Guys, before posting mean comments, remember, I was only like 12yrs old at the time. I'd known Steve for a number of years, and we both did crazy stuff like this. There were never any bad intentions or hard feelings. Enjoy the video : )
Wonder what kind peeps would just randomly hate. It's good to hear your stories, always wondered what happened to you. Also are you in the uk? I can tell it from the accent.
There are so many iconic guitars from famous players and seeing them perform often just a few feet away their guitars always seemed immaculate, really standing out, colors popping. But when you get up close or see a close up pic they look like absolute shit. From Stevie Ray's Strats #1 and #2, Steve Vai's Jems, Eddie's Frankenstein, Zakks Beast, Paul Stanley's blood-soaked disco mirrored Iceman, to Yngwie's careless treatment of his Strats (Instead of carefully setting it down, without looking he just lowers it, touches the floor and he just lets go...crash bang.... never even acknowledges it). And given the extremely rare occasion to pick one up and actually play (plunk for one and a half minutes) is a disappointment, and you think, "How can they play anything with this crap?" And that's the answer. It's _them._ They could string up some picture wire on the back of a chair and it would sound amazing. So it's not the instrument itself, but the way their own habits, style, preferences, and all the accrued mileage, the toll of the toil, and the stories it forever bears witness to.. ....player and instrument become symbiotic, DNA has been exchanged, they are it and it is them. They shine a light on each other, each recognized individually and associated with their partner. It all adds up and becomes their _signature._ They stand by themeselves in a category of one. That they have gouged out; created. And everyone else are just clever imitations.
i was thinking just the opposite, maybe 40 years old people around you are already deteriorated. So different how people ages in different countries, environments and life style. Japanese people for example.
hes living life backwards, being a rockstar as a kid, only to get braces in his later life, he will be eventually dissolve into playing tag with girls and saying ew koodies before taking his final dump in a diaper and crawling back into a . nvm
Thomas Mcrocklin!!!! I am so happy to have found your channel! I was 11 or 12 years old and had just started playing guitar when I first saw you in “ the Audience is Listening” video. Bad for Good was soo impressive on me at the age I was back then. It means soo much to me to see you still playing now. Thank you for all you gave me all those years back.
@@McRocklin I remember seen Nineteen on MTV and being floored by the talent, not just by you, but the whole band. Danny's voice was perfect for that album. I would love to see a video about what happened to you after Bad4Good though. You disappeared for a long time, and I was searching for you on the internet forever. Then your solo album came out and I was like "Finally...I KNEW this kid would grow up to do something great on guitar." I know Brooks is now in Avenged S., but what ever happened to Zack? He disappeared off the planet.
That lead turn was like a cross between Steve Vai and Eric Johnson.... It was absolutely beautiful. It makes me want to kick my entire rig out the window and 15 stories up that would be a very bad idea.
I apologize for not consolidating my comments but I totally remember hearing about the guitar wars between you and Vai, that was all over the guitar magazines back then, Steve talked about it in interviews and he also talked about how he egged you on to destroy guitars and not treat them like precious jewelry, this video is bringing back a lot of awesome memories of when I first got really serious about the guitar. Great stuff man.
I had one of these in the 80s, along with a yellow Jem. They were so different to play. The neck on the floral one was a different profile and thicker than the wizard neck on the yellow one. They sounded very different too, the yellow one being brighter. I always put that down to the curtain material. They were both great guitars. The floral looked better, but I preferred the desert yellow one, so the floral always played second fiddle.
Every time I see a Floral Jem it’s like seeing my first love again lol, takes me right back to being 14 or 15, except now I’m 47 and don’t even play guitar anymore but still love em.
that guitar is beautiful because it's lived a crazy life and has so many stories behind it and that's the only way you can make a guitar have that aesthetic. a guitar in pristine condition looks pretty and all but that's something that anyone can get, this is something special.
What if someone bought a brand new guitar and had it heavily relic’d, then made up a bunch of stories that you had no idea were fake!! Would that guitar be a special guitar too?😆😆 Beat up guitars look like crap!!! True stories are cool, but to me, stories will never make a beat up guitar look good!!! It’s more like a collector item to show and compare with the stories. Doesn’t make the guitar look good though. And it’s not something I’d play a show with or use in videos.
Would love to hear about the Steve Stevens and Tony McAlpine guitars as well as hear you play them. Thank you for jamming on some B4G songs. I still really like that cd and still have my original cd. Too bad there weren't camera phones back then so we can watch some backstage hijinks. Please share more Steve Vai stories. And some Satch stories. And some B4G stories. More more more!
Lmao right? Totally baffles me why he would think to do that to a guitar that he was borrowing. Wanna cut up your own guitars? Sure. But if someone was nice enough to let you use their gear and then you intentionally destroy it? Its just the ultimate sign of disrespect.
McRocklin: 'these things here were a revenge by Steve Vai' Me: Wow, that seems out of character perhaps for Steve Vai, at least my impression of him... Me: [watches whole video] Me: Now I get it, LOL!
My brother in law loaned me his Jem when I around 14.. crazy to learn and practice on such a great guitar. I remember the pink plush inside of the case and that smell. I got into jazz years later and gave it back to him when I got my own guitar. I wish I still had it kicking around..
Sold my 77fp 10years ago cuz I was a broke guitarist .feel so much regret now watching this video. You make it sound even better than I remembered !!!thank you
Let me tell that this is a love story of friends relationship. sometimes we hurt a friend and that's what finally brings us together. Very nice history. Clearly this guitar is your charm of union with steve. Keep it until the last day of your life. Cheers!!!
I totally agree with you about the florals have a noticeably different sound, not only compared to other Jems but in general, they are mellow yet heavy, almost like there is a muffler on them that doesn't muffle, it's hard to explain but my Floral is still to this day my favorite sounding guitar in my collection. I remember you ripping that guitar when you were a kid, I couldn't believe how great you were and also super jealous that you got to hang out with Vai haha. You deserved it for sure and now you are an amazing player, I learn something new every video. Keep up the great work!
it's the floral panel for that sound also the brmr bad horsie guitar steve said that it has the best jem sound and maybe it's because of the mirror top that make the sound like that
You sound amazing on that guitar, I think it connects with something inside you that makes you want to shred like it was the 90´s. I bought mine after watching you in the video with Skunk Baxter
brand new viewer, your playing is unbelievable! I owned one of these fabric floral JEMs for a week or so on loan for an audition to music school, precious memories. Thanks Aaron
I remember seeing you as a kid on a heavy metal documentary in the UK playing in a pub lifted up by your dad? Glad to see you're still around and playing!
Though he never mentioned this, as a friend of Joe “Jem” Despagni; I think he would’ve loved the cutaway on the handle! Well, maybe not right at that moment! But later, he would! I assume that Joe is the tech in this story. He was a good man. RIP 🎸 McRocklin, the most unassuming badass guitarist around! Always a pleasure to listen to. I’d hold the bass line for him. 👍
The Bad 4 Good days..Ah man wonderful times! I must of listened to those tracks so many times. Certain things like that just stick to you so good and make the perfect soundtracks to the good and bad times that in the end makes it all good. Great to see you in super good spirits these days sharing some of the coolest stories I ever remember wanting to know about lol
I have a pre-amp in my custom Kramer that used to be in 1 of Steve's guitars that I got from a friend of his back when he did his flexible album. You have absolutely turned out to be an amazing guitarist man 🤙🏻🎸🎵🎶🎼
I remember watching you play on breakfast tv when I was a kid, I was amazed by your playing and I was and still am a big Steve Vai fan, I’m glad I found your channel. I love hearing the stories and your playing, keep them coming,
A lot of guitar companies in the 70’s -90’s actually put the serial numbers where the neck and body of the guitar connect so you might have to take the neck off of the guitar to see the serial number.
The early Jems had the serial number on the neck plate. The number would start with the year it was manufactured ie. 891372. I have an 1989 777 VBK, the same year that the floral design came out as well
The neck plate looks different (possibly from the "RG" or "S" Series Ibanez guitars)/newer for sure. The original 80s Jem neckplates had the engraved serial numbers , the Jem logo and "Made in Japan" on them.
All three have the same neck plate. One has a serial number on the plate. Another has the number on the back of the headstock. The third has no number. Lol. I didn't see that coming.
I first saw you when you were on good morning Britain. I had just started playing and my mum shouted me when I was getting ready for school to come and watch. I was so jealous. So cool that your still playing and your so grounded. Still jealous of your playing. 😂😂
My first Album I bought with my own money was VH 1984 (I was 6). Growing up on Long Island I was blessed with hearing so many great bands. Then came Steve Vai (other Long Islander) and you when I watched your video The Audience is Listening, it Blew me away. Obviously the good Ol' Diamond Dave sound that Vai created made me buy my first Ibanez. So Thank you...
I could listen to you all day long! Love how the pickup switch cracks a bit. I love the old headstocks from back then. It runs diagonally instead of straight.
It sounds great!I bought one the same year. The smell was awesome. like cotton candy maybe. I have played lots of Gems and other RG 550s( thats what I had) mine sounded great. lots of them don't. I think 88 was a great year for Ibanez.
Great Video! I saw you play this guitar at a music gear show London Kensington Olympia circa 1989/1990. Met you and your dad after watching you play. Finally managed to find/buy myself the Jem FP this year.
@@chrislawrence6609 modulated delay of some sort, also sounds as if he's using a uni-vibe type effect or auto wah. Definitley delay, reverb and modulation though. Check out the earth quaker devices "avalanche run". That, paired with a uni-vibe should produce this effect...
I absolutely love Ibanez instruments and my love for them began with the Steve Vai signature series Jem guitars. I am more of a bass player than I am a guitar player and in 1993, I would buy my very first Ibanez bass ever. A new, 1993 Ibanez SR 400 Soundgear bass. But a year later I would upgrade to a new, 1994 SR 500 Soundgear bass and then add a second one in 1995, that was also brand new too. Those 2 basses have been my main players ever since then and in the 25 1/2 and 26 1/2 years that I have owned them, they have toured with me, been in numerous studios, have been played countless hours and in that time, both are bone stock and have never even had to have so much as the neck adjusted on either one. I’m not as big of a fan of the more modern day Indonesian made Ibanez instruments as I am of the more earlier made Korean ones but I will always love Ibanez basses and guitars!
What a fantastic and interesting history and story behind this guitar. I think it needs to be preserved as it is, nice to see all the love and use it has had. And it also sounds great.
Hey Thomas. I love the 77fp. I had a similar experience back in 1993 opening the case, seeing the bright pink , smelling the smell, and being in awe at the sheer beauty of such a magnificent instrument. Sadly, a few years after, like a dummy, I had it my van, obscured, and came out to find my window bashed and my baby gone gone gone. Such a violation and no other guitar has filled that void since. Like many of us here, I love hearing about your history and experiences. You started your career at the top of the mountain sharing the stage with the elite that we all admire. I can never say it enough how cool it is to be seeing you again.
My Ibanez collection just wrote a cover song whilst this video was playing. I know this because I hear their renditio nof ..... "While Doc's Jem 7V & 779 gently weep" Amazing emotion in your playing. My hands were injured in Sept 2006 durring a termo / kenetic event, they have been resistant to getting back to playing but I keep at it, thanks for the inspiration and the cool as hell backstory. Fun fact mt chopmiester Ricky Jorden from new London CT turned me on to Ibanez when I was 16 and the Ibanez 550 had just appeared in Japan. He noticed I was having fatigue amd some discomfort while playing my Gibsons one a 1896 Custom SG S3 and the other a 83ish Custom Les Paul to give context, He brought me 550 at our weekly Thursday lesson and it was a hell of a moment I could really boggie on it and traded him the Les Paul for it right away without knowing anything other than I was bonded to that 550 I have not seen one like it since lightly mettalic light blue with white pickguard. Sorry for the long post. Stay Zero & Echo Hard! HM1 Leary "Doc"
I have an Ibanez RG470 that I bought back in about 1992 - 1993 and the case still has the sweet smell. I still play the guitar and love it. It does need a little cleaning especially on the pickup poles. It also still has the original pickups. Seriously looking at changing the bridge pickup.
Now that I realize you are "That Kid" I have just subbed. I love your Jem stories. What great history...And Maybe the fretboard fairy changed the fretboard in your sleep one night....
@@chinossynthesizer705 It's not the only thing. Pickups add an undeniable element of tone and response. He also has a great sounding rig. But I've used the Tone Zone is DiMarzio started producing it in the early 90s and this video is a pretty good representation of what it can do. It's a very beefy sounding pickup, but it also cuts through very well with a lot of clear crunch. It's very responsive to harmonics and picking dynamics. Great sustain, too. One of my favorite pickups ever. I pair it with an Air Norton neck and coil split.
All those dings and all those memories... awesome. My rg550 has dings in but that was from my mum and her hoover whilst the guitar was in its stand. Awesome guitar dude.
I’m sure people over the years that didn’t know has asked “That guitar is in rough shape, why do you do that, what did you do to it?” And the persons jaw hits the floor when he responds, “oh I didn’t do that, Steve Vai did that” 😂
Guys, before posting mean comments, remember, I was only like 12yrs old at the time. I'd known Steve for a number of years, and we both did crazy stuff like this. There were never any bad intentions or hard feelings. Enjoy the video : )
Wonder what kind peeps would just randomly hate. It's good to hear your stories, always wondered what happened to you. Also are you in the uk? I can tell it from the accent.
Ok ur scotish right?
@@Timanator you're joking, right?
He says he's from Newcastle (North East England) in the first couple of minutes of the video
There are so many iconic guitars from famous players and seeing them perform often just a few feet away their guitars always seemed immaculate, really standing out, colors popping. But when you get up close or see a close up pic they look like absolute shit. From Stevie Ray's Strats #1 and #2, Steve Vai's Jems, Eddie's Frankenstein, Zakks Beast, Paul Stanley's blood-soaked disco mirrored Iceman, to Yngwie's careless treatment of his Strats (Instead of carefully setting it down, without looking he just lowers it, touches the floor and he just lets go...crash bang.... never even acknowledges it). And given the extremely rare occasion to pick one up and actually play (plunk for one and a half minutes) is a disappointment, and you think, "How can they play anything with this crap?"
And that's the answer. It's _them._ They could string up some picture wire on the back of a chair and it would sound amazing. So it's not the instrument itself, but the way their own habits, style, preferences, and all the accrued mileage, the toll of the toil, and the stories it forever bears witness to.. ....player and instrument become symbiotic, DNA has been exchanged, they are it and it is them. They shine a light on each other, each recognized individually and associated with their partner. It all adds up and becomes their _signature._ They stand by themeselves in a category of one. That they have gouged out; created. And everyone else are just clever imitations.
I remember seeing you as a little kid interview in a rock magazine in the late 80's? Was it Kerrang?
i’m so confused lol this guy looks 27 but talking about things ~40 years ago 😅
i was thinking just the opposite, maybe 40 years old people around you are already deteriorated. So different how people ages in different countries, environments and life style. Japanese people for example.
He's 42, the things he talks about happened 25-30 years ago (in and after 1991).
He not only looks young..he also acts young
Yeah confusing
@@georgedomse he was born in '79... he was on them shows age 8. Them tv clips are late 80s.
hes living life backwards, being a rockstar as a kid, only to get braces in his later life, he will be eventually dissolve into playing tag with girls and saying ew koodies before taking his final dump in a diaper and crawling back into a . nvm
At least he DID go through it,most of us did not, lucky guy and obviously talented ,but it does sound a bit "the older I get the better I was"
Gotta Ben Button that mojo bro! Looks like the hair is growing backwards as well.
a vagina?
No, please... C O N T I N U E .
hahahahahahha damn dude hhahahah
Thomas Mcrocklin!!!! I am so happy to have found your channel! I was 11 or 12 years old and had just started playing guitar when I first saw you in “ the Audience is Listening” video. Bad for Good was soo impressive on me at the age I was back then. It means soo much to me to see you still playing now. Thank you for all you gave me all those years back.
Wow thank you so much!
@@McRocklin I remember seen Nineteen on MTV and being floored by the talent, not just by you, but the whole band. Danny's voice was perfect for that album. I would love to see a video about what happened to you after Bad4Good though. You disappeared for a long time, and I was searching for you on the internet forever. Then your solo album came out and I was like "Finally...I KNEW this kid would grow up to do something great on guitar." I know Brooks is now in Avenged S., but what ever happened to Zack? He disappeared off the planet.
idk why, but that may be the greatest lead tone i’ve ever heard.
Ditto
That lead turn was like a cross between Steve Vai and Eric Johnson.... It was absolutely beautiful. It makes me want to kick my entire rig out the window and 15 stories up that would be a very bad idea.
Ibanez rg son
Reminds me a little of JP Ibanez days lead tone
it's the mix
My God that playing at 7:35 is just stunning... note choice perfection
What song is this???????????
@@fytbvro improvisation I think, don't know if it has a name
@@1010abcdefgh how do i find more music like this for reaal
WAIT YOU WERE THE KID IN THE AUDIENCE IS LISTENING!? Holy shit, that is awesome.
I am : )
Holy shit...
That’s awesome !
Well, Herman Li knee's his guitar almost everyday
I apologize for not consolidating my comments but I totally remember hearing about the guitar wars between you and Vai, that was all over the guitar magazines back then, Steve talked about it in interviews and he also talked about how he egged you on to destroy guitars and not treat them like precious jewelry, this video is bringing back a lot of awesome memories of when I first got really serious about the guitar. Great stuff man.
Thank you Eddie!
Having the mixtape from vai’s studio makes it priceless piece of history;0
Most people just dream of sitting on the shoulders of these giants, let alone have the audacity at any age to vandalize their equipment 😂
Love the effects on the playing @7:32 And that piece is really cool. It feels Vai-ish without ripping off any particular song.
I had one of these in the 80s, along with a yellow Jem. They were so different to play. The neck on the floral one was a different profile and thicker than the wizard neck on the yellow one. They sounded very different too, the yellow one being brighter. I always put that down to the curtain material. They were both great guitars. The floral looked better, but I preferred the desert yellow one, so the floral always played second fiddle.
Every time I see a Floral Jem it’s like seeing my first love again lol, takes me right back to being 14 or 15, except now I’m 47 and don’t even play guitar anymore but still love em.
Good vibes right.
@@McRocklin I still thinks its the most beautiful guitar I have ever seen!Reb Beach Voyager is also in the top 3 guitar shapes in my opinion!
that guitar is beautiful because it's lived a crazy life and has so many stories behind it and that's the only way you can make a guitar have that aesthetic. a guitar in pristine condition looks pretty and all but that's something that anyone can get, this is something special.
What if someone bought a brand new guitar and had it heavily relic’d, then made up a bunch of stories that you had no idea were fake!!
Would that guitar be a special guitar too?😆😆
Beat up guitars look like crap!!!
True stories are cool, but to me, stories will never make a beat up guitar look good!!!
It’s more like a collector item to show and compare with the stories. Doesn’t make the guitar look good though.
And it’s not something I’d play a show with or use in videos.
Would love to hear about the Steve Stevens and Tony McAlpine guitars as well as hear you play them.
Thank you for jamming on some B4G songs. I still really like that cd and still have my original cd.
Too bad there weren't camera phones back then so we can watch some backstage hijinks. Please share more Steve Vai stories. And some Satch stories. And some B4G stories. More more more!
BC BC BC 🌟
oh my god that little quiet piece you play from around 7.32 is amazingly beautiful, - you caught me off guard there Mr. !
Better than Netflix 🤟🏻
🌟
Yup
Watching ants fight is better than Netflix
So true, it completely sucks. Trash content right out of the $1 dvd bin at the truck stop in 2006.
"So anyway I borrowed Steve Vai's favorite guitar, and then I cut some pieces off of it...."
Wait.... WHAT????
Ahahahhaaaa 🤣👍 ♥️
Lmao right? Totally baffles me why he would think to do that to a guitar that he was borrowing. Wanna cut up your own guitars? Sure. But if someone was nice enough to let you use their gear and then you intentionally destroy it? Its just the ultimate sign of disrespect.
You honestly have the best tone I've ever heard! Such a huge fan. Love your vids brotha!!!!
🙌🏻 Thank you! : )
All the tones are now fully broken down here: th-cam.com/video/w9eCrclaXJA/w-d-xo.html enjoy! 👍🏻
McRocklin: 'these things here were a revenge by Steve Vai'
Me: Wow, that seems out of character perhaps for Steve Vai, at least my impression of him...
Me: [watches whole video]
Me: Now I get it, LOL!
😆
@@McRocklin lol you deserved way more than what you got. Does Steve have hard feelings these days?
@@RyanAmplification 17:54
@@odgeUK you know I watched that part and it didn't register in my brain when I asked that question. Thanks man.
Thanks so much for this series Thomas!! Love hearing the stories from these famous guitars.
Thanks Greg! Hope you’re doing well buddy.
My brother in law loaned me his Jem when I around 14.. crazy to learn and practice on such a great guitar. I remember the pink plush inside of the case and that smell. I got into jazz years later and gave it back to him when I got my own guitar. I wish I still had it kicking around..
Cutting up Vai's guitar while it's on loan to you...BIG BALLS.
Bit of a twat for that to be honest, like how can you think that’s a rational idea
yeah crazy kid he sure was
Man! What a cool guitar with an even cooler history. Thanks for sharing!
Sold my 77fp 10years ago cuz I was a broke guitarist .feel so much regret now watching this video. You make it sound even better than I remembered !!!thank you
🙌🏻
Sounds great to my ears. Organic, aged and authentic.
Great stories Thomas. Thank you.
Cheers Nigel!
This is one of the best guitars I've ever heard. No wonder it's been used so much. My first video I've seen of yours and you earned a sub :)
Damn talk about mojo
Mojojojo agrees
Thank you buddy! Amazing to see you here.
I’m coming by the Fluff Studio to hacksaw your guitars bruh. It’ll add character and mojo!
Hey fluff.your sig guitar is a dream of mine
@@McRocklin Hi I also got a Ibanez guitar too. Mine's just a cheap Gio series EX model.
Let me tell that this is a love story of friends relationship. sometimes we hurt a friend and that's what finally brings us together. Very nice history. Clearly this guitar is your charm of union with steve. Keep it until the last day of your life. Cheers!!!
I like the mellow part that begins at 7:35 .
I totally agree with you about the florals have a noticeably different sound, not only compared to other Jems but in general, they are mellow yet heavy, almost like there is a muffler on them that doesn't muffle, it's hard to explain but my Floral is still to this day my favorite sounding guitar in my collection. I remember you ripping that guitar when you were a kid, I couldn't believe how great you were and also super jealous that you got to hang out with Vai haha. You deserved it for sure and now you are an amazing player, I learn something new every video. Keep up the great work!
it's the floral panel for that sound also the brmr bad horsie guitar steve said that it has the best jem sound and maybe it's because of the mirror top that make the sound like that
Keep making these videos man. Guitar stories are always a treat
Really like the idea of this series, would love to see each guitar and hear stories about them. Yeah the Floral JEM still sounds awesome! Cheers!
This is great!! I look forward to more episodes!
Absolutely love his playing! The stories are so cool too! This is perhaps the most entertaining video I've seen in a long time!
You sound amazing on that guitar, I think it connects with something inside you that makes you want to shred like it was the 90´s. I bought mine after watching you in the video with Skunk Baxter
brand new viewer, your playing is unbelievable!
I owned one of these fabric floral JEMs for a week or so on loan for an audition to music school, precious memories.
Thanks Aaron
I got chills at 8:48!
Really great to see you AND that guitar! It’s pretty awesome that you still have it.
Very cool, loved hearing the stories and history!
I remember seeing you as a kid on a heavy metal documentary in the UK playing in a pub lifted up by your dad? Glad to see you're still around and playing!
Yep, that’s the one! And cheers!
"so anyway I cut some bits off Steve's favorite guitar" Oh, ok, now I definitely understand the big balls writing on the back.
Okay this music in the middle of the video.. amazed me, literally
Though he never mentioned this, as a friend of Joe “Jem” Despagni; I think he would’ve loved the cutaway on the handle!
Well, maybe not right at that moment!
But later, he would!
I assume that Joe is the tech in this story.
He was a good man. RIP 🎸
McRocklin, the most unassuming badass guitarist around!
Always a pleasure to listen to. I’d hold the bass line for him. 👍
The Bad 4 Good days..Ah man wonderful times! I must of listened to those tracks so many times. Certain things like that just stick to you so good and make the perfect soundtracks to the good and bad times that in the end makes it all good. Great to see you in super good spirits these days sharing some of the coolest stories I ever remember wanting to know about lol
WOW!! This guitar play through is so dope 🔥🔥
I have a pre-amp in my custom Kramer that used to be in 1 of Steve's guitars that I got from a friend of his back when he did his flexible album. You have absolutely turned out to be an amazing guitarist man 🤙🏻🎸🎵🎶🎼
Where you that kid? There you are! God bless brother, I remember it like yesterday, getting old....
I remember watching you play on breakfast tv when I was a kid, I was amazed by your playing and I was and still am a big Steve Vai fan, I’m glad I found your channel. I love hearing the stories and your playing, keep them coming,
A lot of guitar companies in the 70’s -90’s actually put the serial numbers where the neck and body of the guitar connect so you might have to take the neck off of the guitar to see the serial number.
The early Jems had the serial number on the neck plate. The number would start with the year it was manufactured ie. 891372. I have an 1989 777 VBK, the same year that the floral design came out as well
My favorite part of this story is the tape. You have little bits of Passion & Warfare history on your guitar! That’s amazing.
The neck plate looks different (possibly from the "RG" or "S" Series Ibanez guitars)/newer for sure. The original 80s Jem neckplates had the engraved serial numbers , the Jem logo and "Made in Japan" on them.
Interesting
Maybe you got a new plate when the neck was fixed
Vai and others don't play the same guitars we can buy I have Ibanez Jem from Custom Shop USA with same backplate
@@robvandermolen6767 I have 3 u.s.a. custom guitars. I'll see what the backplate looks like
All three have the same neck plate. One has a serial number on the plate. Another has the number on the back of the headstock. The third has no number. Lol. I didn't see that coming.
Glad to see you back in action McRocklin, Dig the content and great to see you can still shred with the best of them🤘🏼
Your parents were very supportive of your guitar passion... You looked like you were 8years old when you met Vai...
Good stuff Thomas!!! It's super cool hearing these old stories. The FPJ has always been one of my favorites!
Thanks mate!
I first saw you when you were on good morning Britain. I had just started playing and my mum shouted me when I was getting ready for school to come and watch. I was so jealous. So cool that your still playing and your so grounded. Still jealous of your playing. 😂😂
Awww how amazing! Cool story thanks Wayne!
Jealousy will only hold you back, keep practicing!
@@keatodiet I was joking. I do practice as much as I can and I'm far too old to be jealous now.
@@waynerussell2710 lol good!
Great to hear these stories Thomas! :)
I'm glad to hear a lot of B4G songs again!! McRocklin sensei!!
My first Album I bought with my own money was VH 1984 (I was 6). Growing up on Long Island I was blessed with hearing so many great bands. Then came Steve Vai (other Long Islander) and you when I watched your video The Audience is Listening, it Blew me away. Obviously the good Ol' Diamond Dave sound that Vai created made me buy my first Ibanez. So Thank you...
could listen to you talk about guitars for ages haha and yeh my rg560 has serial numbers on the back of the headstock
I could listen to you all day long! Love how the pickup switch cracks a bit. I love the old headstocks from back then. It runs diagonally instead of straight.
McRocklin: "I broke necks of guitars when when I was younger."
Me: *Shivers*
Just discover your channel, it's amazing to see you again and i love your playing!!
Really enjoyed this. Very cool to hear about the history, keep em coming!
It sounds great!I bought one the same year. The smell was awesome. like cotton candy maybe. I have played lots of Gems and other RG 550s( thats what I had) mine sounded great. lots of them don't. I think 88 was a great year for Ibanez.
Love it when you play some of the B4G stuff....Especially "Curious Intentions"
Great Video! I saw you play this guitar at a music gear show London Kensington Olympia circa 1989/1990. Met you and your dad after watching you play. Finally managed to find/buy myself the Jem FP this year.
Congrats !!!
Reminds me of Dweezel telling the stories of eddie van halen being his roadie and tech at the school talent show and the guitar lessons and friendship
Nice video with great moments of music around 8' and 13'. you deserve this guitar!
Thats guitarra is a Masterpiece
I wondered what became of you! Glad to see you're still playing and doing well.
7:34 sounds as if Hendrix came down from heaven to ride into the sunset on a puffy purple cloud playing this godly riff
What kind of effect is he using? There's one that kinda sounds like it's reversed or repeated higher pitch or something?
@@chrislawrence6609 modulated delay of some sort, also sounds as if he's using a uni-vibe type effect or auto wah. Definitley delay, reverb and modulation though. Check out the earth quaker devices "avalanche run". That, paired with a uni-vibe should produce this effect...
@@the_Googie cool, I'll check it out. Thanks. I just remembered where I heard a similar effect before. Steve Vai - Wall of Light.
I absolutely love Ibanez instruments and my love for them began with the Steve Vai signature series Jem guitars. I am more of a bass player than I am a guitar player and in 1993, I would buy my very first Ibanez bass ever. A new, 1993 Ibanez SR 400 Soundgear bass. But a year later I would upgrade to a new, 1994 SR 500 Soundgear bass and then add a second one in 1995, that was also brand new too. Those 2 basses have been my main players ever since then and in the 25 1/2 and 26 1/2 years that I have owned them, they have toured with me, been in numerous studios, have been played countless hours and in that time, both are bone stock and have never even had to have so much as the neck adjusted on either one.
I’m not as big of a fan of the more modern day Indonesian made Ibanez instruments as I am of the more earlier made Korean ones but I will always love Ibanez basses and guitars!
I'm not familiar enough with Steve Vai's music, but that instrumental tune at 7:33 sounded so Bucketheady, it was beautiful 😌 🙏
@dave himlin don't enjoy being pedantic but for the benefit of the guy about the album is called Flex-Able
What a fantastic and interesting history and story behind this guitar. I think it needs to be preserved as it is, nice to see all the love and use it has had. And it also sounds great.
McRocklin one of the scariest kids guitarist ever. I know he is still a badass.
Hey Thomas. I love the 77fp. I had a similar experience back in 1993 opening the case, seeing the bright pink , smelling the smell, and being in awe at the sheer beauty of such a magnificent instrument. Sadly, a few years after, like a dummy, I had it my van, obscured, and came out to find my window bashed and my baby gone gone gone. Such a violation and no other guitar has filled that void since. Like many of us here, I love hearing about your history and experiences. You started your career at the top of the mountain sharing the stage with the elite that we all admire. I can never say it enough how cool it is to be seeing you again.
Dammmmm, sorry to hear that about your 77fp, that’s awful. Thanks for the kind words and support : )
I love yup...love that axe...character is an understatement
Completely blown away , cannot believe I have only just encountered you in my 23 years on this planet. Wow . Just wow
Don’t feel bad I’m 32
@@Matt-su5wp i'm 51!!!
@@davidperezmarin8865 if it makes u feel better I feel like I’m 81 when I wake up
Showed some restraint = showed some maturity! I love stories like this :)
Hehe
My Ibanez collection just wrote a cover song whilst this video was playing. I know this because I hear their renditio nof ..... "While Doc's Jem 7V & 779 gently weep" Amazing emotion in your playing. My hands were injured in Sept 2006 durring a termo / kenetic event, they have been resistant to getting back to playing but I keep at it, thanks for the inspiration and the cool as hell backstory. Fun fact mt chopmiester Ricky Jorden from new London CT turned me on to Ibanez when I was 16 and the Ibanez 550 had just appeared in Japan. He noticed I was having fatigue amd some discomfort while playing my Gibsons one a 1896 Custom SG S3 and the other a 83ish Custom Les Paul to give context, He brought me 550 at our weekly Thursday lesson and it was a hell of a moment I could really boggie on it and traded him the Les Paul for it right away without knowing anything other than I was bonded to that 550 I have not seen one like it since lightly mettalic light blue with white pickguard. Sorry for the long post. Stay Zero & Echo Hard! HM1 Leary "Doc"
The piece your playing from 12:28: what’s the delay, reverb, modulation effect you have got going on there? It’s absolutely gorgeous
All the tones are now fully broken down here: th-cam.com/video/w9eCrclaXJA/w-d-xo.html enjoy! 👍🏻
Great playing and great video sir. Very much enjoyed this. Keep it up. 👍🏼🤘🏼
Excellent demo of your guitar! At 8:25, what effects are you using? Love the lush fluid reverb decay! Thanks
All the tones are now fully broken down here: th-cam.com/video/w9eCrclaXJA/w-d-xo.html enjoy! 👍🏻
Ahhh, I miss my Jem VBK having watched this. Yes, the pink lined case was so fitting! Great guitars.
That battle ridden Jem looks stunning though. Looks like it was found in a charity shop 😁
I have an Ibanez RG470 that I bought back in about 1992 - 1993 and the case still has the sweet smell. I still play the guitar and love it. It does need a little cleaning especially on the pickup poles. It also still has the original pickups. Seriously looking at changing the bridge pickup.
Now that I realize you are "That Kid" I have just subbed. I love your Jem stories. What great history...And Maybe the fretboard fairy changed the fretboard in your sleep one night....
I think that’s what actually happened, haha. And thank you!
The Tone Zone is one of my all time favorite pickups. Been using them since '91. They add a whole other dimension of tonality.
Is it the pick ups giving it that tone?
@@chinossynthesizer705 It's not the only thing. Pickups add an undeniable element of tone and response. He also has a great sounding rig. But I've used the Tone Zone is DiMarzio started producing it in the early 90s and this video is a pretty good representation of what it can do. It's a very beefy sounding pickup, but it also cuts through very well with a lot of clear crunch. It's very responsive to harmonics and picking dynamics. Great sustain, too. One of my favorite pickups ever. I pair it with an Air Norton neck and coil split.
You sound too much better now than when you were a kid.
Hells yehhh. Loved the guitar loved the playin loved the tones inspired to reinstall a Tone Zone. McRocklin is Rockin. Great series Thomas
I'm waiting for a bad 4 good reunion!! You know that would be epic
All those dings and all those memories... awesome. My rg550 has dings in but that was from my mum and her hoover whilst the guitar was in its stand. Awesome guitar dude.
I’m sure people over the years that didn’t know has asked “That guitar is in rough shape, why do you do that, what did you do to it?”
And the persons jaw hits the floor when he responds, “oh I didn’t do that, Steve Vai did that” 😂
Omg that was freakin awesome! Love watching you play the Bad 4 Good stuff.
Thanks mate! Hope you’re well.
@@McRocklin yes all good - great to see your smashing it!
Awesome thank you for sharing that’s a great story you’re an amazing guitar player 💯💯💯✌️😎
You blew me away on the heavy metal documentary all those years ago playing outside that pub.. incredible talent
Una linda historia. Muchas gracias por contar.!! Muy inspiradora.
I have the Jem FP '88 too (still my only electric guitar). Then I saw you on that guitar doc with Jeff Baxter and knew I had a very good guitar.
Niiiiiice!