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Sound:
DiMarzio D Activator pickups! These pickups are just awesome! Clean and clear when need be and when you add the gain they're very rich in harmonics and well defined. I can palm mute and get a great chug that's not muddy at all and for leads and riffs these things just make your notes soar out of the amp. This is the fixed bridge version of the Xiphos and the neck thru construction really does add to the sustain. Can't say that about some other neck thrus I've played. The combination of maple/walnut neck with mahogany wings gives just the right balance of snap and warmth.
Feature:
It has all of the features of my other Xiphos's (RCM and BCM) except a fixed bridge as opposed to the Edge III Tremolo on the others. I wanted the FX so I could down tune in a pinch and not have to spend the time readjusting everything like I would have to do on my others and for this it's great. Oh, and the Flat Glitter Rust finish is killer!
Ease of Use:
PLug into your amp. Tune up. Play. I am slightly annoyed by the placement of the strap buttons though. It makes the guitar EXTREMELY neck heavy.
Quality:
No issues here like I had with my first Xiphos. That one had the selector switch installed backwards and a big glob of polyurethane hanging off of one of the wings. This and my other one were fine. Hardware is top notch for a non-USA made guitar
Value:
This new series from Ibanez is their first to offer guitars with real DiMarzios for under a grand and judging by the reviews they're receiving it shouldn't be the last. The fact that it's made in Indonesia may scare off some people, but they'd be the worse off for not giving this axe a chance. If it were made in their Japanese factory it'd probably be selling for twice the price.
Manufacturer Support:
Emailed Ibanez once and got a response within 24 hours. zZounds custpmer support is always awesome.
The Wow Factor:
The shape of this guitar is what will make you want to pick it up and try it out. The tone and playability are what will make you want to take it home with you.
Overall:
The Xiphos series is everything it's advertised to be-amazing fast playing metal killing machines with blowtorch tone. If you play metal you owe it to yourself to at least try one on for size. If you're like me you'll be wondering where this guitar was all your life.
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Sound:
This guitar is metal. If you play any genre of metal... this is it. I would say that it best fits the death/thrash/technical side of metal, but im sure it would fill the sound for the other types of metal as well. This guitar has such heavy tone. The tone is very clear as well, and not at all dampened by heavy distortion. Seeing as i play death/technical metal for the most part, i am extremely happy with the sound.
Feature:
In my opinion, the more simple the guitar the better. I picked this version of the XPT700 because of the simple bridge! BUT! That is not to say that this thing has plain anything else... the entire guitar is a work of art.... but most importantly it is SOLID! im not scared of anything breaking off or needing to be replaced. This guitar comes with a few tools for bridge mods, so you may set the action and whatnot as you see fit.
Ease of Use:
for the most part, there is nothing easier in the world to just plug in and play. The reason i dock a few points is because you will need to move the strap peg locations!!! If you install the pegs at factory locations, you will experience a major problem with neck diving!!! Put one peg at the jack and the other under the lip of the smallest spike on the guitar (essentially, where the peg is close to the neck.. take that position but run the peg hole in the direction of the strings). Its hard to describe my modded locations.. but there are several useful youtube videos that explain good mod positions. once that issue is cleared up, this is a piece of cake to use, tune, etc.
Quality:
This guitar is a work of art. It came in mint condition, and if taken care, will remain that way. The woods chosen for this guitar is sturdy, and the neck thru design prevents the complications and wear down of a bolt on neck (like my other ibanez!!!). fantastic guitar.
Value:
Worth every penny. Seriously, i have played many-a pricey guitar... and this thing still kills anything in that price range.
Manufacturer Support:
cant say, never needed them.
The Wow Factor:
Is this even a question? Look at that guitar. Its a freakin X!!! X=sexy! And the finish is just simply the best. by the way, do not think your guitar coloring will look like the coloring you see on the product pic to the left! this guitar is much much darker, and has the same color changing feel as the regular xtp700. There are color-changing glitter piecese embedded in the dark dark grey color of the finish... meaning depending on your lighting, your guitar will look differnt. And the finish is completely unique to this model of the xpt700... the regular ones will not have this special finish. In addition, all the metal pieces are tinted slightly, giving a finished product that simply looks better than anything i have ever played.
Overall:
Im not upgrading further. This will be my guitar until it breaks down from me playing too much! In the future, if i wished for a new guitar, i want basically the same features as my xiphos! Same type of wood, strings, neck thru, wild body design and just a plain evil tone! If this thing was stolen, i would kill the theif for sure. I would have to save up to get another. its just too good. All and all, just a good guitar. excellent heavy yet clear/clean tone with or with out distortion or effects, amazing body design, unique and cool looking finish, solid feel... and for the price, you cant pass it up.
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Sound:
This guitar is simply amazing in every sense of the word. I play mostly rock and metal, and the pickups on this baby are insane. Very high-gain and good for soloing and rhythm. I run this guitar into a Line 6 Flextone III amp, and its a dream come true to play. Great sound overall.
Feature:
This guitar included a case from where I bought it, and included all the necessary tidbits (allen keys, strap pins, etc...) The most useful feature is the Gibraltar Custom bridge, which is one of the best fixed bridges I've ever used. The least useful feature is the location on the input jack - it's very odd, but nothing to worry about. The body is mahogany, with a neck-thru Wizard II neck. It sounds amazing, and is simply a dream to play.
Ease of Use:
After buying this guitar, I spent quite a bit of time adjusting settings, like the bridge and pickup height. All modifications are easy to do, and it is very playable, even right off the wall at your local guitar store.
Quality:
This guitar is made in Indonesia, and I have to say, I am impressed at the high level of craftsmanship on this guitar. Nothing was loose, there was literally no fret buzz, and it played like a dream. It's very light considering it's made of mahogany. This guitar can easily be used without backup. This baby should last forever, when properly taken care of.
Value:
For the price, this guitar easily beats anything in its price range. Great quality, great sound, killer looks - this thing is a metal machine!
Manufacturer Support:
Haven't had a reason to contact Ibanez support, but I've heard they're great.
The Wow Factor:
Just seeing this guitar in a shop makes you want one :P
Overall:
I expect to keep this guitar forever, and I dont see it breaking down on me anytime soon. If this were stolen, I would definately get another one. Great guitar, go buy one today!
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