Have owned both, sold the jem Jr. The 550 just rocks, the feel of it shredding is so comfortable and amazing. Both are really good guitars but in my opinion, the 550 is the winner
The Jem Jr isn't even in the same league, the RG sounded glorious with the clean sound while the Jem sounded thin and weedy with no character. Still though, wouldn't expect a budget guitar like a Jem Jr to compete with a Japanese made RG.
Great video! I really enjoyed your playing and you demonstrating how each pick up sounded clean and with distortion. I ordered a desert yellow RG 550 last november and it should finally arrive in april of this year. Watching your video really help confirm my decision in ordering an RG 550. Also, I wanted to know what kind of amp were you playing through for this video?
I don't know what you mean here by sound & tone bro, but you're an absolute amateur if you choose the Jem JR over an RG550, and I mean no offense there.
I have both, the jem out of the box set up was bad, really high action. The genesis rg 550 was perfect out of the box. I have never had a guitar this good. The edge zero on the rg550 is amazing I play for hours and don’t tune. The Jem’s DL trem goes out of tune a lot quicker. Spend the extra 500 for the Japanese made rg550. You wont regret it
I have the RG 570(Purple) from 89’ and had to have the Genesis model RG 550 (Purple) ordered 11/9 and waiting everyday for it to arrive. I’ve been mostly playing the RG 450DX (white) & it is great but hard to get that sound of the Japanese RG 550. It will forever be my favorite guitar......#Ibanez🎸🤘🏻
Oh my god! The rg 550 is Japanese made so there is no comparison between these two guitars, although the pups in the 550 are stock, when replaced with a dimarzio evolution pups this basically is the same as a real jem, as for the tuning issue in the demo.... Try stretching in the string before you go crazy on it!
The Jem.Jnr is probably ok if you've never played or owned a Japanese Jem, they're night and day. The moment you get one in your hands you know the jnr is no Jem. The RG 550 is every bit as good as a Japanese Jem, although neck is a different profile
Thank you for this video. I had the jem jr, put the time and effort for a good setup (see my latest upload). The factory setup was not the best. Within 1 week I noticed a few problems including the chrome from the bridge saddles wearing off. I have also since tried out a genesis rg550 (the reissues). The difference was night and day. The body felt solid, the neck smooth and comfortable, frets all already to a high standard, much better pickups - clean and versatile, kept tuning. The best thing was the bridge, maybe it was the first time I used an original style Edge, but the dives/flutters were nothing like any of the lower end RG's I had tried.
Hello there and thanks for this. Seriously considering the RG. Just wondering whether the tremolo holds up well in the RG, can it take a good amount of use/abuse. Also, the neck radius of the RG seems a little larger (flatter?) and wider than, say, the typical Fender - is that true. Thanks again!
wow wow wow - what's that background noise/hum/whine - I have the exact noise (from DI guitars, not vocals) and I have to find out what's causing it lol NIce vid btw - just ordered the RG550BY :-)
If that is an 89, I believe it should have unlabeled v1 and v2s. They are a bit hotter and bassier than the v7 and 8 they introduced in 91. The v7 and 8 is their standards for prestige till now.
Guitarworks1000 I am from the US. But I have seen 80’s models with both black and matching headstocks in the States. I think Ibanez used both in production.
From the Ibanez wiki: "While most RG550s have headstocks which are painted to match the body, some 1989 and 1990 finishes, included Desert Sun Yellow, got black headstocks. After 1990, the color-matched headstocks returned for all finishes."
Guitarworks1000 I guess that's what vai asked for. ibanez must have made the choice later ,when making the rg , to make that a standard feature on the rg line as well as the jem series. great choice.
that's a unfair comparison sure both could sound similar however the RG 550 is a far better guitar overall the jem jr is fine however you're comparing a Indonesian / korean made Ibanez to a japanese model In my country a jem jr averages $700 new RG 550 Genesis series $1700 new average
I’m thinking about this for my first good guitar, I’m an ok player but I change tunings a lot. Is this worth it or is the tremolo too much of a pain, and I should hold off and get something else and maybe get this further down the road?
ajlol hi there!! I must say both tremolos are very stable. But if you need to change tunings these are the wrong guitar. It takes too long to stabilize the trem when changing. I’d go for a hard tail. Good luck!!🍀
???? Putting a 550 vs the jem jr? The 550 is way better.. I own both and my jr has a full set of Dimarzio's and a real German Floyd.. and my 550 is still way better.
I’m stuck between the two guitars. I bought a Jem Jr last week. I found a used MINT RG550 in desert yellow (same as the one in the video). However the former owner put all EMGs in it. I can get it for $900 Canadian which is only $250 more than the new JemJr. Is it worth switching?
@@Guitarworks1000 Thanks buddy. Bought one today for $600 Canadian (mint condition). It's the same as yours, desert yellow, but a 2021 model. It's outfitted with EMGs (obv it was moded), but I can always change them if I like. Sounds wonderful, probably one of the easiest guitars to play. I returned the JemJr immediately after. The decision was a no-brainer.
I had RG550 for years and never liked it’s sound too much. Jem obviously sounds a lot better, like a real guitar 🙂 But yes RG550s ergonomics were great. In that sense it was very nice guitar.
Have you ever played a Jem jr ? I'm sure you'll see the difference between a guitar made somewhere in the Far East & A Japanese made Ibanez. Even the RG's from Indonesia are very good for the price, they are a real guitar as opposed to the Jem jr pieces of crap, it's all cheap hardware on them stay away from them. Sadly if you really want a great guitar not including boutique guitars you really have to buy from America or Japan....America you know the names I'm talking about & In Japan it's truly only Ibanez & E.S.P but they are costly & then there's their custom shops which can cost a small fortune. It really depends on how dedicated you are & can you justify paying that much for a guitar. One thing is most of big U.S. Brands & Japanese to a different extent is they usually go up in price, so if you pick the right guitar it is an investment.
My Jem Jr arrived but it has terrible action and cannot be corrected without fretwork. Sending it back as a new guitar should not be like this. Shame about the quality.
I hated the neck on the 550. Too narrow and it generally sounded like cardboard. I tried different pickups but it just sucked. The jem i owned a 2003 MIJ 77FP. Best superstrat i have ever had between my hands.
I m confused which to buy...? I like the body and designing of jem jr, but i like the zero edge 2 in rg350dxz! Please help what should I go for? Which is better double locking(jem) or the zps edge 2(35dxz)? Is 350dxz bridge better? And what about tone? Suggest plz!
@@Guitarworks1000 thanx a lot! I also wanna ask which one can hold drop tunings? can edge 3 or edge 2 hold drop tunings?(dro d, drop c#,etc.) , and if we break a string which guitar can hold in tuning?
Devang Giri they will all Work with drop tuning as long as you adjust the springs. With regard to breaking a string the guitar will go out of tune and there is nothing that can be done unless you get a device on your springs which hold them in place.
That can't be, they are the same guitar with added strength in the neck. They are the same exact guitars with same exact specs. Again, added valute for added strength.
@@billygaroutte4791 Not quite. The original issue RG550 (1987-1993) had V1 & V2 humbuckers. The V7 & V8 pups were fitted from 1994 and are on this Genesis reissue. The V1/V2 have slightly more vintage tone. The V7/V8 are more 'modern'. Another factor is that 30 year old pickups will have lost some magnetic strength and so sound different to a modern repro with the same specs
LOL, the Jem JR is around half the price, and in terms of build quality it is NOWHERE near a made in Japan 550. So it's not a fair comparison (especially if you compare it to a brand new RG550 Genesis, holy moly...) This is what you get with a Jem JR: shitty pickups, shitty neck and an even shittier bridge. For the exact same amount of money buy instead an RG370AHMZ, comes with Edge Zero II at least, that's a somewhat better bridge. Heck, even the tuners are cheap inhouse ones on the Jem JR. What is more; although I don't have definitive info on this yet, I'm pretty sure that the fret material on a Jem JR is not the same rock solid and hard, quality nickel alloy that the 550s have.
Come on people. the jem jr is a total turd. The lo-TRS trem is horrible and NO you can not swap to an edge trem, posts and cavity are wrong. The 550 is what started it all including the real Vai Jem guitars. I own several originals and 1 new one. They do one thing well and that is rock, forget playing a classical piece.
@LoosingParts you have that a bit back-to-front. The Jem was the precurcursor to the RG Series. The RG550 is a more budget friendly Jem style guitar without all the signature features and a different neck profile & heel joint design
im going for the jem solely because of the steve vai grip and inlays
the rg550 costs about twice the jem jr in my country
Have owned both, sold the jem Jr. The 550 just rocks, the feel of it shredding is so comfortable and amazing. Both are really good guitars but in my opinion, the 550 is the winner
Agreed brother 😎
Same sir, I too am planning to sell the Jem. Both are great guitars but I ❤❤❤❤❤the RG550 RF ❤❤🌹😍😍😍😍
This should be a great shootout. I'm going with the 550.
The Jem Jr isn't even in the same league, the RG sounded glorious with the clean sound while the Jem sounded thin and weedy with no character. Still though, wouldn't expect a budget guitar like a Jem Jr to compete with a Japanese made RG.
is japan,this jem is crap
Great video! I really enjoyed your playing and you demonstrating how each pick up sounded clean and with distortion. I ordered a desert yellow RG 550 last november and it should finally arrive in april of this year. Watching your video really help confirm my decision in ordering an RG 550. Also, I wanted to know what kind of amp were you playing through for this video?
I'm still getting the JEM Jr.....the sound & tone search'n sold me enough.. .by the way, YOU still got it man !🎸👍🏿
I don't know what you mean here by sound & tone bro, but you're an absolute amateur if you choose the Jem JR over an RG550, and I mean no offense there.
im going with the 550. i love my jem, but that 550 sounds amazing
I miss my 550. White with black pickguard. I put a DiMarzio Breed in the bridge and a PAF Pro in the neck.
I have rg550DY too..made in Japan so amazing sounds..i loved it's Rg550 model..😘🤘
I have a Metallica red 550 with rosewood neck and shark tooth inlays .
I put EMGs in and it sounds awesome.
I have both, the jem out of the box set up was bad, really high action. The genesis rg 550 was perfect out of the box. I have never had a guitar this good. The edge zero on the rg550 is amazing I play for hours and don’t tune. The Jem’s DL trem goes out of tune a lot quicker. Spend the extra 500 for the Japanese made rg550. You wont regret it
I have the RG 570(Purple) from 89’ and had to have the Genesis model RG 550 (Purple) ordered 11/9 and waiting everyday for it to arrive. I’ve been mostly playing the RG 450DX (white) & it is great but hard to get that sound of the Japanese RG 550. It will forever be my favorite guitar......#Ibanez🎸🤘🏻
Oh my god! The rg 550 is Japanese made so there is no comparison between these two guitars, although the pups in the 550 are stock, when replaced with a dimarzio evolution pups this basically is the same as a real jem, as for the tuning issue in the demo.... Try stretching in the string before you go crazy on it!
darren dixon strings were fully stretched.
The Jem.Jnr is probably ok if you've never played or owned a Japanese Jem, they're night and day. The moment you get one in your hands you know the jnr is no Jem. The RG 550 is every bit as good as a Japanese Jem, although neck is a different profile
Very true Robert!
Well the Jem jr was sold yesterday. Sad day.
No loss. The RG550 is a more superior guitar anyway.
I have the 550 in red and its my absolute favorite guitar definitely very great guitars. The 550 is the winner for sure 🤙🏽
Thank you for this video. I had the jem jr, put the time and effort for a good setup (see my latest upload). The factory setup was not the best. Within 1 week I noticed a few problems including the chrome from the bridge saddles wearing off. I have also since tried out a genesis rg550 (the reissues). The difference was night and day. The body felt solid, the neck smooth and comfortable, frets all already to a high standard, much better pickups - clean and versatile, kept tuning. The best thing was the bridge, maybe it was the first time I used an original style Edge, but the dives/flutters were nothing like any of the lower end RG's I had tried.
Thanks for your message. Yes there is a big difference quality wise but then they are different prices. Take care!!
Hello there and thanks for this. Seriously considering the RG. Just wondering whether the tremolo holds up well in the RG, can it take a good amount of use/abuse. Also, the neck radius of the RG seems a little larger (flatter?) and wider than, say, the typical Fender - is that true. Thanks again!
wow wow wow - what's that background noise/hum/whine - I have the exact noise (from DI guitars, not vocals) and I have to find out what's causing it lol
NIce vid btw - just ordered the RG550BY :-)
Just subscribed! Nice playing you are amazing your son must be hella proud of you! Fresno CA
Too kind brother 🙏
No competition the 550 sounded much superior than the Jem Jr. The latter just sounded far to tinny to me.
If that is an 89, I believe it should have unlabeled v1 and v2s.
They are a bit hotter and bassier than the v7 and 8 they introduced in 91.
The v7 and 8 is their standards for prestige till now.
I have the same yellow RG550, also from 1989. Mine has a black headstock. Not sure why they had different color headstocks for the same model year.
Joe S hi bro. Yes you’re right it’s strange. Maybe it was for different markets. Mine was bought in Uk where are you from??
Guitarworks1000 I am from the US. But I have seen 80’s models with both black and matching headstocks in the States. I think Ibanez used both in production.
Joe S well this is a mystery my friend!!!
From the Ibanez wiki: "While most RG550s have headstocks which are painted to match the body, some 1989 and 1990 finishes, included Desert Sun Yellow, got black headstocks. After 1990, the color-matched headstocks returned for all finishes."
actually both guitars have a coil split in position 2 and 4. That's the whole point of the 5 way switch. there is no out of phase
Tom Pantaleo think your wrong there. They’re definitely out of phase 🙏
nope. check out the ibanez website they tell you straight up
@@tompantaleo9441 I stand corrected Tom, I never knew this I just assumed, very danerous :-)
Guitarworks1000 I guess that's what vai asked for. ibanez must have made the choice later ,when making the rg , to make that a standard feature on the rg line as well as the jem series. great choice.
550 any day of the week mate
The Jem Jr is sexier
6:20 = Daft Punk
Hello, you know for any chance if the pickguard of the RG fits on the Jem JR?
yes it should
that's a unfair comparison
sure both could sound similar however the RG 550 is a far better guitar overall
the jem jr is fine however you're comparing a Indonesian / korean made Ibanez to a japanese model
In my country a jem jr averages $700 new
RG 550 Genesis series $1700 new average
Hello, what's your asking price for that jem?
Adnane ROCHDI make me an offer ☺️
I’m thinking about this for my first good guitar, I’m an ok player but I change tunings a lot. Is this worth it or is the tremolo too much of a pain, and I should hold off and get something else and maybe get this further down the road?
ajlol hi there!! I must say both tremolos are very stable. But if you need to change tunings these are the wrong guitar. It takes too long to stabilize the trem when changing. I’d go for a hard tail. Good luck!!🍀
Guitarworks1000 Ok thank you
Awesome video! Also “He picked up drums, what a shame” 😂😂😂
Bradley Fairfield cheers brother. He’s still
Plays a bit 😂
???? Putting a 550 vs the jem jr? The 550 is way better.. I own both and my jr has a full set of Dimarzio's and a real German Floyd.. and my 550 is still way better.
Ryan T I agree with you. It’s just on the face of it they look similar and it was all had 😂
Wasn't expecting Daft Punk ;)
I’m stuck between the two guitars.
I bought a Jem Jr last week.
I found a used MINT RG550 in desert yellow (same as the one in the video). However the former owner put all EMGs in it. I can get it for $900 Canadian which is only $250 more than the new JemJr. Is it worth switching?
For me it’s RG550 all the way. See if you can get some original pups too. Long term your moneys safe and it’s a great instrument 🎷
@@Guitarworks1000 Thanks buddy. Bought one today for $600 Canadian (mint condition). It's the same as yours, desert yellow, but a 2021 model. It's outfitted with EMGs (obv it was moded), but I can always change them if I like. Sounds wonderful, probably one of the easiest guitars to play. I returned the JemJr immediately after. The decision was a no-brainer.
@@jonb5150 glad to hear it buddy. Enjoy!
I had RG550 for years and never liked it’s sound too much. Jem obviously sounds a lot better, like a real guitar 🙂
But yes RG550s ergonomics were great. In that sense it was very nice guitar.
Have you ever played a Jem jr ? I'm sure you'll see the difference between a guitar made somewhere in the Far East & A Japanese made Ibanez. Even the RG's from Indonesia are very good for the price, they are a real guitar as opposed to the Jem jr pieces of crap, it's all cheap hardware on them stay away from them. Sadly if you really want a great guitar not including boutique guitars you really have to buy from America or Japan....America you know the names I'm talking about & In Japan it's truly only Ibanez & E.S.P but they are costly & then there's their custom shops which can cost a small fortune. It really depends on how dedicated you are & can you justify paying that much for a guitar. One thing is most of big U.S. Brands & Japanese to a different extent is they usually go up in price, so if you pick the right guitar it is an investment.
Do you still own that yellow guitar
And that white one?
Hey Corey. Yes I do buddy. Although not gigged anymore (it’s yellow) I have played many time with it. It plays like butter and sounds amazing!
My Jem Jr arrived but it has terrible action and cannot be corrected without fretwork. Sending it back as a new guitar should not be like this. Shame about the quality.
Ibanez rg550 price is double price than jem jr but tone compare in find my guitar website is jem jr is more higher vote get.
I hated the neck on the 550.
Too narrow and it generally sounded like cardboard. I tried different pickups but it just sucked.
The jem i owned a 2003 MIJ 77FP.
Best superstrat i have ever had between my hands.
I m confused which to buy...? I like the body and designing of jem jr, but i like the zero edge 2 in rg350dxz! Please help what should I go for? Which is better double locking(jem) or the zps edge 2(35dxz)? Is 350dxz bridge better? And what about tone? Suggest plz!
Devang Giri edge teen is better but both great guitars you won’t be disappointed with either. Good luck!!
@@Guitarworks1000 thanx a lot! I also wanna ask which one can hold drop tunings? can edge 3 or edge 2 hold drop tunings?(dro d, drop c#,etc.) , and if we break a string which guitar can hold in tuning?
Devang Giri they will all
Work with drop tuning as long as you adjust the springs. With regard to breaking a string the guitar will go out of tune and there is nothing that can be done unless you get a device on your springs which hold them in place.
@@Guitarworks1000 thnx a lot man! You were the only one on youtube who replied me and helped me! ❤❤❤
Devang Giri you are most welcome brother glad I could help 🙏
im still love the rg550. my friend have the original early 90's and the sound is better than now rg's.
That can't be, they are the same guitar with added strength in the neck. They are the same exact guitars with same exact specs. Again, added valute for added strength.
@@billygaroutte4791 Not quite. The original issue RG550 (1987-1993) had V1 & V2 humbuckers. The V7 & V8 pups were fitted from 1994 and are on this Genesis reissue. The V1/V2 have slightly more vintage tone. The V7/V8 are more 'modern'.
Another factor is that 30 year old pickups will have lost some magnetic strength and so sound different to a modern repro with the same specs
2:28 show the guitars so we can see them, don't just talk!
vanheineken 😂😂. Good point should have put some close ups in. Will do next time.
550 IS 2X JEM JR PRICE
biggest is the rg550 is a $1000+ and the jem jr is a sub $500 guitar.....why compare?
The 550 isn’t worth 1000 now. Plus similar configuration
Hello do you have a close up photos of your v7 s1 v8 pickups... Thanks
I believe these should be v1 and v2s, not 7 and 8s.
The 87-90 had v1 v2
Its the same guitar without the monkey grip and dimarzio's.
Its not fair compare a 900$ with a 450$
LOL, the Jem JR is around half the price, and in terms of build quality it is NOWHERE near a made in Japan 550.
So it's not a fair comparison (especially if you compare it to a brand new RG550 Genesis, holy moly...)
This is what you get with a Jem JR: shitty pickups, shitty neck and an even shittier bridge. For the exact same amount of money buy instead an RG370AHMZ, comes with Edge Zero II at least, that's a somewhat better bridge. Heck, even the tuners are cheap inhouse ones on the Jem JR.
What is more; although I don't have definitive info on this yet, I'm pretty sure that the fret material on a Jem JR is not the same rock solid and hard, quality nickel alloy that the 550s have.
Jemjr more sound good
Come on people. the jem jr is a total turd. The lo-TRS trem is horrible and NO you can not swap to an edge trem, posts and cavity are wrong.
The 550 is what started it all including the real Vai Jem guitars. I own several originals and 1 new one. They do one thing well and that is rock, forget playing a classical piece.
@LoosingParts you have that a bit back-to-front. The Jem was the precurcursor to the RG Series. The RG550 is a more budget friendly Jem style guitar without all the signature features and a different neck profile & heel joint design
You said the body was basswood on the jem but im pretty sure its mahogany
Jem Jr is meranti not Mahogany
@@SixStringNinja It's Meranti body & Jatoba fretboard from 2018 onwards. Prior to that it was Mahogany body and Rosewood fretboard
True!@@ThePedroDB