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):

Flashback '90s: Richie Kotzen

The '90s is a non-happening decade for all things guitar; those in possession of one, tried their best to unplay it because it was the coolest thing to do, it's grungy that way... Luckily for dweebs like me who are too involved in guitar technicalities, the technical players out there are still into what they do best- finger gymnastics... on the fretboard of course. Electric Joy is Richie Kotzen's 3rd release but it had a different approach guitar-wise. Gone are the excessive legatos from his debut album & fortunately, he decided not to sing in this one (he sang in his 2nd release). I hear lots of layered fills here despite the rather bare rhythm involvements but that's what I like it for. The tele-type Ibanez might be one for show rather than having real contributions in the album because there are plenty of whammy-phrasings to be heard. This is one album I didn't regret buying.