These guitars are in rough order of how much I love them, as if they were my own children. Like children, you love them all but you have favourites depending on their category. Why so many? Some say it's all about the different sounds you can get. This is true, as playing uptown jazz using a guitar designed for that style will naturally sound right and look the part. But while different types of guitars sound distinct from each other, it's certainly not difficult to play jazz on a 'country guitar' or rock out on a 'jazz guitar'. For me, it's always been about the 'feel'. Now that I own quite a few, I fully realise that each guitar exerts an influence, not so much on which notes you play, but on how you play them, as it pushes you towards what it wants to play. I know that's all in the mind, that they are all just wood, wire and metal. But, it doesn't feel like that. When you pick up the right guitar, it's much like meeting someone and you instantly love them, or exactly like when you don't, or they grow on you, or they don't. I love guitars...
Electrics first! My beautiful, perfect 1991 Ibanez RG750 built in the famous Fuji-gen factory! Ibanez are my favourite brand, as will become obvious. This work of art was designed by Steve Vai, a great player that inspired many (including me) to take up the instrument. My absolute fave possession ever. Bought 2nd-hand in 1993 with ALL of the money, and we've been in love ever since. Most of my gigging was with this wonder of design. Looks very 80s but ultra-reliable in any context. All my other guitars could be replaced, but this piece of wood and wire feels a part of me now.
Next, my 2015 Andy Timmons signature model. My 2nd fave. Looks & sounds like a Fender Stratocaster, but feels like an Ibanez. Wonderful. Classic looks, killer sounds. Easily the best utility guitar I own, capable of reproducing any sound you want, and would not look out of place in any context either. Did not come with ability to play like Andy Timmons though.
I never really liked the feel of Fender Strats, although I adore the sound. I was really surprised at how much I love this 1974 Greco Strat copy, made in the fabulous Matsumoku factory. Lovely big frets, worn neck, a bit battered, but there was an immediate connection. It can only do the Strat thing, but does it better than any Strat I've ever played. I've recently upgraded the original Maxon pickups with a Mojotone harness, meaning the wiring is all new and I can adjust the tone of the bridge pickup and blend the bridge and neck pickups too.
My most recent baby, and 1st non-Japanese guitar in this list, is this 2005 Fender Delux, in sapphire blue. This is the first Strat I've ever liked! I know, I never liked the most popular guitar ever. Until now, that is! So great. Big frets (unusual for Fender), muscular sound, clever switching system that allows the bridge and neck pick up to be used together (clearly a fan of that). Wow.
Is Sir playing an uptown Jazz gig? Then step this way. Recently acquired as a straight swop with a fab reissue 60s Fender Strat from 2005, I love this 2017 LGB30 by Ibanez. Wonderful jazz guitar, a signature George Benson. Disappointingly, Ibanez are still not including a switch to play like George Benson.
Straight back to Japan for my next fave, my 1972 Ibanez "Les Paul". This is wonderful. Best feeling Les Paul I've ever played. It came alive when I put on heavier strings than usual (11s). Wow. I swopped the original Maxon bridge pickup (scandalous) for the pickup I used in my main gigging Ibanez for 30 years. That pickup was designed by Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), and combines with the original neck Maxon for an amazing variety of tones from fiery to subtle to woody!
This 2011 FSR (Fender Special Edition) Telecaster in a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful monochrome sunburst pattern. It has a flatter and wider neck than my other Tele and feels amazing. It came with upgraded David Allen pickups for classic sounds with a modern feel and stunning looks. Not crazy about the varnished fretboard, but everything is amazing.
I normally go with the feel, man. But this Sire L7 Les Paul-type was love at first sight. I did try it out to confirm obviously, but wow. The sparkly gold finish is devastating to stare at. Feels great, big frets. Great fun. And at half the price you would expect!
Is Sir playing a downtown Jazz gig? Perhaps you should try my 2015 Ibanez AS93, their version of a Gibson 335? Great sounds, very classy look.
Back to Japan for the next 3 beauties. We start with my lovely but deadly serious 1979 Ibanez AR50. Ibanez were sued in the 70s for making knock-offs of famous guitars that had the temerity to be better than the originals. So they had to eventually knock that off. The AR50 was their first venture into original design. Amazing instrument. Simple, brutally functional yet somehow friendly, like a favourite hammer. Market positioning was as an alternate to a Gibson Les Paul.
Which brings us to my 1971 Ibanez "Les Paul". A 1971 Gibson Les Paul costs about €4,500 now. This is a better guitar, but somehow much cheaper. One of the very best sounding guitars I have ever played and my eldest. The original pickups & electronics were replaced, perfect for a modern rock sound. If I want the classic Les Paul sound, I always have my other 70s Ibanez Les Paul. Get me.
Now for my 1973 Ibanez "Telecaster". Another 'lawsuit' guitar. Great sound and better than several 70s Teles I've played, which cost between €3,000-5000. The original logo decal was inexplicably scraped off by one of its previous owners! I stuck a modern one on for this photo, but recently got a replica decal made on a fancy CriCut.
Wanna go chug-chug? A fabulous 2006 Ibanez S7320. My 1st venture into 7 strings. I don't play the Nu metal stuff as I am at peace, but still enjoying those lovely low Cs.
Electrics first! My beautiful, perfect 1991 Ibanez RG750 built in the famous Fuji-gen factory! Ibanez are my favourite brand, as will become obvious. This work of art was designed by Steve Vai, a great player that inspired many (including me) to take up the instrument. My absolute fave possession ever. Bought 2nd-hand in 1993 with ALL of the money, and we've been in love ever since. Most of my gigging was with this wonder of design. Looks very 80s but ultra-reliable in any context. All my other guitars could be replaced, but this piece of wood and wire feels a part of me now.
Next, my 2015 Andy Timmons signature model. My 2nd fave. Looks & sounds like a Fender Stratocaster, but feels like an Ibanez. Wonderful. Classic looks, killer sounds. Easily the best utility guitar I own, capable of reproducing any sound you want, and would not look out of place in any context either. Did not come with ability to play like Andy Timmons though.
I never really liked the feel of Fender Strats, although I adore the sound. I was really surprised at how much I love this 1974 Greco Strat copy, made in the fabulous Matsumoku factory. Lovely big frets, worn neck, a bit battered, but there was an immediate connection. It can only do the Strat thing, but does it better than any Strat I've ever played. I've recently upgraded the original Maxon pickups with a Mojotone harness, meaning the wiring is all new and I can adjust the tone of the bridge pickup and blend the bridge and neck pickups too.
My most recent baby, and 1st non-Japanese guitar in this list, is this 2005 Fender Delux, in sapphire blue. This is the first Strat I've ever liked! I know, I never liked the most popular guitar ever. Until now, that is! So great. Big frets (unusual for Fender), muscular sound, clever switching system that allows the bridge and neck pick up to be used together (clearly a fan of that). Wow.
Is Sir playing an uptown Jazz gig? Then step this way. Recently acquired as a straight swop with a fab reissue 60s Fender Strat from 2005, I love this 2017 LGB30 by Ibanez. Wonderful jazz guitar, a signature George Benson. Disappointingly, Ibanez are still not including a switch to play like George Benson.
Straight back to Japan for my next fave, my 1972 Ibanez "Les Paul". This is wonderful. Best feeling Les Paul I've ever played. It came alive when I put on heavier strings than usual (11s). Wow. I swopped the original Maxon bridge pickup (scandalous) for the pickup I used in my main gigging Ibanez for 30 years. That pickup was designed by Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), and combines with the original neck Maxon for an amazing variety of tones from fiery to subtle to woody!
This 2011 FSR (Fender Special Edition) Telecaster in a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful monochrome sunburst pattern. It has a flatter and wider neck than my other Tele and feels amazing. It came with upgraded David Allen pickups for classic sounds with a modern feel and stunning looks. Not crazy about the varnished fretboard, but everything is amazing.
I normally go with the feel, man. But this Sire L7 Les Paul-type was love at first sight. I did try it out to confirm obviously, but wow. The sparkly gold finish is devastating to stare at. Feels great, big frets. Great fun. And at half the price you would expect!
Is Sir playing a downtown Jazz gig? Perhaps you should try my 2015 Ibanez AS93, their version of a Gibson 335? Great sounds, very classy look.
Back to Japan for the next 3 beauties. We start with my lovely but deadly serious 1979 Ibanez AR50. Ibanez were sued in the 70s for making knock-offs of famous guitars that had the temerity to be better than the originals. So they had to eventually knock that off. The AR50 was their first venture into original design. Amazing instrument. Simple, brutally functional yet somehow friendly, like a favourite hammer. Market positioning was as an alternate to a Gibson Les Paul.
Which brings us to my 1971 Ibanez "Les Paul". A 1971 Gibson Les Paul costs about €4,500 now. This is a better guitar, but somehow much cheaper. One of the very best sounding guitars I have ever played and my eldest. The original pickups & electronics were replaced, perfect for a modern rock sound. If I want the classic Les Paul sound, I always have my other 70s Ibanez Les Paul. Get me.
Now for my 1973 Ibanez "Telecaster". Another 'lawsuit' guitar. Great sound and better than several 70s Teles I've played, which cost between €3,000-5000. The original logo decal was inexplicably scraped off by one of its previous owners! I stuck a modern one on for this photo, but recently got a replica decal made on a fancy CriCut.
Wanna go chug-chug? A fabulous 2006 Ibanez S7320. My 1st venture into 7 strings. I don't play the Nu metal stuff as I am at peace, but still enjoying those lovely low Cs.
The Ibanez showroom continues with my two bass guitars. First up is my 2014 SRF700, a fretless instrument which is so sensuous to touch. Mmm... I may have played the intro to "Wherever I lay my hat" a million times on it. The intonation is tricky as I'm not a real bass player, but so thrilling to play. A safer option for gigs would be my 2016 SR505, a magnificent 5 string fretted bass.
Next up is a shiny new Harley Benton, a headless 24 fret Dullahan. Still getting used to it but it is amazing. Then we have a 2005 Parker Fly, a P-42. Very light, very modern and very cool. I'm a big fan of Parker but they are no longer making guitars. Shame. Now for another cheap n' cheerful, shiny new Harley Benton, their lemon drop "Les Paul". Soooo pretty, but I wouldn't be confident about gigging with it, as cheaper instruments tend to betray you when exposed to life outside the bedroom. For example, recently a tuning head broke off! Quick replacement set and we are functional again. And finally, a 2003 ESP H-202. A beautiful instrument, feels good and is reliable, though clearly my least favourite child and could easily be traded (probably for an Ibanez). It's currently tuned to Open E for slide.
Acoustics, did you say? If you insist. This 2018 Faith 'Naked' acoustic is beautiful. Stripped of all artifice, it's just beautiful wood, so rustic and honest. Amazing instrument. But, my 2014 GG-42 Paris Swing guitar is nasty. Treat it like a normal guitar and it spits in your face. You have to imagine you're in a 40s Paris Jazz club first, then it lets you play it. Instrument dealers would call this type of instrument "strident", meaning it sounds like an angry banjo until you finally learn to control it. On the other hand, Next is my 1998 Rodriguez classical guitar, bought new a long time ago. It was my 2nd decent instrument. Lovely, but like all classical guitars, you have to bond with it to bring out its best. And this 70s Maverick 12-string certainly has a history, though I'm not sure what. Born in Japan, it made its way to an attic in County Limerick where it lay for decades. Found with no bridge and finger residue so dried in that a chisel couldn't budge it (I actually tried). So, I brought to a luthier, he fixed it up and it's quite lovely now.
Finally, a Hofner cheapo copy of Paul McCartney's bass. Great fun, and wanted one as an homage to one of the great artists of the 20th Century.
I have a few more, an acoustic bass, an Ovation acoustic, a banjo, a ridiculously fun banjolele, a cheapo lap steel, etc., a low-end Ibanez Gio with a lovely wizard neck from someone's very expensive 1997 Ibanez that was so damaged, it got harvested for parts. That will do for now. Hope you enjoyed reading, and if you have a 70s Ibanez guitar, do let me know...
Next up is a shiny new Harley Benton, a headless 24 fret Dullahan. Still getting used to it but it is amazing. Then we have a 2005 Parker Fly, a P-42. Very light, very modern and very cool. I'm a big fan of Parker but they are no longer making guitars. Shame. Now for another cheap n' cheerful, shiny new Harley Benton, their lemon drop "Les Paul". Soooo pretty, but I wouldn't be confident about gigging with it, as cheaper instruments tend to betray you when exposed to life outside the bedroom. For example, recently a tuning head broke off! Quick replacement set and we are functional again. And finally, a 2003 ESP H-202. A beautiful instrument, feels good and is reliable, though clearly my least favourite child and could easily be traded (probably for an Ibanez). It's currently tuned to Open E for slide.
Acoustics, did you say? If you insist. This 2018 Faith 'Naked' acoustic is beautiful. Stripped of all artifice, it's just beautiful wood, so rustic and honest. Amazing instrument. But, my 2014 GG-42 Paris Swing guitar is nasty. Treat it like a normal guitar and it spits in your face. You have to imagine you're in a 40s Paris Jazz club first, then it lets you play it. Instrument dealers would call this type of instrument "strident", meaning it sounds like an angry banjo until you finally learn to control it. On the other hand, Next is my 1998 Rodriguez classical guitar, bought new a long time ago. It was my 2nd decent instrument. Lovely, but like all classical guitars, you have to bond with it to bring out its best. And this 70s Maverick 12-string certainly has a history, though I'm not sure what. Born in Japan, it made its way to an attic in County Limerick where it lay for decades. Found with no bridge and finger residue so dried in that a chisel couldn't budge it (I actually tried). So, I brought to a luthier, he fixed it up and it's quite lovely now.
Finally, a Hofner cheapo copy of Paul McCartney's bass. Great fun, and wanted one as an homage to one of the great artists of the 20th Century.
I have a few more, an acoustic bass, an Ovation acoustic, a banjo, a ridiculously fun banjolele, a cheapo lap steel, etc., a low-end Ibanez Gio with a lovely wizard neck from someone's very expensive 1997 Ibanez that was so damaged, it got harvested for parts. That will do for now. Hope you enjoyed reading, and if you have a 70s Ibanez guitar, do let me know...
