he would encourage me regardless of my skill level.
One inpiration for me... U are! Steve Vai, one of the most incrredible guitarist of the world. Lo ve u Steve.
Ibanez & Vai 👉🏽👉🏽winning combo ... indeed 🙌🏽💥💫
There is everything to love about what everyone says, but two things stand out for me, the phrase referring about being young and being concerned "into looking cool", and "it's my bed analogy". I'm always mesmerized and amazed by talented human beings, but Mr. Vai shows time after time he is at the very pinnacle of talented people. So rich in his expressions both in his playing and in the way he shows his maturity and evolution. Every time Steve speaks, one should listen, because always, always there is something to learn. Amazing!.
Outstanding story. The weird thing is that of all the axes that I've owned in my life, I've never owned a JEM ... I don't know why since I've owned other Ibanez models (and still love my GiO Mikro). Maybe this is the year!
Thanks for your music, Steve. You really give the rest of us something to strive for.
I bought a 77VBK a few years ago. Sounds really heavy, incredibly easy to play and looks wonderful. Can't speak highly enough of the quality craftsmanship.
It was really a nice experiment to learn what was behind the creation of JEM. Thanks for sharing with public.
This was awesome... Vai is from another planet. Now I must have another Jem!
In our digital age, real physical craftsmanship isn't just an art but pure magic. Especially wood and especially musical instruments.
Thanks for this little documentary. It's an absolute bliss to watch. I was touched by the humbleness of the brilliant people involved.
Makes me feel a little sad, that I had to sell my JEM a couple of years ago.
Ibanez jem!! Aesthetic looking guitar ever!!
My '91 lefty RG550 is being restored at a luthier's right now after twenty years of neglect. I'm so excited I'm, well, watching videos like this!
IMHO the Charvel "Green Meanie"
will always be the Vai Signature
guitar!
Matthew Paluch - that was a tough race car looking guitar, the San Dimas type superstrat should be a little ugly and brutal looking.
I miss the Green Meanie.
Im lucky enough to have 2 different floral Jems. Incredible instruments.
Thank you , Steve . You and Ibanez have saved Rock'n'Roll from becoming a 2 Horse ( or Guitar ) Race . You not only gave us perhaps the greatest Guitar ever built , you gave other Companies the Balls to branch out and produce Guitars different to Gibson and Fender . Thank you .
It is really beautiful to see te passion he talks about his guitar.
I was surprised to hear in Russian: "It`s The Story of Light" at the beginning of the video )))
Rusakov
Seems more like "It's the story of the world".
свет can mean "light" or "world". It depends on context. "Это история света" can mean, "This is the story of light", or it can mean, "This is the history of the world." I think his intention is for it to be "story of light"
its the title track of his 2012 album "the story of light"
It indeed is the story of light. The pronunciation of russian "light" is similar to polish and ukrainian "world" so that's where the confusion might be coming from.
0:00 и тут я выпал из реальности)))
Да
it means : its the history of the world
right?
@@64siskat96 "It's the story of light" to be correct))
@@liquid228 oh alright
точно не ожидал бля услышать это ахаххаахаха
I remember I had a copy of Guitar Magazine with you on the cover with Jem that my step brother gave me. I said wow I want to learn to play. Thanks to you, slash, and SRV I begged for a guitar and my dad got me this $75 pos that I played for a month before it just started falling apart. He took me down and with a $150 limit I picked out a peavy predator and started to learn. My pride and joy Guitar is an Ibanez art100 that I play the blues on when I am not shaking too much from essential tremor. I have owned many Guitars over the years and Ibanez is still #1 for me. You rock!
I loved this
Never forget Satriani....he was Steve’s Teacher!
His real teacher was Zappa... just sayin
Satch is more well-known for being Kirk Hammett's teacher. Joe says that each guitarist has to curate his own sound. He has high praise for Kirk. As for Vai vs. Satch, I would say that Vai plays faster and Satch is more lyrical. Chrome Boy is a better sounding guitar than Vai's Jem.
The JEM seems like the Gretch White Falcon of the 1980s. You look at it and say "there's only one moment in history when that could have been born."
Master Vai youre so great! Thanks for this journey! Jorge V
I have always admired and appreciated the design, I remember 1987 when this thing hit and it was very interesting time. I have always played the Les Paul, but 30+ years later no one has made an innovation like this. Leo Fender, Les Paul/Gibson, and Steve Vai changed the world.
The JEM is a legend!
the great thing about ibanez is, they also make cheap guitars in great quality. you can start playing guitar by getting yourself a Gio RG and have a bit of that JEM feeling without busting your bankaccount. no other guitar company i'm aware of makes such great playing starter instruments, and i've had quite some going through my hands from the people i teach.
i agree, and they never ashamed on making a friendly budget guitar and repackaging it as different brand,....
Almost every cheap Ibanez I have played felt and played awful. This is my honest opinion.
My 2000 RG270 is my favorite, it has the tightest low end. I will be doing a stainless steel refret with Plek very soon
Ibanez makes great guitars. Pure craftmenship and some of my favorite guitar necks. I had quite a few Ibanez guitars and the neck on my Ibanez RG 540 was perfect for me.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍Great to hear about all those talented people working with Steve Vai to create something truly unique and somewhat a game changer! 👍👍👍👍👍