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The Ibanez S Series
In 1987, guitar maker Ibanez® launched its distinctive S series electric solid body guitar. To mark the 25th anniversary of its release, a limited edition model has been created for 2012.
With its chiseled good looks and superfast neck, the latest S series from Ibanez® is a sonic blend of classic characteristics with several inventive features. The ergonomically contoured body and distinctive headstock, Ibanez® trademarks, are there and so is a “Zero Resistance” tremolo system and body matching neon strings. Not the usual shredding machine.
The company
In a market where American made guitars are considered to be the benchmark of the industry, Ibanez® offers a number of highly regarded instruments, including its S series. Owned by the Hoshino Gakki Company LTD., of Nagoya, Japan, Ibanez® is no newcomer to the retail instrument business.
Founded in 1908, Ibanez® has maintained a player-friendly attitude throughout, rendering the company and its products extremely accessible. Domestic guitar giants: Take note.
According to the Ibanez® website, “That Hoshino was able to emerge today as a leading instrument maker is due in large measure to our customers, lovers of fine music and fine musical instruments who entrusted their hopes and dreams with us…We want to express our sincere thanks to all these people.”
Recognizable features
Ibanez® made their mark with contemporary electric players owing to the company’s lightweight bodies and rapid fire necks. Both are present on the 25th anniversary limited edition S series, also known as the S1XXV.
The mahogany body, visually smooth and physically efficient, has profound cutaways, allowing full access to a rosewood fingerboard. The S series also features a 24 fret maple “Wizard” neck, constructed of three pieces. The flat neck profile, a 15.74˝ radius, along with jumbo frets, lends itself to ultra fast runs.
Electronics
The limited edition S comes equipped with Ibanez® Infinity pick-ups, two humbuckers and a single coil, in an H-S-H configuration.
The bridge position humbucker, with enhanced mid range capability and the single coil, in the middle, both sport Alnico magnets, while the neck pick-up employs ceramic. Add to that a five way switching system, with split functionality and the mixing possibilities become exponential. There are only two control knobs, which make blending a never-ending thrill.
Special points of interest
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the S is its locking tremolo system. The “Zero Resistance” design uses ball bearings in order to ease friction and provide greater string flexibility.
Ibanez® explains, “This unique system stabilizes the bridge and insures tuning stability by consistently returning the tremolo to the center point (or zero point.)”
In essence, what does this mean? An axe that is apt to stay in tune following the hardest pounding, even after a string breaks.
The anniversary S, available in two colors, fluorescent green or yellow, emits a vibrantly sleek appearance with its matching dot inlays and “DR Hi-Def NEON coated” strings, standard with either finish.
The price
Online, the Limited Edition S sells for about $700. That’s not a lot to pay for a natural born shredder. The ranks of some of the world’s finest guitar players, including Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, are known to use Ibanez® instruments. Why not join them?
Hi I need to ask something. I just bought the Ibanez 25th Anniversary S Series as showed above…is written made in Indonesia..is that the unique place or does it exists a made in Japan one?
Thanks
I’ve got an S Custom that I bought in 1994…still my favorite guitar 🙂