Ibanez JEMJRL Steve Vai JEM Junior Electric Guitar, Left-Handed

Play like a black-belt shredding master with an Ibanez JEMJRL Steve Vai JEM -- the left-handed electric that brings top-shelf playability to the masses.

$549.99

  • 8 x  
    $68.75
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    6 x  
    $91.66
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    4 x  
    $137.50
Overall User Ratings (based on 4 ratings)
  • Overall:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(4) (see rating details)
Submitted July 15, 2020 by Jonathan Good in Lubbock, TX

"Amazing guitar, great purchasing experience."

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I just received my JEMJRL today, and I am entirely enamored by this guitar! Great build quality overall. The unfinished maple Wizard neck is so effortlessly fast and comfortable to play, and the frets were well crowned and dressed right out of the box. The Quantum pickups were far hotter than anticipated, but once I adjusted the bobbins, surprisingly articulate and punchy, and very well suited to high gain tones. I especially admire the Ibanez double locking tremolo system on this guitar. I've always rather hated floating tremolos due to the touchiness when setting intonation and tuning, but this system is magic. I can bury the whammy bar until the strings are over a full inch slack, pop the whammy up, and it's still in PERFECT tune across the scale. I will also say that I can't believe the sustain on this guitar. I've clocked it at a full 41 seconds so far on open notes. I've had a great many RGs over the years, and this guitar quite simply displays why JEMs are superior in every way, even with the so called "budget" model. 10/10.

Musical Background:

Guitarist for 25 years, performing musician for 17 years

Musical Style:

Alternative metal, progressive, hard rock
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Submitted July 21, 2022 by a customer from carltonec.com

"Well worth the money!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This guitar has exceeded my expectations by a mile! I own more expensive guitars, and wasn't expecting much for this price range. I play right handed and left handed, and wanted a lefty Jem for quite some time. I'm covered in the righty department, but have been waiting to get my hands on a lefty Jem. With a bit of reluctance, I broke down and ordered this Jim "Junior", thinking it would be a cheap knock off that felt cheap. I was wrong. While things have been made using cheaper materials to cut costs, it is not a cheap feeling guitar by any means. Very comfortable lightning fast neck with a nice smooth beautiful fret job. Knock was set perfect. Action is low without any buzzing at all. The quantum pickups are a real surprise. They sound good enough that I don't "have" to swap them out. Good as is. Will I? Probably at some point later on down the road, but just because I like to try others. The tremolo is very good. Stays in tune (and was easy to tune.... usually not so fun on a floating bridge). I am use to Ibanez Edge tremolos, and this holds its tuning just as well so far. The screws aren't as smooth as on my other more expensive Ibanez guitars, but not bad at all. I wish they had used a pearl pick guard instead of white, but it can be swapped out. All in all, I highly recommend this guitar!
Sound
So I wasn't expecting much from the pickups on this guitar, but I have to say I am impressed. So far it sounds great! I was expecting to have to change the pickups out, but these will do the job fine enough.
Features
My only complaint about the features is that they didn't use a white pearl pick guard. It's just white. Jess are known for the pearl pick guard. Would it have REALLY increased the price that much to include a pedal pick guard/truss rod cover and backplates?
Ease of Use
Again, it sounds real good for the price paid, enough that I will stick with these pickups for a bit. The neck feels great to play! I have owned a more expensive Jim, and have an Ibanez RG655 Prestige, and this neck feels as comfortable as those do. The tremolo works well, stays in tune , etc. I expected less in that department as well for the cost, but it works very good. Tuning screws could be smoother, but work well enough. Frets are smooth and level right out of the box. A comfort to play.
Quality
This guitar seems well made, and I imagine it will last for many years.
Value
Honestly, this guitar is worth every penny and more.
Manufacturer Support
I haven't had to deal with customer service, so I can't review in that area. But the fact that I haven't had to deal with customer service is a good thing.
The Wow Factor
This guitar looks and feels great. Very well crafted for this price range. Feels more expensive than it is. I highly recommend it.
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Submitted November 30, 2023 by john vitale in bloomington, IL

"Steve Vai gem jr. lefty"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
outstanding guitar. quality and sound.

Musical Background:

self taught lefty 40 yrr + playing

Musical Style:

blues , metal.
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Submitted December 3, 2022 by a customer from hotmail.com

"Don't waste your money on this junk"

Overall: 0.5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Purchased this guitar last year and was so excited to open the box only to be disgusted with the lack of quality, every fret had high spots and burrs on them, the fret board had rough splintery spots throughout, the back plate was so crudely cut it looks like a toddler did it with safety scissors and was even missing a screw to hold it in. the paint had dirt and fuzz all through it and there were spots missing paint around the input jack. I tried to contact ibanez with no reply whatsoever so I sold the pile of crap.
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