Whoa, since when did the Ibanez Jem 7V cost $2,800?! Opinions???

[BluesGuyJ]

I just saw on MF that the standard Jem now goes for freaking $2,800. I remember when they cost about $1,900 brand new maybe 6 years ago?

Anyone know why Ibanez has hiked the prices up? I purchased a JS1000 for $1,300 new 7 years ago, now they're going for about $500 more.

The Jem has a couple of cool features, but that's it... a neat cut out grip, nice dimarzios and a fancy glued on inlay. I think I'd much rather get one used or have a custom guitar built. That's a lot of money for a slab of Alder with a maple neck and rosewood fretboard...

[Ashurbanipal]

Man, that's nothing; here in Oz a Jem runs about $5k (no idea who'd buy it). Even MIK RGs clock up nearly $1k.

You could argue the same about some CS Strats, which are also slabs of alder with maple necks and rosewood boards but cost a pretty penny.

Anyway, Ibanez has been hiking up prices for the last number of years on some stuff, and they can do that as Jems and whatnot are pretty popular. Even though Vai has slowed down in releasing albums over the past 10 years, he's touring a lot and doing stuff where he's out and about. So he's getting his exposure and fans want a piece of Vai, and they'll fork out for a Jem if they can.

In the grand scheme of things, MIJ is no longer a budget, bang for the buck alternative to MIA.

[Empty Pockets]

Maybe you ought to like watch the news and brush up on what's been happening in the global economy for the past seven years.

The guitar is worth the same. U.S. dollars are worth less.

[BluesGuyJ]

hey, mr. grumpy. I know about or economy but didn't think Ibanez would be jacking up prices so quickly and drastically.

[jmh151]

All MIJ guitars have been going up in prices. I remember when the Jem 7 used to cost $1400.

Inflation on guitars is about 10 percent a year. Some companies adjust the price gradually, some hit you with a big increase after a couple of years, and each price increase affects their ability to compete with the competition.

To Ibanez defense, they have just come out with the Seafoam Green Jem made in Indochina for $1400 to give people an opportunity to own one that can't afford the $2900 Jem, and by all accounts it's a great buy.

The price of guitars has skyrocketed in the past few years while the price of amplifiers has come down

[verbotenco]

I just saw on MF that the standard Jem now goes for freaking $2,800. I remember when they cost about $1,900 brand new maybe 6 years ago?

Anyone know why Ibanez has hiked the prices up? I purchased a JS1000 for $1,300 new 7 years ago, now they're going for about $500 more.

The Jem has a couple of cool features, but that's it... a neat cut out grip, nice dimarzios and a fancy glued on inlay. I think I'd much rather get one used or have a custom guitar built. That's a lot of money for a slab of Alder with a maple neck and rosewood fretboard...

A new one I just saw 2 weeks ago rakes up about US$ 3300.

[verbotenco]

I just saw on MF that the standard Jem now goes for freaking $2,800. I remember when they cost about $1,900 brand new maybe 6 years ago?

Anyone know why Ibanez has hiked the prices up? I purchased a JS1000 for $1,300 new 7 years ago, now they're going for about $500 more.

The Jem has a couple of cool features, but that's it... a neat cut out grip, nice dimarzios and a fancy glued on inlay. I think I'd much rather get one used or have a custom guitar built. That's a lot of money for a slab of Alder with a maple neck and rosewood fretboard...

A substantial amount of that price goes to Steve Vai I suppose. By the way, 7 years ago was a long time right? So US$ hike is fair. About 30 percent.

[verbotenco]

To Ibanez defense, they have just come out with the Seafoam Green Jem made in Indochina for $1400 to give people an opportunity to own one that can't afford the $2900 Jem, and by all accounts it's a great buy.

The price of guitars has skyrocketed in the past few years while the price of amplifiers has come down

I won't buy a guitar made in third world for $ 1400. I could get a new USA Strat with that. And the seafoam green is just out of place, too vintage looking like from Ritchie Valens era or something.

[BluesGuyJ]

haha...

My hand made guitar made by Mike Lipe cost me $2,100 and he built Vais DNA or 10th aniv. models for Vai himself as well as Satrianis stolen Chrome boy with PG pickups in it. Yeah it cost me a lot of money, but it has a unique history and great attention to detail you don't always get on a production line.


I have absolutely noticed guitar prices going up over the past number of years, but it just feels like Ibanez hits really hard.

[blueman335]

Why would anyone be checking to see what Jems cost?

[Jessie's ghost]

Why would anyone be checking to see what Jems cost?

Because not everyone is you. Surprisingly.

[JOLLY]

Why would anyone be checking to see what Jems cost?

[aleclee]

I just saw on MF that the standard Jem now goes for freaking $2,800. I remember when they cost about $1,900 brand new maybe 6 years ago?

Anyone know why Ibanez has hiked the prices up? I purchased a JS1000 for $1,300 new 7 years ago, now they're going for about $500 more.

hey, mr. grumpy. I know about or economy but didn't think Ibanez would be jacking up prices so quickly and drastically.

With the magic of compound interest, that works out to an average price increase of 6-7%/year. That seems neither drastic nor quick.

[Empty Pockets]

^ this. Ibanez didnt jack anything up. Inflation is happening.

Same reason your hair grows and the seasons change man.

[King IzzO)))]

Jems are pretty awesome shredders, I almost got an ash one with teal pickups or something, and the mirror guard. I got the sunburst tiger instead, but it was really a toss up between them.

[Empty Pockets]

I just want one for the tonehandle on the top side. Been thinking about adding one to my Les Paul Custom...

[youngthrasher9]

I just want one for the tonehandle on the top side. Been thinking about adding one to my Les Paul Custom...

ROFL

[Jessie's ghost]

I just want one for the tonehandle on the top side. Been thinking about adding one to my Les Paul Custom...

It won't work. The tonehandles only come in metric sizes.

[King IzzO)))]

Damn...