Crooked Prestige

S-man · #1 07-23-2006, 08:53 PM

Notice how the trem, route, and bridge pickup lineup.

It's hard to capture with my camera. But it IS crooked.

I expected more from a prestige.

It's a s2170. I got it from guitar center. It is a poplar burl top.

A S2170FWNTF to be exact.

It does stay in tune and plays fairly well, even though it's crooked. It is the ZR trem.

The gap between the posts and trem route is differant on each side. And... if you look at the cam (the area where the ball bearings are) it is misaligned on the high E side. Plus, the intonation adjustment (factory) is maxed on that side as well. That is not to say that the pickup ring isn't slightly off too. That whole area.. route, bridge pickup, and trem is slightly out of whack.

I should have noticed it before I accepted it. Geuss I'll just blame myself.. for not checking it close enough. Live and learn. Though.. I have lived long enough that I should have already learned.

I went to guitar center with the S2170....to see what they would say about this.

S-man · #2 07-23-2006, 08:55 PM

They saw that the trem IS crooked. The pickup ring is slightly off as well. Though they saw the trem off more than the pickup. I am kinda suprised that guitar center employees were able to see this.

One guy did say...."Well, sometimes they mount them crooked". Like they are supposed to be that way. But ...fortunately someone with half common sense was there as well.

They offered to send it back to Ibanez...which is fair. No guaruntee as to what, if anything, would be done.

They did say if it was within 60 days they would have been able to do more. I got the guitar in april. It isn't my only guitar..... so that seems like a long time, but it really isn't, at least for me.

While they were examining it they almost hit the back of neck against the metal trim of the case. I had to physically block the carnage.

Which is why I'm cautious about sending it back to Ibanez to repair something that isn't really repairable. For Prestige Spec.

Will it be damaged further (dents, dings, scratches) ?

Even if it survives the trip and handling unharmed, will it really be fixed. Or... will it just turn into a nightmare. Well.... call me a skeptic.

I'm not selling it. I'm not going to stick someone else. Directly or indirectly. So.. I'll just think about sending it back to Ibanez to repair something that cannot be fixed properly without replacement.

Maybe I'll just keep it and use it as a workhorse.

Chalk it up to... one of those things. If nothing else I learned something ......

Which... I pass on to my fellow Jemsiters.

Rich · #3 07-23-2006, 08:58 PM

The marvells of Korean production.

sirbrandon101 · #4 07-23-2006, 08:59 PM

Sorry to hear about that. Keep us updated, it'd be interesting to know what Ibanez will do about this.

dangomles · #5 07-23-2006, 09:01 PM

Well, if it plays well, and stays in tune ,keep it as a workhorse, plus, you have other guitars

sniperfrommars1 · #6 07-23-2006, 09:07 PM

That is a shame, but you honestly have to look hard to tell whats wrong. I would notice it during setup due to the high e saddle being allt he way forward but otherwise It would probably pass most general inspections. Im curious to see if rich has seen anything like this?

Imho if it intonates and plays correctly theirs nothign wrong with using it like it is. Ibanez would have to remount the tremolo system a bit but im not sure how successful they would be this would require some major woodwork and in the end would it really be anything better?

buddroyce · #7 07-23-2006, 09:10 PM

If everyone recalls, Ibanez had the same problem with the Japanese made UV777BK's when they came out.

Interesting how history kinda repeats itself.

S-man · #8 07-23-2006, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

The marvells of Korean production.

Well... looks like rich has already has chimed in.

Actually, I should have just tried to convince rich to get me a good one with his legendary setup. I wonder if he would?

I'd like to get another one that is correct. I really like the S. I have a old 1990 S540ltd that I've had since new. I love that guitar. That's why I got this.

Next guitar is from Ibanez Rules.

Rich · #9 07-23-2006, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddroyce

If everyone recalls, Ibanez had the same problem with the Japanese made UV777BK's when they came out.

Interesting how history kinda repeats itself.

The problem with the UV's was missaligned pickguards causing trem interference.

Rich · #10 07-23-2006, 09:27 PM

The trem isn;'t out far enough to be any problem, and obviously not that noticeable. The mounting ring is more noticeable, but it's a 3 hole fill and rescrew away from correct. Unfortunately that'll probably leave an impressed line in the clear.

**elcid** · #11 07-23-2006, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

The marvells of Korean production.

I wish I could make this my signature next time theres a big debate thread about whether or not the country a guitar is made in has any relation to the quality of said guitar.

S-man · #12 07-23-2006, 10:18 PM

Well...the biggest problem with the trem mounting is the ballbearing pivot point misalignment.

I noticed the pickup ring long ago....figured I would just live with it.... I will.

But I noticed other things that are more cosmetic. For example, if you look closely at the binding on the body. You can see were the glue was applied excessively and/or not cleaned up properly before the natural flat finish was applied.

To be even more anal, if possible, I noticed sanding marks in the top below the finish. Like it was scuffed with too coarse of grit. You have to look close, but it's there. I kinda expected that to a degree with the nature of the poplar burl top material.

And...the beloved 5pc prestige neck actually has a small, harmless, little, tiny dip somewhere in it. I saw it once and felt it a couple times. Once again... hard to find, but worth noting. No biggie.

I geuss I'm just feeling that it's not prestige quality and thought I would share that.

Though, it was fairly inexpensive.

If it were a S520EX or less it would be differant.

At the same time, my old 16 year old S540LTD has never had any issues.

OH... I'm sorry, the nut for the tremelo barrel came loose once. That's more of a maintenance issue, then a problem.

S-man · #13 07-23-2006, 10:35 PM

I could mention other petty issues..but I won't bore all of you with the details. Maybe I'm too picky.

Somehow....I still like it.

jemplayer55 · #14 07-23-2006, 10:39 PM

I think I would ask the Guitar Center to contact the Ibanez rep. and meet with him. See if they will replace or fix the guitar. If the bridge adjustment is max'd out and you decide to change string gauge/ action height it may not be enough to compensate. They should do something especially if you have other Ibanez guitars and are a returning customer. Bottom line..... you paid for something with a factory defect/flaw. I would also e-mail Ibanez and let them know your intentions. Doubtful..... but who knows, you may end up with something better. I had an issue with a Gibson and they were very good about the whole situation. It took awhile, but I was more than satisfied in the end.

S-man · #15 07-23-2006, 10:59 PM

Good point. They should be able to arrange a meeting with the local rep . If nothing else.... it would be enlightening. Don't know why I didn't think to suggest that to them. I deal in business with reps and such. I guess when it comes to guitars... I go into some kind of wierd guitar world.

I currently have two Ibanez guitars and one Ibanez bass along with Ibanez pedals and effects.

My 16 year old PT5 for example