Synapsys
Well-known member
The All Access Neck Join was also introduced by the Maxxas. To me, one of the best solutions for bolt-on necks.
Calling all Ibanez fanboys...
- Thread starter Chris Pile
- Start date
The All Access Neck Join was also introduced by the Maxxas. To me, one of the best solutions for bolt-on necks.
There are thin necks, then there are anorexic necks.
Ibanez S and RG guitars fall into the anorexic category. I would like them a whole lot more if they used normal neck profiles. But I get it, that is their thing.
BTW, there was a progression. I used to buy/own Ibanez exclusively and over the years, the necks got thinner and thinner.
I have an Ibanez ATk bass which has a really fat neck, even by bass standards.
I don't even love the AANJ anymore. The problem with it is that the heel is rounded, which makes shimming the neck difficult/impossible.
It possible to round off the edge of the heel and NOT have a curved pocket. Some other brands are doing that now and its better imo. The curved pocket is for aesthetics.
Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
Yes, the original Wizard neck was super thin, and why so many old RGs have cracks now by the locking nut bolts. It was something of a design wonder back then, that they made such a thin neck work without string tension killing it. It also helped bring Ibanez out of limbo (by the mid-80s, they were in a serious sales slump), and now it's seen as one of the definitive rock/shred guitars, known for 'that' neck, smooth trem, and pu options.
I agree with you though. I'm often gassing for a 550 or 560 but the neck stops me from committing; I owned/played a MIK RG for a long time and never quite gelled with the neck (Wizard II).
Synapsys
Well-known member
Had several Ibanez guitars with the AANJ, and never needed to use shims.
PFDarkside
of the Forum
That’s an excellent resource.
Ive had a couple plekked that required shimming. After 25 years when the neck develops the "ski jump" profile over the heel (common for bolt on ibanez), the upper frets need to be lowered (or the neck planed an refretted), and either way, when you do, that puts the trem farther into the body cavity. You can lose alot of pullup, and in fact might bottom out. The one guitar I kept that has this particular affliction, I had to craft a full pocket shim from aluminum because of the AANJ. I really don't care for it anymore; I have another guitar with a square pocket and rounded edge that is 90% as good.
Its not a design that is suited for the long term. Likewise, the thin neck and bolts that go through frequently crack. Again, a design not suited for the long term. They learned their lesson on the bolt-on nuts, but sadly the AANJ is still present.
And when you consider that their top trem, the lo pro edge, you have to pay a $500 premium for it, and it has all proprietary parts, this is the reason I no longer buy ibanez. Bad design elements made in the name of ergonomics that impact tone and long term stability, and proprietary parts that significantly raise the price and create lower value in low and mid price brackets. Thats Ibanez! No thanks.
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Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
^^ What particular problems have you had with the Lo Pro?
I do agree about the cost, you can buy a decent guitar for the price of a gold one
. When I was putting together my RG410 partscaster, I needed a 1986 spec Edge, which has some differences from later ones, namely a 41mm block. I got lucky and didn't pay much, but was sweating bullets for a bit (yes, I could've got a Schaller, OFR or GE1996T instead). I know what you mean, though I haven't had issues with mine (have another in addition to said 410), and things like intonation, nut pad and string lock bolts, which can wear out, don't need to be proprietary to work. If a saddle gets screwed up, sure, you need proprietary; and there seems to have been a period when the studs weren't cut well so guitars had trouble returning to zero, especially after pull-ups.
I do agree about the cost, you can buy a decent guitar for the price of a gold one
. When I was putting together my RG410 partscaster, I needed a 1986 spec Edge, which has some differences from later ones, namely a 41mm block. I got lucky and didn't pay much, but was sweating bullets for a bit (yes, I could've got a Schaller, OFR or GE1996T instead). I know what you mean, though I haven't had issues with mine (have another in addition to said 410), and things like intonation, nut pad and string lock bolts, which can wear out, don't need to be proprietary to work. If a saddle gets screwed up, sure, you need proprietary; and there seems to have been a period when the studs weren't cut well so guitars had trouble returning to zero, especially after pull-ups.^^ What particular problems have you had with the Lo Pro?
I do agree about the cost, you can buy a decent guitar for the price of a gold one
Never had a problem with the lo pros I've owned, except for the bushing design on the bar.
My point was that an OFR works just as well for me, I like the screw in bar better, (and the bar position), and they cost half or less of what a new lo pro costs, if you can actually find a new lo pro.
Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
Yeah, those bushings, bugbear of Ibanez owners. They have fattened them up in recent years, so much so it can be difficult to get the bar in the first time. The design is just a carry over from the Pro Rock'r trem, which was the predecessor of the Edge (arm and arm socket are the same).
There are some sellers who sell them new - Cottam Guitars in the UK, and Rich Harris of Ibanez Rules in the US, but the price is still higher than other double lockers. I think the Gotoh GE1996T might be the cheapest, seen chrome ones for $100-150 with all the necessary bits.
There are some sellers who sell them new - Cottam Guitars in the UK, and Rich Harris of Ibanez Rules in the US, but the price is still higher than other double lockers. I think the Gotoh GE1996T might be the cheapest, seen chrome ones for $100-150 with all the necessary bits.
