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Ibanez SA120 (ver 06)
List: $600
This guitar isn’t a new offering by Ibanez, in fact, this database has an SA120 review already. For a better specification discussion, kindly refer to that write-up. This appraisal serves to highlight the featured revision.
The SA120 remains a mahogany bodied guitar this 2006, similarly, the neck still features a maple/ rosewood fretboard combination. The default pickups remain to be the Axis humbuckers but the manufacturer has chosen to equip the bridge with an Alnico 5 magnet unit as opposed to the previous ceramic version in that position. The guitar’s unidirectional vibrato bridge is now the SAT Pro, the very model equipped in the Prestige SA. There is also a notable increase in the overall weight of the guitar. Unlike its predecessor, the rosewood grade here displays a healthy brown hue, there isn’t a trace of dryness, certainly a marked & laudable improvement in this aspect.
As there were no revisions in the neck dimensions as well as the fret wire size, the SA120 remains to be one of the most playable Ibanez that won’t cost you an arm & a leg. Due to an increased mass, the guitar in question has a healthy inherent bass response which is wisely addressed by the Alnico 5 powered bridge humbucker. The overall voicing from this pickup is more acceptable than its predecessor; certainly, it helps to eliminate the midrange inclination that makes a typical Axis pickup equipped guitar repulsive tone-wise. Although the neck pickup remains to be a ceramic magnet unit, it benefits from the heftier body as well, emanating a full tone both clean & driven (even at higher gain settings). Moving on to the SAT Pro bridge, it isn’t too different from the SAT30 in feel, the rounded bridge saddles mean that palm placement is more comfortable here if it wasn’t already with the former.
Conclusion
I am wondering if the inclusion of the Alnico 5 Axis humbucker in the bridge position is a conscious move by the manufacturer to address the heftier body, specifically. If it is so, then Ibanez are fully in control of their product’s tonal performance, otherwise, it remains to be a very productive accident. However, it won’t convert the tone discriminators among us readily. Some of us believe in doing away with these pickups altogether.
The inclusion of the SAT Pro bridge here is praise-worthy, it is an indication of how the manufacturer intends to propel this guitar. In fact, the arched surface & rounded tipped humbucker mounting ring included here, are also the stunning units used in the Prestige SA.
The 2006 version isn’t a better incarnation than its predecessor but it is more desirable in various bearings. Bravo to affordability & thoughtful upgrades in this SA120.
