Ibanez Fireman

[JB_From_Hell]

I've been interested in these for awhile, partly because I love Paul Gilbert and his goofball humor, mostly because they're awesome. Recently acquired an FRM300PR, the current version that's purple with 3 of Paul's signature DiMarzio mini humbuckers. I really, really like it, plays like butter, sets up however you like, and is a goofy shaped guitar that balances really well.

The PG-13 pickups are fantastic. Three of them with a 5 way in a guitar with a set 24.75" neck works really well, kind of a muscled up, slinky feeling Strat with a good amount of GIbson DNA mixed in. The neck is huge, and once I deglossed it, feels awesome. The profile is hand filling huge, not unwieldy huge. I think the beefy neck has a lot to do with the guitar's fat tone.

I'd love to post pics, but the forum isn't cooperating. Here's a link if anyone isn't famililar: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...42up5iMy-L_5vGINu5RoC7ccQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Very cool, how's the build quality? I like how they recessed the bridge and tailpiece, and sound from what I've heard is somewhere between a Strat and an SG. Like you, I wouldn't be able to degloss the neck fast enough!

I believe Paul's personal ones have even thicker necks; for regular production they slimmed them a bit, as he thought people would b!tch about the fatness.

 

[NegativeEase]

If you buy that guitar -you HAVE TO BRING THE RIFFS.

No f*ckin around JB.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

^ thanks for posting the pic. I'm working on playing "Scarified" up to tempo.

Build quality is great. The fret work is good enough to put the action wherever you want, tuners feel smoother than some on much more expensive guitars I've had. The quick change tail piece is awesome... absolutely no complaints about anything. Actually, the treble side corner of the nut is a little sharp, so I need to spent 5 seconds with a file to round it off. I picked up a demo model, so I didn't pay the full $1099 price, but like I said, no complaints. This isn't my first higher priced Chinese made guitar, and I'm 100% over being apprehensive about that.

I have it strung 11-52, tuned down 1/2 step, and it really lends itself to just about anything. Heavy stuff, bluesy stuff, twangy stuff, it all sounds great.

Also, I put white Cliplock strap ends on it, which look awesome.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Good to hear everything's on point. I haven't tried a Fireman, but it's cool that they've been offered with a bunch of different pu configs over the years (we need to see a P90 one still , though Ibanez made Paul one).

While Paul's been a hardtail guy for a long time, one with a whammy would be pretty sweet too, like his custom with a Lo Pro.

 

[Hsb]

Love the Iceman shape, whether in its original format or flipped like the Fireman.

Only thIng I see on the Fireman, that I prefer in my Iceman is the heel joint. The Fireman almost looks like a bolt on at the joint.

Gotta love the purple on the Fireman. Did you put a magnet under the pickguard like Paul has on his for a slide?

 

[Wattage]

I've owned a bunch of Iceman and I keep looking at the Fireman, they're total fun

I love the one PG has finished like a popular Japanese tea label

he's a kook but what a monster

 

[PFDarkside]

I’d love the whole collection! Also unlike other signature guitars it doesn’t smack non-guitarists over the head. Like if you show up with an SRV Strat, a Zakk Les Paul or a Frankie, it’s obviously what’s (supposed to be) going on.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

I’d love the whole collection!

I’d like to get at least the Injector loaded pickguard to swap in sometimes.

Also unlike other signature guitars it doesn’t smack non-guitarists over the head.

Agreed. I feel similarly about my Petrucci sig. They’re both killer playing/sounding/looking guitars that work in just about any situation.

Really a topic for another thread, but I scratch my head when people try to come up with oddball pickup combos or designs to be really versatile. Aside from the JP and my PRS, all my other guitars are very different from one another, but I could use any of them for whatever.

 

[Mincer]

I've played these guitars, and they play well. They do look ridiculous on me, as they are made for people Paul's height.

 

[Ayrton]

Always loved the Iceman (wish I had bought a J Yuenger) and Paul’s take on it is equally cool. I wouldn’t mind picking up a FRM-250

 

[JB_From_Hell]

For those of you who have owned an Iceman, how's the balance? With the enormous headstock, seems like it might be pretty neck heavy.

 

[Hsb]

The 1994 Iceman I have is really well balanced, I think the large rear of the guitar really helps balance the bigger headstock. When I have it on a strap, there is absolutely no neck dive and sits in whatever position I put it in until I move it around, usually headstock pointed slightly upward. For being as big as it is and being mahogany/maple its not a heavy guitar at all.

 

[ICTGoober]

I played an Iceman long ago, but have never owned one. I'd like to. I'd like to try out a Fireman, too - fat necks appeal to me.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

I love the one PG has finished like a popular Japanese tea label

It's sake! Complete with bottle cap knobs.

 

[PFDarkside]

It's sake! Complete with bottle cap knobs.

That’s super cool.

 

[Securb]

For those of you who have owned an Iceman, how's the balance? With the enormous headstock, seems like it might be pretty neck heavy.

The body is mahogany so it is very balanced. Here are my two babies. I have had the silver one since I was 16ish.

 

[Securb]

Have any of you seen the original the 76 Steve Miller model

 

[jeremy]

ive never seen one in person, thats the one with the weird pup right?

 

[Ashurbanipal]

^^ The silver one is sick - Rev. Billy G eat your heart out.

The triple coil (Super 70 with an extra coil) is a rare bird indeed. From what I've read they made less than 100 in total. They even made one where you could slide the pu between the neck and bridge for different tones. The duckbill headstock we all identify with Ibanez was first put on this guitar, but with 3+3 tuner arrangement. Iirc, the guitar was originally dubbed the Artist (model 2663), a kind of blanket designation they used for higher end instruments.

Lovely monsters. Sound very good through a cranked old Marshall .