NUGD 2003 Ibanez SZ320

[teleblooz]

Stopped by the pawn shop to see if they had anything new. Big mistake! Spotted a cool looking Ibanez. The mahogany body grabbed me first, then I noticed it was a set neck and it was sporting a pair of railhammer pickups. Never tried the railhammers, but have been interested in hearing them.

It was marked at $200.00, so I asked if they would go lower. Nice young salesman said "Make me an offer". I offered $100.00 and he said "Could you do $110.00 out the door"? Well, my 'no more guitars until I get several others sold' mantra quickly went out the window.

From the serial number it's a 1993 model and from what I gather, it's a SZ320 in 'weathered brown' finish.... which is basically an oil finish over mahogany. Mahogany is my favorite body wood and just an oil or true oil Stain is one of my favorite finish's, so it's lovely to look at.

The action feels wonderful and the neck is fat and flat. Right now, the strings are so bad, they look to be from 2003!!

I have yet to have a moment to clean it up, re-string, photograph and plug it in, but hope to this afternoon.

Anyone familiar with this particular model?

 

[Diego]

Re: NUGD 2003 Ibanez SZ320

Hey man! Congratulations!

Got a couple of SZ at the moment, my favorite cheap Ibanez ever by a countrymile. You stole it at that price!
These guitars are very solid overall, and they sound great.
They love fat sounding pickups though, don't be mistaken. They might be made of mahogany but they sound nothing like a Les Paul or something. Much more bite and treble, I'd stay away from bright pickups.

They're just very spartan and utilitarian. A bone nut, fresh strings and it will be reliable and dependable.
What's with those pickups you got? I'm curious. Please make sure to share.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: NUGD 2003 Ibanez SZ320

Pretty sure those guitars weren't around in '93. It should be an '03. Nice find! Congrats. I used to have one of those. I miss it sometimes.

And yes, I agree with Diego. Mine was pretty bright indeed.

 

[teleblooz]

Re: NUGD 2003 Ibanez SZ320

Oops, yes 2003. Thanks Rex and thanks Diego. Can't wait to get it going and play/hear it. I just looked at the railhammer site and they have several models. Hope they are the lower output models as I generally gravitate towards Seth's, Imperial Low Winds, Ant's, etch. However, I'm going to approach this one with an open ear. Good to hear they are quality instruments. I've had my share of Ibanez guitars over the years and even the budget models (with a proper set up, of course!) have ben stellar.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: NUGD 2003 Ibanez SZ320

Those SZ's were particularly good, IMO. They were made by World Musical Instruments in Korea by the same dudes that make Schecter, LTD Deluxe, PRS SE, and some of the most praised Korean guitars.

Those were really an oddball when it comes to Ibanez. Set neck, mahogany body, thick (but comfy) neck profile. Man, makes me really wish I still had that guitar.

The bridge was great too. Like a more comfy, wider-spaced tune-o. Great guitars!

 

[Chistopher]

Re: NUGD 2003 Ibanez SZ320

Neat guitar, too me the SZ series just screams "backup guitar", and I mean that as a compliment. Good build quality, durable, and you don't have to worry about getting it stolen.

My rythmn guitarist got one and put a JB/Custom A2 in both the neck and bridge of one of those back when the hybrid craze started.

Definitely a solid ax.

 

[Kac]

Re: NUGD 2003 Ibanez SZ320

Sounds awesome, post pics!

 

[teleblooz]

Re: NUGD 2003 Ibanez SZ320

Having issues with the computer, so will have to do pics from the wife's laptop. Coming soon! I did get the old strings off and took the pups out to see what they are, It's Railhammers Chisel set. I have yet to plug it in, but read a few reviews. Seem to be well thought of.

 

[teleblooz]

Re: NUGD 2003 Ibanez SZ320

Oh yeah, forgot to say it also has a nice set of Grover mini locking tuners. The screw holes line up perfectly with the stock tuner holes... pretty cool.
Looks like factory tuners. 2 yr old Grandson is here , so ill have to wait a bit to string it up.

 

[6stringerguy]

Re: NUGD 2003 Ibanez SZ320

Have an black sz320 and it’s pretty good, definitely compares to guitars in the 600/700 dollar range if you get it setup well and upgrade the pickups, I’m going to put either a set of warpigs or a JB/Jazz set.
I got mine for 135 with a hardcase.
I think everyone should try one, has a flat radius of a regular Ibanez and the s-type shape but then LP style features like a set neck, fat neck and thick hefty mahogany body.

 

[Diego]

Re: NUGD 2003 Ibanez SZ320

Yeah, my new blue SZ has pretty good fretwork and it plays better than all my other guitars.
My black SZ was my #1 for many years and the frets are shot. I'll refret it with jumbos eventually.

If I ever have a custom guitar built, I'll give the luthier one of my SZs and I'll make him/her do that, just better.

 

[teleblooz]

Re: NUGD 2003 Ibanez SZ320

Man, I love hearing all these good things about this guitar. Grandson just left, so I'm drained. He's attached at my hip and I can't even leave the house, let alone the room, when he's here. Of course, I love it, but can't get a damn thing done!

As others have stated, the neck is quite unique. Huge, flat, wide and oh so comfortable.... and that was with the shot strings. I bough this with the intention of a quick flip, but may have to play it for a week or so before selling it. I sure like the look and feel of it though.

Pictures and a review of how it sounds (with the Railhammers) and (with a new set of strings) plays tomorrow morning. Grandson ran this old farts ragged today!

 

[BloodRose]

Re: NUGD 2003 Ibanez SZ320

WOW!!!! Amazing deal!! Ive always liked those. Didnt fit any need for me, so always passed. But for $110... Id have snagged it too!! Man... Makes me guess they prolly gave some sap $50-75 for it.. Congrats!!!

 

[teleblooz]

Re: NUGD 2003 Ibanez SZ320

OK, got it cleaned, re-strung and checked the wiring. Nice to see full size pots. First off, this guitar has a fantastic neck. Very comfortable and like every Ibanez I've owned, the intonation up and down the neck is fabulous. The volume and tone controls have a vey nice taper and basically, this guitar is a tone bomb!

The Railhammers are ceramic models. The neck pickup (where I hang out 90% of the time) is very nice and quite responsive to playing dynamics. Like a great, old PAF style pickup with a bit more kick. The bridge is more of a rock machine than I'm used to, but it too is nice and i's easy to dial in a good old honk tone. All in all, I'm quite impressed with this guitar and big kudos's to whoever pawned it. He obviously knew what tone he was going for with the Rails and they fit this guitar perfectly.

With a bit of dirt ala a sweet Snouse Blues Box 2, it's freaking blues heaven with the neck pickup. Harmonics literally pop off the fretboard when using the bridge pickup.... nice.

This would be an easy guitar to keep and I can see why most speak so highly of this model. If I wasn't so entrenched with my beloved Tele partscaster, this could be my #1 quite easily. I know, pic's or it didn't happen! Coming soon... coming soon.

 

[Nightburst]

Re: NUGD 2003 Ibanez SZ320

Pictures or it didn't happen

 

[teleblooz]

Re: NUGD 2003 Ibanez SZ320

OK, pic's finally added to the original post. As you can see, it's a beauty. The more I play this guitar, the harder it is to let go! Right now, I really dig the Railhammer pickups. However, final judgement (if I do decide to keep it) will have to wait until next week. I want to see how it fares in a live situation. I believe it's going to do just fine however!

I was just playing "Fool For Your Stocking's" and it easily aped that sweet, glassy, almost acoustic lead tone. These pickups easily express the emotional content and dynamics of my playing style. I like that!

In the middle position, playing with the volume control levels for each pickup while applying a few gentle twists of the master tone control produced a wealth of delicious tones. It may be wired out of phase, ala Peter Green and due to the professional quality of the pickup installation, I'll assume it was intentional. I'll have to open the back again and check to see if their is anything special going on. Anyway, it's pretty cool and versatile.

 

[6stringerguy]

Re: NUGD 2003 Ibanez SZ320 Pic's added!

Re: NUGD 2003 Ibanez SZ320 Pic's added!

Dig the natural look, I just bought a Natural Ibanez Baritone with the SZ body contour but will be a few months till I can have since it’s in another country and shipping would cost a fortune

 

[teleblooz]

Re: NUGD 2003 Ibanez SZ320

I too, dig the natural look 6tringerguy. That organic, natural look draws me in every tie! Hey man, cool bans on the Bari. I'll look forward to your tone report. Bari's are so much fun to play and add so much to a track or live situation. When I think Baritone, my feeble brain locks on to "I am a lineman for the county" and I hear that lovely Daneloectro Baritone with a bit of reverb and term doing that sweet line.

I've had great luck with Ibanez electrics over the years. Out of the (literally ) hundreds of guitars that have passed through my hands since I was bitten with guitar fever in the mid 60's, only one has been brand new. I pretty much go the used route when it comes to gear. I've posted about it before, but in my search for a 335 semi hollow, I fell in love with a beautiful 1981 Ibanez AS-200. Moved, grooved and did what was needed to get it in my hands. It was stolen 2 years later. I've had several real 335's, several Guild Starfires, (killer instruments) several Epiphone semis, a set Hohner, a Dempsey and perhaps 5-6 various other semi's. The AS-200 was by far the best feeling, best playing and best sounding of them all. A 67 335 with pat # pickups was close, but a different tone/feel altogether.

Anyway, I've had two AF-75's, a super sweet AK96, two Jet King's, a red strat from the early 80's, a Tallman, a Roadster bass and a couple others I can't remember at the moment. The AK96 had the most amazing neck. The craftsmanship and feel of these guitars actually surpass many instruments I've had that sell for double. This SZ320 is no exception. It amazes me how consistently good Ibanez guitars are.

 

[6stringerguy]

Re: NUGD 2003 Ibanez SZ320 Pic's added!

Re: NUGD 2003 Ibanez SZ320 Pic's added!

Ibanez SZ320, use it for Drop D, D, Drop C and C
Super great value 130 with hardshell case, am going to put a JB/jazz or some warpigs.
Great player especially for stoner/sludge riffs

Ibanez RGIT20FE Neck thru, use it for Drop C, C and Drop B
This was my First good guitar
originally had 81/60 set swapped those to Blackouts, Mick Thomson in the Bridge with Jeff Loomis in the neck.
Ash body wings with maple and walnut neck, sadly don’t play this much since there’s a problem with the electronics (feedback on the neck pickup, hum on the bridge pickup and a unhappy output jack)
Use it for Prog, Death thrash, ETC
Will put some BareKnuckle Ragnaroks or a Nazgul/sentient set in this if it’s a pup fault.

Most recent acquisition Ibanez XPT700 this was a steal too, 375 I believe with the case.
Plays pretty good, nice trem but the dimarzio d activator bridge pickup is exactly what I’m after so may put a X2N in it,
Use this for playing Pantera and Death riffs pretty much exclusively

Haven’t got this yet so this is just a google search image but it’s an Ibanez MMM1
Basically a baritone SZ with a 28 inch scale
Mine has been upgraded with Blackouts.

 

[teleblooz]

Re: NUGD 2003 Ibanez SZ320

Nice guitars you got there 6stringer.