S2540 vs. FGM100 comparison

[finstah]

I finally got my 2540 home from ICU and anxiously plugged her in after putting my baby boy to bed. I had a chance to twang on it at the shop and was impressed with how my tech cleaned this thing up. I had to hang out at the shop to wait for my wood to go down. Ha ha.

First impressions. WOW! This thing is extremely light and the neck is tiny and thin. Perfect for my tendinitis hands. Well built and solid and the stock pups sounded beautiful. Bridge rocked and neck was clean, crisp, solid and full. I couldn't believe the sustain I got. Best neck pup of any of my geetars, (Duncans, EMG's DiMarzio's). The tremolo (Edge or Edge Pro???) compared to my Gotoh Floyd on my 320DX. Solid construction and handled well on dive bombing test.

In comparing it to the FGM100 well, sorry to say this thing blew my Gambale out of the water. The FGM is a great guitar in itself, has surpassed my Jackson Fusion, but the 2540 is more solid feeling to me, better pups, better hardware and the Prestige neck is the most comfortable and easiest to play neck that I have ever had the chance to rock on. And yes that includes my hand made Jackson Fusion. Sad to say I played the Jackson for all of 5 minutes before putting it away and picking up the 2540 again. I never in my wildest dreams would have thought that would happen with any guitar.

This baby has replaced my SL-1 Soloist for studio use only. It will never leave my house.

I highly recommend this guitar for peeps with small hands, tendinitis or shoulder issues. You will never play a more comfortable guitar.

[Gusfmm]

Good to hear you've finally got it back, in good health.

I've been playing Sabers for many years now, my main one since 2002 a S1520FBNT. Superb instrument. Very well built, super fast neck (Wizard), beautiful instrument. I also got a S2120XAV that sounds great and has got excellent construction, only difference being the neck being a bit thicker (Ultra). Not an issue, just a minor difference. It feels more like a contemporary J-Custom. When I got the S3040 I just felt very pleased the feeling was great as well, super fast neck (Wizard as well), but it does have a bit more ...well, ...."consistency" to it. Hard to describe. It feels very solid, more resonant. More than any of the other Sabers. May be it's just an illusion caused by the Ebony board. But it does feel like heaven. Absolutely delighted to have picked it up. So much that I'm in the process of parting with my S1520 now. That's how good it feels. But to me, the difference was not as marked as what you're describing for your FMG.

Bottom line, I think you made a great adquisition, regardless of the inconvenients with frets and that saddle.

Enjoy it!

Gus.

[Jemplyr77]

I too have had a couple S series and just love them. I am a Jem/UV guy through and through, however if I could seem to find that elusive S5400 J Custom..well..I would be in Heaven!

[finstah]

Well, I played both again tonight and I can't really say it blew it out of the water. Each guitar has it's strong points and I love them both. I had to apologize to my FGM for talking shi.t about her. Ha ha.

Someday I'd like to get a Jem but jeezus they are expensive

Are there any J Custom's or UV's that match specs to the S series with the thin light body and thin Wizard neck. I love the thin neck as opposed to the fatter, rounder one's. I think my FGM has a 15mm, not sure about the 2540, got to be close but man, that is PERFECT for me.

BTW, what does the S5400 look like???

[OLIE_ROCKS_THE_80'S]

Originally Posted by finstah

Well, I played both again tonight and I can't really say it blew it out of the water. Each guitar has it's strong points and I love them both. I had to apologize to my FGM for talking shi.t about her. Ha ha.

Someday I'd like to get a Jem but jeezus they are expensive

Are there any J Custom's or UV's that match specs to the S series with the thin light body and thin Wizard neck. I love the thin neck as opposed to the fatter, rounder one's. I think my FGM has a 15mm, not sure about the 2540, got to be close but man, that is PERFECT for me.

BTW, what does the S5400 look like???

Good, now you are making more sense!!! I own 2 FGM and 1 Prestige S and they all play great!!! and as you mentioned they all have their strong points and in the end one is not necessarily better than the other but rather just "Different"

[Ke^in]

The S1520 is one of, if not the best S Ibanez has put out.

They need to start making them like that again. Soon.

[brianxtr]

the yellow and salomon pink are great! i love them the details and the quality are super!the sound and feel are so good.the recesed pickup rings and trem and neck are genius!better than the s serie,the colloured shark inlay is very nice.but a s is good also.what do you think?i think thats important for you.good luck

[finstah]

I love both guitars. My FGM is black. The reason I chose that over the 91 salmon colored one was the fact that the black one I purchased has a 1990 serial and they didn't show in the catalogs until 1991. Don't know if it's rare or not. Plus the salmon one had a crack in the paint by the neck joint. The black one is perfect.

Plus the fact since I will NEVER sell it (took me too long to finally find one in great shape) so I'm gonna put a Marvin the Martian graphic on it to take away the blah black boring color.

The S and FGM both have their strong points but there's no doubt that both of them f'ing rawk!!