Ibanez SZ quality differences

[Eddie J.]

well, there are few set neck models avaliable:

SZ320
SZ520
SZ720

besides the inlays, bindings and finish...is there any other technical differences affecting tone and playing?

I`m planing to buy one full mahogany bodied, without maple front... (there is only SZ320 without maple top), but i will skip it if SZ520 is a better guitar.


thanks

 

[smauk43]

Re: Ibanez SZ quality differences

That is the only difference I'm aware of. I played all three and bought the 320 to save the cash. I didn't like the inlays on the 5 or 720 anyway. Great guitar for the money. Pickups got swapped out eventually, but everything else compared to much higher dollar guitars.

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: Ibanez SZ quality differences

They might have better wood quality on the higher-end models, but that's a big might.

 

[bloodswords]

Re: Ibanez SZ quality differences

i own the SZ320 & Prestige 2020

why 320? i prefer the dot inlays & the stained oil finish of the MH version. the differences between the 320/ 520/ 720 are cosmetics. the flame top on the 520/ 720 are laminates so not much tonal enhancements there.

 

[Eddie J.]

Re: Ibanez SZ quality differences

thanks guys,

that was exactly what i wanted to hear

 

[wildstar]

Re: Ibanez SZ quality differences

I love the SZs. I think you nailed it - the price difference comes from inlays, finish, binding, etc. Eye candy stuff.

I think tone wood quality is hit or miss - at this price, it's not like there's some guy tapping on the blocks of mahogany to find just the right piece for the more expensive models. They just throw whatever chunk of wood they have into the saw and go!

Just play as many as you can and pick the one that sounds best unplugged or with a straight clean tone. Definitely drop in some Duncans - the stock pups are... unexciting.

Killer guitars, especially for the $.

 

[sac]

Re: Ibanez SZ quality differences

Ditto to everything everyone else has stated. I owned the 320 and 520, the difference being the inlays and maple cap. To bad they changed the pickups to duncan designed in 2005. Those IBZ stock pickups are the real deal!

 

[Eddie J.]

Re: Ibanez SZ quality differences

sac, how thick is that maple cap on 520 ?

 

[Diego]

Re: Ibanez SZ quality differences

sac, how thick is that maple cap on 520 ?

It's a layer, actually, not a cap. Very very thin.

 

[Eddie J.]

Re: Ibanez SZ quality differences

veneers....bah.

great for having that cleared.



the main reason why i plan to get 320MH is because i want to do a paint job on it (a wax/oil job, to be more precise) and i think it`s going to be easier to get rid of its finish, than a poly coat on regular 320.

so, here goes another Q :scratchch
maybe somebody knows what kind of technique was used to get that dark red satin finish on that MH model? Is it firstly painted than waxed, or the wax/oil was tinted, or what?

 

[Eddie J.]

Re: Ibanez SZ quality differences

now, check this out:

this is said to be SZ320 that showed pretty thick quilted maple top.

and in specs on ibanez site for black SZ320 stands "mahogany body".

I guess this explains why some guys said that they wouldn`t argue if someone told them it`s a maple/mahogany guitar.

here`s a link :
(mid of page)

http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/discus/messages/6484/6523.html?1116363049

 

[Diego]

Re: Ibanez SZ quality differences

Damn!

I'll take back what I said.

 

[sac]

Re: Ibanez SZ quality differences

Eddie, back a couple of years ago they made the 320 in a natural finish. Not sure if they still do or not.

 

[sac]

Re: Ibanez SZ quality differences

Curiosity drove me to look at my 2005 Ibanez catalog. They have a SZ320MHWBR. This is an unfinished mahogany body with no cap.

 

[Eddie J.]

Re: Ibanez SZ quality differences

yeah, that one would be damn perfect!

Thanks sac, I`ll check that out with my dealer again, they offered me only to order SZ320MH.



this black 320 is really a giveaway.

 

[sidoody]

Re: Ibanez SZ quality differences

i own the SZ320 & Prestige 2020

why 320? i prefer the dot inlays & the stained oil finish of the MH version. the differences between the 320/ 520/ 720 are cosmetics. the flame top on the 520/ 720 are laminates so not much tonal enhancements there.

how much of a difference is there between the 320 and the 2020?

i was thinking about getting the 320 but now im thinking about waiting till a 2020 pops up on ebay/craigslist/trading posts

and how much did u pay for your 2020??

thanks.

 

[bloodswords]

Re: Ibanez SZ quality differences

i got it for about USD800. the original SZ2020 has been discontinued, the 2007 reincarnation has a pair of EMGs in it, which is a love/ hate affair.

 

[danglybanger]

Re: Ibanez SZ quality differences

My singer has 3 of the fancier ones with the flame top and err inlay...

guy colored in the inlays with sharpie and managed to snap the necks off two of em. :smack: All have the flame painted over in flat gold...

and the control area is crunched in.

had I a desire to play something with humbuckers... it wouldn't be such a bad axe.

 

[stangme01]

Re: Ibanez SZ quality differences

That sz320 is VERY bright for not having a maple cap.

Also i had a couple of those SZs the 2020 is very nice, the 7/5/320 are just okay guitars IMO, you can get better guitars for the same price.