I had this instrument for a good week now and I have played the **** out of it so its review update time.
The guitar still FEELS GREAT!
It is actually making me re think my elitist love for the 90's wizard and super wizard necks.
The Build quality and action are great really. It could do with the fret ends balling, especially because i play like hendrix, fully gripping the neck, thumb over the top, I can do that easily enough though.
The set up was nice, I lowered the action to my tastes and It still could go lower for those that like that sort of thing.
I was Impressed with how straight the neck/truss was set, the tiniest ammount of relief.
The natural/unplugged voice is rather throaty/hollow woody and kind of like my maple board jem with more warmth.
Tuning Stability wise is taking some getting used to, I have been spoiled by my Floyd rose Edge and LoPro locking Trems.
I bend strings a lot and I keep having to tweak too often for my liking. It's the same when I try Les Pauls so maybe thats a regular tuning set up for you.
The pick ups are still the issue. there are times I love them and times not. In comparison to my Bare knuckles in my Floyd rose guitars they seem weak.
The difference in tone through the 5 positions is also subtle......too subtle for me.
They split nicely but obviously going single coil makes them even weaker but they have a lovely twang for bluesy stuff.
I have decided to Wind the Area 67 in middle position all the way in so I get more of just the split bucker,
I almost feel the the middle single coil is redundant because of the wiring.
No tone in in 1 and 2!!!? to stop mud maybe?? bugs me really :Ģ
The middle position give the combined powers of both the the humbuckers and it gives a quite powerful punch to the sound
(some say les pauly so I may go in my local dealer and compare) Would I prefer this position to give me just the single coil? not with the area 67 I wouldn't.
On a positive they are very sweet sounding and because of the A5 magnets have a nice cluck on the pick attack in the neck positions
and the natural throaty timbre of the guitar is enhanced more.
Here's the official page for the guitar so you can eyeball the spec
IBANEZ FIREMANAll in all The pick ups in time will have to move on and the wiring will be modded to my tastes but Ibanez China have made a good guitar.
In fact I think my review seems to talk a lot about what I didn't like so let me be clear I REALLY LIKE THIS GUITAR A LOT!!!
The finish is lovely, Its not heavy and really does balance well with a strap on (chuckle)
The bridge is tight and easy and comfortable to adjust and play.
Came with a set of D'addario 9's which are not my string of choice.
With Bare knuckles installed will it be great?
I will let you know
Tommie
