JEM 505

Nick-le-Rock

Good day

I have a MIJ Ibanez RG 450 which I absolutely LOVE!!
I want something a bit more for my collection now and I can buy my friend's JEM 505 for R7000.00. I think it is a bargain, but can anyone confirm that for me.
Then I also want to know if this guitar falls under the Prestige line or the Signature line and if under the Signature line, does this make its quality better than that of the Prestige guitars? I know it only comes with V pups, but I will replace those with some DiMarzio's.

Any comments will be much appreciated.
Nick

ezietsman

Wasn't there another thread where you asked this?

Sean

ez wrote: Wasn't there another thread where you asked this?

Yes, but I don't think the question was answered

ZarK

Hi Nick

MIJ RG's are fantastic rock & lead guitars, period. The Jem 505 is no different. Excellent build quality and components. The same quality as a high-end Prestige model. (The pups are not on-par with other Jems as you know.) If you're after a player and price, I'd say go for it. You may wish to upgrade the pups at some stage, so include them in your costing before going ahead with the purchase. If you're primarily after a collector's piece, don't go for it. Stick with the Jem 7, 77 and 777 range for best collector's value. (Even the 7V is not as collectable as others as there are so many around due to the long production run... Great instrument, none the less...) General rule of thumb if you wish to collect Jem's are that they should have a Vine- or disappearing Pyramid inlay to be most collectable. There are exceptions such as the BRMR (Bad Horsie) but in my experience this is solid, albeit general advice. If the 505 is in excellent condition and without issues, I think R7k is an decent price either way...

Nick-le-Rock

@ EZ: You are right. I did ask this question, but I also got a notice telling me that it would be better to make a new thread due to the fact that no-one has posted on that thread in the last 60 days.
@ Zark: Thank you for the advice. I am not looking at collecting them (at this point at least). I just want a GOOD QUALITY guitar for a good price. The first thing I will do when I get the guitar is to replace the pups with some nice DiMarzio's, like I did with my 450. Is the 505 a Signature guitar or a Prestige? I'm not sure.

ZarK

Its a Signature guitar from the Prestige range = same quality as a 'standard' Prestige model. Big advantage of the 505 over other Prestige RG's is that it comes standard with an original Edge Tremolo... It's a great axe especially if you prefer the brighter tone that the maple neck provides... (I'd use pups that emphasize bottom-end to complement the bright tone woods -just my personal taste... Tone Zone in the bridge would do the trick for me but it also depends on what sound and output you're after.)