8565

This is one of the new lineups this September - RG8565R. It's the RG565 given the J-Custom specs. Till I become a vine inlay & gold hardware fan, I can make do with the Genesis RG565.

Pic: Ibanez 

8570

 

One of the non-vine inlay Ibanez J-Custom, RG8570, is now available at Swee Lee - $3,999. The hardcore Ibanez fans might be interested in this one at this price considering this amount of money can get you a Gibson LP Standard which will manifest a stronger re-sale value subsequently. If you really want one, be glad that it's available now; buying guitar in a couple of month's time will be a more painful experience.

Pic: Ibanez

New JCs

Ibanez recently released a quartet of J Custom models. Unlike the overkill of vine inlay & other visual bling, these are relatively restrained in looks aimed at those who prefer to stay away from the limelight yet owning an exclusive piece of Ibanez gear.

The guitars are divided into two camps, one featuring an alder body + maple neck (JCRG2001) vs mahogany body + wenge neck (JCRG2002) with both camps sporting stained bird eye maple fretboard. The narrative behind these guitars' finish scheme relates to nature & the elements which might strike a cord with druids more than anyone else, really. Anyway, I'm not here to demerit these releases considering that I'm rather fanatical when it comes to Ibanez but to date, I'm pretty much turned off by what the J Custom range has to offer. I'm just not into them but would keep options open, of course. I'd rather spec a Kiesel/ ESP for this kind of money. I'm waiting for the day when Ibanez opens up options to the common people as opposed to keeping their custom shop details strictly to endorsers

Pink

We end the month with the assurance that selected Ibanez J-Custom models are offered in everyone's favourite colour- pink.

Desirable, unavailable

Friends told me that these J-Custom Ibanez are absolutely drool-worthy but I'm not one who buys such guitars, really. I've handled J-Customs in the stores here & that was just it- a handling experience. Purchase was far off my mind. I couldn't bring myself to spend money on visual appeal which is a highlight of the instrument while the rest of the attributes are standard features which are featured in guitars in the same family but costing less. The thing with many of us is that we tend to rank those costly pieces highly without being objective. In this case, what can a J-Custom do a Prestige model couldn't? Maybe only one- being more visually appealing. In any case, the JCRG1501 (t) & JCRG1503 (b) are regional exclusives, chances of them making it here is very slim.