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11K views 68 replies 39 participants last post by  Ke^in 
#1 ·
1) We already talked about the lack of maple fretboards on the other post.

2) Lack of colors, stop spending time on stupid new body shapes and stick to making your bread and butter guitars better. If you have blue, red, white black, bodies on some guitars why not offer eack color on most the models. Now it's like, "Hope you like black because it's the only color you can get this in".

3) 20th Ann. model limited issue. Nuff said.

4) Crappy Indonesia models with crap trems, stop already. What's the point of 3 friggen trems. I'll bet the cost between a Edge III and Edge II is less the 10-20 dollars. Get rid of your crap trem, it just make people who happen to play one think Ibanez blows if they don't know about better models.

I love Ibanez but they need to get with it. Prices are going up as well. Focus on the RG/S series and offer options for eack model instead of the take it or leave it mentality.
 
#2 ·
I think this year is a vast improvement on the previous 3 or 4 years.
There are plenty of new models this year, some new finishes. They are "testing" the waters with the neon finishes again on the RG550 Reissues. And I'm sure those finishes will be brought back full-time sooner rather than later. They have released the first production 8 string as well. More guitars with varied pickups as well, EMG's, Duncan's, and DiMarzio's.

Okay, so suprise suprise they can't please everyone. But that will never happen. But there will always be people saying stuff like, "if only it was a maple fretboard", and "if only it was a different colour".

Ibanez can't do everything at once. They can't please everyone.
And I think this year will be a great year for them. Indonesian manufacture is a down-side admmitedly. But again, we can't have everything.

If people dont like what Ibanez have released this year, its simple. Don't buy anything from them. Go and buy a Jackson, PRS, ESP or whatever else. People should go and find what they really want.

I'm sure the people at Ibanez won't lose sleep over it.
 
#11 ·
....There are plenty of new models this year, some new finishes.
There are plenty of new CHEAP models with some new finishes this year. Have you looked at the MIJ RGs, or should I say, lack there of? Only four bolt on six strings and plenty of black to go around. No hardtails, no maple fingerboards, no reverse headstocks, one lefty, etc, etc. Ibanez has NOTHING new to offer the person wanting a mid-upper range RG. A lot of existing Ibanez owners aren't buying new Ibanez guitars. (Me included.) We want Original Wizard necks, Edge and Lo Pro Edge tremolos, and locking studs. Why do you think used RG prices are going up like they are? I hold out hope every year that there will be change, but it doesn't come. the selection just gets worse.

I give Ibanez credit for the selection in their cheap guitars. But when people outgrow them, there's not much to upgrade to. --Jason
 
#3 · (Edited)
Couldn't agree more.


General, rhetorical rant:-

I'm sure reissues of some of the classics (770DX,565,550), would waaayy outsell anything in the current Ibanez inventory, or maybe I'm deluded. Just look at the frenzy the 20ths have created, numerous 50+ page threads, can't see any of the current line up being received with such fervour. Just my £0.02.

Rant over, phew.
 
#48 ·
Couldn't agree more.

General, rhetorical rant:-

I'm sure reissues of some of the classics (770DX,565,550), would waaayy outsell anything in the current Ibanez inventory, or maybe I'm deluded. Just look at the frenzy the 20ths have created, numerous 50+ page threads, can't see any of the current line up being received with such fervour. Just my £0.02.

Rant over, phew.
+1
i think they would too.

those of us buying the Prestiges and higher stuff are far out numbered by those buying the more affordable RG350 and similar models which probably have a higher profit margin than the Prestige (just an educated guess) so they will always offer more NON MIJ models.
let's hope some of these features that Ibanez is giving us this year (RG20th) make it into the standard production next year.
i commend them on having some of the more varied lines in comparison to others out there. i haven't heard about any other new exciting guitars so far from NAMM 2007.
my only complaints are pricing (that is a hard thing to complain about once you look at other manufacturers) and company politics: how they treat small Ibanez dealers. those are the dealers that helped make Ibanez what it is today when the big stores wouldn't touch them. now it's the other way around. i hope Ibanez doesn't become another Gibson with ridiculous "buy ins" for dealers making it tougher and tougher for the little stores to even carry their stuff but time will tell.
having region specific models sucks too (J C's, Limited models, ect). i should be able to walk into a dealer and easily order ANYTHING the make. why i can't currently do that is beyond me?
 
#5 ·
I know they can't please everyone but color options are an easy thing to offer. Jackson does it on most their stuff. And second, who hasn't asked for maple fretboards? Two easy changes to improve sales.

As far as Ibanez losing sleep over losing customers to Jackson, ESP, or Schecter. They are losing customers at our shop, and it will matter if their sales drop. Other companies imports are better made than the Indo crap and the Jap stuff is getting as pricy or more so than other companies USA models.

Ibanez is still my brand, but competion it setting in.
 
#6 ·
MII aside, I dont think you can find better guitars for the price of an ibanez, even the MIK stuff, of all the MIK trems out there, the Edge 3 is the only one that is actually usable to some extent. LTD is absolute rubbish and they charge the same for it as some of the MIJ Ibanez's.
 
#7 ·
I agree with Thrash. The 2007 range is complete crap. Sure I could go with another manufacturer, but after 20 years of staying loyal it's far easier said than done. It's their achievements from 20 years ago that still keep me interested, and that is pretty darn sad.
 
#9 ·
Sure we can, if we can even find a used one that isn't battered and has a black maple board covered in filth. Some of us don't want used guitars, it's a nice feeling to own a brand new one. And this doesn't change the fact that Ibanez fell off big time.
 
#12 ·
i don't have a pulse on cheap guitars, but if you walk thru Guitar Center or Sam Ash (around here they are within 200 feet of each other) you get the sense that Ibanez needs to do more to compete in the "cheap guitar" arena. There are just other, more compelling products that unless the dealer is getting spiffs and perks to push, the customer is going to look elsewhere.

I am confident saying that that as players mature Ibanez offers less choice than they should... glen
 
#13 ·
After seeing the 2007 NAMM offerings from the competition, I don't see anyone eating Ibanez' lunch outright any time soon. I was one of the people stupid enough to think that Schecter was going to have Ibz on their heels this year, imagining them going for the throat with extended-range offerings and whatnot- instead, a much-deserved Jeff Loomis sig (which is a maple-boarded hellraiser, essentially) and guitars with pictures of 3rd-tier porn stars on them. Not exactly a coup. Jackson and ESP, just offering variations for existing models. Anything that would actively lure people away from Ibanez other than the Loomis sig?
 
#14 ·
If you directly compare the 2005/06 catalogue to the 07 stuff I'd say it was a big improvement.
Still, in saying that the only 07 models I've got GAS for are the RG20th and Ibanez have done such a limited run (especialy by the time they hit UK shores) on them that they've pretty much gauranteed that I wont be able to get one.

It's not looking likely that I'll be spending this years guitar budget on a new Ibanez so hello used market, ESP, Jackson etc.

Ben
 
#16 ·
They are definitely taking small, positive steps in the right direction, ie the RG 20th. It's just the limited production run that has put some peoples noses out of joint, mine included. I think/hope the frenzy the 20th has caused will be the 'wake up call' for a regular production run and more reissues.
 
#17 ·
This last 2 weeks I went to 6 Guitar centers in California, the first one I visited (Venura-camarillo) had a take it for 799.00 Ibanez RGA 121 NTF. It was a FANTASTIC guitar, it had the same 5 piece neck as my BRMR, hard tail ( a lot of guys here complain of lack of hard tails!), the action has insane, simplel put I was enamored of the darn guitar but my BRMR was 2 hours new so I could not even talk about it to my wife an myson was already set on a BSB!!!
The I found the same guitar at Fresno, at Gilroy, at San francisco and it had come down in price to 649.00!!!! a Prestige for 650? with a nice wood body, nice tone and a top top neck made by the same J craft team!!!
TRY TO TOP THAT!!!

Heck even back in L.A. I fuond it at Sunset and then at Lake forest GC...they all played real well but the one in Ventura was out of this world easy to play, we took that Ibanez RGA 121 NTF and a JS 1000 and played togheter and then switched, the Prestige was WAY better than the JS ...

Ibanez is making real good guitars and selling them at good prices, only the "signature" models are ALWAYS quite expensive (example: 7VWH for 2099 plus tax!, BRMR for 2329 plus tax!).


Last year they introduced al least 2 models that I think are great one is the grey/white/b;ack swirled prestige (selling now mint on Evil bay for around 1000-1300 and the Puzzle prestiges, going for the same price, both are super deals in my humble opinion... just because the 20Th is a toy doesnt mean everything is lost...look just look jackson is still making tons of Randy Rhoads models so NO INOVATION on the other camps.....

my .02
 
#21 ·
This last 2 weeks I went to 6 Guitar centers in California, the first one I visited (Venura-camarillo) had a take it for 799.00 Ibanez RGA 121 NTF. It was a FANTASTIC guitar, it had the same 5 piece neck as my BRMR, hard tail ( a lot of guys here complain of lack of hard tails!), the action has insane, simplel put I was enamored of the darn guitar but my BRMR was 2 hours new so I could not even talk about it to my wife an myson was already set on a BSB!!!
The I found the same guitar at Fresno, at Gilroy, at San francisco and it had come down in price to 649.00!!!! a Prestige for 650? with a nice wood body, nice tone and a top top neck made by the same J craft team!!!
TRY TO TOP THAT!!!

Heck even back in L.A. I fuond it at Sunset and then at Lake forest GC...they all played real well but the one in Ventura was out of this world easy to play, we took that Ibanez RGA 121 NTF and a JS 1000 and played togheter and then switched, the Prestige was WAY better than the JS ...

Ibanez is making real good guitars and selling them at good prices, only the "signature" models are ALWAYS quite expensive (example: 7VWH for 2099 plus tax!, BRMR for 2329 plus tax!).

Last year they introduced al least 2 models that I think are great one is the grey/white/b;ack swirled prestige (selling now mint on Evil bay for around 1000-1300 and the Puzzle prestiges, going for the same price, both are super deals in my humble opinion... just because the 20Th is a toy doesnt mean everything is lost...look just look jackson is still making tons of Randy Rhoads models so NO INOVATION on the other camps.....

my .02
The RGA is just that, an RGA. Not an RG. It's a fixed bridge, not a strung through body hardtail. For what it is, it's a fine guitar. But it's not filling the gaps in the MIJ RG line. The white and black swirl, and puzzle top guitars are limited editions. Not in the regular RG lineup. Regular production MIJ Rg's offer very little selection. --Jason
 
#18 ·
I agree 100% with Thrash. Sure, not everyone can be pleased, but a simple step like offering more finishes and more maple fretboard models would solve a lot of the problems. It's not like we're asking for a 7-string Baritone guitar with a piezo output with LED's, or something else as specific...Asking for an option of three or more finishes and a maple fretboard is a very simple thing...

Hell, look at Fender for crying out loud. Look at the immense fretboard/color options that they offer, from the Squire Series all the way to the Custom Shop models. No one is left out.
 
#19 ·
1) We already talked about the lack of maple fretboards on the other post.
You're right on that one. I personally prefer rosewood, but to offer 3-4 prestige models (RG/S) with a maple option wouldnt hurt. But I also think that the '07 lineup of RG(-shaped) and S guitars is the most diverse since 20 years. Neckthrough, HH, HSH, H (iirc, a first since 1986), flamed tops, quilt tops, plain tops, 6,7,8 strings etc.

2) Lack of colors, stop spending time on stupid new body shapes and stick to making your bread and butter guitars better. If you have blue, red, white black, bodies on some guitars why not offer eack color on most the models. Now it's like, "Hope you like black because it's the only color you can get this in".
There are actually people out there who like 'stupid new body shapes'. Don't tell me you need even more RGs than there already are. For 10 years, people were complaining about the lack of a V or a decent explorer-style axe, but now those are stupid new body shapes. This is just hillarious. Don't take this personally; as it seems to be a common attitude in this forum.

3) 20th Ann. model limited issue. Nuff said.
I didn't even know there even were people having problems with them. But I have to admit I'm too lazy to crawl through 20-page-bash-threads that tend to appear after each namm show. So you're complaining about the RG20 being limited? I think that's the point in an anniversary model.
If you were talking about the jem - I personally think there's no reason in hell I'd ever get a white jem with gold hardware. In contrast, I think the 20th is more innovative than I had ever expected from vai and ibanez. I guess that makes me a sick person now.

sarcasm off.

4) Crappy Indonesia models with crap trems, stop already. What's the point of 3 friggen trems. I'll bet the cost between a Edge III and Edge II is less the 10-20 dollars. Get rid of your crap trem, it just make people who happen to play one think Ibanez blows if they don't know about better models.
If you don't want a indonesian model, then don't get it. If you want a high end guitar, then get one. I seriously don't see your point.
The trem debate has been beaten to death already. Yeah, the price difference between an edge III and an edge pro II (there actually was an edge II in '89 on the VM models) is around 20ish, due to licensing issues. But they're of equal (low) quality, just a different design. I see no reason to NOT put a 20$ cheaper trem of the same quality onto a guitar.

If you were talking about the Edge Pro vs Edge pro II and were just mixing up the terms - yes there is a reason of having a 'cheap' and a 'good' model (which actually is way more than $20 more expensive). No $300 beginner's guitar is going to stay at $300 if they dropped a $200 trem in it.

I love Ibanez but they need to get with it. Prices are going up as well. Focus on the RG/S series and offer options for eack model instead of the take it or leave it mentality.
Labouring costs in japan aren't the same as they were 20 years ago and are still on the rise. Live with it or go korean.

cheers.
 
#22 ·
Ive said it elsewhere - I love the 2007 line-up but I REALLY hate the fact that the RG's and the JEM for that matter is restricted to 1987 units...

I want a 550DY - but im not gonna get one cos there aint enough !

I will forever be an Ibanez fan - but I may stop buying Ibanez because they wont supply what 'we' (I) want - its easier to get a body and neck from one of our fine vendors and make your own - better Ibanez !
EDIT: when I say I may stop buying ibanez I mean.......

I havent bought a BRAND NEW ibanez since 1992 - they just aint intersting enough - every now and then something will pique my interest - like teh 548NTM I bought last year ! ;)
 
#25 ·
Ibanez is bringing nothing new to the table. Other manufacturers are making more options availible to the guitar owner looking to upgrade.

I've said it before.. they need to stop catering to the $500 guitar market, perfect for hanging on the wall at Guitar Center, and just letting the higher end models fall in line.

That's just my opinion. But I see ALOT of cheap Ibanez guitars in the lineup. It's not how it used to be. Doesn't really matter to me, I have all the Ibanez guitars I want already, especially if they are going to coninue to go down hill.

There are plenty of cheap guitars to chose from. It's ridiculous.

I've had 17 years of expieriance with Ibanez and to put it into one sentence... The new guitars suck.

Flame away..........
 
#26 ·
Can't we all just get along? Haha.

I'm siding with the lack-of-options guys on this one because right now I'm a disappointed with EVERYTHING on the market. Last year was a great year for Jackson in the udder-mid range with their pro series DK2M and 2S (stock guitar with a sustainer!), which was exactly the kind of thing Ibanez should have done this year with their entire lineup. I'm very impressed they even attempted doing the single humbucker RG, I actually really like it...though it's not my thing. For me the RG has always been everything I wanted in a guitar, that is until my hand started cramping up from playing the paper-thin wizard neck. Now I won't even touch them, even though the RG770 is probably my favorite guitar. They just need more options period, offer the original wizard, the wizard 2, the ultra,...with maple, rosewood, or ebony...and then offer them in red, yellow, blue, green, ORANGE, purple, white, black, AND transparent finishes. They could have a monopoly on the market right now if they'd only give the people what they want, which is plain and simply...to have the guitar they want.
 
#27 ·
Agreed - don't want more models, though i'm not complaining 'bout the crazy new shapes that are coming out, they aren't to my taste and i won't buy any of them. I just want more options on the existing main shapes (sabre and RG/Jem) like those described above by Praetorian.

Very few none-Ibanez guitars on the market, past or present, interest me in the slightest. At the moment, a black, carved top peavey wolfgang with white binding, maple 'board and vibrato system with the d-tuna thing on it is on the lust list (blatant Muse fanboy). I also like Parker Flys but they're SO expensive! Besides that i'm only interested in japanese ibanez guitars. HOWEVER the new and current models aren't ticking the boxes and are giving me anti-GAS... my only choice is to search the 'bay for discontinued models that fit the bill - they're out there, its just a matter of waiting for them to become available because some older ibanez variants of the main models have everything i'm after!
 
#28 ·
I like all of the new models but,the colors haven't changed much.I wish Ibanez would offer at least one other color of each model,I'd be willing to pay a little extra for a different color.I agree about the trems too.If Ibanez would lose a few of those new shapes,offer some new colors,multiple colors of each model,and quit messing with the trems, I'm sure more people would be happy,I know I would be.I sure like the V and the Xyphos(sp?) though.
 
#29 ·
i'd like to see all the non-prestige model production moved to the same factory in china that makes thier artcore line and yes i'd like to see the return of the original edge and lo-pro , though that should happen shortly after they stop paying royalties(sp) on them , or see the zero resistance being put on the rg line .

overall this year was damn good for ibanez , they are experimenting and expanding , it will just take some time to catch the curve .
 
#31 ·
I have been getting clued up on peavey wolfgangs just recently (because i want one) and i'm amazed how many finish options there have been!! Flame tops, quilt tops, lots of plain and fancy colour options, with or without binding, flat and arch tops with or without trem etc etc.

No pickup options and they all seem to have maple fret boards but this is the sort of thing i'd like ibanez to do with their main models.
 
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