novice question - just asking

[shred4Him]

Why did Ibanez discontinue the 7620? *I, myself, will sacrifice the money someday to get a RG2027x from Japan, so I am not hurting for the 7620, but why did they discontinue the 7620 and leave the cheap models in place? *
Also, I wonder if a company could make a descent buck by stocking ans selling the Japanese market Ibanez guitars. *Anybody ever get a guitar from Ishibashi-music.com ?

[Gresh]

I would imagine that Ibanez's legal department would have a couple of issues with that plan. *Buying and importing for personal use is one thing, but buying for the purpose of reselling in a market where Ibanez has made a calculated marketing/financial decision not to participate is an entirely different legal matter.

Regarding the 7620, I would imagine that Ibanez felt they were losing sales to the cheaper 7 strings (ESP, Schecter, Dean, Carvin, etc.) They introduced the 7420 to compete head to head and cannibalized the 7620 in the process. *It's all about marketing and profits. *They are trying to squeeze more dollars out of the high end 7 stringer by introducing the K7 models, the XL and the UV remain as well. *These are higher profit margin items for them. *Keeping the 7620 alive would split their own market and result in mediocre results for each side of the market, high end and low end.

If you want a 7620, you can still get them and the price is unreal as huge internet stores are liquidating stock. *They are an excellent deal right now.

[shred4Him]

As far as the legal stuff goes, I see what you are saying. *As for the RG7620, I can understand that as well. *I would rather save up for the 2027x. *I like mahogany more than basswood, and having the piezo would be awesome. *That is why I got my Parker. *The piezo makes life nice. *So, my next purchase(s) should be either (or if I get rich both) the RG3120 and/or RG2027x. *Anybody have any old money they are throwing away?

[jemsite]

Inventory is money tied up. Noone wants to do that with less-espensive and non-collectablemodels (ie. 7620)

Yes, the 7-string market bottomed out with all the introductory models of non-Ibanez brands... and the 7620 fell victim to $299 budget models.

IMHO there is a serious void in the Ibanez 7-string market... especially if you don't want the XL scale models. Price and feature wise, the 7620 was really never replaced. But used ones can be found cheap (or on closeout) ...glen

[Gresh]

I dumped my parker for a UV, then I missed the piezo so I picked up a 2027. *My UV has much more bite than the 2027, but the mahogany is warm and sweet. *I love the lack of inlays and the contrasting top edge and back on the mahogany. *The piezo is pretty cool too, doesn't sound quite as I crystaline as I remember my parker being, but I have yet to really find a good model in my POD to put it through yet and haven't tried running it direct to a PA or a dedicated acoustic amp.

I highly recommend getting a 2027 while you still can, they are simply amazing. *Playability is awesome and the fit and finish are amazing.

[Gresh]

Glen is dead on the money, this is totally Ibanez's fault. *I love Ibanez guitars, don't get me wrong, but they got trumped on the low end 7's. *When a kid can go online and buy a neck through carved and flamed top EMG equiped Ltd ESP 7 string for $200 less than a completely anonimous black Ibanez what do you think is going to happen? *We can harp on quality and feel all we want, but Ibanez's marketing department screwed the pooch on this one. *All that was needed was some more market differentiation to keep the line alive (I say in my best armchair quarterbacking voice). *I am just frustrated that the only remaining seven string models from Ibanez are either XLs, sig models or low end stuff. *I bet they pull the UV line next...any takers?

[trouble311]

I really hope you are wrong, but I wouldn't be surprised....especially since you hardly see SSV with one...come on Steve, help us out!!!!

[Two hands31]

Unfortunately, they probably will. *Leaving me with the K-7 as my only option. *Ah well, I'll just customize it beyond recognition. *Although, I don't think Steve would just sit by and let them discontinue the UV. *He's probably looking at the 7-string scene (which he started the popularity of) and thinking the same thing we are: *THANK GOD FOR UV! *I'm sure he plays them at home all the time. *As soon as the makers of Sustainiac create a Sustainiac-7, he'll start using his UV's again more, just you wait. *Anywho, my local guitar shop still has a 7620 from the first year of production. *It's going for a ridiculous $1021 Canadian (considering the used prices out there right now).

[trouble311]

I hope the UV continues, because at the very least, it keeps the competition level higher in the 7 string market, and any sort of competition between companies can only benefit the consumer in any business....

[The Dark Wolf]

Gresh,

Just to let you know, DEFINATELY use the piezo pickups on a non-amp type model, i.e., direct. Put some chorus and reverb on it and it sparkles absolutely. The POD models amps, and I use an amp modeler too. With piezos, it's a cool effect, maybe somewhat EMG sounding... but not acoustic. Ya gotta go direct (you need full range response. Amps level off to a more midrange sound. Direct is neutral) to really get the good sound from the pickups. I use my Digitech RP300 for all my sounds, and when I use the piezo bridge, I select 'DIRECT' as my amp simulation (bypasses the sims) and put on a tad compression, E.Q., and some stereo chorus, reverb, and pong delay. Sounds fab!

BTW, my two cents on the deal. You all are right about mid-level price Iby 7-stringers, BUT! Consider... perhaps they can focus on the high-end market (al PRS guitars. Remember? They STILL cater to that market, but I remember when Santana and Alex Lifeson seemed like the only PRS players) and really capture it, thus insuring profitability. And Ibanez really makes probably if not THE best, right near the top in 7-string guitars (RG2027X and UV777BK to name the two prominent examples). (Well, USED to make. sorry 2027! R.I.P.) Just MAYBE they can do it and weather the downturn in 7-string popularity. I could be wrong.

[trouble311]

I really hope that you are right, Wordwolf....and I would prefer if they DID cater to that level of player, but only because I consider myself in that group....hehehe

[Dylan7620]

i think the board meeting went something like this " we'll kill off the 7620 with the 7420 because its still a decent guitar thats a little cheaper, same with the ax7 and the 7321 until one day BAM!!!!!! ur sittin at a GC near you playin a GRX720 goin 'well... i guess its...ok... sounding, and its only $200 wowzers, gotta get me a couple!'"

[7stringer]

I'm an avid 7 string player. Metal of course !!! I have both a Universe and an RG 7620 and after trying esp's effort, among others, I have to add that for the way the neck stays where it should be, as far as truss adjustments are concerned. The way it stays in tune, and of course the all important feel !! Ibanez is king of the hill in the 7 string world. If you can find one !!!, a minty 7620 is the best value for your dollar anywhere if your looking to try 7's.

[guitarkatana]

That really sucks that the Ibanez 7's aren't selling so well. I've heard some good things about carvins and deans, but ESP and schecter just suck ! I tried a schecter 7 string at a music store and I was completely discusted. The neck felt horrible, the frets were like rusty nails, the black finish was like a lego block after a dog chewed on it, the action was extremely high, and the guitar was heavy as hell. This dumbass thing was like a marching band tuba! I haven't tried any ESP's, and I don't plan on it from what I've heard of them.

The 2027's were amazing. Almost like the perfect guitar for me. Business bites!

[pd0x]

Originally Posted by Two hands31

Unfortunately, they probably will. *Leaving me with the K-7 as my only option. *Ah well, I'll just customize it beyond recognition. *Although, I don't think Steve would just sit by and let them discontinue the UV. *He's probably looking at the 7-string scene (which he started the popularity of) and thinking the same thing we are: *THANK GOD FOR UV! *I'm sure he plays them at home all the time. *As soon as the makers of Sustainiac create a Sustainiac-7, he'll start using his UV's again more, just you wait. *Anywho, my local guitar shop still has a 7620 from the first year of production. *It's going for a ridiculous $1021 Canadian (considering the used prices out there right now).

In case you're wondering, you can get a 7 string sustainiac for 50 bucks more than the regular one