Ibanez GS121

The Ibanez GS121 is a rare GIO Ibanez. It is perhaps the only GIO S model made with a fixed bridge. Ibanez didn't manufacture too many GIO S on that note & even fewer made it here. The GS121 was a 2013 production & it wasn't brought in to the stores here. Nothing fancy with the details, this is indeed an entry level Ibanez.

To be continued...

Drab July

It must be a dismal July for Ibanez because there are only two new instruments released this month & both of them are GIOs. The first one is this GRG170DX.

The other, this GRG121SP offered in three metallic sparkle colours. That's how exciting things are this month.

Pics: Ibanez

Yo, GIOs!

We begin August with a couple of stunning GIOs from the Ibanez camp. This souped up, gold hardware, purpleheart 'board & poplar burl veneer top is the new GRG220PA. Those covered pickups are just stunning here.

The equally attractive GRG121SP sports a flip flop finish that changes colour depends on the angle you're looking at. Again, those covered humbuckers are just right in this guitar. 

While we are very glad to see flashy GIOs slowly appearing in the Ibanez line ups, we surely hope this is not a cause to raise prices accounting for the 'upgrade'. We'll see how much these will list for when they get here.

Pics: Ibanez

Heavy mods

Spent some time with these two this morning. These are currently my Ibanez RGs that underwent severe makeovers & turned out likeable:

GRGR010

• Re-finished body, colour taken from a car paint catalog - copper + removed pickguard
• Replacement pickup - Seymour Duncan Custom Custom (SH-11) with plastic cover
• Low-friction volume knob
• Grpahtech String-Saver saddles (black)

RG550 Genesis

• After-market pickguard - single humbucker / volume knob only
• Replacement pickup - DiMArzio D'Activator X

The GRGR was bought for its single humbucker feature. I was still hesitant to own a single pickup guitar at that point in time so when this affordable Gio model was available at Swee Lee, it was a done deal. The intention was to make it a reference guitar for pickup testing since it's a single humbucking model. However, I chanced upon a Seymour Duncan Custom Custom & decided to try it in this guitar & it stayed put ever since. Simple reason - it's a deserving pickup in this guitar. The body was re-painted at a car workshop hence the 'car-coloured' finish you see there. The default string saddles were corroded / oxidized & the Graph Tech are simply wonderful replacements here. 

The RG550 Genesis started out as someone else's mod project. It was acquired by the former owner with a horrible body routing to accommodate a kill switch. I undertook the make-over on the owner's behalf who became uninterested in owning the guitar citing the dual action Edge bridge not being his cup of tea. Guitar was sold for cheap to me. I really like its simple looks & the D'Activator X there sounds awesome in this one. 

These are examples of second rated guitars, in my personal assessments of course, turning out to be unexpected gems. I think for those of us who have been playing for a while, there is this subliminal calling for us to simply acquire a budget guitar & mod the heck out of it to see if some things work for us. It need not turn out well, more importantly, the learning process would have taught us something when it comes to gear perception & appreciation.

Wishing you a good midweek (whats left of it). 😎

DuRability

I somehow knew I had this lying around in the house somehow. I bought colour variations to match some guitars but this blue one was (again) stashed away in a guitar bag somewhere & forgotten. In fact, it's now discovered about a year later. OK so the strings were coated to begin with & upon opening the pack, everything was as good as new. My GRGR010 happened to require a fresh set so it now has a proud blue set to see things through. I have ceased buying DR colour coated sets as I simply do not see the need for them in the mean time but I still buy the 10.5 set & occasionally, the flatwounds. You can get DRs at Davis GMC. 

Copper

This was yesterday's lockdown guitar of choice: Ibanez GRGR010. It's the cheapest Ibanez I currently own (bought new) & certainly one of my best. It's one of those guitars I can't play 'nice' songs with, the playability & tone just screams heavy metal & beyond.

The same

Spent 15min playing each guitar today, strictly on the bridge pickup through the same set up. What's the point? Hearing what I specifically like about each guitar.

GIO: Despite being entry level, with the preferred features, it still sounds appealing.

SV: The S-series is always the second fiddle when Ibanez is concerned. RG had been the flagship model for this brand name but that tapered body coupled with an appealing neck is something.

I have never considered buying a new guitar as a move to replace the lower models. I respect every instrument the same, there's no pariah guitar in my books, just the ones that don't meet my needs. Mind you, some high end guitars don't meet my needs. 

Gio Rims

So Ibanez teamed up with Legendary Pictures for this Pacific Rim limited edition RGs.

If this is of significant fanfare, we wonder why the GIOs were chosen. 😒

Pics: Ibanez FB

Still Gio-ing

Every now & then, I would make it a point to play this Ibanez Gio. It's one of those inexpensive revelations I did not regret getting. It is every bit an RG as a standard model but not as costly, not as flashy as well. The single pickup offering would have relegated this model to a novelty appeal, compounded by that skeleton fingers inlay. Despite my intention of making this a carefree reference in terms of handling, I had made it a point to give it a mindful handling instead, after that awesome copper re-finish. I've never mistreated any of my instruments & I guess I could't bring myself to do it on this one despite it being a bargain acquisition.

One of the highlights of this guitar is a Seymour Duncan Custom Custom hiding under that black cover. It's shrouded for a simple reason- it's white. That was my valiant $2 effort in making it look flushed with the rest of the instrument's black hardware & I must say I did well 😁

When playing this guitars, only two things matter: 1) Tone 2) Playability. Having a single pickup means it's a make or break moment during play. Since it's a Seymour Duncan in there, a brand name well within my inclination, it's always a make moment. Break moments happened when I employed the 'wrong' pedals or amp to supplement what the pickup has to offer. An inviting playability for such an instrument is critical, in my opinion, because it helps overcome the psychology of playing something very low in the manufacturer's pecking order. If my music sucks along the way, I know it has to be me because my priority criteria in this case, are well in place. 

It's the final weekend of the year, hope everyone's in an upswing to welcome in the new year. 😉

CITES grip: Ibanez (2)

No surprises here as the Ibanez GIO series now sport a pine fretboard. I do not wish to go into details  when it comes to the GIOs as these do not quite represent value for money. If you can help it, consider something else.

Price watch (2)

That's right- this Ibanez GIO model is going for a near $1K in the after-market. If you are such a seller & others probe your intentions politely, do reply cordially. Do not refute the fact that others may be more in the know than you do.  

GIO FR

Ibanez has cascaded its FR model (GFR20) into the GIO range. There is a sense of pride here for the manufacturer as it addresses its entry level options, not leaving them in the dumps like some others. Of late, I noticed the GIO models featuring a more attractive finish & a more respectable QC. These guitars are dangerously treading on the Standard range's turf in all aspects.

Graphtech-ed

The guitar in question is my Ibanez GRGR010, a budget GIO model with no bling factor at all. Recently, the bridge saddles turned dodgy due to rusty action adjustment screw. I could have easily replaced the affected screws only but went all the way to replace all saddles with the Graphtech version. Some would deem my decision wasteful; why spend too much on a budget guitar but I treat all my instruments with respect. I give them due attention because they serve me well regardless of the lower tier the are in. Imagine having a child & giving him/her secondary treatment just because he/she isn't as smart or capable as his/her siblings. It reflects very much on you- are you stroking your ego or treating your property with due care because you know it's your responsibility to do so?

Single is good

Spent some time with my GIO today. It's called, 'Working with limitations'. Sometimes I find it difficult to conjure some original ideas & it's times like this I am grateful for having the GRGR010LTD here with a single pickup to prove my worth. You are more productive working under pressure.

G-ice

OK, so we don't get this one as well; a GIO Iceman, a shorter-scaled Mikro series. The only Mikro model available here is an RG.

Ibanez: GDTM21

On the topic of a shorter-scaled guitars, Ibanez has this GIO Destroyer in the MIKRO series; it's only 22" from nut to bridge. The interesting guitars are everywhere but here. BUMMER.

Ibanez: GSRM20

I was at Swee Lee (BB showroom) to try the Ibanez Mikro SR bass depicted here. It's one of the most comfortable to play if you ar ein the market for a scaled-down bass (28.6"), especially resommended for guitar dweebs (like me) who can't really come to terms with a full scale unit. However, the GSRM20 sports a list price which is very close to the GATK20... decisions, decisions... Nearly bought it.

Duncan cream

Had a great time with my Ibanez GIO & Plush Cream pedal. This is a recurring theme lately- Duncan pickup & the Cream pedal teaming up to good effect.

GIO...?

My latest acquisition is an Ibanez GIO. Yes, it's one of the current Chinese production.

Ibanez GAX-30... hmm...

Before I got down to buying my Cort X-3 yesterday, I was still looking at the Ibanez GIOs. This time, I moved away from the GART series, I managed to try the GAX30 depicted above. It seems that even this guitar feels & sounds good for the money- $374.90 (list). The conclusion would be that the Indonesian craftsmanship is now a proven improvement. Except that the GAX30 is not made in Indonesia; made in China. Be informed that the current batch of GIOs are Chinese, including the GART80EX. This might explain why they cost more than an Indonesian product.