A short review of some of the hot and also very cool Ibanez guitars and basses in December 2014 issue of the Plugged In magazine.
As one of the most versatile and technologically advanced brands on the world market, Ibanez has a super tough task of staying on top to complete on daily basis. Some segments, like SR and RG have already achieved legendary status among the guitarists and bassists of the world, while the newly and recently formed lines still have a long way to go. This year`s been particularly productive on all fronts and we`ve picked our favorites from the December issue of the online Plugged In magazine. Firstly, there`s the exclusive SR5BBLTD in the bass section, AC535 and AC535CE traditional acoustics follow the suit. Next in line is the first of two seven-stringers, RG7421PB. Two jazz models have also made the list: SJ300 and SS300. The only signature model in this article is limited edition DCM100, while the gigantic BTB685SC hails from the Bass Workshop segment. Wild and ultra-modern RGKP6 with it`s jaw-dropping electronics takes up the penultimate spot and the review section ends in a much calmer tone with an exotic AEW14LTD4.
Ibanez SR5BBLTD is an exclusive limited edition five-stringer from the SR Premium series. It`s main features are it`s super gorgeous buckeye burl top and an amazingly precise and reliable Monorail bridge. Nordstrand`s passive soapbar pickups with matching wooden covers and gold-plated hardware are countered with the classic SR Premium series construction and design. For more info, check the SR5BBLTD detail page on chorder.com, or on Ibanez Guitars official web page.
Ibanez AC535 is, essentially, a basic and affordable acoustic guitar with simple construction and conservative styling. Rosewood/flamed maple body with a spruce sound board is paired with a standard mahogany neck. 20-fret rosewood fingerboard, classic rosewood bridge and die-cast tuners are also there. For more info, check the AC535 detail page on chorder.com, or on Ibanez Guitars official web page.
Ibanez AC535CE is the acoustic-electric sibling of the previously reviewed AC535. Same tonewood and hardware options comprise these two models. The only two differences are the existence of the Venetian cutaway and combined Fishman/Ibanez electronics featured on the acoustic-electric variant. For more info, check the AC535CE detail page on chorder.com, or on Ibanez Guitars official web page.
Next in line is the beautiful Ibanez RG7421PB. This quite regular RG Fixed series seven-stringer is fit with a unique poplar burl top over the mahogany body. Extended range QM7 humbuckers with standard controls, fixed bridge and a 24-fret fingerboard are the key points of the specs list. For more info, check the RG7421PB detail page on chorder.com, or on Ibanez Guitars official web page.
The first of two hollow-bodied jazz guitars reviewed in this article is the vintage-styled Ibanez SJ300. With a carved and arched flamed maple/spruce body, dual passive humbuckers, classic controls unit, set in neck and 20-fret fingerboard, this one`s bound to steal many a jazzer`s hearts away. For more info, check the SJ300 detail page on chorder.com, or on Ibanez Guitars official web page.
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Ibanez SS300 follows the cue and reprises a very similar specs list. Flamed maple, spruce, mahogany, rosewood and gold-plated hardware are still there, and have the same positions. Even though the gold-plated hardware and 20-fret fingerboard are there, SS300 has a slightly modified body curve and almost a Florentine cutaway. For more info, check the SS300 detail page on chorder.com, or on Ibanez Guitars official web page.
For the metalheads who like to crank it up to eleven, there`s Dino Cazares DCM100 limited edition signature model. Dead simple and deadly brutal DCM comes with a solid RGD body made of mahogany, Seymour Duncan Retribution humbucker (Dino himself helped a great deal in it`s development) in the bridge, 24 fret rosewood fingerboard and Edge trem bridge. For more info, check the DCM100 detail page on chorder.com, or on Ibanez Guitars official web page.
Straight from the Ibanez Bass Workshop comes the new five-string champion in the heavy weight division – BTB685SC. Neck-through construction with massive upper horn, finest tonewoods, premium Ibanez hardware and Bartolini electronics comprize this BTB Premium series five-stringer. For more info, check the BTB685SC detail page on chorder.com, or on Ibanez Guitars official web page.
Penultimate spot in the review section is reserved for the Delorean of the electric guitar world, Ibanez RGKP6. It is a solid-bodied RG with Korg`s Kaoss effect pad built onto it which, if played the certain way, can transfer you to the future – time when it was/will be created. For more info, check the RGKP6 detail page on chorder.com, or on Ibanez Guitars official web page.
Tenth and final spot is reserved for the exotic AEW14LTD4. It`s back and sides are, as the series rules stipulate, made of exotic wood – this time it`s acacia (a.k.a. Australian Blackwood). Other than that, spruce sound board, combined Fishman/Ibanez electronics, 20-fret fingerboard and gold-plated hardware are present. For more info, check the AEW14LTD4 detail page on chorder.com, or on Ibanez Guitars official web page.
