Anybody else own an Ibanez SZ series?!

[SZjammin83]

Hey Forum. Not long ago I bought a 2003 Ibanez SZ320. If I'm honest, I fell in love with this guitar the moment I saw it hanging next to the guitar I had come to the shop intending to buy. I left the Custom 22 hanging where it was that day. Never touched it or even looked at it again. I saw this Ibanez that looked nothing like an Ibanez, and picked it right up to find, it also didnt FEEL like ANY other Ibanez I had ever played or tried before. I have other guitars that are great. I have tenancies to lean toward ESP/LTD, EPIPHONE/GIBSON, Ibanez, and PRS (namely custom 22's). To each their own, and sorry, but while I can appreciate the great sound of a Strat or Tele, I'm just NOT a Fender guy. It's just not in me to spend my money there. While that list includes ALOT of great possibilities, if I were forced to pick, I've always felt most at home on a Les Paul. Pretty sure that's directly connected to the fact that the guitar I played the most as a kid learning, and it's also the guitar I was using after I'd gotten my foundation and was no longer tone-deaf, and REALLY was playing/practicing EVERY CHANCE I could get, well, that guitar was an Epiphone Les Paul Standard Custom (or something like that... it was a standard with a translucent black finish, birdseye maple top, cream binding all around, gloss black back, neck and headstock, and I put a Dirty Fingers humbucker in the bridge... I still sometimes feel like driving myself into a well aged big solid tree at a good n high speed for selling that guitar! It was just a great, simple n basic platform, which had the extra little cosmetic differences just enough to make it beautiful and unique even in a setting with other Les Paul's because all of it was handsome and classic, as any les paul is to one degree or another, but it was more than anything, still dark and BADASS looking! It was a guitar I jammed plenty of HEAVY music on, and it definitely looked the part!)... Anyway, my apologies for going off to the left. I got caught up in nostalgia.

I've always felt "at home" on a Les Paul. When I felt the weight of the SZ, the thickness of the mahogany body, the neck itself and the action, it just immediately felt as though EVERYTHING was EXACTLY where it should be and As it should be. It was a total trip, because the guitar LOOKED about as different as anything else I'd never seen before, but it FELT awesome. Like running into Batman on a rooftop, and then he takes the mask off n it's your best friend!!

I haven't picked up any of my other guitars ONCE since I brought my SZ home. The 1st week I had it, I took out the Ibanez pickups and installed a set of Invaders. That project also included replacing the 3-way toggle with a good solid one, and all the pots. I put 500k CTS Push/Pull pots on the volume and a standard 500k for the tone. I've got it wired so I can control the coil-splitting on each pickup independently and have EVERY combination of Humbucking or Split-Coil that's possible. It's a little custom work I did myself, and the time was INFINITELY worth the end result. This SZ is more versatile, and can create more awesome tones than I ever imagined it could. Some similar to other guitars the split coils attempt to mimic (its mindblowing how close to true they can sound) and then of course, the full blown SD humbucker tones you'd expect, but I'd be lying if I said there wasnt SOMETHING about this guitar in particular that really makes them sound BADASS, and not just in high gain situations, they sound beautiful clean as well.

I play through a Peavey 6505+ 120watt head, pushing 4 Eminence speakers in a 412 cab. 2-Swamp Thangs and 2-Texas Heats. I plug this guitar into my 6505+ and CRANK it up plenty enough to get the tubes cookin' and electrons bouncing, and I JAM! I love it. Playing my rig isnt just fun, or practice, or just SOMETHING to do anymore, it's a HELL of an EXPERIENCE. I enjoy it so much, and I'm grateful for running into the path of this guitar so that I could bring it home with me.

I'd love to hear ANY input, about ANYTHING relating to the Ibanez SZ. I play this guitar n think... "How come they stop making these great guitars?... They finally get one just RIGHT, and then take it out of production after only a handful of years." Just is beyond me I guess. Still, I'd be greatful to hear back from any other SZ owners who may be around the forum!

 

[ICTGoober]

Re: Anybody else own an Ibanez SZ series?!

Always thought those were neat guitars.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Anybody else own an Ibanez SZ series?!

Had the same SZ320 ten or so years ago. Very cool guitar. Just got a similar Schecter C-1. Take the Ibanez, make the board flatter and the frets bigger, and it's very close.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Anybody else own an Ibanez SZ series?!

I had a similar experience some years ago just before joining this forum
Went in to replace my Squire Strat with an Epi LP
While the dude was checking in back for a particular color I wanted
I fell for my RG2

Just had to have it , so light, wonderful neck
Put a JB/JAZZ set in and the world changed for me

Ibanez has some wonderful instruments
Glad you found one that speaks to you

 

[Diego]

Re: Anybody else own an Ibanez SZ series?!

Owned two at some point, still got one. Had an Invader set in one of them as well, now rocking an A2Pro/Custom combo which is a bit less mad and more useful for me.
Love them and I'm a total SZ fanboi.

 

[larryguitar]

Re: Anybody else own an Ibanez SZ series?!



Had one, and decided to refinish it. After stripping the poly, I can confirm it does have a thick maple cap, although it's a multi-piece.

Long gone, still miss it.


Larry

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Anybody else own an Ibanez SZ series?!

I used to have an SZ320. It was my first decent guitar. I originally swapped the bridge pickup for a Super Distortion, but later replaced it with a bunch of EMG's out of which I liked the 81TW/60 combo the best.

It didn't play particularly well. It buzzed a lot with low action. I should've had the frets leveled and crowned, but I didn't even know that was a thing back then. The neck profile was awesome, but I would've preferred beefier frets. The tuners and nut were also crap, so I replaced them with Grovers and Graphtech, respectively.

Mine was a lot brighter than I'd expect a fat mahogany guitar to be, but it sustained well.

I kinda miss it.

 

[Francois]

Re: Anybody else own an Ibanez SZ series?!

The SZ neck looks quite wide. I like that.
I wanted to make Wide neck thread some day...
So do you confirm the neck is wider than the average guitar.

(Sorry I did not read all the thread yet.)

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Anybody else own an Ibanez SZ series?!

The SZ neck looks quite wide. I like that.
I wanted to make Wide neck thread some day...
So do you confirm the neck is wider than the average guitar.

(Sorry I did not read all the thread yet.)

Relatively, but not abnormally wide. It's the same width as any other Ibanez (43mm), but it's quite a bit thicker than any Wizard neck.

FWIW, the PRS wide thin and wide fat are ever-so-slightly wider.

 

[Diego]

Re: Anybody else own an Ibanez SZ series?!

Yes it is. Definitely a wide neck that isn't that chunky. Fatter than my G&L Superhawk, thinner than my Epi Les Paul Pro, similar to a Epi 339 I used to own. Wider than all of those. I used to own an RG and it's nothing like it.

Mine needs a refret badly, I've had it for TEN years now, sheesh. I'll go with XJ or jumbos for sure.

 

[SZjammin83]

Re: Anybody else own an Ibanez SZ series?!

I used to have an SZ320. It was my first decent guitar. I originally swapped the bridge pickup for a Super Distortion, but later replaced it with a bunch of EMG's out of which I liked the 81TW/60 combo the best.

It didn't play particularly well. It buzzed a lot with low action. I should've had the frets leveled and crowned, but I didn't even know that was a thing back then. The neck profile was awesome, but I would've preferred beefier frets. The tuners and nut were also crap, so I replaced them with Grovers and Graphtech, respectively.

Mine was a lot brighter than I'd expect a fat mahogany guitar to be, but it sustained well.

I kinda miss it.

View attachment 97433

Seems unanimous... Everyone I talk to who USED TO own one, misses it, n most even wish they had it back, or just never let it go...

I just can't get past how well crafted, and extremely playable the SZ is/was, among other great things it is and does so very well, more than anything, because of the price range the guitar was in as a new guitar, and even now in the used market. I'll be honest here, and say that I AM a guy who's ALWAYS on a budget. But that's one of the main reasons I got into CONSTANTLY searching the USED market years and years ago. Any and every place, whether it's a store I can walk into, or a website, I search and use ANY means I can to search through and find used guitars and gear. And it's a DAILY, never ending process. But the rewards I've seen through my diligence have kept me with my ear to the ground and having a look here n there every chance I get. Because I know I can find something I want in the USED market for LOADS less than what folks put up for brand new gear, AND, with a little patience and drive, I can not only find a particular thing, but one in great condition as well. So I still have been able to appreciate great guitars, amps, and other gear. And I will not spend my money, EVER, on any type of gear, guitar or otherwise,if it is at all "less than" or inferior to what my personal standards are. I'm NO "gear snob", but I don't own a single piece of "junk" in any of my humble little collection. And a general rule of thumb for me personally, has always been, "if it doesnt RETAIL at $600 or more, it's not a guitar or amp that I myself am going to spend so much as one second to look at." Then.... after all this time, I walk in and pick up my ibanez, and when I look at the price tag, it was $270!!! A FRACTION of the cost of the used PRS SE I had come to buy. So I used the extra to get the other pair of speakers I needed to load up my the 412 cab I was putting together!... And my SZ plays and feels and SOUNDS (since I CUSTOMED it out with INVADERS and coil-split and the rest of the electronics) worlds better than ANY PRS SE 22 or 24 model I've ever owned! It's more versatile as well, as I have an independent push/pull split for each humbucker, and each of the tones sound great and are useable in all types of ways.

It's the textbook definition of a "SLEEPER", while at the same time becoming more beautifully eye catching and rare as the years roll by. When I tell folks what I paid for it, it never fails to blow them away. And that includes the price of all the work I added into it.

It's one hell of an Axe. Ibanez got it right with this one, and let it go just the same. How like life!

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: Anybody else own an Ibanez SZ series?!

If you like that Strat-Gib design, you should consider Schecter C-1 series. Used ones from 2014/5 go for the price of a brand new Ibanez 3xx eries RG, but it's Korean and very well built with exciting features and finishes. The neck joint especially, feels like a neck-thru but it's a set-in. In my opinion everyone looking for even a Prestige Ibanez should take a look at Schecter first.

 

[Diego]

Re: Anybody else own an Ibanez SZ series?!

I remember trying out a Schecter Blackjack ATX Solo II that blew my socks off to the moon and back.

If you like your SZ (and we know you do) go out of your way to try it.
I love my SZ but it feels like a toy next to that Schecter. Huge frets, ebony fretboard, felt like a ****ing anvil overall and sounded like one with those Blackouts, too.
Holy crap it's good.

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: Anybody else own an Ibanez SZ series?!

I have to admit that Schecter is my newfound love...lol.

For years I worship Ibanez RG and I used to despise Schecter ever since it migrated from a high-end, cool brand with Tom Anderson persona to metal guitars with such evil-sounding names as Blackjack, Hellraiser, Omen etc. Then I casually got me a Jake Pitts signature seris, cause it's sho fn cheap and I freakin' love the silverburst color...boy, I realize what I've been missing out all these years....lol. Then a month later I got me a Banshee, defintiely an RG killer.

 

[SZjammin83]

Re: Anybody else own an Ibanez SZ series?!

I remember trying out a Schecter Blackjack ATX Solo II that blew my socks off to the moon and back.

If you like your SZ (and we know you do) go out of your way to try it.
I love my SZ but it feels like a toy next to that Schecter. Huge frets, ebony fretboard, felt like a ****ing anvil overall and sounded like one with those Blackouts, too.
Holy crap it's good.

Looks like a sweet axe, but really too close to my Epi LP Custom Prophecy EX (trans-black w/ birds-eye maple top and cream binding all around... it's gorgeous and badass looking at the at the same time) to think on buying one. My Prophecy's got EMG's, an 85 in the neck and an 81 in the bridge, though I plan to put a 57/66 set in it before long. I've always loved a good set of actives, though over the last several years, I've come to truly value and appreciate the warmer and more natural sound found in passive pickups. The the EMG 57/66 are actives that were designed to provide a bit of that passive sound and feel in the same pickup, and they truly are the closest thing to the "best of both worlds" I've heard. And weight-wise, an anvil would actually be a near perfect thing to compare it too as well. I've also got an Epi LP Custom Pro, and coincidentally, it's in a Silverburst finish which I happen to share your appreciation for as well. It's a sweet finish. If I'm honest, I'm an absolute TOOL junkie. They have been my favorite band, hands down, since the 1st time I heard Opiate and Undertow back in 94-95. Adam Jones is known for his use of his late 70's Gibson LP Custom Silverburst guitars and almost never anything else. He's got several of the very same guitar, and a few with a different pickup combination than his go-to SD Jazz/59 setup, but for the most part, that's been his axe since the pre-Aenima days. And that's why I immediately went for the siverburst finish when I bought my Epi LP Custom Pro. It's the last guitar I purchased prior to the Ibanez SZ, and sometime soon, I'll be throwin a Jazz/59 set in it too. If you cant afford a 78 Gibson LP Custom, the "fake it till you make it approach" seems the obvious next best thing! lol.

 

[chadd]

Re: Anybody else own an Ibanez SZ series?!

I loved the Ghostrider's when Ibanez introduced them, the SZ is pretty much just a continuation of that design with a name more in line with their other offerings.

 

[Mononoaware]

Re: Anybody else own an Ibanez SZ series?!

I'm in the process of restoring an SZ320 (new bridge, new rings, fresh electronics). Not sure if I'm going to end up keeping it, but just dropped a DiMarzio SD in it for the first time, and it's a tremendous sound. Should've done this at the start.

 

[SZjammin83]

Re: Anybody else own an Ibanez SZ series?!

I'm in the process of restoring an SZ320 (new bridge, new rings, fresh electronics). Not sure if I'm going to end up keeping it, but just dropped a DiMarzio SD in it for the first time, and it's a tremendous sound. Should've done this at the start.

I'm curious.... When you say you are restoring one, does this mean you are fixing it up to its original-ish condition as a stock SZ320 with same parts? I'm assuming that's not exactly the case, as the "bare-bones" of this guitar, is essentially what I love so much. I bought mine knowing I would be replacing the electronics and basically making it my own. I put a set of SD Invaders in mine, each independently wired up to it's own 500k CTS Push/Pull volume pot for coil-split. Between the 3-way toggle (bought a quality 3way and installed it as well) and the 2 Push/Pull volume pots, I can get each and EVERY configuration and/or combination from my humbuckers that is possible. I can get some AMAZING tones/sounds, and this axe is ridiculously versatile! FACTS... A humbucker split to use of only one of its coils IS NOT an actual single-coil pickup, and WILL not give you an honest Strat/Tele tone from a LesPaul or LesPaul-ish guitar... But I can get AS CLOSE as I've ever gotten to it (using any guitar I'VE ever owned, including a PRS core 22) with this SZ fixed up the way I've got it. And I can honestly say, I DID NOT expect it in the least from the Invaders, but I just figured "you're installing p/u's anyway, why not do it all?!" So I did, and I've been blown away by all the tonal options I've been able to explore with my SZ and my 6505+ 120w head.

In the process of purchasing everything I needed, I searched for Gibraltar 3 bridge options hoping I'd find one in black, and get that and black hardware everywhere else as well. But I searched HIGH & LOW and all I could find was chrome, and even that had to be obtained from overseas... Well, I dig the nickel enough, and nickel actually looks better the older it gets (as it looks less and less like chrome, which is an absolute plus for my personal cosmetic taste...definitely NOT a chrome guy) so I decided then, that because A- far as I cud find, the Gibraltar 3 is the only bridge that is compatible with any guitar it's used on... and B- A new Gibraltar 3 could not be found in ANY finish other than chrome.... I would NOT be replacing the hardware on this guitar. While I WOULD love better tuning machines, the only ones I have been able to find that are a direct-fit, requiring no drilling/retro-fitting/modification to the guitar itself, have been tuning machines available in only the 3 basic finishes, chrome, gold, or black... I will not mis-match colors with hardware on any guitar of mine. Again, just personal preference. All this has included searching not only for brand new hardware, but I looked for the same things in the used market as well.

So, seeing your post about your own SZ project got my ears perked up, if you will, in hopes I might inquire about the nature of your restoration overall, and in turn, you might enlighten me on the subject of hardware, namely, where I might find a Gibraltar 3 in some finish OTHER than chrome, OR if perhaps you've found a different bridge which can be used in an application such as ours? And, if so, where might I find said bridge? (would be interested in any options for tuning machines I may not know of as well!

You've definitely got an awesome guitar for your restoration/ platform! I wish you the best of luck, and hope your experience with your SZ is fun and ends in a guitar that inspires you to pick it up and play each and every moment you have the chance!