NGD: They put these at the top of the pile..

[Phantasmagoria]

Awesome things are worth waiting for...this came in yesterday after a five day transit.

What can I say? ..another beautiful, flawless, amazing sounding/playing/looking Ibanez Sabre in absolutely immaculate/as new condition like the seller promised :bigthumb:

The whammy bar was still sealed in it's plastic bag as was the multi-tool. Even the case (really nice one) looked like it just came out of the factory yesterday..

This Sabre # 12 for me counting my three SA's & my two seven-string Sabre's...and it's my first Sabre Prestige...

These were recorded right out of the box...cuz tuning was absolutely perfect & it played like butter..

Pup's sound and feel absolutely STELLAR...really excellent one's, sweet & clear & dynamic, though I have yet to check out the neodymium single-coil in the middle..

"Hot Grinder" bridge (Ceramic)

"Hot Grinder" neck (Alnico 5)

Specifications - Ibanez S5470Q Prestige

Model name: S5470Q
Year(s) offered: 2011–2014
Sold in: Worldwide
Made in: Japan
Finish(es): Sapphire Blue (SPB) 2011–2013 / Wild Cherry Blossom (WCB) 2011–2013 / Regal Brown Burst (RBB) 2012–2014
Body type: Solid body
Body material: Mahogany w/ quilted maple top
Neck joint: AANJ
Bridge: ZR2 tremolo w/ ZPS3 stabilizer
Knob style: Gotoh VK1-19
Hardware color: Cosmo black
Neck type: Super Wizard HP Prestige w/ KTS titanium rods
Neck material: 5-piece maple/ walnut
Fingerboard material: Rosewood w/ binding
Fingerboard inlays: Off-set pearl dot / S Prestige at 12th fret
Frets: 24 / jumbo nickel silver
Nut: Barless Top-Lok (43mm)
Machine heads: Gotoh SG381 (non-locking)
Electronics/ Strings Pickup configuration: HSH
Bridge pickup: Ibanez Hot Grinder 2 (H) Ceramic
Middle pickup: Ibanez Short Tracer 2 (S) Neodymium
Neck pickup: Ibanez Hot Grinder 1 (H) Alnico V
Controls: Master volume / master tone / 5-way lever pickup selector
Output jack: ¼" stereo barrel (angled face mount)
String gauge (factory): .009/.011/.016/.024/.032/.042
Factory tuning: 1E,2B,3G,4D,5A,6E (E Std.)

 

[Phantasmagoria]

....and w/ the neodymium single coil in the middle..

Clearly, this axe passes the all-important shred test w/ flying colours :bigthumb:

Apparently the reason they put a neodymium pup in the middle is so it could be adjusted way low (top of pup) almost flush w/ the surface of the body ...so it does'nt get in the way while picking (a complaint some players have w/ middle pup's), while still sounding full & being able to match the other pup's in terms of output/volume.

And while I'm not a fanboy & do have plenty of other guitars ^^ that's the sort of thinking that sets Ibanez apart from the rest. They're constantly doing/developing/coming up w/ cool idea's like that... (as opposed to changing the pickguard shape/colour every few years like some other companies do for "innovation"..)

Anyways the neodymium pup 'sounds' pretty sweet as well which is the main thing ...& yes, it balances absolutely perfectly with the neck & bridge pups in terms of fullness & volume..

I spent a bit of time w/ it yesterday. When I wasn't playing it, I had it on a stand & was gaping at it.... cuz man it's absolutely beautiful :lmao:


It cost about 3/4 of what the brand new Indonesian Sabre "Premium" I just bought did, is in as good (ie, like new) condition & came w/ a case as well....so yeah. Great deal on it :bigthumb:

In terms of overall quality, workmanship. finish, tone, playability etc. it's as I thought it would be.. ****ing excellent, but completely comparable/on par with the Premium. Neither "blows the other away" or stands out as being more solid/"better" in any way. They're both completely flawless instruments made to exactly the same super-high standard & worth way more than what they charge for them (imo) :bigthumb:


And yes they are both built to SHRED

 

[ehdwuld]

Uh Maan I love those things

Tel me more bout the hot grinder 1 and 2

Say it slow with deep voice with a haunting attitude

Are they the same wind just with different magnets

What do the taste like. You know you did

Tell us

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Eh, those clips up there are there so I don't have to tell you about them :lmao:

Now don't let it be said that I'm callous... I understand the hot (Grinder) anticipation you feel ...so listen to the clips

....btw everything I say is with a deep voice & haunting attitude :bigthumb:

like so...

 

[Phantasmagoria]

I think I might put some new strings on it tomorrow cuz I'm assuming the one's on it right now have been there from the get go...

They don't look rusty or cruddy but they are an abnormally dark grey in colour..

Meanwhile, some more noodling (mid-paced) w/ the neck pup..

An axe like this should be played not locked away in it's case :bigthumb:

And I'm just the guy to do that

 

[DankStar]

Dang killer finish! Is it thin like the old 540 sabres?

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Thanks!

..& yep, wafer thin.....The exact same thing (I have a 540 too) :bigthumb:

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Same thing with my S09LTD Sabre (Indo-made w/ the same tremolo bridge)

 

[treyhaislip]

Killer guitar! Those Prestiges are extremely high quality and excellent players. Enjoy! :headbang:

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Thanks!

..and yes excellent guitars indeed. I do have an ash RG Prestige already & it's another great guitar......but Sabre's are my thing. So I'm glad I have this one now as well :bigthumb:

 

[Phantasmagoria]

And more neoclassical melancholia w/ my my other new Sabre... (every bit as sweet an axe as the Prestige)

Air Norton neck...

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Actually I could'nt be happier to have got so lucky w/ this Prestige. If I'd bought a new one (the pockmarked/lacewood top one that's current production..not bad but I was'nt crazy about the look of it tbh, at least not the one I saw) I'd have just ended up with yet another Air Norton/Tone Zone equipped guitar (got 4 already) ..and much as I like that combo, I do prefer variety ..the Hot Grinder's turned out to be pretty darned sweet!

This one being in the immaculate condition it was in was just a godsend....not only did I save a few bucks on an 'as good as brand new' top-notch guitar but I got a great sounding axe that does'nt sound like every other higher end Ibanez that's out there today (w/ the A. Norton/Tone Zone combo) & it looks spectacular too..I mean.. look at that bookmarking for the top :eek2::clap: :32:

 

[Phantasmagoria]

And now to check out the new Prestige with some SS awesomeness :bigthumb:

Ballad w/ the bridge/middle (notch) pup's..

....Is the tone awesome? ...yes, it ****ing is (if I do say so myself :laugh2

 

[Phantasmagoria]

And more of the same ..this time w/ the neck-middle (notch) :bigthumb:

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Also what's with all these pup's going into harmonic sustain/overdrive when you hold/bend an extended note? Is it a Dimarzio thing? ...I mean I like it ..it's awesome, but it does'nt happen with my Duncan's much...sometimes the Custom 5..

OK technically these are Ibanez's own "Hot Grinder's" but eh...they're going to practically be Dimarzio's and that's what they respond/sound/feel like.

 

[Phantasmagoria]

7:00+ mins of jamming w/ the new Sabre (bridge pup) over a trippy ambient kinda track...

Cuz time flies when your'e having fun :bigthumb:

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Canon Rock improv w/ the Hot Grinder bridge....

Shred, squeals, screams, tapping, arp's etc....it turns everything out like a champ :bigthumb:

 

[Phantasmagoria]

S Prestige Vs. RG Prestige...


Canon Rock improv...

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Time to take a step down.... (From Japan to Indonesia) cuz what a difference that makes :laugh2:


Canon rock yet again w/ my Jem Woody Premium :bigthumb:

 

[Phantasmagoria]

...and another Indo Premium..

I think they keep up pretty nicely :bigthumb: