Sound Comparison for Your Ears! - HAMER DIABLO VS IBANEZ JEM 7

Crimsontider

Crimsontider

New member
Video comparing an Hamer Diablo 2 vs a Ibanez JEM 7.

Any comments on the which sounds the best?

To me one sounds much better than the other, but to many it may not be as extreme, or they may like the other.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
I'd like to think I can be objective and unbiased but can anyone truly be so? That being said, I think the Diablo2 sounded fuller and had a more pleasing tone to my ear. Your mileage may vary...

 
diablo175 said:
I'd like to think I can be objective and unbiased but can anyone truly be so? That being said, I think the Diablo2 sounded fuller and had a more pleasing tone to my ear. Your mileage may vary...
Click to expand...
I think most can, and most probably have a few brands. As it is somewhat subjective, the odds are most here will pick the Hamer because that's the sound they like.

YouTube site it was unanimously Hamer. Comparison's like this further justifies the price of Hamer's and the reputation it has for me. I want a Diablo in the near future. It's less defined but more attractive sounding to me, more umph. You could probably shape the sound of the Diablo 2 to emulate all you favorite Metal guitarists. The Ibanez has a tubular sound you can't easily shake imo. But many like that Vai,Satriani sound.

Thought it was a good video.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Didn't watch the video, just listened to it once -as I'm at job right now. I liked better the sound of the second guitar. It's fuller, has more dynamics and more "focus"... So, whatever it was, I think I prefer it.

Have I (or my ears) betrayed Hamer?

 
Last edited by a moderator:
zorrow said:
Didn't watch the video, just listened to it once -as I'm at job right now. I liked better the sound of the second guitar. It's fuller, has more dynamics and more "focus"... So, whatever it was, I think I prefer it.

Have I (or my ears) betrayed Hamer?
Click to expand...
Well it is a well though off guitar for sure. Maybe other Hamer's would fair better with you.

 
I had a basswood Jem. 2001 BFP (blue floral pattern). I hated it. Hated it. Felt cheap. Tone was thin - as in real thin. If you did not process the hell out of it it sounded like shit.

I tried different pick ups. Could not wait to get rid of it.

I have only heard one Ibanez super strat that I liked the tone of. One. Even the blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. Those Ibanez superstrats sound best when highly processed IMO.

Ever hear Vai's guitar when he is playing totally clean - which is not very often - THIN and LIFELESS.

The Diablo kicked its ass. Sounds like what the JEM dreams of sounding like. /emoticons/default_biggrin.png What are you running for effects ?

 
Last edited by a moderator:
shredmeister said:
I have only heard one Ibanez super strat that I liked the tone of. One. Even the blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then.
Click to expand...
lol !

shredmeister said:
Ever hear Vai's guitar when he is playing totally clean - which is not very often - THIN and LIFELESS.
Click to expand...
The I'm Superior smirk, thin and tubular sounding guitar other than over processed trick squeals and shrills. Very contrived and restrained. Vai is a great great player, but is the polar opposite of what I like.

 
First of all - great playing.

I prefered the Hamer, but the Jem has a certain sound to it. Sometimes i like it, sometimes not. The sound at 7:40 sounds brittle to me. But the clip before that sounded shredalisious. (though i still like the Hamer more - something more behind it...)

Thanks for posting this. I love these...

 
I had a bandmate with a Jem...he loved it 'til I got my Centaura, lol.

He shoulda played a few licks CLEAN and DRY......I wonder if he can.

edit- DAYUM...I'm a snob(asshole), he he.

The Hamer kicked ass......much fatter, not even close.

You can dial out extra chunk if you gotta(but why?).......you can't dial in what's not there in the first place tho.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
I prefer the Diablo II as well. I love mine. Came stock with Dimarzio pickups. Dig them. Only Ibanez superstrat I'm interested in is the Joe Satriani signature models...

 
Hmmm... if they had the same pickups, I would like the comparison better.

I think we were listening to the better pickup in the Diablo and the worst pickup in the Jem.

The fact that the exact model of the JEM was not disclosed means that it could be PAF Pro, Evolution or Breed.

If the Diablo had a Tone Zone and the JEM any of those pickups above... we are simply liking the TZ's heavier mids and higher gain.

 
zenmindbeginner said:
Hmmm... if they had the same pickups, I would like the comparison better.

I think we were listening to the better pickup in the Diablo and the worst pickup in the Jem.

The fact that the exact model of the JEM was not disclosed means that it could be PAF Pro, Evolution or Breed.

If the Diablo had a Tone Zone and the JEM any of those pickups above... we are simply liking the TZ's heavier mids and higher gain.
Click to expand...
Good point and one I considered as well. However, it is a valid comparison of two stock guitars. Fact is, Ibby p'ups have never been widely renown for their superior sound qualities. No doubt some out there like 'em. But a guitar is the sum of it's parts and frankly, the JEM is left wanting imo. That being said, I have a project JEM 555 I upgraded w/ a custom made neck, the Edge Pro and Dimazio Evo2 and Breed. The body is made of basswood and is the weak link imo. Tonally, it sounds thinner than my Hamers and am seriously considering getting a an alder or mahogany replacement body and custom painting it. Sadly, there would be NOTHING left of the original JEM at that point. /emoticons/default_laugh.png

DSCF1097.jpg


 
Greg GLasscock said:
zorrow said:
Didn't watch the video, just listened to it once -as I'm at job right now. I liked better the sound of the second guitar. It's fuller, has more dynamics and more "focus"... So, whatever it was, I think I prefer it.

Have I (or my ears) betrayed Hamer?
Click to expand...
Well it is a well though off guitar for sure. Maybe other Hamer's would fair better with you.
Click to expand...
OK, here's what happened: I thought "the second guitar" started after 2:30, as there's a pause. Wasn't watching it, so after a couple of more minutes I just said "this is it, I have a winner" and closed the web browser. This means I never got hear the Ibanez. /emoticons/default_smile.png

Now I'm at home and watched the video until the end. The sound of the Ibanez sucks. The Diablo wins BIG time.

 
zorrow said:
Greg GLasscock said:
zorrow said:
Didn't watch the video, just listened to it once -as I'm at job right now. I liked better the sound of the second guitar. It's fuller, has more dynamics and more "focus"... So, whatever it was, I think I prefer it.

Have I (or my ears) betrayed Hamer?
Click to expand...
Well it is a well though off guitar for sure. Maybe other Hamer's would fair better with you.
Click to expand...
OK, here's what happened: I thought "the second guitar" started after 2:30, as there's a pause. Wasn't watching it, so after a couple of more minutes I just said "this is it, I have a winner" and closed the web browser. This means I never got hear the Ibanez. /emoticons/default_smile.png

Now I'm at home and watched the video until the end. The sound of the Ibanez sucks. The Diablo wins BIG time.
Click to expand...
I would do the same, I guess he just wanted to change camera angles.

I like versatile guitars that are thick but can be shaped and don't have an after taste. Just raw, thick and pleasing.

Just wanted to add the advertisement of the Diablo's from 96.

It's difficult to read but the Alder bodied, Maple Neck with Rosewood Fretted Diablo's were priced the same due to equal manufacturing costs. . Both had Dimarzio's - a Norton Lite and a Pro Zone, but the Diablo II had the additional SM2 and 5 way switch. So it looks like playing the neck pickup on the I and II should sound about the same. I am looking to buy one, so either one would do the trick /emoticons/default_smile.png

diablo.jpg


 
Both sound good, but it is the playing that makes them sound good.

The Diablo does sound a little more full. A second comparison of how each guitar works in a mix would be good.

zen's point about comparing the guitars with the same pickups makes sense, too.

 
diablo175 said:
zenmindbeginner said:
Hmmm... if they had the same pickups, I would like the comparison better.

I think we were listening to the better pickup in the Diablo and the worst pickup in the Jem.

The fact that the exact model of the JEM was not disclosed means that it could be PAF Pro, Evolution or Breed.

If the Diablo had a Tone Zone and the JEM any of those pickups above... we are simply liking the TZ's heavier mids and higher gain.
Click to expand...
Good point and one I considered as well. However, it is a valid comparison of two stock guitars. /emoticons/default_laugh.png
Click to expand...
I agree with the prior poster about hearing them in a mix but as far as modifying them for a comparison, maybe 1 out of 500 people change pup's. Just an estimate from looking at used guitars online. Most just buy a stock guitar and keep it the way it is so this video sums it up nicely for them.

I have heard JEMS with all sorts of pickups but the construction of the guitar always comes through to give it that Ibanez sound. I don't particularly like the sound but it's strength is cutting through a mix imo.

 
Greg GLasscock said:
zorrow said:
Greg GLasscock said:
zorrow said:
Didn't watch the video, just listened to it once -as I'm at job right now. I liked better the sound of the second guitar. It's fuller, has more dynamics and more "focus"... So, whatever it was, I think I prefer it.

Have I (or my ears) betrayed Hamer?
Click to expand...
Well it is a well though off guitar for sure. Maybe other Hamer's would fair better with you.
Click to expand...
OK, here's what happened: I thought "the second guitar" started after 2:30, as there's a pause. Wasn't watching it, so after a couple of more minutes I just said "this is it, I have a winner" and closed the web browser. This means I never got hear the Ibanez. /emoticons/default_smile.png

Now I'm at home and watched the video until the end. The sound of the Ibanez sucks. The Diablo wins BIG time.
Click to expand...
I would do the same, I guess he just wanted to change camera angles.

I like versatile guitars that are thick but can be shaped and don't have an after taste. Just raw, thick and pleasing.

Just wanted to add the advertisement of the Diablo's from 96.

It's difficult to read but the Alder bodied, Maple Neck with Rosewood Fretted Diablo's were priced the same due to equal manufacturing costs. . Both had Dimarzio's - a Norton Lite and a Pro Zone, but the Diablo II had the additional SM2 and 5 way switch. So it looks like playing the neck pickup on the I and II should sound about the same. I am looking to buy one, so either one would do the trick /emoticons/default_smile.png

diablo.jpg
Click to expand...
Well, I'm not too sure about this, but mine actually has a push/pull coil split control on the master volume knob. I did ask Hamer once if it was a standard spec, but they said they weren't too sure (either that, or it wasn't stock. I can't remember the exact details)...

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top