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.

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!

Features
Mine… read more 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!!

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!

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.

Manufacturer Support
I guess they'll be good, haven't needed them yet.

The Wow Factor
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!

Musical Background:
Working musician

Musical Style:
Rock, Heavy Blues and Metal read less