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Hatsubai « Duncan equipped J-Custom »
Published on 08/08/11 at 19:55Ibanez and DiMarzio have long been known for their tight relationship throughout the years. However, not everybody is a fan of DiMarzio pickups for whatever reason. Lately, DiMarzio has been trying to expand their line up and help build guitars for those who might want Seymour Duncan pickups. The guitar features a mahogany body with a figured maple top, a maple neck with a rosewood fretboard, a tree of life vine inlay, 24 jumbo frets, Edge Zero tremolo, HH configuration, one volume, one tone and a five way switch.
UTILIZATION
J-Customs are well known for their superior fretwork. The fretwork on these guitars just destroys almost everything out there. I can't think of many manufacturers out there that take the time to ball their fret ends as it takes a lot of time. However, the end result is totally worth it. They feel so amazing compared to normal fret ends. This guitar had the new Edge Zero tremolo. A lot of people go back and forth on the Edge Zero trem, and I can understand why. It's not a bad tremolo, but it needs to be properly setup before I am fully satisfied with it. I also recommend replacing the locking studs with better, older versions as it'll help make it stay in tune better.
SOUNDS
This has the Seymour Duncan Custom 5 in the bridge and the Jazz in the neck. The Custom 5 is a Custom but with an Alnico V magnet installed in it. The Custom itself is already pretty thick sounding, but it can sometimes get a bit too bright in the treble region. The Alnico V helps cut this down and make it a bit fatter, but it's not quite as fat as the Custom Custom. Basically, it's a happy medium, and it works great in this guitar. The Jazz in the neck is a cleaner version of the 59. The bass is pretty similar, but the treble has been extended to create some extra clarity. It can sometimes sound a touch sterile, but it works awesome for clean tones.
OVERALL OPINION
The Duncans were a pretty nice touch in this model. It's something different for those who don't really like the DiMarzios that Ibanez always puts in their guitars. Sure, the Edge Zero isn't quite as nice as the previous trems, but it's still one solid tremolo. If I were to change one thing about this guitar, it would be throwing a 59 in the neck, but aside from that, it's just about perfect.
UTILIZATION
J-Customs are well known for their superior fretwork. The fretwork on these guitars just destroys almost everything out there. I can't think of many manufacturers out there that take the time to ball their fret ends as it takes a lot of time. However, the end result is totally worth it. They feel so amazing compared to normal fret ends. This guitar had the new Edge Zero tremolo. A lot of people go back and forth on the Edge Zero trem, and I can understand why. It's not a bad tremolo, but it needs to be properly setup before I am fully satisfied with it. I also recommend replacing the locking studs with better, older versions as it'll help make it stay in tune better.
SOUNDS
This has the Seymour Duncan Custom 5 in the bridge and the Jazz in the neck. The Custom 5 is a Custom but with an Alnico V magnet installed in it. The Custom itself is already pretty thick sounding, but it can sometimes get a bit too bright in the treble region. The Alnico V helps cut this down and make it a bit fatter, but it's not quite as fat as the Custom Custom. Basically, it's a happy medium, and it works great in this guitar. The Jazz in the neck is a cleaner version of the 59. The bass is pretty similar, but the treble has been extended to create some extra clarity. It can sometimes sound a touch sterile, but it works awesome for clean tones.
OVERALL OPINION
The Duncans were a pretty nice touch in this model. It's something different for those who don't really like the DiMarzios that Ibanez always puts in their guitars. Sure, the Edge Zero isn't quite as nice as the previous trems, but it's still one solid tremolo. If I were to change one thing about this guitar, it would be throwing a 59 in the neck, but aside from that, it's just about perfect.