Talk to me about Ibanez.

[Artie]

This is sorta an extension of my JetKing GAS thread.

The more I look over the Ibanez website, the more I'm taken by the variety of seemingly inexpensive guitars that they have. Are these quality instruments? Any downside to these things?

Some of them are just gorgeous. Thanks all for any feedback.

Artie

 

[Chi3f]

Re: Talk to me about Ibanez.

for the most part they are quality guitars. I have the rg 550, my friend has a few of the universe 7 strings, he has an s series, and 2 JS200's. Everyone of them is an exellent player

the low end ibanez's i am not a huge fan of but still can get the job done specially with a pickup change :eyecrazy:

 

[take2]

Re: Talk to me about Ibanez.

I work at a music store where we carry Ibanez and I am constantly amazed at what they are doing for the price - everything from there solid bodies to hollow bodies play fantastic. Some of them could definitly benefit from a pick up change but the playability is there. I do not like their acoustics though - I think they sound very thin and cheap - just speaking for the ones I've played.

 

[Closed Eye]

Re: Talk to me about Ibanez.

Yeah, I was blown away by the Artcore AG85TRD.
The guitar was extremely playable and just a joy to listen to on the clean channel.
So is the JetKing, that's a fine piece of gear that I would recommend.
I used to really hate Ibanez, but I'm coming around...

 

[Leather Rebel]

Re: Talk to me about Ibanez.

I have a 1991 RG550 and it's been a very good axe. Plays easy and sounds good - even with the stock V2/S1/V1 pickups. No tuning problems with the Lo Pro Edge, either. Very versatile. I don't think I'd part with it...

 

[MDS]

Re: Talk to me about Ibanez.

As you can tell from my sig, I'm an Ibanez fan. They do something magic with their necks. At least to my hands. I've played a few of the low-end hollow and semi-hollows and they're pretty decent. The frets could be a a little better and I agree about the pickups, but generally speaking they play and sound good. As cheap as they are you could put new pups in(which everyone around here does with any guitar) and get any needed fret dressing done by a good tech and have an awesome axe for under $500. I don't think any manufacturer can beat that, IMO. A lot of this has to do with the neck profile for me though so as always, YMMV.

Mike

 

[darkshadow54321]

Re: Talk to me about Ibanez.

At my school, they keep buying Ibanez's.... all the ones they've bought are such huge pieces of #%^$&%#@@hy@$^& that it's put me off their guitars completely. Hopefully, this only applies to their low end models, otherwise it's quite terrifying. :S

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Talk to me about Ibanez.

Ibanez has never really appealed to me. I mean they're decent guitars but there's just somethin i don't like about 'em. I like the "vintage" look and feel of a Fender better than this modern stuff.

I did, however, play one of their newer semihollows and it seemed like a cheap alternative to the Gretsch design they're ripping off...

 

[drp555]

Re: Talk to me about Ibanez.

I have 3 Ibanez guiitars: JPM P2, S470 FM and AF-120.

The AF120 is really a good jazz guitar. I'm not much of a jazz/hollowbody player anymore, but it fit my needs very nicely when I was playing some jazz. The JPM is a higher end guitar with dimarzio pickups. It sounds great and is really meant for rock/progressive/metal as it was John Petrucci's sig model. The S470 is alright, but I need to change the PU's. It has the LoTRS bridge on it which sucks. This guitar was made in Korea, I believe that's where the low end Ibanez's are made, the higher end ones are made in Japan.
But I really don't play any of these guitars anymore. Except maybe the JPM. Of the 3, I only really like the neck on the JPM, it's excellent for shredding, but I think it is too thin. I spend most of my playing time with my strat, which I find more comfortable than any of my ibanez guitars. This is just my opinion though. Overall I think Ibanez does make qualtity stuff, they also make some junk. So just be aware.

 

[mmguz]

Re: Talk to me about Ibanez.

I have an rg 570 and for my situation is the best guitar for the price I could pay. I have duncans and sound amazing to me. And is the more comfortabe for playing guitar i ever play.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Talk to me about Ibanez.

I have a Rg570 from '96... Really nice, I like it a lot... the trem is cool, the wizard neck is awesome for soloing and riffing... the stock p/us aren't that bad either... great for the money iMO...

 

[Neeradj]

Re: Talk to me about Ibanez.

I have to admit I haven't looked into Ibanez untill I turned my back on expensive Gibsons. I was looking for a cheaper brand, which was able to give me top-notch materials (selective woods, durable hardware, tuning stability), a reasonable price and excellent playability. I didn't know many brands until last year, and we only have those well-prenounced brands like Gibson, Fender, Gretsch, Ibanez, Washburn, Epiphone, Squier and on some ocassions Dean, Jackson and LTD here in Holland. Ofcourse we have others, but they really aren't anywhere near as popular as these. I never cared much for Ibanez, until I heard Marty Friedman talk about his new SZ. It looked awesome! I ran through the Ibanez catalog and wow! I immediately put up several ads for Ibanez guitars I liked and could afford. I eventually got one of the best Ibanez's last years line-up had to offer in bolt-on Prestiges (Japanese made): The RG3120. I love it! The wizard neck is awesome (could be a little thicker though not too much), the sustain is incredible for a Floyd (Lo Pro Edge) equipped and bolt-on constructed guitar (almost as much as my Gibson). The body is heavy, yet not that big, which means they use very dense mahogany (the tone is also very dark, my JB sounds like it has very little treble in it). My verdict on Ibanez, is excellent, except I'm always open to try new things

 

[Artie]

Re: Talk to me about Ibanez.

I really appreciate the info so far everyone. Its nice to see some diversity of opinion. There's probably going to be an Ibanez in my near future, but I'm not so sure it will be the JetKing, at this point.

That AG75BS, sure looks real nice. (As do some others.)
I wonder how it would sound with some Alnico II Pro's . . . or dare I say,
some Benedetto A6's? :13:

 

[Biu]

Re: Talk to me about Ibanez.

I have a Prestige RG3120 and an SA160QM. Ibanez are my favorite guitars for older style heavy metal. Their semi-hollow bodies have gotten critical acclaim, though. I don't think I've heard ANYTHING bad about their semi-hollow bodies. And dropping in a set of SD's couldn't hurt

Hope you find "the one"!

-Biu :dance:

 

[tone4days]

Re: Talk to me about Ibanez.

yeah, as my sig shows, i am a believer too .. but it all depends on the one you have in your hands at the moment .. i've played some newer ones that were dogs and some older ones that were incredible (i still have GAS for a gb-10 i played in 1982) .. i'm in love with mine, but only after the pup swap

hope you find one you cant put down

cheers,
t4d

 

[Artie]

Re: Talk to me about Ibanez.

Hey Tone; do you recall which ones you thought were "dogs", and why? Just curious.

Also, how do you like the Duckbucker in the middle of your 540?

 

[strat_master]

Re: Talk to me about Ibanez.

Personally i feel that ibanez guitars are just tooo modern for me, ive always been more into the classic type fo guityars such as the fender strat, or tele, les pauls and sgs thos kidna of guitras..something about ibanez screams metal andim not a huge metal fan with the exception of a few bands. Anotehr metal guitar that seems common you might say would be PRs, but i still find them somewhat calssy, unliek ibanez guitars.

 

[Mr Wolf]

Re: Talk to me about Ibanez.

My friend has a really nice RG with DiMarzio Evolutions. Its made in Japan, very well made, has a nice Wizard neck which feels very fast. The Licenced Floyd is one of the low profile ones, very stable. Can't really fault it, it sounds awesome and he got an amazing deal for it off music123. I've played other RGs aswell, all were good instruments. Good stuff seems to be out there, but ive heard some things about ibanez putting cheap hardware on some models, so be on the lookout.

 

[Artie]

Re: Talk to me about Ibanez.

Personally i feel that ibanez guitars are just tooo modern for me, ive always been more into the classic type fo guityars such as the fender strat, or tele, les pauls and sgs thos kidna of guitras..something about ibanez screams metal andim not a huge metal fan with the exception of a few bands. Anotehr metal guitar that seems common you might say would be PRs, but i still find them somewhat calssy, unliek ibanez guitars.

I feel almost exactly the same way, but the Ibbies I'm looking at don't strike me as metal-ish that much. Right now, I have two Strats, and a Strat-wannabe, so I'ld like something . . . "different".

Here's the current line-up of Ibbies I'm considering:

That second one is edging out the JetKing as my latest GASser.
(BTW - If you notice, I like hardtails.)

 

[Cory_Dylan]

Re: Talk to me about Ibanez.

That second one is edging out the JetKing as my latest GASser.

yea i like the second one to, can you picture it with some covered or zebra duncans :32: some gold hardware