Ibanez: August '24 (2)

The Ibanez John Scofield signature model isn't new but this more affordable version is (JSM10EM, August 2024). We all know a guitar of this nature don't come cheap so this guitar, listing for a whisker off $1K, is worth considering - if you are into this genre of music, that is. Despite being more accessible price-wise, it still features the Super 58 humbuckers. For the record, this is the fastest Ibanez release to reach Swee Lee; announced in August & debuting just days later in the store. Anyway, it's good to stock up John Scofield stuff in view of his guitar clinic come mid-September.

Pic: Ibanez

Ibanez: More Roadcore goodness

There are 2 more Ibanez Roadcore models to look forward to come 2015. This green meanie is the RC1720M, featuring the highly acclaimed Ibanez Super 58 humbucker in the neck & a Core Tone counterpart in the bridge. I've had personal encounters with the Super 58 & must say that it's one of the best non-high output pickup I've heard in action- the reason why George Benson & John Scofield leave them be in their signature models. However, those signature models are hollow/semi-hollow instruments. The Super 58's performance in this solid body remains to be heard.

The final member in the new 2015 lineup is the RC1720S, featuring a pair of Ibanez Super 9 pickups. I'm not an ardent fan of single coils but I do pay attention to the ones that do well with distortion so this one needs some audition time once it gets here, of course.

Ibanez: AR325

I ended Friday by testing this guitar- Ibanez's AR325 (at Swee Lee BB branch). This isn't a fresh idea by the manufacturer, in fact, it's a regurgitation of the Artist series. The new feature here are those mini 3-way toggle switch to provide parallel & split modes in addition to the standard humbucking mode. I kinda ignored this guitar in its previous incarnation because it sounded too much like an SG which was in need of a slightly clearer sounding pickups. However, this 2013, the AR is equipped with a pair of Super 58s so while hearing it in action, I was reminded of why I look up to these pickups, not because they are crazy high output units, because they are good in clean & driven settings without trying to be something else- it's not living in the shadows of any other Ibanez models (as far as I know). No list price as at testing time. Hmm...

Ibanez: AR series

The Ibanez community is currently abuzz with the AR series talk; yes, it's the Artist series which were once defunct but their recent resurrection had many players sing praise for them. (Above: AR325)

Unlike the previous incarnation, the current AR models sport 2 mini switches near the instruments' volume controls that allow both coil splitting & coil tapping voicings. The 24.75" scale length gave them a very Gibson-esque vibe. The Jazz players out there would tell you Ibanez's Super 58 humbuckers are some of the best in the business- just ask Scofield & Metheny. (Above: AR420)

If you possess the above instructional DVD, Marty Friedman used the AR exclusively in that recording before he received his SZ-based signature model.

Re-string: Ibanez AF105

Was considering a 24.75" scaled guitar to play today, out came my Ibanez AF105. Played for quite a while & the strings felt very dead when it's time to stop. Gave it a re-string: D'Addario .0095 set. I always love how Ibanez's Super 58 humbuckers react with drive/ lots of distortion.

Ibanez: AF105

One of my favourite Ibanez in my collection is a hollowbody; the AF105. I don't own any acoustic guitars because they are difficult to play namely due to the action & body depth which induce lots of mistakes on my part. Ibanez has a brilliant line of hollow/ semi-hollow guitars in the Artcore series which got me hooked when I first tried them some time back. The AF105 here is a representative from their Custom range (Custom by name, not by make).

Since there are times when I yearn to hear a simple acoustic tone, the AF105 was my answer to owning an acoustic guitar. It's not really one but it renewed my intention of not owning any acoustics on the ground of playability as mentioned above. The AF105 is a joy to play because the neck's profile has more inclinations towards the electric guitar rather than the average acoustic. The resplendent unplugged tones made me play this guitar unamplified most of the time. I do plug it in sometimes but into my bass amp (surprise!!) which would yield a fusion of unique bottom end accentuation & the crystalline acoustics.

However, the real gem in this guitar is the under-rated pair of Ibanez Super 58 humbuckers which are equally superb clean & overdriven. In fact, one of the most commanding distorted tones from the lower frequencies, comes from this guitar.

Owning the AF105 has renewed my belief in the following matters:

• You need not be a jazz elietist to own an instrument conceived for the genre
• Guitars made in China aren't the pariahs they were portrayed to be, in fact, this Chinese AF105 would put some western craftsmanship to shame