Ibanez S470DXQM Quilted Maple Electric Guitar

Feature:
The ZR Tremolo is DEFINITELY a step up from any Floyd Rose, or even Ibanez's own Lo- Pro Edge system. Thanks to the new design, which involves a system with two smaller springs to keep the floating trem fixed at one point and a tension adjustment, as well as a ball bearing pivot system instead of the traditional knife edge. All those factors make for the most solid trem I ever lay my hands on. You can lay your right hand palm on it and play staccato rythms, and it just won't move!But as soon as you grab the bar, it will respond. It also has more mass than the flimsy Floyds, thus improving sustain. Wang bar enthusiasts, beware : this system is not only an improvement in stability, but also in accuracy. When used (as mentioned before : it'll stay where it is when not using the bar), it'll have you working a bit harder, as it responds to even the slightest hand or finger movement; this no doubt due to the ball bearing pivot system, which is more unforgiving than the knife edge. When testing this guitar before purchase, my pinky trembled a bit from pulling up the bar, and the tremolo just followed the movement. It's just that good! Good enough to have you go back and woodshed on all your wang bar techniques. The best tremolo system I ever played with, no question!

Quality:
The guitar was in great condition when I bought it. I always inspect everything on every guitar I buy (not that I do every week ;-)), and this one was just impeccable. It had two control stamps on the backplate, which means this baby survived an inspection before leaving the factory. Made in Korea just got a whole different meaning : excellent value for money!

Value:
You would NEVER, EVER suspect this was a factory built instrument. It's just SO good! The used woods are excellent, the finish is impeccable, no loose screws, no bad potmeters... When this line will be terminated, I dare say that the value of these guitars will go up. In 10 years time, these babies will be much sought after. Get one while you still can. On second thought, don't. I want 'em!!

Desirability:
Sex appeal? If this baby turned into a woman after playing, it would be a catwalk model! The quilted maple looks so good, and the brandy brown finish just make this guitar shine! That's why I tried it out in the first place. Of course, looks aren't everything, but it has everything else; otherwise I wouldn't have bought it, no matter how gorgeous it looked.

Sound:
The pickups yield a very pronounced and clear sound. It has depth, balance and definition. WHat more can you ask from a pickup? The inbetween sounds with the single coil make this baby sound like either a strat (in the bridge-middle position) or a tele (neck-middle position) when played clean. Pink Floyd fans, beware! This axe will have you playing David Gilmour's clean parts for hours, Eugene! Overall, the sound is tight and clear, even when heavily distorted. The only snag, in my opinion, is that they're a bit hot. I'm not a fan of hot pickups, because they tend to distort too easily, and it's the pickup that brings it on, not the amp. If Ibanez could make these babies available with less output, I'd be in Guitar Heaven! For now, I just screwed them as far down from the strings as I could get away with, without losing definition and sustain. That'll do nicely for now.

Support:
Never had to...

Overall:
This guitar is no better or worse to me than all my other guitars. I bought them because of their distinctions, and all have their purpose. When I will buy another guitar, it will be for the same reasons, or to back up the ones I have (when touring, you can never be prepared enough if something goes wrong with your gear!). Since I own both a Strat and an Les Paul, and I have a great sounding and looking work horse, I would venture into other sounds : Tele, ES-335, Rickenbacker...

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.