Ibanez EX models

I'd say no way. I had one. The body was plywood, and the neck developed a kink which could not be fixed with a fret level (it was a really big kink) and required uncomfortably high action to eliminate dead spots. Also, the nut was junk, and bound a lot, leading to tuning problems (it was fixed bridge).

-John

Good to know. Thanks!

JM,

According to the catalogs they were solid wood:
http://www.ibanezrules.com/catalogs/us/1993/ex_3.jpg

When Ibanez first started making RGs in Korea, they didn't want to put the RG name on them in case they ended up being crap. EX stood for "experimental", As korean manufacturing got better, so did the EX models. Most were bargain models, but there were some high end ones, like the EX3700. -from "Ibanez, the Untold Story"

They phased out the EX series in '94, and started using the RG name on the Korean models as well as the MIJ ones.

-Fuze

Weird, seeing as those EXs have 24 frets and RXs have 22... theyre very different axes :?

from the 1st part of your post, i was expecting a "they were replaced by MIK RGs later on", not "replaced by RX"...

weird!

Sorry, I should have been more specific. I had an EX120, which is close to the bottom of the line for the EX series. It was definitely plywood, though. I took it apart and in the neck pocket, trem cavity, etc., I could see clear layers of pressed wood. It was a total piece of junk.

The solid wood ones are probably better. My guess is that the quality of the earliest Korean models is not very consistent, though. If I were you I'd play first before buying.

My $0.02...

The catalog for my year claims it was Basswood. It doesn't say "solid", though, so maybe it's a PR euphemism for "plywood made up of parts of basswood".

marianozz said:

Weird, seeing as those EXs have 24 frets and RXs have 22... theyre very different axes :?

from the 1st part of your post, i was expecting a "they were replaced by MIK RGs later on", not "replaced by RX"...

weird!

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You're absolutely right. I actually caught it and corrected myself right after I posted it. But you got in there too quick!

giannifive said:

The catalog for my year claims it was Basswood. It doesn't say "solid", though, so maybe it's a PR euphemism for "plywood made up of parts of basswood".

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The 92 and 93 catalogs says the 160 and 170 are "made of solid maple, not plywood". I don't see any mention of an EX120 though.

fuze said:

You're absolutely right. I actually caught it and corrected myself right after I posted it. But you got in there too quick!

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heh, great... that was pretty confusing! :lol:

I gotta get my hands on the Ibanez book sometime...

nah i dont think so

fuze said:

The 92 and 93 catalogs says the 160 and 170 are "made of solid maple, not plywood". I don't see any mention of an EX120 though.

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Look at the 89, 90, and 91 catalogs, where they're listed as "basswood". Maybe 92 was the first year they were solid wood?

giannifive said:

Look at the 89, 90, and 91 catalogs, where they're listed as "basswood". Maybe 92 was the first year they were solid wood?

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basswood isn't solid?

damo7v said:

basswood isn't solid?

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read the whole thread.

giannifive said:

Look at the 89, 90, and 91 catalogs, where they're listed as "basswood". Maybe 92 was the first year they were solid wood?

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Oh yeah! You can tell Ibanez didn't have much faith in these, they're really hidden in the back of the catalog That's pretty cheezy not mentioning the laminated construction. It was a bad move, and they're very clear to call out "solid" construction in the '92 & '93.

Also, notice that the 89-91 EX have 22 frets.

fuze said:

Oh yeah! You can tell Ibanez didn't have much faith in these, they're really hidden in the back of the catalog That's pretty cheezy not mentioning the laminated construction. It was a bad move, and they're very clear to call out "solid" construction in the '92 & '93.

Also, notice that the 89-91 EX have 22 frets.

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Boy that is deceptive, isn't it?

If I have time tonight I'll take a pic of my plywood EX for all to see in its laminate glory.

That EX3700 with the maple fretboard is very nice.

this model was used in the Film "The Crow " with Brandon Lee
What kind of guitar does Eric Draven use?
Eric actually is seen playing two different guitars in the movie. Before his death, Eric owned a black Ibanez EX model. This guitar can be seen in the flashback sequence that is shown while Eric is burning the photos of he and Shelly. The guitar that we see Eric take from Gideon's and later plays on the rooftop is a solid black, six string, standard Fender Stratocaster. Most fans associate the Strat with Eric since he plays it on the rooftop and the Ibenez is only shown once in a flashback. Thanks to Kel for the information on the Ibanez.

I have an EX 350 H-S-H with a TRS 101. I changed out the powersound pups (except the single which I just changed the cover) and it is solid basswood, not laminated. I bought it new in about 92 (maybe earlier?) and it plays great, the neck is thicker than a wizard but thinner than a strat or LP. It is still straight, the rosewood is not the best bit of wood but doesn't affect playability. Once I get the chance it going to get stripped and a new Gotoh Floyd. It sounds funny but of all the guitars I've had this is the only only I have kept. It feels right and sounds good. The TRS is wearing now so it has to go and the original pups were crap but hey thats what DiMarzios are for!!!

In 93 or so I had an ex 140 with natural finish, my first "real" guitar. It was pretty solid. Standard strat type bridge. I wish I still had it actually, I liked the shape of the neck. A buddy had an RX160? or something too, basically the same thing except H-S-H instead of S-S-H. They were both dependable workhorses that got the job done for years and years. Good backups at least. I'd certainly take it over the lower end guitars anyone is putting out these days. The construction and hardware were solid. Both of the bodies were definately not laminated.

I'd say if you can find a good one for like $100 go for it.