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I think so many of the Ibanez models look so similar throughout all of the years. With the exception of Paul Stanley, Steve Vai, and Paul Gilbert, and those headless things and the 7 string things, most of them look the same to me. I don’t like most of those flat neck things. Just blah I do love the DiMarzio pickups. Some are really killer. I think you should have them send you some with different neck profiles to give the, a test run.
Havent had or even played an Ibanez in like 10 years. Been checking them out the past month and they completely have blown me away with how consistent the quality is. Im close to pulling the trigger on a AZS2209H cuz I love tele's. Was going to wait for the 2023 line up, but really not too excited by anything this year. Think I'll get the blue AZS before they're gone.
When I saw "Axe Design Lab," I was hoping for something like the Fender Mod Shop or Kiesel's entire business model. Seriously, more brands need to do this. Like, I'm willing to pay a few extra bucks to get *exactly* what I want in an instrument without having to shell out another few grand to get a custom shop build. Like, I just ordered a Mod Shop Strat because I want the standard Strat feel and sound, but also wanted something that was different than what Fender was offering in the American Professional and Ultra lines (Bubblegum Metallic finish, maple board, SSS noiseless pickups, black pickguard and white plastics), and it was between the prices of the two ranges, so pretty damn good deal.
The whole line strikes me as very safe. I have one of those Axion Label 7-strings, it's an absolute beast of a guitar, its my main axe, and it sold very, very well. So Ibanez said "Fuck it, let's just release an 8-string version since people like it so much" and that's basically what that RGD 8-string is. Spec'd almost identically, only real difference is that it has an actual switch for the voicings instead of the push/pull volume knob, plus it looks cool, so I imagine it'll sell pretty well too. These are all pretty familiar guitar designs with just one or two kinda unique features. They'll probably sell okay, not much of interest for me personally. Edit: Oops, that 8-string actually has a coil tap *and* the push/pull volume knob.
I cant get over how much I love stainless steel frets these days. I just got an RG565 and the lack of them compared to my other guitars is noticeable. I refretted two of my other RG's to stainless frets so I'm used to it now, as my three main guitars are all stainless.
Never been a huge ibanez fan, iron and axion label guitars have felt as dead as shecters to me. However my second ever guitar was a talman acoustic, and I love it. I've also had a gio I lightly modified, and gave away to a kid who was learning guitar. Every now and then they hit off something cool. I dig their wild shapes, tho for real! Their x shape is tight. And the iceman/fireman are dope!
You forgot to mention the SRC6MS. It’s kind of Ibanez’s take on a bass VI. The main difference is looks like Ibanez is taking a different route than other designs. Where they are taking a guitar and pushing it into bass territory, Ibanez is taking a bass and making it play more like a guitar. In the last couple of years I’ve gone from playing bass to baritones, and I can’t tell anyone enough how excited I am to get my hand on this one. Also it’s part of the Ibanez Bass Labs, which is what you think should come out a series with that name.
@@Viper-dz2kw I don’t have mine, yet. It’s only available for pre-order. Mine is supposed to arrive the first week of April, so I’ll probably come back with something once I get to play with it.
I wish they had more options for the AZ with two humbuckers and 10 wiring options. IMO that's their most versatile guitar and the Seymour Duncan pickups sound great on them. Yet, they only have one finish option for the premium and the same boring colors for the prestige ones (the brown burst ones). When they first release they had flame maple tops for the premium lineup as well as cool colors like seafoam green and pastel pink.
I just wish I could buy an AZ with a super wizard neck. They look great, I’d love a guitar that does the strat sound but once you’ve gone super wizard you don’t want to go back
I seriously regret not picking up the Deep Espresso Burst premium a few years back when a local music shop closed down... it was marked down to like... $650?
I'd like to point out that the Prestige/J. Custom models and the Premium models are made by two different companies, since Ibanez isn't a guitar company but a guitar BRAND. Hoshino-Gakki/Hoshino USA contract Fujigen in Nagano, Japan to make the MIJ Ibanez guitars, while the Premium and so-on are contracted to Cor-Tek in Indonesia, the one of the most prolific guitar manufacturers in the world. Economies of scale make it possible for Cor-Tek to set up lines that make stainless-steel fret guitars since Hoshino USA isn't the only company that contracts with them, so even if orders for stainless on Ibanez Premium models fall off, they have other contracts with other companies that can make use of those lines. Meanwhile, most of Fujigen's business outside of their contract with Hoshino-Gakki are all with Domestic Japanese companies, and there isn't as much interest in stainless frets in the JDM as there is in the rest of the world, hence Fujigen only doing stainless on a select few models and that price being reflected in the ridiculous up-charge by Hoshino-Gakki/Hoshino USA. tl;dr: two different companies, fam. MIJ contractor isn't interested in stainless, no matter how much the filthy gaijin clamor for it.
@@ErebosGR does Ibanez license their designs for other companies? Do they work with franchisies? I think Ibanez just hires factories to produces guitars for them.
Ibanez is cool and all, but the most interesting part of this video was the PRS DW CE in the back ground. Is that one of the new ones they just announced?
I think the SML could be really cool since its a hybrid of the Q and S series guitars. That 8 string axe design lab RGD aggressively reminds me of Tosin Abasi's old signature. As a bassist I'm REALLY excited the SRAS7 is back and is surprisingly affordable the 100$ string changes will suck no matter what
I was HOPING Ibanez would do a proper 26.5-inch version of the 2022 Iceman 7-string. Better yet, make it a 27-inch, like the 2022 LTD Black Metal series. I even emailed Ibanez a few months ago, to specifically request this. Ibanez, PLEASE make this happen! Keep the same specs, but do a 27-inch.
The only guitar I was super excited about was nylon string t style I just hope in the future ibanez does more iceman style guitars but they probably won’t
DUDE! How has NO-ONE mentioned anything about the SRC6MS, the multi-scale version of the amazing SRC6, which was basically the Fender Bass VI, but *better*? Get on it, bru!
Agreed I am super interested in it. I have been dreaming of a multiscale bass IV. The only questionable part from a guitarist’s perspective is the pickups
The J Custom has some things on it that makes it different to a normal J Custom RG. The body is chambered, it has a modified lower horn cutout and the neck shape is asymmetrical.
So far only YAMAHA can put quality SS frets for $799 in their guitars. None of these brands are doing it without adding a hefty premium.I had an Indo AZ but the quality control was abysmal I had to sell it at a loss.
I brought Jesse Cash up on another TH-camr’s video about the Ibanez line but since you actually brought him up in the video I’m gonna just talk about him getting a signature again lol I feel like there’s three potential reasons Jesse hasn’t gotten a signature model yet: 1) Jesse is a “plug and play” style guitarist. He doesn’t care about specs, tone wood, how the pickups are mounted, neck through vs bolt-on, etc. So maybe he’s just not interested in having a signature guitar because it would require him getting into the weeds with stuff that he doesn’t care about when it comes to guitar. I’m most inclined to believe this one because, looking at how in depth Josh Smith got when designing his signature with Jackson, I don’t think Jesse cares enough to learn all the technical stuff about guitars. 2) Ibanez endorses so many guitarists that Jesse isn’t high on their priority list when it comes to deciding who should get signatures. I mean, if you’re in charge of signatures at Ibanez and the dude in Megadeth wants a new one, you’re gonna give him a new signature even if you really want to give Jesse a signature because Megadeth is way bigger than ERRA. Or (and this is least likely) 3) Ibanez just doesn’t care about him. Like, he’s good to have on the roster but he’s not worth promoting like Tim Henson is. Admittedly, this option assumes the worst of the people at Ibanez when it comes to treating their artists well which I’m sure they do. Point is, Jesse Cash has been playing Ibanez exclusively since Impulse and has been endorsed by them since Moments of Clarity. Dude has deserved a signature for years (even if you probably wouldn’t like the pickups because he uses DiMarzios lol). I don’t like Ibanez guitars (I find them either boring or ugly) but his customs always look great (maybe there’s a fourth option where what Jesse wants in his customs can’t produced for the mass market). When it comes to hoping for a Jesse Cash signature model I honestly don’t think we’ll see one unless he moves to like Jackson or Kiesel or something.
I’d agree with a lot of this and part of me thinks it’s really more of point 1 you make. I just don’t think that’s something super high on his priority list with him being so nonchalant about his guitar specs. What I was hoping for however, was his most recent signature inspiring them to make some sort of fixed bridge or evertune prestige version of the rg2027xl. I’d be first in like to by a Jesse Cash sig, but really would love for Ibanez to do some sort of prestige fixed bridge 27” 7 string the most.
Hunter, you have ome a long long way when it comes to your acceptance of Ibanez! I never thought that I would see you do a whole video on new ibanez models... not in a million years
Man, as someone who recently got into vintage Ibanez (bought an '82 destroyer, rocket roll and an '80 st55 last year) its a real shame to see them doing *nothing* with their more exciting shapes. Like Iceman guitars are demanding crazy prices on the used market and they're only making them as a ukulele?!
I play Strandberg and the subtle 25.5" - 25" fanning actually is subtly comfortable especially in the higher register. I end up shifting the guitar around less when I'm playing leads to get my wrist in a comfortable position, and it follows the arc of your hand better than a straight fretboard.
Oh I get that. Personally I'm a huge fan of the lighter, "cleaner" colors like white and gold but none of these are really getting me excited. I've always been a huge fan of Ibanez's shapes and designs(edit: I'm referring to their less common designs, such as the RGD, Q, and Iceman) but I've NEVER had an Ibanez that doesn't cost an arm and a leg get me intrigued.
@@wingsoficarus1139 Even the Indonesian made RGs are really nice for me, I have an RG6003FM I got for $349 new, replaced the pickups and got it setup nice, plays like a dream. 👍
@@scramblesthedeathdealer Oh I bet it does but its just that with Ibanez, they've never really done anything that doesn't cost 2500 hundred dollars that is absolutely different. I've had my eye on this one Meshuggah FTM33 signature but that's about one of the only Ibanez's I can think of where I was just blown away. I feel like this is one of the reasons why people don't really go to Ibanez because other brands like ESP sell all kinds of body shapes and finishes that don't cost 1200 dollars. Now obviously, if you're looking for a nice superstrat with pretty good hardware and an iconic headstock, then Ibanez is for you but to me... its just sorta boring.
@@wingsoficarus1139 exactly the reason I’m not a fan of Ibanez anymore. They used to be great, but they’re becoming gibsonified. The same boring, uninspired designs with cheap materials, but throw some Fishmans in it and charge $1500+. Stupid. ESP and Schecter have SS frets, durable materials and name brand pickups on models that are even cheaper; it’s a no brainer
Glad you made a video about this. For the last 3-4 years I’ve been whining about how boring the most recent annual Ibanez lineup reveals have been, especially for someone who’s been playing S Series guitars. The rose gold Multiscale 6 is pretty cool, but it’s the only new addition to the Sabre lineup. I worry that they’re beginning to phase out the S Series. Hope they make more 27 fretters in the future though, at least that’s cool.
the guitar line up is so-so but the basses, i love the kind of shit they come up with for their basses and so far the lineup is really fucking awesome imo
Seems to me the tech in guitars over the last 20 years has been unbelievable. Lighter instruments, super thin necks and incredible ergonomics. I'm finna get me one o dem headless jawns
The most interesting one to me is the new SRC6MS-BLL, a multiscale 30 to 28.5 standardly tuned to E but 1 octave lower (their new versione of the bass VI actually)
Hey, Hunter, did you notice that the SRAS7 bass takes a cue from Steve Vai's Hydra monster? One of the Hydra's necks is a short-scale bass neck with the treble half the fingerboard with frets and the bass half FRETLESS. Well, the SRAS7 has frets beneath the top 4 strings, but the bottom 3 strings are fretless -- and the fingerboard looks to be a two-piece affair, with different woods on the fretted and fretless sides! WTF? Also, the pickups don't go all the way across. 5 strings pass over the pups, but the lowest 2 strings have no visible pickups under them! Maybe they have piezos in the bridge. Holy shock!
I spy a little Dustie Waring PRS in the background lol...is it worth it? Especially with the hardtail limited edition model? I've been really wondering if it's worth the price point with it only being a 25" scale length and no roasted maple or luminlay side dot options...I usually play in Drop C and would love to know if that is worth the money 🤔
I've been playing more on my RG8870 over my custom kiesel solo 6 because the asymmetrical neck is so comfortable. Also, not sure if it's due to the chambered body, but my legato articulations seem to be much better with RG8870 as well. Very impressed with ibanez
I see you as a guy who always meh most things lol. But it's okay, you do you. Still looking forward to your honest reviews in the future, because your 'meh' is true and raising insight to me as well.
and I agree, even with the AZ lineups, Ibanez still doing their thing, making it custom in terms of color and electronics yet body sillhouette, neck shape, the artist is forced to accept as is in endorsement, aside from living legends like Vai, Timmons, and Satch who helped the brand establishing their model back at that time (Satch with the S model, Vai with the RG model, and Timmons with the RGA model). Establishing as in making more renowned, since S, RG, and RGA apparently had been around while Japs trying to innovate and move away from lawsuit/copies.
That is cool those Gio Rg's have a movable truss rod cover where you do not have unscrew the screws on the the truss rod cover to remove it, very convenient.
I’m old and I’ve not bought a new guitar in years. But these models all look like models from years ago. I’d say the Tim Henson one is the best one but I already have a good RG which I love.
Actually the Luca has a floating bridge while all the other AZ’s with Fortuna pickups have recessed bridges that don’t go up. It also has the better locking tuners than the usual AZ guitars.
Would love for them to bring out a more Metal-focused model of their Quest series. Fishman pickups, a simple satin black or a thin see-through black coat, a dark (maybe Richlite) fretboard, stainless steel frets. With their unique slanted frets.
I know it makes absolutely zero difference in playability, but I find the way that the fretboard meets the headstock on that silver 8 string to be really off-putting.
They're definitely lacking in the sig department, Johnny cash defenitely deserves one but so do guys like MGF and Clay Gober, which are honestly, with all due respect to him, way better billboards for ibanez than Luca- although his signature definitely wasnt hard to make either, so that might be why it cane out this early on this year. They aren't really promoting their FRH series (their new electric nylon line) either and neither are they releasing jake bowen's new signature yet they put out that axe design lab 27 fret RGA that basically looks exactly like it, with a floyd instead of an evertune, inlays and some different pickups slapped in it. Not their worst year, but a questionable one for sure
Well, the 8870 vs 8570 = alder body vs mahagony, chambered vs unchambered, asymmetrical neck vs standard j. custom, backside of lower horn got a comfort cut vs RG standard, plus a different neck pickup.
@@Rayuzan_M But it is broken on so many levels as .Strandberg is showing while some ultra conservative guitar geeks are preaching about their 62' strats and 58 reissues or whatever. As if guitars reached the epitome of greatness 60 years ago. Which they did not, not even close. Speaking of broke, how often was Gibson so broke that they had to file for bankruptcy?
I would recommend you to look at the SRC6, multiscale bass VI design, listed under the bass lineup, but if I know guitarists of today, that thing is not going to bass anytime soon
Having played a fair few of their offering for this year, the only one I picked up for my collection was the Axe Design Lab RGDMS8. Easily the nicest mass production 8 string I've played
That's exactly how I feel about the new line up. I think there's only one guitar I'm trying to get and that's a very specific signature guitar for sure 😉..and this year I'll definitely try to change my t-shirt as fast as you 😄 ( i hope my ornithology is O.K. )
They’re discontinuing the thbb10 and slm10. Oh fuck no. My dream was to buy those guitars when I grew up and got a job and I’ve already been saving up for them for the past 2 years
The hybrid fretted/fret less thing has been around for about 10 years notably listed as the Ashula. Usually came as a 6 string and in white but they’ve kept that going for a while now.
A note on the J Custom Axe Design Lab RG, the difference in specs between it and the similar J Custom RG is the Axe Design Lab one has a shredder cutaway on the lower horn, an asymmetric neck, and the body is chambered. Admittedly the color being the same as the other model sells it a bit short, but I think that's a really cool set of specs that Ibanez has never done before.
I dont know, i love the rough around the edge sound with the cheaper guitars, that 300 dollar option while picking up one of those Japanese made ones seems to be in my future
Ibanez is really the only company I find worth a damn at the moment. Their quality is consistent, the specs are worth the prices and when a company like EverTune gets their hands on one, it basically becomes a perfect guitar.
I know my comment is late, but I don’t dig dimarzios either. I would’ve kept the majesty 8 string had it not had those crappy, dated dimarzios. Yea, I COULD just change the pickups, but at $4200, it needs to be perfect out of the box or it’s not a keeper.
Ibanez should get a nice headless design now with Floyd Rose . They can get the reb beach ibanez that looked cool and new design like strandberg guitars ❤️🙏✌️
I feel most of these guitars look like they haven't quite finished the design. Fan frets but pickups at 90 degrees. Gold hardware but the chrome pickup poles. Maybe it's just not for me. Personally a well played LP junior (any brand) with pickup cover removed and mismatched pickups is so much cooler and usually cheaper too.
Ibanez's 2023 lineup.. are they going to get delayed again and send only units to few TH-camrs for review? lol. I'm already disappointed in huge delays on Q series guitar that I pre-ordered.
Honestly the only guitar out of the lineup that really caught my eye was the 8-string as it looked like something unique from Ibanez for once. Of course though, some of its specs are leaving me a bit disappointed and I really like neck-though when I'm buying expensive guitars.
@@akalia_07 Why can't they do the same thing they did like with the FTM33 Meshuggah signature? That thing had a neck-through build along with very good passive pickups and a beautiful body finish. All of their 8 strings have pretty much been the same crap for the past 10 years!
Second comment, sorry, I just love that ENGAGEMENT. FOR THE ALGORITHM. Anyways... YES. More Iron Label please! I really want something a little like my SIR27FD - which is a 7 String, hardtail S with 2 DiMarzio humbuckers... I just want it in 6 String with chunkier pickups. If I could find the 6 string version of it second hand I'd pick it up, but they're like unicorn dumps. High time for another S in the Iron Label series. Maybe a little ARZ for the singlecut fans. Be interesting to see an Iron Label take on an AZ for that matter.
you're just a single-cut guy and that's fine, Ibanez continue to push boundaries in the mainstream manufacturer space while maintaining about the highest consistency, admittedly some of their budget offerings from China and Indonesia do have lower quality assembly but it's always under the surface.
So, SRC6MS-BLL is getting it''s own video right? You can't just forget about it, right? Ibanez is sending you one review sample and you are under NDA? ;-)
I’d like to see them do a Harley benton style where they give you high specs for a cheap price and just comprise on the pick ups because personally as long as they work they don’t really matter for metal
@@honigdachs. nah mate just I have cheap pick ups and expensive ones and don’t think either sound better they sound different but not better and if your recording it doesn’t make much difference no
Hey hunter! Have you ever heard of Tagima Guitars? They're a Brazilian brand with great options! Including a budget friendly roasted maple neck and fretboard, locking tuners! The Stella NTM
Honestly the one im most impressed with is the GRG120QASP-BGD. Long ass names yes but very nice finish on literally the cheapest guitar to come out from them
OMG did you guys see the new Ibanez RGAMOM80085?!?
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I think so many of the Ibanez models look so similar throughout all of the years. With the exception of Paul Stanley, Steve Vai, and Paul Gilbert, and those headless things and the 7 string things, most of them look the same to me. I don’t like most of those flat neck things. Just blah
I do love the DiMarzio pickups. Some are really killer. I think you should have them send you some with different neck profiles to give the, a test run.
Lmao
@@RokDAWG1are you joking rn? Have you not heard of a brand called fender? Ibanez has waaaaaaaaaay more variety than fender
@Kawhi Leonard Did you read somewhere in any of my post my saying anything about Fender?
That pink colour changing one .... Imna get that for my channel
Havent had or even played an Ibanez in like 10 years. Been checking them out the past month and they completely have blown me away with how consistent the quality is. Im close to pulling the trigger on a AZS2209H cuz I love tele's. Was going to wait for the 2023 line up, but really not too excited by anything this year. Think I'll get the blue AZS before they're gone.
azs2200 blue is 🔥
They are the best hands down
When I saw "Axe Design Lab," I was hoping for something like the Fender Mod Shop or Kiesel's entire business model. Seriously, more brands need to do this. Like, I'm willing to pay a few extra bucks to get *exactly* what I want in an instrument without having to shell out another few grand to get a custom shop build. Like, I just ordered a Mod Shop Strat because I want the standard Strat feel and sound, but also wanted something that was different than what Fender was offering in the American Professional and Ultra lines (Bubblegum Metallic finish, maple board, SSS noiseless pickups, black pickguard and white plastics), and it was between the prices of the two ranges, so pretty damn good deal.
5:10 This design is standard for the Strandberg 6 strings fretboards. straight first frets, and 25 to 25,5 inches
The whole line strikes me as very safe. I have one of those Axion Label 7-strings, it's an absolute beast of a guitar, its my main axe, and it sold very, very well. So Ibanez said "Fuck it, let's just release an 8-string version since people like it so much" and that's basically what that RGD 8-string is. Spec'd almost identically, only real difference is that it has an actual switch for the voicings instead of the push/pull volume knob, plus it looks cool, so I imagine it'll sell pretty well too.
These are all pretty familiar guitar designs with just one or two kinda unique features. They'll probably sell okay, not much of interest for me personally.
Edit: Oops, that 8-string actually has a coil tap *and* the push/pull volume knob.
I cant get over how much I love stainless steel frets these days. I just got an RG565 and the lack of them compared to my other guitars is noticeable. I refretted two of my other RG's to stainless frets so I'm used to it now, as my three main guitars are all stainless.
Glad it's hit the mainstream after the aluminum necks have been making a relevant push the last 10 years.
Never been a huge ibanez fan, iron and axion label guitars have felt as dead as shecters to me. However my second ever guitar was a talman acoustic, and I love it. I've also had a gio I lightly modified, and gave away to a kid who was learning guitar. Every now and then they hit off something cool. I dig their wild shapes, tho for real! Their x shape is tight. And the iceman/fireman are dope!
You forgot to mention the SRC6MS. It’s kind of Ibanez’s take on a bass VI.
The main difference is looks like Ibanez is taking a different route than other designs. Where they are taking a guitar and pushing it into bass territory, Ibanez is taking a bass and making it play more like a guitar.
In the last couple of years I’ve gone from playing bass to baritones, and I can’t tell anyone enough how excited I am to get my hand on this one.
Also it’s part of the Ibanez Bass Labs, which is what you think should come out a series with that name.
They did a bass vi a couple years ago as well, this is the updated version
I have the non- multiscale version of this and it's awesome.
@@JoshMarzolf I’m thinking of getting one as well, how well does yours work as a baritone?
Exactly! I was searching the old version this year but seemed impossible to find, glad there's a new one, even with the multiscale update
@@Viper-dz2kw I don’t have mine, yet. It’s only available for pre-order. Mine is supposed to arrive the first week of April, so I’ll probably come back with something once I get to play with it.
I wish they had more options for the AZ with two humbuckers and 10 wiring options. IMO that's their most versatile guitar and the Seymour Duncan pickups sound great on them. Yet, they only have one finish option for the premium and the same boring colors for the prestige ones (the brown burst ones). When they first release they had flame maple tops for the premium lineup as well as cool colors like seafoam green and pastel pink.
I was going to say the same thing! I always wanted the seafoam green premium and blue with the burl top one.
I just wish I could buy an AZ with a super wizard neck. They look great, I’d love a guitar that does the strat sound but once you’ve gone super wizard you don’t want to go back
I seriously regret not picking up the Deep Espresso Burst premium a few years back when a local music shop closed down... it was marked down to like... $650?
I'd like to point out that the Prestige/J. Custom models and the Premium models are made by two different companies, since Ibanez isn't a guitar company but a guitar BRAND.
Hoshino-Gakki/Hoshino USA contract Fujigen in Nagano, Japan to make the MIJ Ibanez guitars, while the Premium and so-on are contracted to Cor-Tek in Indonesia, the one of the most prolific guitar manufacturers in the world.
Economies of scale make it possible for Cor-Tek to set up lines that make stainless-steel fret guitars since Hoshino USA isn't the only company that contracts with them, so even if orders for stainless on Ibanez Premium models fall off, they have other contracts with other companies that can make use of those lines.
Meanwhile, most of Fujigen's business outside of their contract with Hoshino-Gakki are all with Domestic Japanese companies, and there isn't as much interest in stainless frets in the JDM as there is in the rest of the world, hence Fujigen only doing stainless on a select few models and that price being reflected in the ridiculous up-charge by Hoshino-Gakki/Hoshino USA.
tl;dr: two different companies, fam. MIJ contractor isn't interested in stainless, no matter how much the filthy gaijin clamor for it.
It is like saying Apple is not an phone company since everything is produced by Foxconn and TSMC.
Go touch grass kids.😂
@@ErebosGR does Ibanez license their designs for other companies? Do they work with franchisies? I think Ibanez just hires factories to produces guitars for them.
@@ErebosGR oh, indeed.
Ibanez is cool and all, but the most interesting part of this video was the PRS DW CE in the back ground. Is that one of the new ones they just announced?
I think the SML could be really cool since its a hybrid of the Q and S series guitars. That 8 string axe design lab RGD aggressively reminds me of Tosin Abasi's old signature. As a bassist I'm REALLY excited the SRAS7 is back and is surprisingly affordable the 100$ string changes will suck no matter what
Strandbergs rock a 25-25.5 progressive styled fan fret and it is incredibly comfortable!
I was HOPING Ibanez would do a proper 26.5-inch version of the 2022 Iceman 7-string. Better yet, make it a 27-inch, like the 2022 LTD Black Metal series. I even emailed Ibanez a few months ago, to specifically request this.
Ibanez, PLEASE make this happen! Keep the same specs, but do a 27-inch.
They need to bring back the Destroyer
The only guitar I was super excited about was nylon string t style I just hope in the future ibanez does more iceman style guitars but they probably won’t
DUDE!
How has NO-ONE mentioned anything about the SRC6MS, the multi-scale version of the amazing SRC6, which was basically the Fender Bass VI, but *better*? Get on it, bru!
Agreed I am super interested in it. I have been dreaming of a multiscale bass IV. The only questionable part from a guitarist’s perspective is the pickups
The J Custom has some things on it that makes it different to a normal J Custom RG. The body is chambered, it has a modified lower horn cutout and the neck shape is asymmetrical.
Ibanez: where we have 3 takes on the Strat shape and also somehow 600 models
Jesse Cash neeeeeeds a signature model. I'd buy it in a heartbeat
You and me both
So far only YAMAHA can put quality SS frets for $799 in their guitars. None of these brands are doing it without adding a hefty premium.I had an Indo AZ but the quality control was abysmal I had to sell it at a loss.
The Iceman that you described at the beginning would be amazing!!!
I brought Jesse Cash up on another TH-camr’s video about the Ibanez line but since you actually brought him up in the video I’m gonna just talk about him getting a signature again lol
I feel like there’s three potential reasons Jesse hasn’t gotten a signature model yet: 1) Jesse is a “plug and play” style guitarist. He doesn’t care about specs, tone wood, how the pickups are mounted, neck through vs bolt-on, etc. So maybe he’s just not interested in having a signature guitar because it would require him getting into the weeds with stuff that he doesn’t care about when it comes to guitar. I’m most inclined to believe this one because, looking at how in depth Josh Smith got when designing his signature with Jackson, I don’t think Jesse cares enough to learn all the technical stuff about guitars.
2) Ibanez endorses so many guitarists that Jesse isn’t high on their priority list when it comes to deciding who should get signatures. I mean, if you’re in charge of signatures at Ibanez and the dude in Megadeth wants a new one, you’re gonna give him a new signature even if you really want to give Jesse a signature because Megadeth is way bigger than ERRA.
Or (and this is least likely) 3) Ibanez just doesn’t care about him. Like, he’s good to have on the roster but he’s not worth promoting like Tim Henson is. Admittedly, this option assumes the worst of the people at Ibanez when it comes to treating their artists well which I’m sure they do.
Point is, Jesse Cash has been playing Ibanez exclusively since Impulse and has been endorsed by them since Moments of Clarity. Dude has deserved a signature for years (even if you probably wouldn’t like the pickups because he uses DiMarzios lol). I don’t like Ibanez guitars (I find them either boring or ugly) but his customs always look great (maybe there’s a fourth option where what Jesse wants in his customs can’t produced for the mass market).
When it comes to hoping for a Jesse Cash signature model I honestly don’t think we’ll see one unless he moves to like Jackson or Kiesel or something.
I’d agree with a lot of this and part of me thinks it’s really more of point 1 you make. I just don’t think that’s something super high on his priority list with him being so nonchalant about his guitar specs. What I was hoping for however, was his most recent signature inspiring them to make some sort of fixed bridge or evertune prestige version of the rg2027xl. I’d be first in like to by a Jesse Cash sig, but really would love for Ibanez to do some sort of prestige fixed bridge 27” 7 string the most.
The HSS 7-string headless and 27-fret RGAs are my favourite of the bunch
Hunter, you have ome a long long way when it comes to your acceptance of Ibanez! I never thought that I would see you do a whole video on new ibanez models... not in a million years
Man, as someone who recently got into vintage Ibanez (bought an '82 destroyer, rocket roll and an '80 st55 last year) its a real shame to see them doing *nothing* with their more exciting shapes. Like Iceman guitars are demanding crazy prices on the used market and they're only making them as a ukulele?!
Agreed. Bring back the Star Destroyer!
Im peeping what looks like the new Dusting Waring CE behind you 👀
I play Strandberg and the subtle 25.5" - 25" fanning actually is subtly comfortable especially in the higher register. I end up shifting the guitar around less when I'm playing leads to get my wrist in a comfortable position, and it follows the arc of your hand better than a straight fretboard.
These models don't excite me at all. They look like they are applying Tim Henson inspiration to many models.
Oh I get that. Personally I'm a huge fan of the lighter, "cleaner" colors like white and gold but none of these are really getting me excited. I've always been a huge fan of Ibanez's shapes and designs(edit: I'm referring to their less common designs, such as the RGD, Q, and Iceman) but I've NEVER had an Ibanez that doesn't cost an arm and a leg get me intrigued.
@@wingsoficarus1139 Even the Indonesian made RGs are really nice for me, I have an RG6003FM I got for $349 new, replaced the pickups and got it setup nice, plays like a dream. 👍
@@scramblesthedeathdealer Oh I bet it does but its just that with Ibanez, they've never really done anything that doesn't cost 2500 hundred dollars that is absolutely different. I've had my eye on this one Meshuggah FTM33 signature but that's about one of the only Ibanez's I can think of where I was just blown away.
I feel like this is one of the reasons why people don't really go to Ibanez because other brands like ESP sell all kinds of body shapes and finishes that don't cost 1200 dollars.
Now obviously, if you're looking for a nice superstrat with pretty good hardware and an iconic headstock, then Ibanez is for you but to me... its just sorta boring.
@@wingsoficarus1139 Fair enough.
@@wingsoficarus1139 exactly the reason I’m not a fan of Ibanez anymore. They used to be great, but they’re becoming gibsonified. The same boring, uninspired designs with cheap materials, but throw some Fishmans in it and charge $1500+. Stupid. ESP and Schecter have SS frets, durable materials and name brand pickups on models that are even cheaper; it’s a no brainer
Glad you made a video about this. For the last 3-4 years I’ve been whining about how boring the most recent annual Ibanez lineup reveals have been, especially for someone who’s been playing S Series guitars. The rose gold Multiscale 6 is pretty cool, but it’s the only new addition to the Sabre lineup. I worry that they’re beginning to phase out the S Series.
Hope they make more 27 fretters in the future though, at least that’s cool.
These guitars are cool but I just want a cheaper Xiphos. It would be cool if they brought back the Falchion too.
Thanks!
the guitar line up is so-so but the basses, i love the kind of shit they come up with for their basses and so far the lineup is really fucking awesome imo
except for the tim henson and scotty sigs, i’m a huge polyphia fan so i’m really excited about those
Seems to me the tech in guitars over the last 20 years has been unbelievable. Lighter instruments, super thin necks and incredible ergonomics. I'm finna get me one o dem headless jawns
The most interesting one to me is the new SRC6MS-BLL, a multiscale 30 to 28.5 standardly tuned to E but 1 octave lower (their new versione of the bass VI actually)
Hey, Hunter, did you notice that the SRAS7 bass takes a cue from Steve Vai's Hydra monster? One of the Hydra's necks is a short-scale bass neck with the treble half the fingerboard with frets and the bass half FRETLESS. Well, the SRAS7 has frets beneath the top 4 strings, but the bottom 3 strings are fretless -- and the fingerboard looks to be a two-piece affair, with different woods on the fretted and fretless sides! WTF? Also, the pickups don't go all the way across. 5 strings pass over the pups, but the lowest 2 strings have no visible pickups under them! Maybe they have piezos in the bridge. Holy shock!
I spy a little Dustie Waring PRS in the background lol...is it worth it? Especially with the hardtail limited edition model? I've been really wondering if it's worth the price point with it only being a 25" scale length and no roasted maple or luminlay side dot options...I usually play in Drop C and would love to know if that is worth the money 🤔
I love the way you roast Ibanez brand and releases in general,even when I'm a total Ibanez fanboy
Don’t understand the dislike for Tone Zone. It’s a great sounding pickup and so much better than the Duncan JB.
Incredibly underrated
I love the JB, never tried a Tone Zone
I love the Tone Zone too. It's in the bridge in one of my guitars.
Sounds amazing to my ears. I don't understand the dislike either.
Met Jessie at the show in Wiesbaden, awesome Player, awesome person
I've been playing more on my RG8870 over my custom kiesel solo 6 because the asymmetrical neck is so comfortable. Also, not sure if it's due to the chambered body, but my legato articulations seem to be much better with RG8870 as well. Very impressed with ibanez
I see you as a guy who always meh most things lol. But it's okay, you do you. Still looking forward to your honest reviews in the future, because your 'meh' is true and raising insight to me as well.
and I agree, even with the AZ lineups, Ibanez still doing their thing, making it custom in terms of color and electronics yet body sillhouette, neck shape, the artist is forced to accept as is in endorsement, aside from living legends like Vai, Timmons, and Satch who helped the brand establishing their model back at that time (Satch with the S model, Vai with the RG model, and Timmons with the RGA model). Establishing as in making more renowned, since S, RG, and RGA apparently had been around while Japs trying to innovate and move away from lawsuit/copies.
That is cool those Gio Rg's have a movable truss rod cover where you do not have unscrew the screws on the the truss rod cover to remove it, very convenient.
I’m old and I’ve not bought a new guitar in years. But these models all look like models from years ago. I’d say the Tim Henson one is the best one but I already have a good RG which I love.
Hey hunter your hair are going wild today 😂
Actually the Luca has a floating bridge while all the other AZ’s with Fortuna pickups have recessed bridges that don’t go up. It also has the better locking tuners than the usual AZ guitars.
Would love for them to bring out a more Metal-focused model of their Quest series. Fishman pickups, a simple satin black or a thin see-through black coat, a dark (maybe Richlite) fretboard, stainless steel frets. With their unique slanted frets.
I was hoping for a traditional Les Paul or PRS design (without getting sued) but belongs in the AZ range
Can they finally make a multi scale 28" to 27" - 7 string? With stainless frets, and side glows.
That RG9PB and RGDMS8 is on my bucket list!
I know it makes absolutely zero difference in playability, but I find the way that the fretboard meets the headstock on that silver 8 string to be really off-putting.
They're definitely lacking in the sig department, Johnny cash defenitely deserves one but so do guys like MGF and Clay Gober, which are honestly, with all due respect to him, way better billboards for ibanez than Luca- although his signature definitely wasnt hard to make either, so that might be why it cane out this early on this year. They aren't really promoting their FRH series (their new electric nylon line) either and neither are they releasing jake bowen's new signature yet they put out that axe design lab 27 fret RGA that basically looks exactly like it, with a floyd instead of an evertune, inlays and some different pickups slapped in it. Not their worst year, but a questionable one for sure
9:34 Who is Midarzio? Never heard of them.
9:16 could be a perfect new guitar project for Harley Benton...
Well, the 8870 vs 8570 = alder body vs mahagony, chambered vs unchambered, asymmetrical neck vs standard j. custom, backside of lower horn got a comfort cut vs RG standard, plus a different neck pickup.
Whatever they are doing is 1000× more innovative than anything the Big 2 have done in the past 60 years.
Well if it ain't broke don't fix it
Unless you're Ibanez
@@Rayuzan_M But it is broken on so many levels as .Strandberg is showing while some ultra conservative guitar geeks are preaching about their 62' strats and 58 reissues or whatever. As if guitars reached the epitome of greatness 60 years ago. Which they did not, not even close.
Speaking of broke, how often was Gibson so broke that they had to file for bankruptcy?
I would recommend you to look at the SRC6, multiscale bass VI design, listed under the bass lineup, but if I know guitarists of today, that thing is not going to bass anytime soon
The basses!
The best of Ibanez is always in their bass section
Having played a fair few of their offering for this year, the only one I picked up for my collection was the Axe Design Lab RGDMS8. Easily the nicest mass production 8 string I've played
The RG8870 is in the ADL series because it has a chambered body so is seen as a sort of experimental take on the traditional J Custom.
You forgot about Marcin's new signature acoustic. Unless it was technically 2022. Definitely check him out. He's a bonafide prodigy.
That's exactly how I feel about the new line up. I think there's only one guitar I'm trying to get and that's a very specific signature guitar for sure 😉..and this year I'll definitely try to change my t-shirt as fast as you 😄
( i hope my ornithology is O.K. )
They’re discontinuing the thbb10 and slm10. Oh fuck no. My dream was to buy those guitars when I grew up and got a job and I’ve already been saving up for them for the past 2 years
Should’ve mentioned the SRC6MS multiscale baritone guitar/short-scale 6-string bass. That thing looks killer and even better than the Gretsch G5260.
The hybrid fretted/fret less thing has been around for about 10 years notably listed as the Ashula. Usually came as a 6 string and in white but they’ve kept that going for a while now.
A note on the J Custom Axe Design Lab RG, the difference in specs between it and the similar J Custom RG is the Axe Design Lab one has a shredder cutaway on the lower horn, an asymmetric neck, and the body is chambered. Admittedly the color being the same as the other model sells it a bit short, but I think that's a really cool set of specs that Ibanez has never done before.
I dont know, i love the rough around the edge sound with the cheaper guitars, that 300 dollar option while picking up one of those Japanese made ones seems to be in my future
Hears two truss rods, *remembers my rickenbacker nightmare. Naaaa im fuckin good off that.
Ibanez is really the only company I find worth a damn at the moment. Their quality is consistent, the specs are worth the prices and when a company like EverTune gets their hands on one, it basically becomes a perfect guitar.
Nah, Strandberg
I know my comment is late, but I don’t dig dimarzios either. I would’ve kept the majesty 8 string had it not had those crappy, dated dimarzios. Yea, I COULD just change the pickups, but at $4200, it needs to be perfect out of the box or it’s not a keeper.
Ibanez should get a nice headless design now with Floyd Rose . They can get the reb beach ibanez that looked cool and new design like strandberg guitars ❤️🙏✌️
Dang, instant sub! Perfect for my next guitar hunt!
I feel most of these guitars look like they haven't quite finished the design. Fan frets but pickups at 90 degrees. Gold hardware but the chrome pickup poles. Maybe it's just not for me. Personally a well played LP junior (any brand) with pickup cover removed and mismatched pickups is so much cooler and usually cheaper too.
You should watch Craven's video "Ibanez Model Numbers Explained!" It'll make understanding the model numbers a bit better.
Ibanez's 2023 lineup.. are they going to get delayed again and send only units to few TH-camrs for review? lol. I'm already disappointed in huge delays on Q series guitar that I pre-ordered.
Honestly the only guitar out of the lineup that really caught my eye was the 8-string as it looked like something unique from Ibanez for once. Of course though, some of its specs are leaving me a bit disappointed and I really like neck-though when I'm buying expensive guitars.
@@wingsoficarus1139 8 strings is a good one as I love that Djent sound and I agree with you there.
@@akalia_07 Why can't they do the same thing they did like with the FTM33 Meshuggah signature? That thing had a neck-through build along with very good passive pickups and a beautiful body finish. All of their 8 strings have pretty much been the same crap for the past 10 years!
Im just happy to see some dimarzios, always an upgrade over Duncans imho.
Not so great, the RGRT421 I wanted to buy is gone up in price and walnut color isn't available :(
Better be a Xiphos in here 😂
*narrator* there wasn’t 🙃
Agreed! Companies need to bring back demonic shapes of the 80's -90's...just for us old metal heads!
Ibanez needs to do a prestige Xiphos and make sure it stays as a neck through.
@@TYLERtheMAGGOT1 oh that would be great! But as we know most companies never listen to it's customers.
One of my biggest regrets is selling my chameleon red xiphos. It was awesome 👌
I'd love to buy the RGD3121 prf
Just found out about the X Series Halberd, that shape NEEDS to come back!
The 8870 has an asymmetrical neck profile.
Why the hate for the Tim Henson THBB10, I own one, it plays wonderfully!!
I wish they'd bring the 7 string cerulean blue burst back
IMO the pickup rings on the cheaper KIKOSP3 ruins the whole vibe.
What?!! They didn’t send you the last one on your list to demo?!!?!
I still don't understand why Ibanez won't do a new Destroyer.
Second comment, sorry, I just love that ENGAGEMENT. FOR THE ALGORITHM.
Anyways... YES. More Iron Label please! I really want something a little like my SIR27FD - which is a 7 String, hardtail S with 2 DiMarzio humbuckers... I just want it in 6 String with chunkier pickups. If I could find the 6 string version of it second hand I'd pick it up, but they're like unicorn dumps. High time for another S in the Iron Label series. Maybe a little ARZ for the singlecut fans. Be interesting to see an Iron Label take on an AZ for that matter.
Where’s the Valiant 7 string review? Oh my God!!! 😊 pleaseeeeee!!!!!!
I was hoping for a Prestige RGA but it seems like Ibanez only likes RGs and AZs.
you're just a single-cut guy and that's fine, Ibanez continue to push boundaries in the mainstream manufacturer space while maintaining about the highest consistency, admittedly some of their budget offerings from China and Indonesia do have lower quality assembly but it's always under the surface.
When I was finished looking through all of them all I thought was “Oh that’s it?”
So, SRC6MS-BLL is getting it''s own video right? You can't just forget about it, right? Ibanez is sending you one review sample and you are under NDA? ;-)
really need to bring back some different shapes like art, arz, sz fr darkstone etc
All the guitars that interest me are active - guess I’ll be committing to the latest Prestige AZ7.
I wish Ibanez bring back something similar to Ibanez 540s LTD
I think Ibanez is just leaning into their new more modern audience who love polyphia and Itchika Nito (which is me)
I’d like to see them do a Harley benton style where they give you high specs for a cheap price and just comprise on the pick ups because personally as long as they work they don’t really matter for metal
Check out the $299 GRG121 model. It looks awesome and has roasted maple neck. Both colours look so good.
They're doing it with the GRG range. Also, if you think that pickups don't matter for metal, you've been listening to Glenn Fricker too much.
@@honigdachs. nah mate just I have cheap pick ups and expensive ones and don’t think either sound better they sound different but not better and if your recording it doesn’t make much difference no
Hey hunter! Have you ever heard of Tagima Guitars? They're a Brazilian brand with great options! Including a budget friendly roasted maple neck and fretboard, locking tuners! The Stella NTM
A tagima tinha que enviar guitarras pra esses youtubers de fora kkkk aí iam ganhar mais mercado
Cool wallet and KeyCase 🙌
Honestly the one im most impressed with is the GRG120QASP-BGD. Long ass names yes but very nice finish on literally the cheapest guitar to come out from them