Damn you Ikebe! :D

[Manji]

Got GAS for two of the guitars on there... both the Edwards E-AL-128 Alexi Laiho Scythe model (http://www.ikebe-gakki.com/shopping_20.php?cate=1&s_cate=1&brand=57&state=1&img_flg=1&page_cnt=12&order=1&state2=&start_index=12)

And the Ibanez VBT700 neck-thru flying V model (http://www.ikebe-gakki.com/shopping_20.php?cate=1&s_cate=1&brand=101&state=1&img_flg=1&page_cnt=48&order=1&state2=&start_index=0) Two thirds of the way down the page.

My only hesitation is over the functionality of the Edwards Alexi Laiho- since I generally always use the neck pickup on my guitars, and haven't really liked the tone of any bridge pickup that I've found, is there any point me getting the E-AL-128 if it only has a bridge pickup?  Will it deliver quite a sharp, cutting, clear tone or a more smudgy, thick, muddy one like every other bridge pickup I've tried?  I love it for the Floyd Rose and the kick-arse design, but if it's not going to give me the sound I want and is going to require extensive re-modelling or something, I'm not going to be keen.

The Ibanez is the second choice at the moment, but edging towards first if the E-AL-128 won't give me the tone that I really want... two active Seymour Duncans, neck-thru and a generally rather sexual body shape wins me over :D

Also, does anyone who's ordered from Ikebe over the internet know roughly how much shipping to the UK would be?

Thanks for hopefully alleviating my indecision ^_^

[Philly Q]

I generally always use the neck pickup on my guitars, and haven't really liked the tone of any bridge pickup that I've found, is there any point me getting the E-AL-128 if it only has a bridge pickup?  Will it deliver quite a sharp, cutting, clear tone or a more smudgy, thick, muddy one like every other bridge pickup I've tried?  

I'm not trying to be a smartarse here, but you find neck pickups sharp, cutting and clear and bridge pickups smudgy, thick and muddy?   :?  It really ought to be the other way round (although hopefully the neck pickup would sound warm rather than smudgy and muddy).

I haven't ordered from Ikebe, but if their prices are similar to Ishibashi's shipping would be about £70.  Then, of course, on top of that you have to add VAT and import duty.

[noodleplugerine]

I generally always use the neck pickup on my guitars, and haven't really liked the tone of any bridge pickup that I've found, is there any point me getting the E-AL-128 if it only has a bridge pickup?  Will it deliver quite a sharp, cutting, clear tone or a more smudgy, thick, muddy one like every other bridge pickup I've tried?  

I'm not trying to be a smartarse here, but you find neck pickups sharp, cutting and clear and bridge pickups smudgy, thick and muddy?   :?  It really ought to be the other way round (although hopefully the neck pickup would sound warm rather than smudgy and muddy).

I'm just as confused as you mate.

Was gunna reply saying the same but thought it would be too much coming from someone of my naïvity.

[LazyNinja]

Shipping from Ikebe was 22000 Yen last time I asked. You'll then need to add customs fee so you'll be looking at something like £120 for the total cost of getting it over here.

[Mr Ed]

The Laiho model will be lame. I don't even see why there's a tough decision: you say you prefer neck pickups, this doesn't have one...

[Manji]

True, but I was hoping someone who's perhaps played one could help me out because in terms of looks and other features (apart from the lack of a neck pickup) I really, really like it.  

And Philly/Noodle- yes, that's exactly it; I just find that the bridge pickup is too dense and thick (damn, it's hard to describe) while the neck pickup has a really sharp tone that is at the same time damned heavy.  I much prefer high-gain metal riffage with the neck pickup.

I guess it's personal preference :D

And thanks Ninja- £120 isn't too bad, even if I add that some of these guitars are absurdly cheap :D

[Sifu Ben]

Hhhmm, you seem to have Crazyjoe's old selector switch ;) The bridge pickup should be much clearer than the neck for high gain riffing, as it has more treble, more upper mids and better harmonic response with WAY less bass. Sharp and cutting are not terms you would normally associate with a neck pickup.