NAMM 2005, summer

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Author Message Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Thursday, August 18, 2005 - 10:36 am:    Did anyone go to this? I lifted these off the Ibanez site: Limited Production SZ520QM in Transparent Purple one of two limited production finishes (the other is Transparent Green) available only for the 2nd half of 2005 Bob Weir’s “Cowboy Fancy” guitar, which we all know about featured two all-new limited production models, the ‘40s-style Artcore AF84EDVS jazz box (top), the ‘60s-style box, the AK75DGD (second from top). Two existing solid body models, the GRG170DX (second from bottom) and the GSZ120 (bottom) are now available in the classic Candy Apple Red finish. In the Soundgear line, a model featuring a burled poplar top with a maple body was available in 4-, 5-, and 6-string versions for players preferring a brighter bass. For those with darker tendencies, a model featuring a zebrawood top with mahogany body is also available in 4-, 5-, and 6-string versions The EW20ASENT features quilted ash back and sides, a non-traditional cutaway, and pickup by B-Band. Another headturning collectors item was this RG Prestige “Black Stream.” About 36 of this swirled finish RG20051 will be available in the U.S. mar... BTB1205 prestige Ibanez players and dealers got their wish as Ibanez came out with its first tube amp, the powerful Thermion 120 watt stack at the Indianapolis show. Thermion is genuinely an all-tube amp—it contains absolutely “no wimpy solid-state” in the signal path. -Sven Jerry_san Username: Jerry_san Registered: 03-2001 Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 4:29 pm:    Hey, Sven - I went, and was not very impressed overall. The Ibanez display was above average, but really no great shakes. I was probably most favorably impressed by Fender's new Squier Esprit - nice little guitar. Brentm Username: Brentm Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 5:19 pm:    I'm wondering why Ibanez is constraining the supply of some of the more favorable guitars? Seems that the cost to produce would decrease and they might meet their supply/demand equilibrium if more units were produced. Is it a psychological ploy to drive up brand interest? I'm wondering what the business decision is to keep the supply low? Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 8:08 pm:    Jerry, Did you try, or hear the amp? Brent, this comes up again and again here. By "favorable" I assume yo mean the guitars you and I, and many other ICW regulars want. Ibanez is quite responsive and creative when it comes to anticipating and meeting market demand. The guitars that are in demand, are the Artcores, RGs and entry level models that line the walls of Guitar Center. Often the higher end models end up collecting dust for months, then being blown out at a closeout price in the US. When I found my AG195, it was a diamond in the rough. It had been sitting there in the store for a long time, and by the looks of it, no one had even touched it. -Sven Brentm Username: Brentm Registered: 03-2005 Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 9:12 pm:    Yeah like the guitars that the ICW'ers want!!! Heck... maybe they should just go direct like Dell and pass the savings on to us! Jerry_san Username: Jerry_san Registered: 03-2001 Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 11:05 pm:    Hey, Sven - I tried the Squier Esprit both acoustically and amplified. I was quite impressed with the quality and sound. How hard was it for you to find an AG195? I went through HELL trying to find one after they decided to discontinue the Artcore United series. I did finally find one, and I really like it. Do you think they will attain some kind of cult following in the future, since they are fairly rare? I know I ain't sellin' mine! Funkle Username: Funkle Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Wednesday, August 24, 2005 - 1:45 am:    Jerry, I just happened upon mine. I went to a music store I'd never been to before and picked up what I thought was an AG75 - wow, I was blown away, it had flat wound strings and played great. Then I looked a little more closely at the flamed maple top, and price tag and realized what I was holding. I spent several hours going back and forth between this and a few others (including a GB20), fell in love with it and bought it that day. There were some available online for around $670. I really can't imagine getting more from a jazz box, the tone is so rich and the neck so comfortable. A cult classic? I think it will fall into the unsung hero category, like most of my favorites. People always overlook the AG in favor of the AK and AF. People have these prejudices of what a jazz guitar is supposed to look like. The AG is the best sounding (to me) and most comfortable by a long shot - but the cutaway doesn't double as a cheese slicer like on the AK -Sven

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