Ibanez: July 2025 (6)

We bid farewell to July by understanding why the new Ibanez RGA20P1PB got flak from fans. The RGA isn't new, we all knew this. That dark wood strip running through the  middle of the body is a false indication of the body-neck construction involved. We would all assume that it indicates a through-body feature but on the flip side, we can clearly see the bolt-on design. So what's the point, Ibanez?

If this is your thing, then there are the fixed bridge version (RGA21P1PB), featuring the newer Gibraltar Standard III & its 7-string counterpart (RGA217P1PB). All models feature DiMarzio Fusion Edge pickups.

Pics: Ibanez

Rotating BOSS

Didn't realize this was new. It won't be a hit with someone like your truly here who doesn't give a hoot about creating a panned tremolo effect for guitar. That's how I understand the rotating speaker effect to be for want of a deeper appreciation of this effect type. Anyway, there's will definitely be fans of this pedal if Hendrix & Pink Floyd are your thing. Some contextual understanding here:

Pic: BOSS

New Holcomb

Mark Holcomb's new signature model sports a 25.5" scale length. So this makes it one of the few guitars which are not conforming to PRS' preferred 25" default scale length. For those who are interested, be informed that the fretboard radius here is 20" so it would appeal to those super-strat type players as opposed to those in the vintage camp.

Pic: PRS

SPlus promo

I have no idea if anyone finds the Yamaha Pacifica desirable these days but in due fairness, I'm sharing a good deal - The Standard Plus (Indonesia) is now $2,079 $1,660. An Ibanez Premium model lists for more & these are made in Indonesia as well. I'm sure there are players among us who won't mind paying a sum in this price bracket for a Chinese Epiphone. No subliminal advocacy here, just putting things in perspective price-wise.

Pics: Yamaha SG

In brief: Ibanez RG565R

The RG565R is Ibanez's extension of it's very popular (to those of us who find reverse headstock subliminally appealing, that is) RG565. The only differences here are the rosewood fretboard & shark tooth inlays. 

Likes

• Playability & neck feel
• Fit & fitting
• Value-for-money

Dislike

• Scratchy tone pot

The RG, regardless if its countless iterations, is clearly the fodder of extremists. The neck profile per se is the perfect lure for precision & severe fretting hand dexterity. With that said, the Super Wizard profile might be singular in its appeal. For deep & opiating blues bends with a preference for hooking the thumb over the fretboard edge, the Super Wizard might prove to be discordant. Since its inception, the guitars from the Genesis Series had been very imposing when it comes to fit & finish; deserving attention was given to these instruments to further the Made in Japan prominence. No fret sprouts or other technical aptitude flaws to report. We move on.

Tone-wise, the Infinity R (n) & V8 (b) pairing deliver both clean & distorted manifestations adequately. These are not the manufacturer's outstanding performers, just acceptable but by no means shabby. For an extended take on these electronics, kindly refer to my opinion on the RG565: CLICK. This might be unique to this guitar at the time of testing, it might not be a general issue but worth mentioning is the scratchy tone pot. I raised the tone knob slightly off the body surface thinking it was merely surface contact that caused this annoyance but the scratching persisted. Nothing severe but if you mess with your tone knob often (which would be the extreme minority) this might require prompt attention. 

Final say

Ibanez did well in preserving the RG565 appeal in the RG565R. These two instruments are nothing too different but steep opinions might refer to fretboard feel (RG565's maple vs RG565R's rosewood) as the deciding factor when purchase comes to mind. There are also excessive opinions out there pertaining to maple vs rosewood tonal differences. For those of us with an exorbitant appetite for distortion, you would hear your distortion more than the maple / rosewood so let's not split hairs to substantiate our preferences. 

Overall rating: 90%

Ibanez RG565R

• available at Swee Lee ($1,549)
• no bag inculded

PS: Thank you brothers Faizal & Ram (Swee Lee Star Vista) for your kind assistance.

Starcasting

I saw these recently listed at Swee Lee's web store. I like the idea that the Start-ish big '70s headstock was retained for this Squier Affinity iteration. Obviously, it's aimed at Tom Delonge fans but the signature version omitted the neck pickup, this one offers both. Might have given this a good consideration considering I have a steep interest in single humbucking guitars.

Pics: Squier