Thx Rich and Petie for the coverage. Its been a while si nce I got genuinely excited about new guitars. Definitely some axes to consider in the new line up.
That Deathbar pickup looks like...something innovative. Not a word associated too often with guitar builders these days .
Typically Ibanez releases stuff alot later over here for everything (even though I live like maybe an hour and a half from Hoshino's main factory). Hell, we didnt even get the RG2XXV or 3XXV (only got the RG1XXV, both colors, and the S1XXV, both green and yellow). I woulda bought a 2XXV too, maybe a 3XXV, but Noooooooooo, Japan gets ignored :evil:
Say, if anyone would just so happens to be walking passed the Iceman 7, could you snap some back shots for me if it's not too much trouble? It would really mean a lot <3
One has to add that they were already "good" last year. A few lemons among the Premium models here and there, but the overall quality was impressive, especially under consideration of the short amount of production time at the Indonesian plant. I especially like the fret jobs on the Premium models. In contrast, some of last year's models had flaws on the body such as inclusions or minor issues in the finish, rough wood finish in the tremolo compartments, etc.. Nothing that one can't deal with at this price point - in the worst case you can return the guitar to your dealer and he'll can return it to the distributor. But as Rich said, they are getting better with each model. *like*
OK, I know some Gretsch guitars are hollow but for some wood that connects the top and back somewhere in the middle (other than the sides), but others are fully independent with a top that does not touch the back. Does the Ibanez have a true hollowbody with top and back not touching or are there columns or rods between the top and back on the ASR70 as on some Gretsches?
Structurally, even a little bit of wood in the center, like a large maple rod, does help the structure some but can dampen the true hollowbody sound. Personally, I don't care either way since when plugged in I get that low sustain jangle that solidbodies lack. Notes attack quickly and then diminish since there's no mass and that's what is so great about hollowbodies. I hope Ibanez made a true thin hollowbody here in the Casino format.
I know it's likely they don't have anything different than USA or Europe, but it's possible and I would like to see something new there, too.
They had the "box guitar", high end Artstars and the solid top, dot inlay jazz infused Artcores I liked but couldn't easily get in the USA other than buying it on the internet sight unseen. They both were expensive enough that if I had bought them, probably at extra cost, then found them to be far below a used MIJ AF or AS, that would have been a bummer. I hope, even for non-MIJ stuff, that the higher end archtops and semi-hollowbodies are every bit as good as the old 80s and 90s MIJ hollowbodies. I know a lot of you here don't think the Indonesian mid/upper priced Premium solidbodies hold up to older MIJ Ibanez solidbodies, but I can't think that a company as well funded and as big as Ibanez can't build instruments worthy of the Ibanez legacy outside of Japan.
Also at the high price they ask for, it's better paying a little more and getting a Benson or Scofield, which is a known commodity as a equal or better than Gibson hollowbody, than taking a chance on buying a rather expensive Artstar sight unseen.
Have any of you tried the high end Japan market archtops of 2013 yet?
The new fiscal year(also new school year) start in April over here. lucky for me, i know the estimated release date and price point for the 6 string iceman found out when i ordered my rg2550 galaxy white prestige.
Not in love with that joint but I'm planning a bit of body work anyway (depending on the fret access) so might get in there and take a bit of wood off. I can't wait for one of these to enter my life!
I have a really big dilemma. I need a fixed bridge seven, a cheap one. So I was thinking of the Iron Label S, or the IC 507. I'm so happy to see Ibanez bringing out so many seven and eight string guitars this year!
^ Cheers mate! Now I have something to do for the rest of my day here at the office One option is to buy an RG1527 and block the bridge... There's lots of good ones around in same, or lower price than the SIR or IC.
Ibanez just announced the other day that Kiko Loureilo (ex-Angra) is a new Ibanez artist and will have a signature later this year. He's currently using an SA custom. This news floored me when I first read it.
This makes sense as to the reason why they didnt bring Chris Broderick into the fold. Ibanez might want to push the S series more and IIRC Chris used an RG.
I just saw the Model he has on his website and all i have to say is its about time for the jack to be moved and the pickup selector to not have the black plastic piece. Best of all, Green wood top!!! Looks more like a SZ....
It's an SA Custom. The info I got is from Ibanez Guitar's artist facebook page.
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