is my guitar: USA CUSTOM, J CUSTOM,... ??? (pics!!!)

[DaniJem]

hello... (sorry for my english)

i have just purchased an used Ibanez guitar.

the previous owner told me that the headstock was repainted on black.



some pics (the guitar color changes depending on the camera or flash):



















spec:

LO PRO EDGE bridge.
DIMARZIO pickus.
serial number: F116011

please, help...
do you know what exact model it is???


thank you!

regards.

Dani.

[screamndemon69]

Looks like a USA Custom to me with that top but the neck doesn't strike me as a USA Custom (Exotic) model since I belive they have the tension free necks, which that doesn't look like it is (doesn't have the ring around the under side of the neck before the headstock).

I did notice that the screws aren't thru neck on your lock nut. Interesting.

It might be an after market body and a Prestige or JC neck. Next time you change strings pull the neck off and check the neck pocket.

Are the back plates metal or plastic?

BTW - nice guitar either way Congrats.

[DaniJem]

Originally Posted by screamndemon69

Looks like a USA Custom to me with that top but the neck doesn't strike me as a USA Custom (Exotic) model since I belive they have the tension free necks, which that doesn't look like it is (doesn't have the ring around the under side of the neck before the headstock).

I did notice that the screws aren't thru neck on your lock nut. Interesting.

It might be an after market body and a Prestige or JC neck. Next time you change strings pull the neck off and check the neck pocket.

Are the back plates metal or plastic?

BTW - nice guitar either way Congrats.

i am seeing ibanezregister web and it is not a USRG30.
mine has mahogany back and flat maple top with pickups mounting ring.
usrg30 has alder back with veneer maple top, and only two pickups mounted on body.
also the neck is different.

the holes thru neck on lock nut has been closed with wood. it has the screws above of the nut, like modern ibanez locking nuts.

and the back plates are black plastic.

regards. (my english is a chaos. sorry)

[Ayrton]

1991 US Custom

Here it is in the 91 catalog.

http://www.ibanezrules.com/catalogs/us/1991/usac.jpg

[DaniJem]

Originally Posted by Ayrton

1991 US Custom

Here it is in the 91 catalog.

http://www.ibanezrules.com/catalogs/us/1991/usac.jpg

but mine has Lo Pro Edge tremolo... no Edge.

and the 'F' on headstock = Japan ???

[Ploki]

it might have had neck swapped? Just a guess

[Gusfmm]

Dani,

Body is indeed a US Custom Shop '91 exotic wood UCEWQM1 one, beautiful by the way. Tremolo may have been replaced by the LoPro. The neck may be original but I tend to think it may have been swapped since it has the Fugijen mark and the original neck had different inlays. May be the wood grain is Bird's eye and then the neck would match, but the Fugijen mark confuses me a bit.

Gus.

[Gusfmm]

Originally Posted by DaniJem

the holes thru neck on lock nut has been closed with wood. it has the screws above of the nut, like modern ibanez locking nuts.

Ahhh, didn't catch that the first time. Now, that tells you there is quite a good likelyhood that the neck is not original but probably taken off a japanese J-Custom or Prestige, that'd explain why they painted the headstock. Why would they otherwise?

Gus.

[Gusfmm]

The '01s:

http://www.jemsite.com/usa/gallery/u...w1qm/index.htm

http://www.jemsite.com/usa/gallery/u...w1fm/index.htm

There were also '02s:

http://www.jemsite.com/usa/gallery/u...ewfm/index.htm

http://www.jemsite.com/usa/gallery/u...ewqm/index.htm

'02s were equiped w/ LoPros, that's what probably tells you a bit more about yours. Main question remains being the neck, which I still believe is very likely a swap.

Gus.

[sniperfrommars1]

The neck is obviously swapped, and the tremolo may have been changed. But perhaps theirs a date in the neck pocket joint, the body appears to be a usa custom, which probably had a few neck issues, hence the neck replacement. The tension free neck ive heard had a few random problems sometimes.


Anyways the neck thats on it? Perhaps its prestige but it doesnt appear to be by the neck inlay, fretwork. Its just a little bit off, and it is rather odd to have the mounting holes for the locking nut filled, and then having a top mount nut installed. A close up shot of the headstock would show us more i think.

[Ploki]

the question of pickups rings still remain, regardless the neck

[Flobanez]

Beautiful guitar. Great pics too. Congrats!

[DaniJem]

headstock pics :








this weekend, i will pull the neck off and i will check the neck pocket and neck.

soon i will post pics.

also, i will take the neck to my luthier for remove the paint on headstock and go out the logo.

i will tell you.

regards.

p.d.: the previous owner told me that the headstock was repainted becouse the first owner didn't want to do publicity of any guitar mark. (...sorry for my english)

[Gusfmm]

Originally Posted by Ploki

the question of pickups rings still remain, regardless the neck

Either is a '92 with the rings added, or a '91 with the tremolo replaced. More likely to be the second now that I think about it.

[sniperfrommars1]

The pickup rings could be an added thing? Perhaps a different usrg, or even a refin? Its hard to tell sometimes.