Never thought I'd make a video with this title haha 🙃🙃🙃 Serious question, though, who's still got anti-bacterial soap in their area? It's all gone from mine lol
Anti-bacterial soap kills bacteria, not viruses. Frequent handwashing with any decent soap (avoid hot water as it dries out the skin, increasing the probability of cuts), using hand sanitizer, and avoiding symptomatic people are best. P.S. Thanks for having a cool channel.
I'd like to see you do a $200 bucks challenge where you buy the best you can get from the likes of fender, epiphone,Ibanez ect to crown what you think is the best starter guitar from the big brands
@@matthewguarna2975 yeah but alot of the audience live in the US and therefore pay import from thomann. Besides some people wanna own a guitar with a certain name on the headstock too!
Matthew Guarna HB are getting way too overhyped these days. True they are a good PRS alternative, but I think it has plenty of good competition in the affordable superstrat category. Ibanez GIO for example. ESP LTD for another
I tried a bunch of brands and always return to my old Ibanez RG because it remained stable for the last 20 years, cost me close to nothing and has been a reliable workhorse ever since.
I never really liked Ibanez until I tried my buddy's RGA7 I really loved the neck in it and I had to get my own haha I now own the RGIR27BFE and RG350DXZ really love them
Never really cared for Ibanez, seems like a good guitar for a project since the bodies on the cheaper models are identical to the expensive ones. Other than that, I usually go for shecter if I just want good specs at the get-go.
Like Agufish I prefer LP style guitars. The doublecut Artist solidbodies are in the current line, but they *seem* to not measure up to the originals. Disclaimer: haven't played any, just going off specs. and close inspection. At least Ibanez has adressed the weight problem. My AR300 was a 'brick', but otherwise excellent. "Dad guitars" lol!!
Im a noob at this shit and i dont have much experience with brands and different guitars in general but im using a grx20w and from a beginners perspective, i love it
You can actually get pretty far with their cheaper stuff. I remember when I switched from my first random ass cheap guitar to a Gio GRG150BKN. The difference was incredible, the Ibanez was way smoother.
One option that I see coming up on the used markets are the lower end Washburn Nuno models. Great platform for saving and upgrading and the cutaway and profile are more ergonomical than a lot of lower costing guitars
This! Seems as if they only endorse artists they will actually take care of. My favorite guitarist (Tom searle) was with ESP for a while, and they didn’t take care of him at all, just sent him one or two LTD 1000 series guitars they were endorsing too many people so they couldn’t take care of them except the absolute most famous ones.
I remember back in the 90s Munky, Head and Wes Borland were noted for having several custom made guitars, the WB ones were the ones with the most interesting combinations
@@AFN2750 I remember everyone leaving ESP (even now) for PRS/Kiesel/Jackson and now ESP only has the old school thrash guys and I don't see any new blood. I love ESP but I've heard many people say they were limited.
MaestroJericho I think it says something that I just said “I wonder who IS still with esp?” And couldn’t think of anyone modern except Javier Reyes so I had to go look at the list. Javier, josh Middleton the blokes from lamb of god, bill kiliher, guy from northlane, suicide silence, and like the third guitarist from testament are the only modern popular guitarists still using them. That may seem like a lot, but I just had to look through a list of probably 300 guitarists and I could find ten that are modern players people care about. I too love esp guitars, and I think the 1000 series is just getting better and better, fishmans and evertunes? Hell yeah! That said, their artist list and sig list needs a damn colonoscopy
Ibanez's QC is generally great, like at least 9 times out of 10, i can pull out any of their guitars at my local music shop, plug it in, and it'll play just fine. I can't say the same for the other makes of guitar.
@@zaporoshti3392 Well that may be true, but they aren't as easily available at least where I live...that being said the Schecters I've tried so far have not disappointed
Yeah, but fender, Jackson, esp all have in line headstocks. I think the fact that it's pointed but not sharp pointy like eps/Jackson gives it that nice distinction.
I recently acquired a Ibanez AS73FM semi hollow (in Azure Blue). I'm in a 3 piece alt-rock-90's influenced band. I was using a Les Paul, a Tele and a Powercaster. I'm not using the Ibanez as my primary guitar. I was so surprised by how well it fits in the mix. It's warm, full and clear. I thought I would have to swap out the stock pickups but I'm so happy with them I'm going to leave them in. It's a very versatile guitar. So comfortable to play, and it's absolutely stunning. This guitar has completely changed my perspective on the brand, it won't be the last Ibanez I buy.
I got an sz520qm and it's a forever guitar. It's been played HEAVILY. And shows it. But still will never get rid of it. I still have stock pups in it. They aren't the best but overall do everything well from blues to djent. It's one of my cheapest guitar and probably my most played
I have played multiple guitars in my life, and my favourite guitar ever was an Ibanez prestige RG. The way the neck felt was amazing for shredding. Unfortunately i had to sell it back then as i was still in college, but an Ibanez Prestige will probably be one of my next 2 or 3 guitars.
As a self proclaimed Ibanez fanboy I gotta say you missed a very important point, and that's the overall diversity in their lineup. As well as metal guitars, they also have less metal solid bodys like the AZ (which is what I cobsider the holy grail of guitars) and Talman, and there's an entire hollow body line from 335 style guitars to full sized jazz boxes, not to mention all the basses and acoustic. Literally everyone who knows how to play guitar can find an Ibanez guitar that fits him
Bought my first RG back in 1988, it had a air brush job of shattered glass, man I wish I had that guitar back. I have had many since then and love my Ibanez guitars. Love my RG920 and JS1000 good stuff! Also have 2 Ibanez acoustics, and they are a great bang for your buck for sure too!
I think for me it's mostly sentimental, besides the fact that Ibanez is my favorite brand because you get good quality guitars for a decent price, the first guitar I ever bought when I was about 14 from the money I made with my first proper job, was an Ibanez RG, since then I've had different brands, and I love my PRS and LTD, but Ibanez just feels like home to me. So it's mostly personal.
The fit and finish on Ibanez guitars is amazing. Granted I'm playing a couple thousand dollar Japanese one, so it better be, but for the price they do an incredible job across their range. Keep up the great work on the videos Hunter. 🤘
i think you missed out on Ibanez own bridges like the Lo Pro Edge trem with the wheel on the back of the guitar to adjust the bridge instead of using a screwdriver makes restring a guitar with a floating bridge much more quicker.
Even though I don't own a single Ibanez anymore... (sorta fell in love with Schecter) I've owned a few Ibanez guitars in the past and the one thing that struck me so much (and I've heard others mention it a lot aswell) is how the quality is ridiculously good across the price ranges... it's very very hard to find better playing guitars than Ibanez's especially in the lower price ranges... Oh! And not to mention, Ibanez has been a major innovator when it comes to guitar bridges too, from the Gibraltar style hardtails to their own locking bridges, which, in my humble opinion are better than the Floyd Rose systems... and a hell of a lot easier to restring, too.
All I can say is if you like ESP you'll love Ibanez. Such craftsmanship and comfortable not to mention inspirational. While I too am mainly a Eclipse player, I do have 2 Ibanez my 7 string prestige and my red genesis, and they are something. Super comfortable to play, the neck just slides so easily, and such love built into the quality. Sure you can say what you want with how they make things, and sure they don't really make "les pauls" anymore, but for what it's worth they are nice to check out if only to have a killer super strat in your arsenal 😊.
oh sure Hunter......we love guitar brands. There are so many guitar brands. You know a brand that's been around the block, yet still hangs out on the corner?.....Washburn guitars. i have owned a couple and have fond memories. They are not bad on value and price and quality control. Thx Vin
I have worked in a few music stores where we sold washburns.....never again...those shops have vowed to never stock washburns again. The quality control on the guitar we would get in were horrible and they refused to fix said guitars or refund the shop on them. So they were not a pleasure to work with.
@@metalmoto3275 dam...i worked in music store also but we never had Washburn.....my references to washburn are from 25 years ago so clearly things have changed as you state. It just interested me that they are still around. They seemed decent enough way back i n 1993
@@breevwhyman2985 yeah. The owners had sold washburns for years but everything just started going to crap. So then they went to Ibanez. They liked Ibanez but working with a Japanese company in the state sucked a lot for wait times. But now they have gone to Jackson, schecter, and PRS. They are liking that a lot better from what I hear
ErebosGR I didn't realise Greg Bennett came from Washburn. I impulse-bought a used Greg Bennett Samick PRS-ish guitar in a pawn shop that might be my favourite. It's just beautifully made, sounds great, feels great, looks great and is super-stable. Speaking of Washburn though, I've always wanted an N4. One of my favourite guitars since the early 90s.
I am actually a huge fan of Ibanez basses. Been playing Soundgear since I started in the late 80s. I have Schecter, Carvin, Pedulla, Alembic, Fender, Modulus and BC Rich basses but my old SR505 is my favorite for ergonomics, tone and playability. Also a huge fan of their acoustic basses and guitars.
I primarily play the RG and one of the main things that intrigued me about them to start was the fingerboard radius, the more affordable models have a 15.7 inch radius and the prestige/j custom models have a 16.9 inch radius and both are considerably more flat than most other offerings by most other manufacturers, this is more comfortable for me. The other thing that I absolutely love about this model is the fact that they offer it in 22 fret and 24 fret configurations with HH, HSH, HSS, with or without trems, literally any way you can think of to configure it it exists. Quality is on par with any other big name instrument manufacturer. All of the boxes are checked for me, great playability, great, build quality, get any sound I want, and in any color I want lol.
Saw Vai play, wanted to play what he played, 20 years later I still play RG's and Jems. They sent the best quality guitars, they aren't the prettiest but they feel home and they are so reliable.
Still have a couple of Ibanez guitars that I got back in the early 90's that still rock even though they've taken a beating through the years. I love the wizard neck on my RG770, some complain it's too thin, but I haven't felt a more comfortable neck. And as for artists who have rocked Ibanez, let's not forget the one that got me into guitar (and millions others) that Ibanez Destroyer turned Shark by Mr. Van Halen.
here's my top reasons why I think Ibanez is great 1) Korean / japanese models play amazing and have great hardware and features amazing build quality 2) the are models to cover everyone's needs and have different neck sizes 3) the higher end signature models play amazing and for the price really sounds amazing and have great pickups 4) the prices they sell for new and used are amazing and very budget friendly depending on the model 5) the finishes they offer is very good
I found a 89 mij 540sltd at a pawn shop back in 1990 maybe.. Traded a beater in and paid 200 bucks for it.. All original Dimarzio pick ups edge tremolo and lipstick red..30 years later it still holds up to anything
Huge Ibanez fan, have been playing them for over a decade and I own 5 Ibanez instruments. My thoughts changed when I bought my first Schecter and ESP though. For $1200 brand new, Ibanez seems nothing compared to Schecter's Elite series' quality and features. Indonesian Ibanez quality has been suffering in recent years, and Schecter's Korean craftsmanship is by far the best I've seen over Jackson, Ibanez, and ESP. All are fantastic in their own right though and I love all the ones I'm lucky enough own.
I got my son an Ibanez RG6003FM for his first guitar, I liked it so much I bought myself the exact same model (and put a Seymour Duncan 59 and Dimebucker in it).
there is a lot about them that I love but I think the main thing is the quality control honestly. Every single one of them that I have purchased has been nearly perfect right out of the box. Cheap or expensive they seem to get it right no matter what. I just have a lot of respect for a company that actually cares about their customers that don't have $3000 to spend on an instrument. That is amazing because most guitar companies really do not pull that off very well. Just purchased a 5000 series RG with stainless frets and oh man is she amazing
Huge fender player here, but in highschool I couldn't afford one, and I wanted a USA so I opted for an Ibanez Sr 600, that bass got me through highschool and didn't get a high-end bass until I went to Berklee. Which was a Spector... Now I play mostly fenders, but I own a few Ibanez and Spector basses.
The headstock is good engineering too. No idiotic string angles, no string trees, not prone to the neck snap. You should do Jackson as well. Classic metal guitars.
I credit my love for Ibanez when I saw John Petrucci first time playing his JPM. His pre-EBMM era tone and music is just awesome. I told myself, that's it. I am Ibanez for life.
I am a huge single cut Fan like you and yesterday was debating selling my RG to get another Single cut and when I picked it up and played it.........no new single cut at the expense of the RG.
Ibanez is my favorite guitar of all time, thanks for bringing up some valid points and recognitions. As a long time metal player (about 28yrs), I choose them again and again.
My 1st guitar was a 1998 Ibanez GIO AXE double cut in Orange with the wood grain showing through. The only sub $200 brand name guitar with 2 volume and 2 tone pots that I've ever seen. I used to play all the time with the distortion maxed on the neck humbucker with the tone rolled all the way down, what a thick saturated sound that was. I loved that guitar.
Ibanez (or Banny like how my fellow Polyphia fans call it) is my favorite guitar brand. After trying many more brands I always came back to Ibanez for most of these reasons. I currently own an RG450 that's 10 years older than mine that I recently made a wacky rewiring project on and an AZ that's supposed to come at any moment now
Thanks for this...I know Ibanez isn't your favorite but you offered some very good points here..I'm a drummer but have two Ibanez axes because I got so much for the price!
I've never really vibed with ibanez and felt them to be overrated because I just don't get it. The neck feels too thin for me, they sound okay I have no complaints in their tone, but ultimately the price is weird to me, the really low end guitars feel horrible to me and sound horrible and then the price jumps up insanely high (in certain cases) and then they feel nice but cost more than I'd pay for them. One thing I wont take away from them is they do know how to make a beautiful looking guitar!
I mostly agree with this... their entry guitars are great for the low price... their higher end guitars are great for the high price. But in the mid price range, I feel like Schecter, ESP LTD, and PRS SE's are a little better feeling and better quality. That said, I think the Premium AZ's are a total steal for the price.
@@makoto99 they are great in that they offer a good guitar to someone who either cant afford a guitar but still wants something that functions, or they are the kind of guitar that a parent would buy their kid who seems interested to learn but they don't want to risk spending a lot on what might be a passing interest. I do think that even in that market there are a lot more options of higher quality but what's most important is how it feels to each individual and that it can get them interested in playing. Plus, the best part about super low price guitars, is that it can grow with you. Pickups sound like trash? Swap them out, it's not like a little hiccup will ruin the value so learning to solder is less stressing. upgrading the hardware, especially with ibanez having lots of aftermarket support gives lots of options and if you need to route something out a little bit you dont really have to take it to a luthier to preserve the fancy top. It's a learner's guitar in multiple aspects
Something that is bothering me about this years lineup is they got rid of the all premiums that had stainless frets and now have worse frets and they are touting them as a feature.
My first guitar was an Ibanez that my Mom got me from a music store in town. It was beat to shit so we got a killer deal. It was a great guitar and I did love it. My buddies and some of my favorite artists were playing Jackson so I got one years later and never looked back. Jackson is in my blood 24 years later. I recently got a Solar A1.6 with Evertune and I’m feeling the shit out of it. Necks are kind of fat though like Stats. I’ll have to get used to that. Not terribly fat but thicker than Ibanez or Jackson.
I have to agree here. I’ve always played fender, but recently got into extended range guitars and Ibanez got my attention. I sat and test a couple rg models and was amazed at how great they play and feel. Now I’m in love and recently bought my first Ibanez that I can’t put down. Plan on getting a 2nd one Down the road. I can’t believe I never played one before, I’m hooked.
I learned to play on my brothers Ibanez art300 with a crazy lizard skin texture finish I’ve never seen on another guitar. I thought it was really cool as a teenager and it was a solid guitar with no issues, played perfect, and from China too
I have a '94 "pre-prestige" RG550 LTD from the Fugijen factory. 29 years later and it's still a metal machine. I was the original owner, and it's in great shape. It's also the first guitar that taught me how to set up and maintain a floating, Floyd style trem, a necessary guitarist skill to be sure! EDIT - lol, post was 2 years old, I really should pay more attention to dates before commenting :P
Love that Ibanez was a Mexican who first started the company. Then it was bought! What we have come to know as ibanez look up the history. Go Mexicana month!
First 7 string I ever got was an Ibanez but that was like 20 years ago so yeah not a lot of competition back then lol.. awesome guitar, made in Japan and it was 6 or 7 hundred brand new.
Just for giggles what’s anyone’s take on the Floyd Rose bridge? My main concern is they are a pain to change strings in a hurry. Am I missing something? Any advice Is appreciated.
1:47 I didn't know I was saying "iben-eye" wrong all this time!!! 💩 Just giving ya a hard time. I'm so glad I stumbled onto your channel. Watched most in one sitting!
The Artcores! They get swept to the side, but even there cheapest offerings are really giggable Rock machines! And that Fuckin' Green Valley Gradiation color is the sickest guitar color I've seen recently...I've got 1 on order now! Not even Gretch make cheaper semi and hollow bodies that made to Rock!
As I said in a previous comment, SA 160's are abundant used for 200 and under. The one that I had bought with hss arrangement actually has very decent pickups. I can get strat and humbucker tones with a comfotable neck. I'm not a beginner but I wish I had one if these when I was. 160's have mahogany neck and bodies with nice comfort cuts and a thin but substantial body. Gonna be a great road guitar I can tell.
I play metal on a Ibanez Jet King JTK 30. When Ibanez started they only sold Guyatone guitars that Guyatone rebranded with Ibanez on the headstock. My Jet King is a reissued Guyatone LG 130T. The green sparkle guitar that Yvette Young plays has the same body shape. The Jet King died because real players did not try it because it looks Retro so they they expected a jingle jangle tinker toy sound. BUT the body is solid mahogany and the PU's are disguised with chrome covers but they are P90's This guitar has a huge sound and when distorted it will rip your face of. LOL
For me, it was the Xiphos body shape combined with the Wizard III neck. My fingers absolutely danced across that fretboard. Plus the x-shape gives me a shelf to rest my pick arm on, but it has an extra large chamfer on the side, which makes it more comfortable than an Explorer, or similar x-shapes from Dean, et al. The reverse headstock was also a nice bonus. And yes, Gotoh rules.
Great video as usual. Glad to know you're a fan of the old Epi headstock. Me too. Never have understood what all the hate was about. The new ones fine too. They're not THAT much different , anyway.
The main reason I took a liking to Ibanez guitars back in the day was because some of my favorite artists used them. Satriani and Vai were big ones, as well as Testament's Alex Skolnick, who played a gorgeous red Ibanez. I pretty much agree with your first 5 points though, especially the necks and the headstock.
I used to be a Gibson/Epiphone fanboy (well, "Gibson fanboy that can only afford Epiphones" would be more correct) and I still have an Epi SG and used to have an Epi Les Paul that I recently sold, but my next guitar was an Ibanez and oh my god, it changed my world, suddenly Epiphones/Gibsons became unplayable, heavy, chunky, and required twice the effort to get half the result. Ibanez have been my choice from that point onwards, with a used $80 RX40 being the first and that was a huge deal honestly, I get it's not the best Ibanez there is but hey, it's not a Gio and it's worth at least two if not three times the amount I paid. I use it still today, mainly to practice so I don't "ruin" my better guitar through bedroom practice and exercises, where I don't "need" the best guitar. Then a SA360QM, which I use for "virtuoso" stuff (Vai/Satriani etc) in E tuning, and a RG420FA that I use for metal/metalcore in C tuning. So yeah, you can say Ibanez is my thing now. I'll keep the SG as a memento 'cause it was my teen years guitar back in high school, but I never play it anymore and I wouldn't play a SG today even if I had the most expensive Gibson there is, the problem is not that it's a cheap Epi, it just doesn't feel right in my hand anymore since the moment I tried my first Ibanez and fell in love with it. So yeah, I do love that SG, and will always keep it, but more as a memento of my teen years playing metal in high school, than as an actual guitar to play with, 'cause Ibanez won that race the moment I touched the first one. Next one I want is gonna be a 7 or 8 string guitar with fanned frets... Guess the brand? Yeah, Ibanez.
I used to have a bunch of Ibanez RG 3120’s - had one in all 4 colors they made them in through their run. But now I have PRS Custom 24’s lol (the american core line Custom 24’s)
Ok Never see you before. But liked your List of reasons to Love Ibanez. One thing you did not mention ... (Well, ya did say the HEADSTOCK was well loved and and the Gotoh Locking tuners. ect.. ) But what is more Awesome is the Truss Rod Cover that Slides for easy Truss Rod Adjustments.
I have an SA 160 that was bought on ebay because of a Darrel Braun video. I previously never owned an Ibanez. I have to admit that, with no modification, is one if my favs. The neck is super awesome and the bridge is mighty stable. Everything I had heard was accurate on this particular guitar. Can't speak for all of them but this one sure is nice.
I've had my RG550 since 1991, and I've modded it. I've always wanted a Ibanez destroyer, but never managed to get hold of one! I have Gibson's, Fender's, PRS's, and a Jackson, and they are all great guitars!
Never thought I'd make a video with this title haha 🙃🙃🙃 Serious question, though, who's still got anti-bacterial soap in their area? It's all gone from mine lol
I have 1 ibanez and will probably get another anyway you have a nice channel keep it going!
Anti-bacterial soap kills bacteria, not viruses. Frequent handwashing with any decent soap (avoid hot water as it dries out the skin, increasing the probability of cuts), using hand sanitizer, and avoiding symptomatic people are best. P.S. Thanks for having a cool channel.
Same here... Masks and hand gel have run out in my city. Yeet
Regular soap works just as well.
@@tonepilot true
I'd like to see you do a $200 bucks challenge where you buy the best you can get from the likes of fender, epiphone,Ibanez ect to crown what you think is the best starter guitar from the big brands
Easy Harley benton are the best for the buck
@@matthewguarna2975 yeah but alot of the audience live in the US and therefore pay import from thomann. Besides some people wanna own a guitar with a certain name on the headstock too!
I got my daughter and Ibanez GIO recently. Probably the coolest looking guitar for $250 bucks. It at least has a very modern look to it.
Matthew Guarna HB are getting way too overhyped these days. True they are a good PRS alternative, but I think it has plenty of good competition in the affordable superstrat category. Ibanez GIO for example. ESP LTD for another
Pacifica is awesome
I tried a bunch of brands and always return to my old Ibanez RG because it remained stable for the last 20 years, cost me close to nothing and has been a reliable workhorse ever since.
I never really liked Ibanez until I tried my buddy's RGA7 I really loved the neck in it and I had to get my own haha I now own the RGIR27BFE and RG350DXZ really love them
Coming from a schecter loomis 7 string the neck was a HUGE difference
RG just makes sense
Never really cared for Ibanez, seems like a good guitar for a project since the bodies on the cheaper models are identical to the expensive ones. Other than that, I usually go for shecter if I just want good specs at the get-go.
It's also worth noting the Artcore series. Ibanez make some of the best budget Jazz guitars.
yeah and also jazz artists endorsing Ibanez are some of the best and most famous, so yeah that helps
I'm a rock/metal guy and I own an Artcore. They're absolutely great! Probably my favorite guitar line from them!
George Benson is the artist Ibanez has been working with the longest, since like the 70s.
I never thought i would see this title on one of your videos 😂
🤣 🤣
BRING BACK THE ICEMAN IBANEZ!!!
And the destroyer
ICJ100WZ is best Iceman.
Like Agufish I prefer LP style guitars. The doublecut Artist solidbodies are in the current line, but they *seem* to not measure up to the originals. Disclaimer: haven't played any, just going off specs. and close inspection. At least Ibanez has adressed the weight problem. My AR300 was a 'brick', but otherwise excellent. "Dad guitars" lol!!
they still do them
I like the AX 7-string
Ibanei's wide radii caught the eye of Steve Vai, thats why
@thehoppo
Ai don't get your point.
@@anthonystark5412 There's no point being made
@@thehoppo
Sei. That's a shame
Their cheaper stuff is also pretty good. For someone starting, I would totally recommend a gio over many other very low cost guitars
I second this. My GRG121DX has treated me well.
Im a noob at this shit and i dont have much experience with brands and different guitars in general but im using a grx20w and from a beginners perspective, i love it
You can actually get pretty far with their cheaper stuff. I remember when I switched from my first random ass cheap guitar to a Gio GRG150BKN. The difference was incredible, the Ibanez was way smoother.
One option that I see coming up on the used markets are the lower end Washburn Nuno models. Great platform for saving and upgrading and the cutaway and profile are more ergonomical than a lot of lower costing guitars
By extension I'd say the relationship the brand has with its artists - Steve Vai is a great example
This! Seems as if they only endorse artists they will actually take care of. My favorite guitarist (Tom searle) was with ESP for a while, and they didn’t take care of him at all, just sent him one or two LTD 1000 series guitars they were endorsing too many people so they couldn’t take care of them except the absolute most famous ones.
I remember back in the 90s Munky, Head and Wes Borland were noted for having several custom made guitars, the WB ones were the ones with the most interesting combinations
@@AFN2750 I remember everyone leaving ESP (even now) for PRS/Kiesel/Jackson and now ESP only has the old school thrash guys and I don't see any new blood. I love ESP but I've heard many people say they were limited.
MaestroJericho I think it says something that I just said “I wonder who IS still with esp?” And couldn’t think of anyone modern except Javier Reyes so I had to go look at the list. Javier, josh Middleton the blokes from lamb of god, bill kiliher, guy from northlane, suicide silence, and like the third guitarist from testament are the only modern popular guitarists still using them. That may seem like a lot, but I just had to look through a list of probably 300 guitarists and I could find ten that are modern players people care about. I too love esp guitars, and I think the 1000 series is just getting better and better, fishmans and evertunes? Hell yeah! That said, their artist list and sig list needs a damn colonoscopy
Ibanez's QC is generally great, like at least 9 times out of 10, i can pull out any of their guitars at my local music shop, plug it in, and it'll play just fine. I can't say the same for the other makes of guitar.
Schecters are pretty much high up there as well maybe even better.
@@zaporoshti3392 Well that may be true, but they aren't as easily available at least where I live...that being said the Schecters I've tried so far have not disappointed
The headstock is loved because of the straight string path not the look of it!!!
Yeah, but fender, Jackson, esp all have in line headstocks.
I think the fact that it's pointed but not sharp pointy like eps/Jackson gives it that nice distinction.
@@brazenatheist1676 Yup and Danelectro too!
Can you do this but with ESP or Jackson?
I recently acquired a Ibanez AS73FM semi hollow (in Azure Blue). I'm in a 3 piece alt-rock-90's influenced band. I was using a Les Paul, a Tele and a Powercaster. I'm not using the Ibanez as my primary guitar. I was so surprised by how well it fits in the mix. It's warm, full and clear. I thought I would have to swap out the stock pickups but I'm so happy with them I'm going to leave them in. It's a very versatile guitar. So comfortable to play, and it's absolutely stunning. This guitar has completely changed my perspective on the brand, it won't be the last Ibanez I buy.
One guitar from ibanez that's so underrated it's the ibanez sz series. Man those guitars just kill it
I got an sz520qm and it's a forever guitar. It's been played HEAVILY. And shows it. But still will never get rid of it. I still have stock pups in it. They aren't the best but overall do everything well from blues to djent. It's one of my cheapest guitar and probably my most played
I have played multiple guitars in my life, and my favourite guitar ever was an Ibanez prestige RG. The way the neck felt was amazing for shredding. Unfortunately i had to sell it back then as i was still in college, but an Ibanez Prestige will probably be one of my next 2 or 3 guitars.
@Firdaus, I have two prestige models and they are AWESOME. I grab it as much as my PRS CE 24's.
As a self proclaimed Ibanez fanboy I gotta say you missed a very important point, and that's the overall diversity in their lineup.
As well as metal guitars, they also have less metal solid bodys like the AZ (which is what I cobsider the holy grail of guitars) and Talman, and there's an entire hollow body line from 335 style guitars to full sized jazz boxes, not to mention all the basses and acoustic. Literally everyone who knows how to play guitar can find an Ibanez guitar that fits him
Bought my first RG back in 1988, it had a air brush job of shattered glass, man I wish I had that guitar back. I have had many since then and love my Ibanez guitars. Love my RG920 and JS1000 good stuff! Also have 2 Ibanez acoustics, and they are a great bang for your buck for sure too!
He looks like steve terreberry😁
I think for me it's mostly sentimental, besides the fact that Ibanez is my favorite brand because you get good quality guitars for a decent price, the first guitar I ever bought when I was about 14 from the money I made with my first proper job, was an Ibanez RG, since then I've had different brands, and I love my PRS and LTD, but Ibanez just feels like home to me. So it's mostly personal.
The fit and finish on Ibanez guitars is amazing. Granted I'm playing a couple thousand dollar Japanese one, so it better be, but for the price they do an incredible job across their range. Keep up the great work on the videos Hunter. 🤘
I'll always have a soft spot for ibanez... My first guitar that wasn't an awful pile of festering shit was an ibanez
I’ve been blessed to have had many high end guitars throughout the years, but every time I pick up my Ibanez guitar... it just feels the best 🙂
On the topic of necks, this new trend of unlaquered oiled necks with a grain you can feel is amazing and one of the reasons I love my AZ2204f TAB
i think you missed out on Ibanez own bridges like the Lo Pro Edge trem with the wheel on the back of the guitar to adjust the bridge instead of using a screwdriver makes restring a guitar with a floating bridge much more quicker.
Pretty much the same reasons why I love Charvel and Jackson.
Even though I don't own a single Ibanez anymore... (sorta fell in love with Schecter) I've owned a few Ibanez guitars in the past and the one thing that struck me so much (and I've heard others mention it a lot aswell) is how the quality is ridiculously good across the price ranges... it's very very hard to find better playing guitars than Ibanez's especially in the lower price ranges...
Oh! And not to mention, Ibanez has been a major innovator when it comes to guitar bridges too, from the Gibraltar style hardtails to their own locking bridges, which, in my humble opinion are better than the Floyd Rose systems... and a hell of a lot easier to restring, too.
Ibanez RG220 was my first electric guitar. Got it 20 years ago and still play it to this day.
Agreed about the model name. If you familiar enough with it, its really useful to know basic specs and model with that "code"
All I can say is if you like ESP you'll love Ibanez. Such craftsmanship and comfortable not to mention inspirational. While I too am mainly a Eclipse player, I do have 2 Ibanez my 7 string prestige and my red genesis, and they are something. Super comfortable to play, the neck just slides so easily, and such love built into the quality. Sure you can say what you want with how they make things, and sure they don't really make "les pauls" anymore, but for what it's worth they are nice to check out if only to have a killer super strat in your arsenal 😊.
oh sure Hunter......we love guitar brands. There are so many guitar brands.
You know a brand that's been around the block, yet still hangs out on the corner?.....Washburn guitars.
i have owned a couple and have fond memories. They are not bad on value and price and quality control.
Thx
Vin
I have worked in a few music stores where we sold washburns.....never again...those shops have vowed to never stock washburns again. The quality control on the guitar we would get in were horrible and they refused to fix said guitars or refund the shop on them. So they were not a pleasure to work with.
@@metalmoto3275 dam...i worked in music store also but we never had Washburn.....my references to washburn are from 25 years ago so clearly things have changed as you state. It just interested me that they are still around. They seemed decent enough way back i
n 1993
@@breevwhyman2985 yeah. The owners had sold washburns for years but everything just started going to crap. So then they went to Ibanez. They liked Ibanez but working with a Japanese company in the state sucked a lot for wait times. But now they have gone to Jackson, schecter, and PRS. They are liking that a lot better from what I hear
ErebosGR I didn't realise Greg Bennett came from Washburn. I impulse-bought a used Greg Bennett Samick PRS-ish guitar in a pawn shop that might be my favourite. It's just beautifully made, sounds great, feels great, looks great and is super-stable. Speaking of Washburn though, I've always wanted an N4. One of my favourite guitars since the early 90s.
I am actually a huge fan of Ibanez basses. Been playing Soundgear since I started in the late 80s. I have Schecter, Carvin, Pedulla, Alembic, Fender, Modulus and BC Rich basses but my old SR505 is my favorite for ergonomics, tone and playability. Also a huge fan of their acoustic basses and guitars.
Part of me wants another Ibanez, but a hardtail, maybe a high performance RG or the seafloor finish
ESP Next Please!
I primarily play the RG and one of the main things that intrigued me about them to start was the fingerboard radius, the more affordable models have a 15.7 inch radius and the prestige/j custom models have a 16.9 inch radius and both are considerably more flat than most other offerings by most other manufacturers, this is more comfortable for me. The other thing that I absolutely love about this model is the fact that they offer it in 22 fret and 24 fret configurations with HH, HSH, HSS, with or without trems, literally any way you can think of to configure it it exists. Quality is on par with any other big name instrument manufacturer. All of the boxes are checked for me, great playability, great, build quality, get any sound I want, and in any color I want lol.
The one thing about Ibanez guitars are the necks. I love the necks. I have 23 guitars, 2 Ibanez, the necks are just great
Saw Vai play, wanted to play what he played, 20 years later I still play RG's and Jems. They sent the best quality guitars, they aren't the prettiest but they feel home and they are so reliable.
Still have a couple of Ibanez guitars that I got back in the early 90's that still rock even though they've taken a beating through the years. I love the wizard neck on my RG770, some complain it's too thin, but I haven't felt a more comfortable neck. And as for artists who have rocked Ibanez, let's not forget the one that got me into guitar (and millions others) that Ibanez Destroyer turned Shark by Mr. Van Halen.
Would love it if you did one for Jackson guitars, another big staple in the metal genre.
here's my top reasons why I think Ibanez is great
1) Korean / japanese models play amazing and have great hardware and features amazing build quality
2) the are models to cover everyone's needs and have different neck sizes
3) the higher end signature models play amazing and for the price really sounds amazing and have great pickups
4) the prices they sell for new and used are amazing and very budget friendly depending on the model
5) the finishes they offer is very good
I found a 89 mij 540sltd at a pawn shop back in 1990 maybe.. Traded a beater in and paid 200 bucks for it.. All original Dimarzio pick ups edge tremolo and lipstick red..30 years later it still holds up to anything
I first thought that you were Stevie T by looking at the thumbnail picture on the right
Gotta do the RevStar! RS620 still my go to for live jams!
Huge Ibanez fan, have been playing them for over a decade and I own 5 Ibanez instruments. My thoughts changed when I bought my first Schecter and ESP though. For $1200 brand new, Ibanez seems nothing compared to Schecter's Elite series' quality and features. Indonesian Ibanez quality has been suffering in recent years, and Schecter's Korean craftsmanship is by far the best I've seen over Jackson, Ibanez, and ESP. All are fantastic in their own right though and I love all the ones I'm lucky enough own.
I got my son an Ibanez RG6003FM for his first guitar, I liked it so much I bought myself the exact same model (and put a Seymour Duncan 59 and Dimebucker in it).
Not gonna lie i would love for you to make it into a full series, you could make an episode on squier or charvel or fender. Keep it up!
there is a lot about them that I love but I think the main thing is the quality control honestly. Every single one of them that I have purchased has been nearly perfect right out of the box. Cheap or expensive they seem to get it right no matter what. I just have a lot of respect for a company that actually cares about their customers that don't have $3000 to spend on an instrument. That is amazing because most guitar companies really do not pull that off very well. Just purchased a 5000 series RG with stainless frets and oh man is she amazing
Mid to late 80's Ibanez guitars always dazzled me when I would go to the Sam Ash in my area.
Huge fender player here, but in highschool I couldn't afford one, and I wanted a USA so I opted for an Ibanez Sr 600, that bass got me through highschool and didn't get a high-end bass until I went to Berklee. Which was a Spector... Now I play mostly fenders, but I own a few Ibanez and Spector basses.
The headstock is good engineering too. No idiotic string angles, no string trees, not prone to the neck snap.
You should do Jackson as well. Classic metal guitars.
I credit my love for Ibanez when I saw John Petrucci first time playing his JPM. His pre-EBMM era tone and music is just awesome. I told myself, that's it. I am Ibanez for life.
I have 1989 Ibanez rg550 that always makes me more inspired almost like it feels so good to play that it makes me think I'm better than I am.
I am a huge single cut Fan like you and yesterday was debating selling my RG to get another Single cut and when I picked it up and played it.........no new single cut at the expense of the RG.
Ibanez is my favorite guitar of all time, thanks for bringing up some valid points and recognitions. As a long time metal player (about 28yrs), I choose them again and again.
My 1st guitar was a 1998 Ibanez GIO AXE double cut in Orange with the wood grain showing through. The only sub $200 brand name guitar with 2 volume and 2 tone pots that I've ever seen. I used to play all the time with the distortion maxed on the neck humbucker with the tone rolled all the way down, what a thick saturated sound that was. I loved that guitar.
Your list is spot on. I have been a long time ibanez user from the 80's. I absolutely love ibanez
Ibanez (or Banny like how my fellow Polyphia fans call it) is my favorite guitar brand. After trying many more brands I always came back to Ibanez for most of these reasons. I currently own an RG450 that's 10 years older than mine that I recently made a wacky rewiring project on and an AZ that's supposed to come at any moment now
Thanks for this...I know Ibanez isn't your favorite but you offered some very good points here..I'm a drummer but have two Ibanez axes because I got so much for the price!
My first two electric guitars were Ibanez guitars. They play great. I am a Strandberg fan now, but Ibanez is far from bad, and I would recommend both.
Really enjoyed the format to this video. Would love to see it become a regular series
I've never really vibed with ibanez and felt them to be overrated because I just don't get it. The neck feels too thin for me, they sound okay I have no complaints in their tone, but ultimately the price is weird to me, the really low end guitars feel horrible to me and sound horrible and then the price jumps up insanely high (in certain cases) and then they feel nice but cost more than I'd pay for them. One thing I wont take away from them is they do know how to make a beautiful looking guitar!
I mostly agree with this... their entry guitars are great for the low price... their higher end guitars are great for the high price. But in the mid price range, I feel like Schecter, ESP LTD, and PRS SE's are a little better feeling and better quality. That said, I think the Premium AZ's are a total steal for the price.
@@makoto99 they are great in that they offer a good guitar to someone who either cant afford a guitar but still wants something that functions, or they are the kind of guitar that a parent would buy their kid who seems interested to learn but they don't want to risk spending a lot on what might be a passing interest. I do think that even in that market there are a lot more options of higher quality but what's most important is how it feels to each individual and that it can get them interested in playing. Plus, the best part about super low price guitars, is that it can grow with you. Pickups sound like trash? Swap them out, it's not like a little hiccup will ruin the value so learning to solder is less stressing. upgrading the hardware, especially with ibanez having lots of aftermarket support gives lots of options and if you need to route something out a little bit you dont really have to take it to a luthier to preserve the fancy top. It's a learner's guitar in multiple aspects
the shattered mirror Ibanez used by Paul Stanley is iconic for me as a KISS fan.
Something that is bothering me about this years lineup is they got rid of the all premiums that had stainless frets and now have worse frets and they are touting them as a feature.
My first guitar was an Ibanez that my Mom got me from a music store in town. It was beat to shit so we got a killer deal. It was a great guitar and I did love it. My buddies and some of my favorite artists were playing Jackson so I got one years later and never looked back. Jackson is in my blood 24 years later. I recently got a Solar A1.6 with Evertune and I’m feeling the shit out of it. Necks are kind of fat though like Stats. I’ll have to get used to that. Not terribly fat but thicker than Ibanez or Jackson.
That was an incredible summary of Ibanez. As a die hard Ibanez fan boy I would love to see this format for other brands.
I have to agree here. I’ve always played fender, but recently got into extended range guitars and Ibanez got my attention. I sat and test a couple rg models and was amazed at how great they play and feel. Now I’m in love and recently bought my first Ibanez that I can’t put down. Plan on getting a 2nd one Down the road. I can’t believe I never played one before, I’m hooked.
I learned to play on my brothers Ibanez art300 with a crazy lizard skin texture finish I’ve never seen on another guitar. I thought it was really cool as a teenager and it was a solid guitar with no issues, played perfect, and from China too
Ibanez are my favorite, live my RG570. The original Wizard neck is simply the best for my personal tastes.
Ibanez will always have a soft spot in my heart, they offer almost everything you'd ever want
I have a '94 "pre-prestige" RG550 LTD from the Fugijen factory. 29 years later and it's still a metal machine. I was the original owner, and it's in great shape. It's also the first guitar that taught me how to set up and maintain a floating, Floyd style trem, a necessary guitarist skill to be sure! EDIT - lol, post was 2 years old, I really should pay more attention to dates before commenting :P
Love that Ibanez was a Mexican who first started the company. Then it was bought! What we have come to know as ibanez look up the history. Go Mexicana month!
First 7 string I ever got was an Ibanez but that was like 20 years ago so yeah not a lot of competition back then lol.. awesome guitar, made in Japan and it was 6 or 7 hundred brand new.
I completely love the headstock!!
I own a Gio 6-string bass. It has a stuck truss rod on one side, but it's playable. It plays better than the Dean Edge I had before.
Just for giggles what’s anyone’s take on the Floyd Rose bridge? My main concern is they are a pain to change strings in a hurry. Am I missing something? Any advice Is appreciated.
#huntergothacked
😂
Hunter go thacked?
They just feel so comfortable
1:47 I didn't know I was saying "iben-eye" wrong all this time!!! 💩 Just giving ya a hard time. I'm so glad I stumbled onto your channel. Watched most in one sitting!
The Artcores! They get swept to the side, but even there cheapest offerings are really giggable Rock machines! And that Fuckin' Green Valley Gradiation color is the sickest guitar color I've seen recently...I've got 1 on order now! Not even Gretch make cheaper semi and hollow bodies that made to Rock!
I have a HSS Strat on the wishlist, would Ibanez be a better alternative? If so, what model?
As I said in a previous comment, SA 160's are abundant used for 200 and under. The one that I had bought with hss arrangement actually has very decent pickups. I can get strat and humbucker tones with a comfotable neck. I'm not a beginner but I wish I had one if these when I was. 160's have mahogany neck and bodies with nice comfort cuts and a thin but substantial body. Gonna be a great road guitar I can tell.
I play metal on a Ibanez Jet King JTK 30. When Ibanez started they only sold Guyatone guitars that Guyatone rebranded with Ibanez on the headstock. My Jet King is a reissued Guyatone LG 130T. The green sparkle guitar that Yvette Young plays has the same body shape. The Jet King died because real players did not try it because it looks Retro so they they expected a jingle jangle tinker toy sound. BUT the body is solid mahogany and the PU's are disguised with chrome covers but they are P90's This guitar has a huge sound and when distorted it will rip your face of. LOL
For me, it was the Xiphos body shape combined with the Wizard III neck. My fingers absolutely danced across that fretboard. Plus the x-shape gives me a shelf to rest my pick arm on, but it has an extra large chamfer on the side, which makes it more comfortable than an Explorer, or similar x-shapes from Dean, et al. The reverse headstock was also a nice bonus. And yes, Gotoh rules.
Great video as usual. Glad to know you're a fan of the old Epi headstock. Me too. Never have understood what all the hate was about. The new ones fine too. They're not THAT much different , anyway.
The main reason I took a liking to Ibanez guitars back in the day was because some of my favorite artists used them. Satriani and Vai were big ones, as well as Testament's Alex Skolnick, who played a gorgeous red Ibanez. I pretty much agree with your first 5 points though, especially the necks and the headstock.
Distrokid is cool. Thanks for making the ad interesting and fun.
I love Ibanez cause of Daron's Iceman. This is for me as iconic as Les Paul's for others.
I have 4 Ibanez RGs and an SR405 bass, I love Ibanez!
I used to be a Gibson/Epiphone fanboy (well, "Gibson fanboy that can only afford Epiphones" would be more correct) and I still have an Epi SG and used to have an Epi Les Paul that I recently sold, but my next guitar was an Ibanez and oh my god, it changed my world, suddenly Epiphones/Gibsons became unplayable, heavy, chunky, and required twice the effort to get half the result. Ibanez have been my choice from that point onwards, with a used $80 RX40 being the first and that was a huge deal honestly, I get it's not the best Ibanez there is but hey, it's not a Gio and it's worth at least two if not three times the amount I paid. I use it still today, mainly to practice so I don't "ruin" my better guitar through bedroom practice and exercises, where I don't "need" the best guitar. Then a SA360QM, which I use for "virtuoso" stuff (Vai/Satriani etc) in E tuning, and a RG420FA that I use for metal/metalcore in C tuning. So yeah, you can say Ibanez is my thing now. I'll keep the SG as a memento 'cause it was my teen years guitar back in high school, but I never play it anymore and I wouldn't play a SG today even if I had the most expensive Gibson there is, the problem is not that it's a cheap Epi, it just doesn't feel right in my hand anymore since the moment I tried my first Ibanez and fell in love with it.
So yeah, I do love that SG, and will always keep it, but more as a memento of my teen years playing metal in high school, than as an actual guitar to play with, 'cause Ibanez won that race the moment I touched the first one. Next one I want is gonna be a 7 or 8 string guitar with fanned frets... Guess the brand? Yeah, Ibanez.
I used to have a bunch of Ibanez RG 3120’s - had one in all 4 colors they made them in through their run. But now I have PRS Custom 24’s lol (the american core line Custom 24’s)
You should try the am93 , I think you'll love it !
That was a Linus Tech Tips level segway right there Hunter
My first guitar was a ibanez I loved it had excellent playability just ordered a ibanez rg 450dx the wizard 3 is gonna be so awesome
The only thing I will hold over Ibanez is that they didn’t give Wes Borland a signature guitar, I wanted one like the one in the Break Stuff MV
Ok Never see you before. But liked your List of reasons to Love Ibanez. One thing you did not mention ... (Well, ya did say the HEADSTOCK was well loved and and the Gotoh Locking tuners. ect.. ) But what is more Awesome is the Truss Rod Cover that Slides for easy Truss Rod Adjustments.
U R an inspiration , man GREAT Video.
Aaaannnd the S Series, the most comfortable shape to play - ever.
I have an SA 160 that was bought on ebay because of a Darrel Braun video. I previously never owned an Ibanez. I have to admit that, with no modification, is one if my favs. The neck is super awesome and the bridge is mighty stable. Everything I had heard was accurate on this particular guitar. Can't speak for all of them but this one sure is nice.
Hi Hunter!
Do you prefer the Ibanez necks or the more vintage ones ?
I've had my RG550 since 1991, and I've modded it. I've always wanted a Ibanez destroyer, but never managed to get hold of one! I have Gibson's, Fender's, PRS's, and a Jackson, and they are all great guitars!
Honestly I definitely feel the love for the headstock. Its so CHONKY but i just smile when I look at my Ibanez. The naming system is hilarious though.
It’d be cool to see an Epiphone version of this video!
Ibanez should do more reverse headstock models