Single cutting it

Ah... making good use of my days off to attend to my guitars (what else?!) 😎

Managed to do a 'mileage' check on my Ibanez FR420:

• re-string, please!
• neck was flex-bowed, required truss rod adjustments
• action was too low, choked notes when bending strings, action required revision

I took a big risk of rectifying the anomalies listed above based on the old set of strings in the guitar. Pro techs would advise doing so based on a fresh set of strings so the guitar could adapt to the quirks manifested by the newer string set. I was half way through when I realized this so it was done till everything was addressed & then the fresh set of strings came into the picture. A set of John Pearse 9 - 42 this time.

This is one of those Ibanez guitars of mine with a deserving set of Seymour Duncans in there to manifest the tones that I want to hear; menacing top end when it comes to solos in the neck (Distortion) & deep, roaring riffs in the bridge without sounding bass excessive (Screamin' Demon). 

My thoughts on the FR

It's one of those familiar body outlines we relate to a specific non-Ibanez guitar, we know too well what that guitar is. The Standard FR models have already been phased out from the Ibanez catalog, you need to spend good money on either an Iron Label or Prestige version which many of us would not do considering the after-market value of this guitar. For that amount, we'd rather spend on something else with a stronger re-sale worth. Why is this the case? This single cut design does not sit well with the Ibanez name, which is more known for the RG, S, Jem & Satriani models (among others). In fact, the more radical designs propelled the Ibanez name further than this traditional take. Examples would be the Iceman & Destroyer outlines which we are more compelled to spend on than the FR. Compounding this bleak outlook would be the fact that the FR feels like an RG with a different body design. 

Ibanez: FR420 (4)

As mentioned previously, I'm not obliged to like whatever the manufacturer has to offer in my Ibanez FR420...

... so out went the default CAP humbuckers. The pickups you see here:

• Bridge: Screamin' Demon
• Neck: Distortion

I'm working on a simple formula; the Demon worked well in an ash body guitar so it should work well here unless something potent gets in the way. The Distortion neck is my favourite pickup for lots of distortion & clarity, it's not about an immaculate, warm, clean tone. Totally happy with this combo :-)

Ibanez: FR420 (3)

Made in Indonesia = lousy? Bought. happy

Ibanez: FR420 (2)

The Ibanez FR420 is equipped with a pair of CCR humbuckers, ceramic-based but not as hot. They serve their purpose in giving the player a slightly more acute response in terms of output which could be heard more markedly in driven settings. In clean mode, these pickups possess a fat voicing making chords at the neck very pleasant.

However, these are not my kind of pickups despite being above average in many aspects. I need a thicker, more bass-inclined response from the bridge unit. I would also like a more reserved character from the neck (rather ironic as I depend on this pickup for solos, mainly) in terms of output & frequency response because from experience, I find these kind of pickups more distortion friendly- the more drive/ distortion I pump in, I can be assured that the adversity consideration won't be too disproportionate. Meaning- it won't sound awful at higher gain settings.

Ibanez: FR420

The Ibanez FR series are not new this year but they were only available here in January 2013. This was definitely on my to-get list, it's a simple guitar, testing the player for his abilities more than a testimony of having locking hardware in an instrument & making the owner feel good. I held back because the FR420 was introduced this year so I was really hoping it's gonna make it to these shores, otherwise, I have to make arrangements for special purchases which I know will not make me happy (extra costs involved- GRRR...). 

But thanks to the forces that be, the FR420 was in stock in the second quarter of 2013 & here it is now. I'm not a sucker for the sunburst finish which was not the reason I held back but the FR420 sports an ash body while the FR320, mahogany. It's not about any superiority issues- no. I just prefer mine to be a little brighter because of the pickups I am gonna put in there. 

One more thing, my friends. The FR320 is also offered in white but this is a regional exclusive finish (meaning: offered in some countries only, it's not offered in the USA) & it's discontinued so if you like it white, grab one while it's still available. Also, the FR420 is not offered in the USA, the FR320 is not offered in Japan. This means, we are one of the fortunate people to have both models in the stores here. Here are some prices (NETT) for your reference:

• FR320 (black): SGD549
• FR320 (white): SGD630
• FR420 (sunburst): SGD639

Thank you, brother FAIZAL (Swee Lee BB), for the assistance, as always :-)