STEVE VAI On A Budget! Leo Jaymz JEM GUITAR KIT IS SMOKIN!!! Surprised By How Good It Is!

[@ChaptermasterPedroKantor-kv5yw]

Glad to see you and Cathy survived the storms intact.

[@ScarMyPickups]

Happy Saturday Everyone!! 🎉

[@bigkahuna100]

Happy Saturday, Cathy!!!

[@Bearthalamass]

I went to a vacume cleaner repair shop/music store one day lol, and they had a black gibson les paul for $200. The bridge and stop piece were in a bag, it didnt have any knobs, and looked like it was used to throw horse shoes or hammers at. Even the pick ups had dents in them. I knew they didnt know what they had, and talked them down to $150. I figured it was gonna need something, intonation, or electrical issues. Nope. Got it home and put strings on it, and a cheap set of knobs, and some new grovers, and bam. That guitar scorched the earth with the stock beat up pick ups, in a $150 guitar. 😅

[@ernieballer1308]

Was that store in Mt. Airy North Carolina?

[@Bearthalamass]

@ernieballer1308 no sir. It was in Decatur Tx. Bout 20 years ago, but the stores still there.

[@RuthlessMojo]

I’m a luthier/guitar tech and I’ve taught for over 25 years. I bought Fret Zealot a few years ago to aid in my teaching lessons. It’s a great way to make quick progress with students. I found it not only helped my students but it also opened me to a whole new level of learning, utilising chords and scales I don’t normally use. I’m a very visual person, so seeing those leds light up on the fretboard is pure magic. Can’t recommend Fret Zealot enough.

[@Roy_Gaber]

Very nice! Love the color choice, and that you show people how easy the process is. Thanks Sean and Cathy.

[@ChaptermasterPedroKantor-kv5yw]

A good paintjob will take a hell of a lot more coats then just one coat of primer and paint though.

[@BruceNielsen-pc6zl]

My second time watching this, the first time wasn't that impressed maybe it was the color. Watched it again and it is growing on me, good job Sean you earned a thumbs up.

[@jameslewis2635]

Pretty cool. While I wouldn't particularly want to use pickups like the ones that came with the kit, I could see this as a great way to get in the zone on a budget and then later on, once you get a bit more money together, you could drop in some DiMarzio pickups to get the proper Vai tones as well as the looks. Very nice to see the manufacturer has taken the extra time to make assembly that bit easier by making the kit so that you don't even need to get a soldering iron out - that is a stand out difference from every other kit I have seen.

[@waynefelkey9821]

Before you replace those pickups, change the magnets. The magnets that ship in those pickups are extremely weak! I have one of those kits in progress. I’m doing a fabric top on mine. $10 will replace the magnets. Really enjoy your channel!

[@SteveResor]

Really Glad You made it thru the Storms !! Guitar turned out Great for Less than $ 150 Bucks and some paint !!

[@lvhr13]

What brand of orange paint is that it looks great on the TV..

[@Vicos]

I purchased quite a few inexpensive chinese guitars over the past 2 years. Had fun working on them and learning what makes an instrument tick, with thanks to Sean for his tutelage. Out of the lot I have 5 nice daily players, sub-$250 each after mods. But, after the last 2 lemons (Leo Jaymz HH Tele kit that had to be sent back and Firefly Les Paul with a useless Floyd Rose bridge) I have graduated and moved on. I've found that I can buy really nice Schecter or ESP LTD guitars, new, for about the same money or a tad more. They're sometimes advertised as used or B Stock, but they always appear new and factory sealed.

[@taambul1603]

steves output jack is actually angled upwards so that when the cable goes throught the strap it goes straight in to the jack

[@Metalaxe5150]

Wow hell has officially frozen over,lol great job Sean and cathy

[@RJDCR]

yep and or yessum...luv this chan....keep'em comin' guys....Rock onnn , and a big heyhey , from deep @ the Redwoods forest...Rocking forward

[@sparky971]

I'm with you I'm not a Floyd guy, but you sure made that guitar look fantastic, good job,as usual Sean

[@MashaT22]

Now that’s an impressive guitar if it really does stay in tune. Some people say that particular FR isn’t so great when they buy guitars with it or on its own to install into a guitar, but others say the tuning stability is really impressive at that price. I always wonder whether it’s really this particular FR itself that’s the issue and not just inexperience in knowing how to set it up and use it. I also know the licensed models are made by more than one manufacturer, so some may be better than others- but FR wouldn’t just sell its name if they didn’t think it was good enough to get it, right? I dunno. All I know is this is a really impressive kit for someone wanting to dabble with a FR at a lower point of entry. Plus, a person can always decide to upgrade this Leo Jaymz to a real FR in the future if they decide they like using it enough. Love the color you used for the pain, Sean!

[@dtw322]

Diggin that orange for sure!

[@danedearmond4905]

I built that same kit a couple months back. My pickups, like yours, sound a bit low output, but they are pretty clean and worked well with a modeling amp. Gave the guitar to a coworker of mine, since I'm more of a strat guy and the Floyd is just a PITA compared to the simplicity of a Fender-style trem... I got the version of that kit that didn't use a pickguard and all components mounted to the body. The body had a nice electrical burn pattern put into it (from Leo Jaymz, however it doesn't seem like they sell that kit anymore), so I stained mine with dark Murphy's oil soap and an overcoat of boiled linseed oil. My Co-worker ended up loving it. It's hard to beat the Leo Jaymz DIY kits for the price. They're fun weekend projects, and they make decent beginner / "Tinker" guitars.

[@thejakefromstatefarm6768]

I like that orange. I dig that color. If you put thhe pickups from a gem in this guitar you'd have a damn good guitar and still at a good price point.

[@taambul1603]

why did i see this less than a minute after ur comment

[@thejakefromstatefarm6768]

@@taambul1603 what are talking about? I don't understand what you're talking about.

[@taambul1603]

​@@thejakefromstatefarm6768 idk why I said it but I saw ur comment 40 odd seconds after u posted it

[@NathanOZlegend]

i love it man! makes me want to build a guitar

[@MrElempjr]

This must be the beauty I saw on the bench in tonight’s live. That’s my favorite dang color. I wonder if there’s a way to do an orange color dye like that on a quilted maple semi hollow kit 🥵🥵

[@gebear1]

I wish Leo Jaymz guitar kits were available across the water here in the UK...... They all look awesome... Enjoying your video's watch the everytime they come out.

[@brianphelps1183]

Nice work, at least they make it very easy to build. I know it plays great with the fret work you did too!!

[@SonicReels]

Beautiful color. I have wanted a JEM for a while. Sweet guitar.

[@Dlokey4315]

Great build today Shawn and cheap 👍 I can't believe it stayed in tune with that rose on there. Hello to Kathy and keep on pick. ✌️💛🙏

[@bassmasta9117]

They have a jazz bass too that is $119 with a $20 coupon so only $99. You could buy that and genuine pickups and have a really nice instrument

[@edwilson7629]

I have had one of these in my Amazon acct for a while. I'd do locking tuners and pickups too.

[@KixxKvldera]

Cool guitar, bud. Orange is my favourite color. That's the guy if you want to play Country and look total badass! Great Video. \m/

[@stevenwigen9848]

Please do a before and after vid with kathys pickups installed, nice job nice vid as usual,thanks, glad you made it back from Oz😮

[@studio0404]

Nice, after seeing your video of this kit, I'm going to buy one and make the one I always wanted decades ago when I saw it in the guitar magazine. The neon green Ibanez Jem, with upgraded hot pink pickups, and yellow knobs.

[@scarmyguitar]

Go for it!

[@bill-the_virtual-deal-maker]

Like that color reminds me of a friends Street Hemi Orange Plymouth Roadrunner he had back in the 70's

[@Metaldad87]

Very nice looking build. I have been looking at that kit but was questioning if the Floyd would even stay in tune for the price but this answered my questions

[@zolar55]

Great video Sean!

[@JoeR203]

You should have done a swirl paint job on this one. I had Pango Music custom make a guitar body for me. It's a copy of a Steinberger GM2T (Like the one Vito Bratta plays in the video for Little Fighter) but routed for a Floyd Rose. I wanted them to paint it white with black binding but they sent me a bare wood body with white binding and they didn't drill the holes for the bridge posts (Pango you suck!). Anyway, I wanted to try something different so I "painted" the body and headstock (since I can't do headless with the Floyd, I had to get a neck with headstock and locking nut) with Blaze Orange Plasti-Dip. That orange is BRIGHT. lol I think I'll try doing a body with truck bedliner next time. 🙂

[@isamusicbrand]

i'm from europe that guitar has a very powerful sound and i would get it immediately

[@permanentwaves4621]

The 1st thing I do when I get a kit is take the neck, bolt it on, screw on the bridge (if its fixed- or assemble it completely for trem) and take either a thin string or an actual guitar string and check how centered up the strings are on the neck. I bought one of these JEM kits, built the whole thing and the little E ended up hanging off the fret board as it went past the 12th fret. It was unfixable. Too far off. After that with ALL kits I do this little pre-check. Dont need the tuners installed, just hold the string on the nut. Do it for the high and low E.

[@kc9804]

Been thinking about getting an Iceman kit, so this tip will definitely come handy when I order one, thank you!

[@galenmarek8287]

That’s why I hate pre-drilled screws in my neck in kits like these.

[@permanentwaves4621]

@@kc9804 yep, as easy as Amazon returns are, you can have a new kit there in a few days. Ive done it. I took an entirely built tele into KOHLS for a return. Got the receipt, instant credit. Had a new kit bought before I got back home. The Leo Jaymz usually have matching numbers on their parts. My Vai kit was not a Leo... Ive built 2 tom delonge strat kits from LEO, both were perfect.

[@GuitarTestDummy]

Thanks for building this kit. I enjoyed how it turned out.

[@JayRod711]

That looks killer.. Floyd Rose and all for $150.. can't beat that.. nice job👍 Glad to know all is well down there.. bless y'all 🙏

[@GrymsArchive]

It's like watching Dr. Tongue's 3D House of Guitars. RIP John Candy

[@Raymond-rr5iv]

Sean, I'm glad that you and Kathy got through the hurricanes all right. I lost my business and everything in Hurricane Andrew. I feel bad for all those people who have been pounded and ripped inside and out, I really like your show today and I think that that's a great guitar for the money. Beautiful neck. What do you think about having two humbuckers that can split into singles,..and still keeping a single coil ... all higher quality metal magnets? Finally, I mean this might sound crazy but have you ever installed a transducer pick up into a solid body? They have them in acoustic guitars. I bet that sounds great. I had a guild f120 or 30 that I bought in '69 that I glued and screwed right under the bridge on the inside. The sound was pure and only limited to the Barkus burry pick-up's limitations. I love to see you do a show in that. I appreciate your show and thank you. I watch a lot of KZbin guitar stuff A to Z ,,...and you and Cathy are more adventurous and interesting. You cover it all,...2 From a guitar pick to that programmable computer that cuts out a guitar for you as programmed,... aiso,... any tools of related or improvised interest are employed in your construction or maintenance of a guitars. I got inspired and now I'm starting to work on my own guitars. Thanks.

[@SlightlyTechnical]

ive been wanting a jem since i was 14 years old , this isa viable way for me to accomplish getting one

[@gingerjay6483]

I was thinking the same thing! It's the only way I could get one in my hands...

[@studio0404]

Thanks for the review dude, I had no idea they had an IBZ Vai Gem style guitar kit, I'm definitely planning on grabbing one after seeing how yours turned out. Looks like a solid mod platform, which I will put different pickups in it.

[@johny3barr]

Awesome Video as Usual Sean & Cathy ! 🙏🙏🙏 for All Affected by the Storms. See Everyone Tonight @ 10pm. est

[@Z_Aye_P89]

Sean built a guitar with a Floyd!!!!!! We got a treat with this one, great video as always Sean !!!

[@dannynewman4077]

I love the color you used on this guitar. Would like to know what brand spray paint and what kind you used for the primer and also the color. Is the paint color peach? Also curious what you finished the neck with and what is that peach color powder you mixed in? Love all your videos and have learned a lot about building guitar kits. I have built two Tele kits recently. I'n not real good at this yet, but learning.

[@georgewilson2865]

I love that orange!!

[@jefferywarburton2116]

Bad Horsie is a great song for using the circular saw.

[@breakingblackmagic7617]

super dope... i would just put some emg's 81 /85 emgs , add a dead switch.

[@1683clifton]

I liked the headbutt. That was cool man! Don't you touch myy 🎶🎶🎵🎵🎵🎸🇺🇸

[@zoocru67]

Always great content Sean, thanks for posting these builds, something I'm considering doing in the future possibly.

[@jaminjimlp]

I bought the ML kit a month or two ago I designed a guitar in 1982, I drew it on a piece of paper and there's enough wood on that ml guitar that I can cut out the shape I came up with I'm experienced that everything but the wood and finish part so I've kind of been hesitant to start cutting... I got to start drawing on it and get it the way I like it first... So I'm kind of anxious to see what you come up with in your paint job on that model.

[@sturepp8557]

Stumbled on to this channel and absolutely enjoy your content

[@scarmyguitar]

Awesome, thank you!

[@SixOnTheSideBand]

What's up brother. Have you ever tried Seymour Duncan's, (Blackout Modular Preamp for passive pickups. $74.) You can turn any four wire passive pickup set into an active set. The Preamp usually works nice with most 59 Gib style humbuckers. Probably bring the orange beast alive. Its one volume pot with a tiny circuit board attached. Solder less install. I think one 74.00 preamp is all you'll need to convert Convert all three pickups to active. I was considering the VAI a few weeks back. Because of the modified heel and 24frts. But id prefer a hard tail for my next addition. I may even have an extra pre-amp laying around that I could send ya to try. Six On The Side dot C

[@FrostyFreeze541]

I love your content and fully trust your opinion. I bought 2 Donner dts200 guitars. They are on sale on Temu for under $100. They are great quality, especially for the price. I think you would be pleasantly surprised.

[@frankfrascati7820]

Bought one of these kits about a month ago I'm surprised on how good they are made frets were perfect neck was flat the body was so nice that I finished it with tru oil I liked it so much I'm going to buy the tele with the trem and also buy the gem copy.

[@jwstout007]

13:02 You’re using the plastic hang tag to hand tighten with the sockets?!?! I feel silly throwing mine away! That’s some smart thinking, my dude!

[@robf.7404]

I might have to pick up this kit once I'm back in my home Nov/Dec. This would be a fun kit for a Jan. 1 New Years Project.

[@HexydiaHQ]

Thanks for review, no shipping in France! :)

[@joshuawhited547]

My 84 Montie Carlo was exactly the same color,yeah I dig that,looks cool

[@1skippysmooth]

Hooray for the kit guitar videos!

[@RunningWithScissors765]

That apricot color choice was dope for the neck. I always use birch wood Casey gun stock oil. Kinda want to see you do another one just in a natural finish. That was a really sweet body man!

[@WickedFesterBand]

Is it wired to auto split the humbucker coils? Steve Vai wiring splits the humbuckers in positions 2 & 4. I have a JEM Jr and I put a set of Dimarzio Evolutions in it. They are NOT weak. 😉

[@RecycledRocker2]

i enjoyed watching your build … found the same kit and was thinking about it … but like most guitar players …. i might already have enough guitars … lol Thanks for the show !! A..

[@user-gs2nq3rs8l]

That's cool I think he did a great pain that and setting it up doing all the front work and everything can always change a pickups if you want but that's a good deal

[@schulergr]

Love that color.

[@johndotson920]

Nice kit and that neck man it's killer and the way it fits in the pocket

[@robf.7404]

Blown away when you pulled the neck out of the foam; I was not expecting the inlays.

[@crave809]

These videos are all so 🧀 but I like it! Don’t know why but I keep watching 😅! And I ain’t ever gonna stop 🤣

[@crave809]

7:08 conditioner is better, it goes on last and makes the hair silky and smooth 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@scarmyguitar]

@@crave809 🤣🤣🤣😂😂

[@garymcaleer6112]

Nice to hear such diverse tones

[@Shooter_FPV]

After watching your video I think I may grab this kit. I have an old 1988 Gibson Epiphone that has bridge issues, but it has a Screamin' Demon pickup in it. I'll yank that out and maybe get another decent dual-coil and swap them out. The demon isn't the greatest, but it's probably better than what this comes with.

[@PatrikWalzer-lt2qo]

If you enjoy to do something by yourself it is cool. Otherwise I would recommend to buy a JEM Jr. or a Genesis RG550. But, nice job. Looks really nice!

[@terryt-rexhanke746]

Love that color

[@checkyoursixgaming]

That booklet is nice

[@Gerry-cg6kr]

Looks like it will feel great in your hand

[@stevenharper182]

lucked up on your channel. Very nicely done. But that floyd rose is gonna be a hassle later on...lol

[@scarmyguitar]

What's up? Welcome!

[@scottvangiesen6199]

I had a pink Jem in high school. Might need to build one of these kits.

[@Oranguice]

I like that color. An 80s Kramer would look sharp with that paint job..

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Let’s do this Sean!

[@Andybility]

Steve VIA 4 life

[@FuzzImp]

I was just looking at kits again and theirs popped up. Seems like a project great for messing around and learning dialing frets in

[@johndotson920]

Love the apricot on the clear coat

[@susannoland7385]

great job looks really good! Thanks for the video ❤

[@bobperu1]

I'm liking it,great color choice.

[@b.rodclark334]

Vai... not via!😊 is there a chance that any of the Leo Jaymez kits get scarred with Kathy's pickups?

[@michaelwilson2497]

I wish they would make a Lynch kit of the Kamakazi

[@Beauyuhkfer]

One thing I noticed about your wire work that is different from my luthiers is that you don't "braid" or twist them together. My guy swears by it. Don't come by and head butt me

[@stevemone7318]

Hey Sean my wife love the song every beat of My heart I was wondering if I could play it at my wedding. Thanks Sean love the channel. If you end up making a CD I would love to get a copy

[@scarmyguitar]

Thanks! Sure ya can!

[@SpiritualOnslaught]

right on that was my concern the zeroing ability of the floyd it sounded pretty stable when you dove down is it just as stable when you pull up? & how about huge divebombs?

[@bigsteve9291]

Hi Shaun love the been binging on it learnt loads thank you very informative and you no nonsense approach been wanting to put a trem system on my harley benton tele I picked up second hand or used being a brit we say second hand what's your thought and how would you go about doing it any advice appreciated thanks

[@nychold]

You can absolutely get three great pickups for less than $149, as long as you avoid Seymour Duncan, DiMarzio, and the boutique makers: Iron Gear and GFS, for example, make great pickups. But for three pickups, even without shipping, it's going to between 1/2 and 3/4 of that price. If you factor in a Floyd Rose bridge, even their cheapest line (the Floyd Rose Special), you're well past $149. So something has to give...quality or features. When it comes to a kit, just don't expect the best stuff and you'll be happy. And truthfully, I'd prefer they spend their money on better hardware like a bridge than on great pickups. Pickups are almost always universal and easily swapable. Bridges are often unique and can be difficult to swap.

[@dritt-drittpaniagua739]

Put a set of Seymour Duncans and what kind of tone are you looking for!?!... one of the greatest videos ever, Sean

[@benjaminhawthorne1969]

Steve "Vai," NOT "via!" 🤓 That color is HOT! Orange & black, just in time for HALLOWEEN! 🎃💀

[@Gerry-cg6kr]

Black does look good on that one

[@raycymbalisty5503]

i would like to see if leo jaymz makes a version of musicman guitar like a steve morse signature or a silhouette special or even an axis. id be all over any of them. nice vid i like the orange

[@chrisbucy6716]

That orange is sick!!!

[@BernRappold]

Sean, can you show us how you intonate guitars, particularly if you get a guitar with a problematic nut and intonation, please?

[@BCG5150GUITARS]

At least your heck pocket is tight. Mine wasn't. You can see how much play in my in my video on the Gem Leo Jaymz DIY kit. Nothing I can't fix though.. nice orange though for the body it definitely has to be a bright color.

[@marlan3rd]

Well done video, I would have liked to see the Floyd Rose set-up. I know that you said that you would upgrade the pickups , would there be any advantage to upgrading the Floyd Rose?

[@JayRod711]

It would last longer.. an original is made with harder steel components that will last much longer than a licensed one 🤘

[@HCUSAGUITARS]

Nice lookin build sir, I like that orange

[@47Wolfgang]

Nice job bro!

[@joestahl9102]

Needs Cathy's pickups to make it rock