Fan-fretted ice

This was one of the surprises this month, least expected as well. So who are the players looking / lobbying for a 7-string, fan fretted Iceman? I hardly see the regular / standard Iceman being played around so this iteration is a baffling manifestation more than an intriguing September release. The ICMS721, they called it.

Least we forget, the fan fretted 7-strings coupled with a pair of oversized Fluences was already done recently, yes? So this part of the instrument wasn't exclusive to the ICMS721. I don't see the Alpha camp giving up theirs in favour of the ICMS721 in the mean time, The way I see it, the Alpha has the upper hand when playing standing up. Ibanez has the statistics to back their manufacturing up, yes?

Pics: Ibanez

Tosin's proto

This is the current buzz in the Ibanez universe- Tosin Abasi's new proto which is acquired taste in the looks department. Ibanez is actually doing themselves a favour by letting Tosin have what he wants, really. He is often seen with other boutique, non-Ibanez guitars & surely, someone out there doesn't want him to switch camps. That fanned fret feature is currently hype in the Ibanez camp but there's something I'm really happy seeing in this guitar- Seymour Duncans!

FF RG...

In a few days time (SUMMER release), this fan-fret RGIF7 will be released in Japan. It won't make it here. How fair is that? :-(

Ibanez: Fan fretting

Ever since Ibanez set up the Bass Workshop series, ideas have been bold & inviting. This fall, the SRF4405 gives us the wonderful fan fret design (the idea here is to keep intonation in check while having the longer scale option for you to consider those detuned stuff) while keeping good tones in tact (Nordstrand pickups). You'd say that this idea isn't new, the boutique basses have been there & done that but the boutique prices would dent your coffers. The SRFF4505 is from the Prestige range but it won't retail for more than a typical boutique bass albeit in the upper price bracket. Let's just hope it gets here, that's more important.