Ibanez: Sept '25

By now, you've seen the new Ibanez releases for September 2025. After being absent in August, Ibanez returned with the good stuff this time.

One of the releases is this IV2RG. This marks the beginning of a new series of guitars - Visions, made in Japan. These instruments (only 2 in the mean time) sit above the J-Custom range so expect some hefty price tags when they debut here. I immediately like the headstock label; it's free from any pompous tags like J-Custom / Prestige which are more suggestive than anything else. Let the instrument quality speak for itself, not some patronizing labels. The guitar is a through-body design, with an ebony 'board, steel frets, DiMarzio pickups & Lo-Pro Edge bridge. I have no idea if Ibanez is obliged to equip a higher tier instrument with vine inlays but this seems to be the case lately. I'm not into excessive fretboard marking so this is a put off. Ditto the gold hardware - paying for a coating that would wear off over time is not my thing. 

I'm trying to understand why there is a need for a new tier especially so when there are no distinct differences between a J-Custom & the Visions. The neck-body construction might be it but this is not a sure formula to become a better instrument. It might be the case for price justifications; oh, the new VISIONS are neck-through so we're asking more for it. 

Donor appreciation (cont'd)

• Shawn Siow. Thanks for the contribution - every bit helps me in so many ways.

E-II SS

The ESP camp had decided to put stainless steel frets on all its E-II models like 4 months ago. That's how long I've been missing on the ESP stuff. I make no apologies in believing that ESP guitars are among the less affordable instruments out there especially for individuals like me with weakened purchasing power. The reason I make less effort these days to keep with the ESP stuff.

Pic: ESP

Aged

Bacchus has relic'd models in their lineups. This one here is the TACTICS24 AGED/RSM, available now at Davis GMC ($1,100). The price is a little steep for something equipped with in-house locking tuners & pickups but it's definitely a winner with that roasted maple neck / fretboard + steel frets. Yes, that's a Wilkinson bridge. 

 

Pic: Deviser

Ibanez: April newbies

New Ibanez stuff for the month of April. First up, the RGR652 gets a locking treatment. That's right, it gets the Edge bridge & a locking nut, everything else stays the same.

The RG5320 here is a typical Ibanez affair but this one features ss frets & an ebony board. OK so there's coil tap feature there as well. Verdict for April releases: Boring. 

New 7s

New Solar S1.7AHLB featuring Fluence pickups. Poplar burl is still the top of choice for some Solar guitars & it's a very tasteful inclusion. For me, it's a move away from flames & quilts. 

The HS pickup combo is now featured in a 7-string offering - AB1.7HTPB. Together with the roasted maple neck & SS frets, it's one heck of a guitar. Can we get these in the stores here, what do you think?

Pics: Solar guitars

Stainless LTD

As announced yesterday, with immediate effect, all LTD Deluxe models will feature stainless steel frets. The manufacturer cited this move as a response to the fans' strong suggestion to do so in the wake of other brand names that already have SS frets in their selected tier offering. These are often not higher tier models exclusively (less Fender) as in the case of LTD here, their Deluxe versions being more of a mid-priced offering. 

Pic: ESP blog