I can't believe it. Bought a fake JEM. God I'm REALLY STUPID

[BluesGuyJ]

not to slam you man, but I can not even see well enough to visually identify a JEM but would definitely tell nce it is in my hands if it was a real JEM or not, or at least based on the fake you got. THe kill switch and bridge would be give aways. You gotta laugh it off a little though but I hope you can get this fixed.

[LesStrat]

This is an incredibly rude post full of assumptions.

I'm sorry mate, but if you saw this guitar in person and then actually traded your stuff for it, then you don't know your ibanez.

The bridge has to be to most obvious giveaway. Any idiot knows that all the JEMs in 2000s had either the lo-pro edge or edge pro bridge. This abomination of a trem looks like a gold plated POC you'd find on a jackson JS series or ESP m-50.

Serial number is way off the mark - Japanese Ibanez always start with an F - for Fujigen.
The tuners - ibanez branded ones on a JEM! - hahahaha. They should be gotoh.

I mean, and hate to make you feel worse for your poor observational skills, but if I gave a picture of that guitar and a picture of a real early 00s JEM to a 10 year old they'd be able to spot the difference.

If I were in your shoes I'd be reporting the guy that sold you that, and even before that, check if the guy who has your 2 real guitars even knew that the one you now have was indeed fake!

You are projecting knowledge that MOST folks do not possess, and you assume that they do. I would not know the details you assume everyone should carry at the forefront of their memory banks.

I own an Ibanez guitar. I do not know details of Ibanez manufacturing, nor do I wish to learn them.

That which is obvious to an enthusiast may be esoteric data for the majority of the population.

FR, sorry for your troubles. May you find a quick and satisfactory resolution.

[verbotenco]

You should have done your homework, inspected the details, checked for further references online. You know what, there are several local luthiers here who are so good they can make exact replicas like the originals!

[verbotenco]

This is an incredibly rude post full of assumptions.
You are projecting knowledge that MOST folks do not possess, and you assume that they do. I would not know the details you assume everyone should carry at the forefront of their memory banks.

I own an Ibanez guitar. I do not know details of Ibanez manufacturing, nor do I wish to learn them.

That which is obvious to an enthusiast may be esoteric data for the majority of the population.

FR, sorry for your troubles. May you find a quick and satisfactory resolution.

Sorry but I agree with him. The bridge is the most obvious feature. I can differentiate between original Edge (the first generation), Lo Pro Edge, Edge Pro, and Edge III. So if I were this poor bloke I would've avoided this disaster easily.

You should know this info as an Ibanez owner. I never have an Ibanez by the way, just a big fan.

[verbotenco]

As far as I can remember a Jem should have like 'Made by team J-Craft' or something on the back of the headstock right?

[LesStrat]

The bridge may be obvious to you, but it is not to MOST people.

[jalguitarman]

I know this thing is a Fake but I am curious how it sounds?

[astrozombie]

I know this thing is a Fake but I am curious how it sounds?

he did the trade...it cant sound awful.

[Aceman]

#1 Before we get our panties all in a wad - I agree, see if you can trade back. Should be doable. Seller/trader said it was something it wasn't.

Now after all of that...let me tell you a little story:

At the Dean Factory this year, w pulled a killer Razorback ML out of a pile of crap. It had no marking on the Headstock. What was this mystery Razor Beast?!?!?!?! The Dean guy said that a Chinese company wanted to build "higher" end stuff for them. The guy basically sent an email and said "Build me a Razorback ML." No specs, no CAD info, no nothing. They apparently got some pics off th wb and made one and sent it to him here in Tampa. When he checked it out, it was impressive to say the least. A couple of errors, no doubt. Neck joint was too low, Floyd was unidentified. Otherwise, they were successful. Currently owned loved and rocked by LordKronos of the Dean forum]

#2 Listen to it, play it, go compare to a real one. As always, if it sounds good, and it feels good, it is good!

I know you want a REAL Jem. But if you can't get your stuff back, consider this.

[Lucid_Lunatic]

So, what did the guy say that sold it to you?

[Frantic_Rock]

So, it's resolved now.

I met with him, and I got my kramer back. He's keeping the Charvel and I am keeping the JEM. He changed the pickups to seymour duncans, and pots in the charvel the next day (spent $200 on it), so he didn't wanna give it back. But value-wise it's the same as the fake JEM ($400ish each one) . I'm very happy i got the Kramer back, because i care more for this guitar than the other one. He turned out to be a very decent guy, and he really didn't know when he was buyinjg this guitar. It was at a small store, and there was a real JEM on the wall. When he asked the guy for one of them, the guy brought the fake from the back room. The music store has been closed down a few years ago already, and the store owner cannot be found. It's a long story. Anyway - the point is, go over everything with a fine tooth comb. Not only in guitars - but in everything in life.

And now a happy reunion picture:

[ErikH]

Nice. Glad you got is resolved on good terms, and got at least one of the guitars back. Glad it was the Kramer myself. That's a nice one.

[Frantic_Rock]

LOL. Nice story Lucid.

If you guys are curious how it sounds, i'll make a video for y'all, and try to rock it out with some Eruption.

[LesStrat]

Sorry but I agree with him. The bridge is the most obvious feature. I can differentiate between original Edge (the first generation), Lo Pro Edge, Edge Pro, and Edge III. So if I were this poor bloke I would've avoided this disaster easily.

You should know this info as an Ibanez owner. I never have an Ibanez by the way, just a big fan.

Precisely why should I know this as an Ibie owner? Mine has a fixed bridge. Even if it didn't, I do not know details of Ibanez manufacturing specs.

That like saying I should have a working knowledge of Windows code just because I use MS products. Unnecessary and irrelevant to the average user.

[Frantic_Rock]

Precisely why should I know this as an Ibie owner? Mine has a fixed bridge. Even if it didn't, I do not know details of Ibanez manufacturing specs.

That like saying I should have a working knowledge of Windows code just because I use MS products. Unnecessary and irrelevant to the average user.

In my case, I have an RG2570, so yeah I absolutely should know what an Edge trem is, hahaha... I haven't been playing guitar for months, so that's why.. I gotta stay on top of it.

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Good to hear that it ended on a positive note!

[BunnyGuitarShredder]

good ****, glad you resolved it, sorry to hear that he invested money into the charvel, kinda curious on how the FEM sounds now

[Mr 9finger]

In my case, I have an RG2570, so yeah I absolutely should know what an Edge trem is, hahaha... I haven't been playing guitar for months, so that's why.. I gotta stay on top of it.

So let me get this straight. You're a fan of shred style guitars. You're familiar with upper end Ibanez guitars. At least enough so, that you know upper end Ibanez guitars don't come with cheap tuners and junk bridges. I can understand being excited and having the blinders on and missing some details like the serial #, goofy fretboard, minor stuff like that. Maybe even the tuners.

There were a lot of red flags popping up before. Now that you've admitted you're familiar with that grade of Ibanez guitars, there's a big ass STOP sign showing. There's too much not right with this for it to even be half believable now.

[Frantic_Rock]

So let me get this straight. You're a fan of shred style guitars. You're familiar with upper end Ibanez guitars. At least enough so, that you know upper end Ibanez guitars don't come with cheap tuners and junk bridges. I can understand being excited and having the blinders on and missing some details like the serial #, goofy fretboard, minor stuff like that. Maybe even the tuners.

There were a lot of red flags popping up before. Now that you've admitted you're familiar with that grade of Ibanez guitars, there's a big ass STOP sign showing. There's too much not right with this for it to even be half believable now.

You're saying you don't believe me? I don't actually care. It happened. Period. Call me stupid? I don't care about that either... Peace

[JOLLY]

So let me get this straight. You're a fan of shred style guitars. You're familiar with upper end Ibanez guitars. At least enough so, that you know upper end Ibanez guitars don't come with cheap tuners and junk bridges. I can understand being excited and having the blinders on and missing some details like the serial #, goofy fretboard, minor stuff like that. Maybe even the tuners.

There were a lot of red flags popping up before. Now that you've admitted you're familiar with that grade of Ibanez guitars, there's a big ass STOP sign showing. There's too much not right with this for it to even be half believable now.

Why does it even matter? It's like you're taking this whole thing personal. You're getting all Columbo on the thread like you're an investigator or something.

I'd be willing to bet that if he knew he bought a counterfeit JEM and meant to buy a counterfeit JEM, he wouldn't be posting about it. Everybody knows how much people frown down upon such things.