If you had your choice of any S-series guitar, which would you buy? I'm impressed with the s2020. Is this the best it gets? How does it compare to the s1540 or any other s-series for that matter? These are very cool guitars in my opinion.

The 2020 has the piezo pickup & stereo wiring. I think they're comparable beyond that.

IIRC, the new 2120 has a better wiring scheme; I think you can blend the acoustic sound in on it. It's also listed as having an ULTRA neck profile. Dunno if the 2020 had that, but it would be a plus for me...

There's some really fanct J-Custom S-series guitars available in Japan which can be viewed at the corresponding website. But of those "readily" available, I'd personally go for one of the slightly older S540 LTD SOL guitars which are simply oiled mahogany. One of the best tones I ever got was one of these into a Marshall JMP1 preamp a huge 200W power amp and 2 4x12 cabs.

yup, the S540 is great. i have duncans in mine, i prefer it to any current S series in the market.

i absolutly love my 92 S540. Red flame maple with gold hardware, looks sweet as hell. Stock pickups are amazing, they sound just as good as any i've ever heard, (definatly better than the QM? pickups).

germ x...you like the s540 that much, huh? What makes it better (in your mind) than the higher priced s2020 and s1540? What features justify the higher price of those "prestige models" for that matter? The neck? the wood? I think the pups are the same basically on all the S models, aren't they? (Ibanez QM)

I currently have:

S540FM
S2540
S2020x
(and my since departed first Ibanez, S540LTD in DSY)

They each have their own distinctive characteristics. The 2020 has the chubby neck, the other Wizards. The 2540 and 2020 come close on classiness, but something about the older 540 that feels and sounds nice. I agree with rgshred on the IBZ/USA Dimarzio-made pups.

Tough call!

As far as the 2020 vs. 1540...the neck shape difference and binding/rosewood head stock veneer on the 1540 are basically what sets them apart (except the piezo, of course). IMHO neck shape is a biggy here.

If i could order any I wanted?? Dream a little? I'd place an order from Ishibashi for the neck through/quilted maple JC.
Greg

I love how you think an ultra is CHUBBY! My Carvin is chunkier yet, and IT'S still considered "fast"... ;-)

Oh, and I agree about the IBZUSA pups. That whole line was great. The key sabres were the couple years that had AANJ and still had the IBZUSA pups in them... But I still liked my '90, and my '96 SC...

my choice is the s540ltd flame maples. also the sc1620's get a nod, ibanez's prs' clones. also would be the new s1220 and the old s540ltds with ibzusa pickups. those are lower because i love the all access neck joints.



rich

Did you guys forget about the 3040 and the 5400?!?!

yup, i have never played them. "in my neck o da woods we here's aint got none dem thar fancy smancy top po du line jap strats. alls we got is pro-duck-shen line models and ain't no know better." i got to go out of state to play the sweet ones. i also have never seen a j-custom in person before either. maybe one day...my wife and i will move out of the boondock foothills of arkansas so my daughter will grow up knowing of the beauty of the jem10th and the rgart. till then, i guess that RGT3120 i'm getting from you will have to do.


rich

I feel your pain, I had to spend all my summers in Paris!! {Arkansas!!]

hello grumby

i'm a Frank Gambale fan & it's kinda difficult to shun away from the S-series. i like a pronounced mid range & that's what the S-series gave me. the thing about the S540s- they have shark tooth inlays. these are definitely more pleasant than the 'W' inlays that currently mark the S-series fret board. the neck-headstock binding is a also a bonus. it's also lo-pro equipped, you want one of this today then it's a prestige acquisition (less the 1220). the 540LTD wizard neck is a fine inclusion. it plays well, it fits the guitar.

the S540 is IMO the bench mark for a modern mahagony bodied guitar. i was kinda late to get into the S-model scene, i would love to get those early quantum humbuckers which are very pleasant sounding.