Not available here

Above instruments:

1. Ibanez SR300M (maple fretboard)
2. Ibanez XP300 (with Edge III whammy bridge)

These are not available here, despite them not being too special (only available in the USA). The SR300 is a maple fretboard variation, while the XP300 sports an Edge III bridge. What we have here in stores are the rosewood fretboard SR300 & the XP300FX fixed bridge version. Is it a big deal? It gives us, players/ buyers some options to think of before parting with cash. I also told some stores here if they bring in these models, they would get an upper hand in terms of sales because these are simply not available anywhere. Maybe the additional costs of making them available in the local stores make them not worth the extra trouble, especially so when there are online stores out there attending to specific wants.

Seeing red again

The Ibanez XP300 is now available in red but not permanently, the manufacturer says it's a 2009 limited edition finish... Hope it comes around.

Ibanez: XP300 (Part 2)

The XP300 is a simple guitar despite its protrusive body outline.

It features a bolt-on construction unlike its 700-series siblings.

I dislike the manufacturer's INF humbuckers (due to excessive upper frequencies) but in this guitar, they sound just right. I'm keeping them in the mean time, my spare Duncans will have to wait for other guitars. The XP300 also sports a fixed bridge, making re-stringing & tuning a simple affair.

Like its other XP family members, the instrument comes with one of the strap buttons detached. If you purchase a Xiphos, do not scream bloody 'cheat' when you see a hole in your guitar; check the darn accessory package.

Ibanez: XP300

The other Ibanez I acquired is the Xiphos XP300. If you purchase this guitar, be informed that the bag is an inclusive accessory. I'm not a big fan of protrusive body outlines (especially a Jackson Warrior wannabe...) but this one appeals to me in terms of tone & overall QC. The bummer here is its black finish- it's another black guitar for me.