Question about the Ibbys

[SageK]

I often see on this site people with like 15 Ibanez guitars. These are the only guitars I really ever see like that, I've never seen anyone with like 50 ESP's, or 200 Jacksons. SO, this got me thinking; What is so great about these guitars? Are they really so amazing that once you own one you just want as many as you can budget, or is it just a mixture of GAS and fanboy syndrome? I'm obviously not attacking anyone here, as I would have as many guitars as possible, if possible. Just kind of curious is all, why does this happen so often?

[jymellis]

im one of the ibanez collectors you mentioned. for me its about my love for ibanez guitars. i have been a ibanez player since about 1989.

how many strat or les paul lovers do you know?

[Mordacain]

Ibanez has a really good quality / cost ratio (probably better than any other manufacturer). They also have the widest range of designs so there are pretty much models to suit any taste. They also tend to cater to the metal market and has done so as trends develop so they stay current. The were also the first to really push 7 strings (and now 8 strings). Their high-end production models are also more afford-ably priced then any other manufacturer (the Prestige line).

[SageK]

Ah, this is true. I guess I didnt really make that connection, cause its just something you dont see on this site often.

[GuitaristOfHell]

Originally Posted by SageK

, I've never seen anyone with like 50 ESP's, or 200 Jacksons.

That's because they cost $ 8,000 , but dollar for dollar Ibanez is pretty good and don't cost you and arm and a leg.

[SageK]

I know Ibanez are great guitars for sure, I just find it a little strange that there are not very many collectors of other companies. Obviously besides the classic kind of guitar collectors that have like five grand to drop on a vintage Les Paul. I'm talking more contemporary and what-not. But I mean I could be very wrong about that too, there might be a lot more people collecting Schecters and shit than I think.

[jymellis]

Originally Posted by GuitaristOfHell

That's because they cost $ 8,000 , but dollar for dollar Ibanez is pretty good and don't cost you and arm and a leg.

depends on what models you collect

[SageK]

Originally Posted by GuitaristOfHell

That's because they cost $ 8,000 , but dollar for dollar Ibanez is pretty good and don't cost you and arm and a leg.

And yeah I feel ya, haha.

[GuitaristOfHell]

Originally Posted by jymellis

depends on what models you collect

true, but my point is they're prices are through the roof.

[snowblind56]

I currently have 10 Ibanez RG's. Six 7 strings, and three 6 strings. They do become an addiction.

While I have a few Jackson and Charvel's, I think the main selling point is that the Ibanez's cost less but are arguably as good. I paid $900 for my USA Soloist, and that is fairly cheap. If you take your time shopping and find good deals, you can get 3 Ibanez for that price.

Also, Ibanez is always switching colors, models, and what not. Jackson and ESP have basically had the same models and colors for 20 years.

[Guitarman700]

The necks are sex in wood form, at least on the prestiges.
Mine is SOOO smooth, Its unbelievable.

[Mordacain]

Originally Posted by Guitarman700

The necks are sex in wood form, at least on the prestiges.
Mine is SOOO smooth, Its unbelievable.

and I should know

However, while Ibanez has their stock Wizard super-thin necks in abundance, they do also have a fairly large range of thicker necks as well (like on the various S, SA, SZ, ART and ARZ models). Most other manufacturers have one or two neck profiles or (like in Fender's case) necks of similar profile but unspecified thickness, (thin on the American Standards, chunnky on Highway 1 and anywhere in-between on other models).

With Ibanez, it seems a lot easier to find a comfortable neck. They also standardized the AANJ neck joint which is IMO the most comfortable bolt-on joint.

[vampiregenocide]

I think it's because Ibanez has such a range of models compared to say ESP and Jackson, both of which have very limited acoustic/semi-hollow ranges and are more based towards the metal market specifically whereas Ibanez, though it has roots in metal and jazz, has a wider product range than a lot of other guitar companies around imo. Plus, as mentioned their price/quality ratio is pretty good and they have a lot of different guitars for all levels of the market. They have a lot of different finishes, styles etc whereas imo Schecter, ESP and all those other companies put out maybe two or three interesting models and the rest are boring.

My 7321 is a solid guitar and since being modded, stands up to £1k guitars I've played. My prestige 2027x sounds amazing and the piezos are lovely.

[Prydogga]

To me, nothing really compares to Ibanez. There are other super strat guitars, but in the case of ESP: All either have a huge price to get a good spec, or are black with EMGs, have a painted neck, or IMO an ugly neck joint, and in comparison to Ibanez, a bland neck.

Same goes for almost all other makers.

I like multi-laminate necks, I like good bolt-ons, I like an evenly weighted neck to body. I NEED direct mount pickups.

The ibanez trems (Again, IMO) are much sleeker, and I'd even opt for a cheaper chinese Ibanez trem to an OFR. Just for appearance and feel.

Ibanez look metal when needed, but wouldn't look particularly out of place anywhere.

I'd only ever consider dropping all my Ibbies for EBMM, at least as far as production models go.

[mountainjam]

Everything the ibanez enthusiasts have stated above are completely true, but for me its the wizard neck. Best production neck available imo. That's why I own 4 ibby's and nothing else.

[harvested]

Originally Posted by jymellis

im one of the ibanez collectors you mentioned. for me its about my love for ibanez guitars. i have been a ibanez player since about 1989.

how many strat or les paul lovers do you know?

Slash, and Jimy Page for Les Pauls,
Malmseen for Strats...
John 5 for Teles,
Vai for Ibbys...
Metallica for ESPs...
and the list can go on and on...I think we'll find a hardcore fan for any brand

[Stealthdjentstic]

Unfortunately the bang for buck thing with ibanez has plummeted recently with some of their stuff. The used ibby market is full of gold though.

[Mindcrime1204]

Originally Posted by harvested

Slash, and Jimy Page for Les Pauls,
Malmseen for Strats...
John 5 for Teles,
Vai for Ibbys...
Metallica for ESPs...
and the list can go on and on...I think we'll find a hardcore fan for any brand

Agreed, but I do notice more for Ibanez all over forums like the OP was stating...

[Kali Yuga]

Ibanez can be grabbed extremely cheap, and for the most part, Ibanez guitars all play similarly.

I'm an Ibanez fanboy, but not a collector. I only own three, and soon to grab a fourth.

[maggotspawn]

Originally Posted by Mordacain

With Ibanez, it seems a lot easier to find a comfortable neck. They also standardized the AANJ neck joint which is IMO the most comfortable bolt-on joint.

This is a big plus for me.

[Ryan-ZenGtr-]

I wonder how much of this praise of Ibanez would have been different if:

1. Gibson hadn't brought the lawsuit against Hoshino in the 70's for their great copies of Fender, Gibson and other common western designs. (I've got an ES-175 from that era, still looks new 40 years later and plays pretty good, too)

2. If Vai had stayed with Anderson, Carvin or one of the other makers that courted him to endorse exclusively. Without his ideas, stolen from the guitar makers that had impressed him, would the RG ever have existed?

3. Yen collpase of the 90's.

+1 Great 2nd hand market!!! Best bang for buck!

One more thing, a guy accused me in person of being a "fanboy" of Ibanez beause I had so many. I had loads of other guitars, but he noticed Ibanez. Somehow that really "£$* me off... Nothing bothers me much but I didn't like that comment.

[Grimriffer]

square necks

[GuitaristOfHell]

Originally Posted by Prydogga

The ibanez trems (Again, IMO) are much sleeker, and I'd even opt for a cheaper chinese Ibanez trem to an OFR. Just for appearance and feel.

Ibanez bridges are pretty decent. The Edge 0 is pretty cool.

[cbmichels]

It's all about comfort to me. Changes can always be made to hardware, but comfort is not a given. I had a Fender American Deluxe and ended up selling it, buying a MIM Strat and pocketing the extra money because the MIM Strat felt so much better for me. Someone else could be the exact opposite. We just never know. I loved my Ibanez Rgs I had, hated the Artist model. The S7420 I'm getting (And getting impatient for) was extremely nice when I tried it out. Just something about the weight and balance and the feel of the neck that felt natural to me. However, I will be switching out those pups for a DP707/708 combo. And I freely admit it's because I'm a FANBOY of Petrucci. lol
So in summation of this post of epic proportions I'd say Ibanez has an excellent track record for being a comfortable guitar and if it's not broke, don't fix it.

[TMatt142]

Originally Posted by GuitaristOfHell

Ibanez bridges are pretty decent. The Edge 0 is pretty cool.

I would go a step further than "pretty decent" They are as good as any OFR ever made (speaking only of the top of the line trems, - lo-pro, edge pro, edge etc... So in that sense, They are also the best (along with the ofr's). The feel of the Ibby trems, (I speak of the lo-pros) is a bit "heavier" than an OFR, but that should be obvious looking at the mass of one as opposed to the other. This alone will keep me an Ibby "fanboy".