Martin
Administrator
Posts: 11,994 
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"http://mandocello.org/lytebox/images/adirondack.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0a530b
Mini-Profile Text Color: 4f3517
|
Post by Martin on Dec 8, 2015 15:12:36 GMT
A really unexpected one, this. The guitar caught my eye and although the pictures on Gumtree weren't the best, it looked very nice. I've always rated Ibanez guitars, and even though I've never had one before, the lead player in my first band did - in fact, we went to Glasgow together when he bought it, and I was very impressed. I thought it might need a bit of TLC, and it turns out I was right. It was a fair journey to view it, and it was heavy with dust, as well as the strings being done, but it seemed in very good underlying condition. The price was pretty reasonable too - worth a gamble certainly, and should be able to break even if I do sell it on. Trouble was I didn't know the model number until I got back and researched it - turns out it's a 2006 model SZ320MH made in Korea. It has a mahogany body, strung through (like a Telecaster), has Duncan/Ibanez humbucker pickups and a highly accessible set-in neck. I only tested it briefly in-situ with my Blackstar Fly, but it sounded fine (though badly out of tune). Here's the kicker, though....it came with a Hiscox Liteflite standard electric case. One or two of the fasteners are slightly corroded, but it all works fine. I think both the case and guitar will clean up very nicely, and it also came with a lead and strap. I think it was a bit of a bargain  I'll get actual photos later once I clean it up, but here's a photo of another (same model/colour):  |
|
ocarolan
Global Moderator
CURMUDGEONLY OLD GIT (leader - to join, just ask!)
Posts: 35,711
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"c0cfe1"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 182a3f
Mini-Profile Text Color: 733a1c
|
Post by ocarolan on Dec 8, 2015 15:32:31 GMT
Oooh you devil you! Congrats Martin - could well be a good 'un could that!  Keith |
|
Martin
Administrator
Posts: 11,994
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"http://mandocello.org/lytebox/images/adirondack.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0a530b
Mini-Profile Text Color: 4f3517
|
Post by Martin on Dec 8, 2015 16:05:09 GMT
Thanks, Keith.
It's a bit of a departure from my usual, and a bit of a risk. It was advertised as en 'electric guitar with case'.
No mention of the type or the make of case - I recognised it as a Hiscox from one of the photos, although I couldn't be sure.
Nice fella was selling it for his son who was working abroad, and it hadn't been used in a few years. I offered the asking price as it seemed a good deal and he seemed surprised I didn't want to haggle, so gave me a fiver off it just like that!
|
|
|
|
Post by grayn on Dec 8, 2015 20:41:58 GMT
Really nice score, Martin.
Looks good for that super speedy, widdling stuff.
Should get some great sustain from that bad boy.
Congrats.
|
|
|
|
Post by grayn on Dec 8, 2015 20:45:45 GMT
Hey! You've probably got more Leckys than me, now.  |
|
Martin
Administrator
Posts: 11,994
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"http://mandocello.org/lytebox/images/adirondack.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0a530b
Mini-Profile Text Color: 4f3517
|
Post by Martin on Dec 8, 2015 23:23:05 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by vikingblues on Dec 9, 2015 7:22:47 GMT
It's a good feeling to take a gamble and win - looks like you've done that there. When the strings are done it's always a bit of a gamble. It certainly looks to have good ratings from users on line. Hope it turns out to be a keeper for you. Mark |
|
Martin
Administrator
Posts: 11,994
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"http://mandocello.org/lytebox/images/adirondack.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0a530b
Mini-Profile Text Color: 4f3517
|
Post by Martin on Dec 9, 2015 8:46:29 GMT
Thanks Graham and Mark.
I had a better look over it last night, and it really is in excellent condition, but does need some maintenance.
It is very dusty/grimy all over - looks like it was gigged a bit then stuck in the case and not touched for a while, so there's a lot of cleaning to be done.
The action is also very very low - there is a little bit of buzzing when played hard, and the bridge pickup sits very low (possibly as a consequence of the low string height), so that will need to be adjusted.
Overall, the sound is good and it feels like a high quality, well-made guitar.
|
|
|
|
Post by earwighoney on Dec 9, 2015 11:13:43 GMT
Thanks Graham and Mark. I had a better look over it last night, and it really is in excellent condition, but does need some maintenance. It is very dusty/grimy all over - looks like it was gigged a bit then stuck in the case and not touched for a while, so there's a lot of cleaning to be done. The action is also very very low - there is a little bit of buzzing when played hard, and the bridge pickup sits very low (possibly as a consequence of the low string height), so that will need to be adjusted. Overall, the sound is good and it feels like a high quality, well-made guitar. Nice find there Herr Martin. A good thing about a tuneomatic bridge is it's really easy to raise the action. As for the grime - lighter fuel works wonders! What are pickups like? Any plans of replacing them? |
|
Martin
Administrator
Posts: 11,994
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"http://mandocello.org/lytebox/images/adirondack.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0a530b
Mini-Profile Text Color: 4f3517
|
Post by Martin on Dec 9, 2015 11:46:50 GMT
Thanks Graham and Mark. I had a better look over it last night, and it really is in excellent condition, but does need some maintenance. It is very dusty/grimy all over - looks like it was gigged a bit then stuck in the case and not touched for a while, so there's a lot of cleaning to be done. The action is also very very low - there is a little bit of buzzing when played hard, and the bridge pickup sits very low (possibly as a consequence of the low string height), so that will need to be adjusted. Overall, the sound is good and it feels like a high quality, well-made guitar. Nice find there Herr Martin. A good thing about a tuneomatic bridge is it's really easy to raise the action. As for the grime - lighter fuel works wonders! What are pickups like? Any plans of replacing them? I was thinking of a very small touch of metal polish for the hardware and then just a damp rag for the woodwork, but I'll consider all suggestions The pickups seem pretty decent - Duncan Designed apparently, so cheap Seymour Duncans, and both relatively high output. I'll run them through my main amp and compare to the Fenders before deciding - the Tele might need pickups first, as those ones are 'vintage' and therefore terribly weedy  The neck design is very impressive, and being a substantial solid mahogany beast, it weighs a ton! |
|
|
|
Post by grayn on Dec 9, 2015 12:16:31 GMT
Don't be surprised if those "cheap" Seymour Duncans, don't turn out to be really good pickups.
Korean made guitars are usually very good.
That super low action is great for tapping and super widdly hammer-ons etc.
Not much good for owt else, in my view.
With some fettling and cleaning, I reckon you'll be on to a winner.
I had a Schecter, that was very similar to your newbie, with a posher finish.
Great guitar. For many styles.
|
|
|
|
Post by grayn on Dec 9, 2015 12:26:14 GMT
|
|
Martin
Administrator
Posts: 11,994
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"http://mandocello.org/lytebox/images/adirondack.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0a530b
Mini-Profile Text Color: 4f3517
|
Post by Martin on Dec 9, 2015 14:16:19 GMT
That Schecter does look very similar indeed.
The action might have to come up very slightly, but I'll check the relief first when I get to cleaning it up.
I'm just realising what a good buy it seems to have been, having checked used prices.
|
|
Martin
Administrator
Posts: 11,994
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"http://mandocello.org/lytebox/images/adirondack.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0a530b
Mini-Profile Text Color: 4f3517
|
Post by Martin on Dec 10, 2015 8:54:18 GMT
It's cleaned up not too badly. I polished all the chrome hardware, dusted and polished the guitar body and neck and oiled the fretboard just a tad.
Can anyone recommend an easy and effective way to polish the frets, without hurting the fretboard?
I was thinking about using some very fine steel wool, but I'm not sure (other than using the Stewmac gizmo) how to just target the frets.
|
|
ocarolan
Global Moderator
CURMUDGEONLY OLD GIT (leader - to join, just ask!)
Posts: 35,711
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"c0cfe1"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 182a3f
Mini-Profile Text Color: 733a1c
|
Post by ocarolan on Dec 10, 2015 9:10:35 GMT
Masking tape?
|
|
Jo whoever he is.
