J-Blue

It's the final few days of 2023 but the blue version of the Ibanez RG8570 is just available at Swee Lee ($4,299). I'm just not into the vine inlay. And the price.

Pic: Ibanez

Ibanez 2023 (6)

The J.Custom gets a new model this year; RG8870. The catalog already offered an RG8570, which, from the images depicted above, look darn close. These sport DiMarzio pickups albeit different models & the 8870 gets a covered bridge humbucker which looks a little misplaced against the black hardware. It really belongs in the 8570 (chrome hardware).

The major difference here which is not obvious - the 8870 gets the Axe Design Lab treatment. Meaning - something that isn't the usual deal had been implemented in the instrument's design / spec. In this case, the 8870 is chambered body instrument (alder), while the 8570 is a solid affair (mahogany).

Pics: 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

Pleasant JC

Finally, a pleasant J Custom RG. It's new for August, doubt this will be here but worth documenting. Not everyone fancies the tree of life inlay in the JCs & this one feature blocks instead so it gets my vote. Also, that natural flame top looks 'right' in this one.  This is the RG8570 & it's looking good. 

Ibanez: RG8570

Yes, the J Custom is made available here in the mean time, but in a very limited quantity. The RG8570 you see above is the only model currently available (limited finish options as well) through an authorised distributor, I managed to try it last week.

It’s beyond doubt the guitar is a wonderful piece of material craftsmanship. The feel of the neck in particular is very inviting; it’s a hybrid of freshness & that typical broken-in, relic touch. It’s definitely shred-worthy as I’ve discovered.

The pickups on board are DiMarzios, a trio of Tone Zone (B), True Velvet (M) & Air Norton (N) would attend to your tonal needs. Under loads of distortion, these sustain very well & manifest that typical creamy DiMarzio voicing we love to hear.

There’s this bit of alchemy that makes the J Custom different from the Prestige range. It’s attributable to the overall feel & tone of the instrument as you play it in your hands. The asking price of this guitar is steep: $3,599.00 If you are into aristocratic possessions, the RG8570 will serve you well. If you are into some charming overdriven tones, this one has plenty as well.

Personal reflections
I respect the J Custom series but its features are excessive in terms of looks, I don’t value instruments this way. I dislike vine inlays in any manifestations, I prefer boring dots instead. I also do not favour the DiMarzio voicings; don’t get me wrong- I own some instruments with these pickups on board but I guess they are not ear candy for me. Right now, the J Custom is quite the least desireable guitar on my list…