Any Ibanez fans out there (need input)

Johnny Morales · May 12th, 2008, 06:38 AM

I don't gig much anymore - but I jam once in a while with a few buddies and mostly play in my basement. I play a am strat and a PRS but I got my tax refund a few months back and wanted to add a 3rd guitar to kick around the basement and play along with MP3s.

I initially bought a Classic Players 60's strat for $750 from GC which is pretty nice guitar but I liked the new american strats they had slightly better and strangely enough while waiting for them to ring up my Classic Player I was playing an Ibanez Presite RG2550 which is totally not my style (I play blues and hard rock) but it played great.

Considering returning the CP 60's for the Am Std $950 or the Ibanez $850. Is the Ibanez Prestige series as well built as the Fenders? Will it hold its value as well? Any experience with Ibanez guitars?

Andy Summers · May 12th, 2008, 06:59 AM

I think Ibanez makes great guitars! Ive never played the model you are talking about, but Ive played and owned others and think they are among the best...They just dont have that certain "classic flare" that Fenders or Gibsons have...But they could defintely compete...

I say..you already a Strat...so go for the Ibanez.

studio1087 · May 12th, 2008, 07:34 AM

It's this one right??

If you want a shredding guitar, go for it. I owned a few Ibanez guitars in the 80's and they never let me down. When I think of Ibanez, I usually think of rocking humbucker guitars in the $400-$500 range. $800+ for an Ibanez is steep. You could buy a faded Gibson SG or a Gretsch or any Epiphone for that kind of cash.

The only worry that I would have about Ibanez is that getting parts or service can be dicey. I sold Ibanez guitars in the 80's and our Ibanez factory rep could not tell us where most of the models were actually manufactured (they used several factories at the time...all the work was jobbed out).

Just food for thought.

John

FirstBassman · May 12th, 2008, 08:36 AM

I own three Ibanez instruments (though not the one you're considering).

I've said it on every forum I post in - IMHO Ibanez makes the best guitar for the money in that mid $400-500 (and lower) range.

superchicken_VI · May 12th, 2008, 08:51 AM

I've owned a couple of Ibanez over the years, including one now. I hold them in very high regard, as every Ibanez I have played has been a very nice instrument. They are all very comfortable to me, have good hardware and pickups, and all played well. The biggest consideration to me is the slight bit of extra time involved with a double-locking trem like the Edge series. There is more work and time involved in a restring and in tuning. Once you get them locked in, they're solid and don't move.

Even the "shredder" RG series is a very versatile guitar, and I played a lot of styles on my old RG330 I had. I would buy another one without too much concern if I needed another guitar with humbuckers.

Johnny Morales · May 12th, 2008, 08:58 AM

yeah that's the one - just looking for an alternative to the strat - like I said I bought the CP 60's strat but now I'm wondering if it wouldn't be fun to have something a bit different.

Jakedog · May 12th, 2008, 09:10 AM

The Prestige series guitars are really, really, nice. I'm not a fan of the pointy shredder axes, but man, those are just sweet all around guitars. I am looking at one of the hardtail models.

Ibanez has a rep for making great kid's shred guitars in the $400-$500 dollar range, but if you take a look at their whole line, they have a little something for everybody, and compared to alot they make, $850 is not that steep for an Ibanez. You just don't see GC littered with their high-end stuff. The Prestige series, I believe, is still all made in Japan. The quality is out of this world. And I personally think that H-S-H pickup configuration is about the most versatile out there. You can do pretty much anything with it.

I've owned lots of the older MIJ models. You can buy them really cheap used, and they are just amazingly versatile guitars. I've never kept one all that long, as I really don't get along with the trems, but they are great. I've owned an RG-550, and several RG-570's. I even had a MIA US Custom Shop model RG (Yes, they made 'em.) If I can swing one of those hard tail Prestige models when I'm done with everything else I need to pay for this year, I'll probably get one and keep it.

Jake

teleman65 · May 12th, 2008, 05:17 PM

I think Ibanez makes some great guitars. I have an '82 Artist that has served me well over the years. And the value of my Artist has actually increased. Some of the Japanese Ibanez guitars have become desirable among some collectors. The playability of mid price Ibanez guitars is good.
I also have Ibanez 335 and LP copies, a Roadstar Bass, a Talman with P90s and just bought a hollow body Artcore.
If you like it as a player then it might be a good buy. As a collectible only time will tell.

dsharman · May 13th, 2008, 04:14 PM

I have an Ibanez GB-20 that is my main jazz guitar. It is a great instrument.

May 12th, 2008, 06:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
Johnny Morales TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 48	Any Ibanez fans out there (need input) I don't gig much anymore - but I jam once in a while with a few buddies and mostly play in my basement. I play a am strat and a PRS but I got my tax refund a few months back and wanted to add a 3rd guitar to kick around the basement and play along with MP3s. I initially bought a Classic Players 60's strat for $750 from GC which is pretty nice guitar but I liked the new american strats they had slightly better and strangely enough while waiting for them to ring up my Classic Player I was playing an Ibanez Presite RG2550 which is totally not my style (I play blues and hard rock) but it played great. Considering returning the CP 60's for the Am Std $950 or the Ibanez $850. Is the Ibanez Prestige series as well built as the Fenders? Will it hold its value as well? Any experience with Ibanez guitars?

May 12th, 2008, 07:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
studio1087 Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Near Milwaukee Age: 44 Posts: 3,276 33 Photos	It's this one right?? If you want a shredding guitar, go for it. I owned a few Ibanez guitars in the 80's and they never let me down. When I think of Ibanez, I usually think of rocking humbucker guitars in the $400-$500 range. $800+ for an Ibanez is steep. You could buy a faded Gibson SG or a Gretsch or any Epiphone for that kind of cash. The only worry that I would have about Ibanez is that getting parts or service can be dicey. I sold Ibanez guitars in the 80's and our Ibanez factory rep could not tell us where most of the models were actually manufactured (they used several factories at the time...all the work was jobbed out). Just food for thought. John __________________ JLG Carry On

May 12th, 2008, 09:10 AM	#7 (permalink)
Jakedog Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Cleveland,OH But my heart's still in TE Posts: 2,816	The Prestige series guitars are really, really, nice. I'm not a fan of the pointy shredder axes, but man, those are just sweet all around guitars. I am looking at one of the hardtail models. Ibanez has a rep for making great kid's shred guitars in the $400-$500 dollar range, but if you take a look at their whole line, they have a little something for everybody, and compared to alot they make, $850 is not that steep for an Ibanez. You just don't see GC littered with their high-end stuff. The Prestige series, I believe, is still all made in Japan. The quality is out of this world. And I personally think that H-S-H pickup configuration is about the most versatile out there. You can do pretty much anything with it. I've owned lots of the older MIJ models. You can buy them really cheap used, and they are just amazingly versatile guitars. I've never kept one all that long, as I really don't get along with the trems, but they are great. I've owned an RG-550, and several RG-570's. I even had a MIA US Custom Shop model RG (Yes, they made 'em.) If I can swing one of those hard tail Prestige models when I'm done with everything else I need to pay for this year, I'll probably get one and keep it. Jake __________________ "Them that don't know him won't like him, and them that do sometimes won't know how to take him..."

May 12th, 2008, 06:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
Andy Summers Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: CT Age: 36 Posts: 459	I think Ibanez makes great guitars! Ive never played the model you are talking about, but Ive played and owned others and think they are among the best...They just dont have that certain "classic flare" that Fenders or Gibsons have...But they could defintely compete... I say..you already a Strat...so go for the Ibanez.

May 12th, 2008, 08:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
FirstBassman Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 879	I own three Ibanez instruments (though not the one you're considering). I've said it on every forum I post in - IMHO Ibanez makes the best guitar for the money in that mid $400-500 (and lower) range.

May 12th, 2008, 08:51 AM	#5 (permalink)
superchicken_VI Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Monroe, NC Age: 35 Posts: 1,087	I've owned a couple of Ibanez over the years, including one now. I hold them in very high regard, as every Ibanez I have played has been a very nice instrument. They are all very comfortable to me, have good hardware and pickups, and all played well. The biggest consideration to me is the slight bit of extra time involved with a double-locking trem like the Edge series. There is more work and time involved in a restring and in tuning. Once you get them locked in, they're solid and don't move. Even the "shredder" RG series is a very versatile guitar, and I played a lot of styles on my old RG330 I had. I would buy another one without too much concern if I needed another guitar with humbuckers.

May 12th, 2008, 08:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
Johnny Morales TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 48	yeah that's the one - just looking for an alternative to the strat - like I said I bought the CP 60's strat but now I'm wondering if it wouldn't be fun to have something a bit different.

May 13th, 2008, 04:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
dsharman Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Avon, NY Age: 51 Posts: 144	I have an Ibanez GB-20 that is my main jazz guitar. It is a great instrument.