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Willis Music Oxmoor Product Profile
Ibanez RG350-DX
3 Piece Wizard II Maple neck, Edge III double locking tremolo bridge, solid basswood body, Infinity series pickups, jumbo fretwire.
Ibanez began life well before their rise to prominence is America. What started as a company building tributes to USA manufactured instruments quickly became a worldwide leader and innovator in guitar and bass designs. Many of the companies that inspired Ibanez’s beginnings now look to Ibanez for ideas to use themselves; not bad!
The RG350-DX is basically Ibanez’s most famous model without anything to make it too fancy. Based on the groundbreaking RG550 of the mid-80’s, this guitar is out to take no prisoners and provide its player with an arsenal of capability. Legends such as Steve Vai and Paul Gilbert embraced the original RG line for their combination of form and function, and those associations have led to several upgrades present here; most notable the neck design.
Steve Vai had a clear vision of how he wanted his necks to be shaped, and that slim carve was called the Wizard cut. This RG model features a Wizard III neck which retains the incredible thin comfort of the original design while adding extra strength by being made of three pieces of Maple rather than one. Sometimes called “stressing”, this procedure results in a considerably stronger neck and since the Wizard is as thin as it is that’s a real bonus for players. Topping off the rosewood fretboard are Ibanez’s signature shark tooth inlays and 24 jumbo frets guaranteeing buttery smooth chords and bends. This neck is a real treat to play, and even the staunchest vintage hunter will admit to wishing their treasured 1960-something played as well.
The Infinity line of pickups are exact replicas of the original DiMarzio models used in the early RGs and deliver the same even tone heard on shredder’s CDs throughout the 80’s. Part of the magic of these, and the original, pickups is that they were a medium output rather than being overly loud. This makes the contribution of the guitar’s body more important and the combination is a sound that is 100% unique to Ibanez. That’s another real achievement in a time when so many guitar choices are available to musicians. This guitar is loaded with 2 humbuckers and 1 single coil pickup. All are quiet and sound crystal clear alone or together. In particular, the pairing of the neck and middle pickup creates a stunning jazzy tone that knocks people out.
Ibanez’s third, and most influential aspect to their original RG models was the Edge tremolo. Based on the original Floyd Rose design, the Edge raised the bar by reconfiguring the location and angle of the fine tuners, how the actual arm attached, where the strings were locked and how the locking nut was designed. On most double locking systems, the nut placement requires a loss of wood at that area resulting in a weakened joint at the headstock. Ibanez pioneered the direct mount nut and ended broken headstocks for shredders everywhere. The upgrades on the Edge made it the go-to system for players and other builders like B.C. Rich, Zion and more.
Ibanez has a defined vision within their operation: Be “THE GUITAR” for every player possible, and this kicked-up RG model will serve headbangers as easily as bluesmen. The neck is the key here, and no other company today is offering such playability with pricing as affordable as Ibanez.
Reviewed by: Mike McAfee
Contact reviewer at: oxmoorstore@willis-music.com
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About the Contributor:
Manager Mike McAfee is a 13 year plus Willis veteran who has hand picked each employee on his floor because they excel in providing a superior experience to every customer. The confidence, knowledge and courtesy you encounter lives up to an environment tailored for each department of their store. The home-like piano experience alone is worth a visit, and no other store in town carries the stock or selection of Willis’ Oxmoor location. Please accept Mike’s personal invitation to see first hand how hard we’ll work to make sure you’ll always come back home to Willis Music at Oxmoor Center.
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