All user reviews of 4/5 for the Ibanez JS1200 Joe Satriani Signature

The Ibanez JS1200 is an updated version of the guitar that Joe Satriani designed for Ibanez all those years ago. Joe's always been more of a vintage guy and his guitar is an excellent blend of the typical Ibanez superstrat and some more classic Strat type guitars that Joe played back in the day. It features a basswood body, rosewood fretboard with 22 6105 frets (taller and narrower in design) the recently added for 2010 Edge Tremolo (replacing the old Edge Pro bridge used for many years prior. It also has DiMarzio signature Satriani pickups - a PAF Joe in the neck position and a FRED in the bridge position. They're made in Japan at the Ibanez factory there.

UTILIZATION

The JS1200 is definitely an ergonomic and streamlined instrument for my tastes. Though it's not quite as thin or fast as a typical RG, it eschews that extra bit of speed for a more comfortable vintage spec'd feel that I personally love. I had an original Ibanez Radius that was quite similar in feel to the JS1200 - nice comfortable medium sized neck and a body that sits very well both sitting and standing. It's a good medium weight that is easy to play for extended periods too. The upper fret access isn't as good as an RG or a JEM but it's fairly good - kind of like an old Strat.

Getting a good sound out of this guitar is pretty easy. Joe tends to like more of a vintage voiced tone than typically is found in Ibanez guitars, so this is a treat for players like me who prefer an old school tone. There is also a high pass filter to create a different set of tones as well... very cool.

SOUNDS

I've tried this guitar through a multitude of amplifiers and have concluded that at its core it sounds like a typical Ibanez RG guitar, but with thicker lows, a more prominent midrange and less spiky highs. The clean tones are excellent for blues or jazz type settings, and with the high pass filter engaged it gets into kind of a Strat territory which is pretty cool. The drive tones are exactly what you'd expect from a Satch guitar - very open and refined but with enough output to work with higher gain modern rigs of today. It's a perfect compromise between the vintage Fenders and the more modern superstrats. Rhythms are fat and chunky, with excellent articulation and clarity on the low strings. The lead tones have great sustain and richness on both pickups, excellent for legato or alternate picked passages.

OVERALL OPINION

All in all I think the Ibanez JS1200 is a really cool and unique take on the typical Ibanez superstrat. It's a bit expensive at $1,800 new but they can be had for a reasonable price on the used market. It's well crafted and sounds great for hard rock styles, plus the feel is enough of a departure that fans of a more vintage feeling guitar will dig it.

Guitar Japan:

- Neck = Maple Rosewood
- Basswood Body =
- = W/6105 Frets
- = Edge Tremolo bridge
- Neck pickup DiMarzio Paf Joe =
- Bridge pickup DiMarzio Fred =
- Marine = Chrome
- Color = Red only (damage)
- Characteristics of the handle:
* Size = 648mm/25.5 "
* Width at top = 42mm
* Width = 58mm last box
* Thickness 1st fret = 20mm
* Thickness = 22.3mm 12th fret
* Radius = 250mmR
- Games string = 09/42

UTILIZATION

Like I said in the title is a very balanced guitar.

The finish is good, except for me the string stopper who looks below the rest, shame!

Its design is a great Fender.

Whether in terms of weight, maneuverability and games, it gives me a reference in the genre. You feel very at ease quickly seated or even standing.

The handle is shaped rather "round" and for me the chords are easy to install but are better anyway. And the solos are easy to make too but once again is better!
Say it is a story of compromise is often the game is easier in agreement either solo or in earnest, both well balanced.

Regarding the game at the right hand, I am sorry (but probably my fault) that the volume knob is as close as gradually as it happens unintentionally to fall ... Good is also the same problem on other guitars!

on the other hand at the vibrato once the strings are in place, you can go merrily on, they go out of tune! For his part

SOUNDS

, well I would say Rebelote guitar = balanced balanced sound.

The neck pickup is warm without being either a reference type and microphone treble do not break the ears ... They are powerful but not too much.
So in his "clear" as its "saturated", the character of this guitar fits very well with all types of gear and covers all styles of music without a problem!
But if you are looking for a type (Trash Metal, Rhythm 'n Blues, etc.) go your way ... this guitar is not for you.

on the other hand, depending on the famous "High Pass Filter can be activated by switching the volume knob works fine ... nature sounds at low volume is indeed conserved, it works and it's not a gimmick more!

OVERALL OPINION

After 2 years of use, I am satisfied and I do not part with that for another of the same series.

The quality / price was perfect for me in 2008 but at the time of writing this review we do affects more than a minimum of 1800 €, it becomes in my opinion a bit too much for this guitar ... but it still remains one of the best productions of the brand Ibanez.