Featured ANY GUITAR EXPERTS/COLLECTORS OUT THERE? HELP w/IBANEZ STEVE VAI SIGNATURE GUITAR

I found this at a thrift store this week; it is a Ibanez Steve Vai JEMJR signature guitar.
I love the look of it!
I saw on the back of the head it says Made by Team J Craft / Made in Japan
BUT! Everywhere I've looked trying to learn about this guitar so I can describe it when selling it says the JEMJR (jem Jr) was made in Korea or Indonesia? And only the higher end ones were made in Japan.
Is mine legit? Did someone change out the arm/head? (But even if they did it wouldn't have JemJr on the front of the head!
(when I put the serial number in a Ibanez Serial Number Decoder it gave me this:
Serial Number F0606786

Production year: January 2006 serial: 06786

(factory: FugjiGen Gakki, Nagano, Japan)

You can try it here: https://www.guitarinsite.nl/serienummers-ibanez_eng.php
Also - It has the "Disappearing Pyramid" inlaid on the fret (frets?) - which is on earlier versions & mostly on the higher end models that I found

Can anyone help me with what guitar I have - there is a big difference in price & quality of the parts used between the different ones.

Thank you!

 

5 pick ups.....Fender would have a conniption...

 

I do know the cutout is called a "Monkey Grip" if that helps narrow your search

 

don't believe the internet experts, you looked it up, seial# an all, you have the correct info, disregard other info, yer axe is Japanese made

 

My friend used to have an Ibanez, he sold it for good money years ago. He also had a Vox AC30, it was that long ago. I did find this video with a Ibanez Team J Craft / Made in Japan but it's not the same guitar but it may give you some tips.

 

Bad video but I think this is it.

 

Notice it has the newer vines on the fret/s - mine hs the disappearing pyramid. Just got an offer for $375 on ebay - I paid $150 so I think I'll take it?

 

I would respond with $500.

 

If you have the case, it's worth even more. I think it's worth more than 500$ to start with, but I know you appreciate a quick return on your investment.

 

I listed it for $450 obo - because back plate is missing - and I countered with $400 which is good for a 2 day return!
Thanks all (funny no one can find another japan model Jem Jr?)

 

Ask at acousticguitarform.com
Lots of guitar experts.

 

Sorry I meant acousticguitarforum.com

 

I just got this message on eBay - I haven't been able to find any; could it be true?

Hi, just wanted to let you know this is a fake. This is a Chinese copy that sells for $200 on China web sites.

 

gotta confirm that...........they got any proof !!!

 

There seems to be a lot of Chinese knockoffs out there. Here's an old ebay listing description that had a guitar with the same serial number.

Ibanez Team J Craft JEM 7V Steve Vai Signature Series Electric Guitar click picture to enlarge click picture to enlarge Up for purchase. Is a 2006 Ibanez Team J Craft JEM 7V Steve Vai Signature Series Electric Guitar(Right Hand) Beautiful electric guitar in excellent condition. Previously owned and exceptionally well maintained. Plays great! Body is in excellent condition. Showing very little wear. No dings or scratching. But it does have a couple of"barely there" hairlines present(see pictures for notations) Serial Number: F0606786 Also included. Is a TKL hard case in excellent condition. FEATURES: Alder body for clear. Full-bodied tone Best known as the body wood for the"classic single coil. Bolt-on neck guitar, the JEM7VWH's alder body produces clear, full-bodied vintage tone that works well for lead or rhythm work. The rosewood fingerboard offers a strong, bright sound and an attractive appearance with a long grain. 24-fret Prestige neck The contoured alder body is complimented by a 24-fret Prestige JEM neck that provides easy access to all registers. Deep routed tremolo cavities allow the JEM7VWH. Combined with Ibanez Split-5 wiring provide incredible tonal versatility. JEM Prestige neck* 5-piece Maple/Walnut Neck Material* Alder Body* 24/6105 frets* Rosewood Fingerboard* Edge Pro bridge* DiMarzio Evolution(H) Neck pickup* DiMarzio Evolution(S) Mid pickup* DiMarzio Evolution(H) Bridge pickup* Pearl/Abalone Vine Inlay* Hardware Color: Gold ~~~~~~~~~ Please scroll below and enlarge the pictures for closer details. Guitar stand seen in the second picture is not included. Our BIN price on this beautiful guitar is firm. And we do NOT have the best offer option available for this item FREE SHIPPING To The 48 Contiguous United States Like our facebook page at Tannerman's Trading Co. to get daily updates of NEW ARRIVALS before they hit eBay! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ click picture to enlarge Small hairline click picture to enlarge click picture to enlarge click picture to enlarge click picture to enl

 

Do you have the link to that listing? (Thank you)

 

What I don't get is if this is a Chinese copy - why do the Jem Jr.?? The most it sells for - new or used - is $499; while the reg Ibanez Steve Cai Jem guitar has a asking price in the $1,000's?!

 

No link sadly. It was on one of those sites that copy ebay listings/descriptions. The original was old enough to be deleted off of the ebay site itself.

There are many more people who are willing to pay $200-$400 for a guitar than there are for the $1,000+ models. People are going to be much more cautious about those high end models being legit than they are for the lower end stuff also.

 

this ones a copy with the jem jr headstock
https://guitarofchina.com/goods-84-Ibanez+RG1550M+Prestige+Electric+Guitar.html

just makes sure yours isnt one of these though

https://reverb.com/item/4332632-bra...e-jem777l-dy-lefty-yellow-namm-2017-pre-order

these are said to have DiMarzio pickups

 

It's a shame about the back plate, but likely you can buy a replacement.
I still think this one is made in Japan, so it will be interesting to see if you find it really is a Chinese copy! Here is the "enlargement" of the back of the head of the one Charlie shows on Guitar of China - Looks like it has the same tuners. I don't see anything printed back there in gold to say "Made in Japan" but the photo is too small and dark for my eyes. If it is an old Japan pirate, it's worth more.