Saturday, April 18, 2026

Ibanez April 2026: S721

There is this series in the Ibanez lineup that supposedly caters to all things metal - the Iron Label Series. This new S721 is a new member in this Series of instruments & as you can see, it's blacked out. I totally understand the inevitable association of black with doom & gloom but there are some things in a guitar that should facilitate playing, not merely visual dominance. I believe such colour scheme does not help the beginners out there in terms of visual reference. The ebony fretboard has no position indicators & the dark colour scheme facilitates being lost more than being elegant. Black pickups against a black body - you'd be hitting the pickups while playing instead of being aware they are there in that particular playing space where you should avoid playing over to avoid hitting them. 

It's quite the opposite for seasoned players. Fretboard reference is second nature after years of playing. All this compounded by the dark stage presence; visual reference is nothing anymore. The instrument had become too familiar for you to mess up your playing fundamentals. Anyway, this blacker than black S721 is now available at Swee Lee ($1,299) & it sports my favourite DiMarzios in there - the D Activator.

Pic: Swee Lee

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