The 2008 Ibanez JEM77V BK Steve Vai Signature in Black is a Japanese-built Prestige-era JEM designed for players who want the speed, control and expressive tremolo performance associated with one of Ibanez's most important signature-guitar families.

This particular JEM77V uses a basswood body, five-piece maple/walnut Prestige neck, rosewood fingerboard, 24 W/6105 frets and a DiMarzio Breed HSH pickup configuration. The Edge Pro double-locking tremolo provides the wide pitch range expected from a JEM, while the famous Monkey Grip and elaborate vine fingerboard inlay give the guitar its unmistakable Steve Vai identity.

Serial number F0803654 identifies this as a 2008-era Japanese example, offered here in Pre-Owned, Very Good condition.

At A Glance

Key Detail	Information
Brand	Ibanez
Model	JEM77V BK
Artist	Steve Vai
Year	2008
Origin	Made in Japan
Finish	Black
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good
Main Appeal	Prestige-era Japanese JEM with Breed pickups and Edge Pro tremolo
Best For	Rock, progressive, fusion, shred, instrumental guitar and studio work

Pre-Owned Condition Report

Very Good Condition

This 2008 Ibanez JEM77V BK is offered in Very Good condition.

Very Good condition reflects a well-presented Pre-Owned guitar that has seen normal previous use while remaining suitable for serious playing, recording, rehearsals and live performance.

No faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this listing.

What’s Included?

✔ 2008 Ibanez JEM77V BK Steve Vai Signature Guitar
✔ Hardcase

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

This JEM77V BK has been graded Very Good, giving players the opportunity to own an earlier Japanese Steve Vai signature model without requiring collector-grade cosmetic perfection.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This Pre-Owned Ibanez JEM77V has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before sale.

Our checks include:

• All three pickups tested
• Five-way pickup selector checked
• Master volume and tone controls tested
• Output socket checked
• Frets inspected
• Rosewood fingerboard assessed
• Neck condition checked
• Tuning machines inspected
• Edge Pro tremolo operation checked
• Locking nut assessed
• Hardware inspected
• Tuning stability checked
• Overall playability assessed
• Hardcase checked for basic usability

Service / Setup Work

All Pre-Owned electric guitars at Fair Deal Music are set up and checked before leaving the shop.

Our assessment includes:

• Action checked
• Neck relief checked
• Frets inspected
• Intonation checked
• Tuning stability checked
• Electronics tested
• Pickup output checked
• Tremolo balance assessed
• Hardware checked
• General playability assessed

Please note that guitar setup can shift slightly during delivery because changes in temperature and humidity can naturally affect wooden instruments in transit.

Why Choose The Ibanez JEM77V BK?

Japanese Prestige-Era Construction

The JEM77V BK belongs to the high-end Japanese period of the JEM range, combining the lightweight basswood platform with Ibanez's multi-piece Prestige neck construction and performance-focused finishing.

DiMarzio Breed Pickups

The Breed neck and bridge humbuckers provide a warmer, fuller alternative to the more aggressive Evolution pickups associated with other JEM models, while the middle single-coil expands the available clean and split-style sounds.

Edge Pro Tremolo

The Edge Pro double-locking system gives the JEM77V the wide pitch range required for expressive vibrato, dive bombs and upward bends while maintaining the stable feel expected from a dedicated performance guitar.

24-Fret JEM Neck

The 25.5" scale, slim multi-piece neck and 24-fret layout provide excellent upper-register access for technically demanding playing without restricting the guitar to one musical style.

Distinctive Black JEM Styling

The Black finish, vine fingerboard inlay and Monkey Grip give the JEM77V a dramatic appearance while remaining more understated than some of the brighter finishes historically associated with the JEM family.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Ibanez JEM77V BK vs JEM7V

The JEM7V is known for its Evolution pickups and highly recognisable white-and-gold appearance, while the JEM77V BK provides a darker visual identity and warmer Breed pickup response for players wanting something slightly less aggressive.

Ibanez JEM77V BK vs Ibanez PIA

The modern PIA develops Steve Vai's signature concept with newer pickups, redesigned body details and contemporary refinements, while the JEM77V offers the traditional Monkey Grip-era JEM format and earlier Japanese Prestige character.

Ibanez JEM77V BK vs Ibanez RG Prestige

An RG Prestige provides similarly fast Japanese-built ergonomics without the signature-model styling, while the JEM77V adds Steve Vai-specific features, Breed electronics and the distinctive JEM visual identity.

Ibanez JEM77V BK vs Ibanez JEM77P

The JEM77P provides a more accessible route into the Steve Vai range, while the Japanese-made JEM77V represents the higher-tier Prestige-era approach with period-specific hardware and construction.

Who Is It For?

Technical And Lead Guitarists

The slim neck, 24-fret access and locking tremolo make the JEM77V especially well suited to fast alternate picking, legato, tapping and expressive vibrato techniques.

Rock And Progressive Players

The HSH layout delivers enough output for high-gain rhythm and lead work while retaining useful cleaner pickup combinations for more dynamic arrangements.

Fusion Guitarists

The Breed pickups provide enough warmth and articulation for fluid lead tones, while the middle and combined positions offer clearer sounds for chordal and cleaner playing.

Studio Musicians

Five pickup selections and a broad dynamic range make the JEM77V useful for recording several contrasting guitar layers without relying on multiple instruments.

Steve Vai And Ibanez Collectors

The JEM77V BK represents a distinctive chapter in the wider JEM story and is particularly appealing to players interested in Japanese signature models from the late 2000s.

Suitable Genres And Uses

• Rock
• Progressive rock
• Instrumental guitar
• Fusion
• Hard rock
• Metal
• Shred
• Alternative
• Lead guitar
• Technical rhythm work
• Studio recording
• Rehearsals
• Live performance
• High-gain rigs
• Modelling and effects-based setups

Why Choose DiMarzio Breed Pickups In A JEM?

The DiMarzio Breed set was developed for Steve Vai when he wanted a fuller, more traditional humbucker response than the hotter Evolution-equipped JEMs. The neck pickup offers a thicker voice, while the bridge model emphasises warm mids and a substantial low end without becoming overly muddy.

In the JEM77V, that character helps broaden the guitar beyond pure high-gain shred tones. The HSH switching provides powerful humbucker sounds alongside cleaner intermediate combinations, making the guitar more versatile than its performance-focused appearance might initially suggest.

Looking for advice on choosing the right Ibanez JEM, Steve Vai signature guitar or Japanese Prestige electric guitar? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context: Ibanez JEM77V BK

Steve Vai began developing the guitar that became the Ibanez JEM in 1985, working around practical features he wanted from a professional performance instrument. The resulting design introduced ideas including the instantly recognisable Monkey Grip and a deeply recessed floating tremolo system designed for extreme pitch control.

The production JEM became one of the models most closely associated with Ibanez's rise as a major manufacturer of high-performance electric guitars. Its influence extended beyond Vai's own signature range, with many of its ergonomic and technical ideas feeding into the development of the wider Ibanez RG family.

The JEM77V BK appeared in Ibanez's 2007 catalogue, offering a darker alternative to established JEM designs. Instead of the Evolution pickups used by the famous JEM7V, the JEM77V used DiMarzio Breed pickups, giving the model its own warmer and fuller tonal identity.

This 2008 example comes from the early production period of the JEM77V BK and retains the Edge Pro tremolo specification used before later examples moved to a different Edge bridge. That makes it particularly interesting to players and collectors looking for the original version of this comparatively short-lived JEM variant.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Solid Body Electric Guitar
Brand	Ibanez
Series	JEM
Artist	Steve Vai
Model	JEM77V BK
Year	2008
Country of Manufacture	Japan
Finish	Black
Body Material	Basswood
Neck	5-Piece Maple / Walnut JEM Prestige
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Fingerboard Material	Rosewood
Fingerboard Inlay	Vine
Scale Length	25.5" / 648mm
Number of Frets	24
Fret Type	W/6105
Upper Frets	Scalloped 21st–24th
Pickup Configuration	HSH
Neck Pickup	DiMarzio The Breed Humbucker
Middle Pickup	DiMarzio Breed Single-Coil
Bridge Pickup	DiMarzio The Breed Humbucker
Electronics	Passive
Controls	Master Volume, Master Tone
Pickup Selector	5-Way
Bridge	Ibanez Edge Pro Double-Locking Tremolo
Nut	Locking
Hardware Finish	Chrome
Signature Feature	Monkey Grip
Serial Number	F0803654
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good

Power Requirements

No battery or external power supply is required for the JEM77V BK's passive electronics.

Connect the guitar to a suitable amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or audio interface using a standard 1/4" instrument cable.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Buying Pre-Owned is often the best way to access discontinued Japanese Ibanez models and earlier versions of long-running signature designs.

A guitar such as the JEM77V BK represents a particular period in the evolution of the Steve Vai range, with its own pickup and tremolo specification that differs from both earlier JEM classics and current production instruments.

At Fair Deal Music, our Pre-Owned guitars are individually checked and assessed before sale, helping customers buy distinctive and discontinued instruments with greater confidence.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The 2008 Ibanez JEM77V BK Steve Vai Signature is a strong choice for players who want classic Japanese JEM performance with a slightly warmer tonal personality than the Evolution-equipped models most commonly associated with the range.

Its Prestige neck, DiMarzio Breed HSH setup and Edge Pro tremolo provide the speed and flexibility expected from a serious performance guitar, while the Black finish and signature JEM appointments give it considerable visual presence.

Best suited for: Rock, fusion, progressive and technically focused players looking for an earlier Japanese JEM.

Customers usually upgrade from: Ibanez RG models, JEM Junior and Premium instruments, and other mid-range Superstrats.

Most commonly paired with: High-gain or modelling amplifiers, overdrive, wah, delay, pitch effects and modulation.

Our tip: The Breed pickups are worth exploring at lower gain levels as well as full saturation; their warmer response gives this JEM a surprisingly broad clean and crunch range.

Showroom feedback: The JEM77V BK offers the familiar speed and tremolo performance of the JEM platform while sounding noticeably fuller and less aggressive than some Evolution-equipped versions.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

From our Birmingham showroom, our knowledgeable musician-led team helps players find the right equipment whether they're purchasing their first serious guitar, upgrading an existing setup or searching for something distinctive within the Pre-Owned market.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
• Carefully checked new and Pre-Owned musical equipment
• Decades of experience buying and selling guitars
• Large Birmingham showroom
• Secure online ordering
• UK delivery
• Friendly support before and after purchase
• Extensive experience with used, premium and Pre-Owned instruments

For a specialist guitar such as the JEM77V BK, our team can also help with questions about tremolo setup, string gauge, pickup choice and whether its neck profile is right for your playing style.

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, amplifier, keyboard, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of gear you no longer use while making your next instrument more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the JEM77V suitable for lower tunings?

Yes, although changing significantly from standard tuning normally requires the Edge Pro tremolo to be rebalanced and the setup adjusted to suit the new string tension.

What string gauge works well with the JEM77V?

A .009–.042 set provides a light, responsive feel for technical playing and tremolo use, while heavier strings can be fitted if the guitar is correctly set up for them.

Is an Edge Pro tremolo difficult to maintain?

A double-locking tremolo requires more setup care than a fixed bridge, particularly when changing string gauges or tunings. Once correctly balanced and kept in the same tuning, it provides excellent pitch range and tuning stability.

Can the JEM77V be used with modern amp modellers?

Yes. Its passive HSH output works with traditional amplifiers, pedalboards, multi-effects processors, profiling systems and modern digital amp modellers.

How should the decorative fingerboard and hardware be cared for?

Use guitar-safe cleaning products and a soft cloth, avoiding aggressive chemicals around the inlay, hardware and finished surfaces. Stable temperature and humidity are also sensible for an older Japanese instrument.

Can I request a closer look before purchasing?

Yes. For an individual Pre-Owned guitar such as this, our Request a Video Demo option is useful if you'd like to see and hear the guitar in greater detail before making your decision.