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Description

When it comes to delivering a captivating performance, the Ibanez Jem 505 is your ticket to guitar greatness. Designed in collaboration with virtuoso Steve Vai, this electric guitar is engineered for those who crave versatility and precision. Its basswood body offers a balanced tone, making it perfect for both intricate lead solos and solid rhythm sections.

The Jem 505 boasts a trio of dynamic pickups: two vintage-style humbuckers for crisp, articulate sound, and a hot single-coil in the middle that adds a fiery attitude to your playing. This setup allows you to explore a vast range of tones, from warm and smooth to sharp and biting. Its JEM Prestige neck ensures a comfortable grip and effortless playability, making even the most complex riffs feel like second nature.

Whether you're shredding on stage or jamming in your studio, the Ibanez Jem 505 stands out with its striking design and impeccable craftsmanship. Built for speed and precision, it's the ultimate tool for those who refuse to compromise on sound quality or performance.

Key Features:

  • Neck Material: 5-piece Maple/Walnut
  • Neck Type: JEM Prestige
  • Body: Basswood
  • Frets: 6105
  • Fingerboard: Maple
  • Inlay: Black dot inlay
  • Bridge: Edge bridge
  • Neck Pickup: V7
  • Middle Pickup: S1
  • Bridge Pickup: V8
  • Hardware Color: Chrome

Product specs

Brand Ibanez
Model JEM505 Steve Vai Signature
Finish Black, White
Year 2010 - 2011
Made In Japan
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Artist Steve Vai
Body Material Basswood
Body Shape S-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Locking Tremolo Bridge
Color Family Black, White
Fretboard Material Maple
Model Family Ibanez JEM
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple, Walnut
Number of Frets 24
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HSH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Series Ibanez Artist Signature

FAQs

What is the neck profile like on the Ibanez Jem 505?

The Ibanez Jem 505 features a fast and thin Wizard neck profile, crafted from maple and walnut, providing excellent playability for technical playing styles and fast solos.

What kind of tones can I expect from the HSH pickup configuration on the Ibanez Jem 505?

The HSH pickup configuration offers a versatile range of tones, from thick, powerful humbucker sounds to bright, clear single-coil tones, making it suitable for a wide range of genres, including rock and metal.

Is the Ibanez Jem 505 suitable for advanced players?

Yes, the Ibanez Jem 505 is designed as a signature model for virtuoso Steve Vai, making it well-suited for advanced players who require precision, speed, and versatility in their instrument.

Does the Ibanez Jem 505's locking tremolo bridge help with tuning stability?

Yes, the locking tremolo bridge on the Ibanez Jem 505 provides excellent tuning stability, even during aggressive whammy bar use, making it ideal for expressive playing styles.

What makes the Ibanez Jem 505 a signature model for Steve Vai?

The Ibanez Jem 505 is a signature model for Steve Vai, featuring design elements like the iconic "monkey grip" handle and a versatile pickup configuration that reflects Vai's unique playing style and tonal demands.

SoundlandGmbH

SoundlandGmbH

Ibanez JEM 505 - SOUNDLAND GMBH STUTTGART

Video thumbnail for Ibanez JEM 505 - SOUNDLAND GMBH STUTTGART by SoundlandGmbH

Ibanez JEM 505 - SOUNDLAND GMBH STUTTGART

SoundlandGmbH

SoundlandGmbH

Video thumbnail for Ibanez Jem 505 by Easy Music Center

Ibanez Jem 505

Easy Music Center

Easy Music Center

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IBANEZ JEM 505 WH Review By Baron

BermusikID

BermusikID

Video thumbnail for WALSUAN MITERRAN IBANEZ JEM 505 by Walsuan Miterran

WALSUAN MITERRAN IBANEZ JEM 505

Walsuan Miterran

Walsuan Miterran

Video thumbnail for #axefx2 #fractalaudio - Ibanez Jem 505 by Diego Staltari

#axefx2 #fractalaudio - Ibanez Jem 505

Diego Staltari

Diego Staltari

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez Jem 505.

Mods and upgrades

  • The original V7/V8 pickups are generally disliked; swapping to DiMarzio Fred and Air Norton significantly enhances the guitar's tone.

    Source
  • Some owners suggest switching to Vai-flavored pickups, such as DiMarzio Evolution, for a tone closer to higher-end Jem models.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Jem 505 is likened to a stripped-down Prestige line, sharing features but with cost-reducing adjustments like simpler dot inlays.

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  • The JEM505's neck profile is slightly flatter and 1mm thicker compared to the Wizard necks, offering a unique playing feel.

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Features and functionality

  • Unlike typical Jem Jr models, the Jem 505 features a maple fingerboard, which is uncommon and adds unique tonal characteristics.

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  • The guitar features a Floyd Rose bridge, known for enabling large vibrato bends, though it's trickier to tune and change strings compared to standard bridges.

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  • The original Edge tremolo system on the JEM505 is highlighted as superior to the Edge Zero II, offering better tuning stability and feel.

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Value and pricing

  • The Jem 505 is considered rare, particularly because it wasn't available in the US market, increasing its collectible value among fans.

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  • A second-hand Ibanez Jem 505 priced at 499€ (560 USD) is perceived as a bargain, especially when similar models can list for nearly $950 USD in near-new condition.

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  • The JEM505 is considered a great investment due to its Japanese build and limited production, making it a collectible item.

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Build quality

  • The JEM505's Japanese craftsmanship is praised for its precision, especially in neck polish and hardware quality, setting it apart from Indonesian models.

    Source

User experience

  • The softer wood of Indonesian models is noted for being prone to indentations, unlike the more durable build of the JEM505.

    Source

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Artist usage

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See how FerrariLover uses Ibanez Jem 505

FerrariLover

Guitarist, Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

Nico is known for using two custom Ibanez Jem 505 guitars. One of the jems is painted white by Marty Bell Finishing with cream colored Daniele Gottardo signature MAMA pickups and a black pearl pickguard. The other is white on white (white pearl pickguard) with gold headstock hardware, Billy Corgan BC-2 DiMarzio middle pickup and DiMarzio Evolution Bridge pickups in cream/black.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Ibanez Jem 505, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

DiMarzio ClipLock Strap
DiMarzio ClipLock Strap Straps & Strap Locks
1

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