2005 Winter NAMM Report

[ManBaoBao]

nice... but still not enough fixed bridge guitars...
Ibanez should offer the trem/fixed option on every guitar

[ginsu777]

Originally Posted by Petie

PSNDs are traditionally used for Ibanez's entry-level guitars, so I think the INF is a step up. I don't know how it compares to the V8 but it's an obvious attempt to lift the RG3XX series up at least a notch or two, and the same with the S470.

That's interesting if the INF is an upgrade, because the new S470DXQMCN is being sold for $40 LESS than last year's model with what you say are lower level pickups. Still wondering if I should place my order for the 2005...

[steve]

Rich - we're all grateful for your hard - and FAST - work at bringing the information and images to the rest of us.
It brings us much closer to actually /being/ there...

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by ManBaoBao

nice... but still not enough fixed bridge guitars...
Ibanez should offer the trem/fixed option on every guitar

If you get a Tremol-no, they do.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Jeff

If you get a Tremol-no, they do.

Speaking of which, did anyone get any shots of the Tremol-no at its various booths, or the Leviathan setup in the Graphtech booth?

[marianozz]

One thing that strucks me as weird (maybe its just personal preference) is: why are they using those damn pickup mounting rings on such beautiful finishes? ?

Hell, heres a thought Ibanez: loose the rings, loose the 8 screws, and maybe you can save enough pennies for a couple lockin studs

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Jeff

Speaking of which, did anyone get any shots of the Tremol-no at its various booths, or the Leviathan setup in the Graphtech booth?

I was too busy shootin the sh!t with Jeremy I never even though about shooting pics, I thought he posted some of it anyway?! It was sweet though

[Azrael]

Originally Posted by marianozz

One thing that strucks me as weird (maybe its just personal preference) is: why are they using those damn pickup mounting rings on such beautiful finishes? ?

Hell, heres a thought Ibanez: loose the rings, loose the 8 screws, and maybe you can save enough pennies for a couple lockin studs

Good idea! Hahaha!

[Petie]

Originally Posted by ginsu777

That's interesting if the INF is an upgrade, because the new S470DXQMCN is being sold for $40 LESS than last year's model with what you say are lower level pickups. Still wondering if I should place my order for the 2005...

*shrugs* Who knows what elements come together to form a recommended retail price?

[IbanezNorthwest]

Rich,

As always, thanks for a stirling report!

Some really lovely RGs (and RGAs) This year. The kind of models I've been wanting for years. Some lovely woods on display - Fingers crossed that all the production models have figuring up to the standard of the NAMM show pieces.

The whammyless figured top market is a competative one - lets hope Ibanez pitch their's right and keep the quality up.

I think I just invented a new word - Whammyless!!!!

[Petie]

Is it just me or is the treble side cutaway on the RGAs a slightly different shape to a regular RG?

[jager]

Originally Posted by spiro

Was I right or was I right

The reason for Fuji gen stopping production of guitars is such....

Fuji Gen make more than just guitars they make another product that has commanded high demand from the OEM Manufacturer and are going to concentrate on production of that particular Product (money I suppose is the driving factor) I cant name the product or who they make it for, but let me tell it is not even close to musical instrument manufacture..

Well this sparked my interest so looking up fujigen's site I found the following:

1997. 4 The M.I division (the guitar) and 2 divisions of the C.A division start.
In the C.A division, it starts the development * production and sale of the high-class car wood panel and the high-class audio equipment et cetera.

[jerrye]

Rich,
Can you confirm the details of the RVX please?

[Rodney James]

Thanks for the info and pics Rich, some cool stuff!

The Aluminum JS is just Killer!!!!!!!!!!! Coolest thing out this year. That is unreal, love it! Next in coolness is the Swirl RG, like to get more info and buy one if it's not $3100, and of course it's very important it has swirled dimarzio's.

Just don't get the plain ole boring dot inlays on the Mirror Jem, cool Inlays has been one of the things that make the Jem so interesting, exciting and in a world of it's own, yet $3100.00, even the dbk had something other than typical dots. Seems like it would of been just as easy to have something like mirror dots, at least then the board would of not been a complete bore. Just not impressed.

Fairwell vsbl, 2002-2004, Rest In peace my friend.

[Joel Lyndgohrd]

Awesome stuff! Thanks for posting the images Rich! I loved both the new JEM and the JS.