NAMM 2017: Ibanez RG30JCLTD J-Custom 30th Anniversary
No classic RG? Just some over the top bling fest!
3,0 / 5,0 | 
Ibanez RG 30th Anniversary RG30JCLTD J-Custom model · Source: http://www.ibanez.com
Ibanez RG30JCLTD J-Custom 30th Anniversary · Source: http://www.ibanez.com/
Ibanez RG30JCLTD J-Custom 30th Anniversary with its '30th Anniversary' back plate · Source: http://www.ibanez.com/
Ibanez has some ridiculously great-looking modern looking guitars on their NAMM Show stand this year, like extended-range guitars, left-handed signature models and recreations of classic shred instruments. Then there is the rather blingy RG30JCLTD J-Custom model that celebrates 30 years of the RG.
After the official announcement of the JEM’s 30th anniversary yesterday, you could easily forget that the RG also shares its birthday, as both were born back in 1987.
RG 30th Anniversary Tribute
I was surprised that Ibanez didn’t do an exact recreation of the original RG550. Yes, I know they have done many variations in the past, but I would love to have seen the original colours available once more. Instead, they have gone with a natural wood version. It looks nice, but I would have preferred a Desert Yellow or a Road Flare Red myself.
The RG30JCLTD just looks a mess to me and I kind of wish they hadn’t, but then I have never been a fan of the bling myself. It’s a J-Custom, meaning it will cost a fortune, yet I am sure it will play beautifully. But it looks like a tart’s handbag to my eye.
With a 4mm thick AAAAA quilted maple top on a mahogany body and a Super Wizard 5pc Maple/Walnut neck with KTS Titanium rods, for stability. I’m sure it will sound great, but I really don’t like the look myself.
The classic DiMarzio Air Norton neck humbucker, a Tone Zone in the bridge and a True Velvet centre pickup are as to be expected for this guitar. Also on-board are a gold-plated Lo-Pro Edge tremolo bridge and matching gold plated hardware.
Ibanez RG 30th Anniversary. Yuck! · Source: http://www.ibanez.com/
Honourable mentions and sustain for days
Joe Satriani’s new signature model for 2017 has a Sustainiac pickup in the neck position, which is a pleasant surprise. There is also a left-handed Paul Stanley signature model, a very interesting looking Tosin Abasi prototype and of course the new Meshuggah guitarist Fredrik Thordendal’s FTM33. But I’m still a little disappointed about the RGs…
Luckily for all of us Brits not able to make the long journey to Anaheim for the NAMM Show, Ishibashi Music has sent their ‘Ibanez nut’ Jason to do a tour of the whole booth, with some more details on some of the models we’ve already mentioned and some insights into some we haven’t seen yet.
Check out the rather well shot Ishibashi Music video tour below.
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