I've never really like the aesthetic of headless guitars in the past, but there's something about this guitar that makes me think otherwise. It looks absolutely beautiful. I am super tempted to pick one of these up as both my first headless and first 7 string.
I was in a similar position mate! I didn’t think a headless was for me before getting a hold of this. Give one a try, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised! And thanks for checking out the video, I appreciate it! 🤘
No problem man, thanks for checking it out! I like them a lot actually, I find them very comfortable especially if I’m sitting classical style. I hope you enjoy it if you pick one up! 🤘
I'm a big headless fan and just found out this week that Ibanez is showcasing a lineup... Got this and the Ichiko Nito signature reserved. I have a lot of steinberger clones in my collection and primarily record with them due to easy playability and tuning stability. 🤘🧐🤘
Thanks for checking out the video Jei, I appreciate it a bunch. Awesome choices, I’d love to try out the Ichika at some point. You’re right, the stability of headless for recording is amazing. Hope you enjoy the new axes 👊🤘
Update! My 7 string is finally in my living room! Unboxing tomorrow after work. Also, should be getting my Ichika Nito signature for Christmas. Holy crap you've got a Yamaha Revstar too!? That's an acquisition for next year.
Woo! This one is a bit older. I've tried this guitar at a local guitar shop and they sound majestic!! I am sad that they don't have a silver or blue one ( i think theres a new one thats a 7 string blue Ibanez 💙)Time to listen to your demo dude 😊.
Perfect use for the dynamic switch is tracking hard pan left and right guitar tracks. Gives them just enough variable to keep it from sounding so plain. I hunt for the dynamic switch when I shop now 😎
It’s always good to have a guitar to aim for. Keep an eye out for the second hand deals from people who bought them but don’t get along with them. Hope you get your hands on one mate 🤘
It's not mate, no. It's an Ibanez own headless fixed bridge. They did a really good job with it! Would love to see a Quest with a trem though! Thanks for watching, I really appreciate it 🤘
I might be a headless convert already and I don't even own one. I have been bothered by the size and weight of aversge guitars lately, I mean I love my Schecter it's my favorite, but I'm always putting it down for my Ukes, because they are so light and compact to play, even tho I know it's a totally different instrument. I just figured a headless would give me back my vibe
It’s entirely likely dude, they’re so good to play on and really light! Give one a go if you ever have the chance. Thanks for watching and commenting mate 🤘
Nice review and demo. I'm leaning towards one of the Q series guitars but I now need to decide on 6 vs 7 string. It'd be my first 7 string and I don't really have a good 6 string option for a 24 fret humbucker guitar so I'd probably have to use the 7 string for non 7 string songs - does anyone think that'd be crazy?
Thanks for watching mate, I hope it helped some! The 6 string Q I mentioned ordering at the end of this video has been here a little while and I’m editing the review today. It might help you make up your mind! 👊 I don’t think it’s a bad idea to use a 7 for 6 string songs at all though dude if you’re sticking with standard tuning. It can be a little awkward having the low B in the way though at times but it’s not unmanageable. That said, if I’m playing 6 string songs I prefer to do it on a 6, so it comes down to personal preference. Hope this helps some!
First, great video! I never check videos with headless guitar, but Ibanez caught my attention. It is easy to do a drop A tuning ? How about tuning stability, it is near of an Evertune bridge? Playing metal like Trivium, do you think these pickups can deliver the massive tone? (Like fishman fluence modern or Nazgûl)
I appreciate that man, thank you very much! Tuning to drop A is very easy, just as easy as drop tuning a regular guitar, and the tuning stability is great. I’ve never used an Evertune but I don’t think this is comparable to that. It’s solid but it doesn’t have any mechanical system like the Evertune does governing string tension. The pickups are very good indeed. Definitely very flexible and provided your rig is set up right you can get a huge tone. But they aren’t active so they’re not as hot fluence etc. Hope that helps dude!
Hi Jack! Nice video and honest review, definetely hit the subscribe button! I have also a headless (Kiesel Osiris 7 sting multiscale), and can't really like the headed guitars anymore. :) I don't say there will full converting to headless, but I use the headless a lot more than the other two Kiesels - which are fantastic guitars also. :) There may will be an Ibanez Quest added to the collection. :)
That’s super kind of you dude, thank you. Im glad to have you around! I know how you feel man, I do still play my headed(?) guitars but my headless ones are just so much better feeling. Thanks again dude 🤘
Hey bro! I’m sorry man, I don’t have it anymore. Killer guitar but when I’m getting new axes in to test some have to go unfortunately. As an estimate, I’d say it was about 30-32 inches end to end. I hope that helps man and thanks for checking out the video 🤘
@@JackTaylorGuitars aight gonna write to a shop to measure ;p im curious if it could play the role of a travel guitar, i plan to travel often and i wanna be able to pu the damn g in the big travel bag, can't afford to buy 2 tickets ...so sad that air companies dont always allow u to bring a normal guitar ;## . Really wholesome you are in the vid btw ;D
Ahhh I see dude! Yeah, definitely have a check with a shop. I’d say it’s potentially something you do but worth finding out for sure first. Absolute robbery that you have to pay extra on flights man! And that’s kind of you to say dude, I appreciate it 🙏
@Jack Taylor Guitars gonna wait for their answer, also the simple idea of removing my strat neck just came to me a few minutes ago. Maybe not the best option overall, but sure the cheapest and simplest 😂
Hi Jack! Loved your review! Can you tell me the string scale/length, for the low B string specifically! Even though with slanted frets they are all the same, that low string scale length is super important to a 7 string player!
Hey, that’s kind of you mate. Thank you 🤘 Officially, it’s a 25.5” scale. I personally find it maybe a little short but you’ll have an idea of what you like. I really appreciate you watching the video, thanks again!
Nice video, enjoyed the solo. I could see myself playing one of these, i wonder how long those frets last compared to stainless, I've kinda promised myself stainless frets for my next guitar
Cheers bro! I really liked the feel of the Evogolds. Apparently, a little softer than stainless but harder than nickel. I’d I love a stainless fret though!
thanks man. i've been thinking about getting that guitar. excellent explanation and jam ... just enough to get a hear of the thing without getting spammed with glitter.
Thanks so much for your comments and checking the video out dude! You’re absolutely right, the dynamix switch is awesome for tracking left and right guitars. Best of luck on your hunt for a new axe! 🤘
I appreciate that mate, thank you so much for watching! I generally stay in B standard or drop A right now. Once my 6 string Quest gets here I think I’m experiment a little with the 7 though.
@@JackTaylorGuitars These are to compete with Strandberg. Strandberg's reason for their guitars is ergonomics. I don't want an "ergonomic" guitar if it doesn't have NTB construction.
The Ibanez AX70 and AX75 in the Axstar-series back in 1985-86 were headless so this isn't Ibanez first headless actually. 🙂 Saw them in stores back in those days but i just thought they looked weird. 😄 The Q-series looks great and i think i will pick up a QX52, those slanted frets intrigues me. 🤔 I mostly play guitars with floating bridges and i fear, for my wallets sake, that Ibanez will put out a Prestige Quest with a floating trem that will probably cost the double compared to the Indonesian made Q-series.
Dude, I didn’t know that but thank you for the info! I’ll look at changing the title soon or correcting myself in the next video. The Q54 I mentioned ordering in this video came recently so I’m going to do a quick comparison soon. I don’t know if it helps you though, but I actually prefer the straight frets and the neck profile on the Q54 though the QX still feels great. And I know how you feel about a floating trem prestige option 😂 Thanks for checking the video out too!
@@JackTaylorGuitars In all fairness, not many people seem to remember the Axstar-series, and i don't think they sold many of them. 😊 If i remember the specs for the Q-series, the X-versions have a bit thinner and flatter necks and that usually feels better for me, but still considering the Q52. Decisions decisions! 🤔 Looking forward to your comparison. 🙂
@@SledgemanGuitar All good, I’d rather be accurate with my titles. Definitely appreciate it! I actually just had a look at the Axstars, they really are weird. That’s right, yeah. The X version necks are very flat and 19mm thickness for the length of the neck. If you’re into that then that’s your one dude! They’re very comfortable for sure. Thanks again mate! It should be out soon 👊
Hi great video. I liked the look of this when I first saw it then went right off it, now I'm looking at it again , Ive just tried an fgn 7 string but sent it back , tuning was doing my head in .then I tried an apex 30 with evertune but sent it back, quality control issues, I might give one of these a go after all if the tuning stability is as good as u say
Cheers Mick I’m glad you enjoyed it mate 🤘 sounds like you’ve not had much luck. My only reservation with these after keeping an eye on them for a while is that QC seems to have been a bit hit and miss. Mine was good but I’m surprised how many people I’ve seen with problems over the whole Q series. Tuning was solid though if that’s a big thing to tick off. Thanks again mate 🤙
@@JackTaylorGuitars The apex I tried was terrible , rusty strings, tool marks on the edge of the fretboard and light pick marks on the body , what issues are you aware of so I can check during the trial period, so I can send it back if I find anything, have you ever tried a strandberg??
So sorry for the late reply dude. Apparently I don’t get notifications for these replies. Issues I know of are the wrong neck being fitted in rare cases ie. The slanted fret on a straight fret body/bridge. Mostly just being really poor from a QC perspective, bad paint, joints, electronics. That sort of thing. I’ve never tried a strandberg unfortunate. Though I would looove to get my hands on the black Plini signature!
I saw that recently! So cool man. I don’t think they make a huge difference mate, no. If you’re after the new six over the seven then go for it. I’m sure it’ll still be sick🤘
@@JackTaylorGuitars thanks for your response mate :) Gonna take a look at it then. I somehow like the color of it and in general those ibanez headless ones are pretty cool. Kinda a futuristic evolution of guitars. I heard the slanted versions got a thinner neck profil. Do you have any experience with that?
No problem dude! Yeah they’re a great take on the headless formula for sure. Absolutely man, the slanted options have the parallel wizard which is 19mm thick for the entire neck. It’s cool man, unlike most necks but comfortable. Out of the two available, the parallel and the Wizard C, I definitely preferred the C. Hope that helps dude!
@@JackTaylorGuitars thanks a lot for your answer about that topic mate. Will be taking a look at that 6 String, when it released. It's funny cause I was looking for a V and then this Guitar came up hahaha. Subscribed to your channel aswell :) Keep the good work going! Greetings from Berlin, Germany
Any idea if you can tell me what the thickest string gauge would be that would fit on this custom string lock system? I ordered one of these and have to wait a few weeks, so I'm looking into string sets to play in drop G. Which one of these sets do you think would work best .010-.062, .011-.064 or .013-.074? I couldn't find anything about the string lock system diameters in the manual so I'm not sure if the .074 gauge would even fit 😅. I hope you can give some more insight into this mate! Great video and thanks.
Thanks mate I’m really glad you enjoyed the video! There’s plenty of room at the bridge side so that shouldn’t be a worry but the ‘locking nut’ I guess isn’t huge. I had .59 as my heaviest gauge and I remember it being tight. I wish I could check for you dude but it went to fund other guitars for the channel sadly. You might get away with a .64 but I couldn’t say for sure. Sorry I can’t be of more help! 🤘
Thanks so much my dude, that means a lot! 👊 I wish I could tell you but I’ve never actually had a Strandberg in my hands. I’d expect the Ibanez probably isn’t as high a craftsmanship but a more affordable alternative but I couldn’t say for sure
Someone made a comparison, in case you still need it: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5c4afkojCnA.html Hope this doesn't get deleted because of the link, happens a lot recently.
@@JackTaylorGuitars Well, as someone who currently owns 12 ibanez guitars and has played for over 30 years i just want to say im not some rando youtube clown. The problem with ibanez is they're stuck in this mode of making the same design 10 millions times. Virtually every ibanez guitar is the same HSH configuration on all of their popular models. They also tend to not innovate or make signigicant improvemtns to their line of signature or mid-series models sans design changes on floyd rose designs which, i think are outstanding but still dont create an incentive to buy a guitar just for the bridge. Sadly ibanez now shifts around so much of their production its covered too many countries like mexico, indonesia, korea and japan. Long gone are the days of getting high quality japanese ibanez guitars at a premium since so many of them are now produced it a multitude of countries which lends itself to differing levels of quality. Not sure if you remember the old alex skolnick 540P and PII models but thats when ibanez wasnt afraid to make interesting designs. Now they're just stuck making RG's, a few S series and JEMS for vai. This new headless attempt just doesnt really seem like something ibanez wanted to do just to get into a headless market because "its there". When a company that has made standard guitars for years tries to jump into a new market it doesnt usually do that well unless its better than the current standards, which in this case, isnt. Like i said, strandberg and steinberger were headless guitars from their inception and they do it well, VERY well. I would put a strand/stein up against any other headless company (ormsby, goc and many others) without hesistation. Anyway thats just my take. I got off the ibanez train a long time ago and im glad i did. However i still feel that one of the best necks ever made was the Wizard neck for the S540 and S470 guitars. Flat and fast which made playing it a breeze.
@@yoteslaya7296 Really appreciate the time and thought out response mate! It’s interesting to here your thoughts on it for sure as someone with so much experience with Ibanez guitars. I can’t speak for any of the older Japanese stuff because I’ve never played it but I know the reputation. It’s easy to believe you’re right about the quality, enough the Quest series in my opinion are great guitars. I can’t say I’ve ever associated Steinberger with quality but Strandberg definitely although they’re at least twice the price. Whatever Ibanez’s reason was for this line, I’m impressed. But that’s the beauty of todays guitar market, something for everyone at any price point 👍 Also, props for the Old Gregg picture. A man of culture!
@@JackTaylorGuitars lol mighty boosh was the best series. Such a shame it ended. As for strandbergs there are some 1500$ price point models that are still good. Not every strandberg is 2k+ and as for steinbergers like vito bratta used to play, they're expensive just because of their rarity now.
@@yoteslaya7296 It absolutely was, endlessly quotable and songs that get stuck in your head! Haha Maybe I’ll try and get my hands on a strandberg in future, see if I can do a comparison. I do appreciate the info man, thanks 🤘
Cheers for watching mate. I really hope it helped! If I had to guess, closer to 5lbs than 7lbs. It feels substantially lighter than say an average strat for instance.
@@JackTaylorGuitars thanks bro for your reply. I’ve been playing on an ibanez7321 and would just like to compare the weight of both guitars. What do you think of the quality? Though it’s lightweight does it feel somewhat firm/high quality?
@@chriscendana2580 Don’t mention man, happy to help if I can! It definitely does feel like a quality instrument. Everything is so well put together and the parts are solid. It’s built to last mate!
@@JackTaylorGuitars thank you so much bro for this info. I guess this would really be my next guitar. I hope they ship stocks here in our country soon. Thanks again! 😀
Thank you mate! Hope you and yours are well? I’m really impressed with it so far dude. Ibanez have definitely thought about it when they put this together.
@@JackTaylorGuitars Def the best looking headless line out there ..I literally just took the Wampler tumnus deluxe stompbox out of my mailbox... 😂...I'm stoked to pull up some backing tracks and take that mythical? Tone ride on the half 🐴 half man... 😂...
@@JackTaylorGuitars yes Sir..I sure will..still rocking my SG lately so I'll pull out the prs and get some split single tones out of it too ..chain right now is polytune 3 w bonifide buffer into Keeley compressor plus...into tumnus..to OCD...to lpb-1...to boss ns1...zoom ms70 CDR for modulation then into bassbreaker 15...lmao...powered w truetone 1 spot pro...mxr and boss and mogami cables...will try tumnus w many different pedals and guitars..total.tone chaser..lol...so much fun..ty bro.. enjoy your day as well...little snow on the ground here in upstate NY...winter coming fast
@@ericwarrington6650 Absolutely dude, it sounds that way! Nothing wrong with that dude 😁 We’ve got a bit over here too. Nice to be indoors with a hot drink and a guitar for company haha
You wouldn’t put that one in regular Drop C mate with it being a 7 string. The 6 strings could absolutely do it though, probably with an 11 gauge string set as a minimum. Hope that helps! Thanks for watching dude🤘
@@JackTaylorGuitars thanks for the response! Great video btw! Why wouldn’t you tune a 7 string to Drop C? Or are you referring to this particular model? I had a Jackson 7 string soloist a couple of years ago, I always played in drop c with it (GCGCFAD) without issue.
Ahh mate you’re right, I’m not super familiar with 7 string tunings past drop A 😂 But drop C with a low G makes sense. I personally wouldn’t stray any lower than drop A on this thing, even with a fairly heavy gauge I think the 25.5” scale would struggle to get a tension I’d be comfortable with but I really don’t like floppy strings 😂 That said, that’s totally just my opinion. You sound like you’ve got much more experience in that realm than me dude! But I hope that helps a little!
@@JackTaylorGuitars I definitely think I’m the less experienced one here, and the question was an honest one 😂 I haven’t had a guitar in years, I sold my guitars when I got married a couple of years ago due to being broke af back then! I think the reason I chose Drop C back in the day was because someone on the internet said it was great for some heavy ass metal riffing and I just stuck with it. Times have changed, I actually did end up buying the Ibanez in this video. This time around I want to find a tuning that makes the most sense for re-learning guitar on, since I’m older and I’d like to think, a little wiser. 😎🤘
