I just got my first Ibanez, an RG550 Genesis, 5 days ago. Between that and being at Paul Gilbert's feet for an entire Mr. Big show last month I'm already scoping out my options for another.
I'm bummed for no new Japanese ones at Namm. But the Standard line has improved greatly and the quality has too. The addition of the Zero II trem into an affordable $500 guitar is great for someone who doesn't want to spend a premium. Many of us look at this from the eyes of someone who has a vested interest in the brand and their higher level pieces, but forget how much the affordable market matters. The bridges are better, the pickups are much better then the inf's, the fret work is better and the finishes are varied. The standard line and premiums are not bad guitars, but I understand peoples disappointment in regards to no new jpn models.
i heard theyre too backed up on prestige's currently to release any new models, theyre essentially at capacity for japan made models, which honestly im fine waiting if it means they keep the same level of quality, prestiges play better than guitar many more expensive guitars, last year i think they did a 2nd release as well sometime in the summer, hopefully by then theres something new
My dream is that they will do a white rg with gotoh hardtail hsh with maple fretboard with mother of pearl inlays with a color matched headstock. Also a white S with hsh maple fretboard, mother of pearl inlays matching headstock with the zr2 trem with zps3 system
Why didn't he show new S series models? i know from some other video they were hanging there too. Also is HB not at NAMM? i was hoping for new Dullahan range reveal so much..
Which one are you talking about? I just checked, and the most expensive made in indonesia RG is $1500. Heck, half of the prestige made in japan models are less than $2000.
I bought my first guitar back in 2015. An ibanez RX 170 and i have had it ever since. I think Ibanez should revamp the RX series and come out with new models with eye grabbing colors👍🤘
Would have loved a S-series Prestige in the deep ocean blonde finish (without that monstrous pickguard hiding 2/3 of the guitar). Been a while since the last S prestige...
@@anabolic-v3p you can always upgrade the hardware chum🤘🏻 and the premium RG aren’t cheap “crap”. I have a GIO with a roasted maple neck and stock it literally plays better than my higher end guitars. A guitar is only as good as the player or how well it’s kept🤘🏻
@@xajlalondex Really? Can you upgrade the whatever crap trem they put on those to Edge Original or Lo-Pro? Nope, it won't fit. The frets on GIO would be softer than the regular ones and even softer than good nickel silver Sanko frets they install on the Prestige series and even softer and less "glassy" than the stainless steel on the 5xxx Prestiges. As for the guitar being only as good as the player - agreed, but it definitely helps when you don't have to wrestle the instrument, especially if you're more of a technical player and prefer an even low action, etc. So, the car is only as good as the driver, but I guess you won't argue there's a difference between a Kia or Nissan something and a Laborgini or Bentley, for example, would you?
@@anabolic-v3p Hey mate, look I love Japanese made ibanez's as well. I own two J's, some golden era 90s guitars, a sugi built S series, a few sigs and jdm exclusives and so on. I also have played and owned the Indonesians prior to the premium line introduction and have played the current line as well. By in large the premium guitars are quality instruments and rarely need more than minor tweaking. Do I agree with pricing? Not really, but compared to other brands it isnt awful. Am I stoked for this lineup? Nope, but that's cause my eyes are set on Sugi's now. Anyways.. Take a look at the premium rg's right now? What floating trem is in them? The lopro and orginal edge. Only non premium indo's use the edge zero II (which is a more than okay bridge). You could also swap the bridge for an original Edge zero... and depending on the bridge route can drop in an edge or lo pro. With the Az's the Gotoh T1502 bridge is fantastic and i've never heard anyone complain. they also put them on the prestige models in some cases. I'm still a bit bummed with the lineup, but Ibanez middle ground for making quality guitars is way better than it was 10 or 15 years ago. Many new players are able to grab a more affordable instrument with the Ibanez feel without the Japanese price. I only say this because if I was a teenager looking to grab a specked out ibanez, but couldn't afford a prestige I would be happy with this direction.
As an Ibanez RG player, Ibanez has been a big disappointment in the last few years, this is a whole lot of nothing. And not raising standards on the standard RG line - those unstained necks that look like cheapass pine are horrible - and GIO's are often better in that regard - WTF? Then they want to charge you top dollar for Axiom/Iron label guitars that have plastic nuts - FFS Ibanez. Then you have their Prestige line with the dullest paintjobs going... Then you have a totally neglected Premium line with two fifths of fuck all in it. Just so not impressed, Ibanez. You're slipping, your competition is passing you. Despite loving Ibanez, I'm looking at guitars from Schecter and ESP now, coz Ibanez is just slipping and pretending their sh*t don't stink. I can get more guitar for less money from Schecter and ESP, and Ibanez had better realize that or I'm not spending any more with them.
I’d go esp/ltd over Ibanez. I view schecter as like a prs se but for heavy music. ESP is more direct comp to Ibanez IMO and esp is killing it right now
Don't bother with ESP, they also didn't release new MIJ E-II models this year. And don't get me started on how stupid the whole ''E-II'' branding is, not to mention the E-II models have gone so much up in price, it's not even funny. Hell, the Made in Indonesia LTD 1000 Series have become expensive af, that is IF you can actually get one. Theyre are still people, waiting for their ordered 2023 LTD models out there. If you want a great MIJ shred/rock/metal superstrat style guitar, check out Vola Guitars. They sell directly from the factory and give you a 10-day return policy, kinda like Kiesel does, but you don't have to wait for the guitars to be build. Only thing is: the Vola necks are not as thin as a Wizard neck.
Not at all, we simply didn't have time for everything at the Namm Show. Most people don't watch acoustic content on youtube, so we had to prioritise things. Next time! //Kris
This matte surf green rg would be perfect for me for rock&fusion if it had non centered dots instead of metal style shark tooth inlays, they mess up the look of this guitar imo..
Having Premium 1 and Premium 2 range is stupid for multiple reasons. For one it disrupts the naming convention, right after you explained that 1 stands for fixed bridge. So now your names ends with P1, despite now having a fixed bridge and P2, despite not being twelve string. Secondly, the ranges doesn't make any sense either, as they are too many and new ones are still coming every year.
2024 AZ line up is disappointing. I just need the 2023 AZ prestige with new solid colors. I think the newest AZ line up being "sacrificed" for Tom Henson signature. sucks
Fire your videographer please, the guitars being discussed are either halfway or nearly fully out of frame/view as they are being discussed. Particularly horrible in the AZ premium segment. Wake up.
I bought an Ibanez RG742FM 7 string, 3 weeks ago. It was the cheapest crappiest guitar I ever played. I returned it immediately. Extremely disappointed. Some older Ibanez guitars I've played were outstanding, but not the one I bought.
Amazing, Ibanez always had a special place in my heart
That natural wood finish on that fixed bridge RG will never go out of style. Such a beautiful thing.
Ibanez is amazing always exploring new colors and pickups combinations
SO COOL! Thx for sharing this to us! George :)
RG and RGR are my favorite guitars of all time.
Ooooh! I like the red one.
Wow, I learned a lot! Thanks for the cool vid
Any southpaw / left hand model variations from ibanez this year?
I just got my first Ibanez, an RG550 Genesis, 5 days ago. Between that and being at Paul Gilbert's feet for an entire Mr. Big show last month I'm already scoping out my options for another.
What a great video have a good weekend ❤😊
Thanks man, you too! //Kris
I'm bummed for no new Japanese ones at Namm. But the Standard line has improved greatly and the quality has too. The addition of the Zero II trem into an affordable $500 guitar is great for someone who doesn't want to spend a premium. Many of us look at this from the eyes of someone who has a vested interest in the brand and their higher level pieces, but forget how much the affordable market matters. The bridges are better, the pickups are much better then the inf's, the fret work is better and the finishes are varied. The standard line and premiums are not bad guitars, but I understand peoples disappointment in regards to no new jpn models.
i heard theyre too backed up on prestige's currently to release any new models, theyre essentially at capacity for japan made models, which honestly im fine waiting if it means they keep the same level of quality, prestiges play better than guitar many more expensive guitars, last year i think they did a 2nd release as well sometime in the summer, hopefully by then theres something new
would have LOVED to have seen some new RG Genesis colors like Neon green Neon Orange and Neon Pink, would buy a NEON Green in a second
My dream is that they will do a white rg with gotoh hardtail hsh with maple fretboard with mother of pearl inlays with a color matched headstock. Also a white S with hsh maple fretboard, mother of pearl inlays matching headstock with the zr2 trem with zps3 system
I own an Ibanez AF 105NT and I already had an AF 75, and RG 350DX, always great products, they need to make a model for Norman Brown urgently!!
That one at 11:30 is MINE ! 😆
Why didn't he show new S series models? i know from some other video they were hanging there too.
Also is HB not at NAMM? i was hoping for new Dullahan range reveal so much..
HB...? 🤔
Humbucker?
Harley Benton ??
Hot Buttered??
Hennon, Bavarian dude ?
Happy Birthday..??
Hurry Back ...?
Heartbroken.....😫💔...?!
Hallé Berry........??
Had better...?🙃
@@lueysixty-six7300Harley Benton, Dullahan is their headless line.
He knows his guitars, great rundown, thanks! Acoustics?
Dr Dan always brings the new toys!
Where is the Iceman with Floyd Rose?
Sehrsehr schön, wie immer setzt Harley Benton die benchmark mit stainless steel frets, verarbeitungsqualität und preis 🔥👍
That blacked out grg is wild
Merci pour cette bonne vidéo Guillaume
Wow!
a made in indonesia RG is now 2000 USD
Which one are you talking about? I just checked, and the most expensive made in indonesia RG is $1500. Heck, half of the prestige made in japan models are less than $2000.
ESP is selling the Bill Kelner model for $2,000 which is also an import. The world economy is in the toilet. These prices are the new norm.
Other than no prestige models insight, they must have dropped the s series completely, I am quite disappointed.
No prestige news? 🥺
I bought my first guitar back in 2015. An ibanez RX 170 and i have had it ever since. I think Ibanez should revamp the RX series and come out with new models with eye grabbing colors👍🤘
very nice, but what about baritones?
No JEMs or PIAs?
No prestige models? Why?
it were such a let down now i gonna buy a guitar from another brand.
Where is steve vai version?
No prestige? Bye
Ibanez will probably release a few more batches throughout the year
God damnit. I need to buy that Pink Tim Henson model this year now.
Nice.very.....very....nice. ❤🎸❤👌✌️😎
no S series? ((
6:35 - "all you can wish for as a 7-string player..." makes me wonder: have you ever talked to an actual 7-string player lately?
Great, thanks for that - so we have to wait for the summer for the new Pat Metheny-Charlie Christian guitar - now is that May/June/July/August.. ?
YES
We are waiting for anything about 2024 model harley benton guitars ;)
I’ve never played an Ibanez. I play PRS , I used to have a Charvel but I hated the neck. What Ibanez do you guys recommend me.
Would have loved a S-series Prestige in the deep ocean blonde finish (without that monstrous pickguard hiding 2/3 of the guitar). Been a while since the last S prestige...
Really not keen on the painted headstock on the az I prefer that wood finish, no prestige 7 string az this year either 😢
Just for January 2024, more to come
No new RG or S Prestige? Well, see ya next year then...
There’s RG standards and Premiums.
@@xajlalondex Exactly, cheap crap which I'm not interested at all, crappy trems, no stainless steel frets, no roasted maple necks, garbage...
@@anabolic-v3p you can always upgrade the hardware chum🤘🏻 and the premium RG aren’t cheap “crap”. I have a GIO with a roasted maple neck and stock it literally plays better than my higher end guitars. A guitar is only as good as the player or how well it’s kept🤘🏻
@@xajlalondex Really? Can you upgrade the whatever crap trem they put on those to Edge Original or Lo-Pro? Nope, it won't fit. The frets on GIO would be softer than the regular ones and even softer than good nickel silver Sanko frets they install on the Prestige series and even softer and less "glassy" than the stainless steel on the 5xxx Prestiges.
As for the guitar being only as good as the player - agreed, but it definitely helps when you don't have to wrestle the instrument, especially if you're more of a technical player and prefer an even low action, etc.
So, the car is only as good as the driver, but I guess you won't argue there's a difference between a Kia or Nissan something and a Laborgini or Bentley, for example, would you?
@@anabolic-v3p Hey mate, look I love Japanese made ibanez's as well. I own two J's, some golden era 90s guitars, a sugi built S series, a few sigs and jdm exclusives and so on. I also have played and owned the Indonesians prior to the premium line introduction and have played the current line as well. By in large the premium guitars are quality instruments and rarely need more than minor tweaking. Do I agree with pricing? Not really, but compared to other brands it isnt awful. Am I stoked for this lineup? Nope, but that's cause my eyes are set on Sugi's now. Anyways..
Take a look at the premium rg's right now? What floating trem is in them? The lopro and orginal edge. Only non premium indo's use the edge zero II (which is a more than okay bridge). You could also swap the bridge for an original Edge zero... and depending on the bridge route can drop in an edge or lo pro. With the Az's the Gotoh T1502 bridge is fantastic and i've never heard anyone complain. they also put them on the prestige models in some cases.
I'm still a bit bummed with the lineup, but Ibanez middle ground for making quality guitars is way better than it was 10 or 15 years ago. Many new players are able to grab a more affordable instrument with the Ibanez feel without the Japanese price. I only say this because if I was a teenager looking to grab a specked out ibanez, but couldn't afford a prestige I would be happy with this direction.
Ibanez nailed NAMM 24
Holy temolos, Batman!
No S Series? :(
No S series love ??
As an Ibanez RG player, Ibanez has been a big disappointment in the last few years, this is a whole lot of nothing. And not raising standards on the standard RG line - those unstained necks that look like cheapass pine are horrible - and GIO's are often better in that regard - WTF? Then they want to charge you top dollar for Axiom/Iron label guitars that have plastic nuts - FFS Ibanez. Then you have their Prestige line with the dullest paintjobs going... Then you have a totally neglected Premium line with two fifths of fuck all in it. Just so not impressed, Ibanez. You're slipping, your competition is passing you. Despite loving Ibanez, I'm looking at guitars from Schecter and ESP now, coz Ibanez is just slipping and pretending their sh*t don't stink. I can get more guitar for less money from Schecter and ESP, and Ibanez had better realize that or I'm not spending any more with them.
The rg550 and the Ibanez AZ line are the only things Ibanez has to offer
Very well said! Im a schecter guy now cause ibanez is sucking lately.
I’d go esp/ltd over Ibanez. I view schecter as like a prs se but for heavy music. ESP is more direct comp to Ibanez IMO and esp is killing it right now
Don't bother with ESP, they also didn't release new MIJ E-II models this year.
And don't get me started on how stupid the whole ''E-II'' branding is, not to mention the E-II models have gone so much up in price, it's not even funny.
Hell, the Made in Indonesia LTD 1000 Series have become expensive af, that is IF you can actually get one.
Theyre are still people, waiting for their ordered 2023 LTD models out there.
If you want a great MIJ shred/rock/metal superstrat style guitar, check out Vola Guitars.
They sell directly from the factory and give you a 10-day return policy, kinda like Kiesel does, but you don't have to wait for the guitars to be build. Only thing is: the Vola necks are not as thin as a Wizard neck.
Very disappointed that they did not release any new RG prestige models😢
No Rg Prestige and Rg J custom guitars ???? 😭😭😭😭😭
Alright so thomann dont give a shit about new ibanez acoustics ❤
Not at all, we simply didn't have time for everything at the Namm Show. Most people don't watch acoustic content on youtube, so we had to prioritise things. Next time! //Kris
Why does Ibanez always design the hardtail guitar without the middle pickup?
My guitar it's a beautiful Ibanez ct series 1993 made in korea, white pearl
Ibanez officially selling a chrome JS model?
Why won’t Ibanez bring back the Roadstar headstock?
Did bro just say "Its not a veneer top, its a nice looking 3d printed veneer" on the GRG320FA? 💀💀💀
No new 7 strings or fanned fret. 6 is OG i know but Ibanez should look after their 7 string guitars production as well.
No love for the S Series despite two new models. Are they really that unpopular?
guest what ? news colors
GIVE MORE HARDTAIL MODELS. PUHLEASE
I was looking forward to S and RGA series, fuck me I guess! :')
No 7 string RGD with an Evertune? That's a shame, for real.
Ibanez must use UUID for guitar models.
GIOME is a KILLER INTERVIWER GREAT JOB MY BROTHER HE SHOULD DO MORE INTERVIEWS!!!!
This matte surf green rg would be perfect for me for rock&fusion if it had non centered dots instead of metal style shark tooth inlays, they mess up the look of this guitar imo..
I wish that Ibanez would bring back the destroyer.
Having Premium 1 and Premium 2 range is stupid for multiple reasons.
For one it disrupts the naming convention, right after you explained that 1 stands for fixed bridge. So now your names ends with P1, despite now having a fixed bridge and P2, despite not being twelve string.
Secondly, the ranges doesn't make any sense either, as they are too many and new ones are still coming every year.
No new Pia or Jem? I am very disappointed…!
I love Ibanez but the Quantum humbuckers have always sounded terrible to my ears
S model ?? The only good finish have no vibrato :/ (blue/ purple quilted)
Iceman?
2024 AZ line up is disappointing. I just need the 2023 AZ prestige with new solid colors. I think the newest AZ line up being "sacrificed" for Tom Henson signature. sucks
No RG new prestige models for 2024?! Only to me Ibanez was a great delusion this year?
Why do they make guitar neck that thin 😮??? We want Ibanez fat necks 😢
The AZ series is for you then, those necks are much rounder than any other Ibanez necks. Cheers //Kris
Ps120
???
Fire your videographer please, the guitars being discussed are either halfway or nearly fully out of frame/view as they are being discussed. Particularly horrible in the AZ premium segment. Wake up.
Disappointing! Not one new 7 String! :( But 100 new Guitars with Trems....
No left-handed premium guitars.. Shame on Ibanez 😂
Ibanez, please replace your rep. This guy is not a good choice. Also, get away from stamped fixed bridge and go with Hipshot.
MEH.
Pretty underwhelming
Super disappointing...
I bought an Ibanez RG742FM 7 string, 3 weeks ago. It was the cheapest crappiest guitar I ever played. I returned it immediately. Extremely disappointed. Some older Ibanez guitars I've played were outstanding, but not the one I bought.
Such a boring line up!