penta-tonic
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hey sub how much u think de rg321 will go for?
GEAR news 2005
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hello friends, pretty excited yes?
time for some speculation....
the Iceman woul be about the SZ list price, it wouldn't exceed $1K. the 321 on the other hand, would list for about $680. i have no idea whether this year's mahagony version woud exceed the basswood's price. it's the best time to get one, i'd be doing just that come tuesday 8)
the SZ neck profile is not similar to PRS. although both are substantially chunky, the SZ has a narrower profile & it's more rounded. the PRS on the other hand has a 'D' profile & rather wide. a wide neck is superb for chording, if you play more than chords, you'd benefit from a slightly narrower neck like the SZ's.
a little on the Ibanez SZ320
this guitar comes in 2 types of finishes- solid colours/ bare.
solid finishes like the black & gold top has a maple laminate top. if you think it's gonna make a significant tonal difference- nope. the solid finish versions has a tighter bass response. the bare finish (weathered brown) has a more open tone, very well-balanced IMO.
if you prefer non-sticky necks like i do, you'd do well to try the weathered brown finish but be prepared for extra maintenance as the bare finish dries up very easily under our equatorial climate. if you leave this guitar out in the open after play, the drying would be very rapid. the remedy of course is to apply (sparingly) wood conditioner/ bees wax (Self-fix hardware shop- $7+/-), which is what i've been doing. this should be done once in about 6 weeks or so. apply & wipe-dry immediately to prevent a sticky build-up. 8)
time for some speculation....
the Iceman woul be about the SZ list price, it wouldn't exceed $1K. the 321 on the other hand, would list for about $680. i have no idea whether this year's mahagony version woud exceed the basswood's price. it's the best time to get one, i'd be doing just that come tuesday 8)
the SZ neck profile is not similar to PRS. although both are substantially chunky, the SZ has a narrower profile & it's more rounded. the PRS on the other hand has a 'D' profile & rather wide. a wide neck is superb for chording, if you play more than chords, you'd benefit from a slightly narrower neck like the SZ's.
a little on the Ibanez SZ320
this guitar comes in 2 types of finishes- solid colours/ bare.
solid finishes like the black & gold top has a maple laminate top. if you think it's gonna make a significant tonal difference- nope. the solid finish versions has a tighter bass response. the bare finish (weathered brown) has a more open tone, very well-balanced IMO.
if you prefer non-sticky necks like i do, you'd do well to try the weathered brown finish but be prepared for extra maintenance as the bare finish dries up very easily under our equatorial climate. if you leave this guitar out in the open after play, the drying would be very rapid. the remedy of course is to apply (sparingly) wood conditioner/ bees wax (Self-fix hardware shop- $7+/-), which is what i've been doing. this should be done once in about 6 weeks or so. apply & wipe-dry immediately to prevent a sticky build-up. 8)
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if you are after the re-issue Tube Screamer TS808, these are also in stock, limited pieces. expect to pay up to $250 for one, no kidding...
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Review: Ibanez GSZ120
Ibanez GSZ120
List: $470
So the GSZ120 is simply the budget representation of the superb SZ model by Ibanez- or is it? I hope the following write-up would give you an idea of what the GSZ is all about…
The GSZ120 is new for 2005 (G denotes ‘Gio’, Ibanez’s budget take on its mid-priced models), it sports the following specs to differentiate it substantially from its SZ siblings:
• Basswood body + maple neck- not mahogany like its other SZ brothers
• STD pickups- SZ models sport Duncan Ibanez models WEF 2005
• Full Tune II bridge- SZ models are equipped with the fantastic Gibraltar II bridge & string through body stringing for ultimate sustain
• Rounded body edges (ala JS models)- as opposed to the curved top SZ design
• The pickup toggle switch is also located at the tail end, unlike the SZ which is grouped together with the control knobs
Despite being basswood, the overall mass of this baby is rather substantial, heavier than some of the GRX/ GAX models on display. The fit of this guitar is top notch, but I can’t say likewise about the finish. The neck-body joint area displayed sanding marks, & those frets- the biggest let down here. Edges are sharp notably at the 2nd, 3rd, 7th & 9th frets on the treble end. Yes, I actually noted where it was exactly… the lad who snipped the frets off is probably a novice but if he’s the same chap who inserted the frets in the first place, then he should be whacked in the head severely, because they were perfect insertions all along the neck. No complaints on others physical aspects though. Moving on to tone…
A pleasant surprise. It’s my first engagement with those STD humbuckers, well they sound less shrieky than Powersounds & Infinities, among others. However, the neck unit could use a little top end clarity. Under lots of gain, upper fret notes turn to mush very easily. The overall tone on offer here truly reflects the overall mass of the guitar, nothing excessively bright like some of the GRX models I know. EQ your amp accordingly & the GSZ is ready to rumble, I did lots of low-end chugging intentionally with this one & it passed the test. Do not expect immaculate clean tones though, it doesn’t even sound as sweet as I expected with the volume rolled back.
IMO the highlight of this guitar is the neck. It’s not RG-thin, substantial C-curve for grabbing & it’s narrower in width, to induce speed freaks to move effortlessly across the fretboard. The medium frets gave this GSZ a rather accurate replication of the SZ feel, which would earn this guitar top marks in my books (with regards to entry-level models that is) save for those sharp frets…
So what is the GSZ all about, really? It’s about owning a good entry level guitar with lots of mid-priced appointments in store (any other models feature rounded edges + neck binding at this price?). Please disassociate the GSZ from its SZ brothers because it’s not a mahogany whole, it’s not even set-neck to begin with. The resemblance is merely in looks. Highly recommended as a first electric, forgive the sharp fret edges of this test model though. Note the list price, it could be had for less if you talk your way through… 8)
Ibanez GSZ120
List: $470
So the GSZ120 is simply the budget representation of the superb SZ model by Ibanez- or is it? I hope the following write-up would give you an idea of what the GSZ is all about…
The GSZ120 is new for 2005 (G denotes ‘Gio’, Ibanez’s budget take on its mid-priced models), it sports the following specs to differentiate it substantially from its SZ siblings:
• Basswood body + maple neck- not mahogany like its other SZ brothers
• STD pickups- SZ models sport Duncan Ibanez models WEF 2005
• Full Tune II bridge- SZ models are equipped with the fantastic Gibraltar II bridge & string through body stringing for ultimate sustain
• Rounded body edges (ala JS models)- as opposed to the curved top SZ design
• The pickup toggle switch is also located at the tail end, unlike the SZ which is grouped together with the control knobs
Despite being basswood, the overall mass of this baby is rather substantial, heavier than some of the GRX/ GAX models on display. The fit of this guitar is top notch, but I can’t say likewise about the finish. The neck-body joint area displayed sanding marks, & those frets- the biggest let down here. Edges are sharp notably at the 2nd, 3rd, 7th & 9th frets on the treble end. Yes, I actually noted where it was exactly… the lad who snipped the frets off is probably a novice but if he’s the same chap who inserted the frets in the first place, then he should be whacked in the head severely, because they were perfect insertions all along the neck. No complaints on others physical aspects though. Moving on to tone…
A pleasant surprise. It’s my first engagement with those STD humbuckers, well they sound less shrieky than Powersounds & Infinities, among others. However, the neck unit could use a little top end clarity. Under lots of gain, upper fret notes turn to mush very easily. The overall tone on offer here truly reflects the overall mass of the guitar, nothing excessively bright like some of the GRX models I know. EQ your amp accordingly & the GSZ is ready to rumble, I did lots of low-end chugging intentionally with this one & it passed the test. Do not expect immaculate clean tones though, it doesn’t even sound as sweet as I expected with the volume rolled back.
IMO the highlight of this guitar is the neck. It’s not RG-thin, substantial C-curve for grabbing & it’s narrower in width, to induce speed freaks to move effortlessly across the fretboard. The medium frets gave this GSZ a rather accurate replication of the SZ feel, which would earn this guitar top marks in my books (with regards to entry-level models that is) save for those sharp frets…
So what is the GSZ all about, really? It’s about owning a good entry level guitar with lots of mid-priced appointments in store (any other models feature rounded edges + neck binding at this price?). Please disassociate the GSZ from its SZ brothers because it’s not a mahogany whole, it’s not even set-neck to begin with. The resemblance is merely in looks. Highly recommended as a first electric, forgive the sharp fret edges of this test model though. Note the list price, it could be had for less if you talk your way through… 8)
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upcoming reviews:
*Ibanez RG321MH
*Ibanez S520EX
*Ibanez RG321MH
*Ibanez S520EX
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stars- i have yet to check out the 2005 Ibanez basses which came with the guitar consignment, would do that Saturday (25th Feb...) 8)
hofner- can, just give me the guitar, i'll do the write-up...
hofner- can, just give me the guitar, i'll do the write-up...
I've got the new shipment of rg321mh just yesterday..all i can say...considerably high sustain for a very lightweight body[not sure why but it's mahogany]...the fixed bridge and tuners are not very gd at keeping the axe in tune after say 20mins of hardcore chugging and soloing..however this breaks off all the hassles of the irritating floyd
...i paid $504 for the guitar after discount
...i paid $504 for the guitar after discount
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i have a different opinion on the RG321, but that'll come in my upcoming review... bought one already: very impressed 8)
just wanna say that there's a misconception about sustain & the guitar body's mass. heavy doesn't always equal more sustain. we tend to think this way, thanks to the proverbial Les Paul which everyone would come across along the way. you'd be surprise that lighter materials like resoncast & poplar would give immaculate sustain if coupled with the right neck weight. one of Steve Morse's signature Ernie Ball (personal model, not production units) is resoncast. it's personally chosen by Morse for one of his Deep Purple tour. a friend of mine who was a tech for DP's concert here (Fort Canning) confirmed this. & the guitar was even floyd-rose equipped...
just wanna say that there's a misconception about sustain & the guitar body's mass. heavy doesn't always equal more sustain. we tend to think this way, thanks to the proverbial Les Paul which everyone would come across along the way. you'd be surprise that lighter materials like resoncast & poplar would give immaculate sustain if coupled with the right neck weight. one of Steve Morse's signature Ernie Ball (personal model, not production units) is resoncast. it's personally chosen by Morse for one of his Deep Purple tour. a friend of mine who was a tech for DP's concert here (Fort Canning) confirmed this. & the guitar was even floyd-rose equipped...
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Ibanez RG321MH
List: $640
When the RG421 debuted 3 years ago, it was instantly revered as the fixed bridge RG to acquire, its Japanese make further bolstered its status as a fine player. However, it was superseded by the Korean 321 only a year after its debut, much to the dismay of ardent fans but the less snobbish among us would still hold it in high regards because the fit, finish & overall tone easily exceeded its asking price. This 2005, the 321 goes one up by being mahogany in all finishes offered, it’s now also devoid of a lacquer overcoat, what many enthusiasts refer to as a ‘satin finish’ which IMO adds punch to tone. FYI- the 421 didn’t even make it here…
Finish & body wood type aside, this year’s 321 also has different default pickups on offer, the (dreaded) Infinity pair but don’t let that bother you a single bit. Do read on…
The Wizard II neck of the RG321 isn’t the skinniest on offer in the Ibanez range, it’s what I refer to as a ‘just right’ neck; neither too thin, nor too fat. You get 24 Jumbo frets on this guitar, a single volume & tone control but a 5-way pickup switching configuration for a more expansive tonal palette. The out-of-the-box action is fairly low but very bend-friendly, there were no choked notes either, implying good workmanship on the frets on offer. The neck is also very straight & the neck binding here is simply top class, no frayed edges near the nut area too- thumbs way up. The 321 weighs considerably lesser than its vibrato bridge equipped siblings but this isn’t a demerit in any way because…
…the sustain speaks for itself. IMO 3 factors contribute to this: 1.A complementary neck mass 2.Through body stringing 3.The pickups. Yes you didn’t read wrong my friends, the Infinities are more than decent here (read my RG320 review & you’ll know why these are duds). However, please do not expect PAF-like clean tone here, the humbuckers were not conceived to be that immaculate in the first instance. However, you would definitely hear lots of midrange warmth from this mahogany body, just the way I like it.
My only complain here would be the tuners, which aren’t equal tensioned across the headstock. Some were too stiff, others, too slack. Initially, I attributed the tuning instability to a badly cut nut but a closer inspection revealed impressive incisions, so the tuners are exclusive culprits. It’s nothing player unserviceable, just get your screwdriver out & rectify accordingly. Done.
Yes, I bought this guitar after an extended audition. It was thoroughly impressive despite the tuners setback. It covers rock & high gain metal effortlessly. For a more impressive clean tone, it’d do better with a supplementary chorus pedal. If you are after a non-vibrato bridge solid body, I’d still stand by my current recommendations: the SZ series & definitely this RG321. I’m really glad that the 321 treaded the mahogany path, it didn’t out-tone the previous basswood incarnation, it simply gives the guitar a different voicing, which many of us here would fancy. Be nice to the salesperson you talk to, convince him this guitar should be acquired for $499- then you’ve got one heck of a bargain.
**PS: yup, this year's RG321 cost slightly more than the baswood version that ceased production last year... so if someone's selling you the 2004 version, ask for less...
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oh sheesh... 
don't need the toast, but thanks! i'd be more than happy if you read my write-ups...
don't need the toast, but thanks! i'd be more than happy if you read my write-ups...
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let me try to rephrase that: Is there a maple fretboard Rg321? i hope this was what you meant because the neck's definitely maple...
answering the question- nope... 8)
REVISION:
apologies all round... the correct list price for the RG321MH is: $620... i think that should be enough enticement for those of us who are looking for a non vibrato bridge guitar...
answering the question- nope... 8)
REVISION:
apologies all round...
the correct list price for the RG321MH is: $620... i think that should be enough enticement for those of us who are looking for a non vibrato bridge guitar...
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penguin: maple fretboard + mahogany body RG is available, but it's the limited edition RG1550 which i reviewed last year (check out GEAR NEWS 2004). however, it's not fixed bridge- Edge Pro... 8)
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