Ive got some more pics so you can guage the quality.
Note: Neck alignment not quite perfect. Can not be adjusted since it is a neck through. High E falling off fretboard occasionally. Not too much of an issue, just took a bit of getting used to.
Lots of black spots like that above the fret, throughout the inlay.
lots of bubbles in the inlay (i guess they put glue or something over a fine piece of inlay (probably a sticker) to give it depth. Also, binding not quite cut perfectly.
Not sure what this is, but maybe a slight overlap of clear coat onto the neck, or a slight imperfection of the wood (where the body binding ends)
Not quite sure whats going on here. Binding kinda blends into the wood
slight scratch in the fretboard parallel to the binding, also lots of black spots in inlay in this area.
More black spots
There were also a few minor slips at the factory with the crowning tool, but all in all the fretwork was very good, the frets were about as level as you could hope for. Fret ends were a little to angled for my preference as well. The guitar came setup extremely poorly, required a lot of tinkering to get up to scratch (nothing major, just adjusting). I added the original Schallar trem bar and the original german made anti rattle trem springs. Made a big difference. These mods are essential for any FR1000 owners. Even the trem feels better with the german made springs.
I have never owned another guitar with such "artwork" so im not sure if any of them are perfect. Would be interested to hear from some J Custom guys.
All the jap made ibanez's ive played have been pretty much perfect, and certainly 100% blemish free. I guess for 1400 or whatever this guitar sells for in Japan, its pretty damn good really (i paid about 2k including shipping to Aus).
Having said all this, i simply prefer the feel of this guitar to any Ibanez Ive played, It is just a splendid instrument to play. I cant quantify what it is. I would love to get a ESP Superstrat one day but unfortunatley i think they all come with painted necks which I dont like. What I particularly like about this guitar is that because of the way the neck is, the strings are higher off the body of the guitar, enabling the bridge to be higher while maintaining very low action, so your picking hand has much less contact with the body of the guitar.
Go and buy one now!!