{"product_id":"2001-ibanez-jem555-wh-steve-vai-korea","title":"Selene! - 2001 Ibanez JEM555-WH Steve Vai Signature – Made in Korea","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2001 Ibanez JEM555-WH Steve Vai Signature Electric Guitar – White – Made in Korea\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeet Selene, a 2001 Korean-made Ibanez JEM555-WH from the legendary Steve Vai signature JEM family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSerial number \u003cstrong\u003eC01014192\u003c\/strong\u003e, Selene combines the unmistakable JEM silhouette and Monkey Grip with a basswood body, fast maple JEM neck, rosewood fingerboard, 24 jumbo frets, double-locking Lo-TRS II tremolo and a complete set of genuine DiMarzio Evolution pickups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe JEM555 was created as a more accessible route into the JEM family, but these early Korean examples retained a surprising amount of the DNA that made Steve Vai's flagship guitars famous. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSelene passed through The Stray Chord before being successfully rehomed for \u003cstrong\u003e£400\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout Selene\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIntroduced during the 1990s, the \u003cstrong\u003eIbanez JEM555\u003c\/strong\u003e brought Steve Vai's extraordinary JEM design to a substantially more accessible price point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than being manufactured alongside the premium JEM models in Japan, the JEM555 was produced in \u003cstrong\u003eSouth Korea\u003c\/strong\u003e, with Korean production continuing until 2008. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSelene dates from \u003cstrong\u003e2001\u003c\/strong\u003e, placing her firmly within that Korean period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer white basswood body incorporates perhaps the most immediately recognisable JEM feature of all: the famous \u003cstrong\u003eMonkey Grip\u003c\/strong\u003e cut directly through the upper body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA pearloid white pickguard complements the white finish, while contrasting Cosmo Black hardware gives the guitar the unmistakable high-performance appearance associated with turn-of-the-century Ibanez instruments. The white JEM555 used the pearloid pickguard by this point in production. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eJEM neck \u0026amp; fingerboard\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSelene's bolt-on \u003cstrong\u003emaple JEM neck\u003c\/strong\u003e uses Ibanez's sculpted \u003cstrong\u003eAll Access Neck Joint\u003c\/strong\u003e, reducing the traditional bulk of a bolt-on heel and providing easier access to the highest frets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor 2001, the JEM555 used a one-piece maple neck paired with a rosewood fingerboard and \u003cstrong\u003e24 jumbo frets\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike the full vine found across the entire fingerboard of some higher-end JEM models, the JEM555 carries the decorative \u003cstrong\u003eTree of Life vine across the lower portion of the fingerboard before transitioning to dot markers\u003c\/strong\u003e further up the neck.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's one of the easiest visual clues for distinguishing a 555 from some of its considerably more expensive Japanese relatives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd, naturally, no Steve Vai signature would be complete without the \u003cstrong\u003eSTEVE VAI\u003c\/strong\u003e inlay at the 24th fret. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGenuine DiMarzio Evolution pickups\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is where the JEM555 becomes considerably more interesting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite being conceived as the affordable member of the JEM family, Ibanez equipped it with a genuine \u003cstrong\u003eDiMarzio Evolution HSH pickup set\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSelene therefore carries:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiMarzio Evolution neck humbucker\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiMarzio Evolution middle single coil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiMarzio Evolution bridge humbucker\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFive-way pickup selector\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaster volume\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaster tone\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese were not generic pickups dressed to look the part. Period Ibanez documentation specifically lists the \u003cstrong\u003eDiMarzio Evolution H\/S\/H configuration\u003c\/strong\u003e for the 2001 JEM555. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result gives Selene enormous tonal flexibility, moving from cutting, articulate lead sounds and aggressive bridge tones through to considerably cleaner and more delicate combinations via Ibanez's five-way switching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLo-TRS II double-locking tremolo\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a \u003cstrong\u003e2001 JEM555\u003c\/strong\u003e, Selene predates the later Edge Pro II and Edge III versions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe therefore uses the \u003cstrong\u003eIbanez Lo-TRS II double-locking tremolo\u003c\/strong\u003e, which was fitted to the JEM555 from 1994 through 2002. The Edge Pro II replaced it for 2003. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCombined with the locking nut and deep tremolo routing, the system provides the enormous pitch range expected from a Steve Vai signature instrument, allowing both dramatic dives and upward pitch movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSelene's specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"group TyagGW_tableContainer TyagGW_tableContainerWithTableOfContents\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"TyagGW_tableWrapper flex flex-col-reverse w-fit\" tabindex=\"-1\"\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"w-fit min-w-(--thread-content-width)\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth class=\"last:pe-10\"\u003e\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth class=\"last:pe-10\"\u003e\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIbanez\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJEM \/ Steve Vai Signature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJEM555-WH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYear\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2001\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSerial number\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eC01014192\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCountry of manufacture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSouth Korea\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInstrument\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSolid-body electric guitar\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhite (WH)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBody\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBasswood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNeck\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOne-piece maple\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNeck profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJEM\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNeck joint\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAll Access Neck Joint\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScale length\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25.5 inches \/ 648 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFingerboard\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRosewood\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrets\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24 jumbo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInlays\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePartial Tree of Life vine, dots \u0026amp; Steve Vai 24th-fret inlay\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup configuration\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHSH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNeck pickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiMarzio Evolution humbucker\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMiddle pickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiMarzio Evolution single coil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBridge pickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiMarzio Evolution humbucker\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eControls\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaster volume \u0026amp; master tone\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSelector\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5-way\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBridge\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIbanez Lo-TRS II double-locking tremolo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardware\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCosmo Black\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickguard\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhite pearloid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNotable feature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJEM Monkey Grip\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRehomed for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e£400\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe period specifications above are corroborated by Ibanez's 2001 catalogue and model references. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSelene's adoption\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🤍 REHOMED 🤍\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSome Strays are interesting because of what happened to them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOthers are interesting simply because of what they are.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSelene is a genuine \u003cstrong\u003e2001 Korean-built Ibanez JEM555-WH\u003c\/strong\u003e, carrying one of the most recognisable silhouettes in electric-guitar history and a genuine set of DiMarzio Evolution pickups beneath that white pearloid pickguard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter passing through The Stray Chord, Selene found her next home for \u003cstrong\u003e£400\u003c\/strong\u003e and is no longer available for adoption.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer page remains permanently in \u003cstrong\u003eThe Stray Chord Rehomed Archive\u003c\/strong\u003e, preserving an example of the early Korean JEM555 and providing a reference for players researching the Ibanez JEM555-WH, Korean JEM guitars and Steve Vai signature models.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRescue • Restore • Rehome\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Stray Chord","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58473411674376,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1059\/2829\/4664\/files\/IMG_6350.jpg?v=1787146718","url":"https:\/\/thestraychord.com\/products\/2001-ibanez-jem555-wh-steve-vai-korea","provider":"The Stray Chord","version":"1.0","type":"link"}