Ibanez MSC550 Montage Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Flamed maple body. B-Band UST pickup. Ibanez multi-function preamp.

Overall User Ratings (based on 13 ratings)
  • Overall:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    3 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
(13) (see rating details)
Submitted February 23, 2010 by a customer from comcast.net

"Beautiful Guitar with a Needy Personality"

Overall: 3.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
If it were lost or stolen, I doubt I would replace it. It has been fun to play (lots of comments on its looks and acoustic sound). It's kind of like I would remember it fondly, but wouldn't try to replace it. I think I would try a Line 6 Variax, although price might be an issue. The things I like least are: short battery life and the horrible noise when the battery DOES die in the middle of your set.
Sound
Pretty good acoustic sound. Electric sound is not as pleasing, but okay.
Features
Love the tuner and chorus built in. I also have used the distortion, but found it a bit too distorted, not like an overdrive, which I would prefer. It is adjustable and I am able to find a tone I like.
Ease of Use
It's easy to mess with the controls. It's pretty intuitive once you figure out the layout. This thing EATS batteries. It used 4 AA batteries and will last about 8 to 10 hours. You can't use rechargeables, as they last about 1/2 hour only. This was my experience. That it uses batteries so fast is one of the down sides to this guitar. and if they go during your show, you'll be very embarassed at the noise it makes. It howls at max volume. But it does give you a little warning, as the sound level starts to drop. Just pray you get to the end of the song before it goes berserk.
Quality
I really like the looks of this guitar. It's a pretty guitar and always gets comments. There was NO information on the so called "F.A.S.T." neck when I looked on the internet after buying the guitar. I still don't know what F.A.S.T. stands for. Though I play some slide and like my action a bit high, the action was set pretty high, and I wanted to lower it a tad. I ended up taking the neck off, and only then did I discover that it's only a matter of loosening one hex screw and then screwing a tiny one in further. That tilts the neck back quite easily. The information I got on this guitar was sadly lacking, both from the dealer and from the internet.
Value
I have been content with this guitar, although I have had some intermittent electronics problems that have lead me to put this guitar away for nearly a year now.
Manufacturer Support
On Line support was really not there, and I had to pretty much find my own way. The guitar seems to be made well. Fit and finish are nice.
The Wow Factor
I love the unorthodox looks of this guitar. Mine is red. REAALY red. I like the idea of being able to switch between sounds and tones, to electric, and to have a tuner and a chorus (okay, and a distortion) built in. I travel a lot and like not having to drag a lot of pedals and cords with me. It's both beautiful and "intellectual". Practical and pretty.

Musical Background:

Full time working entertainer for 35 years

Musical Style:

Trop Rock
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Submitted April 15, 2008 by a customer from yahoo.com

"Great Guitar with Great Features!!!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I plan to use this guitar for a long time, many years. I will possibly buy a different Ibanez to play while I am waiting to receive this guitar, sometimes it can take awhile to receive a new guitar. I'll probably buy one that is in stock to use until I receive this one. I'll probably use that one as an alternate tuning guitar.
Sound
I seen the demonstration of the Ibanez Montage on youtube.com, Larry Mitchell gave a presentation on it, and this guitar sounds awesome, and has a lot of great features.
Features
The product includes, Chorus, Reverb, Overdrive, an onboard tuner, and an XLR, and 1/4" jack output.
Ease of Use
It's easy to use, just turn the knobs to control the amount of effects.
Quality
It looks really well made, volume and tone controls are out of the way of your strumming hand. It's a great looking guitar, and it sounds great too.
Value
It's a good price for the features.
Manufacturer Support
I'm sure Ibanez would be help anyone who owns one if they had a problem. I don't see where anyone would have a problem with the function of this guitar.
The Wow Factor
I have ordered it, I'm just waiting to receive it.

Musical Background:

Active musician

Musical Style:

Rock
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