I have this guitar and absolutely LOVE IT. I´ve had it now for six years and has been with me all across my country and some international gigs as well. Great review man!
Excellent information. Personal reviews like this are the best thing on RUclips, real users feelings, not one from a paid endorsee. I am most likely going to purchase the 2014 FR6UC Prestige model. After being deleted from the U.S. Catalog for several years, the Prestige FR returns and with Bare Knuckle Pickups even!! And BTW, I use the GK3 also, ( really liking the new Boss GP-10). Please continue to post your reviews, songs etc. !
Thanks, Cristiano. You can't beat quality, even though it's a little tough sometimes to spend the money. But after that you always enjoy it every time you play! Cheers, Bruce.
good video i was confused looking for another guitar,after watching your video i decided to trust your advice on this great guitar and i am delighted with it, its a peach,as you said suits any style,thanks for ending my guitar search hell all the best.john
Great advice, I've been looking for something different as I've made my way through owning Gibson, Fender, Peavey, Gretsch and Guild electrics.(only one at a time sadly) I wanted a guitar which was modern but still had that older soul you got in past guitars. Brilliant information, and thank you for uploading a video of you playing it. It was one of the few that didn't play this in a metal setup. T'was nice tone
I've got the FR1620 rigged up with the Roland GK-3 split pickup now, and mostly it's dedicated to synthesizer work. The GK-3 can't be attached to a standard Tele because of the metal tailpiece surrounding the bridge pickup, but I do love the way Teles play and sound! I've got a hollow-body jazz guitar now I'm using instead of my acoustic, but it plays like an electric - nice! Between the solid body and the hollow body, things are working out well. Never use a whammy, so I don't miss it.
Indeed. I have come to really appreciate it even more after getting an Ibanez jazz box with a floating bridge. It is an absolute bear to keep in tune and you have to play all kinds of games with tuning the D and G string slightly off-key in the open position to get it to sound right. The FR1620 bridge was set up incredibly precisely at the factory and I've never had to make a single adjustment. Simply put, it just ... WORKS! Cheers, Bruce
thanks, bruce. i really like that particular model, particularly the tele style body and the prestige neck combined. i'm just worried about the inevitable corrosion in the future hence, my question about the bridge replacement.
I recently bought the FR320, which is the mid-level version of the 1620, and anyone who's looking at the FR range, go to a guitar shop and give them a go. Such versatile instruments at both ends of the value scale. Metal, rock, blues, folk, name a genre and they'll deliver.
Excellent question. Like anything else, it's just a matter of getting used to. I would say its main characteristic is that it takes a very light touch to play. You can play chords without even touching the back of the neck with your thumb. It tends to make you think more about precision rather than force when you're playing and making chords. ~Bruce
I removed the pickguard with 4 screws. The finish underneath was the same quality as the rest of the guitar, and no rough-cut holes like you see in Fenders, etc. However, 3 of the 4 screws did not reseat firmly, so I would not remove the pickguard unless you have a good reason. Probably a tiny drop of super-glue would hold them tight, but I just left them as is since there's no real stress on them. If I ever had to take it off again I wouldn't want it to tear out a chunk ofr the soft wood.
The Roadster is a good-looking guitar. I've been playing an Ibanez AG95 hollowbody jazz box lately, with a tailpiece and floating bridge. It's a bear to set the intonation and keep in tune. If the bridge moves while you're changing strings, you're screwed. Really makes you appreciate the Hardtail bridge.
I don't think so. It appears the guitar body is routed out specifically for the large Tight End bridge assembly and it would take a significant amount of rework to get anything else in there. Probably not something you'd want to do with this particular model - there are surely other less-expensive guitars that would be better suited. ~Bruce
I got one too. I just took it up in a guitar store to test a pedal. At least i´ve bought the guitar instead of the pedal because it totally blews me away. I started playing and it felt like a guitar that i´ve played for years, so familar and well known, almost like it was made especially for me. I also prefer versatile guitar and my playing style and musical preferences are probably almost the complete opposite of yours. This should prove that this guitar is really versatile.
Thanks fellow! Really... I've been in this kind of survey... I mean, I've got a Strinberg EGS-216.. a piece of wood with plastic pick-ups.. A kind of.. :-P But it's time to buy a good one! One of the greatest things that you said was about the sound.. And I agree with you! To heard the real sound, there is no way! We have to go to the store and listen to it live. But, again, thanks for the review.. This one is on my list!! Tnks...
You sound like a wise man and you obviously are. I liked your presentation and I hope you enjoy your new guitar. Honest and fair enough but the price is actually on par with any big name out there. I think Fujigen factory makes most of the Prestige line guitars nowdays so Ibanez is just the brand name.
Indeed. Interestingly, the FR1620 is not available in some countries, and likewise the FR320 and other variants. Not sure what their marketing strategy is, but I've verified this by going to the Ibanez web site and selecting different countries. Cheers, Bruce.
@TerraDigitalMedia Thanks for your comments. If we all played the same it would be a boring world indeed! I think we'd agree on several important issues. #1: talent is talent and skill is skill. A hammer and chisel in the hands of Michaelangelo is quite a different matter than in the hands of the average bloke! The trem bar is a wonderful tool when used artistically - that's what made the decision so difficult! #2: the trem is often abused to compensate for issues relating to #1! Cheers!
Yes it is very tight and solid. It's great for rock & country. I've got an Ibanez hollowbody that I use for jazz/blues. It has a separate bridge piece and it nearly drives me insane trying to get it in tune a couple times a day. Intonation is a nightmare and the whole bridge can move when you change strings. I can get the FR1620 in tune in seconds and it STAYS in tune for days. It's right there on every fret up to the 24th. It will spoil you, and that's one reason I consider it a workhorse.
i am so happy with ibanez guitars -they are sonically diverse and super functional -and whilst i like all the usual classic axe"s ....ibanez try to get it all in there for you .
Hey thanks Bruce!! and you're happy with this for your countryish stuff too? How is the feel of the guitar? I'm assuming it's tighter like a strat because of the scale length. How do the tapped pickups sound?
I have wanted this guitar for about 10 years, the styling is what I first noticed. i have 1 acoustic-electric and and 1 electric guitar since i was 18 and played the crap out of. They aren't bad, but they both need TLC with their frets, intonation, repair on the dials (for the electric), repair on the input cable (both guitars), and both could probably have the string action/height adjusted. I wonder if I should have them repaired, or buckle up and buy a high end guitar. :P Thanks for the video
I'd rate it on the heavy side, somewhere between a Strat and a Les Paul. A little detective work seems to indicate that LP's average around 9+ lbs and some can be as heavy as 10.5 lbs. I used to have an LP Custom, and the weight was always a factor - it was quite tiring and hard on the back to play it all night in a club. The Ibanez is not quite as bad, but honestly, it is heavy. Of course that makes for a better (or at least different) sound and resonance quality.
Hola a todos y todas tengo las dos guitarras fr 1620 y fr 320 son prácticamente iguales y suenan perfectamente las dos, como carpintero que soy desde hace 35 años me permito decir que la construcion y acabado de estas guitarras es una obra de arte e ingeniería
The bridge is a massive improvement on the old three saddle 'ash tray' Tele set up. Accurate intonation does make a difference! A guitar that can't be tuned properly is a poor player no matter what it cost or the brand on the head stock. I'd have one of these in a heartbeat. A very versatile guitar. Are the tuners lockers?
Quality. The ART320 is a perfectly fine guitar, and there was one for sale on Craigslist when I bought the FR1620. The 320's are built in China and the FR is a "Prestige" model built in Japan, which is like the Ibanez custom shop. I also have an Ibanez AG95 hollowbody, which I really like, but it's made in China and you can tell the difference. A big part of it is tone, and the Prestige guitars are set up perfectly at the factory, but not the cheaper models. Also bridge, tuners, etc. better
I think it's good for stuff you might use a Tele or a Strat for. The tapped pickups give you a tremendous range of tones from Fender to Gibson. As far as playability, it is the smoothest neck I have ever played and I can easily play it without even touching my thumb to the back of the neck. I really haven't noticed anything different about the scale length, but I'm sure if you played it immediately before/after a 22-fret you'd notice the difference.
You bet! Soon there won't be any red ones available either. We're going to have to hang on to these gems! I've already had numerous offers to buy mine - from guitar dealers. It's going to be one of those rare items.
I guess what I'm asking is does it have a nice tightness to it like I've experienced on other Ibanez guitars so that you can get good, clean, and easy picking articulation. I've tried out a few RG's but the floating bridges are not appealing at all to me, hence my interest here. Thanks again!!
@VinniePaah Thank you! Yes, there are many brand and boutique guitars at this price point. I know of at least a half dozen on my short list that I'm sure I would be equally happy with. When you're forced to choose just one, the bottom line is to avoid second guessing yourself after the fact, which is probably most likely to occur after an impulse buy. But if a person really feels like they've taken the time to do the research, I think it less likely they'll suffer buyer's remorse. ~bb
Yes, it is interesting, if I've got the story right the Telecaster was the first electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, and the body style has pretty much remained the same all these years, copied by many manufacturers.
Thank you for your honest talk and thoughts. I am considering buying a FR 320 or a RC 320 - not quite sure what the difference is between FR 320 and FR1620 but they look alike - have a nice sunday
Thanks for the reply. That sounds good. I always here that chording and rhythm playing is very bad on these fretboards but i think i'll give it a try. Think the guitar is the perfekt versatile work horse for me :). Cheers
@TerraDigitalMedia I've been watching some of Allan Holdsworth's lessons on lead work and chord harmonization. I agree - he's fantastic - a very thoughtful approach to the music without resorting to all the cliches you hear all the time. That really appeals to me. Thanks for bringing him to my attention. Cheers, Bruce.
hey bruce! like everything about the ibanez but i am not shure about the fretboard because of its radius. do you like to play chords on it or is it a guitar which screams for soloing? cheers
Yeah, the metal guys like them a lot. If I had to do it all over, I'd pick the FR1620 again, without a doubt. One of the things the Ibanez has that the other don't is the Wizard Neck. Once you've played one for awhile, most other electric guitar necks feel fat and chunky. But it's all a matter of what you get used to - they're all great guitars. I like the Spalted Maple Telecasters. But I still think I made the best choice with the Ibanez. Cheers, Bruce.
Hey, the 320 is not a bad guitar. Go to the guitar store and try it out, and if it suits your needs you've just saved yourself a bundle. Ibanez's thing is making very affordable, but very decent guitars. However, I would make sure you play the actual guitar you buy. You can trust buying a primo $2000 Prestige guitar sight unseen, but with the less expensive ones, they can't afford to have a guitar tech at the factory set each one up perfectly. Mostly check out the neck feel & action.
I have a problem understanding how you use the verb "to tap". When you say "they tap this coil", do you mean that that coil gets excluded or that it is the one in activity? I'm considering purchasing this guitar, so I'm curious about this.
What's wrong with the Ibanez FR 320? Just returned from the music store and tried abt. 5 or 6 El. guitars. Iiked this guitar best. I'm used to playing a Taylor 114ce. acoustic with. 12 gauge strings. Store guitars had 9 guage strings on electrics. Really liked the FR 320. What's your opinion?
I think you should expect at least 30% off list, maybe 40%. I got a little better than 40% off a Strat. Some of these places have some sort of sale going on constantly so if it's not on sale just wait a week and it will be. Sweetwater shows the weight of each guitar they sell on their website - the weight of the individual unit, not a model weight though a salesman said he wasn't sure the weights were accurate.
I'm looking @ buying one right now in may 2015 & it's brand new, been sitting @ the back of the music shop for a few years. I'm most likely getting it for $500 NZ. I'm rapt, I don't like Trem set up, it ruins a good solo. I'm going to put Seymour Duncan Black Winter pickups to even boost it up even more. I might when I finish modding it I'll upload it.
I have a Cort Aero 11 and is very light guitar and thin,like Ibanez S series....but i love that Fr series style...very beautiful guitar...my Cort is more 80s guitar and Fr is more classic,and i love that
The guitar player from one of my favorite metal bands, Asking Alexandria uses this model. Is Ibanez one of the best? Or would you prefer Gibson Fender Gretch or ESP?
If you really want to play a Stratocaster but are concerned about the middle pickup interfering with your playing then get yourself the Ritchie Blackmore Signature Stratocaster. This guitar only has a bridge and neck pickup. The middle pickup is just a cover because he doesn't use the middle pickup.
Should have said that the Blackmore Stratocaster also features scalloped necks so if your not used to that then it might take a bit of getting used to. The pickup switching is neck, bridge or both.
@ML120374 Yea, it would be pretty boring if we all played the same style! I think most people I've seen use it for metal. But it just shows this guitar can do it all. I installed a Roland GK-3 split pickup for the GR-55 guitar synth, and the control box fits nicely on the FR1620. It's sort of a "high tech" looking guitar anyway, so the extra hardware doesn't look too out of place. Cheers - Bruce.
Been thimking to buy some telecaster model,but i think some Ibanez fr model will be my choice...my acoustics been Ibanez and last year i bought my very first electric guitar,semiacoustic Ibanez
If you dont use the middle pickup on a strat just wind it all the way down so its out of the way.... i used to use my middle pickup and kept hitting the pole pieces with my pick... i just bought a pickup cover for the center pickup... it covers the pole pieces... However,... i dont bother with Fender or Gibson style guitars anymore... there are far better designs out there these days that are far better quality ... and... easier to play in my opinon..Oh.. and cheaper :)
Good ideas, Paul. There's no doubt that if it's the single-coil sound you're after, you just can't beat the true single-coil pickups. You really can't get exactly the same clarity by tapping one side of a double-coil pickup. Most of the guitar techs I have spoken to agree - somehow the adjacent coil seems to rob some of the tonal characteristics.
I can do even better than that! On the precision scale it weighs 8 lb 5 oz with the Roland GK-3 installed. The specs on the GK-3 says it weighs 3 oz., so the guitar weighs in at just over 8 lbs (3.6 kg). Cheers - Bruce.
neck type 3pc Wizard III Maple neck body Mahogany body fret Jumbo frets bridge Tight-End bridge neck pu CCR1-V2 neck pu bridge pu CCR2-V2 bridge pu hardware color Chrome FOR 320 neck type 5pc Wizard HP Maple/Walnut neck body Ash body fret Jumbo frets bridge Tight-End bridge neck pu CAP-CCR1 (H) neck pu bridge pu CAP-CCR2 (H) bridge pu hardware color Chrome FOR FR 1660 AND 1 mm thinner neck
EXCELLENT BLOODY REVIEW and PRESENTATION! It is a PLEASURE!, to hear the measured, well reasoned assessment of this guitar! 🎸 Esp. the whammy- bar, "plain wanker juvenile" excess we hear in do many American "exc I Ted states"😀 renditions! I'm looking at one in Calgary, Alberta, CANADA 🇨🇦 👀 😀 right now, and your professional, dispassionate assessment certainly "decided me"! ✅️ Muchos Gracious!, and "Press on McDuff! Cheers!
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
I have this guitar and absolutely LOVE IT. I´ve had it now for six years and has been with me all across my country and some international gigs as well.
Great review man!
Excellent information. Personal reviews like this are the best thing on RUclips, real users feelings, not one from a paid endorsee.
I am most likely going to purchase the 2014 FR6UC Prestige model. After being deleted from the U.S. Catalog for several years, the Prestige FR returns and with Bare Knuckle Pickups even!!
And BTW, I use the GK3 also, ( really liking the new Boss GP-10). Please continue to post your reviews, songs etc. !
That ought to be a great guitar for you. I'm glad they decided to continue with that design theme. It's bullet-proof. Have fun! ~bb
Thanks, Cristiano. You can't beat quality, even though it's a little tough sometimes to spend the money. But after that you always enjoy it every time you play! Cheers, Bruce.
hey mate, that bridge is stunning by the way. cheers from London
good video i was confused looking for another guitar,after watching your video i decided to trust your advice on this great guitar and i am delighted with it, its a peach,as you said suits any style,thanks for ending my guitar search hell all the best.john
John - Fantasitc, thanks for the feedback. Cheers, Bruce.
Great advice, I've been looking for something different as I've made my way through owning Gibson, Fender, Peavey, Gretsch and Guild electrics.(only one at a time sadly) I wanted a guitar which was modern but still had that older soul you got in past guitars.
Brilliant information, and thank you for uploading a video of you playing it. It was one of the few that didn't play this in a metal setup. T'was nice tone
I've got the FR1620 rigged up with the Roland GK-3 split pickup now, and mostly it's dedicated to synthesizer work. The GK-3 can't be attached to a standard Tele because of the metal tailpiece surrounding the bridge pickup, but I do love the way Teles play and sound! I've got a hollow-body jazz guitar now I'm using instead of my acoustic, but it plays like an electric - nice! Between the solid body and the hollow body, things are working out well. Never use a whammy, so I don't miss it.
Indeed. I have come to really appreciate it even more after getting an Ibanez jazz box with a floating bridge. It is an absolute bear to keep in tune and you have to play all kinds of games with tuning the D and G string slightly off-key in the open position to get it to sound right. The FR1620 bridge was set up incredibly precisely at the factory and I've never had to make a single adjustment. Simply put, it just ... WORKS! Cheers, Bruce
Yes, and the playability of the neck, the accuracy of the bridge, and the sound quality of the electrics.
thanks, bruce. i really like that particular model, particularly the tele style body and the prestige neck combined. i'm just worried about the inevitable corrosion in the future hence, my question about the bridge replacement.
I recently bought the FR320, which is the mid-level version of the 1620, and anyone who's looking at the FR range, go to a guitar shop and give them a go. Such versatile instruments at both ends of the value scale. Metal, rock, blues, folk, name a genre and they'll deliver.
Excellent question. Like anything else, it's just a matter of getting used to. I would say its main characteristic is that it takes a very light touch to play. You can play chords without even touching the back of the neck with your thumb. It tends to make you think more about precision rather than force when you're playing and making chords. ~Bruce
Good points. It's interesting that the weight is not listed under the specs on the Ibanez web site. You would think it would be. Cheers, Bruce.
I removed the pickguard with 4 screws. The finish underneath was the same quality as the rest of the guitar, and no rough-cut holes like you see in Fenders, etc. However, 3 of the 4 screws did not reseat firmly, so I would not remove the pickguard unless you have a good reason. Probably a tiny drop of super-glue would hold them tight, but I just left them as is since there's no real stress on them. If I ever had to take it off again I wouldn't want it to tear out a chunk ofr the soft wood.
The Roadster is a good-looking guitar. I've been playing an Ibanez AG95 hollowbody jazz box lately, with a tailpiece and floating bridge. It's a bear to set the intonation and keep in tune. If the bridge moves while you're changing strings, you're screwed. Really makes you appreciate the Hardtail bridge.
I don't think so. It appears the guitar body is routed out specifically for the large Tight End bridge assembly and it would take a significant amount of rework to get anything else in there. Probably not something you'd want to do with this particular model - there are surely other less-expensive guitars that would be better suited. ~Bruce
I got one too. I just took it up in a guitar store to test a pedal. At least i´ve bought the guitar instead of the pedal because it totally blews me away. I started playing and it felt like a guitar that i´ve played for years, so familar and well known, almost like it was made especially for me. I also prefer versatile guitar and my playing style and musical preferences are probably almost the complete opposite of yours. This should prove that this guitar is really versatile.
Thanks fellow! Really... I've been in this kind of survey... I mean, I've got a Strinberg EGS-216.. a piece of wood with plastic pick-ups.. A kind of.. :-P But it's time to buy a good one! One of the greatest things that you said was about the sound.. And I agree with you! To heard the real sound, there is no way! We have to go to the store and listen to it live. But, again, thanks for the review.. This one is on my list!! Tnks...
You sound like a wise man and you obviously are. I liked your presentation and I hope you enjoy your new guitar. Honest and fair enough but the price is actually on par with any big name out there. I think Fujigen factory makes most of the Prestige line guitars nowdays so Ibanez is just the brand name.
Nothing at all wrong with it - fine guitar! Please note some of the previous comments where people were discussing it. Cheers ~ Bruce
Oh, Bruce, you made my day ! I have bought Ibanese 4 weeks ago ! =) I´ve bought IBANEZ AW250ECE mahagonny =) Thanks for sharing this video ;)
Indeed. Interestingly, the FR1620 is not available in some countries, and likewise the FR320 and other variants. Not sure what their marketing strategy is, but I've verified this by going to the Ibanez web site and selecting different countries. Cheers, Bruce.
@TerraDigitalMedia Thanks for your comments. If we all played the same it would be a boring world indeed! I think we'd agree on several important issues. #1: talent is talent and skill is skill. A hammer and chisel in the hands of Michaelangelo is quite a different matter than in the hands of the average bloke! The trem bar is a wonderful tool when used artistically - that's what made the decision so difficult! #2: the trem is often abused to compensate for issues relating to #1! Cheers!
Yes it is very tight and solid. It's great for rock & country. I've got an Ibanez hollowbody that I use for jazz/blues. It has a separate bridge piece and it nearly drives me insane trying to get it in tune a couple times a day. Intonation is a nightmare and the whole bridge can move when you change strings. I can get the FR1620 in tune in seconds and it STAYS in tune for days. It's right there on every fret up to the 24th. It will spoil you, and that's one reason I consider it a workhorse.
Great informative review...appreciate it!
Hey, thanks! :o)
It's a little lighter than a Les Paul, but not by too much. It weighs in at about 8 lbs and my understanding is that most LP's are about 9-10 lbs.
Please don't hesitate to come back and let us know what you think of it once you've had a chance to play it. That would be invaluable.
i am so happy with ibanez guitars -they are sonically diverse and super functional -and whilst i like all the usual classic axe"s ....ibanez try to get it all in there for you .
Hey thanks Bruce!! and you're happy with this for your countryish stuff too? How is the feel of the guitar? I'm assuming it's tighter like a strat because of the scale length. How do the tapped pickups sound?
I have wanted this guitar for about 10 years, the styling is what I first noticed. i have 1 acoustic-electric and and 1 electric guitar since i was 18 and played the crap out of. They aren't bad, but they both need TLC with their frets, intonation, repair on the dials (for the electric), repair on the input cable (both guitars), and both could probably have the string action/height adjusted. I wonder if I should have them repaired, or buckle up and buy a high end guitar. :P Thanks for the video
I'd rate it on the heavy side, somewhere between a Strat and a Les Paul. A little detective work seems to indicate that LP's average around 9+ lbs and some can be as heavy as 10.5 lbs. I used to have an LP Custom, and the weight was always a factor - it was quite tiring and hard on the back to play it all night in a club. The Ibanez is not quite as bad, but honestly, it is heavy. Of course that makes for a better (or at least different) sound and resonance quality.
thanks a lot for the info!
Hola a todos y todas tengo las dos guitarras fr 1620 y fr 320 son prácticamente iguales y suenan perfectamente las dos, como carpintero que soy desde hace 35 años me permito decir que la construcion y acabado de estas guitarras es una obra de arte e ingeniería
The bridge is a massive improvement on the old three saddle 'ash tray' Tele set up. Accurate intonation does make a difference! A guitar that can't be tuned properly is a poor player no matter what it cost or the brand on the head stock. I'd have one of these in a heartbeat. A very versatile guitar. Are the tuners lockers?
Quality. The ART320 is a perfectly fine guitar, and there was one for sale on Craigslist when I bought the FR1620. The 320's are built in China and the FR is a "Prestige" model built in Japan, which is like the Ibanez custom shop. I also have an Ibanez AG95 hollowbody, which I really like, but it's made in China and you can tell the difference. A big part of it is tone, and the Prestige guitars are set up perfectly at the factory, but not the cheaper models. Also bridge, tuners, etc. better
I think it's good for stuff you might use a Tele or a Strat for. The tapped pickups give you a tremendous range of tones from Fender to Gibson. As far as playability, it is the smoothest neck I have ever played and I can easily play it without even touching my thumb to the back of the neck. I really haven't noticed anything different about the scale length, but I'm sure if you played it immediately before/after a 22-fret you'd notice the difference.
You bet! Soon there won't be any red ones available either. We're going to have to hang on to these gems! I've already had numerous offers to buy mine - from guitar dealers. It's going to be one of those rare items.
Great review! I bought one.
I guess what I'm asking is does it have a nice tightness to it like I've experienced on other Ibanez guitars so that you can get good, clean, and easy picking articulation. I've tried out a few RG's but the floating bridges are not appealing at all to me, hence my interest here. Thanks again!!
I've got two of them and I love 'em both!
I actually like the look of the tight end bridge
@VinniePaah Thank you! Yes, there are many brand and boutique guitars at this price point. I know of at least a half dozen on my short list that I'm sure I would be equally happy with. When you're forced to choose just one, the bottom line is to avoid second guessing yourself after the fact, which is probably most likely to occur after an impulse buy. But if a person really feels like they've taken the time to do the research, I think it less likely they'll suffer buyer's remorse. ~bb
Yes, it is interesting, if I've got the story right the Telecaster was the first electric guitar designed by Leo Fender, and the body style has pretty much remained the same all these years, copied by many manufacturers.
Thank you for your honest talk and thoughts. I am considering buying a FR 320 or a RC 320 - not quite sure what the difference is between FR 320 and FR1620 but they look alike - have a nice sunday
"If I hear another dive bomb, I'm gonna throw up" hahaha. Thanks for the review, helped me out!
You're certainly welcome!
Thanks for the reply. That sounds good. I always here that chording and rhythm playing is very bad on these fretboards but i think i'll give it a try. Think the guitar is the perfekt versatile work horse for me :).
Cheers
For some reason most of the web site spec pages don't give the weight of the guitars.
If they had a trem, I buy one in a heartbeat. I've only seen two with trems. Both are LA Custom Shop Ibbys.
But does it chug?
What are the differences between the feel and the sound of the FR1620 and the FR320?
@TerraDigitalMedia I've been watching some of Allan Holdsworth's lessons on lead work and chord harmonization. I agree - he's fantastic - a very thoughtful approach to the music without resorting to all the cliches you hear all the time. That really appeals to me. Thanks for bringing him to my attention. Cheers, Bruce.
i bought this guitar after watching this video! take it from me, its a brilliant guitar :D
great review thnx for upload
I think this will be my next guitar. I've got the same amp, too. :)
Appreciate it! Yeah, I love the tele too but I love the neck on this guitar. It's sort of a super-tele, really.
can the bridge be replaced in case i want to modify it??
hey bruce!
like everything about the ibanez but i am not shure about the fretboard because of its radius. do you like to play chords on it or is it a guitar which screams for soloing?
cheers
I have one, too. Nice guitar, but I replaced the pickups with PAFs.
Yeah, the metal guys like them a lot. If I had to do it all over, I'd pick the FR1620 again, without a doubt. One of the things the Ibanez has that the other don't is the Wizard Neck. Once you've played one for awhile, most other electric guitar necks feel fat and chunky. But it's all a matter of what you get used to - they're all great guitars. I like the Spalted Maple Telecasters. But I still think I made the best choice with the Ibanez. Cheers, Bruce.
can you remove the pickguard? is there any holes or lack of finish at the top? thank you
Hey, the 320 is not a bad guitar. Go to the guitar store and try it out, and if it suits your needs you've just saved yourself a bundle. Ibanez's thing is making very affordable, but very decent guitars. However, I would make sure you play the actual guitar you buy. You can trust buying a primo $2000 Prestige guitar sight unseen, but with the less expensive ones, they can't afford to have a guitar tech at the factory set each one up perfectly. Mostly check out the neck feel & action.
I have a problem understanding how you use the verb "to tap". When you say "they tap this coil", do you mean that that coil gets excluded or that it is the one in activity? I'm considering purchasing this guitar, so I'm curious about this.
depends on your strings, i have mine in drop A with 13-62 and it's sexy as hell
What's wrong with the Ibanez FR 320? Just returned from the music store and tried abt. 5 or 6 El. guitars. Iiked this guitar best. I'm used to playing a Taylor 114ce. acoustic with. 12 gauge strings. Store guitars had 9 guage strings on electrics. Really liked the FR 320. What's your opinion?
what is the diffrence between this and the FR 320 ? Thanks .
Ok so my main hesitancy now after talking to you is the weight. How does it compare to other guitars? Is it overly heavy or normal?
Is it heavier than a les paul?
I think you should expect at least 30% off list, maybe 40%. I got a little better than 40% off a Strat. Some of these places have some sort of sale going on constantly so if it's not on sale just wait a week and it will be. Sweetwater shows the weight of each guitar they sell on their website - the weight of the individual unit, not a model weight though a salesman said he wasn't sure the weights were accurate.
Just curious do you know the exact weight, or could you ball park it?
why is it so difficult to find a prestige fr now? I've been looking for one for ages and can't find it!
i love this model
I'm looking @ buying one right now in may 2015 & it's brand new, been sitting @ the back of the music shop for a few years. I'm most likely getting it for $500 NZ.
I'm rapt, I don't like Trem set up, it ruins a good solo. I'm going to put Seymour Duncan Black Winter pickups to even boost it up even more. I might when I finish modding it I'll upload it.
666raystar That's great!
I have a Cort Aero 11 and is very light guitar and thin,like Ibanez S series....but i love that Fr series style...very beautiful guitar...my Cort is more 80s guitar and Fr is more classic,and i love that
The guitar player from one of my favorite metal bands, Asking Alexandria uses this model. Is Ibanez one of the best? Or would you prefer Gibson Fender Gretch or ESP?
If you really want to play a Stratocaster but are concerned about the middle pickup interfering with your playing then get yourself the Ritchie Blackmore Signature Stratocaster. This guitar only has a bridge and neck pickup. The middle pickup is just a cover because he doesn't use the middle pickup.
Good info, Mark - thanks!
Should have said that the Blackmore Stratocaster also features scalloped necks so if your not used to that then it might take a bit of getting used to. The pickup switching is neck, bridge or both.
@ML120374 Yea, it would be pretty boring if we all played the same style! I think most people I've seen use it for metal. But it just shows this guitar can do it all. I installed a Roland GK-3 split pickup for the GR-55 guitar synth, and the control box fits nicely on the FR1620. It's sort of a "high tech" looking guitar anyway, so the extra hardware doesn't look too out of place. Cheers - Bruce.
hm, nice review and decision track, thx! but I expected at least two sounds ;)
:o) Cheers! Bruce.
From what I've experimented with, about the same as any other type.
my question is,your guitar made from Indonesia or Japan?
Japan.
ok thanks clayhorsemusic :)
Been thimking to buy some telecaster model,but i think some Ibanez fr model will be my choice...my acoustics been Ibanez and last year i bought my very first electric guitar,semiacoustic Ibanez
I just happened to find this message marked as spam, so I re-activated it. It's a good question, but honestly I don't know.
Here in Brazil there is a model more cheap Fr 320....i think to buy but if is heavy to carry on my back ..im out
Thanks! :o)
nice guitar but if i would chose i would have take a telecaster have it costum with a bigsby tremelo bridge on instead of a ibanez
Well that's 15 minutes of my life I'm not getting back ...
Killer combination. Good luck getting any sleep (or your neighbors - LOL!)
i took off the pickgaurd....looks much beter
Just found and bought one for 1050 Canadian
Ok... ENGLISH NOW xD
but thank you a lot for the info buddy, helped a lot. :)
If you dont use the middle pickup on a strat just wind it all the way down so its out of the way.... i used to use my middle pickup and kept hitting the pole pieces with my pick... i just bought a pickup cover for the center pickup... it covers the pole pieces... However,... i dont bother with Fender or Gibson style guitars anymore... there are far better designs out there these days that are far better quality ... and... easier to play in my opinon..Oh.. and cheaper :)
Good ideas, Paul. There's no doubt that if it's the single-coil sound you're after, you just can't beat the true single-coil pickups. You really can't get exactly the same clarity by tapping one side of a double-coil pickup. Most of the guitar techs I have spoken to agree - somehow the adjacent coil seems to rob some of the tonal characteristics.
I hope you never hear Rick Rozz play otherwise you'll be barfing like Linda Blair in The Exorcist, ha ha
go to Ibanez site for the details
I can do even better than that! On the precision scale it weighs 8 lb 5 oz with the Roland GK-3 installed. The specs on the GK-3 says it weighs 3 oz., so the guitar weighs in at just over 8 lbs (3.6 kg). Cheers - Bruce.
neck type 3pc Wizard III Maple neck
body Mahogany body
fret Jumbo frets
bridge Tight-End bridge
neck pu CCR1-V2 neck pu
bridge pu CCR2-V2 bridge pu
hardware color Chrome FOR 320
neck type 5pc Wizard HP Maple/Walnut neck
body Ash body
fret Jumbo frets
bridge Tight-End bridge
neck pu CAP-CCR1 (H) neck pu
bridge pu CAP-CCR2 (H) bridge pu
hardware color Chrome FOR FR 1660
AND 1 mm thinner neck
play guitars and stay heavy guyz :)
EXCELLENT BLOODY REVIEW and PRESENTATION! It is a PLEASURE!, to hear the measured, well reasoned assessment of this guitar! 🎸 Esp. the whammy- bar, "plain wanker juvenile" excess we hear in do many American "exc I Ted states"😀 renditions! I'm looking at one in Calgary, Alberta, CANADA 🇨🇦 👀 😀 right now, and your professional, dispassionate assessment certainly "decided me"! ✅️ Muchos Gracious!, and "Press on McDuff! Cheers!