I'm ready to move to Japan (if only for a year)

[bduersch]

http://www.ibanez.co.jp/ just got updated with the new product line in Japan for 2003.

Here are some of my personal favs that we won't be seeing in the US anytime soon, all of which appear to be Prestige models:
(listed in decreasing order of yumminess)

RG3271 http://www.ibanez.co.jp/japan/el_gui...rx/rg3271.html
mahogany/maple fixed bridge, direct mounted PAF Pros/Blue Velvet

RG3270 http://www.ibanez.co.jp/japan/el_gui...rx/rg3270.html
AND RG3270M http://www.ibanez.co.jp/japan/el_gui...x/rg3270m.html
looks like a 1680/2680, with option of a maple neck

RGT3170 http://www.ibanez.co.jp/japan/el_gui...x/rgt3170.html
looks like an RGT3120 with an extra pickup

RG2570EX http://www.ibanez.co.jp/japan/el_gui.../rg2570ex.html
looks like a modern-day 770

RG15271 http://www.ibanez.co.jp/japan/el_gui...x/rg15271.html
basically a fixed bridge 1527

RG1521 http://www.ibanez.co.jp/japan/el_gui...rx/rg1521.html
like a 421 with direct-mounted pickups and Prestige neck

Is the high-end guitar market in the US so dominated by Gibson and Fender that Ibanez can't make coin selling these guitars over here? I'd sell my first born for a fixed bridge prestige like the 3271, probably sell a second kid for one with a maple neck like the 3270M. So many more options & colors! Compare to the US--while we've gained some low-end prestige models, I think we've lost high-end prestige options (e.g., the red 3120 is gone, the 1077xl us gone). Heck, last year I rushed out to get an RGT3120, and this year I don't see squat I'm interested in.

--B

[Soloist]

Totally with you on that, 3 of my 4 guitars, which are all ibanez, have been imported from japan. Japan and Europe have had consistantly superior lineups throughout the past couple of years.

[erikm5150]

Yeah, the Japanese models are really kick ass.
i really wish they would sell the rg2570ex in north america.
also if they had more guitars with that VV finish...

[cowcowcow]

damn
the RG3271 looks too sweet!.....

[Carlo]

I heard that Tokyo is the world's most expensive city to live in. Where do they get the extra dough for all them guitars

[ScottRosenberger]

[In my best Homer Simpson voice]

MMMMMMMMM Maple

http://www.ibanez.co.jp/japan/el_gui...x/rg3270m.html