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Ibanez SAS36
List: $1,000
Ibanez, perhaps the most proverbial name in rock guitar, has a revised offering in store for us keen devotees. The SAS model, the line’s set-neck make of the popular SA series, now comes in an HSS pickup combination, together with a top of the line bridge & Ibanez’s new, patent-pending, True Duo humbucker. It is a surprise emergence as the SAS32, the 36’s elder sibling in its range, was a regional exclusive in 2005. When the 36 is featured in the manufacturer’s 2006 catalogue, there is faint hope for it its debut here. Skeptics were proven wrong.
For those new to the SA line of guitars, this model is a derivative of the super sleek S-series, differing only in the flat rear body design & neck dimensions (slight); the SA neck is 1mm narrower at the nut, 0.5mm thicker at the first & 12th fret; minute differences to some of us, substantial to the rest.
The SAS has a colossal visual presence- genuine flame laminate body/ headstock top & binding all round (body/ neck/ headstock). The SAT Pro bridge is now a standard feature of the SA range which adds sophistication while providing rounded parts to enhance palm placement comfort.
In the department where far eastern constructional & fitting standards are primary culprits in plummeting a product’s reputation, the measure exemplified by the 36 will put many other European/ US models to shame. Save for a slight gap between the nut & headstock, the 36 is a winner all round. However, the metal tone & volume knobs here look too bargain-rated to fully complement the guitar’s charming presence.
In use
If the Wizard/ II neck isn’t your cup of tea, the SA version isn’t a total departure either. While the depth of it is too familiar, the width difference should offer players a different experience, albeit not being too varied. The review model came with very low action, coupled with the medium frets, it makes playing a breeze but chords generate an unwanted buzz; the set up could have been better.
The much hyped True Duo humbucker features a stacked single coil for noiseless moments when the pickup is split- yes, the guitar comes with a push/ pull volume knob to achieve this activation. With this additional circuitry, the SAS36 offers the player 7 voicing variation, an array of both humbucking & single coil tonalities are at your disposal. While we applaud the technical aspects of this provision, the True Duo unit falls short of a fine, deep, humbucking tone. In fact, it was uncharacteristically twangy even in its full mode. Unless you supplement it with a bass-healthy EQ setting, things are going to sound excessively bright inherently. The neck/ middle single coils in this guitar are simply sweet, alnico sounding pieces. They fare better than the humbucker in both clean & driven settings.
What can we say of the SAT Pro vibrato bridge? It works well but its degree of responsiveness isn’t as smooth as other vibrato units Ibanez has to offer (Edge/ ZR). It definitely needs a locking set of tuners/ machine heads to ensure more tuning stability when in use. However, the rounded components & embedded action adjustment screws makes playing very comfortable & addictive.
Final comments
A stunning offering by Ibanez, pity the humbucker performance- technical competence vs voicing necessity; which will you choose? The finished neck rear will limit the number of ready fans of this guitar; however, if you embrace the SZ version, this one isn’t any different in terms of feel. The highlight of this guitar is undoubtedly the set neck construction which enhances upper frets access readily.
While it is very heartening to see Ibanez upgrading the SA guitars, they could have done better by addressing a more crucial concern- a guitar SHOULD be more adept in tone above all else. However, the ‘problem’ can be easily rectified with an EQ pedal or a pickup swap. Do not dismiss the SAS just yet.
Likes:
• Set neck construction
• Visually stunning
• Above average single coils performance
• Overall playing comfort
• Uncompromised construction/ fit
• Humbucker coil-split option
Dislikes:
• Harsh sounding humbucker
• Budget looking knobs
• Nut not well fitted
