New Euro

New SOLAR models made in Euro (European Master Series). Very classy, very pricey as well - USD3.8K. That dark, rosewood-esque fretboard you see there, it's richlite. The maple fretboard version comes with piezo-type pickups in the bridge.

Pics: SOLAR

Player Fusion

This looks promising to those who are in the market for a contemporary Fender Tele; it's a Mexican Player Fusion Tele HH. The throw off - Floyd Rose Special bridge.

Pic: Fender

Ibanez mark-downs @ SL

It's a good October if you are in the market for an Ibanez. Swee Lee is currently having mark-downs for selected models (till 18th October). One of the most value-for money consideration is this RG565R ($1,549 $1,316).

The AZ2204 / AZ2203N are worth considering as well ($2,999 $2,399).

If you prefer the non-N version, it's also discounted with a price variation ($2,999 $2,549).

The 540PIII is barely a year old but it's discounted in the mean time. I see it as a non-mover due to its peculiar body outline. Having played one in person, it's a very easy instrument to deal with. ($1,749 $1,486). Do check out Swee Lee's homepage for more Ibanez deals. I'm just highlighting these (IMO) worthy Japanese models.

Pics: Ibanez

White-ober

This October, Ibanez released a trio of white guitars with similar configurations but each coming from a different series in the catalog. The common factors: 1) Gold hardware 2) Okoume body + ebony fretboard 3) Fluence Modern humbuckers. The guitars (top to bottom): RGR621 / RGDR61 / S721R. If you've noticed, Ibanez doesn't mind equipping their guitars with Fluence pickups for active electronics, but not quite the case with EMGs.

Pics: Ibanez

Pale

I got this one for a good price. The previous owner basically gave up because he screwed the bridge pickup too much into the body, the screws literally pierced through the rear end. Nothing special here, just an Ibanez Q52 model given an ebony treatment (fretboard + body top is pale moon ebony).

The pickups you see there are my spare DiMarzio X2N humbuckers. I've been saving them for an RGD but they look very intimidating in this guitar. 

I have 10s in this guitar in the mean time because it's tuned down to Eb. 

To come?

I'm intrigued by this image. It's the latest Ibanez Martin Miller signature model featuring: 1) A Lo-Pro Edge bridge 2) Active pickups. So this might signal the things to come (2027), the AZ model featuring locking bridges & active electronics. Also, the volume knob had been moved away from the bridge pickup.

Pic: MMFB