Ibanez: November 2024

As predicted, nothing really refreshing for the November slot, a couple of lefty RGs - this one here is the RG5120.

And the fixed bridge counterpart - RG5121. Save your money for Black Friday deals instead, folks.

Pics: Ibanez

South NWL

The lefty version of the AZ2204NW is now available. A little slow to appear but appear nevertheless. There's this debate about any lefty version of any guitar costing a little more, let's see how much this will list for once it gets to the stores here.

Pic: Ibanez

Ibanez: May update

Ibanez is re-highlighting the lefty RG550 this May (Genesis Series). Yes, re-highlighting because this was done back in 2018. This time, only the yellow version is offered. Keep in mind that the Genesis range is entirely removed from the Japanese market, the J-Line took over proceedings when it comes to Prestige-type credibility & affordability in mind.

Lately, Ibanez had been making their GIO models appealing. Maybe not so much of features, more of the looks. This GRX120 looks stunning in this blue with a pair of covered humbuckers.

Verdict: Fair. I would have deemed this May adventure boring save for the fact that the lefty RG provided considerations for the southpaws among us & the entry level Gio models are making themselves appealing for the money.

Pics: Ibanez International

BST LH

Not forgetting the south paws among us...

Bacchus' value-for-money BST Series left-handed versions are available at Davis GMC as well (List: $275). I'm highlighting this here because someone asked me for some lefty recommendations last weekend. We don't see too many of these here across brand names but there are some worthy considerations. Seen above: BST-1R in black & white finishes. 

Pics: Bacchus Guitar

May the left be with you

The month of May sees some lefty Ibanez models released into guitardom. I personally feel that for every series of Ibanez instruments, there should be at least one lefty offering. Releasing lefty models is one thing, making sure dealers inventorize them, is another. Some dealers, especially those in limited market opportunities, are relunctant to have lefties in store because the demand for them are next to negligible. I certainly hope that there would be more dealers (in general, not Ibanez exclusively) who can offer an order-basis deal for lefty instruments; you want one, tell us, we bring them in for you. 

Pics: Ibanez

Southern AZ

The south paw version of the Ibanez AZ2402 is now available at Swee Lee but in limited quantity. This version is $100 more than its other siblings, which in my opinion, should not be the case. Don't blame the distributor, it's the acceptable discrimination everywhere. 

PIC: Ibanez

Genesis, south

Good news for lefties- Ibanez is offering the Genesis RG550 for left-handers as a spot model. Wonder if these will make it here at all.

SE South

PRS had stated time & again they won't make left-handed guitars but this proved otherwise- the SE Custom 24. This instrument will be available soon so it's good news to you lefties especially so when the manufacturer had brought up the standards for their SE models come 2018.

Left JEM

So the southpaws have not been forgotten.

Lefty JEMs (30th Anniversary edition) in these two finishes offered by Ibanez. Despite being an Ibanez fan, I have never been attracted to the JEMs. Yes, RGs wouldn't be around if the JEM were not there to begin with but I'd rather go with a super fine RG than forking out money for a JEM.

Ibanez lefties

Ibanez are adding more lefty models to the guitar lineup, hope these would make it here for our south paw friends. Seen above: SA160/ RG655

Gibson SG lefty

One of the contents in the 2 boxes you see previously- a lefty Gibson SG, not mine. By the time you read this, it would already be in the hands of its rightful owner, brother Zahid. I believe he received a good one, meaning- this guitar = flawless, action was fantastic out of the box & the neck was ramrod straight (remember, straight doesn't equal good). My job was to do a secondary inspection, no further tweaking needed. 

Felix!

There are too many right handed wonder-fretters & wonder-pickers out there. More often than not, our southpaw friends would feel a little left out especially when they have no idols to look up to. But here's something to behold: Felix Martin. Enjoy the clip.

PRS- 1 for the south as well...

Looks like PRS is now riding the South-paw bandwagon as well; here's the reversed Custom 22. It's rather obvious guitar manufacturers are now wary of the left-handed market potential, my thumbs-up to them.
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1 more for the south

Good news for lefties- this summer, Ibanez adds a few more models for the left-handed players, the S420 is one of them.

South

Kudos to Ibanez for remembering the left-handed players among us. Although this isn't a comprehensive offering but the Summer's inclusion of south-paw models shows that lefties are not forgotten.

Left is right

What do Gary Moore...

... & Herman Li have in common?

They are left-handed people playing guitar right handed. To all my friends out there who are south-paws; there is no reason why you can't learn to play guitar the other way. It's a matter of adaptation. During my National Service, I handled the rifle mostly left handed but I'm right handed...