Ibanez 09 models
Ibanez have updated their website for 2009 with a new lick of paint and a new range of guitars most of which you are probably already aware of. Ibanez are another company that have gone down the retro path this year releasing the RG3570Z which is available in Lazer Blue or Candy Red and have bright yellow pickups. Also the RG1550M looks very 80′s available in Poisoned Pumpkin or Phantom Blue and both with a Maple fretboard. The new Paul Gilbert model, the PGM401 is a very refined looking version of the PGM in Trifade Burst and vintage looking DiMarzio® PAF-Classic® humbuckers, I’m just not a fan of painted on f-holes. It is certainly different to the PGM 20th which doesn’t get a mention in the main product section but instead has its own mini-site. Another guitar that doesn’t get a mention is the Paul Gilbert Fireman which Peter over at I heart Guitar reports costs a whopping $9,333.33 and will be extremely limited.

Other big news is the re-release of the Andy Timmons signature Ibanez, the AT100CL which is basically an RG with the styling of a vintage Fender Stratocaster but with DiMarzio pickups and the RG shaped body. If you haven’t seen or heard Andy playing this guitar check out the videos Mesa Engineering have released on YouTube.

A big surprise to most will be the addition of a hard tail JEM using the Tight End bridge which although is a great bridge doesn’t seem to fit the look of the JEM in my opinion, I don’t think I would buy a JEM without a floating trem.

There are of course some very nice Hollowbodies as usual I particularly like the AG95 with its Figured Bubinga back and sides and the AF75TDG which looks like a Gretsch!. I also really like the AJD91 which is like a PGM401 with actual f-holes and an Iceman style headstock! Ok so its not like a PGM it is more of a squared boxy kind of shape but it looks fantastic especially with the flame Maple top. I don’t think this is a new model but I’d never really paid it much interest before so thought it was worth a mention.