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Ibanez: S920 (List: $1,500)
Ibanez released a pair of Premium grade S-Series model this 2012, one of them is this EMG equipped S920. If you are new to the Ibanez scene, the S-Series is the manufacturer’s less celebrated model (the RG remains to be the firm favourite among players) but there is a posse out there who find this stealth-like design much more delightful than the more angular-edged RG models.
Quality/ Fit/ Finish
The S920 hails from the Premium range of instruments (made in Indonesia) which sit above the Standard offerings but below the Japanese manufactured Prestige line-up. The love for the S-Series lies very much in its body design; the central portion is as normal as it gets for a typical electric guitar but the body tapers at the edges giving that trademark blade-like signature. This design also gives rise to those very desirable curved top & rear surfaces making it one of the most outstanding instruments played strapped on.
The S920 is not a detractor but a deviant by way of the EMG inclusion. This is the only model in its range featuring a set of active pickups & the overall aesthetics seem to blend in very well with the guitar’s cultured inception. The S920 isn’t special by any means, the manufacturer had an S520EX once; a dual humbucking, ZR bridge equipped & minimally marked fretboard model which was discontinued not too long ago. Its peculiarity lies in its 3-way pickup toggle selector & a solitary volume knob.
Absolute top marks goes to Ibanez in this category for its exquisite QC. Parts were very well fitted & finished, very much reflective of the Premium appeal. The neck’s rear has a finished headstock but it ends at the nut volute so you get that typical satin feel the rest of the way.
The obvious contention here is the manufacturer’s decision in leaving the fretboard bare, the only navigational guides you get are the dot markers at the neck’s edge- be absolutely familiar or risk losing your way.
Rating: 90%
Playability/ Tone
The S920 is a slim-necked guitar aimed primary at those who are about to rock & maybe dwell in distortion excess. Playability is top notch with a healthy upper fret access more so now as Ibanez included a rear bevel at the treble-side cutaway (new for 2012). Despite being identical as specified by the manufacturer in the online product profile (both sporting Wizard necks), the Premium S-Series sports a rounder neck profile compared to its RG counterpart. Please take time to feel this difference before committing to purchase.
The EMGs on board (85 bridge/ 60 neck) are proverbial pickups beyond the clean zone; to put it simply, EMGs are fantastic performers when it comes to any amount of overdrive or distortion you dial in. We should not put the S970 to task (excessively) for its acceptable-only clean performance because it wasn’t conceived to be immaculate in this aspect. However, the EMG 60 in the neck position isn’t too outgoing in terms of distortion, it could be made to sound prim & propel unlike it’s other siblings; smooth, fusion-like tones are available for your discovery. Still on electronics-related matters, the 3-way mini toggle isn’t the smoothest implement this reviewer had come across so curb your Malsteen-like switch flicking, please. All in all, the S920 retained its super playability with an active electronics perspective for those of us who wish to go beyond traditional. It has limited appeal in terms of clean tones but let’s not demerit a guitar which wasn’t put together to excel in that application.
Amps used for tone test:
• Laney: GH-50H
• Randall: RG75
Rating: 80%
Conclusion
There will be many among us who are attracted to the prospect of owning an EMG-equipped Ibanez super player especially so when the manufacturer had proclaimed a Premium grade model to oversee this proceeding- the S970 is superb in this consideration. Nevertheless, the EMG presence wouldn’t invite an immediate purchase confirmation, this is very much compounded by the fact that its tonal palette is limited to a mere volume control but EMG proponents would tell you that it’s the only control that matters. Also, the bare fretboard wouldn’t find many allies when it comes to a much needed assistance in terms of moving around. Congrats to Ibanez for giving us a charming Premium grade (pun intended) instrument but do take time to scrutinize your considerations before you part ways with those precious dollars as the S920 sits away from they more desirable $1K price point.
Final rating: 80%
Product availability:
• Swee Lee Co
Likes:
• Overall QC
• EMG pickups (for distortion)
• Case included
Dislikes:
• Unmarked fretboard
• EMG pickups (for cleans)
Worthy contender:
• LTD: H-1000FR
• UNO: Warzone
