Swap
Swap
Ibanez JEM77P
Ibanez UV70P
VS
Playability
73
Sound
81
Build
59
Value
66
Score
71
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability
73
Sound
81
Build
59
Value
71
Score
71
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Add to Compare
Add to Compare
Side to side spec comparison >

Ibanez JEM77P vs UV70P

Reasons to Get
Ibanez JEM77P over UV70P

Strings
6 vs 7
Narrower neck and fewer strings to change
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.71'' (18mm) vs 0.75'' (19.1mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.79'' (20.1mm) vs 0.83'' (21.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.89'' (48mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes

Reasons to Get
Ibanez UV70P over JEM77P

Release Year
2021 vs 2015
From a more recent year
Strings
7 vs 6
Allows you to play lower notes
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.75'' (19.1mm) vs 0.71'' (18mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.83'' (21.1mm) vs 0.79'' (20.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.89'' (48mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Value Score
71 vs 66
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Ibanez JEM77P vs UV70P

Bridge Pickup
DiMarzio Gravity Storm vs DiMarzio Blaze
Different Bridge Pickup
Middle Pickup
DiMarzio Evolution vs DiMarzio Blaze
Different Middle Pickup
Neck Pickup
DiMarzio Gravity Storm vs DiMarzio Blaze
Different Neck Pickup
Fretboard Wood
Maple vs Rosewood
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
6 vs 7
Different Headstock

Shared Features
Ibanez JEM77P vs UV70P

Body Wood
Basswood
Same Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Nut Material
Locking
Same Nut Material
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
5
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HSH
High output, round sound with a single-coil for cleans
Number of Frets
24
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Edge Zero II
Intense vibrato effects and cheaper than Edge Zero
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Fretboard Radius
16'' (406.4mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
Wizard
Thin neck for playing fast
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Type of Frets
Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Retainer Bar
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

SET PRICE ALERT
SET PRICE ALERT

These are affiliate links. We may earn a fee if you purchase after clicking. These prices are prone to error. Make sure you're buying the right product after clicking on a link from our site. We are not liable if you buy the wrong product after following these links. As an Amazon Associate site we earn from qualifying purchases.

Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that both instruments scored 71 out of 100, which makes them similar in terms of quality.

The Ibanez UV70P wins when it comes to value for the money. On the other hand, the Ibanez JEM77P has the upper hand when it comes to.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Ibanez JEM77P is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

Both meet 3 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

New Player Friendliness

Ibanez JEM77P
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

Ibanez UV70P
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Ibanez JEM77P Overview

  • From Ibanez's 2015 PIA/JEM/UV series
  • Steve Vai Signature
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • American Basswood body
  • Maple/Walnut neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: DiMarzio Gravity Storm (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: DiMarzio Evolution (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: DiMarzio Gravity Storm (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Edge-Zero II tremolo bridge
  • Wizard Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Ibanez tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Ibanez UV70P Overview

  • From Ibanez's 2021 PIA/JEM/UV series
  • Steve Vai Signature
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 7 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • American Basswood body
  • Maple/Walnut neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: DiMarzio Blaze (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: DiMarzio Blaze (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: DiMarzio Blaze (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Edge-Zero II-7 bridge
  • Wizard-7 Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Ibanez tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Basswood is a lightweight type of wood that isn't as expensive as other popular choices for guitar building. It gives more power to the mid-range frequencies. Its color can vary from pale white to light brown. Find out more about Basswood.

Woods Used in the Ibanez UV70P

Rosewood wood pattern used for guitar building
Rosewood

Rosewood is an almost purple-looking wood that is used mainly for fretboards since it's heavy, rare, and expensive. It's sometimes used on acoustic guitar bodies to create stronger warm tones. Find out more about Rosewood.

Winner: Ibanez UV70P.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HSH. HSH is a versatile pickup configuration that will give you the high output, full tone, and quiet sound of humbucker pickups, but with the possibility of using a single coil for cleaner tones. The disadvantage is that the middle single-coil pickup will have a noticeable lower volume, so you might want to adjust the height of the pickups. Another problem is that if you set the middle pickup too high, it might interfere with your picking hand.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

You can purchase similar pickups to the Ibanez JEM77P's and use them on any guitar:

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Tie.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

They both share the following switching options:

Ibanez JEM77P and Ibanez UV70P pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Ibanez JEM77P and Ibanez UV70P's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Tie.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Ibanez JEM77P
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 75
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 81
Ibanez UV70P
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 75
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 81

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Ibanez JEM77P compares to the Ibanez UV70P.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in Indonesia.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

In this case, both have Locking nuts. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

Unfortunately, neither of them have a retainer bar for the nut, which would be a helpful addition. Without it, the strings will change pitch once you lock down the nut, so you'll have to make more micro-adjustments at the bridge to tune it correctly.

Winner: Tie.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

Both come with a similar bridge: Edge Zero II. This is a cheaper version of Ibanez's Edge Zero bridges. It comes with the same locking stud bolts that lock down into the body and provide better stabilization, and with easier adjustment of the springs without having to remove the backplate thanks to a thumb-screw. However, the intonation in this cheaper version will require additional work.

Edge Zero IIs that come with the ZPS3 Zero Point system have two extra springs that help return the tremolo to the neutral position faster. These bridges offer tons of versatility, but they also require more work than simpler tremolos to set up.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. Both come with Ibanez.

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez JEM77P
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez UV70P
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Ibanez JEM77P
Quality of materials 41
Features 55
Quality Control 80
Build Quality 59
Ibanez UV70P
Quality of materials 46
Features 55
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 59

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Ibanez JEM77P Nut Width
Ibanez JEM77P Nut Width
Ibanez UV70P Nut Width
Ibanez UV70P Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Ibanez UV70P has the wider nut with 48mm (1.89'') vs 43mm (1.693''). This is a 5mm (0.197'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Ibanez UV70P, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Ibanez JEM77P and Ibanez UV70P's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Ibanez JEM77P Neck Profile
Ibanez JEM77P's neck profile
Ibanez UV70P Neck Profile
Ibanez UV70P's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the Ibanez JEM77P and the Ibanez UV70P have a Wizard-shaped neck. This is thinner than most C-type necks. It won't get in your way if you want to play fast solos. It's not as slim as 'Super Wizard' necks, so it might fit you better if you don't like ultra-thin necks.

Fretboard Radius

Ibanez JEM77P Fingerboard Radius
Both Guitars Have The Same Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

Both the Ibanez JEM77P and the Ibanez UV70P have the same fretboard radius of 16". This fretboard radius is really different from Stratocasters, but it's also a lot flatter than Les Paul fingerboards. It'll favor plating single notes over playing chords. This doesn't mean you can't use it for rhythm, but a more curved fretboard offers better playability for chords. Bending and sliding without losing sustain will also be more likely in a flat fretboard like this one.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Ibanez UV70P favors large hands more than the Ibanez JEM77P.

Ibanez JEM77P:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Ibanez UV70P:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Ibanez JEM77P and Ibanez UV70P Frets Size
Both have a similar Jumbo fret size

Both have a Jumbo fret size. This is one of the tallest frets you can get. You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings. It will give you the best sustain and all types of chords will be easier to play. However, you can end up changing the pitch of your notes if you press too hard, which is something people used to feeling the fretboard do when trying Jumbo frets for the first time.

Final Playability Scores

Ibanez JEM77P
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73
Ibanez UV70P
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Ibanez JEM77P vs UV70P
General Ibanez JEM77P UV70P
Brand: Ibanez Ibanez
Year: 2015 2021
Configuration: HSH HSH
Strings: 6 7
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: PIA/JEM/UV PIA/JEM/UV
Colors: Blue Patterns Black
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: American Basswood American Basswood
Bridge: Edge-Zero II tremolo Edge-Zero II-7
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Ibanez Ibanez
Fretboard: Maple Rosewood
Neck Material: Maple/Walnut Maple/Walnut
Decoration: Tree of Life Green dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Wizard Wizard-7
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.71'' (18mm) - 12th Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) 1st Fret: 0.75'' (19.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.83'' (21.1mm)
Frets: 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 16" 16"
Nut: Locking Locking
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 48mm (1.89'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: DiMarzio Gravity Storm (Humbucker / Passive) DiMarzio Blaze (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: DiMarzio Evolution (Humbucker / Passive) DiMarzio Blaze (Humbucker / Passive)
Neck Pickup: DiMarzio Gravity Storm (Humbucker / Passive) DiMarzio Blaze (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Bell Bell
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1