Ibanez S
Encyclopedia
The Ibanez S Series is a guitar series produced by Hoshino Gakki
. Introduced in the late 1980s, the S Series is notable for being a streamlined mahogany bodied guitar with a maple neck that plays comfortably while retaining the resonance of mahogany. Like the RG series, it also has prestige models, as well as derivatives, namely the SZ, SV, and SA series.
. At the time it was introduced, it was known for its sleek, contoured mahogany body as well as a unfinished maple neck (Wizard) that was the slimmest on the market at the time being only 17mm thickness at the first fret. These first models used an "HSS" pickup configuration with an IBZ/USA humbucker at the bridge and two IBZ/USA hum-canceling single coils in the neck and middle positions or "HH" with humbuckers at both neck and bridge slots. Originally the pickups were selected via individual mini switches, but at some point in the 1988 model year Ibanez replaced them with a 5-way blade switch. Like many Ibanez guitars of this era, the Sabers were equipped with a double locking Edge tremolo system
, licensed under Floyd Rose
patents. At the time there were two production lines for the S model: one in Fujigen, Japan, and one in Bensalem, PA, USA, which assembled the guitars from parts made in Japan. In the USA S models, they installed a counter-tension system called the Backstop in the springs cavity, a device that helped keep the guitar in tune after a string-break and during double-bendings, although getting it stiffer. The Backstop was halted in 1988 as the players preferred a more free and smooth tremolo feeling.
Frank Gambale
endorsed a Saber model in the mid-1980s, which became the basis for his signature FGM Series guitars of 1987. Gambale has also played various other Ibanez models such as the RG1270dx.
.
series is a derivative model, basically the hardtail version of the S series, with a thicker and heavier body and a shorter 25.1" set-in neck. Unlike the S or SA, it has a 3-way selector switch, at which the mid position is two single-coil (inner coils of the humbuckers) instead.
All three have their own Prestige model. The SA and SZ also have the budget Ibanez GIO
models. (GSA and GSZ, respectively) However, the first generation SZ2020 features a Seymour Duncan Distortion (bridge) and a SD Jazz (neck).
Hoshino Gakki
is the owner of the Ibanez guitar and Tama drums brand names.-History:The Hoshino company was founded in 1908 by Matsujiro Hoshino originally as the Hoshino Shoten bookstore which mostly sold books and sheet music and then gradually over the years also began to import musical instruments into...
. Introduced in the late 1980s, the S Series is notable for being a streamlined mahogany bodied guitar with a maple neck that plays comfortably while retaining the resonance of mahogany. Like the RG series, it also has prestige models, as well as derivatives, namely the SZ, SV, and SA series.
History
The Ibanez Saber (S) series was introduced for the 1987 model year, around the same time as the Ibanez RGIbanez RG
The Ibanez RG series has the maximum subtypes of guitars under the Ibanez Electric Guitar catalog and a popular series of Ibanez electric guitars produced by Hoshino Gakki. The Ibanez RG was originally designed as a derivative of Steve Vai's JEM\Universe series and released in 1987. Manufacture of...
. At the time it was introduced, it was known for its sleek, contoured mahogany body as well as a unfinished maple neck (Wizard) that was the slimmest on the market at the time being only 17mm thickness at the first fret. These first models used an "HSS" pickup configuration with an IBZ/USA humbucker at the bridge and two IBZ/USA hum-canceling single coils in the neck and middle positions or "HH" with humbuckers at both neck and bridge slots. Originally the pickups were selected via individual mini switches, but at some point in the 1988 model year Ibanez replaced them with a 5-way blade switch. Like many Ibanez guitars of this era, the Sabers were equipped with a double locking Edge tremolo system
Ibanez Edge
The Ibanez Edge Tremolo is a double locking tremolo system for the electric guitar very similar in design to the original Floyd Rose. It first appeared in the Ibanez product line as of the 1986 model year, however, they have appeared on guitars with 1985 serial numbers...
, licensed under Floyd Rose
Floyd Rose
The Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo, or simply Floyd Rose, is a type of locking vibrato arm for a guitar. The first of its kind, Floyd D. Rose invented the locking vibrato in 1977, and it is now manufactured by a company of the same name...
patents. At the time there were two production lines for the S model: one in Fujigen, Japan, and one in Bensalem, PA, USA, which assembled the guitars from parts made in Japan. In the USA S models, they installed a counter-tension system called the Backstop in the springs cavity, a device that helped keep the guitar in tune after a string-break and during double-bendings, although getting it stiffer. The Backstop was halted in 1988 as the players preferred a more free and smooth tremolo feeling.
S series
The current (2003 and 2007) S series uses a Zero-Resistance (ZR) tremolo system. The ZR tremolo system uses ball-bearings and a built-in counter-tension system (Zero Point System), which acts similar to a Hipshot Tremsetter, in that bending strings will not cause others strings to become flat. Essentially this means that the bridge isn't floating freely, however the stop-bar can be removed to change the tremolo to floating operation. Also, the ZR Tremolo has a spring tension adjustment screw, allowing adjustment without screwdrivers to pop open the back-plate.Frank Gambale
Frank Gambale
Frank Gambale is an Australian jazz fusion guitarist. He has released eleven studio albums over a period of more than two decades, and is renowned for his use of the sweep picking and economy picking techniques.-Recording career:...
endorsed a Saber model in the mid-1980s, which became the basis for his signature FGM Series guitars of 1987. Gambale has also played various other Ibanez models such as the RG1270dx.
Prestige series
The S-Prestige are the elite line of the S Series and are made in Japan. Sporting a ZR-II locking vibrato system and a 24 fret rosewood neck, it became the basis for the E-genIbanez E-Gen
- Origins :The Ibanez E-Gen was introduced in 2008 as Herman Li’s signature model. It is derived from the Ibanez S prestige models. - Features :...
.
S 7 string series
Ibanez continued their reign of the 7 string world by re-introducing the Ibanez S 7 string due to popular demand in 2007. A similar model had been discontinued and 7 string models were left to the RG series and some signature guitars. The first in the series, the S7320 sported all the same basic features as the non-Prestige models of the S Series (22 frets, Wizard-II neck, thin contoured mahogany body, ZR tremolo, jumbo frets) but had a different pickup configuration consisting of 2 Ibanez Axis Humbuckers, the AH1 and AH2, no middle pickup, but a 5 way selector giving the user the choice of Bridge, Bridge (single coil mode), Bridge and Neck (single coil mode), Neck (Single coil mode) and Neck, giving a wide array of tonal variations, allowing this guitar to be used not just for metal, but almost any genre. In 2010, they replaced it with S7420, which is similar except for the addition of a full 2-octave fretboard.SZ series
The Ibanez SZIbanez SZ
The Ibanez SZ is a modern 6-string electric guitar made by Ibanez, and is an offshoot of the Ibanez S family. Like the S, the SZ features a mahogany body. The SZ has a 25.1" scale. All SZ are hardtail...
series is a derivative model, basically the hardtail version of the S series, with a thicker and heavier body and a shorter 25.1" set-in neck. Unlike the S or SA, it has a 3-way selector switch, at which the mid position is two single-coil (inner coils of the humbuckers) instead.
SZR series
The Ibanez SZR series is a series introduced in 2008 to replace the SZ. Like the SZ, it has a thicker and heavier body (60mm thickness) and an even shorter 24.75" set-in neck, similar to Gibson's guitars. Otherwise, it is identical to the SZ, with 2 tone knobs and a 3-way selector switch, at which the mid position is both humbuckers in split coil mode using the inner coils. The SZR series was discontinued in 2010.SA series
The SA series is a more "standard" series, in that its S-based body, but slightly thicker, has a flat back and an arched top, with a smoothed off bolt-on neck. It also utilizes the SAT single-locking (only at bridge) floating tremolo. Prior to 2008 series, SA is the only standard (non-budget) range of solid-body guitar that use non-locking tremolos.SV series
The SV series sports a 24-fret neck, along with the SynchroniZR tremolo system; basically a non-locking ZR trem that utilizes locking tuners and a graphite nut. It also comes with a True-Duo coil tap system that Ibanez claims to give the guitar a more accurate tonal quality of a traditional S-S-S guitar.All three have their own Prestige model. The SA and SZ also have the budget Ibanez GIO
Ibanez GIO
The Ibanez GIO Series is a budget guitar series produced by Hoshino Gakki , replacing the Cimar line. The GIO guitars are a "budget" model line similar to Fender's Squier guitars and Gibson's Epiphone line. Unlike those particular budget lines however, these are produced as fully Ibanez branded,...
models. (GSA and GSZ, respectively) However, the first generation SZ2020 features a Seymour Duncan Distortion (bridge) and a SD Jazz (neck).