Are there any differences between S54...

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Author Message   Óscar Sarquiz Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:    For a long time, I thought I had a minor anomaly there, til I found out mine was a (I guess) cheaper model. Still, it's great, and after replacing the stock humbuckers with DiMarzios (PAF on neck, FRED at bridge, left the orig IBZ/USA single coil alone, 'cause it sounds O.K.) it's become my main, most versatile instrument. Still, I can't help but to look at other, fancier looking S instruments and wonder if I'm missing something else. Just wondering. Óscar S.   JohnS Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:    Oscar: According to the '98 catalog, the 540 has a different neck (wizard, not the wizard II), pickups (quantums rather than axis) and tremolo (lo pro edge, not the lo trs II). Hope this helps.   Óscar Sarquiz Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:    Thanks for the input; however, this is a late 80's model, circa the era when Saber, Radius and "Power" guitars were featured in the Ibanez catalog next to the newly (?) introduced JEMs. Original pickups were IBZ/USA, supposedly made bi DiMarzio to Ibanez' specs, so I assume there may be subtle diferences from today's norm. Don't mean to get cryptic, but hey, we're all educating each other here. Again, thanks for the info. Óscar S.   Scott Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:    Oscar, The 470 is made in Korea and the 540 is made in Japan. They have very subtle differences, the neck and bridge is different. The Edge or Lo-Pro Edge is definatly better than a Lo-TRS but the TRS is not a bad tremolo. I have a S540FM that is a good guitar but I've played some 470's that rival my 540. Don't sell your guitar short, I don't think your "Missing Anything". I just replaced the bridge pickup in my 540. Those IBZUSA pickups kinda suck, I put a DiMarzio PAF Pro in the bridge and it really opened up the sound!!   jimeina Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:    AFAIK, the first 440s were produced around 1990. These early 440s included an Edge trem, V1/S1/V2 pickup configuration, mahogany bodies and the exact same necks as their upscale brothers, the 540s. The 540s had the F1/C2/F2 pickups, the fancy inlays and finishes, and the "Custom Made" inlay at the 22nd fret. I don't know where the first 440s were made - check the serial number to find out. "F" is Japan (Fujigen Gaki) and "C" is Korea (Cort).   Steve (Gitfiddle1) Posted on Wednesday, April 04, 2001 - 12:21 am:    Gentlemen, There's a lot more to consider here than just the 540/470 portion of the model number. My '93 made in Japan SF470 has a GibralterII bridge, QuickChangeII tailpiece, V1/S1/V2 pick-ups, and a 24 3/4 scale neck. Just a might different from your typical Saber/"S" of any year. Also, FYI, the "440" model is a hum/single/single configuration. Oscar, Scott nailed it. Don't sweat the model/year/where-made deal. If you like the way it feels and sound, be happy! Cheers Steve

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