Neil-Nitro
I'm curious to hear some opinions on Ibanez guitars. They're mostly labeled only being good for metal and extreme shredding. But with models like the Roadcore and SA series or even the ARX and ART they seem to cater for almost everybody. Do we just have the perception that its mostly good for metal because a lot of metal players use them? Or maybe the tradionalist tends to overlook them? Way back when I started playing I had a cheap GRX40 and thinking back I really loved the neck and frets on that guitar and found it easier to play. Maybe because I have large hands ?. But what do you guys think?
Domin0
I personally love them ? I own an SA series, and I swapped out the pickups, but that thing can go from balls to the walls metal to even a pretty decent bluesy tone.
I think the reason most people see them as metal guitars is the super thin necks, they're a shredders dream ?
Neil-Nitro
I love the look of the SA models and the fact that they don't use double locking trems. The hss configuration is awesome too.
guidothepimmp
The artist series are EPIC..
Had a few RGs that i quite enjoyed too.. reliable.. well made.. and they take a pounding.
Pickups are rubbish though in the rg and s series
The AR series with super58s are really stunning instruments. Wouldnt trade my ar300 for the world
Neil-Nitro
Oh yeah the AR is beautiful. I bet it plays great too. I apologize for the silence. I'm enjoying a late vacation at the sea ?
Shibbibilybob
The Ar also has quite a good reputation amongst traditionalists.
In fact, I would say we (I) have long past the point where Ibanez were considered as metal-only guitars.
flatfourfan
I've had a whole host of ibby's and loved all of them, some more than others.
The Artist for a good all rounded is as guido says, epic. That is probably the one guitar that I will never sell. Great pups, hardware. On all my RG's I did a pup swap though. The lower end of the RG spectrum suffers from that though.
As for just a metal guitar..........no ways.
AlanRatcliffe
singemonkey wrote:
Why has no one yet posted the greatest thread in gfsa history?
You effluent agitator you...
singemonkey
Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
singemonkey wrote:
Why has no one yet posted the greatest thread in gfsa history?
You effluent agitator you...
funkadelic
It depends on what type of Ibanez guitar we're talking about. I used to own two Artcore semi-hollow bodies for example; buddy of mine and a lot of guys where I'm from owns the hollow-bodied guitars. Great guitars for jazz.
Malkav
Love em, currently own 4 ?
The absolute best production brand when it comes to ERGs in my opinion, though the stock pickups are generally pretty trash if you check out the latest catalogue a far greater amount of them are starting to come with Dimarzio as standard, and on some models Bareknuckles, so they seem to be paying attention to what the market wants.
My two highest end ones are absolutely going to the grave with me, solid amazing workhorse instruments that can cover an enormous spectrum of styles with ease, couldn't ask for more. ?
Charlie4
I owned an Ibby for seven years and I was very lucky not to gouge my own eyes out. I do however wear glasses these days so maybe I was not fully spared of the consequences. ?
As Chad mentioned, Ibanez have seriously upped their game over the past few years, not only in looks and range for the world-wide market, but the pickups they use are getting better - Dimarzio, Bare Knuckle etc.
I would most certainly buy another Ibanez had I the need for another amazing guitar. 8)
Neil-Nitro
That is one long thread...... I only got through 34 pages of the comments! I remember going to the local store a few months ago and to my suprise saw an Ibanez tubescreamer amp with actual tubes! ?. It sounded quite good to my ears and is definitely a new direction for them. If I were to play a superstrat styled Ibby it would probably be the RGA which is the hardtail ones. I like simplicity when it comes to guitars and/or rigs. Double-locking trems are just too much for me personally. Ibanez do offer a lot of options and that's a +1.
Malkav
Charlie4 wrote:
As Chad mentioned, Ibanez have seriously upped their game over the past few years, not only in looks and range for the world-wide market, but the pickups they use are getting better - Dimarzio, Bare Knuckle etc.
I would most certainly buy another Ibanez had I the need for another amazing guitar. 8)
I'm not even an S series fan, but my jaw hit the floor when I saw these new ones ?
21Fretter
If you have a good base (wood, build quality etc), with the array of pickups and mods available, I imagine you can use almost any guitar for any style (hollow bodies might be hard to replicate though).
Personally, whichever guitar shape/brand is your most comfortable and allows your best performance.
aubs1
Neil Nitro wrote:
I'm curious to hear some opinions on Ibanez guitars. They're mostly labeled only being good for metal and extreme shredding.
Only saw this now. But to answer that question about metal and extreme metal ....... I have one of each of these guitars,
the JS1000BTB, and the JEM7V-W
Here are examples of non metal stuff ....
Michael-Oberholzer
The octaves reminded me of Eric Johnson's "Manhattan".
alanjday
I Love the Vintage Artist guitars. I used to have an AR500 in an aluminum flight case (standard issue!!) back in 1980 and it was awesome - foolishly I sold it. All these years I regretted that sale.
Recently I acquired a damaged 2618 in it's original case (only wood this time). I love it! Despite the damage, it plays like a dream and the Neck pup delivers a great warmth (very suitable for jazz) while there is an almost Strat like sound from the Bridge. Quite versatile considering how close together the pups are on a 2618. They are Super 80's "Flying Fingers" pups.
I play blues based rock - never thought of these guitars being for metal - mind you I had my first one BEFORE metal even came along LOL!
Have to say I hate the use of the zinc based "pot metal" - especially in the Gibraltar "type 1" bridge. It makes for a great deal of tension when trying to have the parts re plated. Oh - and they need replaying - after about 10 days of playing!! Yep - I managed to find a NOS Gibraltar "type 1" bridge brand new - 10 days - not even giging - silver showing through. I'm going to re plate in nickel.
Restoration is in Progress.
Alan Day
TS10
I have owned many Strats, a few PRSs, and an assortment of vintage and non-vintage guitars over the years. Not one of them comes close to matching my Ibanez Artist 2700 Custom in terms of tone, playability and general build quality.
Like anything else, some Ibbys are crap (entry level mass market stuff) and some are incredible. At the end of the day whatever works for you.
