EnEpi

I must work incredibly harder because if Epiphone can accord a signature model to this guy (Jay / Enhyphen)...

Pic: Epiphone

Ibanez September 2026 (2): Satch's

Very clean looking JS2470 for September's release. I love the Radius-type body but unwilling to spend money on a signature model. Don't see anything special with this one.

If we look at the flip side,we'd note the rather sumptuous amount of bubinga for the neck.

In fact, they left the headstock unlaminated to show the stripe.

Pics: Ibanez

Jourdan

Prior to this, I had no idea who Jon Jourdan is. I'm currently not following Wolfgang Van Halen's musical developments so the name was simply unfamiliar. This here is Jourdan's signature model which I really fancy; single pickup, single knob, no fretboard markers. Downright simply & to the point. Already, many people are looking forward to seeing this manifested as the SE version along the way. Really hope it would happen. This grey finish is rather wicked. Not so good news in the mean time - this is limited to 200 pieces & PRS is not hinting at further production.

Pic: PRS

Shag's guitar

Dimmu's Shagrath has a signature ESP guitar. He's not known for his guitar playing in Dimmu but he plays guitar with this other outfit, Chrome Division. I sometimes wonder why individuals who are not known for their guitar playing actually gets a signature model. To be fair, Shagrath plays quite a bit in CD but people like Bruno Mars (Fender) & Taylor Swift (Taylor)? Gee...

Pic: ESP

J5

I don't know Jacob Collier. I saw this while browsing the Taylor homepage. This is his signature model & it features only 5-strings.

It seems there are two models, this one is modelled after the GS Mini, the preceding model, modelled after the Academy 22e. 

I don't know Jacob Collier, it's my first time coming across his name. It turns out he has a preceding signature model, the JCSM-6, which is available at Swee Lee, listing for more than $4K. I have nothing against him, highly likely he deserves a signature model as acknowledged by Taylor. 

Do you need a 5-string guitar? Only you can answer this. What's the probability of finding a ready buyer for such a niche model if you wish to let this one go? Something to think about, yes?

Pics: Taylor

Bello-ed

One of metal's more eminent bassist, Frank Bello, is now in the Spector camp (Above: NC-4). Looks like it's retaining more of his previous ESP affair than moving away from it. In any case, the bass looks good but that headstock will be a hit / miss affair. This is due to Frank's preference for a 4-a side tuner lineup as opposed to Spector's traditional 2x2 version. All in all, Frank Bello deserves attention from any bass company for that matter.

Pic: Spector

Chleo

This is the new Herman Li signature by PRS, it's called Chleo. They took a while to get this going because the proto which went on the road with Herman Li broke as a result of rough handling. Rough here refers to the act of kicking the guitar while it's still strapped on. There are plenty of clips going round showing that structural failure but I'm not here to highlight comic relief.

As you can see, Chleo is essentially a re-interpretation of the Ibanez Egen. It's tapered at the sides to mimic the S-Series proprietary design but required some swelling to accommodate the pickup selector & input jack. That's hinting at how thin the body is. Pickups here are Fluence & it sports a Gotoh bridge. It exceeds $6K & currently on a limited run. 

Pics: PRS

SF727

Beneath the boring facade of releasing an acoustic bass & a starter acoustic guitar for the month of May, Ibanez had this SF727 out & it's both good & not good.

Good because it's a deserving addition to the S-Series which, as we all know, is living in the shadows of the RG highlight. 27 frets - yes, it goes beyond 24, Duncan's Nazgul humbucker in the bridge & those reversed shark tooth inlays are just very evil. In a good way, of course.

Not good because it's a Euro only release. Dammit, Ibanez! Why??!!

Pic: Ibanez

Rei

Another late release, this time by Fender Japan - the Rei Stratocaster. That's right, I've not heard of this name either since I'm not into the Japanese pop music scene but she can play guitar well. Anything special about this Strat? Maybe the 24 frets, everything else seems standard. OK maybe those default Graph Tech saddles is a 'different' Strat offering.

Pic: Fender Japan

Magna-SLASH

This amp created quite a stir in amp-dom; did Slash leave the Marshall camp for good? Is this a part-collab? Is it a one-off? Whatever it is, it's USD4,899 head + USD2,699 cab & we have no clue who the Magnatone dealer is here (is there any to begin with)? Doubt if there's any strong demand for this other than the fanboys wanting one so badly. So, there.

Pic: Andertons IG

 

SDG

Your death metal allegiance will come to nought if you don't know Steve DiGiorgio. Many of us would know him though the band, Death (defunct). I know him through Sadus. In fact, I find Sadus interesting because of Steve's bass works in there; he's one of the more technical players in this genre who cleverly mixed his parts without getting in the way of the guitars. If you listen to Death's Human, you'd hear his fretless bass in action.

That's right - fretless. That's how his signature Ibanez is; a fretless 5-string (SDGB1), modelled after the BTB Series. This is downright deserving; Steve DiGiorgio should have been given one much earlier but we know how it is with endorsements & bass players; they are second fiddle to the guitar guys. Do note the fingerboard material in use - Ebonol. This is a synthetic material, very much in the likes of Richlite. Ebonol is a composite of resin & fibre (paper), a surprisingly popular material of choice in the bass circle. 

After watching this promo video (yes, he's playing stuff from Death's Human), you'd agree this guy's precision is scary. Anyway, this bass was initially left out of the November release list only to appear like a week into the month. Better late than never.

Pics: Ibanez / FSantiago

Bruno-caster

Bruno Mars' contributions to pop music is downright significant. But we see him more of a singer-songwriter, not as a guitarist. Does he deserve a signature Strat? 

Pic: Fender

Ibanez @ September

Looks like a drab September for Ibanez as the new highlight for this month is an entry-level PS60. No idea if this will get the KISS fans screaming & wanting more but in my opinion, the Iceman & Destroyer should make a proper come-back into the catalog. For variety's sake? That & the fact that these were the landmark leftist models in the manufacturer's guitar history. But what do I know about guitar production, yes?

PS: Swee Lee actually received this one before it's officially announced - available now ($549)

Hello September 👋

Pic: Ibanez

Price watch (62)

Would you pay $2,179 for this Sterling Sabre? Yes, it has some eye candy here; flame maple neck, Fluence pickups, locking tuners... but would you?

EDIT: The listing for this instrument had been removed as at 12th Aug.

Also, would you pay $1K for the Squier version of Tom Delonge's signature Strat? 

New PGMs

That's right folks, Ibanez decided to exclude these guitars from the NAMM group, opting for a late May announcement instead. This is the new Paul Gilbert PGM1000T (Japan). 

It's a through-neck design with ash body wings. Also, the neck's is a glossed out affair. The guitar features a pair of covered DiMarzio Air Classic humbuckers which I had personally tried: CLICK Ebony fretboard for this one & if you missed it - 22 frets - but the scale length remains unaffected (25.5"). Do note that this guitar is equipped with a set of 8 - 38 strings. 

The other new Paul Gilbert guitar is the PGM50 (Indonesia). It's a bolt-on model with a trio of DiMarzios (Air Classic humbuckers) but the middle single coil is a PGM model. Also - 22 frets, 'board is rosewood & the body, basswood. I would have more respect for this guitar if the 'Premium' label was omitted from the headstock; that's obvious insecurity right there. 

I'm not into signature models so these guitars mean nothing to me. They might be your thing though but 22 frets would be the deal breaker for many fans. I'm into 22 frets in the mean time but I still won't buy these 😅

Pics: Ibanez

Troy's P

Pic: No Treble

I'm just glad the big names in musical instruments take note of formidable players in the metal zone. Mastodon's Troy Sanders got a new signature bass. It's a P (J) bass, a simple one with a colour scheme not too far off his previous Jaguar signature. If there's a deserving criterion in awarding a signature instrument to any player, it's that recognition of his / her contribution to the music. Troy Sanders deserves it.

S&S

An interesting release - Scarlet (n) & Scourge (b). Honestly, I'm not into Periphery but I love Mark Holcomb's Alpha & Omega after trying them out in one of my Ibanez guitars. Seeing these pickups dedicated to 7-string means Seymour Duncan had successfully made a name for themselves or at the very least, created an impression based on what worked before. Also, good to see these pickups come covered but this would mean it's not a guaranteed fit for pickguard mounting so keep that in mind, please.

Pic: SD

Ibanez 2023: Luca

Good 2023 morning, gear heads. Exciting times at the Ibanez camp, interesting new models for your considerations. First up, in the signature camp, the new Luca Mantovanelli signature. Notice it doesn't include the dynaMIX switch, instead, one of the tone knobs is a blend control, allowing you to have all-on / neck-bridge options in some settings. All this while, Ibanez had been avoiding an SSS combo to exclude themselves from the purist Strat camp but I think they did a good job by waiting to see if the world is ready for their version of the unadulterated single coil offering. 

Poly nylon

Following the post-Steve Vai - Polyphia collaboration, Ibanez wisely released this as the only October newbie in their catalog; the TOD10N. It's the second signature model for Tim Henson. I kinda expected something of this ilk since the initial signature (solid body) instrument is something fairly affordable with limited flash to keep costs down. So we have this nylon string shredder-esque, FR body outline model featuring a walnut fretboard & bridge. Interestingly, the inlay there is called the Tree of Death, it's the opposite of the Tree of Life which is made popular by none other than Steve Vai himslef.

This picture angle shows you the relatively thin body so it's all about amplification. That side port there isn't gonna do much in terms of volume projection, wonder why they even bothered but plus points for giving this a solid top. 

I find this a strange release for the market; will shredders snap this up any time soon? Not really unless you are a Polyphia fan boy. Then again, the Polyphia dudes don't really shred. I don't recommend shredding with this one, especially if you are pick-inclined. Will the average nylon string player do the honours, then? With limited volume projection, they have other options out there that suit their needs better. 

Pics: Ibanez

Price watch (45)

We will see this happening more often in time to come since there's no Gibson distributor here. The limited edition Rick Beato LP SPecial DC lists for USD1,999 but sold out everywhere. Work that out in SGD & you'll see that the current asking price is about $1K in excess. There is an opportunity for enticement for Gibson fans here.

Ditto this Fender Japan Jr Strat but it took a slight variation; since Swee Lee has not brought these in yet, someone out there did - for a little more than what the manufacturer listed it for (MSRP: SGD1,170 vs Listing: $1,750). You're absolutely entitled to list / buy stuff at whatever price but be aware of what you are in for.