IBANEZ JEM JR GOES FROM TOY TO PRO! | A quality tremolo takes the guitar from novelty to stage-ready
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ย. 2024
- The Ibanez Jem Jr. is a fantastic value, but it's real worth is hobbled by a terrible tremolo system. Can a high-quality Schaller Lockmeister tremolo help the guitar take the leap from band practice to the stage? You bet it can! Watch this video to see how easy it is to change to a professional-grade tremolo and what to watch out for along the way.
Check out my previous long-term review of the Jem Jr here:
• Ibanez Jem Jr Long Ter...
Gotoh 1996t is a direct replacement but you must use the stock studs as the gotoh studs are larger. Gotoh studs are better and are also locking studs. Can dowel and drill them out if you have the skills. Gotoh 1996t is made of very high quality material and has a far superior slip in bar design. Much better than the collar of an OFR. Fine tuners are super smooth. Fit and finish second to none. I have installed 1996t on a few RGs and only had to shorten saddle screws on a Korean RG270 with single locking trem to clear trem route. Not hard to do. Given price and quality I choose a 1996t over a shaller or OFR every time. Suhr uses the 1996t on their guitars.
So will the gotoh 1996t post fit perfectly inside the stock ibanez jem jr studs? Need to know...planning to get one myself..
@@AL-tx7nc gotoh studs are larger and require larger inserts.....you will have to use your stock studs. The trem should fit.
@@justincase9173 I get that the studs are larger but what I mean is...is the post which is inside the gotoh studs can be inserted inside the stock jem studs? Hope you understand what I mean... sorry.. because I do want to use the gotoh post..they are more durable than the jem stock post...
@@AL-tx7nc you are correct...the gotoh studs are better. In order to use them you will have to pull the factory inserts, glue/dowel the holes, redrill for gotoh inserts. If you have never done that or don't have the right tools it is very easy to mess it up. If you do go for it. If you don't just use the original studs and wrap a little Teflon tape on the threads to make them fit tighter....the gotoh locking inserts will only work in the gotoh studs
@@justincase9173 Oh ok...thanks for the explanation. I don't think I dare to redrill a new hole for it..I think I'll just use the original jem studs..thanks again 👍🏻
Ibanez Jem Jr upgrade comparison video -- th-cam.com/video/f6FyGecTd3c/w-d-xo.html
I've got all 4 Jem' Jr models,fan of Ibanez since Vai,rg series release 1987,my pink and black Jr,changed black knobs to matching gold brass knobs and a Japan low profile Edge tremelo off a Ex370 ,gold also to match all the gold hardware! She is a screamer now! Got 14 Jem',jrs, universe jem s n my Vai collection now! Ibanez addiction!!! Great video,and for anyone wanting a Jr,well worth the money, but going fast and up n value!! 🤘
AWESOME video thank you! Very in-depth with most important details. I appreciate the care you put into this to teach and inform and demonstrate as well as share solutions and great options. 😎😎😎 Rock on!!
Also I had to change the block to a FU-Tone 34mm big brass block .SOUNDS GREAT!
I did that to my Charvels, but I honestly can't say that it made a difference. I put the big block in one and I think it sounded about the same as the normal block in the other. So hard to really say. Maybe I should do a video on that. Maybe it's bigger than I thought.
Why they decided to stop Japanese production of the JEM is one of the stuopidest blunders in Ibanez history. A JEM should never have been punted to the non-Japanese factories. Once the PIA slows down, I'm sure they will release new Japanese limited runs of JEMs. Just a shame.
While the Indonesian version isn't nearly the quality of the Japanese versions, they are a heck of a bargain. You get a lot of guitar for the price--even if you have to swap out the trem like I did.
Thanks! This is what I was waiting for!
Glad I could help!
Hi, is it worth upgrading the Quantum pickups on the JEMJR to some DiMarzios as well or is the difference too negligible to be worth it?
I was on the fence about grabbing a Jr and putting a new trem in but you completely sold me. This sounds like a dramatic improvement. Thanks dude
The Schaller has been rock solid. Worth the effort. But there are probably cheaper alternatives that work too.
Thanks, have the same guitar and i am going to buy a Schaller.
please don't use the claw hammer to pull the stud out. Use the small screw trick. Drop small screw in hole, tighten down post and the stud will walk its way out.
Instead of a screw, go to the hardware store not home depot a real hardware store and by a ball bearing that is almost as wide as the post insert. It works better and doesn't scar the inside of the hole. The screw thing works every time! 🤘🏻👊
Does anyone else have their strings choke out when you pull the tremolo bar UP? That the string lays on the bridge??
If you are referring to maximum range, the strings might choke out. If they choke out at more reasonable range, you might need a setup on your guitar. The string height definitely goes down as you pull up, but a proper setup will minimize any choking. See the thoman video with Steve Vai's guitar tech for some tips.
Excellent video! I went for the Gotoh 1996T on mine and works great
I def recommend a Gotoh 1996T. Ive used one and the quality and sounds improvement are immense
Excellent info and fix for the weak tremolo system. Thanks for the lesson. MD
I have a white one, from 2013. I solve the problem of tuning stability just change the pivots. And i set it to vibrate at the slightest touch of the whammy bar.
On mine, the posts AND the knife edges were worn, so I did both. Seems like just about anything is an improvement over stock.
just bought a black one, arrives tomorrow! super excited!
Thanks brother 🍻
It's one thing I hate about my Jem Jr! Was gonna block it out but it's a freaking Jem! It be sacrilege to do that! This vid is so informative!🏆
I prefer down-only trems, but that would be a crime on the Jem Jr.!
I've been trying to find something about if posts fit in different bushings. Thanks for actually checking that
i want to put in an edge zero, the old zero point system in the jem jr
@rmax5150 I would think a heat treatable martensitic stainless would make a fine choice for trem hardware... something like 410 or 416 stainless...other stainless like 300 series have more nickel in the alloy and less carbon making them more corrosion resistant but are a softer, gummier, less heat treatable alloy susceptible to galling.
The lack of wobble is due to higher tension springs. Nice project, well done
thanks for this vid, im currently changing out the the trem with a a floyd rose special,,,,,i know its cheap but a big upgrade from whats on it , plus i put purple\green dimarzios humbuckers in it to make it official for a 80s vibe. I am so glad ibanez made a affordable jem for us poor folk to play on !!!
The Schaller has been problem free since I put it in. Any upgraded trem is worth it.
Many of the ibanez posts are connected by a flat metal bar that's also screwed in with 2 screws. So pry up the foam rubber before you put the claw of a hammer and pry up. I found out the Hard Way.....lol
Also. Real Floyd Rose posts won't screw in. Not interchangeable with ibanez posts threads. Actually diameter too
I just screwed on Original Floyd-Rose posts into my TRS-II TREM for the older made in Korea guitars like the older Jem, Jr. that has STEVE VAI written on the neck, JS100, etc.
When ordering Schallers you have to indicate what nut size, 32, 37. or 42.
I have the exact same guitar and with Schaller Lockmeister. But the low e string on first and second fret are buzzing.
I have Rg350dxz from 2012. I regretted so much watchin ibanez launch Jem Jr. I was novice and was after looks , lol.
My friend recently got jem jr. And frankly i was glad i got rg350 over this. Because ibanez cut corners with the tremolo system, the tremolo is great but how you adjust string tension at the back just feel like they didnt care while designing.
Also they removed the slider cover for the truss rod in the head so its hard to adjust truss rod without opening those screws.
Good guitar tho.
Yeah, they cheaped out on some things. I still enjoy the guitar though with the new trem.
My o e is perfect. Floyd amazing never go out of tune after my setup. Maybe i will put an 10 way switch to have a bass tone aswell. If you like to have a Pro guitar with 400 dollar guitar lol
I just got a 2016 jem jr. I want to upgrade the tremolo too. What is the model of tremolo you used in this vid? ( I know it's a Schaller but what model ,please?)
I am getting this. Not sure about the 32 block. Lets hope it works
it is the Schaller Lockmeister.
I bought a white Jem Jr. and within several months replaced the Trem with an Ibanez Lo Pro from Thomann, Ratio tuners, pick guard, and while the quantum pickups sound great clean, they are a bit muddy with high gain, tried the tone vise locking nut and it vibrated. $1100 invested
$1,100 is still way cheaper than a Japanese one, so call it a win!
was the lo pro bridge a drop-in or did u have to do any routing?
@@gardonb plugged the holes with dowels and drilled new holes
can you use the Ibanez trem block on a Gotoh 1996t or the Schaller?
Is the neck radius not that important when choosing a replacement? I see not many after market trems are designed for the 430 mm neck
Neck radius is more important for the nut. But for the bridges, they come with shims to approximate something like 10, 12, and 14 inch radii. Don't quote me on those numbers though. Read the manual. You add shims for rounder radii and take them out to flatten out the radius. It's not perfect, but seems to work well enough.
Hi, thank you for your video. Because of my poor english I haven't been able to identity fight the right model to use from shaller... I went to the timing of the video you specified but nothing to do. I read only about gotoh. I have to follow again the video with more calm 😔
Just ordered a Gotoh GE-1996T with a 40mm block. I don't have the back cover on so I should be good to go. Or would I be?
If you go with 40mm, it will stick out the back a tiny bit when you pull the bar all the way up. Most of the time, it'll be fine though. Let us know how you like the Gotoh 1996T.
I have 40mm block on RG450. It just barely into the cover plate. just leave the plate off. No problem at all.
@@diyguitarists5069 Just got it installed a few days ago (9-15-21). It's awesome. Guitar finally stays in tune and the bar doesn't swing down on its own. I wonder if that Gotoh trem would work in my Kramer Striker. It's a thin bodied guitar similar to the Ibanez "S" series. The stock trem isn't bad. It has the EVH "D-Tuna" on it. But I never use that feature anyway.
@@1peanut I never had the cover on because I was constantly tightening the Allen screw to keep the bar from swinging loose.
I think there are smaller blocks available. I wouldnt want to leave the backdoor open, things can get stuck in there 😲
Thanks for this informative vid, the dl trem on my white jem jr is horrible and just ordered a floyd. But what nut size do I need? Im guessing a r3 because thats what you ended up using, is the r3 working out alright?
If you can get it, the 43mm nut from Gotoh should fit right.
Would it not of taken a better model of Ibanez Trem, or would that be too costly an upgrade ? Thankyou for the videos though, learnt a lot that reviews don't cover - as the majority don't own the guitar itself.
About the replacement nut, what if you just used glue instead of the screws like on traditiinal nuts?
Never tried it, so I can't say how long it would last. The best option I've seen for a replacement nut is to just go to Gotoh and order one. However, I've not seen them in stock any time I've looked. So far, the original nut is working fine. I'll wait for it fail before I worry about replacing it. Should be about $30-$40.
Do you know if a Gotoh or Edge pro bridge fits into the Jem Jr. ?
I have heard from people who say the gotoh 1996t is a direct drop in and others that say the posts aren't the right spacing. Just measure a few times to make sure before you order anything.
DIY. Are the Saddles built with a radius in them to match the radius of the Fretboard?
Thanks!!!
The saddles are built to a 12 inch radius, I believe. But you can use a shim (provided with the new bridge) to get it to a 10 inch radius. Those will work with most fretboards as they don't have to match exactly. Otherwise, you can order replacement saddles if you REALLY want to match, but it probably isn't necessary. The difference is really small.
Great work, sir..
Did you go with the Schaller Lockmeister 6?
I’m going to change my bridge for a Floyd rose from ebay unbranded will it fit that guitar?
Maybe. You would have to verfiy the stud spacing. Safest bet is to go with either a floyd brand or a gotoh 1996. There are lots of "lesser" floyd knock-offs out there.
Reb Beach used original Floyd his prototype Voyager. Think you should go with an Edge or Edge pro
Had I found one, I would've gone with the original edge trem. But the Schaller Lockmeister is great.
What distor do u use?? It Is beautiful!!!!
As stated below, the Gotoh unit is a far easier drop-in replacement
and realy improves on the terrible Ibanez standard bridge.
Studs Schaller it fit right?
Ok, so what EXACTLY did you buy dood so I can do the same. Yes, I want to do exactly what you did. I know nothing about this subject except that the stock Ibanez whammy sucks! Thank you for the insight-I've scouring the internet trying to find just this. Can you please share all the parts I will need to order for the Schaller & parts. I have the pink Jem Jr. It's great except the whammy man. Kindest regards...
The trem I bought is the Schaller Lockmeister. They can be hard to come by. Mine came with a 42mm block as the only option at the time. I used a 37mm block I already had, but you can get a real floyd 37mm block on ebay, or the Floyd Rose website for about $35 last time I looked. That is it. All the parts come with the Lockmeister. If you order a real FR, you can choose the block size. My 37mm works great. If you have to get a 42mm block, you can replace it with the 37mm and sell the 42mm on ebay.
Better Ibanez JEM/PIA/JS/KIKO + also few Ibanez RG's use *Ibanez Edge,* which is manufactured by japanese Gotoh.
If there's anything else added to the name (Edge III, Edge Zero, Edge Zero II, Edge Pro II...), it's not the same bridge, i.e. genuine original "Ibanez Edge". Which is the bridge Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Kiko Loureiro have been using for years.
*Gotoh GE1996T* sounds like a natural 2nd candidate for JEM JR. Except that the flimsy stock trem, i.e. *Ibanez STD DL* has "Floyd Rose -style" studs and inserts.
Some of the "proper JEM's" had low-profile version of the Edge, called Lo-Pro Edge (similar to Floyd Rose Pro).
Edge and 1996T:
* Both are 74 mm
* locking studs w/ thicker inserts than OFR/Schaller (or STD DL...)
* asymmetric knive edges (straight + round)
* tilted fine tuners (to be further away from your palm)
* Gotoh: block heights 33/36/40mm
OFR (FRT-*00), FR Special, FRT-*000 and similar Schaller:
* symmetric knive edges (round + round)
* fine tuners closer to your palm (just like STD DL...)
* unlocking studs, narrower inserts (just like STD DL...)
The posts were the problem .... I soften the edges of my cheap floyd posts and keep it lightly lubed.
Soften? Isn't the idea to be knife edge?
@@theoperator9474 the knife edge on the trem plate is crucial...softening the grooves on the posts provides the same 0 point but alleviates pinch points and burrs that cause the trem to not return to zero. It's really a minor "softening" you're essentially just slightly chamfering the groove in the post to smooth any machining marks and remove burrs.
Clearly in the video the posts were chewed up, but so were the knife edges on the base plate. I do like your idea of rounding them both off a bit. Might make it less sensitive to wear and more stable. And lube might take care of the added friction too. Food for thought.
@@diyguitarists5069 You took my point exactly as I intended it. There's more than one way to skin a cat. My way is just a bit more friendly to the budget minded. Your way is the correct way to improve the guitar mechanically and sonicly. My fix just solves the mechanical portion.
I ended up putting an Floyd Rose Original 1984 trem in my jem jr. Love it but I too am having issues with the nut. I figure ,I'll go with a good nut from like a Ibanez 550,570,etc.
Nice choice!
Gotoh 1996T is an amazing option.
Właśnie zakupiłem sobie ibanez jr zobaczymy jak gra stock.
Did you consider getting a 32 mm brass block. Seeing as you have a Floyd Rose brass block on there now (nickel plated 37mm) if the 37 is coming that far out. A 32 should fit
32mm block is required for a recess route tremolo like this so yeah...he needs one lol.
I have a bunch of brass blocks and I'm not sure they make any difference in tone. I have 2 identical Charvels, and I put a brass block in one and couldn't tell the difference between them. However, for the height, if you put the cover on the back, you'll need the shorter block (32mm or 34mm). If you don't care about the cover, 37mm works fine. It only would matter if you pull all the way up. And I still don't think it really pokes out. Your mileage may vary.
What are you playing through signal chain those pups sound pretty darn good
Hi sir, may i know what is ur current floyd rose?
Currently, it has the Schaller Lockmeister.
I had an early Jem Jr, I think a 2015 model in white with the rosewood fretboard. I got a really good price on it and I figured what the heck. Biggest POS from Ibanez I ever bought. The tremolo sucked, the neck sucked, the pickups sucked. First as you know the Ibanez DL tremolo is dogsh*t, I replaced it with a Gotoh 1996GT which I found out is also dogsh*t. The Gotoh bridge is very overrated IMO. The knife edges on the 1996GT I installed looked rough after a few months of use. I had to sharpen them. The chrome plating actually peeled off the knife edges. I've never seen that happen. As for the stock pickups, the white Jem Jr has the Quantum pickups which again IMO are dogsh*t. The most lifeless sounding pickups I have ever heard. Next up is the neck which was one of the most unstable necks I ever dealt with. It's very thin, one piece with a scarf joint, and it loves to flex and shift. I was always adjusting the truss rod. The unstable neck was a no go so I never wound up swapping the pickups. Needless to say I sold that POS and never looked back. At least you have the Infinity pickups in the yellow Jem Jr which sound way better to my ear then the Quantum pickups. Ibanez stopped putting 3 piece Wizard necks on their lower end stuff like the RG450 back in 2015. Big mistake, they are much more stable and better feeling necks. Now you have to spend $1200 and up for a Premium to get that same neck. They also stopped putting the Edge Zero 2 (great tremolo) on the lower end stuff, like the RG450, in 2015 and replaced it with the DL Tremolo (garbage tremolo). I have a 2013 RG450M in Violent Violet with the 3 piece Wizard neck, Infinity pickups, and the Edge Zero 2 and it smoked the Jem Jr I had. I also have an 2014 RG420PB with a 3 piece neck, Infinity pickups, and the Edge Zero 2, another great guitar. The older RG450's feel like quality instruments. The Jem Jr. and newer 450's, 470's, etc.. feel like toys to me. Like everything else these days you're paying the same and most cases more for lower quality.
well Man this video is kind of confusing. apart from thanking you for showing The little intricacies of fitting a tremolo and what to do and what not... I don't understand if you wanted to burn money then why didn't you by the right size for the guitar?? several of the parts do not fit... I am a left-handed guitarist and this is a huge problem for us! but also for a right-handed now? is this a thing that a just drop in size is not readily available? I mean is that would be the case that's crazy!
I get the part that it is fun to fiddle especially if money is not a problem for you. obviously you could buy a much better guitar for the money involved here.
now about the guitar... in my opinion Ibanez is one of the most bad willed and just negative company at least on the marketing side.
I have a hohner strat copy left handed from 93 and I had to do edge filing already back then as a teenager with no information no internet and minimal tools.
insane to see that 25 years later they still have the nerve to use this pot metal horrible junk for this purpose, I mean industry have a developed a lot since then and then average quality steel would cost only a couple of bucks more.
you could have it but you can't it's a marketing decision nothing to do with finance. this is the type of company where you have to pay extra just to have something to work properly
this is especially true for their left-handed guitars not to mention they always do the worst colors and combinations.
back to this one I hope you are not offended but this guitar just screams cheap. in every way. a pot metal trem, a cheap off-the-shelf yellow paint that is not desert sun yellow. a given color shade would not cost extra money if its not metallic etc. then the frets the pickups. inlays poke your eyes out that it is not the same as on the real ones.
this hall guitar just screams Ibanez.
the first jr were actually awesome, just dots, monkey grip and good engineering content 🤷🏻♂️
I'd ask why bother? The bridge you replaced it with doesn't look much different from the one you tried to replace. Maybe you should of started at replacing the springs and seen if that makes the difference you want.
The 2 bridges are the same (ish) design, but the Schaller is vastly higher quality. Spring changes are usually overrated. 70 year old springs in vintage strats still work just fine. But yes, you can change the tension to suit yourself.
Should have used 37mm FU Tone Big Bell Brass Block with L offset to get as much brass as possible. Nut Sauce would have saved you a tone of trouble and MONEY! PeAce ✌🏻 ☮️
So if i buy gotoh gt1996 with 40mm block it not gonna fit..
It might fit, but it also might stick out the back when you pull the bar up. The 37mm works fine without the back cover on (I never put the back cover on), but you'll need a 34mm-ish block if you like having the cover on the back.
I seen a better way to get the studs out, put a screw in the hole upside down where the pointy end is facing up and then just screw the original post in. Voilà. Pulls it right out.
Are those Strat knobs?
Yes. The Ibanez knobs are strat-style too. Just metric instead of imperial, so too small for CTS pots.
I would prefer to see you replace with ibanez edge or lo pro edge
Did mine with a. Edge III, Had yo route It. But now It Is perfectly fine
Maybe. I stil wanna get my hands on a Gotoh 1996 and see if it truly is a drop-in replacement. I've heard both ways. But it's way cheaper than a real Floyd.
After playing for over 30 years i have learned my lesson and unless the "cheaper version" guitar has everything
i want hardware wise with the exception of things like pu's and parts that are guaranteed to be a
Universal fit i would never buy a cheaper version guitar again
Last one years ago was a major headache, one issue lead to another kind of like what happened here.
I wound up taking it back and just buying the official sig mode. Yeah it was a lot more money BUT
it was 100% worth it. Original edge trem, Prestige neck and fret work, Dimarzio's, better pots,switch
and wiring,etc. Best part is IF you ever want to resell a real deal JEM will always keep it's value.
The same cannot be said for the JEM jr.
There are exceptions to my rule,Like for instance the Charvel warren demartini "pro mod"
is a amazing "cheaper version" of it's official custom shop brother. you get a hell of a guitar
for $1299. Nothing needs to be swapped on them! The CS version is $3,500 and only slightly better overall!
So i do not understand why Ibanez could not have done the same with the JEM?
@@These_go_to_eleven_1959 Im poor so this jem jr made me very happy to be able to own one, yes i upgraded the trem and pickups. But I am happy for you that you can afford the more expensive model. Not everybody can afford that.
thank you, amazing, if only you lived in UK. I cannot do this myself, would it be easy to find someone, I wonder.
Don't sell yourself short. The bridge was a drop in replacement. No tools required. For the nut, there might be a drop in replacement out there, but I tried what I have on hand. Just a do a bit of homework and it'll be easier than you think. You can do it.
Getting this. I tried to file etc. Worked for 2months but gem out of tune again.
Will the 32 block be ok
I noticed you put 37 block in
The tremolo on my jem jr is perfect. It never goes out of tune and Is better than a lot of floyd roses I have tried. I don't know if I lucked out or what but I find that left handed guitars are often better quality than the exact same guitar right handed. probably because they make so few they tend to put more quality and effort into them. I may be wrong but that's my theory. All my lefties are exceptional.
Hey man, I just ordered a lefty and I'm waiting for it to arrive. Is the issues so much people complain something that happens on the lefties?
Plug the holes and re-drill the holes. 10 minute fix! It's not a hard fix at all...Get that piece of junk nut out of there and install the Schaller!
Doesn't Flotd Rose make a non-shit locking trem?
Most any real Floyd (branded Floyd Rose) is better than the OEM on the Jrs. Even the Specials. But there are a lot of trems that will do the job cheaper. People seem to like the Gotoh 1996. Depends on what you can find in stock and at a price you like.
All that work and no brass block?! Really?!
Buy gotoh locking nut..
Stopped watching at remove studs with hammer claw.
seriously WTF
Man thanks but your long winded and drag it way out to the point it's boring
I think you should just cut to it str8 out the gate insted of Draging it out okay ✌🎸🎀🎸RHOADS
You should of taken the guitar to a guitar tech!