ibanez frm100 (details of the affordable fireman)

[gwEm]

http://ibanez-news.blogspot.com/2011/07/paul-gilbert-frm100-specs-and-pictures.html

Colour: Transparent Red
Body: Mahogany
Neck: 3-pc Mahogany/Maple (set)
Neck Profile: FRM100
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Frets: Medium
Inlay: Pearl Dot
Pickups: Dimarzio Injector/Area 67/Injector
Bridge: Tight-Tune
HW Colour: CH
Country of Origin: China

still no release date announced.

but now i'm really happy with my Yamaha SGV.. I'm not sure I have too much GAS for this one anymore  :?

[Philly Q]

That's timely, I just mentioned the Fireman on another thread!

Proper DiMarzio pickups too!  :o

Do you reckon there's any chance this will have the pukka model's beefy neck, or will they opt for the lowest-common-denominator standard Ibanez matchstick neck?  My money's on the latter.....  :(

[Sancho]

Much to my own amazement, I find myself tempted by this one...

[gwEm]

Do you reckon there's any chance this will have the pukka model's beefy neck, or will they opt for the lowest-common-denominator standard Ibanez matchstick neck?  My money's on the latter.....  :(

Paul says: "The neck size and shape are a little smaller (per my request) than the original korina fireman, but still big enough to have lots of sustain and resonance."

so yeah, sounds like a chunky neck!

[gwEm]

the whole of Paul's writing:

Hello,

I've been too busy touring to ask about the release date of the new Fireman, but I do know some details about the guitar itself (because I've been playing a factory sample as my main guitar every night.)

The scale length remains 24.75" (like all my other Fireman guitars.) The neck joint is a set neck, and is pretty much identical to the previous high-priced model. The pickups are DiMarzio Injectors on the bridge and neck, and a DiMarzio Area 67 in the middle. The frets are the tall skinny ones that I love for bending and vibrato. The bridge and tailpiece are a new design from Ibanez that lock down tight for sustain and intonation consistency (make sure to have 2 different sized allen wrenches on hand to unlock and adjust the bridge.) The body is mahogany. The neck is too, and there is a reinforcement strip of another wood in the center (like my other Fireman guitars.) The neck size and shape are a little smaller (per my request) than the original korina fireman, but still big enough to have lots of sustain and resonance. And of course, it's a Fireman! The body shape has a feel to it that is very unique and functional in surprising ways. The long upper cutaway allows for great balance. It also rests on your body, close to your heart. Since my ears don't hear as well as they used to, it has become really important to me how a guitar feels and resonates. The Fireman's upper cutaway rests against me and the notes literally go straight to my heart. I wasn't thinking about this when I flipped an Iceman upside down, but it is a happy accident that I really like. The guitar is made in China, which brings the price down quite low. And after trying and touring with several factory samples, I'm convinced that the quality is top-notch.

I don't know anything about the "limited" sales of it one way or the other. I put all my energy into making sure the specs on the guitar were perfect. But I have a feeling that if I keep playing it, they'll keep selling it.

And it's red!

Thank you,

Paul

[Philly Q]

Do you reckon there's any chance this will have the pukka model's beefy neck, or will they opt for the lowest-common-denominator standard Ibanez matchstick neck?  My money's on the latter.....  :(

Paul says: "The neck size and shape are a little smaller (per my request) than the original korina fireman, but still big enough to have lots of sustain and resonance."

so yeah, sounds like a chunky neck!

Depending on what he means by "a little", I could be very interested in this.  Phil buys an Ibanez at last?   :o

[gwEm]

Do you reckon there's any chance this will have the pukka model's beefy neck, or will they opt for the lowest-common-denominator standard Ibanez matchstick neck?  My money's on the latter.....  :(

Paul says: "The neck size and shape are a little smaller (per my request) than the original korina fireman, but still big enough to have lots of sustain and resonance."

so yeah, sounds like a chunky neck!

Depending on what he means by "a little", I could be very interested in this.  Phil buys an Ibanez at last?   :o

theres a youtube video somewhere where paul shows this off. the original is like a tree trunk (bigger than a 50s les paul), and the affordable one is like a 50s les paul

[Philly Q]

theres a youtube video somewhere where paul shows this off. the original is like a tree trunk (bigger than a 50s les paul), and the affordable one is like a 50s les paul

Here we go, found it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5QWODzgEq0

He says it's only "microscopically" smaller!  :lol:

Gosh, I want one.  Not my usual kind of thing exactly, but it really appeals.....

[gwEm]

Gosh, I want one.  Not my usual kind of thing exactly, but it really appeals.....

its a great concept isn't it :) though theres a couple of things i'd like to change on it.

firstly, put that area 67 in the neck position, and a dummy pickup in the middle, with a three way switch
secondly, move the volume knob in to a position better for violining
thirdly, i can tolerate the red, but i'm sure i'd prefer a different lighter colour, white or whatever
fourthly, ebony fingerboard
fifthly, maybe not a tortoiseshell plate (but i'm getting picky now)

[Andrew W]

This is the first Ibanez I've wanted in years. I like that very much.

[Philly Q]

thirdly, i can tolerate the red, but i'm sure i'd prefer a different lighter colour, white or whatever

I'd prefer the korina, but it's a non-issue really.  The guitar is too cool for me to worry about the details (apart from the neck shape)

Let us know if you hear any more about when they're available!  :D

[Telerocker]

I quite like this one, in natural korina.

[Sancho]

firstly, put that area 67 in the neck position, and a dummy pickup in the middle, with a three way switch
secondly, move the volume knob in to a position better for violining
thirdly, i can tolerate the red, but i'm sure i'd prefer a different lighter colour, white or whatever

Firstly : lose the Area 67. I installed a set in a Strat. Rotten pickups!
Secondly : keep the volume knob where it is, no need to get it in the way of my picking hand
Thirdly : I'd love natural korina, but I doubt it'll happen at this pricepoint (one can only hope)

Hmm, quite hard to please all the people all the time I guess

[FELINEGUITARS]

Seems like a waste of an Iceman body to me :(

[Jonny]

I'd get it if the neck was smaller. But I'd still try it out to see if it was comfortable.

If not, then at least I know I'd get the shape as a custom!