customer reviews
76 People rated this product :
9 out of 10
7 People wrote reviews
9 out of 10
"Just my opinion"
Feature:
The ZR trem is a nicely engineered system. Took about 15 minutes to set up, and this was the first locking type that I've used. Wasn't set up as received. Intonation was more difficult to adjust than the action and tuning, but it was close.
Check the forums at Ibanez' web site for a walk through. Don't forget to stretch the strings completely or you'll be frustrated.
Quality:
The action reminded me of my $60 Harmony acoustic. The nut is a few thousandths higher than necessary and the strings are factory set at least 1/4" from the frets. Lowered the action to the minimum specified in the manual and there is some buzz and rattle. Needs some material removed from the bottom of the nut and a light fret dressing.
Fit is as good as I've seen, maple top is well book-matched, finish acceptable - a couple lines where the lacquer (clear coat) didn't flow out, but they were buffed nearly flat and virtually invisible.
The first guitar that I received had a few frets filed flat, and the frets had file marks on top - not crowned or polished. It had several other problems with bridge, nut, and pickup alignment so it went back to zZounds - no problem. Had a replacement in two days.
Value:
Value to me is as comparable to a new Strat (better trem on the 470). That works out to 1/2 to 2/3 the cost of a new Strat. Still have to get the frets cleaned up on this one. Maybe the Strat would need some attention too?
Desirability:
I would like to have the rear of the body dished out as I did with my Strat, more of a curvy '60s profile. Just so that it would fit better.
The red burst on curly maple looks just like fire.
My wife likes me in bright colors.
Sound:
Many reviewers want to replace the p'ups with something hotter. I find the bridge and neck to be clean and powerful, hot enough for blues and rock with a tubed amp. Get a pedal to cover the range of distortion you like.
The center selection is close to my 70's Strat, probably a little hotter - not as thin sounding.
This setup is very flexible and the mahogany tone stands out. It has it's own voice.
Ease of Use:
I don't plan on modifying anything to get better tone. Gets a variety of sounds, nice bite and punch. Can be played very clean if you roll off the volume knob a bit.
Support:
I would like to send my 470 back to have the action and fret dressing issues resolved, but having seen the filing they did on the first one, maybe not.
Maybe I'll call just to talk.
Overall:
It's the best with regard to features in it's price range.
The trem is very nice mechanically and the various finishes make a nice package. The trem bar is even clear enameled.
Submitted: 8/27/2007
Style of Music: Contemporary Worship, Rock
10 out of 10
"Beyond Sweet"
Feature:
Mine came with a very nice case, 4 allen wrenches, and a (cheap, like always)10 foot cord.
This is one of the best built axes I've ever bought, plain and simple. Fit and finish are excellent, and the only tweaking needed was a slight intonation adjustment. The ZR tremolo is an amazing bit of engineering! While it took a little bit of studying, (the manual could be clearer) once I got it figured out it was time to be amazed. This thing has not slipped out of tune yet, at all. The fine tuners on it could be a little easier to grip, they're too smooth. Overall, I absolutely love the ZR! It's a well thought out and executed piece of equipment, and it definitely does it's job well. The choice of woods is classic, and the body shape of the S lets the tonal characteristics of the wood shine through without straining your shoulder. I got the Blue Moon Burst finish, and with the quilted maple top, and black chrome hardware, it is one gorgeous axe!!
Quality:
As I said in "Features", fit and finish are excellent. There were no loose screws or parts, and the only adjustment it needed was a slight tweak to the intonation. The action was set perfectly for me. the Blue Moon Burst finish is gorgeous, and I found no flaws in it at all. Overall feel is very solid, and well built. I expect this axe will handle anything thrown at it, and age gracefully. There's a reason there's so many old Ibanez's out there, they're tough.
Value:
Buying a Ferrari for the price of a Kia would be a good metaphor for the value of this guitar. Easily outperforms guitars costing 2-3 times as much, and looks better while doing it as well.
Desirability:
Beautiful finish, sexy body shape, state of the art tremolo...What more could ya ask for? Oh, and the ladies think it's pretty, too!
Sound:
The '07's have Infinity 1 (neck) Infinity Single (mid) and Infinity 2 (bridge) pickups instead of the Powersound pickups. I've found the S470 to be extremely versatile in tones. The humbuckers are warm and expressive, with excellent clarity and note definition. NO MUD! The single coil in the middle mates nicely with the humbuckers, and gives a spanky tone on it's own. Playing the S470 through my Peavey ValveKing 100 I can get sparkling clean to snarling crunch to super saturated high gain, and they ALL sound great. We play Beatles, CCR, AC/DC, ZZ Top, Led Zeppelin, SRV, Megadeath...practically every kind of rock and blues out there, and I have yet to find one that I can't use this axe for. My only quibble would be that the neck pickup MIGHT be a little dark sounding for me, but that hasn't stopped me from using it at all!
Ease of Use:
Ibanez is known for making great playing axes, and this is no exception. The neck is fast and easy playing, with low action and no buzz. Very straightforward controls mean you don't need to fiddle around much to find your sound. The ZR tremolo is no harder to work with than any other locking trem, once you get it setup. Changing strings is standard locking trem stuff. My lone clomplaint is with the manual. As is typical with manuals translated from Japanese to English, it can be confusing and unclear at times. This one got me in a critical area, ZR Trem setup. I finally had to rely more on the diagrams, but they were mislabeled at points as well! I got used to strange Asian to English translations a long time ago, so it doesn't surprise me at all anymore. It can actually be amusing at times!
Support:
I guess they'll be good, haven't needed them yet.
Overall:
This one isn't going anywhere! It's the perfect combination of looks, sound and playability. I've been looking for an axe like this for years, trying all kinds along the way. When you find "IT", at that kind of price, you hang on to it. I would like to get another Ibanez in the same style, different color, maybe different pickups for variety. I bought this over an ESP/LTD EC400VF because of the trem and the light weight, though I've been a huge ESP lover for years. I couldn't be happier with the choice, though I still may buy the ESP! I may get another Ibanez instead, we'll see.
Submitted: 7/23/2007
Style of Music: Rock, Heavy Blues and Metal
Read all reviews...
loading...
