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Published on 06/22/11 at 23:44Ibanez has pretty much always been the leader in the seven string world. My first seven string experience was a bit woeful, but given how much I like Ibanez, I decided to give it another go. This guitar is pretty much the same as the later model 7620s with the major difference being the 5 piece neck on the 1527 and Edge Pro vs Lo Pro. The body is still a basswood body, and the fretboard is still a rosewood fretboard. Just like the 7620, the 1527 comes in an HH configuration.
UTILIZATION
One of the best things about Ibanez is the ability to get super low action and easy access to the higher frets. The all access neck joint and cut out lower horn make it feel almost as if there's no neck joint at all. Everything on my guitar was put together nice, but the electronics were the weak point. The stock pickups are pretty bland, and the stock switch is somewhat low quality. The pots aren't terrible, but there are better ones out there.
SOUNDS
Given how bland the stock pickups sound, I immediately replaced them with an Air Norton 7 and Evo 7. The guitar really came alive then. The Evo 7 keeps everything nice and tight, and the Air Norton 7 gives a wonderful lead tone. I replaced the standard 5 way switch with a 3 way that has the inner coils split to give me that John Petrucci style setup. LIke most of my guitars, I disconnected the tone knob as I rarely use them. If you dislike basswood guitars, you'll probably dislike this. It has that typical basswood midrange going on, and some people hate that. I think basswood sounds awesome for lead tones as everything seems to stay smooth and fairly linear.
OVERALL OPINION
Those looking for a seven string should just skip on the budget trash and seriously check out the Ibanez guitars. The thinner neck makes it easier to get used to the low B, and the MIJ Prestige factory's fretwork usually cranks out consistently good quality fretwork. I have no problems getting ~1/32'' @ the 12th fret.
UTILIZATION
One of the best things about Ibanez is the ability to get super low action and easy access to the higher frets. The all access neck joint and cut out lower horn make it feel almost as if there's no neck joint at all. Everything on my guitar was put together nice, but the electronics were the weak point. The stock pickups are pretty bland, and the stock switch is somewhat low quality. The pots aren't terrible, but there are better ones out there.
SOUNDS
Given how bland the stock pickups sound, I immediately replaced them with an Air Norton 7 and Evo 7. The guitar really came alive then. The Evo 7 keeps everything nice and tight, and the Air Norton 7 gives a wonderful lead tone. I replaced the standard 5 way switch with a 3 way that has the inner coils split to give me that John Petrucci style setup. LIke most of my guitars, I disconnected the tone knob as I rarely use them. If you dislike basswood guitars, you'll probably dislike this. It has that typical basswood midrange going on, and some people hate that. I think basswood sounds awesome for lead tones as everything seems to stay smooth and fairly linear.
OVERALL OPINION
Those looking for a seven string should just skip on the budget trash and seriously check out the Ibanez guitars. The thinner neck makes it easier to get used to the low B, and the MIJ Prestige factory's fretwork usually cranks out consistently good quality fretwork. I have no problems getting ~1/32'' @ the 12th fret.