[noodles]

Originally Posted by Stitch

I honestly don't think it will, but it wouldn't surprise me too much if it did. I mean, people were clamouring for Ibanez to release a new guitar in a non-black finish, something fresh and new please, like what you used to do, Mr. Ibanez...

They bring out the Xiphos and within a year have been so inundated with "why isn't there a black one?!" that ended up releasing one. I mean, come on. When black is their most popular colour, why not? People bitch about the 1527 being blue, they bitched about the MC and VK colours being 'faggy' - what does everyone want, AAA quilt tops or some sort of psychic paint that morphs to whatever colour you want?

Hey, I like black as much as the next guy, but I want more than just black. I think Schecter made a good move by offering black cherry flametops alongside black, because they are two color options that grab a wide market segment. Honestly, Schecter is who Ibanez should be looking at right now, because they came out of practically nowhere, cutting themselves a large chunk out of the market in the process. This should force Ibanez to innovate to compete, which is a good thing. Then maybe Schecter will start noticing that not everyone wants to play a baseball bat.

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by noodles

Then maybe Schecter will start noticing that not everyone wants to play a baseball bat.

I was about to say, it works both ways.

[noodles]

Originally Posted by ZeroSignal

Because it won't be prestige? I think it would be safe to say it would be a similar price to the XPT707.

What does prestige really mean anymore? The RG2228 is a prestige, and considering the bare bones features, it certainly is over priced. If they're going to put a carved top on the guitar, you know it is going to be in the prestige line.

When a grand buys you a Loomis with EMGs and a real Floyd, how can Ibanez hope to compete with a $1500 RGA7? That's reaching into the territory were people can simply contact a small builder instead.

If I worked for Ibanez, I'd be busy scrambling to find something to compete with the Loomis: carved trans top, trem, neck through, not basswood, and real pickups. I would then pass them out to the seven string endorsers like candy. Especially considering that their premier sevens are either overpriced basswood (Vai) or come with gaytarded inlays (Munky). I'd certainly make sure Broderick got as many of them as he wanted, since he's now with Megadeth.

[Stitch]

FortePenance - Prt of it is the fact that Hoshino USA gets to choose what models they import to the UK and it goes from there. J.Customs have a slightly complex story that I honestly can't be bothered typing out right now, but catch me on MSN sometime and I'll tell you.

Originally Posted by noodles

Hey, I like black as much as the next guy, but I want more than just black. I think Schecter made a good move by offering black cherry flametops alongside black, because they are two color options that grab a wide market segment. Honestly, Schecter is who Ibanez should be looking at right now, because they came out of practically nowhere, cutting themselves a large chunk out of the market in the process. This should force Ibanez to innovate to compete, which is a good thing. Then maybe Schecter will start noticing that not everyone wants to play a baseball bat.

I totally agree. Schecter really have come from nowhere and when you look at this forum when comprared to three years ago when I first joined the proportion of Schecter fans is much larger; indeed, I'd probably say there are now more self confessed 'Schecter fans" than Ibanez ones.

Doesn't change the fact that I won't be seen dead with one, however.

Originally Posted by Ryan

I was about to say, it works both ways.

[noodles]

Originally Posted by Ryan

I was about to say, it works both ways.

Well, I don't play Ibanez or Schecter, so I can look at it pretty objectively. If I was forced to play one of them, I'd get a Loomis and through Blackouts in it, which is as close as I could get to what I'd want to play. If Ibanez would put one of the older, comfortable neck carves on a mahogany, ash, or alder body, then it would give Schecter reason to pause.

With small builders getting more competitively priced every day, there is no reason to spend much over a grand on a production instrument. Just save up and get something far better.

[noodles]

Originally Posted by Stitch

I totally agree. Schecter really have come from nowhere and when you look at this forum when comprared to three years ago when I first joined the proportion of Schecter fans is much larger; indeed, I'd probably say there are now more self confessed 'Schecter fans" than Ibanez ones.

Doesn't change the fact that I won't be seen dead with one, however.

Never say never. Tomorrow, they might come out with your next guitar. You just never know. How many people said, "I'd never play Schecter, because of those ugly fishing hook headstocks!", only to now be playing a Hellraiser?

Still, I view this all as a good thing. I want to see someone to force Ibanez to be competitive again. I know a lot of people who think their best work was in the late 80s, when they were competing with the likes of Jackson, Kramer, and ESP.

[Stitch]

Originally Posted by noodles

Never say never. Tomorrow, they might come out with your next guitar. You just never know. How many people said, "I'd never play Schecter, because of those ugly fishing hook headstocks!", only to now be playing a Hellraiser?

Okay, allow me to rephrase.

Bring the Black Cherry 007 back into production with a neck profile that isn't based on the U-Bend in my toilet and I'll play one. Other than that, no.

Originally Posted by noodles

Still, I view this all as a good thing. I want to see someone to force Ibanez to be competitive again. I know a lot of people who think their best work was in the late 80s, when they were competing with the likes of Jackson, Kramer, and ESP.

Again, I completely agree. I've been very annoyed lately with how Ibanez have fallen into the trap of resting on their laurels and allowing their name to do their work for them. While the reissued RG550's were lovely, I was concerned that this was the beginning of the end for Ibanez and a beginning of a Fender/Gibson-style era for Ibanez.

[Sepultorture]

Originally Posted by loktide

the problem is that for the price ibanez probably will put on it, i'd rather get a RAN custom RGA.

you are my new best friend

[TheMissing]

Originally Posted by Stitch

Bring the Black Cherry 007 back into production with a neck profile that isn't based on the U-Bend in my toilet and I'll play one. Other than that, no.

Get a transplant for some manly hands then, sissy.

A Black Cherry 007 needs to be in production...

[TheMissing]

Originally Posted by noodles

Have you played a SC model LTD/ESP, or a Jackson COW7? The Loomis neck is very similar. That is why they are the only Schecters I would play.

Is the SC model that much different than the M's or the Horizons? Because I couldn't tell a difference between my Schecter neck and my friends M-207 neck.