Ibanez 2019 (3): Initial sadness

Damn it. This is the only new Ibanez S-Series for 2019: S61AL.

Thanks for having the Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers in there but gone are the maple neck (walnut/ panga panga) & mahogany body (nyatoh). If there's any implications to all this, Ibanez is telling us that the active pickups would render body wood consideration less significant.

This makes the S61AL the only other S-Series to be featuring active pickups in a regular production model. The last time we see this happening was the S920E (above) & that's been done with in 2014. Instead of the active push per se, the Fishman electronics feature 2 voicings via the volume knob's push/ pull facility. Together with the coil tap feature, this would make an interesting tonal palette.

I sincerely hope there are some other regional exclusive models for consideration or Ibanez would be releasing subsequent variations by Summer NAMM (high hopes!). Having only a single addition in  the midst of others is a sign of impending extinction.