Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Parts Unknown, NY
Posts: 27
Re: Ibanez, if you only read one thread here make it this one !!
After reading MANY GOOD, VALID POINTS from a lot of die-hard Ibanez fans here, they are all spot-on. I for one, have this to add:
While I love the idea and thought of re-releasing the older UV models, and have finally come up with serious overhauls to the new UV designs, there is a few things that seriously grind my gears and keep me from even considering getting another Universe - especially after having more than a decade of owning and playing ESP 7-strings. (In fact, I traded in my '91 UV7BK, because an LTD M107 with an EMG 707 set became the best playing and best sounding guitar I have ever owned... no b.s.) So the things that seriously piss me off about the Universe line up recently are as follows...
*You would have thought that in the awesome idea of re-releasing the older UV models - so far, the UV7BK & UV777WH as Premium models - the ONE model EVERYBODY has been dying for is the UV777GR, the green with maple fingerboard model. So far, a MAJOR drop of the ball on this for this die-hard UV lover...
*The second issue that is the obvious deal breaker for not only me, but others who love and want some of these guitars is this - THE OUTRAGEOUS PRICE TAGS!!! It was awesome that you guys reissued the UV77MC, but not everybody can afford more than $5k for a guitar that they want and have dreamed of for a long time. And then this followed suit with the release of the new Passion, Warfare, and Silver editions of the UV. And just like the UV77MCRE, you once again made all 3 of these new ones a strictly limited to 77 pieces of each one, with another outrageous $6k price tag... SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?!
While the thought of releasing these as collector pieces, you blatantly ignored your avid customer fan base who have been dying for a serious overhaul of the Universe line up, by limiting the availability of these new ones to only elitist, arrogant @*$%! to be able to buy them, and either leave them in a case buried in their closet for decades at a time, or to have them sit in a display case and never to be touched or played - like ANY guitar is made to be. THIS, I have the biggest problem with...
One of the things I loved and wanted a Universe for - besides the 7-string - was the disappearing pyramid inlays. Was upset that the UV7BK was the only one to NOT have them. This to me, was nothing more than an RG7 with a pick guard and a middle single coil pickup. FAIL!!! I was hoping for what could have possibly been a reissue of the UV777GR as a Premium model, but obviously it seems Ibanez don't care that much about their fans, and die-hard JEM & UV players who crave the old classics.
Same goes for the MC's... The initial issue when the model was unveiled to the luthiers was the fact that the multi-colored inlays and the swirls were going to be a standard production thing and was concerned about cost. Well now going into 2017, the times, technology and production capabilities and options have changed as drastically as well. So why don't Ibanez get with the program and finish reissue-ing the Universe lineup as Premium models, and finally appeal to those who want these guitars, and make them affordable. You can make a killing by doing this, as well as further proving to your fans, collectors and die-hard players that you are really taking your customers thoughts, concerns and comments seriously. Not to mention, setting a real example to other guitar manufacturers that customer input is a serious issue regarding new models - both as reissues and new models themselves.
Until a UV77UGR reissue becomes available, and at an affordable price like the other 2 Premium UV models, I refuse to own another Ibanez 7-string. And I am certainly NOT going to pay more than what I owe on my car note for a guitar I am in love with and have dreamed of owning since I started playing guitar nearly 20 years ago.