Ibanez J Custom 2020: Stunning RG-style shredders with all-over elemental finishes
5,0 / 5,0 | 
Ibanez has just announced a brand new series of J Custom models, all built in Japan and with unique all-over finishes. Make no mistake: these high-end Japanese RG-style guitars will shred – and make you look amazing while you’re doing it.
Ibanez J Custom 2020
J Custom is the label used by Ibanez for its Japanese-made models. These are the top-of-the-line instruments, so expect master-built quality and serious playability from these four guitars.
All-over elemental finishes
These 2020 models have a unique all-over finish that makes these guitars stand out from the crowd. Ibanez says each colour scheme was inspired by the four elements fire, water, earth and wind. The colour schemes cover the guitar from the tip of the headstock across the whole instrument, including the fingerboard all down the body both front and back.
JCRG2002-SLH with all-over Sylph finish · Source: Ibanez
JCRG2001
This J Custom 2020 series is based around two core models. The JCRG2001 is available in two finishes, Salamandra (fire) and Undine (water). It’s got an alder body combined with exotic maple tops. You also get a RG J Custom Asymmetric Super Wizard five-piece maple/Purpleheart neck. This has a bound Birdseye maple fingerboard and mother-of-pearl dot inlays and jumbo frets with J Custom fret edge treatment.
The hardware consists of a Lo-Pro Edge locking tremolo bridge (one of my favourites) and chrome hardware. The pickups are a set of three DiMarzio models, with an Air Norton at the neck, a True Velvet in the middle position and finally a Tone Zone in the bridge position.
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- Bound Birdseye Maple fingerboard · Source: Ibanez
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- Ibanez J Custom 2020 Lo-Pro Edge tremolo bridge · Source: Ibanez
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- Asymmetric Super Wizard 5pc Maple-Purpleheart neck · Source: Ibanez
JCRG2002
The other base model is the new JCRG2002 in Gnome (earth) and Sylph (wind) finishes. This model essentially uses the same construction as the 2001 model above. The main differences is are an African mahogany body instead of alder and a Wenge/Purpleheart neck. It incorporates the same hardware and pickups as the JCRG2001 model.
I do like the look of these new models. But they look a bit expensive, I expect they’ll have a high price tag when they hit these shores.
RRP – TBC
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