NGD: Ibanez S FGM400BB - Page 2

MichelIV · #16 12-06-2012, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fly_with_v

Honestly the only reason I can think of poor craftsmanship. But there maybe another reason that I am not aware of. In order for the nut to be in this position it pretty much means one of two things: either the fretboard was cut short of the nut is located in the wrong place. There is a specific distance based on scale length that determine the nut placement. Stewmac has an online calculator/ruler that will give you that info. On a 25.5" scale instrument that distance should be 1.431". Anything else will cause intonation problems.

Could it be that the normal holes where worn so someone relocated them? Check the measurement.

I'll do that tonight. I can't imagine something like that getting out of the factory and the nut screws don't look like they're stock either. Not sure if it was thrown on there hastily to sell or what.

fly_with_v · #17 12-06-2012, 01:46 PM

But... Why would you even need to consider refinishing that. That thing is really nice. Great guitar!

MichelIV · #18 12-06-2012, 01:46 PM

If you look at that last photo of the lo pro, the gray in the trem cavity, that's dust! Four friggin hours to clean it last night.

MichelIV · #19 12-06-2012, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fly_with_v

But... Why would you even need to consider refinishing that. That thing is really nice. Great guitar!

Just the nicks here and there. There's quite a bit of swirl on the back too...wondering if someone would be able to touch up all those spots without it being visible. But yes other than that (and the nut), the guitar is in pretty good condition.

fly_with_v · #20 12-06-2012, 01:51 PM

Man this really has me considering sinking my neck on my project. Frickin nice guitar dude. I am sorry to keep posting but I can't help myself, I have Sabertitus.

MichelIV · #21 12-06-2012, 01:54 PM

LOL, you and me both brother. I swear this is the last S series for a while.

I pulled the green S540LTD out of the case last night (pulled off the brass block and put it on the FGM) and I tell ya, it's a really well-made guitar. If there's anything I like over the FGM, it's the frets are larger. But I'm slowly working on not having a crushing ape grip when playing. Trying to get the hang of the light touch these days so the smaller frets lend themselves to that.

I really hope the guy doesn't contact me about buying the S540 back at this point.

MichelIV · #22 12-06-2012, 04:32 PM

I just realized all I needed were the allen keys on the headstock. Loosened everything, slapped on the whammy bar and pressed it to the body and slid the nut forward while tightening the bolts. It's up against the fretboard like it should be now. Will measure when I get home.

corey j grieve · #23 12-06-2012, 06:03 PM

Its beautiful mate,great condition.....and its original condition is FAR FAR more desirable than a refinish so please leave it be (IMO).
Great to see some beehives in your collection now,all jap assembled sabers wore them and to me are essential,i love em!
Every single saber i own has them.......ha ha,no saber i ever sold has been sold with beehives on i keep them all.

MichelIV · #24 12-06-2012, 06:17 PM

LOL, yeah I'm kind of digging the beehive knobs! And they actually work and are ergonomic.

I wouldn't have the entire guitar stripped. It would be someone touching up the chips. And only then if it could be blended in and not apparent. I think some of the light buckle swirl could be sanded out with super fine grit but that'll be something I'd leave to a pro if I do decide to do that.

tomibanez · #25 12-07-2012, 03:44 PM

Beautiful pictures - enjoy

MichelIV · #26 12-11-2012, 11:12 PM

Going to see if this works...here's the original owner playing the FGM. Just thought it was kind of cool. I've tried to embed the video but not having much luck.
http://www.myspace.com/video/johninm...-promo/2929875

I spent a bit of time playing this thing over the past two days through a Legacy3 and it's fantastic. And I like the pickups. Didn't know much about them and did a lot of research and found they're not highly regarded. But I found they work very well with the Legacy. I still prefer the gravity storms but these are different enough that I find them useful and prefer them to Breeds. Overall the guitar plays really well, definitely a keeper. Strangely, it feels closest to the 1989 540S DY I just sold and not as close to the S1540 or S5470 as I would have thought. Just has that slightly relaxed feel about it.

tomibanez · #27 12-12-2012, 01:55 PM

As the new owner, I can say I love playing the 89 540S DY too. Original wizard necks feel great.

MichelIV · #28 12-12-2012, 03:55 PM

Yeah I for sure can't put my finger on it 100%. The guitars are solid, not flimsy, but they seem flexible in a way some of the new guitars don't. The S5470 is a much more ridged instrument. I think it may be the neck width or the fret size. I generally like larger frets but I'm finding smaller frets more enjoyable lately.