Are Ibanez already on top for NAMM 2018?

Musicman20 · January 2018

I've never owned an Ibanez, but the £1000 ish AZ models look fantastic. I don't understand how brands like Chapman can compete now.

Fender are releasing oddballs, Gibson are Gibson, yet Ibanez seem to be getting lots of attention.

guitarfishbay · January 2018

I’d like to try the fan fret models. They’ve got a reasonably priced acoustic which could be very useful to me, and an electric with Fluence Moderns

Elwood · January 2018

I'm very impressed with reintroducing the RG550 and Genesis line for £800 to £900.

Original edge or hard tail, MiJ and good quality cases.

I see what you mean when comparing to smaller brands.

meltedbuzzbox · January 2018

I've never played a bad Ibanez.
I dont think I can say that about any other manufacturer.

Flink_Poyd · January 2018

If i buy another guitar Id go for an Ibanez

Teetonetal · January 2018

meltedbuzzbox said:

I've never played a bad Ibanez.
I dont think I can say that about any other manufacturer.

I love Ibanez basses but my guitar experiance is really limited to a mates collection. He has an excellent jem and an iceman as well as a really nice mid price acoustic. I had a couple of students with budget models and they were fine too. So on limited experience I'd agree.

Jez6345789 · January 2018

Although Ibanez is more adored by the metally rock brigade I have to say they are making a lot of nice looking stuff in all the segments at the moment also played one of their thermo aged acoustics in a guitar centre last year and they are a good bang for yah buck acoustic.

As for Chapman I think this is their make or break year really as an interesting good value line with some user voted for ideas it had novelty. But without it being in multiple stores in the UK it just becomes Andertons house brand and now with the normal brand stretching of two price points and specs and more colours it starts to become something different in business. terms.

Fortheloveofguitar · January 2018

I’m also very keen to try an AZ. Looks right up my street

Fuengi · January 2018

Owned an Ibanez AS93 which I bought new for £315 a few years ago. Truly ridiculously good guitar, let alone for the money.

jrc2806 · January 2018

Been a big fan of Ibanez Guitars since I started playing in 2002 when the brand appeared to be competing well. However noticed a slump over the last 6 or so years as their focus seemed to be on how many strings/frets they could add.... for the first time since then I genuinely feel excited again. It is going to be tough to resist a desert yellow RG550!

BTW - the Ibanez book by Tony Bacon is a great read!

carlos · January 2018

I thought my GAS was cured, but looking at this beauty...

Image: http://images.peachguitars.com/1/1514984168_3739.jpg

Kebabkid · January 2018

@carlos - a grand for a guitar with a roasted neck, stainless steel frets, decent pickups, a Dyna switch offering a total of 10 useable sounds, Gotoh trem, locking tuners and a nice choice of finishes is just madness.

I can't wait to try them and they're certainly generating interest here - there's about 3 related threads.

dindude · January 2018

I’ve recently owned an AS73, which was very good for the money but the pickups were predictably uninspiring and things like the block inlays had as much filler as inlay. Still a good instrument for the money.

Then there is my short scale Talman Bass that cost £150 (I see some shops doing them for £140 now) - it’s insanity good. I thought it was just me as I’m not “tuned” into basses but I’ve seen a few rave about them on bass forums too.

Keep thinking I should upgrade to the Fender Mustang shortscale, but scared of being disappointed, and it would be purely for vanity.

Really want a RG550 in purple neon to stick it under the bed and pull out once a month with the spandex!

AZ’s look great.

So yes, they’re on it!

Fortheloveofguitar · January 2018

Kebabkid said:

@carlos - a grand for a guitar with a roasted neck, stainless steel frets, decent picukups, a Dyna switch offering a total of 10 useable sounds, Gotoh trem, locking tuners and a nice choice of finishes is just madness.

I can't wait to try them and they're certainly generating interest here - there's about 3 related threads.

The price looks great. I couldn’t stump up £1799 for the prestige version though

Kebabkid · January 2018

@Fortheloveofguitar - yep, I'm thinking the same but it'll be interesting to see if there is a real difference between the Premium and Prestige.

My only experience with anything similar was with the Andy Timmons model. Sadly, the Premium, for me, felt cheap and lack lustre but others on here have liked them. It could've been that particular guitar, or me!

MikeB · January 2018

I've got 2 from the current premium range. Had a prestige Js1000 a few years before that and to be honest the quality was better on the prestige. I've heard now that the current premiums though are closing that gap considerably.

The premiums though are still great guitars and bang for buck esp 2nd hand.

Schnozz · January 2018

Kebabkid said:

@carlos - a grand for a guitar with a roasted neck, stainless steel frets, decent picukups, a Dyna switch offering a total of 10 useable sounds, Gotoh trem, locking tuners and a nice choice of finishes is just madness.

I can't wait to try them and they're certainly generating interest here - there's about 3 related threads.

I wish I shared everyone's excitement for these, but it just looks like another Suhr, GJ2, Tom Anderson, Melancon CNC job to me.

I wish they Reissued the '88 JEM with the '87 RG550 - The 30th Anniversary price was ridiculous.

Flink_Poyd · January 2018

This would be the one I'd go for (could justify spending the cash on)
]

Fortheloveofguitar · January 2018

Kebabkid said:

@Fortheloveofguitar - yep, I'm thinking the same but it'll be interesting to see if there is a real difference between the Premium and Prestige.

My only experience with anything similar was with the Andy Timmons model. Sadly, the Premium, for me, felt cheap and lack lustre but others on here have liked them. It could've been that particular guitar, or me!

Agreed

I think the premium Jems are not very good for the price they’re asking but I bought a Jem Jr for £350 new a while back and modded it and now it really is a fantastic guitar for only £550 all in

dindude · January 2018

Fortheloveofguitar said:

Kebabkid said:

@Fortheloveofguitar - yep, I'm thinking the same but it'll be interesting to see if there is a real difference between the Premium and Prestige.

My only experience with anything similar was with the Andy Timmons model. Sadly, the Premium, for me, felt cheap and lack lustre but others on here have liked them. It could've been that particular guitar, or me!

Agreed

I think the premium Jems are not very good for the price they’re asking but I bought a Jem Jr for £350 new a while back and modded it and now it really is a fantastic guitar for only £550 all in

What did you mod out of interest? Pickups? Is the term decent on it? Cheers

Fortheloveofguitar · January 2018

dindude said:

Fortheloveofguitar said:

Kebabkid said:

@Fortheloveofguitar - yep, I'm thinking the same but it'll be interesting to see if there is a real difference between the Premium and Prestige.

My only experience with anything similar was with the Andy Timmons model. Sadly, the Premium, for me, felt cheap and lack lustre but others on here have liked them. It could've been that particular guitar, or me!

Agreed

I think the premium Jems are not very good for the price they’re asking but I bought a Jem Jr for £350 new a while back and modded it and now it really is a fantastic guitar for only £550 all in

What did you mod out of interest? Pickups? Is the term decent on it? Cheers

Hi buddy

Here is the thread with all the details

http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/71880/ngd-ibanez-jem-jr-updated-with-mod-pics#latest

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Are Ibanez already on top for NAMM 2018?

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