Ibbyhead is a channel documenting and reviewing Ibanez guitars. My name is Michał Łusiak and I play Ibanez and more importantly study Ibanez guitars for over 20 years.
My mission on this channel is to document every Ibanez ever made. You'll find here reviews of Ibanez guitars, interviews with Ibanez collectors, videos of their collections and tips and tricks on how to setup and maintain your Ibanez guitar.
Check out my Instagram at @ibbyhead and feel free to drop me an email at ibbyreg@gmail.com.
Hello Ibbyhead, another great video, great content, and full of incredible information! I request a video on the Super 58 Pickups. Jazz box in a pickup!
I kinda see them as "too nice for Ibanez" - given the Ibanez genesis as "cheaper import alternative". In this way, I feel like mid-tier Korean/Indonesian guitar are much better representation of that spirit. But Fujigen guitars, especially modern, are amazing.
Oh wow, that paint job does look particularly bad, wonder how that happened there, other than that, I always liked the colours these came in and the bridge was always kind of interesting
From my limited experience with painting, I feel it didn't dry in proper conditions. It's a very deep colour, so really have to look against the light to see it, but I don't think it would pass quality check at Fujigen for example.
Phenomenal video, friend, I have an Ibanez RGHRG with Edge 3 bridge, I want to replace it with a Lo-Pro Edge, do you know if they have the same dimensions for exchange?
My old RG1570 had the Edge Pro and once set up that bridge would NOT go out of tune. It was insane how much abuse it could take. Still miss that guitar!
Bought a rg560 1989 recently and fell in love with the ibanez neck. Been looking for great info on the I anez li e from years past and found your chanel.. lovethe in depth reviews.. thank you.. I also love neck through guitars so this one is cool.. old-school for sure
Very informative video. Could you please recommend me a better upgrade to the cheaper edge3 which has softer materials and that does not require re routing of trem cavity. Would greatly appreciate the advice.
Generally Floyd Rose and it's copies fit, so maybe something like Floyd Rose Special would make sense financially. Gotoh GE1996T is also a popular choice.
I own a Edge Pro original from Jem 7VWH 2007 model but wanted to know between all this (Lo Pro Edge, original Edge and Edge Pro) which one is the best and why?
I think they're all great, but each has some upside. Usually people say that Lo Pro Edge and Original Edge are equally "the best tier" and Edge Pro is slightly below. They have slightly different feel, because the force arm is longer on lo pro and it's a bit stiffer, but I find it very comfy with that low profile. The biggest problem people have with the Edge Pro is that it doesn't have locking posts and this can lead to tuning issues. This is an easy upgrade.
Hi! This is a very good point, as it's common knowledge that RG550 shape is basically a cheap JEM. This may come from my personal bias, as I'm not a big fan of Vai's music or JEMs in general, but this information for sure should be mentioned in that video. Thank you for that feedback, and even more thank you for watching!
Have a 1991 RG 570 FM in blue. That is just a maple veneer on these right? It has a original wizard neck and original edge. V7 +V8 Pu's. I Got it on craigslist for a steal. $400 with case in mint condition! It looks like the guy that bought it never played it? A definite closet classic!😁
@@Ibbyhead Yeah i like it but it is not as good as my 550 or my 3120. The neck even though it is a original Wiz does not have that exact feel i go for whereas those other two RG's i own do. I will probably sell the 570fm soon. I have too many guitars. aside the Ibanez guitars i have 10 others and at this point i just do not want to own that many. My main player is the RG 550. love that neck!
@@These_go_to_eleven_1959 Those are some great alternatives, no wonder 570 needs to go :D I'm in the process of rebuilding 550. The neck was pretty trashed, I'm removing the rest of the flaking off finish and will probably oil finish it instead.
My first electric guitar is the exact same model built in 1992. I bought it from my guitar teacher when I was in 7th grade and for years I thought the original colour was green because for some reason the purple/violet finish faded to the point where it actually became green. I still own the guitar and it has a lot of sentimental value to me as well. Nice video, Cheers!
I misunderstood my Lo Pro Edge 7 for many years, but after watching this I am more confident of my tweaks. As far as leveling the bridge is concerned, I wanted a very specific plus pitch on the 2nd string so it is exactly 1.5 step. I can get that wild bend without actually cranking the 2nd string. Very expensive Universe, which I adore. Still afraid to play it! 😜
Thank you for sharing your videos!... I'm coming back to play my guitars after 12 years of being out. For problems in my hands and arms I couldn't play for all those years. Now I'm in therapy and also exercising and stretching every day and every time I can, and it's been working good, and now I can play for a little while without feeling a lot of pain. I bought an Strandberg guitar that's been amazing for my hands, worth the money hands down. But also I want to buy an Ibanez, I've alway loved those guitars, but I don't know as much as you do, in fact I'm absolutely obsolete aahahhaha, being out all those years, now a lot of things are different. I have 3 options that interest me the most (used), all japanese made. I've watched your video about the floating bridges and that helped me a lot!!... to decide mainly which models I don't want, based on the bridge they have. I was so lost before watching it, and your video was by far the most helpful of all the ones I've watched... so all my initial options went to the toilet and now the ones that call my attention are the ones with Edge or Lo-pro Edge bridges.... Prestige RG3120TW 2000 (about U$1.400 case included) / Prestige RG652AHM AWD 2018 (about U$1.050, only guitar, no case) / RG550 Genesis 2018-2024 (about U$680-880 only guitar, no case). I have no problem to pay $1.400 for a prestige guitar, I know they are great, but still the genesis is about half the price and I don't know if the quality difference is that much to cost the double. What do you think about those 3 options and wich would you choose my friend? or do you recommend any other model? (the guitar case is not that important to me bc I' wont play with bands anymore,...also I don't really need to save half the money buying the 550, but it also would be great to save half of the money aahahahah... I guess I'm trying to say that Quality is important, but if it's not that much difference...). Your videos have been so helpful, so I trust 100% on your knowledge and judgment. Thank you so much!!! Regards from Chile
I'm so sorry I've missed your comment! All of those are fantastic options. Genesis will give you this 1980s flair. They also cut some corners on them, to keep the price low and have them made in Japan. From what I saw and heard, there are some minor issues with fret finishing and general quality issues around cosmetics. They were also sold without case. RG3120 is amazing guitar. But because they're so cherished in the community, the prices are pretty steep. RG652 would be slightly lower tier in comparison to RG3120, but I really love that blonde finish on ash body. It's a beautiful guitar. Also consider what you like visually. If you like the guitar, you'll be more eager to pick it up more often :)
@@Ibbyhead don't worry my friend, your videos have already been very helpful to make my choice. I've decided to go for the 3120TW but it was sold before I contacted the seller... so I've decided to wait a little, and then I've ended up buying a japanese RG570 from 2000, and I like it a lot. I have about 12 guitars but I use a lot the Ibanez (the only one I have). I was worried for the thin neck but this one has the wizard, and it's not so thin as the superwizard I think, and it's not uncomfortable for me at all... maybe because I have 2 ESPs and 5 LTDs so the necks are pretty similar in thickness. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me and share your knowledge.
They seem like really comfortable guitars, and they sound great. I'd love having one of these, but made to look like a Racer X guitar, in a super bright pink color and black hardware
Nice! One of my best friends and fellow guitar players got that same Xiphos new when it came out. We were big Necrophagist fans, so we were so hyped for these! Great video as always Michal!
I only own one RG with a "cheaper" EDGE and that one is my RG350MDX. all my other Ibanez guitars all have the original Edge or the lo pro Edge. Even though the Edge III is no where near as good as a original Edge it is not complete trash either. I have used it for over 7 years now and it still stays in tune even with extreme Vai / Satch type Bar stunts. I mean how bad can they be? I can only go by my own experience and say the EDGE III has never given me a issue in over 7 years of use and think it deserves to be a bit higher on your EDGE tier list.
Looks to me like a more affordable RG 3120. I would much rather have my 3120 but this would have been a great option for those that could not get a 3120.
There are some similarities. The biggest difference is probably the baritone scale. Everything else is more or less modifiable. I'd rather have 3120 too, tbh :)
bushing hack : use cigarette lighter to burn/heat up the bushing for around 2 seconds, bushing should expand a bit to have more firm grip when popping in into the arm slot. i did this all the time and it works like a charm 😊
Can u please please help me 🙏 i Have a Js 2400 ibanez guitar and my bridge is fully rusted to death n m looking for online for a new one but i cant find one, please help me which bridge will fit in my Js2400 ibanez guitar,i m unable to find online solutions for this 🙏
Hi! JS2400 had Ibanez Edge stock, so that's good news - it's fairly common to find. The bad news is that Joe's guitars have different fretboard radius then for example Ibanez RG - they're much rounder, and the plate on that tremolo have to resemble that. Where are you located? I'll try to help you find what you're looking for!
@@Ibbyhead Hello I am located in India(northeast part of it)my bridge is fully rusted,I tried to put anti rust and tried to soak it in vinegar but doesn't look like it will recover,and I don't have good guitar tech here so if I find a bridge I will learn myself how to install if I can find one for my guitar,it lying in corner for 3/4 years n I feel bad about it Thank you for reverting 🙏
I have two VV and one TW. Fantastic instruments. I’m not in love with the DR colour, but would still like one just to complete the set. Very rare in the UK.
@ibbyhead, I got that deep red 3120 a few hours ago and it is incredible! overall it is in mint condition except for one small paint ship on the back at the bottom near the jack. More importantly the frets are like new? Did the guy even play this RG? It is a 25 year old guitar and has no fret wear??? Well that is good for me!😁 I love these 3120's and plan on getting a TW Blue or VV next. I paid $1000 with case. It still has the stock Tone zone and PAF Pro thankfully because i love that combo.
Love these RG's getting ready to buy a 1999 one in Deep red later this week. what serial number does it need to be a J craft version? You mentioned the early ones are?
J.Custom - it's a second serial number in black ink, next to regular F stamp. They're quite uncommon and mostly 1999 pieces. J-Craft is a marketing term, that Ibanez used in 2000s for some Japanese guitars. Probably to just confuse people that they're getting a J.Custom. Need to make episode about this :D
@@Ibbyhead The serial Number for the RG3120 in deep red i am getting is F9817994? is that a true custom shop version? I also thought the second digit was the year of the RG? On my RG570FM from 1991 it starts with a F1 for Fuji Gen 1991? also Powder Cosmo is different than Cosmo black. Powder Cosmo is a Matte finish and the regular Cosmo black is shiney and more chrome like.
@@These_go_to_eleven_1959 There is not really such thing like "true custom shop" when talking serial produced guitars. Even J.customs are "mass-produced" (in dozens, but still, not "custom"). I was wrong in previous comment, I meant to say that some 1997 models had two stamps, one regular Fujigen, and second black inked J.Custom one starting with "97". Fujigen serial numbers until 1996 had format F+6 digits, where the first digit was the year. In 1996, they had to add one digit to not confuse 1996 and 1986, and since then the first two digits are years. That's why 1998 in yours. Thanks for clarifying the Powder Cosmo/Cosmo Black situation. You're totally right!
@@Ibbyhead Thanks for the info on the serial numbers. 👍 I seen where the 1997 ones had a "Prestige" inlay at the 24th fret. That is badass wish they would have kept that. makes it look even more "custom"
Lol next video about cheaper gear in guitar world, as about digitech bad monkey that prices will go higher, up to higher price range Of course I'm joking 😄
Great knowledge, man! I share you feelings about 90/00's style of guitars customization. It was weak back then but now it's unique. I can't wait for the next episode! And... I like your amp🧡🖤 Salute
