Metal Onslaught: Ibanez Continues To Add More Metal Axes [ Summer NAMM 2007 ]
The onslaught continues unabated at the Austin NAMM this summer, with three different all-new reverse headstock RGR320 with Arctic Frost finishes, the first RG Prestige with a reverse headstock, a gloss black X-shaped Xiphos and an ART single-cut, which could easily fit into less fearsome genre gigs when needed. Let’s take a look….
RGR320EX in Three “Arctic Frost” Finishes
Perhaps the “most metal” offering of the Ibanez summer metalfest is the reversed-headstock RGR320EX. Because of the process used to create the Arctic Frost finishes, no two guitars are alike. Every owner can be assured that his or her axe is one-of-a-kind. The RGR320EX features a slim 3pc Wizard neck adorned by sharkstooth inlays, IBZ Designed By EMG pickups, and the Edge III double-locking tremolo. Three different Arctic Frost finishes are available. The list price is $799.99
Model | RGR320EX |
List | $799.99 |
Available Finish | GAR Gold Arctic Frost SAR Silver Arctic Frost RAR Red Arctic Frost |
Body Material | Basswood |
Neck Material | Maple 3ply |
Neck Scale/Type | 25.5”/Wizard II |
No. Frets/Type | 24/Jumbo |
Fingerboard | Rosewood |
Inlay | Sharkstooth |
Bridge | Edge III |
H/W Color | Black |
Neck Pickup | IBZ Designed by EMG |
Bridge Pickup | IBZ Designed by EMG |
Controls | One Tone/ One Volume |
Case | RG140C |
Case List | $109.99 |
RGR1570SDB Reversed-Headstock RG Prestige
Also on display at 2007 Summer NAMM is the first Ibanez RG Prestige with a reverse headstock, complemented by Ibanez’s new Suede Black finish. The RGR1570SDB features the famous flat and fast Ibanez Wizard neck, powerful Ibanez V7/S1/V8 hum/sing/hum pickups on a basswood body, and the Edge Pro double locking tremolo. The $1066.65 list price includes an Ibanez Prestige hardshell case.
Model | RGR1570SDB |
List | $1066.65 |
Available Finish | SDB Suede Black |
Body Material | Basswood |
Neck Material | Maple/ Walnut 5ply |
Neck Scale/Type | 25.5”/Wizard |
No. Frets/Type | 24/Jumbo |
Fingerboard | Rosewood |
Inlay | Pearl Dot |
Bridge | Edge Pro |
H/W Color | Cosmo Black |
Neck Pickup | V7 Humbucker |
Middle Pickup | S1 Single |
Bridge Pickup | V8 Humbucker |
Controls | One tone/ One Volume |
Case | Prestige Hardshell |
Case List | Included |
XIPHOS Is Black By Popular Demand
Right after applauding the addition of the radically-shaped Xiphos to the Ibanez metal pantheon, music store owners immediately told Ibanez, “Now you need one in black.” Well, black it is. The Xiphos features a 5pc Wizard II neck that’s perfect for precise and rapid runs, the Edge III double-locking trem, and a mahogany body for fat tones and massive sustain. DiMarzio’s D Activator pickups provide the tones favored by metalheads without the need for active circuitry.
The Xiphos is now available in red and blue “Chameleon” finishes and, now, black. The list price is $866.65
Model | XPT700 |
List | $866.65 |
Available Finishes | BK Black BCM Blue Chameleon RCM Red Chameleon |
Body Material | Mahogany |
Neck Material | Maple/ Walnut 5ply |
Neck Scale/Type | 25.5/5pc Wizard II Neck-Thru |
No. Frets/Type | 24/Jumbo |
Fingerboard | Rosewood |
Inlay | Sharkstooth |
Bridge | Edge III |
H/W Color | Cosmo Black |
Neck Pickup | DiMarzio D’Activator |
Bridge Pickup | DiMarzio D’Activator |
Controls | One tone/ One Volume |
Case | XP100C |
Case List | $169.99 |
ART100 Silver Single-Cut
Having already achieved best-seller status since its debut in January, the ART100 is now available in silver. Some may argue that the very affordable mahogany-bodied, single-cut axe shouldn’t be included in a press release about metal guitars, but the ART100 wouldn’t be out of place, visually or sonically, on a metal stage. Plus, you could take it on gigs where reversed-headstock axes with their dark metal association might get you some odd looks.
Model | ART100 |
List | $399.99 |
Available Finishes | SV Silver BK Black |
Body Material | Mahogany |
Neck Material | Mahogany |
Neck Scale/Type | 24 ¾″/ART set-in |
No. Frets/Type | 22/medium |
Fingerboard | Rosewood |
Inlay | 12th Fret ART |
Bridge | Gibraltar III |
H/W Color | Chrome |
Neck Pickup | ACH1-S Humbucker |
Bridge Pickup | ACH2-S Humbucker |
Controls | One tone/ Two Volume |
Case | AR100C |
Case List | $129.99 |