Damn American market....

TheJazzTerminator · #1 06-22-2007, 11:57 AM

Does anyone else think the Ibanez RG/ Prestige models available in America are boring and nothing special? I feel like I actually want to buy a new Ibanez guitar, but they don't have anything cool anymore.

What's the reason that Ibanez doesn't sell J. Customs in America? I would buy one if they did. I'm sure a lot more people would, too.

**elcid** · #2 06-22-2007, 12:02 PM

Im suprised you are the first person to bring this up in all the time Jemsite has been up and running. If any topic has not been beaten into the ground, it;s this one.

TheJazzTerminator · #3 06-22-2007, 12:14 PM

Well, I'm sorry that I actually have a life and don't spend 24 hours a day on Jemsite, reading old threads that have been 'beaten into the ground.' I apologize for that.

casper777 · #4 06-22-2007, 12:22 PM

I live in Switzerland and I have 2 J-Custom, that's not a problem!
Order directly from Japan!! with the weak yen it's not that expensive anymore!

**elcid** · #5 06-22-2007, 12:36 PM

Apology accepted

Johnny Two Tone · #6 06-22-2007, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elcid

Apology accepted

Haha, Jazz obviously didn't get what you were saying and took offense

bancika · #7 06-22-2007, 01:49 PM

I agree with the first post. They have a good base but they could really make a wider range of products. In the middle class (700-1000$) there are only RG1570, 2550 and 2570. They are probably great, but what about us who don't like basswood. I need to pay 1500$+ to get non-basswood RG with Edge Pro. 300$ models like RG321 have mahagony, why couldn't they use it on better models. Also, there should be much more colors to choose from.

dragsternj · #8 06-22-2007, 02:06 PM

isn't that why they make different brands of guitars

and there is also alway the bay to get somethin old/new

Gusfmm · #9 06-22-2007, 02:36 PM

JazzT,

I sympathize with your feelings on the subject. And to Cid's comments, this subject has actually been covered before in one of the main sticky threads out there. The situation with Ibanez making J-C's only available to the japanese market is the way they've decided to do business, period. So they say. So there is in fact not much more to discuss... not worth it.

But going back to your comment JazzT, I think there are many people out there, I'm one of them, that remember with nostalgy Ibanez in the 90's: US Custom Shop with superb models, innovation both in design and construction, then came the J-C line with some very cool models, up to some years ago there was a good flow of new designs, finishes, colors, quality of manufacture, etc... Things seem to be being streamlined and getting boring as of lately as there are no significant innovation and variation anymore. May be a bit better quality, but yet I get the feeling of a more line-production type of operation nowadays. With the shift of quite some manufacturing outside of Japan, it is even worse. And prices continue going up as well.

So yes, I quite agree with what you're saying. Still love Ibanez dearly, wholeheartedly. It would help though, I believe, them looking back to the market today and yesterday and revamping their policies around the J-Custom line to pump up that market niche for high-end high-quality high-craftmanship guitars, outside of Japan. But this is a limited 10k miles away view, I'm sure they must have some more factual marketing data that may indicate something different.

Looking forward to seeing the line-up Ibanez is going to release this year. Hope there are some positive surprises (and hope no more acrylic Jem's no more....

).

Gus.

kirk · #10 06-23-2007, 08:15 AM

I dunno, it seems a little exciting to me:

http://www.ibanezrules.com/namm/2007...a_prestige.htm

Reissue of neon colored RGs with maple fingerboards, a bright purple RGA, an 8 string, the killer of all metal guitars - the single pickup - single volume knobbed RG2610, and a couple of really pretty neck thrus.

Yeah, I'm helping to beat this dead horse. But I am happy with this year's line up - as a matter of fact I've bought two new guitars that were released at the 2007 NAMM. I say bravo.

Thanks to Rich for the nice page.

voodoo_child · #11 06-23-2007, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Ibanez making J-C's only available to the japanese market is the way they've decided to do business, period.

J-Customs are officially available in the UK and Ireland (possibly the rest of Europe too, im not sure), at least in a small capacity (last years models etc).

My local Ibanez dealer here in Dublin has been stocking JCs in a small scale for years.

70Seven · #12 06-23-2007, 08:43 PM

I like the Prestiges! With the 500 reissue, the signatures (JS, JEM, PGM). With all that I dont miss the fact that I cant buy a J-Custom.

PS, Plus all that old good stuff you can find from the bay! (JPM, 90th!!)

Phishphood42 · #13 06-23-2007, 09:08 PM

If we got j customs in america we would have to pay out the ass for them, and Ibanez probably wouldn't let us import anymore. Its better this way

Besides, then everyone would have them and we j custom wouldn't be so much cooler than everyone else

Gusfmm · #14 06-23-2007, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voodoo_child

J-Customs are officially available in the UK and Ireland (possibly the rest of Europe too, im not sure), at least in a small capacity (last years models etc).

That's right, I just re-read the original thread... READ HERE

Just another reason why the title of this thread makes a lot of sense...

Gus.