Need help in deciding the next guitar ! LTD h1001 or JEM 70v SFG

[Aik Ming]

Hi guys ! I'm currently deciding on these two guitars. A LTD H1001 or Jem70V (sfg) (well its the new JEM model showcased in the NAM 2012)

Here are the specs for the JEM 70v (and its foamy green ! )

• Neck Material: 5pc Maple/ Walnut
• Neck Type: JEM Premium
• Body: Basswood body
• Frets: Jumbo frets
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Inlay: Floral Pattern Vine inlay!
• Bridge: Edge bridge
• NeckPU: DiMarzio® Evolution® DP158
• MiddlePU: DiMarzio® Evolution® DPS1
• BridgePU: DiMarzio® Evolution® DP159
• HW Color: CH
• Finishes: SFG

Whereas The h1001FR specs are (

• Neck Construction: set thru
• Scale: 25.5 inch
• Body Material: Mahogany
• Neck Material: Maple
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Nut: 42mm Standard
• Neck Shape: Thin U Neck Contour
• Frets: 24 Extra Jumbo
• Hardware: Black Nickel
• Tuners: ESP Locking
• Bridge: Tonepros Locking
• Pickups: EMG 81 / 85 Active Pickups

Any suggestions? I'm getting one of these but i'm not sure which !
Davis sells h1001 for 1.4k, while SV sell the Jem 70v SFG for 1.7k !

 

[rangers158]

The Jem feels really cheap. Nothing compares to the Japanese jems. Setup up was really poor on the one I tried at swee lee and the hardware such as bridge is definitely not same jap bridge. The metal looks real cheap. Overall I am not impressed at all. The prestige at 2+k is more value in terms of finishing, hardware and feel. Of course if you are looking for the Jem look and dimarzio pickups, the price is actually quite good.

 

[subversion]

tSetup up was really poor...

who set it up?

 

[subversion]

Ming (how's living @ yew tee?): last year, i took time to evaluate both the H1001 & the H351. i'm not one to champion looks over tone/playability so i went with the H351 (above pic). despite not featuring locking hardware, the H351 has no tuning issues. both guitars sport EMG pickups & they sound the same regardless of how attractive one model might be in terms of cosmetic appointments.

you mentioned H1001FR in your initial post there but the specs listed belong to the H1001FM instead, i assume you are considering the latter

 

[Aik Ming]

Whoops ! i cant remember who you are! Did you sell something to me ?

anyways.. deciding between JEM 70v sfg and the h1001. :/ idk which one to go for..
How are edge trems?

 

[subversion]

If you don't whammy, don't invest in a whammy guitar... Edge bridges are very much sought after.

 

[Godsmen]

Edge bridges is one of the classics whammy bridge ever made. pretty hard to find in fact unless you willing to invest.

 

[subversion]

Edge bridges are only equipped in selected ibanez models, it's supposed to be discontinued, he he...

 

[GoliathZero]

But edge bridges ARE pretty awesome. Funny how the edge 3, a new model isn't as great as the original edge

 

[subversion]

we take the cue from both Vai & Satch who refused to have the current Edge versions in their guitars... the current manifestations are reflecting the manufacturer's innovation as well as the effort to not succumb to patent subscriptions.

 

[shioks76]

Review of jem 70V:
This guitar is a looker and will definitely get you attention wherever you go. Sounds great distorted whether playing rhythm or lead. Problem with most HSH style guitars is the volume drop when switching from position 1 and 5 as compared to position 2,3, and 4 of the pickup switch selector. For this guitar the drop is quite a bit bigger compared to most other guitars that i've used cos of the vintage style single coil and the high output evoloution pickups. This makes it a little tricky to use live. I intend to switch out the middle pickup for a high output single coil or humbucker in single coil format. Also included in the package is an excellent multitool for guitar setups and an instruction booklet for basic setup.

No problems with the hardware and the frets are well done. The setup of the guitar when i got it was horrible though. It was buzzing in many places of the neck. Shop told me it was set up that way to achieve the lowest action possible. Decided to take a chance anyway and brought it home. Used my straight rule from stewmac and found that the truss rod was overtightend. Loosened it a bit with the tool provided and adjusted the action to taste. Buzzing was eliminated and it plays very well now with low action. The bridge was also set up wrongly. It was set up like an original floyd rose where the plate sits parallel to the body. On the ibanez edge, the plate should be at an angle to the body and the saddles almost parallel to the body. Setting up the bridge wrongly can cost premature wearing on a floyd rose knife edges. The intonation was also way off and i had to adjust it myself as well.

Im including a link for you guys for future reference. http://www.ibanezrules.com/tech/setup/angle.htm

Overall the guitar is great value considering the features that you are getting. Original edge bridge, dimarzio pickups, excellent fret work. Do note the setup problems that i've encounterd and if you don't know what im talking about be prepared to add in the cost of a decent setup into the price.

 

[Aik Ming]

Where did you get yours?

 

[subversion]

Decided to take a chance anyway and brought it home.

after many years of sighting guitar necks at the shops, i feel that default (fret) buzzing should not be a deterrent when it comes to purchase decision; it's knowing if the neck's dysfunctional- that should be the concern.