Ibanez 2024 (5): AZ Series

The Ibanez critiques expressed their dismay with the absence of any Prestige / Japanese models in the 2024 lineup. There are at least Premium ones which represent a higher tier of craftsmanship so to speak. I pick this AZ24P1QM as the boldest representative in this release. That quilted maple cap top finished in this green-esque burst (Ibanez calls it the deep ocean blonde) does exude a degree of reverence. Anyway, I noticed the headstocks are now generic black so any neck will be deemed suitable for any body finish. Also, pundits are saying the AZ colours are now more outgoing & less reserved compared to the initial releases.

There's a 7-string in the lineup (AZ427P2QM) which means there's an established demand for 7-string AZs. I don't see too many AZ pros embracing a 7 (maybe Martin Miller is the most prominent amongst them). 

In any case, the Premium AZs are sporting ridiculous prices considering they are not Japanese. I'm not equating the Japenese pedigree to be the deserving criteria for inflated prices but the quality of these instruments might just justify the prices. 

Ibanez 2022 (3)

Last year, word was going round that there will be a new AZ with an ebony fretboard & that got me a little excited. SO 2022 came & the ebony fretboard is now here in the new AZ Premium line. That's right, no ebony fretboard in the Prestige range but the Premium got it. There was also word that it's gonna be an HSH affair & again, the Premium got it. Lastly, there would be DiMarzios in the AZ & once again, the Premium has those now - Air Norton (n) / True Velvet / Tone Zone (b). Not forgetting the quilt top - that's new for this year as well & the Premium got it - AZ47P1QM. Note: No dynaMIX switch for this model.

 

This year, the Premium has a 7-string as well but fretboard is still rosewood & pickups are still Seymour Duncan Hyperions - AZ427P1PB

Pics: Ibanez Asia

Ibanez 2021 (3)

More Ibanez highlights since other gear news are taking a little more time to appear. There are many new RGs this 2021, no surprises there as these are the money-making models for the manufacturer. This gorgeous looking RG6PKAG is the first Premium model to feature an Edge bridge. The gold appointments are a little overkill; even the frets are gold. I still think that a natural finish for guitars bring out that privileged look & feel.

FYI: RG6PKAG (Premium Series / Koa top / Active electronics / Gold hardware)

PIC: Ibanez

Fighting

I think some of you are rather sick of seeing such dead parts but at my end, I feel it necessary to share the need to keep things in check. This is a dead tone pot, of course, eaten away by corrosion. We usually maintain such features in our guitars by spraying contact cleaners once thing don't feel as smooth as it should be.

This isn't a corroded implement, just the guitar's truss rod cover which necessitated this destruction...

... in order to access this dead screw. It was severely rounded during an attempt to remove it so accessing the exposed thread there helped with getting a grip while turning it loose using a pair of pliers. 

After an upsetting bout, it finally came off. 

Replacement truss rod covers were purchased online.

I'm also kinda sick & tired of Ibanez's cosmo black finish. This is a fusion between black & chrome & invites stain very easily. If your hand is oily for instance, the stain will be permanent however much you polish the surface. It becomes a bright stain rather than disappearing.

The guitar in question is my Ibanez RG721. It looks rather pristine here after some maintenance time & that's the sure thing that would happen to my instruments- taking time to put in place what's wasted.

MSM

Folks, the Ibanez MSM is now available at Swee Lee (SGD1,649). To note- the fretboard is now stated as panga panga instead of wenge (2014). 

Ibanez 2017: Slight enticement

So it has escaped me all this while- the fact that Ibanez Premium models were not offered States-side. It will finally reach there this 2017.

This here is the RG1070, a fresh 2017 model which will debut in the USA. Look at that difference in the 'Premium' decal compared to the pre-2017 model RG970 (grey). Many of us might miss this at a single glance. It's unconfirmed if this new script would be the standard decal for all 2017 Premium models & the ones thereafter. Please note.

Will you?

Ladies & gentlemen, this Premium Series Ibanez SA1060 is listing for the above-stated price. The 'Z' finish (zircote)is a limited edition offering for the year.

The Prestige Series RG655GK is listing for much less, the difference can easily get you a decent amp for domestic use.

The question- Will you fork out more money for a model in the manufacturer's lower series, granted it's limited edition? I'm not trying to instigate a price revision here (it'd be wise, though) & I'm not trying to put Ibanez down either- I've been a fan since day one. Chances are, prices were not dictated by the distributor but pegged against the manufacturer's recommendations & production costs.

If I am the salesperson in the store, who would I offer the SA model to? Considering that it's not the manufacturer's flagship model & the average Ibanez fan out there knows nuts about zircote, how soon can I clear this from the shelves?

Something to think about, yes?

New Ibanez @ Swee Lee

List: SGD1,699

List: SGD2,499

The first batch of 2015 Ibanez guitars are in at Swee Lee. If you are looking forward to the Premium Steve Vai models depicted above, they are in stock.

Ibanez: RC Premium/ Prestige

From the way I see it, looks like Ibanez is pushing the RC models this year to the forefront. It's a good thing but who's playing an RC? Who's the visible ambassador for this model? We have 2 more RC goodness to behold here, this is the Premium RC720 featuring a rosewood body cap. 

The Prestige RC1320 is the top-end model in the range featuring a pair of Seymour Duncan pickups: JB (B) & a covered '59. We welcome variety into the Ibanez fold but from a commercial perspective, things might go the deficit way. Lest we forget, Ibanez's weapon models formerly in the X-series (Halbard/ Glaive/ Falchion) are now extinct. Hopefully the RCs won't join them as passing models with no elements of perpetuity whatsoever.

Ibanez: SA960

Finally, Ibanez offers a Premium version of the SA series, which I thought was near extinction. Considering Kiko Loureiro's upcoming signature model would be based on the SA series, it would really be unwise for Ibanez to discontinue the SA range altogether. So here it is, the S960QM.

Ibanez 2013: Andy goes Premium

Ibanez has a nother Premium family member for our considerations this year, it's the Andy Timmons signature model. Despite the 'Premium' tag, this guitar is an 'as-is' model; meaning- the specs are as original as the upper tier AT model in the Ibanez catalog. However, this one might be a regional exclusive, the reason I have not mentioned it earlier. Shucks. 

Ibanez: RG920M

You know what's happening this week? Musikmesse 2012, that's what. Whatever's gonna debut there aren't as extensive as the NAMM event but there are still some significant introduction by the manufacturers. Ibanez for instance, is releasing its first Premium RG series sporting a maple fretboard- the RG920M you see above.

Ibanez: RG821

New guitar: Ibanez RG821 pictured with the humbucker protection plastic still in tact. Anything special about this one? Not really, it's a stripped down RG devoid of a whammy bridge & locking nut. If there's an attempt to lure the player into its individuality, then it's the neck feel- FEEL, mind you, not quite the legendary Ibanez Super Wizard slim profile.

Bevelled Premium

The main difference between an Ibanez Premium & Standard S-series body is that bevelled bit at the treble-side cutaway (the flip side, not front). This way, you'd know if the body was switched.

Ibanez: S920

The Premium S920E is one of the new Ibanez in store at Swee Lee. It sports a simple layout- a pair of EMG humbuckers, a volume knob & a 3-way pickup selector. By virtue of its S-series pedigree, the S920 has a mahogany body & that blank fretboard is elegant in my books. Tone-wise, there's not much to say about an instrument equipped with a pair of blaring EMGs- it sounds like any other instrument with a pair of blaring EMGs. But it's the feel that counts; the Premium selection had been crafted to manifest that little more attention in terms of finishing & this made the playing experience more gratifying & differentiated from handling the standard Ibanez models. 

I'd prefer a tone control in there to tame the prickly EMGs but if that's what you want- no-holds-barred screaming, active pickups- then the S920's economic feature shouldn't be a demerit. Regardless if you are an EMG fan, handling a Premium grade Ibanez is a delightful affair, especially this test model which was virtually blemish-free. Surprise! Ibanez included a Collet knob here, so it's not exclusive to the Prestige RGs any more :-)

Anniversary: Premium vs non-Premium

If you've been too distracted by the 25th Anniversary RG/S-series' bright, neon colours, maybe the manufacturer intended to do just that. While many of us are too busy deciding which finish to choose from because these are limited production units so to speak, we failed to notice that the RG version is a Premium model, while the S-series isn't; it's rather obvious from the pics above (see: Headstock).

Implications: The RG is a preferred model, it gets a set of 'preferred' pickups (not too sure if there are that many of us who'd swear by the Ibanez IBZ pickups) & by virtue of its Premium nature, a semi-hard case is included in the purchase. However, the S-series version, because it hails from a regular selection, has nothing extra to offer; it's just a standard model given a distracting finish. Double standards?

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PS: This is a big 'Hi!' to brother Ryan whom I've not met for quite a while (years, actually) but he appeared in-store today (Swee Lee). Good to see you, bro! Looking forward to your performance on Friday night.

Premium!

Got my Premium :-)

Ibanez: 2012 Premiums @ Swee Lee

The good Swee Lee people called me today to announce the arrival of Ibanez's 2012 Premium models. Among the numbers making it here are the Anniversary RG1XXV....

... and the JEM70V. They'd be on the shelves by Friday, 9th March. I'd be there in the evening to check them out, would love to say HI to the blog readers here in person (if you can make it) then :-)

EDIT (9-3-2012): BB showroom debut is delayed until further notice. 

Ibanez 2012: Premium JEM

This is the current buzz among the JEM aficionados; a 2012 offering in the Premium range. The implications are:

• It's not made in Japan- but without QC compromise of course. If you've seen the current Premium offerings up close, you'd agree.
• More affordable- since it's not made in Japan (jump up with glee, JEM fans... I am not jumping). Short-changed? No- look at the specs, they are still very much the original JEM features

No other finishes on offer thusfar, sea foam green might work with Strats, liking this one, well, you decide.

Alrighty! Enough leaks for today. :-)

Premium 7

Here's a new one for the Ibanez Premium range: RG927- a Premium 7-string model. It's not offered here...

The one offered to us (regional selection) is the RG827- without the DiMarzio IBZ pickups.