30 years of the Ibanez JEM: Steve Vai explains how a Legend was Born

The 1987 Chicago NAMM Show marked the introduction of the Steve Vai-designed JEM guitars and constituted a major turning point in the fortunes of Ibanez and the development of the electric guitar. The JEM, with its cutting edge floating tremolo and monkey grip, took off like a rocket. Ibanez was finally viewed as an important innovator and there would be no looking back. 30 years later, the JEM has become an iconic image in the world of guitar and, for over a decade, its sister model, the RG, is second in worldwide sales only to the Fender Stratocaster. Ibanez is very pleased to celebrate this 30-year milestone in the ever-evolving and fruitful collaboration with Steve Vai.

[@NeilTurnbull007]

I`ll never forget seeing in real life for the first time a Jem77 Floral Pattern in a guitar shop window. It was like seeing the holy grail !!.That must have been in about 1988/89. Eventually years later I got my own in about 1997- second hand & in good condition. I still have it and still love it.

[@OLLiGoldeaux]

Don't give it away ( like i did )

[@user-zu4dw5lk6u]

old school skate logo guitar is sick

[@BitcoinAndChess]

I would love to see an S Series version of a JEM.

[@McNoiseboy]

Dear Ibanez, please make something cosmic happen with 'like' #777. ありがとうございました!

[@GreenMeanie101]

How many total getting released?

[@harrisonrg777]

Green Meanie in america 200 LNG 50 or 100 each of the other two.

[@DEADMEDIC]

Love this history. Ibanez is a magical company. Unmatched globally and historically. They are the pinnacle of musician instrument creation.

[@ronammar5021]

Like guitar equivalent of air jordans

[@hruaizelakisuke]

ibanez forever...

[@ErnestJoshua98]

I someday will buy that guitar !

[@ErikZmusic]

You have to love the irony that the intro song features the 7 String Universe, and not the Jem. :-)

[@JasonMcNamara]

What a fantastic look back on one of the most important advancements on the solid body Electric Guitar since the birth of the Stratocaster, the Telecaster & the Les Paul. Beautiful work by the video editor & whomever did the intro graphics. Congratulations to Ibanez & Hoshino as well for this magnificent milestone. Lastly, thank you Steve for your outstanding innovation. The JEM is a true classic that will live on forever. Cheers, Jason from Ishibashi Music.

[@L1VE3V1L]

Steve is such a giant but he's so goddamn down to earth. Not a hint of pretence about the guy. That's also why the jem is so successful. It would've been very easy for Ibanez to work with him all these years.

[@SeboXotta]

This guitar has been a real game changer! So many companies introduced these revolutionary specs as well after that...I think I've never seen a guitar so perfectly tailored around a musician style like Ibanez did with Steve Vai. This video brings me back to those years when all guitar players wanted a Jem...I love feeling that passion and excitement! Thank you Ibanez and Steve Vai, you motivated so many people around the world!

[@NathanChisholm041]

Just bought a jem7v and i love it to death! Even as much as my les paul....

[@OLLiGoldeaux]

Yes. The 77FP was a very good instrument. Every recording i've made sounds a little bit clearer - especially the Strat Like Sound. Good.

[@Aeon_Electronics]

Just bought an Ibanez Genisis RG565 and the quality is amazing.

[@erikceman5354]

I love Steve's honesty at the end

[@tonybowen455]

If I buy a jem I get to lie in Vai's bed?

[@NathanChisholm041]

Erik Ceman Same here! Its because we all can relate to the the experience!

[@DrMurdercock]

Players at Vai's level are known to practice up to 16 hours a day.,...So the next time we wonder why we suck in comparison, now we know

[@ibanez33150]

Love Ibanez.

[@MonkeyDolphin]

You all may find this surprising, but I like these guitars.

[@youknowwho8516]

jemfreak OMFG... You surprised me, indeed... What a surprising statement..

[@CJ_YT.]

Woaaah

[@buddhistpriest1357]

Guitar Center in San Jose had a Jem prototype with a non-monkey grip, straight slot route, natural finish. A greenie meanie Jem signed by Steve. (I think 100 of those were made) And of course the floral pattern design, which was lifted from Steves stucco blue homes living room curtains, and is my personal favorite Jem. It’s green and pink for cryin out loud and it looks fabulous! I’d like to find those curtains and line a leather jacket with it. 🕺

[@eddy.j8196]

0:00 "это история света" о_О не один я офигел?

[@Mister_Lis1]

ага

[@dancortes2164]

Eddy .J it's part of a song called "Story of light" (sorry, I dont know how to speak Russian)

[@era_sexion_popilushin]

Dan Metallic Google translate help you

[@levelzero1]

I own two Jems -- and they are by FAR the best guitars I own. Just well made, beautiful, sleek instruments. It is the masterpiece for Ibanez, without a doubt. I'm an Ibanez fan-boy ---- no doubt........but, I have had die-hard Les Paul guys play my Jem before --- and they were damn impressed with it. Just a fantastic guitar.

[@MurilloXavier]

Awesome! It's so cool to see the passion through Steve's eyes when talking about JEM. Phenomenal instrument!

Glen Campbell , in the 60's , had an electric guitar with a handle hole identical to the Jem. This can clearly be seen in the movie The Wrecking Crew , about studio musicians of that era.

[@Slunkzillla]

No word about Joe Despangi?

[@EthnHayabusa]

I always wish they would mention him and Tom Anderson. They both had a hand in the evolution.

[@RastaSaiyaman]

He should rock the green ones again.

[@harrisonrg777]

RastaSaiyaman he's weird when it comes to playing jems live. he never used the passion and warfare universe during the passion and warfare tour :) so i wouldn't hold your breath on seeing him playing one of these anytime soon

[@Dajizoids]

There was David Lee Roth but also playing the devil's guitarist I think really has something to do with his fame

[@DrMurdercock]

I like 24 frets too Steve. Only, I have never used em llol

[@sowelldon]

I'm a bass player who plays guitar and who happens to be a Steve Via fan. This past Christmas my oldest son who knows I love me some Steve music went into a local shop in town and saw a Jem. Told my wife and I got it for Christmas. Unknowingly they got a Jem Jr. but I didn't really care I was happy to have it. I've upgraded it a little. I love the guitar it's not like the 2800 dollar one I played but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Thanks to Ibanez and Steve for making a great Christmas present lol. I'm an Ibanez guy.

[@CJ_YT.]

Dude you have a really cool family

[@shakebabyhitler]

That's awesome! You've got a great family and a good story. When I turned 50 my wife and some of my friends chipped in to get me a Dean ML (huge Dimebag fan, lol!). Maybe not the nicest guitar I own but it holds a very special place in my collection and always will.

[@stupidusername38]

great watch, this was the next step from Eddie Van Halen when he decided to combine the Gibson and Strat. This is it taken to the next level. When the Jem took off in the late 80's you could buy Gibson's very cheap. That all changed with Slash.

[@curbowman]

You are right. In fact, Gibson Corporation was about to stop production of the Les Paul guitar and push Steinberger as their main brand. Guns 'n' Roses success changed all that.

[@satchboogie2058]

All I have to say about Ibanez is that they are some of the most comfortable guitars to play. For me at least.

[@tastyjamstudios]

Why does the jem rootbeer have a different grip?

[@jamesprice6381]

Worked with a guitar company in 96/97 that sent Steve a guitar, got to talk with his wife for @ 5 minutes, a treasure even if he didnt take the guitar! :)

[@Commtech72]

Ibanez Jem = Hattori Hanzo Katana

[@darrickderanleau8253]

And. I wish I could afford one or two :)

[@karl1949]

So fascinating, what a legacy, thank you to the craftsman, Ibanez and Steve! Really, this conversation is top shelf. Most recently I had a chance to play a couple Jem guitars at the shop, getting orientated around the wide selection. It's coming time to level up and it's an exciting prospect to be able to hone your craft on a Steve Vai inspired Ibanez Jem, here in 2022 and beyond. Bravo! 音楽への情熱、ギターへの情熱、そして水辺のプレイヤーたちの共通点を聞くのは素晴らしいことです。 Ibanez、Jem、Steve Vai、そして彼の遺産は、地球上で最も大切にされている会話の 1 つです。ありがとう、MaxLove!

[@baguitardepp]

Nice video Ibanez and Steve!

[@edwinstovall3334]

Now only is the continued success of the Jem, the Universe and now the PIA, a testament to its design and execution, but their DNA has crossed into more humble lines to reach everywhere. I personally have one Ibanez EX370 and an RG220B. These guitars both followed the Jem template closely while their South Korean origins enabled them to be inexpensive enough for me to acquire. They were also both in kinda crappy condition, which gave me license to have my way with them -- which I did! The RG became the guitar that I modified most heavily, after repairing a very bad neck crack. Locking nut, fret job, new locking vibrato system (needed extra routing), new pickups -- all these it got, and it was worth it to turn that humble li'l guitar into the fire-breather it is now! Steve would probably hate my guitar, but no matter, because my guitars are both validations of his original vision. Also, I figured out what I wanted and went for it -- like Steve did!😎

[@MikeBoardley]

Me want.

[@roba4128]

Monkey grip was done in Cheech & Chong's Up in Smoke when Pedro DePacas played in the battle of the bands 1978? right at the end Cheech & Chong - Earache My Eye you can see it clearly .. did they invent it or was this around for a long time?

[@XMetalChefX]

"We think it could do well!" Shapes an entire foundation for a music scene, creates inumerous new genres of hard rock and metal, and changes the history of guitar on levels unimaginable for the time.... Yeah, you did good Steve...

[@Flat0Line1]

Guys, why in 0:00 sounds russian phrase "это история света" - this is story of the Light? XD Just curious))

[@Add_Account485]

He's a very smart man.. Steve vai..especially that "its my comfortable bed line" thats gonna stick in my head about my jem now.. Forever an implant on the sub-concious mind... (Very clever! ;-)

[@javiduarte5143]

edv took the guitar to another level in 1975 and vai took it to another level in 1986 .....i was shock his playing on eatem simle,em album.

[@Sfbaytech]

I picked the jem because it plays beautifully. Once I tried it I had to buy it. If you love bending notes and screaming harmonics this is the one.

[@prestonsteimel1907]

I believe RG's are a lower level JEM, although they can be very nice. Steve vai really shaped Ibanez.

[@er1cmaurer]

That's not lime green like the original. Ibanez fucked up yet again. You had one f'n job people. It's amazing huge companies like Ibanez can't get the simplest of details right.

[@harrisonrg777]

eric maurer your going by youtube videos... everyone who's seen them in person saids they looked just like the originals. when side by side with an original the reissue 777 look brighter. they aren't it's just the originals have faded over time.

[@er1cmaurer]

Oh man, that makes me feel better. Maybe i'll buy one now. Thanks.

[@jarrod4203]

I love that guitar.. I've wanted it since I was 12 years old..

[@christophertrogdon2308]

I remember seeing the Jem in a magazine when it came out and just thought it was the 80sist guitar ever with all that green and pink.

[@arseface7792]

I've watched this so many times

[@craigharrison5406]

If you want to shred Ibanez is the best guitar out there

[@megasauce6468]

How come at 13:30 the pickups are black?

[@elijahharris9706]

Why does this only have 1.2k likes

[@stitcha123]

2:18 hahaha recorded on a phone and flung in after...

[@MrRackenstein]

People are going to remember the jem for a long time.

[@einarabelc5]

I want THAT ONE, Bones!!!

[@POLLOTROM]

Is the Jem the precursor of the RGs?

[@andrewbevan4662]

.. will Vai ever leave Ibanez?....

[@caroltaylor5925]

Great dedication to music!

[@Whiskey04]

Amazing story!

[@RafalPerz]

Great vid! I am wondering what does Mace Bailey do nowdays?

[@elvezrulz]

He's a friend of mine. He got out of the madness of the music business and works for a really rich dude in L.A.. He maintains a large collection of airplane and ship/boat models. Very intricate woodworking!

[@sebastienaubry8481]

Le maestro

[@MrWolf5150]

Tom Anderson had a major role to play in this story and he's not mentioned.

[@suprjnt420]

MrWolf5150 what was his role?

[@5urg3x]

Why is the fret work on these guitars so poor? You would expect hand rolled fret edges for a guitar that costs this much...

[@EulogyfortheAngels]

I played an Iron Label series a month or so ago and was surprised at how bad some of the fretting was. There were frets literally poking a mm beyond the neck wood.

[@5urg3x]

Dude, try the Prestige series -- they're not much better! And they cost thousands of dollars!

[@NathanChisholm041]

surgeyX All premium and prestige RG, Jems, have the premium fret ends shaped to a ball www.ibanez.com/products/eg_detail17.php?year=2017&area_id=2&cat_id=1&series_id=32&data_id=341&color=CL01 under specs!!

[@guarapo66]

Not a fan of steve, but the JEM is my dream guitar

[@WyldestZakk1980]

But for what does "JEM" stands for?

[@dafxtone]

Was the name of a friend shop of Steve VAI.

[@AnthonyCarrera]

Very cool, but would be very scared of using the grip as an actual grip. kinda is a small amount of wood to really trust the weight of the whole guitar on.

[@MrWolf5150]

Anthony Carrera The grip is rock solid.

[@xGshikamaru]

Anthony Carrera 'it's not ! actually I'd rather grab a guitar by that kind of handle rather than by the neck just because it doesn't even have to support the tension of the strings. Too bad they didn't keep this on the universe

[@AnthonyCarrera]

good point

[@harrisonrg777]

Anthony Carrera it's perfectly safe. vai has whipped evo around for years by the handle. it's stronger than it looks :)

[@BarefootServant101]

They should have included the palm rest on the trem. The first batch had 'm.

[@harrisonrg777]

BarefootServant101 legal reasons so they couldn't. another company owns the patten and it wasn't a great part. when dive bombing you could hear the metal clanging noise of the trem hitting the cover. plus i never seen vai actually use them.

[@BarefootServant101]

you're right about the legal hassle back in the day. I disagree with your opinion though. I never had any problems with clanging noise. I really like the option that you can rest your palm firmly without having to worry 'bout changing the pitch. But then again one man's goose......

[@danigott5030]

anybody knows the name of the last song in this video?

[@nicodavis7955]

dani gott Steve Vai-Velorum

[@nicodavis7955]

The other two songs also by Steve Vai are 1. The Story of Light and 2. Gravity Storm

[@natfingerboard]

Steve vai IS ibanez. He changed the way they make guitars and he is the face of Ibanez for sure. One of the greatest partnerships in the history of eletric guitar.

[@omgodvideos3745]

this is like Les Paul & Gibson partnership

[@dafxtone]

OMGodVideos Not really. gibson was a big actor before Lespaul, and the SG was not at all the idea of Les Paul...

[@harrisonrg777]

i love how he just address very simple little things that no one wanted to change and now all other companies follow in the footsteps he left behind :) amazing how easy and simple it can be to be a pioneer

[@Dajizoids]

For the few people that been under rocks or very young playing the devil's guitarist was what Steve did in the movie called The Crossroads even the lead singer for Whitesnake said he's seen him there that was when I seen him and been a fan ever since and hopefully one day I'll meet him

[@5urg3x]

The Maxxas's were so sweet...Wish they still made them, although the new EBMM Majesty kind of builds off of it and makes it even better. Why is Ibanez stuck in the past nowadays tho? Where is the innovation they once had?

[@Eventual420]

When he rolled thru, on a bus, I presumed he slept on the bus... which these days is disgusting. This was many years ago... and we met. Never thought to offer an invitation to MY house, so he could check out my guitars, and we could share chordal ideas... But these days I could. All of my kids have grown and left the house so I made a little studio with one of the spare rooms, and a guest bed for the other. Sheeze, Steve. Where are my manors? At any rate, probably sleep better in some waterside suite, which is not that expensive. I like the Jem, but I own a great Universe. Best Regards.

[@darrickderanleau8253]

I'm forty nine and I remember this time during the late 80s and I'm watching today....totally ICONIC !! Bolth Steve himself & his JEM Guitars as a guitar lover and aspiring player myself , he has inspired me every since his role as Jack Butler from the film Crossroads (the duel .) in '86 What an amazing career and human being. Thanks Steve🙏 .

[@kevinolson1710]

The Luithier from Ibanez was a very Cool dude. He built it, someone else gets the credit for it . This seems to happen in the guitar world allot. IE Gibson Les Paul and A.P. Appleton, perfect example.

[@electricritual4197]

I love they keep releasing these guitars. Because it kills the value of the old ones. It makes them more affordable than the new ones. I've gotta say the old ones are made better, they play better they sound better. Thank you Ibanez.

[@djentyboi69]

Being an Ibanez Artist can you send me one distortion?

[@djentyboi69]

Being an Ibanez Artist can you send me one distortion?

[@kevinolson1710]

From this Video, it seems to me that country boy built the JEM and Steve got the credit. Correct me if I'm wrong.