Ibanez

Zoton

Okay more annoying questions for ye all. (sorry)
Ibanez guitars, any good are they? I know there's a ridiculous amount of models (and a hell of a lot of signature models), so i'll try and narrow them down a bit.
The SZ, the SA, the S, the JS, the RG, EDR series ones would be the main ones i'm investigating. So anyone have any experience playing them? Or knowledge on their sound, reliablity etc.
Have pretty much decided that a les paul ain't the guitar for me, (Tried out a mates one, and just found it awkward, my playing style means i repeatedly hit the pickup switch while strumming) so i'm checking out alternatives, prs, eggles and now ibanez and any others that fancy my tickle.

ferdi

reviews

Doctor J

I have an Ibanez bass and I've got to say it's the best constructed instrument I've ever played. If you can afford one with a 'prestige' neck, do whatever it takes to get it. They are works of art. Two thumbs up for Ibanez

Giblet

I've played a mates RG-550 a few times, very fast neck, and sounds great. Doesn't suit me though. Real metal guitar, even if it doesn't look it.

Doctor J

A Japanese friend of mine had one of the Blue Flower Jem's ( this is about 10 years ago). Again, 'twas a very very nice instrument indeed. Apart from the Artcore models they're probably a bit heavy metal, but sweet instruments nonetheless.

Zoton

Was a bit puzzled about Ibanez alright. They seem to very cheap when compared to les pauls, prs, strats etc. But i like the sound of the thin neck with low action on them.

Doctor J

The thin neck doesn't work for everybody, ditto for a Floyd Rose. Same rule applies, try as many as you can before you commit to one. I don't think you'd have any issues with the quality.

Zoton

D'ya know why they're so much cheaper than prs/gibson/fender? (Is it just a case of brand name/not being american?)

Giblet

RG-550 is over 1000 anyway, so it's not cheap.

Zoton

Not cheap, but considerably less than gibson/prs @ €2000-€3000

bombidol

I have an RG 270 , Great instrument. At first the action was way too high but i sorted it out and its a frickin animal now. Still prefer my Aria Pro II, but The ibanez is a savage guitar.

Doctor J

Dunno why they're so cheap. Possibly because they're Japanese built (but gimme a Japanese guitar over an American one any day).

They don't skimp on the instruments though.

Zoton

They seem to use Mahogany or American Basswood for the bodies instead of maple.
Opinions on best type of wood for bodies on a sliding scale?

Doctor J

All down to your own ears.

My Ric bass has maple body and neck, rosewood fretboard.

ESP bass has alder body, maple neck RW fretboard

Ibanez 6 string bass has mahogany body, wenge/bubinga neck, wenge fretboard

Strat has ash body, maple neck, RW fretboard

Eggle has mahogany body & neck, ebony fretboard...

they all sound different and they all sound lovely.

There is no best wood, each wood has a different sound, at the end of the day it's what sounds best in your ears when you play the way you play. If you want to try it out, head into Musicmaker and try some strats. The ones with a sold colour are usually alder, the sunburst/translucent finishes are ash. See if you can tell the difference


Edit - - - > Here's Warmoth's wood guide

Zoton

I have to take weight of the wood into consideration too. My back isnt the best and playing a heavy guitar absolutely kills after only a short while.

Oeneus

I might point out to anyone interested in buying an ibanez, if they can get hold of a Washburn CS780, grab it.

They're quite rare unfortunately, but you can probably get it for around €400-500 if you find one.

I managed to get hold of one myself, and it beats any Ibanez I've ever played! When I played the Washburn I was stunned, and still am. It's an absolute BEAST!

It's got all the key features you might find on an RG or JEM model.

Floyd Rose
24 fret neck
2 humbucker
1 single coil in the centre.
the good ol' coil tapping feature

And it looks better in my opinion.

I'm not trying to degrade Ibanez'z or anything. I'm just making you aware that if you see a CS780, You may want to check it out instead. Or tell me so I can grab it

Fuhrio

I was thinking of getting an SZ320, does anyone have one, is it any good?

dabhoys

The only thing to watch out for is that you don't buy the Korean made Ibanez. The Japanese ones are the better ones. I'm going to be investing in two Japanese Fenders over the summer if I get my wicked way. I know the build quality of the Japanese is unreal. I've played the Doc's Ibanez I can assure you its a quality instrument. The prestige necks are amazing....

Zoton

I'm not trying to degrade Ibanez'z or anything. I'm just making you aware that if you see a CS780, You may want to check it out instead. Or tell me so I can grab it [/B]

They're available on this site. The price is around $900, but there's mention of a discount price.
http://www.adirondackguitar.com/newelectricmenu/WashElec/CS780.htm

Zoton

Not that interested in a tremolo bridge tbh. Would prefer a fixed bridge model, i seem to be leaning more towards the JS100, JS1000 etc models. But i think they have those horrible nut locking yolks.....*shudder*

Wir_Sind_Helden

Originally posted by bombidol
I have an RG 270 , Great instrument. At first the action was way too high but i sorted it out and its a frickin animal now. Still prefer my Aria Pro II, but The ibanez is a savage guitar.

Also have a 270, thats 7 years old at this stage, and it still sound beautiful. Also, its nice and easy to sort out, (raise, lower the action, changes strings etc.)

I dont think you can go wrong with an RG.

Oeneus

Originally posted by Zoton
They're available on this site. The price is around $900, but there's mention of a discount price.
http://www.adirondackguitar.com/newelectricmenu/WashElec/CS780.htm

Unfortunately not. I emailed those guys about a year ago and they said they had none, and the site hasn't been updated since. Lazy buggers!

There's one on Ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33048&item=3719665881&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Zoton

My apologies. Maybe this one is more up to date for ya.

http://www.guitarplaza.com/washarrocser3.html


P.S.
Does anyone know if the Ibanez JS models are available as a fixed bridge model?

Doctor J

It looks like all of Joe's have a Floyd. Even Ibanez.co.jp and IshiBashi only have trem models.

Zoton

Dang! Oh well the search continues. I will find my ideal guitar, oh yes i will, and it will be mine...mwahahahaha!

Oeneus

I'm pretty sure there is a JS model with a fixed bridge, you know. I can't be arsed to research it, though. I'll leave that to you chaps.

Zoton

The js2000 has a fixed bridge. But its too dear. Could get it much cheaper from music 123 but there's the whole vat thing to be paid, plus i dont trust them after reading what happened to doctor j etc.