I see that there are a lot of people here who choose Ibanez Guitars, why?

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: I see that there are a lot of people here who choose Ibanez Guitars, why?

Ibanez are plentiful and affordable, that's why you see so many. They also throw guitars at every player with some semblance of a "name", even if they're nothing special. If they're on the cover of a guitar or music magazine for any reason, Ibanez will throw free or even cheaper guitars at them for the free advertising, and the kids bite the hook.

I had a very poor experience with their "customer service" some years ago so I cannot bring myself to ever recommend them, but they have made quite a few models that are respectable. I never had a problem with the product, but the company blew their one chance to serve a paying customer. If not for that, I'd probably have 26 Ibanez guitars and basses rather than 26 Charvel/Jackson guitars and basses.

That said, I'd suggest looking at the Charvel ProMod series. Currently they're made in Mexico at the same Fender plant that makes their Strats and Teles, so if you're familiar with and get along with those, you might look into them. However, I think most come with a double-locking Floyd, though there may be a hardtail and v-trem or two in there. I stopped following them just before they dropped the USA line, mostly because I cannot stand the feel of a Strat body. The necks are a dream to play, unless you're a narrow-nut/round-board Fender Puritan.

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: I see that there are a lot of people here who choose Ibanez Guitars, why?

I love Sabre's.. RG's = not so much (still better than a hell of a lot of other guitars out there)

My first guitar was a DT-250 Destroyer and it was awesome..

I really like the hardware (tremolo bridges: Lo-pro/ZR) on mine & their tone...but most of all the necks, they are fantastic. "Thumb over" players often complain about Wizard II necks ..but for me they're the best out there.

 

[uOpt]

Re: I see that there are a lot of people here who choose Ibanez Guitars, why?

Another thing that Ibanez did is offer a lot of tremolo variants. You can learn a lot about different tremolo systems by flipping a couple of Ibanez. For little money. I really applaud them for their efforts in trying to create good bridges and not just settle.

More amazingly, with very few exceptions their bridge designs work and are robust and still work today. There are some designs that easily lose parts, such as the string holders on rocker trems, but hey they are better without them anyway

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: I see that there are a lot of people here who choose Ibanez Guitars, why?

I had a very poor experience with their "customer service" some years ago so I cannot bring myself to ever recommend them, but they have made quite a few models that are respectable. I never had a problem with the product, but the company blew their one chance to serve a paying customer. If not for that, I'd probably have 26 Ibanez guitars and basses rather than 26 Charvel/Jackson guitars and basses.

That said, I'd suggest looking at the Charvel ProMod series. Currently they're made in Mexico at the same Fender plant that makes their Strats and Teles, so if you're familiar with and get along with those, you might look into them. However, I think most come with a double-locking Floyd, though there may be a hardtail and v-trem or two in there. I stopped following them just before they dropped the USA line, mostly because I cannot stand the feel of a Strat body. The necks are a dream to play, unless you're a narrow-nut/round-board Fender Puritan.

Well then you have been missing out on the good stuff Ibanez has thrown to our face since metal became cool again. I can't think of any guitar manufacturer whose innovative mindset comes at least second to Ibanez. It just keeps offering not only good stuff but stuff that make our life easier, from the ZPS tremolo to the sliding truss rod cover. How come nobody ever thought of that? Goodbye screwdriver.

I surely won't forgo any company's products especially if they are really, really good just because of bad customer service experience.

As for Charvel, I think it simply banks on 80s rock nostalgia. Their stuff basically are hot rodded Strats with candy colors. I have a So Cal by the way, but honestly, it just can't level RG Prestige. The original Edge is no doubt the best tremolo in terms of stability and smoothness, even better than the German OFR. The neck is satin smooth, I can go on forever.

 

[Mincer]

Re: I see that there are a lot of people here who choose Ibanez Guitars, why?

I don't know if Ibanez is more popular here than any other brand, but they are pretty big out there- guitars at all price ranges, in all kinds of styles, available everywhere. They also have a big advertising budget and some pretty big names that use them. With them, (like Fender), it makes sense to do research and know what you are getting. I like their semi hollows, but only a few of their solidbodies, but this is just personal choice. They make cool stuff. Avoid the really low end guitars (good advice for any brand) and you will be ok.

 

[uOpt]

Re: I see that there are a lot of people here who choose Ibanez Guitars, why?

Here is another reason why:

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: I see that there are a lot of people here who choose Ibanez Guitars, why?

I really want to like Ibanez–great quality, consistency and attention to detail–but just can never jive with them. The necks are typically too thin with flat boards for my preference. Fender American Standard "C" to Charvel ProMod "C" profiles are what I really like along with more of a 9.5"/12" Radius.

I really wanted to make my Prestiges work, I think the Prestige SZ2020TKF is the best looking guitar out there...hated to let mine go.

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[Lucy Diamond]

Re: I see that there are a lot of people here who choose Ibanez Guitars, why?

I have 3 old ones. For me (at least back then) it was all about Steve Vai.

I can say as far as my experience goes, my USA Custom is better than my Jems and my Old Jems are better than new ones.

So yeah...I like those old late 80's / early 90's Ibanez guitars. If I bought another one...it would maybe be either another Jem or maybe a Saber from that era.

They do everything though. And they sound great through most amps.