Anyone have an opinion on the Ibanez s470?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guitarweb
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So I found a store stocking both... tried the Samick UM-1, found it to be very uncomfortable and but the clean tone was alright. The neck wasn't anything special and I found where the guitar sits on your lap is really akward.

Played an s470 - tremolo was annoying as was the small body... the tones coming out of the stock pickups were actually laughable as far as fusion or metal goes. I also tried a Joe Satriani... not particularily impressive either.

So after all that I think I'll keep the G400 custom and get a Jackson Kelly... either a ke1 or ke3. As far as guitars for shredding go, Marty Friedman can't be wrong.

I'll probablly throw a Burstbucker 3 in the epiphone and change all the pots... definately a keeper as far as tone goes.
 
I'm also a huge Ibanez fan. Had always used RGs and EXs (older kindda entry level nice looking axe).

Until I tried one day an S1540FB Prestige. HOLLY F****ING BLOOOOODY COW!!!!!! 10 min later was walking out the store with it in my hands. I love Frank Gambale's style, hence I had been very interested in trying one of those S models. I play mostly metal nowadays.

I have to clarify that "Prestige" models are a TOTALLY different animal than regular models. But specifically with respect to the S1540FB, it is:
- Extremelly comfortable, I'm now in love with S-shaped guitars
- Incredibly fast and playable fingerboard
- Thin "Prestige" neck, which I personally think allows you to play faster and more comfortably.
- Killer sustain, I never believed this could come from such shaped guitar
- Great pickups, "Quantum" pickups are VERY hot, they are apparently custom manufactured by DiMarzio for Ibanez.
- Licensed Floyd Rose trem, low profile, very responsible but at the same time firm

While a regular S model would go for about $400, a Prestige is normally priced over $1k. But being this the KEY of your set-up, take the time to evaluate several options and decide what works best for you.
 
I've played a lot of s's, and my favorite part of them is by far the bridge. I havent played one of the prestige ones, so I'm referring to the affordable ones, and the bridges on those are really REALLY nice. You won't find a better floyd rose system on a guitar near that price. Heck I've played a jem before and didn't think that the floyd rose was as nice as that particular ibanez bridge. They are very low profile, they stay in tune well, and are really responsive to when you move the bar, but barely move at all if you bend two strings at once.
 
Guitarweb said:
So I found a store stocking both... tried the Samick UM-1, found it to be very uncomfortable and but the clean tone was alright. The neck wasn't anything special and I found where the guitar sits on your lap is really akward.
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The difference between the UM-1 and the UM-3 is like comparing a Kia to a Mercedes. Too bad they didn't have a UM-3 there. My UM-4 sits just fine when sitting and playing. Hmmmm... strange.

Here's another suggestion. Take a look at some Godin guitars. They're an awesome value for your money....

Radiator...
http://www.godinguitars.com/godinradp.htm

SD...
http://www.godinguitars.com/godinsdp.htm

Freeway Classic...
http://www.godinguitars.com/godinfreewayclassicp.htm

The rest...
http://www.godinguitars.com/godinperfseriesp.htm
 
Buck62 said:
I think the Ibanez S and RG series are probably the best mid-priced guitars for getting that awesome crunchy metal tone and sustain for fusion. I can't think of any other guitar that beats them for the money....

BUT!!!!!....

Just remember that the S470 is pretty much a one-trick-pony when it comes to versatility and getting great tone in other genres of music. It's not the guitar you want to reach for when doing classic rock, Stevie Ray, country rock, or just about any other genre besides metal or fusion which requires great sustain. That's why I recommend the Samick Ultramatic. It's slightly behind the S470 in the afformentioned categories, but it's more versatile overall if you're playing out live and don't want to spend time switching guitars while the crowd waits between songs, or if you just want a guitar with more overall tonal options. Anyway, I just can't get used to that smaller, thinner body of the Ibanez... but that's just me.

As usual, YMMV. :D
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I have an American strat for some of that other stuff. I might get an s470, I need something to play metal on cause the strat doesn't cut it in that area.
 
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