Call of Cthulhu (4)

The pickups in this revived Ibanez S370 is a pair of DiMarzio ibz humbuckers. Back in its time, it was burdened to fulfil the DiMarzio expectations but Ibanez clearly mentioned these were created in the image of a typical DiMarzio spec but not being an outright DiMarzio per se. These do not possess the smooth voicings of a DiMarzio once high octane distortion is in use. A stronger midrange response is its firm identity, inclining towards the Super Distortion. In clean mode, these are quite devoid of any PAF warmth hence its much maligned existence back then. I am totally alright with such tonal offerings, the reason I look out for them in the after-market. They give me what I want to hear. 

To be concluded... 

Ibanez: SA960QM

The Ibanez SA model received the Premium treatment in Fall 2013. This SA960QM guitar is finally here for our consideration but don't blame us players if it has lost its appeal after only appearing about a year later, we have other distractions along the way.

Quality/ fit/ finish

The SA960 has no issues in this department. The manufacturer's 'Premium' stamp there established it as a tier above the standard offerings & it lived up to its tag in every way. That provocative quilted maple top is an elaborate laminate because it's a little thicker than what manifested in the S870 for instance. Top marks for the stunning looks, definitely. However, I was a little upset by the loose volume & tone knobs; it's like some factory hands had forgotten to lock them in place before they left the factory. It's nothing an allen wrench could not handle so all's good here.

Playability/ tone

Warning: The SA series isn't in the same league as the RG in terms of neck profile. I wouldn't offer any adjectives alluding to slim manifestations, in fact, it's quite the opposite. The carve is substantially thicker & rounder, a very substantial C-profile. If you are a Fender fan, there would be some appeal. Despite replicating the S-Series top, the SA body profile sports a flat back & the edges only taper at the top. As such, there is no profound slimness & the body's treble-side edges sit comfortably on your lap in a sitting playing position.

The DiMarzio IBZ pickups on board are manufactured by DiMarzio in the USA. Some years back, when these pickups debuted in the Ibanez RG2XXX series, players thought they were OEM models manufactured in Asian shores but that was not the case (here's proof: CLICK). We can hear them to be of substantial tonal character in both driven & clean settings but those single coils there, they are a little under-powered & couldn't keep up with the hotter humbucker in clean applications (yes, I did raise the single coils up to procure more volume but that failed to address the circumstances). The humbucker per se excels in heavy, prog-esque tones but dialing in a wicked black metal voicing was tough. The single coils make excellent contemporary quack but if you are after an SRV-type fatness, these won't please you. Reality check- this is an Ibanez, it's not a Strat.

Conclusion

I've played many Premium models by Ibanez (currently own 2) & this SA960QM proved to be the least engaging in terms of presence despite not manifesting any visible flaws. As they say, it's lacking mojo despite being a looker. Tone wise, this SA manifest lots of smooth driven voicings typical of a DiMarzio supplemented instrument so if you are this type of player, you'd be flippin' happy. Also, if you are after that RG playability, the SA model is an alternative to that feel so be warned.

Rating: 75%

Ibanez: SA960QM

Availability: Swee Lee Co.

Price: $1,299

Ibanez: RG920M

One other note-worthy Ibanez making its debut at Swee Lee is the RG920M. Maple fretboard- that's right + a couple of DiMarzio IBZ humbuckers. A fancy model? Not really, just a fancy quilted maple top for some eye candy. At test time, prices are not available yet but it should exceed $1K, just by a tad, that'd be my guess.

Ibanez RG2560: Brief take

The Ibanez RG2560 is a rare gem for 2 reasons: (1) The pickup combo (2) Body wood

There are no issues pertaining to build & finish to forewarn, this is a series 2XXX Prestige selection which sits further up the elite tier so if there are indeed any issues in this aspect, the manufacturing team should shoot themselves in the foot & suffer their incompetence. The pickup combination is perhaps a reminiscence of past glory; the RG560 of the 1980s did sport an HSS pickup combo- I own one. The pickups are of the DiMarzio IBZ pedigree so expect some smooth, contemporary tones from the instrument. The ash body is an interesting inclusion & it accentuates the single coil performance more than the humbucker, which by the way, could use some bottom end reinforcements. Em... this guitar is still waiting for its list price assessment & I'd reckon it is going to exceed $2K.