Josh Smith goes with Ibanez?

Ironically, Josh Smith is, by far, my favorite strat player alive.

 

I like it. I like Josh and I love Ibanez. Personally I think it could elevate the brand in blues players' minds. At least more people will consider an Ibanez before going to the big F or G.

 

I doubt it ;-) But it's a valiant effort

 

I think its cool what Ibanez is doing. Good on Josh whom I just met, to go with them. Hope he is getting a sweet deal! It's not the guitar type I want but that shouldn't keep me from complimenting it.

 

Things I learned today:
1. Ibanez thinks the world needs another ugly and overpriced Telecaster copy.
2. Ibanez thinks Josh Smith can help to sell said ugly and overpriced Telecaster copy.
3. Josh Smith exists.

 

Come home, .strandberg*, all is forgiven!

 

To me this guitar is just butt ugly.

Josh is a monster of a player, I'm happy for him, he deserves any break that comes his way. But I really dislike the visuals. I get that it's a quality build, no questions there. But - butt ugly.

 

Those Ibanez T-styles with vibrato bridge and mini humbuckers? I like these!

 

I don't mind the "sausage-shaped" control plate, but I like the guitars without it better.

 

If I were wanting an Ibanez T-style, I'd rather have a Talman.
I really like those.

 

I just went to the Ibanez web site. I didn't realize they had pulled the Talman models (besides the Noodle sig model).

 

I'd play only First Act if they paid enough.
Times is tough for musicians.
Nobody's bidding for my catalog.

 

Looks like the T-style equivalent to their (very good) AZ series Super S-types. Not on my shopping list, but it also doesn't provoke either my "throw up in my mouth a little" or "kill it with fire" reactions...

 

Be gentle, if this is utterly stupid of a question... but why (and looks the same on other AZ-tele-ish models) is the steel plate for the bridge pickup disconnected from the bridge?

I know it'd be an amount my shot ears wouldn't notice, but seems like it being connected would result in a bit more mass on the bridge?

(I love Josh, but this looks odd to me.. plus the cost is nuts. Chapin T-styles start at ~ 2500 according to their site, so this is barely cheaper, if at all??)

(Edit: All I could figure is maybe this distances itself from Fender's design/IP a bit??)

 

I believe Josh states that was done on purpose for ease of pickup maintenance. There might be another reason for it, but it's worth checking out his YT video, he really goes over every detail nicely.

 

I like it.

 

Huh.. I watched like 75% of the Q+A he posted, and the Andertons video.. didn't hear that anywhere. I'll try to find that, but if you remember which video, a url'd be awesome.

I don't get that reasoning though - you'd need to yank your strings anyhow.. so instead of pulling the 4 screws for the bridge, now you pull the 4 screws on the disconnected plate.

(thanks for the response, regardless!)

 

Sure - here it is:



Starts at 6:12 regarding the bridge. But really this particular video is super in-depth about all the specs.

 

Thank you!.. ok helping avoid intonation issues, I get it now. Probably didn't click because I'm weird and enjoy re-doing intonation/setups

Thank you.. that was really bugging me!

 

It would have been cool to see him with Johnny Hiland on a Kiesel sig