Ibanez: FR420

The Ibanez FR series are not new this year but they were only available here in January 2013. This was definitely on my to-get list, it's a simple guitar, testing the player for his abilities more than a testimony of having locking hardware in an instrument & making the owner feel good. I held back because the FR420 was introduced this year so I was really hoping it's gonna make it to these shores, otherwise, I have to make arrangements for special purchases which I know will not make me happy (extra costs involved- GRRR...). 

But thanks to the forces that be, the FR420 was in stock in the second quarter of 2013 & here it is now. I'm not a sucker for the sunburst finish which was not the reason I held back but the FR420 sports an ash body while the FR320, mahogany. It's not about any superiority issues- no. I just prefer mine to be a little brighter because of the pickups I am gonna put in there. 

One more thing, my friends. The FR320 is also offered in white but this is a regional exclusive finish (meaning: offered in some countries only, it's not offered in the USA) & it's discontinued so if you like it white, grab one while it's still available. Also, the FR420 is not offered in the USA, the FR320 is not offered in Japan. This means, we are one of the fortunate people to have both models in the stores here. Here are some prices (NETT) for your reference:

• FR320 (black): SGD549
• FR320 (white): SGD630
• FR420 (sunburst): SGD639

Thank you, brother FAIZAL (Swee Lee BB), for the assistance, as always :-)

Ibanez: FR320

The Ibanez FR320 is definitely not a Telecaster so there would be no semblance discussion here save for the fact the its body looks like a Tele. It's a typical standard production model sporting a basswood body & a W-III profile neck so you are in a familiar territory when it comes to tone & feel. Pickups-wise, it's the in-house CCR humbuckers so it won't sound as smooth as a DiMarzio or as cutting as a Seymour Duncan but they give off an individual clunky tone that distances itself from what an RG would sound like. This is further compounded by the 5-way selector's ability to single-coil proceedings in one of its selections- nothing crystalline here, just some acceptable cleans which could get delicious with the right drive type.

The bridge is a Tight End model which I've come across in my RG1451; it accentuates a low-profile feel by virtue of its inclined sides & the overall smooth-to-the-palm feel that would keep you going for hours. Nice touch but bear in mind that no ready spares are available out there to replace worn out or corroded features (I like it, nevertheless). I would say that the FR320 makes a good non-whammy bridge selection if you are not too keen about mechanical vibrato but choose to focus on more left hand engagements as you play. It doesn't stigmatize you with its shredder image because its design moved away from the RG look- smart move by Ibanez. Come to think of it, the other Ibanez singlecut designs are very Les Paul-ish, save for this model.

Thank you Swee Lee Co. for the invitation to try this one (Thanks Faizal!).

Ibanez FR320/ Nett $630 (bag not included)/ Available at: Swee Lee Co

On another note, I have been wishing for such a guitar since I bought this album (way back in 1991):