The Biggest Problem With Ibanez Guitars.
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
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What's you favorite Ibanez Models? Im going 550 and Voyager!
Lol, I can't even remember all the weird "number/names".
rg550
To me, Ibanez = Hair Bands and whatever advanced alien $h!t Steve Vai is up to. 😁🤘🏻
‘88/‘89 540R & 540S Bensalem, Pa…
565 with its odd pickup configuration & the long gone 7620 7 string, the more recent offerings don't have what this one had IMO. Also love the AM & AS series, lots of bang for the buck in the semi-hollow family.
Their biggest problem: how they name them. I’m considering one of these two models…the RGT5076H6567754 and the RG8986DX1397F945.
hhahahaha
pretty much
Yes yes
Their names look like wi-fi passwords.
Once you're in deep enough the numbers and letters start to make some sense but it's still silly.
The only problem with Ibanez is that we always want another one...
yea, apparently according to guitar “experts” they can’t make instruments or guitars. but that’s pretty much just affluent privileged white people. I don’t mean literally white, i just mean people who have enough means and money to go after Fenders and Gibsons when they are 24 without a job. Like, a Collings is an eight thousand dollar guitar, and most privileged kids getting into guitar think that’s normal... Every poor person in the world plays an Ibanez. It’s become the brand of the working class, regardless of race. And their Japanese made stuff is really amazing. Most guys, including this video, have no idea about the Japanese Talman Series. Explosions in the Sky sound. By far my favorite Strat/Tele Alternative.
@@petermoss208Talman! Win!
No, "WE" don't.
Suck it up
@@petermoss208 I understand what you're saying but believe me. Ibanez plays like itself and nothing plays like an Ibanez because of it's unique wizard neck and tell you what? The closest neck profile to an Ibanez hyper wizard is a JP majesty. I moved from Ibanez to Charvel and came back. Ibanez is something else for me. It's not like Ibanez is cheap, but most American guitars being oddly expensive because they are AmEriCaN-mAde. I really don't have this point of view about Ibanez being poor people's guitar 😂 you better checkout JCRG line.
Throughout the 35 years that I've played guitar, I've owned Gibsons, Fenders, Charvels, Jacksons, ESPs, BC Richs, Washburns, etc because I'm sure I'm leaving out a few. When I joined a cover band, I needed a guitar with a double locking tremolo, so I bought an Ibanez RG1570. I was shocked how versatile it is. With the 5 way switch and the volume knob, I can pretty much get any tone I'm looking for with it. I have since sold off most of my guitars and now have the original RG1570 I bought and have since added an RG520QS, RG550, RG7620, and a MIJ RG470. i just don't think you will find a better guitar at those price points. They check all the boxes. Tuning stability, craftsmanship, and versatility.
I have an rg1570 as well and it is incredibly versatile. A person can play pretty much any style or genre with them. I love mine!
@@LS-wc6mr I got super lucky with mine. I got it about 4 months before the pandemic hit. $600, and it had a full set of Evos, brass block, and the last 4 frets are scalloped. I've seen people selling those for over $1000 these days.
Bro you have great taste I have those exact guitars and about 7 Jems also, but my 520qs is so cool with the mahogany body I love them all. 🤘🏼✌🏼
Ibanez is high quality - spesially RG Prestige and up. I have also owned many Ibanez guitars and I wait every year to see their new models because I want to buy a high end Ibanez. But they are a little bit too much bling, gold, the Vai-inlay tree on the fretboard on the custom models and so. I wish they would make a normal "strat" or a RG with thin neck in normal colors and whithout all the bling. I'm still waiting for that to happen. In Norway it's normally people in the countryside who like bling and stuff like that. The last good looking Ibanez I owned was a RGA-321 Maybe Ibanez sells a lot in Japan but they should consider to make a few models more toned down - to appeal to people who otherwise buy Fender, Suhr and so on. Charvel are also a bit over the top where the top models looks like they was made 20 years ago.
I have an RG8, RG450DXSLB, an RGD370ZWH, and just got an EHB1500DEF every guitar and bass that's an Ibanez I've owned is so nice, hand me a Gio or a Premium and I will not complain.
Ibanez Artcores are a hidden gem - amazing guitars for the money for 20+ years on!
I just bought a 2004 AF195 a couple of months ago. My best musical purchase yet!
I love my AF95
I mostly play solidbody electrics, but when you want/ need a hollowbody, they do really do it.
ART100 here in white- you ain't lying buddy!
Agreed. I was just saying how much I love my AF75. Such a classy sound that makes me feel like a better blues player than I really am. lol.
Yup - got an ART100 single cut that I'll put up against any ESP LTD guitar.
I've also seen an ART 7 string with the set-through style neck heel that I would really love to add to my collection.
so Ibanez's biggest problem is players, for some reason, think you're only allowed to play certain genres on certain guitars. can we PLEASE stop with that crap. Just play what you want on the guitar you like, it's not complicated
Nah dude, if you try to play blues on my RG it will literally implode, taking me with it.
@@mablesfatalfable6021 You're wrong. RGs are really versatile. They're just marketed to metal heads.
I got a buddy who plays an electric blue RG470. He got a gig with a country band so he went out and bought.....a cowboy hat. So now he plays country on his RG470, but with a cowboy hat.
I would say that people who are shredders just tend to gravitate towards Ibanez due to ergonomics and price
amen to that 👍🏻
Ibanez is not just modern superstrats, they also made the Artist series in the 70's, the Talman telecaster and strat style, Jazz guitars...
I bought a 20th Anniversary Jem because I liked the way it looked. I showed it to Steve Vai and he wrote all over it! Be careful with your guitars around that guy 🙃
He does that so if it ever gets lost, it'll be returned to him. Crafty out that Steve.
Ibanez has one of the slickest, most beautiful guitar sereies in the S series, and one of the most beautiful and versatile bass series in the SR series. I'm a longtime fan.
I love the S series!!
Oh yes. The SR is my favorite.
Proud s owner here. So confortable. The wizard necks just feel so easy to play. And tonal options with the 5 selection switch ❤.
The biggest problem I have with Ibanez guitars is I don't own enough of them ...and I have 8 of them 😂
MIJ is the only way to go
Whats better in your opinion RG or S?
@@salildeshpande7 To each their own but for me it's a MIJ RG paired with a newer laminated neck.
The used u.s.a. custom guitars are a favorite of mine.
@@justincase9173 I see 👀. Thanks.
the AZ series made in indo are amazing.
The problem is, I can never own enough of them. I now own 5 of them. My first Ibanez was an RG470 that I bought in 1992. Still easily one of my favorite guitars in my collection. Most of my all time favorite guitarists play Ibanez as well. Paul Gilbert, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, just to name a few! Love Ibanez guitars! 🎸😝🤟
I can’t even remember what model I have. But I gave it to my daughter, now I want a new guitar again. Though I might have to buy 2 cuz she probably gonna want a new one too
Some 20 years ago, I wanted a Fender Strat, got myself a Universe because I figured 7 strings will remove the work of changing tunes, it did.
Some years ago I wanted a LP because hey, it's a LP, I got myself an Iceman because its pretty much same specs, scale length, neck angle, controls etc, but its just so flashy that I couldn't not buy it.
Then I asked myself, why I keep getting Ibanez when I want those other brands, and I realized, Ibanez are just so comfy and deliver all I need, and they don't come with the problems others have, I've hit my Iceman on the walls and floor so many times and it's headstock is still there, lol.
Best necks out there , love em....
The MIJ Wizard necks are where its at. Ahh the Iceman, the best shape Gibson NEVER made! The Destroyer II is fuckin sick too
@@mikeyoung6351 Absolutely. Love the wizard on my 550 Genesis. The 5 piece walnut reinforced construction solves the cracking issue they had on the originals and it's so slim and fast!
Let's not forget that Ibanez made some pretty decent Les Paul and Explorer copies at one point. EVH played a Destroyer (became The Shark guitar) in the early days and possibly on the early albums.
Women and Children First.
Feel Your Love Tonight, You Really Got Me, Runnin With The Devil and On Fire were all recorded with the Destroyer
My Jem is as solid as they come. Can't use it on stage because my dumb eyes get confused by the vines, but for Livestreams and recording it's damn sweet ass!
YES! Jem's are amazing
Chromalabel 1/4 inch high visibility colored dot stickers for the side dots. 10$ on Amazon for 1000. They wont damage anything.
Heyy its guitar markiplier!!
@@bacongl, not sure id like having those sticking up a quarter inch when I wrap my thumb around and use it to fret the low E often..
What year is your Jem? Is it the floral pattern one? My buddy used to have one, and he called it the 'Steve Vine' LOL
I've played Ibanez ever since I got serious in music many years ago. While my rock star dreams may have died, my RG760 and JEM77 Floral are still going strong! Not only were they good at mimicking other sounds, they also had their own unique sound.
What year is your Jem? My buddy used to have one, and he called it the 'Steve Vine' LOL.
I went the other way and got the LNG Jem 777 with the crazy bridge guard over the trem. It keeps the Edge tremolo from going sharp from your palm no matter how hard you push down with your hand. I wish all the Jems had them.
Cheers!
I own RG770 original not reissue. It doesn't outperform the others ,BUT it is versatile AND well made in Japan. The Floyd-rose mechanism on it is great quality for more than 30 years old guitar!
I have the same one, 30 years and she's still rocking.
the old ibanez' are beasts. I also love my 36 year old jem777dy
The biggest problem for me with Ibanez is when I want to switch pickups on how to rewire them was different from the standard wiring and I wanted a different 5 way switch in it and the damn switch would not hold it without touching the wood. So I had to take a router and very carefully deepen the cavity and repaint it with graphite gloss black mixed paint for shielding I make myself. Works great if done right. I have an original custom Japan made RG550 I have had for near 25 years now.
I miss my RG50 I had the one with the mirror placid Blue .. the drug days took it away from me I wish I still had it! Now been sober for 18 years … guitar saved my life ! Cheers bro!
@@satchrules101 I know the feeling. I was on drugs most of my life as well, and things come and go putting the drugs first.
I found myself playing a lot of blues/jazz vibes with my 550 back in the day. The HSH setup offers SO many tonal possibilities. Especially when you play around with amp settings and stuff.
The thing that so awesome about Ibanez guitars is when you get that wizard neck and you slap it on any of the bodies, they just play good.
There are far too many people who squeeze every single thought in their brain out through their mouths, thinking that they're going to find some magical mixture that's just going to elevate them to the height of playing ability when dude it comes down to hard work and what you're going to do with that thing..
How you express yourself great guitars and amplifiers only enhance that. A great guitar player can sit down with the lowest level equipment and still get a decent sound out of it... But a low quality player can sit down with the best stuff on the market and still sound low quality...
The very first Ibanez guitar I picked up I fell in love with.. that was many many guitars ago I've played some of the highest quality ones and some of the lower quality ones, and I'm telling you, if they're set up right, you can't really tell if the lights are just right you're feeling good and your noodling around..... Doesn't really matter with ibanez. Like I say set them up right and treat them well... If you know what you're doing you've got a fresh set of strings... Ibanez guitars will do it for you... Like you said Robert... If you're listening to it in a mix, you're never going to know what kind of guitar it is.
I absolutely can’t stand the wizard neck on 6 string guitars. Way too thin. Ibanez seems to have realised this and created the AZ series that has a slightly thicker neck. I wish they had made the neck thickness an option. There are some very cool models that I’d love to own, except it has the cardboard thickness neck on it 😅 It’s so funny to me that what one guy absolutely loves, another can’t stand. There is no right and wrong in guitar specs.
@@CoenBijpost agreed! I love the thin neck on the Ibanez myself, but when I got that little Fender American Ultra Stratocaster… It’s somewhere in between that and the baseball bat neck of the normal Stratocaster… I have not had a chance to get my hands on an AZ yet, but that Ultra neck is the best feeling neck I’ve ever wrapped my hands around. I don’t know if it’s because it has really good rounded over fretwork or the rolled edges, but it’s fantastic.. I’m like you though in the end every guitar player prefers a guitar set up the way they like it. That should go without saying, lol but you know, as long as there are guys with guitars and other things we’re gonna throw them on the table and measure them lol 😏😂😂😂
Some of my favorite Ibanez guitars are their semi hollowbodies, Artists and variations on Les Pauls from the 70's. The super strat thing has never been my favorite, but they have proven to be a company who produces a wide variety of great instruments.
Always wanted a 550 as a kid in the 80s, had a Kramer and bought a Jackson as an adult. But when it was stolen (along with a guild s100 from the 70s I had as a kid also) I found and bought a MIJ Rg2550 prestige...holy cow that thing is my baby! Can handle everything from hair metal or thrash to that tele twang and sparkling cleans or anything in between. The 5 way swith and volume knob are like magic!!
I've been in love with ibanez for over 20 Years. I've got a couple of 7 strings, a Talman acoustic and the hidden treasures of a Gi0 and a Artcore 335 style. All amazingly versatile and a dream to play. They were my go to gigging guitar until I recently picked up a EvH Wolfgang. They are still my studio staple and I will probably be getting some more in the future
I would say the Ibanez RG550 and upper models as the Prestige series when it's about versatility really outperform Les Pauls and Fender strats, sound great for lower gain and cleaner styles. Ibanez has its own sound and it's great not only for metal. A noticeable difference, at least for me, it's comparing to a Les Paul with a fixed bridge, dismissing pickups and pots, to a floating locking tremolo with the springs that makes a different tone, not bad, but its own with a particular resonance that some love. I still have an RG550 from around '90, it's still great after 30 years with proper care, only thing I got tired of the locking tremolo and nut, swapped for a Wilkinson VS-100 and an ebanol wide nut, and still sounds amazing with improved sustain, keeping the original pickups V7 & V8. So yeah also RG models can be very customizable. Great video Robert to make justice for Ibanez RGs or similar "modern" guitars. Thanks!
Love my RG...ive had it since i was like 18 and im 36 now. Plays the best, sounds the best and has been super dependable. I dont play shows anymore but I started recording again and its my go-to.
The problem is, they are not so good at marketing as Fender
Honestly I don't think it matters , everyone knows who they're!
@@mikeg6666 is not about know them, but to be fan of them
Well that's how confident they are with their product 🤘
@@mikeg6666it actually does matter, I got a single coil pickups strat at when I started, but eventually I realised its not what I want, so I looked at some videos and they were all basically: "you got the strat, the LP and the telly, now go choose.". I remember seeing ibanez guitars at the shop and I didn't even ask how much do they cost because they *looked* expensive to me. And since I didn't hear about them anything, I got a LP. It took me so long to realise that brands like ibanez, jackson, schecter and the like are not so expensive
You're tripping. They had waybheavier marketing back when marketing was still big for guitar companies in magazines and ibanez always had a who's who's of shredders that they're endorse. But if you were around in the early 2000s you'd know ibanez has definitely put the work in with marketing.
After the opening playing I was hoping it was just gonna cut to you saying "...I've got nowhere to put them all!"
😂😂
I love Ibanez. I have the original desert yellow RG550. Gigged with it in the 90s. Played many different genres. Around 2003 I picked up an RG320 at a flea market for $30, replaced the damaged trem/bridge and gigged with it for years. I recently got an Artcore hollow body and love that too. My daughter has a Gio and even those budget guitars are awesome. Even my Ibanez mandolin is pretty sweet. Still need to learn to play that one.
The first 3 things I do to an Ibanez in the 1k $ range: 1.) I lock the Tremolo 2.) I remove the Locking Nuts 3.) I install high quality Locking Tuners. Those 3 things made all my Ibanez better.
I have a Gio, which is crazy cool, just got a RG456BGM, I think that's the model, a couple numbers might be off, but I love it. It's light, easy and fun to play, it's gorgeous too, what more do you want, the thing sounds great. It's all factory stock too, haven't changed the pickups yet, but the more I play it, the more I wanna keep the stock pickups. Oh well, I love the thing,Rock On.🤘🎸🎶
Omg that Voyager looks and sounds amazing!
You're the coolest Robert 🤘
I learn so much from you.
Thank you!
I own a JS1200 ,JS20S 20th Anniversary model and an 1988 Jem in Desert Sun Yellow! I LOVE all 3 of them but the Jem doesnt have the low end that the Satriani's does. As far as an all around guitar, I like the Satriani models the best.
I’ve bought and sold hundreds of guitars over the 40 years I’ve played and one of the last 5 guitars I still have is a desert yellow RG550. The last things I was playing before I “retired “ was a RX-20. After replacing the tuners and locking down the bridge I had a great sounding lightweight guitar I could play comfortably as I got old and crusty. 2 hours without pain and able to cover a wide variety of sounds. I have always been a maple fretboard guy so any maple had always caught my eye.
1977, Kiss Alive 2 comes out, we all bought it and opened up the double album to see the incredible photo of Kiss' live stage and all the pyrotechnic glory. BUT, then we saw the craziest shaped guitar we ever saw in the hands of one Paul Stanley. The Ibanez PS10 Iceman. We all wanted one!! They were rare and only made for a few years back then.
I've got one, it's a 79 with the sustain block. I bought it new in 81. In 93 the whole band signed it for me at a radio station in NJ.
I wondered how far I would have to scroll before somebody mentioned Paul Stanley. It does not get much more straightforward rock n roll than KISS.
The day I opened the KISS ALIVE II double album and saw Paul Stanley’s Ibanez guitar for the first time,my life changed forever! It’s still my favorite guitar to this day.
I tend to think of electric Ibanez as shred guitars, but my favorite guitar to play is an Ibanez acoustic/electric with a nickel-wound Gilmour-guage stringset (with a wound 3rd I custom order). With a soundhole block to control feedback, I run it through my pedalboard or a Line6 multi-effects board and into my Fender Twin. Super versatile, easy to play, stays in tune, massive range of sounds. I am liking everything about that Voyager you're playing there. I'm feeling the need...
As a lefty - Ibanez provides many great choices over the years. 2 Jem JRL, Two RG1570, Two RG550 Genesis (Road Flare Red - wish they'd bring this back for lefty) - all a great with subtle differences I appreciate. Favorite RG550 - with Steve's Special in the bridge. One weird thing that makes me prefer Ibanez is that they seem heavier, light guitars make me uncomfortable.
lefty here. You're right about choice.
There was a period of time in my life when I stopped playing, always knowing I would get back into it. It was in the late 80s and my first guitar getting back into it was naturally THE guitar to own, an RG. I started with an RG570 (HSH mounted directly to the guitar, no pickguard) and it was pretty good, but about a year later, I was in a GC in Minneapolis and they had a used 550. I was immediately drawn to it. I played it, and it was THE guitar I was looking for! A black '87 - and of course, I still have it. ❤
Ibanez 560 was my 1st shred guitar in 89
The 1st pro guitar I ever bought as a beginner was an Ibanez SG back in 1974/75. It was an absolute awesome guitar. Back then they were starting to compete in the US markets and specifically with Gibson. I sold that guitar in the 80s but I still regret doing that. Today I own 7 of them along with Fender, PRS, etc. I've even built my own guitars. Ibanez has always focused on achieving affordable quality and they almost ALWAYS sound great. I also recommend my younger students buy the short scale super Strats for smaller hands. As much as I want to play on different guitars, I always come back to my Ibby's. Even my blonde 12 string acoustic is phenomenal. I've always found them sonically diverse so they will always be my go-to fiddle. But the biggest reason I play on them is their necks, especially the Wizard neck. They are so comfortable and fast. I don't care that they have an 80's reputation, they are versatile.
Absolutely the best most comfortable necks to play period...
I never type cast my Ibanez: they are well made, versatile guitars. I have a few that cost many times more, but the Ibanez is usually my first choice. My favorite is a RG652AHM.
For my retirement, (and for christmas), I bought an Ibanez Gio 121 SP. I play it for fun on a small Vox headphone amp. ( My neighbours don't like music.).
I can get different sounds switching between humbuckers and single coil, and I don't have any problem at all.
All I did was raise the action on the bridge with a tiny allen key, and now it's allright. This is a very nice superstrat, I like it!
Get a Prestige and marvel in it's craftsmanship!
They're all marvels bro all their guitars, as well as other top name brands.
@@IshredGuitar I have and had plenty of ibanez guitars, the prestige lives up to its name through and through!
@@MyBichSustained Yes I have a Prestige as well, but I got other top tier brands play just as good.
I have both a prestige and a premium both from the AZ line. The prestige is extremely nice obviously but I have to say for less than half the money the premium is a fantastic playing instrument.
@@IshredGuitar O.K.
I’ve got an 88’ RG560 24 fret wizard neck made in Japan baby 😎
I used to have a RG560 in Grape Ice with black hardware - bought it new in ‘91 - killer guitar
@ Grape Ice is a rare colour! Mine is all black. I bought mine brand new also. I’ll never sell mine. It is that good! 😎
Dude I always hated Ibanez but fell in love with the RG550 road red flare is my favorite. That said I’m still a Jackson guy
RG2EX1 here (the black GC-only one) . I've had 2 of them. They are cheap and very good. Hardtail. My favorite electric acoustic is the "Black diamond", a black acoustic with a diamond soundhole and two-color diamond inlays. Played as light as any electric. I also had a beautiful cherry Artstar double cut LP style thing from the late 80s or early 90s. Fully bound body, neck, and headstock. Gorgeous. Weighed like a boat anchor, though. When I first started playing in the late 80s, I was a Strat guy. Once I felt a Wizard neck, I was hooked. High quality, and cheap used. They also hold up to serious abuse, so I never worried about getting one used. They are by far my favorite brand, although I have a Diamond Series Schecter C-1 Platinum that has really grown on me!
From my recollection, Ibanez were always seen as cheap, for beginners or for people too cheap ro buy a Gibson or Fender. Regardless how many awesome stars swear by them, I think they still kind of have that aura. If that means I'll never be a 'real' guitarist as long as I keep using them, so be it. Here's to being an eternal intermediate!
Your Reb Beach sig is so totally awesome Robert. Please do more with that guitar. I own several Ibanez acoustic and electrics, play jazz, rock, metal and classical….love your channel and courses.
Ibanez player since 1985, RG’s since they came out.
They play anything and how you want. They take passives, actives and easily to mod.
Love mine longer than I’ve had kids :)
Versatility and consistency, you can more or less play an Ibanez out the box. Had an Rg550, a 570, RG3550X and now a Jem Jr (has a rubbish bridge but for the money, it's still a good guitar) would love to own a Jem 7WH, an original PGM (who doesn't love PG huh) and a Universe...
I used to be a Strat Player and had tons of Fender Strats. Before, I never really liked how pointy Ibanez are but all of that changed when I started playing one. It really does starts from playing one to really get to know one. My first was a 92 RG550 PN and from there I started getting hooked and collected them. From Roadstar series (2 RS520 and 1 RG430 Roadstar) to 87 RG550 to RT models, to 90s RG MIJ to 90s SV MIJ to JPM (yes the Petrucci Model), to PGM MIJ to AZ. Now I only have 1 strat left in my arsenal and the rest are all Ibanez. They are very versatile guitar and I just love playing them. My favorite of course will always be these two, the JPM100 P2 and RG430 Roadstar. Cheers!
I love the artcore hollow and semi hollow guitars
They are indeed very good.
I still have my old Roadstar II and I love it. I made some modifications, but it's still one my guitars that I use for heavy riffs, rock and metal... The next Ibanez will be an 8 string multiscale. It will be a lot of fun and I will discover this new instrument...
Ibanez made the best Les Pauls.
I’ve had a couple Ibanez. They seem ok for me. I have the cheap RG series. They have their own unique Edge floating bridge
What's missing grom the pickup selector is the HH setting. Needs a neck always on switch...
Without adding any switches you can rewire them to have the HH selection, at the expense of one of the in-between settings.
@@LS-wc6mr I’d rather have a switch. Also 500k pots make the single coils/splits sound too bright. Top tip: You invariably have to back the volume off very slightly. It’s a design flaw in almost every HSH and HSS guitar.
@@MrUmandMrEr I definitely agree with you on the split positions being too bright. Seems like most people like it that way, but it really bugged me. I ended up painstakingly adjusting the pickup heights to get the best balance I could, and I've got it more usable now.
@@LS-wc6mr Or, you know, just turn down your treble and presence controls?🤪
I have an SZ320BK, a very good guitar, 2 humbuckers and selecting the middle gives the 2 pickups in parallel. No whammy, string through body Gibraltar bridge. The same guitar is used by Barry Stock. The quality is well above its price range, possibly due to the fact that in this model the range seems to have more to do with finishes and the quality of wood required to be used with those finishes.
They’re a hidden gem for sure
The voyager is a beautiful design!
I finally picked up an Ibanez and have to say it is my favorite guitar that I have ever owned (and I have been playing since 1989). There are many reasons why I love it. I actually bought a relatively inexpensive model too. One is the playability. This is maybe the most playable guitar I have owned. The next is the lightness. As I get older, heavier guitars just are harder for me to play comfortably. The lightness makes a massive difference in my enjoyment. The sound, even though a crappy little amp, is so sweet. And I don't think I have ever felt as inspired when I sit down to play a guitar. I just write more music on the Ibanez. And definitely the point you make about the switches is sound too.
You just now figuring out Ibanez is outstanding guitars? lol!
They are shit except their most expensive models. But those are too overpriced
@@stevestevens1457so American made fenders and Gibson are well priced? Get real. An “expensive” Ibanez is still cheaper than either of these competitors.
I've owned plenty of Ibbys since the early 80s, from Destroyers to the S and RG models, an original floral Jem when they were released, roadstars, etc etc. The issue has never been the sound. Some of my best sounding guitars ever were old Ibanez Destroyers lIs and S models.
The issue for me has always been everything they make FEELs like a shred guitar. The neck shapes/widths- even their semi hollows feel shreddy. They cant make a nice rounded chunky c to save their life. Even the old 70s lawsuit guitars had thin and wide necks.
Have you played an AZ model yet? It out strats a strat.
Good, getting a LP with a Wizard neck would be amazing
I have a PIA and an RG2027XL.. after warming up on that 27" beast the PIA plays even more smoothly
You should try Ibanez AZ
They are amazing. I actually checked one out a few months back . ua-cam.com/video/aKN_MEsfYM0/v-deo.html
I will,. Is Ibanez AZ by Phoenix AZ?
Although I usually gravitate towards other brands, Ibanez has been maximum bang for the buck as long as I can remember over the last five decades. I have owned a bunch of various models,, including several 5 and 4 string basses, and they always deliver. I got several RG budget guitars for my kids also to learn on back in the day, usually hard tail. I presently own four Ibanez and am considering a fifth. Nonetheless those four are only about 8% of my working inventory and collection, but still well appreciated by me for what they do. I remember the days circa 1978 when the RG series was all the rage and you could barely sell a Gibson Les Paul. I still have an RG550, S670QM, AM93 and ARS420. That new AZ Standard model in HH may be calling my name, if I can dig the oval C shape neck, TBD. As long as it a serviceable instrument, I think you really can't wrong with an Ibanez. They cover a lot of guitar model styles and musical genres. They got something decent to cover just about every budget range too, from low to high. They don't price anybody out of getting in on some decent and affordable level of instrument. You got to hand them kudos for doing all that consistently for decades. Peace out.
Is that I don’t have one 😢
I've had 3 RG series Ibanez guitars. One day, at a yard sale, I bought a strat style Dean guitar. It was in bad shape and after replacing the bridge and doing some work on it, I found out that I liked that better than all my Ibanez guitars. No one was more shocked than me. I still like them but I feel like I've sort of outgrown them.
80s sound, 80s way of playing...why write that off? It's BETTER than what's in vogue today! BRING BACK THE 80s!!! The only problem with it is, that you have to become a BETTER musician to properly get the 80s sound and that's a lot of work! 2020s metal players have devolved to the point where 95 percent of what they play is two note power chords and chugging on the lowest string with insane gain levels. And you KNOW this is true.
Ok Boomer
this is just objectively not true and i think you'd be surprised how much great music is still being made, it's just not in the mainstream like it was in the past
So true.
I have been catching up on metal, and don't entirely agree - I kind of like a lot of it. Not sold on playing it though. I think 80's"style" is excellent and the only challenge is to write better songs - so much 80's stuff has a severe cringe factor - escape that, and I think you become a legend, lol.
Um, no bro. There are 15 year old girls doing covers of Malmsteen and Dream Theater now. There are more virtuosos than ever before.
My first Ibanez was a 92 RG560. I was blown away by how easy it is to play. The almost flat fret board, the Edge trem, pick up configuration and great look to boot. The other great thing is that they're easy to mod.
Im fast asf boy🤤
The biggest problem with Ibanez is that most aren’t made by Japanese craftsmen anymore, the Korean and Indonesian guitars don’t come close to the fujigen guitars.
Ibanez is my favorite brand. I love my prestige 7 string, my les paul lawsuit, my 1985 back to the future roadster and my AZ. I can get every tone imaginable. From gibson to fender to pure metal. And their prices have always been Fair
Yeah, I came to them late after following the G.A.S trap of Gibson/Fender pricing. Fair prices as you go up the 🪜 feature ladder.
Ibanez guitars are amazing, my problem with them is the radius. EVERYTHING RG is a 16"+ radius, and I want a 12 with yes, the sweet looks and a floyd rose. Geezus, get over that "wizard" thing with the RG line.
I get what you're saying as an RG with a Jackson Soloist neck profile and the Edge pro would be close to my ideal guitar.
But...
The skinny neck, train track frets and flat fretboard radius is what sold the RG and S, and still does.
I got extremely lucky. Was in a band with a musical wizard in 2011, dude had a 93 RG670 in royal blue burst. One of the most beautiful guitars I’ve ever seen and with the dimarzio evolutions it was a prog metal dream. Could never find one online for myself but sure enough in 2020 one become available for 900. A 93 RG670 in rootbeer red was finally mine! Put some 36th anniversary dimarzios in the for a low output paf sound and it’s a super lush clean tone that breaks ups nicely but never loses its clarity. Can play the densest chords and the harmony is never lost. The gold hardware on the 670 is such an elegant look and the rosewood w/dot inlays make it look much more classic than modern shredder. If you ever get a chance to own a vintage rg670 do not hesitate they are hard to find
550 and the 570. they are the industry standard imo - I like the knob placement perfect for my hands and when i try another model that have them elsewhere im instantly lost :P I guess due to getting a 550 in 1990 made me accustomed to it's layout
Jiva 10 owner here. I love it. If I'm not playing it at a practice or gig, it is my backup. I'm not brand loyal, but I was originally a les paul guy.
Reminds me when we were in the studio. We recorded rock stuff and the recording guy look quite critical at me when I pulled out my RG3550. He even laughed and asked what I want with a metal guitar. Then we started recording (bridge hummucker on full level) and I heard no word from him...so I guess it worked quite well, espeially when we did the first round with a LP style.
Have you tested one of the AZ-Series Ibanez? Super versetail and comfy to play. In the meanwhile the AZ is my main Axe. Cheers
AZ is the Ibanez to have that you wont get the expectatin to be a metal guitar. Love the AZ. RG are great, is the paradigm that they are shredder guitars, but in reality RG are very versatile, is the look of them that makes you think on a shredder guitar
After almost 30 years neglecting Ibanez I bought a rg550 genesis. What surprised me is the meticulous crafting. U feel is made with proud and love. And makes me play so easy. Like everything is no nosense. And like U said doesn't sound like my Stratocaster or Charvel but makes me want to be more original. Not to copy. One moment full shred and the next clean strumming ballad. So versatile.
I'm an Ibanez fan. My first Ibanez was a 1990 RG570 WH, in 1994 I traded it in for a JS100 TR Not long after I bought a JS1000 BTB. Further down the road I bought a 1991 Ibanez 540S Natural Finish a S770PB and then an Ibanez Premium RG870QMZ and an Ibanez RG7620. The only other brand of guitar I own is a Musicman AX40 and a 1983 Wagner Strat. I favor the pre 2000 models as they have nice chunky necks.
I used to have an Ibanez Gio, a simple HSS guitar with whammy bar. It stayed in tune better than almost any other guitar that I've owned. It was more solidly built than almost any other guitar I've played. I used to joke that if I needed to stop a bullet with a guitar that this was the one I'd use. it felt indestructible. If the neck had been a little flatter I'd probably still be playing it today.
What model number is that blue Ibanez,.. and do they still make it ?
Ibanez is my favourite guitar brand. The first electric car I owned, was an RG and every other brand of guitar I bought later, was missing the feel I had on that RG. In the meanwhile, I added two Ibanez guitars to my collection. A 7 and 8 string. Both a joy to play and they also inspire me to write music. Oh yeah, beside they are great guitars. They were all very affordable. Good playability and quality, but you don't have to plunder your bank account for it.
I want an old Ibanez "RoadStars Series" from the 70's - 80's. It's the old previous series before the "RG" came out.
They look so cool, and there are so many models, with the old headstock (before the regular one we all know).
I want to try one, and to get one. Good old stuff and well built, Made In Japan from the 70's !!!
I’ll never forget, it’s been maybe 30 years ago, that I first picked up an S540…Felt like I had complete control over that guitar, the switching options were great, and the edge tremolo was so solid. I became an Ibanez guy for many many years. I had some really nice Ibanez models… USA, J-Custom, “Texas” Prestige. Then got a PRS CE22. Then a TA Cobra. The Les Pauls, Suhrs, and down the line. Part of that conversion was the build quality instruments, and part of it was fatter necks. I just don’t enjoy the skinny necks, body shapes, and Ibanez tones anymore.
I have a 1985 Roadstar II. The humbucker is a super 70. 👌 and the singles sound clean as all get out.
I own a RGT1221PB, it basically does everything. With the Alter switch, there are 10 different pickup layouts to choose from. I really like it.
How old is your 550? Seems like a reissue.
I’ve just recently picked up a 2003 RG320FM. My first Ibanez, and it’s a fantastic guitar. It easily handles the rock stuff, but with its 2 humbuckers and 5 way switch it also manages to do the Fender quack thing. I love it.
I have a 1982 metallic baby blue Ibanez Destroyer II….
It’s a vintage beast!!!
Kids nowadays love and play ibanez. I teach guitar on public school and the vast majority of my students (12-13 year old kids) love Ibanez and Fender. I asked what they thought about Les Pauls and thr said one word: BOOMER lol.
I'm a PRS fan and my kids make fun of me because they know how pricey they can be and they say that "I must be made out of money" lol.
But these kids are not wrong for loving Ibanez. They are amazing guitars that hit the spot. Plus, they love the colors and shapes
I actually liked the Ibanez better than the Les Paul for that particular riff. And I agree that they are surprisingly versatile. I have an Iron Label Ibanez, and while the fully open bridge pickup with high gain is definitely my favorite sound it does, I do really like the way it cleans up with the coil splits for more subtle and classic sounds. Mine is an HH, but when I spilt the coils and play the inner coils in parallel, it is unique and beautiful
My son has collected three Ibanez guitars. Two 7 string multi scale models and a six string baritone. I have been playing them recently and I have been able to get really great clean and almost clean tones out of them. Such great guitars!
To my ear it doesn't fully have the warmth and richness of the LP or the smooth clarity of the Fenders, but it does seem to have a very wide envelope that gives overlap in both directions. I'd say if you were doing something like playing bars in a working cover band and budget is a factor, these would make good all-around instruments that could be useful for a wide range of tones and styles.
After 40 years of Gibson/Fenders I got my 1st one. JS-24 (satch model) and it’s becoming 5:38 5:40 my favorite! Pull pots and Floyd rose. Super versatile and the tone is amazing. Blues, R&B, Funk, anything. The neck is comfy and fast. Fit and finish are great. It’s a Hot Rod.
My first Ibanez is a 1988 JEMRB and it is awesome so I have bought several more RG's made in Japan. All of them I've converted to DiMarzio pickups of various types and they all sound different. All of them are either late 80's or early 90's.
Never been wrong on Ibanez , loved them since I started playing . I even used a rg through my time in music school playing jazz.
I have an Ibanez for around 30 years. I love it, now I'm mainly in to metal/prog so Ibanez is quite accepted there ;-). It's a '96 RX made in Japan (seems to be a sort of test batch before they were made in Korea later). It's a really versatile guitar, 2 humbuckers with a single coil in the middle. 5 settings. About 10y ago I bought a second hand 7 string (RGD7320Z) which is great as well.
I have some others (Jackson, Parker, Epiphone, Squier, PRS and even a Harley Benton) but my Parker P-42 and Ibanez RX are my go to guitars. If gun to my head, I would chose the Parker to be honest (so light and also quite versatile).
Im mostly and electric guitar player and dont own an Ibanez electric, but I have their AC340 accoustic that i picked out in Guitar Center and fell in love with. It competes with the much more expensive Martin OOO-15m. And then i got their Gio 200 as my only bass guitar and that one also is amazing for the money - comes with PJ pickups, active preamp, and a small lightweight mahogany body for about $200.
The first guitar I started learning on almost 30 years ago, was an Ibanez. It was my sister's boyfriend's and I really wish I could track that guitar down. It wasn't a high end one but I do really want it in my collection.
As much as I love a good Strat, Tele, or LP, I always find myself coming back to one of my trusty Ibanez guitars. Whether its an RG, SA, or one of the other model designations that I can't remember ha, they're just super versatile. They come in so many different variations and flavors, so if the Wizard neck isn't your thing, they make models with more traditional neck profiles as well. Another bonus is even on their budget models, the pickups are pretty decent out of the box in my experience.
Ibanez is the literal half way house between session guitars and progressive instruments. Take an HSS Ibanez and put rails in it for all positions. Make position 2 the outside coils of the bridge and middle. Position 4 the outside coils of the middle and neck. Position 3 the tele position of the outside coils of the bridge and neck. Wire these in parallel and then tell me an Ibanez with two Choppers and your favourite bridge pickup that it doesn't sound insanely good for cleans. No guitar offers this options but it works better than the standard PRS or Ibanez wiring which is great already.
a problem that i'm having with my ibanez as of late(really working on fixing bad alternate picking habits, trying to beat pure wrist motion into muscle memory for faster picking) is that the volume knob is WAY too close to the bridge and thus presents itself as a physical obstruction to my wrist especially when i'm picking the high b and e strings. they should move the volume knob a little closer to the neck or down so its closer to the pickup selector or ideally a combination of both
Ibanez are hands down my fave guitars. I own (overall, too many guitars) at least 5 of them. They offer you good enough similarities to strats, teles, Les Pauls, plus they have those--what I call "tweener" tones that allow you to color outside the lines. As well, they look good, feel good, and have their famous thin necks that allow you to fly all over the neck. I've said (in my head) "if I had to give up all my guitars except one, my Ibanez RG 550 (my first "real" guitar owned) stays with me."
I've been an Ibanez fan for a long time, got several! Only ever had issues with one, a Jem Jr. Couldn't figure out why it kept going all out of whack, the back spring tensioning screw holes were over-sized. Just one side slipped here n there... couple turns and back in business... Till one day just playing, no whammy bar usage, the whole tremolo flew out and dangled by the 6 strings still attached.... Completely stripped out those holes. I shaped my own wooden dowel rod, glued and hammered them in, cut flush, and re-tapped and it's been my daily driver now for years! Even installed a Fishman Triple-Play which fits beautifully between the tremolo posts and bridge pickup. Had to do some custom routing on the pick-guard to get it to fit with those mounts that come with the FTP, but for as much as I called this thing junk, crap, etc... (and much more work put into it not wanting to write a novel here) now I wouldn't sell or trade it for the world! It's my smoothest best playing Ibanez I own.
I have a couple RG's, semi-hollows, several acoustic/electrics and this Jem Jr. I'm just chalking it up to slipping thru the cracks of quality control on how much of a lemon this one was. Probably voided any warranty doing my own repairs as not an "Authorized Ibanez Luthier" but I don't trust just anyone to work on my stuff. You see it in any profession, some don't take pride in their work, button it up, ship it out.... (There's also the ones that do!) I just don't want that risk. Still with this being one out of how many? Yep, still an Ibanez believer! Have my eye on a few more Ibanez models :)