Gig verdict. After a Friday night show at the
Hamlin Pub-Shelby TWP; I can only state that I used alot less gain to get the same tone that I do when I play the '91 RG570. The tone I like is that AC/DC tone. Not heavy distortion, just crunch.
I am running through a Mesa F-100 playing rock covers. The tone of the 'Joe' is much, much, warmer. Almost 'dark'. Perhaps because of the smaller frets and more string-wood connection of the 'board. Or the way that the wang bar set-up is mounted.
I am hardly a lead player, but the lead tone is way better than the 570. How much better? It sounds like music rather than a string against a fret...about
that much better.
Perhaps the '91 Floyd and the larger frets of the 570 is part the tonal difference, whaddoIknow?
Anyhow, it's still gonna take some getting used to. I have to add some mids, and subtract bass from the Mesa, unlike the 570 that needed bass, very little treble, and minimal mids.
The feel is the most remarkable aspect. I took right to it, although I thought with less finish on the Joe's neck that my hand would stick to it, but that was/is not the case. It is easier to play, but after this gig, I am having it set up since I used it right out of the box, to determine how I wanted it adjusted.
Quote:
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Your Ibanez is professionally set up by our factory trained technician.
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Yeah, nice try.
The rest of my bandmates were knocked out to say the least. As was I.
Out of the box, the fit & finish were/are flawless. I did notice the saddle shims that Rich talks about to make the radius work. The store clerks at GC-Southfield were surprised when I opened the case...not having seen a CA 'Joe' before, I guess. I spent about 15 minutes flyspecking every turn & curve. Those string holders in the saddles were properly aligned and like I mentioned, the finish was as consistently smooth & even over the whole instrument.
The
neck joint, (from what I know) seems to be proper, even, and uh...looks good! Heck, it's my first new guitar in 8 years...yeah it was worth it.
I AM PLEASED! I just need many, many hours, to become 'one' with it.
THE VERDICT: Out of the box, in 20+ years of playing: The 'Joe' is the
best sounding, feeling,
playing guitar I have ever owned.
I
would however, trade it in a minute for a 2007 BMW M6. But not much else.
