Ibanez has been killing it lately. Man is this thing sweet. I moved over to headless a few years ago and never looked back. My back is thanking me.

@TheGuitarGeek

2 жыл бұрын

I might do the same in a few years time

@DaiBaNANA

Жыл бұрын

Out of curiosity and from my own lack of knowledge, I wonder how the alt-switch system (and the guitar in general) would work with Hot Rails... Any clue? Also Ichi and Scratchi

@RP-dy5mu

Жыл бұрын

I don't remember when Ibanez has not been killing it. Same goes for ESP.

I like how the alt switch can switch the single coils into a hum bucket, not just the 2 single coils together. That is really unique

Looks like Ibanez actually released something new to the market instead of releasing the same guitar with 1 new feature every year (looking at all mayor guitar brands). I'm not sold yet, but I will sure test it out if I come across it in a store. I'm not saying headless guitars are new or anything, but this headless has a different market to all the headless djent machines.

So happy to finally see an in depth review Thank you!

You are very kind and explain things very well.

Immensely enjoyed this video and your style of review! Thank you for bringing such an in depth look to this model where videos are quite scarce.

Definitely going on my wish list! Thanx Ichi and Scrachi!

Your video is professional, very pleasant and natural. Thank you. I just bought it a few days back and it all seems ok so far. Cheers.

Dude great video super insightful and so fun to watch because usually long reveiws lack stuff this was perfect

This was an incredibly thorough review. Thank you. Liked and subscribed

I only just discovered this guitar and although I am barely a player at all I am curiously in love with it. Your video was one of the first in my search for info about it and I quite enjoyed it. Here’s to Ichi! (and scratchy).

Beautiful music and beautiful video. Very well done! 👍🎸

Cool guitar.i have been eyeing that guitar. Thanks

Fun fact. Not Ibanez's first foray into headless guitars. back in the 80's they had the mighty AXSTAR!

@DeirdreSM

2 жыл бұрын

They've also had headless basses for quite a while (the EHB series), including the very rare short-to-mid scale 5-string multi scale (EHB1005SMS).

Really cool intro.Answered my questions just by playing.Thank you.

@TheGuitarGeek

2 жыл бұрын

No problem!

Just purchased my Ichi ( and scratchy) just now. Great vid. Really looking forward to exploring this axe.

Nice work, Andy!

This will be my next guitar...really great pickup combinations using the 'alt' switch, and being lightweight and easy to play make this one a winner for me. Thanks again for a great review!

@k0tana173

2 жыл бұрын

Im also in a point of buying this as my next guitar, we are kinda same, hope ur dream comes true soon))

You definitely sold me on this guitar. I already own one of the Ibanez headless basses and it is wonderful to play, so I can't wait to get this headless guitar!

Ooohhh sweet playing man!

Glad I stuck past the... Two demo plays you did at the start :) subbed! Oh and Itchy and Scratchy 🖖

Nice one a cool alternative for us Ibanez fans fed up with the AZ range and nice to have this rocking option itchy and scratchy!

This guitar is the first in a long time that really appeals to me ... not exactly sure why but, it does. Itchy and Scratchy makes me, it does.

Great review! I love those parallel sounds, doesn’t sound like a ceramic at all.

@TheGuitarGeek

2 жыл бұрын

I’m very impressed with it

Really interested by this new line. Definitely more guitar-like than something like a Strandberg. There are a few things I'd prefer done differently, but it's a bold step forward into something really cool by Ibanez. I've said before, if they'd come out with the AZ before I went down the Suhr rabbithole, my life might've taken a different path! Cool beans. Also, Itchy and Scratchy ;)

@paulwhite7125

2 жыл бұрын

Strandbergs are literally strats with parts of the body cut off/shaved . I own a Strandberg 7 string Original Boden Natural finish. I wouldn't mind getting the Headless Ibanez with the burl top, looks great.

Ordered one. Can’t wait

Great review. I picked up the Q52 the other day whilst in a store as it looked interesting. I have enough guitars and yet I bought it as it is fun to play and totally different to everything I have. Itchy and scratchy. Even if 10 months late.

I am definitely thinking of getting one of these...I like the black one with 2 humbuckers ...even though I have no creative synapses, I can say itchy-scratchy!!!!!

It's on my wish list now thanks to you. The headless that grabbed my heart was the QuestQX54QM but one reviewer came right out and said that if you want to play blues "this guitar is not for you." So when I heard what you were playing and all the mention of Strats and Les Pauls it was like a miracle to me :-) Itchi and scratchi and happier now...

@ymelfilm

Жыл бұрын

That guy who said it was not right. I have the QX54QM, perfect for blues environment too and I tell you, it is good for literally any kind of guitar music. The neck is a great thing on this guitar, much better than the basic Q54 model's neck, a genius neck profile. So the Ichika neck is also a kinda 'meh' for me: for his style I thought the slanted frets would fit better, also, I cant see the meaning of his bridge single pup choice - silly thing. He does not use this signature guitar as well, look at his present vids. Lol

I preordered mine July Hopefully it comes soon

Ichi and scratchy! Excellent review of this new awesome Ibanez model. I love the look of the guitar and was surprised by how fulsome it sounded. (Heh-heh, he said fulsome!) As a Strandberg owner, I'm really curious to try one of these, especially curious about the build. For a future video, I'd love to see how the guitar sounds through some distortion settings!

This is a very interesting guitar. I have developed a taste for headless guitars recently and I find refreshing that they also cover more 'classic' vibes with this model. Makes me feel itchy and scratchy...

@AlmostLakai94

2 жыл бұрын

That's exactly how I feel lmao

@ymelfilm

Жыл бұрын

exact;y, this is the first headless that has classic tones, not that ice picking, scratchy harsh high sound that comes out of all Strandbergs and other headlesses.

Thank you now I have visions of Itchy smashing a strat on Scratchy to get a DIY Ichi 10. I like the looks of it and I hope I`ll be able to play one in a guitar store near me very soon.

Itchy and scratchy, just ordered the Q54-SFM. Excellent review! Thank you for the comprehensive review. Can't wait for my own.

@reavu4742

2 жыл бұрын

How do you like it?

I ended up building a headless guitar kit from solo, but modified it quite a bit. after a professional setup it is now my main guitar

I own the same guitar and I love it. But I made an upgrade according to my taste, I changed pickups, Dimarzio air northon on neck, Dimarzio area 67 in the middle and SD hotrails on bridge. The switch is only used for splitting humbuckers, otherwise it is in a standard binding. I installed ICHI pickups on my Mexico strat and they work perfectly. And of course, the NECK IS PERFECT!!!

Good review, thanx

@TheGuitarGeek

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Good job with the playing.

I love it already so will definitely look at it before buying a Stratocaster because it has the look of a Stratocaster to a degree but has a sound all its own .

Sounds really sweet that guitar!

Ichi THE KILLER !!! not itchy and scratchy

COOL THE VIDEO I HAVEN'T SEEN THIS GUITAR YET IN MY COUNTRY BRAZIL I THOUGHT IT IS VERY BEAUTIFUL

I have been eyeing Kiesel for a while because Osiris/Zeus pull off the headless strat/tele look so well, but the new Q series seems to get it right on so many levels, including price. Ichi made a scratchy out of this one for sure.

My first thought when I saw the chrome PU covers was Red Special. Just for the look. But it would be very cool to change the wiring so you could get the "normal" RS sounds (all PU in series, in or out of phase) with "normal" strat sounds (all PU in parallel, but with the "non-strat" bonus of in phase or out of phase, as well as the option to hear all 3 PU at once or the Neck and Bridge without the middle.) Looks like a moders dream!

from what i heard about the pickups its something ichika was able to tune somewhat and he wanted the talman guitar but with more bass to them and from what ive heard these pickups do REALLY well at that goal

Great review 👍 itchi ...

Ichi and scratchy, really can't wait to try the quest series out and hopefully get one of them in the near future.

@TheGuitarGeek

2 жыл бұрын

Which one do you think you will end up with?

@WailingRaven

2 жыл бұрын

Originally, I wanted the Q52, the Matte Blue Humbucker model, but after considering the fact that I already have a dual humbucker RG that I'll most definitely upgrade the pickups to P-Rails in the future, I've decided that I'd go with the Q54, for different flavor in sounds. And the Q54 (both the Black and Seafoam Green) are the ones that are coming to one of the local store in the upcoming months. I tend to just sit and play my RG for more than 4-5 hours at a time, and it gets very uncomfortable due to the weight. So, a lightweight guitar is something I've been considering and the Quest series was announced just at the right time.

awesome review of this very unique guitar. Thank you ichi and scratchy. I want one now.. Thou shalt not covet.

this was a god revew i liked it ichi and scrachi

Ichi and scratchy. Been looking at picking up guitar (I'm already a musician, so I'm willing to spend a little more cause I know I'll stick with it) and this is the most helpful review I've found. Sure I don't know a ton about pickups and materials and all that, but the plain English of - it's light, it's comfortable, and it's easy to play may have made the decision for me. The couch guitar comment especially. TBH I was already wanting this guitar anyway. I guess its an Ichika bias.

Now I've clicked the like button because you asked from the past, and maybe you will see this comment in the future.. which is now, for you, the present and I'm writing from the past, which is my present.. Man! Time traveling is indeed confusing.

As a long time fan of strandbergs and other headless guitars I love seeing a big name like Ibanez jumping into the market. Would definitely be interesting to see if brands like ESP/LTD, Schecter, and Jackson start making headless instruments as well.

@DerEchteBold

2 жыл бұрын

I heard that Gibson kinda made a lot of headless Les Pauls in the past ...albeit not on purpose.

@DWN-020

2 жыл бұрын

@@DerEchteBold 😏

@Hexspa

Жыл бұрын

@@DerEchteBold zing

@anakein

Жыл бұрын

How does the Ibsnez compare to the Strandberg?

Nice review.....have to consider this one. Ichi and scratchy!!!

I like the shape, color scheme and the sound. Not itchy but warm, smooth and not scratchy.

@TheGuitarGeek

2 жыл бұрын

Nicely done! It’s a much more accessible guitar than it looks

This is my dream guitar and this is the first in depth review I’ve seen on it. Hopefully I get it in the next month 😂

@TheGuitarGeek

2 жыл бұрын

Enjoy that guitar dude. It’s a stunner!

@HeAPhantom

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheGuitarGeek I know I will haha I’m a huge fan of ichika and Tim Henson but the thing about the thbb guitar is that it had gold but since gold isn’t magnetic they can’t use real gold which means it will lose color later in the guitars life 😢

Just wish it also had a tremolp. it would be a no-brainer for me. It's so beautiful, and the small body is just so practical!

The guitar looks awesome I might wanna check it out

@TheGuitarGeek

2 жыл бұрын

You deserve it! Keep playing!

I always enjoy your videos. Your positive energy is contagious haha! Can I still get one of your signature Harley Benton DC in pelham blue?

@TheGuitarGeek

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Those Harley bentons have been sold out for a while. The other colours might scratch that itch!

@peterbaker3878

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheGuitarGeek Man that Pelham Blue was an amazing color. Appreciate the reply my friend, look forward to all your future content! 🤪

Can’t wait to try one of these, and maybe now I need to check out Ichi’s music too…

@TheGuitarGeek

2 жыл бұрын

The guitar got me into his music. Most popular track on Spotify is beautiful

I loved Ren and Stimpy! The Itchy and Scratchy show was just as hilarious thrown in to boot Great demo of this cool guitar I had just finished watching Thomas McRocklin explain why he left Ibanez and went to Kiesel because of their headless guitars Ooops! Guess he should have just asked for one lol

Ibanez is absolutely slaying the market right now.

Very interesting demo of a very interesting guitar ! Thank you. I was looking for a light Guitar tele or strat like and this is the one ! I got RG, Jem and I know how Ibanez can be a super Guitar builder. Is it made in Japan or Indonesia ?

Looks fairly odd, but when you said couch guitar I was suddenly interested in trying one, Great work sir!!

1st of all , thank you for the video/review. i rarely find them not good. and you’re always funny, so that’s a bonus. this guitar has been on my top 10 list for a while, now… i’m more of a Tele guy, but i am 3PUp Tele guy. And i was under the impression that this design would be great ergonomically..great to play. and you’ve just confirmed that. ;) But the tones…. MEH… i was looking for a more trebly tone. not glassy. But not as dark as this sounds.. and it is too expensive to being a modding guitar. PS: one of the reasons i liked it in the 1st place..was actually the fixed bridge. ;) but each to his own take, right :P thanks,again, cheers from Portugal

Hello!! great Video! i ask you.. what do u think about this guitar? do u like in comparision with Strat or Les Paul? How are the pickups ? Has the guitar a good single coil sound and a good humbuker sound or not? Do you ever try stranberg guitars? Do you prefer ibanez or Strandberg? Thanks a lot! Max

Tempting guitar - been eying out one of the humbucker-versions! It's the Itchy and Scratchy show

a headless fender strat like guitar looks better than expected. best thing for small studios, better get one with singelcoils and one with humbuckers. the pus sounded stunningly good on my tannoy monitors. very acoustic so to say

great review Itchy and Scratchy

It was worth the wait ! it was only a matter of time before Ibanez release headless models, and honestly I think these Q serie is the best looking headless designed guitar line... I just couldn't play a Strandberg and I am soo found of the Q shape, which reminds me a bit of the Saber serie. I still will wait for a Prestige made in Japan model, since I have read some bad reviews about finish and electronics on some of those Q models. I have myself tried a Q52 and Q54 last week. If the Q52 was released in black, I think I would have bought it... I am not so found of this lazer blue matte finsih.... the QX52 is in black, but I don't like the slanted frets.... When it will be available in back, in the Prestige serie, I will be in...

@lucasvarela9632

Жыл бұрын

The kisses are nice except I don’t like the headless end it’s like a black metal cap that I don’t like

Ive had this guitar for a few months. I live on the beach in Florida and play 4 nights a week on average, mostly outdoor. Basically the worst conditions possible. Tons of heat, humidity, sweat, and other guitar abuses. This thing has been perfect. My band does big dance steps and runs around and stuff, so the reduced weight is phenomenal. The ergonomic shape is great. The electronics have been 100% reliable. It stays in tune well even in poor conditions. The tonal options give me everything I i need for a 4hr show covering several genres and styles. I have several fairly expensive guitars (to me, at least), but they all just sit at home now. My Les Paul is too heavy and cant give me those chimey single coil sounds. My Strat isnt quite as heavy as the Les Paul, but it's so much heavier than my Ichi, and there are certain beefy tomes i cant get with the Strat. My SG doesnt stay in tune, and the neck dive messes up dance moves. The Ichi checks every box.

@ericmuirhead

8 ай бұрын

Word

Ichi and Scratchi !! Lol Headless guitars are wonderful. I was very surprised Ibanez came out with some. Unfortunately with the "problems" with the world today we won't see any here until next year........hopefully. Cheers Andy.

that guitar looks lovely, itchy and scratchy!

I never wanted a headless so much. I might pickup the regular Q54

Thank you for playing in the way that I would love to play one of the Quest series guitars. Oh yeah, Itchy & Scratchy.

@TheGuitarGeek

2 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome. It is a very playable guitar

Ichi and Scratchy 10 is nice, but, I don't think it's going on my wishlist. Great video Andy!

@TheGuitarGeek

2 жыл бұрын

I hear you. I wouldn't normally go for it but its got something.

bought it yesterday

I want one of those

Can you add floyed rose or such to this guitar? Thank you so much for the video. I have this guitar and it's amazing, just missing this feature.

To my ears, it sounds Great. I'll go for it. A Floyd Rose bridge would've been a lot better 🤗

Looks sweet wish they'd do an S series headless, but left-handed

Itchy and scratchy L O L. Yeah I definitely think I'm going to pick one of these up soon. Seems like a great travel guitar that is also worthy of being on stage.

Purchase one Saturday it's great it's like a 6th generation fighter jet. It's really fast and sleek and comfortable like a high-performance EV car this is something totally different super sleek play ability Ultra fast but the neck is not thin. This is even a generation or two ahead of Ibanez S models. It definitely fits in 2024

@herbertmcgowan3080

7 ай бұрын

Oh one more note I forgot to mention the tuning stability is absolutely incredible

This guitar is very tempting does it sound similar to like a vintage fender if so I'm so down it would be a merge of my favorite sounds and my favorite look I'm a big single coil guy

Japanese always pushing the envelope, best thing we did was give them a transistor they gave it back and made it better. A fantastic culture and people.MUCH RESPECT!

@jebhank1620

2 жыл бұрын

Pretty much describes Japan in a nutshell. Highly transformational, taking in raw materials and exporting technical products.

I've never had a headless guitar just a marriage

I’ll have to check this one out in person to see if the headless design can work for me. I am imagining an Itchy & Scratchy episode with Itchy weaponizing that guitar then playing a metal tune to celebrate the end of Scratchy. 🤣

I like how this is not a heavy metal looking guitar like most other headless. Ichi and scratchy!

Damn, if this thing had a tremolo and stainless steel frets, then this would be the guitar that would be the new best headless. Strandbergs are too expensive IMO. Now they've cut out some major features and uped the price. At a time when everyone is lowering their prices. Damn. I suppose they have become the Apple of the guitar world.

That is hilarious, I’m not writing your phrase cause that maybe too scratchy to Mr. Ichi ;) love your review style. that was very refreshing

@TheGuitarGeek

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! :D

I love Ichita Niko's playing, but, like you, totally not the music I play. I may pick this one up! I like smaller guitars and don't have a headless guitar (but do have a headless Ibanez bass). I like how not nose-dive the bass I have is, and honestly the one thing that's sort of deterred me from picking this up was that…I am not a white (or black) guitar fan, personally. Using the strap buttons as a stand is a genius touch; very clever on Ibanez's part.

I don't know about Itchy & Scratchy, but your review is what sold me on this guitar. 90% of what I play is acoustic. However, when I play electric, it's dripping in reverb and delay, and is downright shoegazy. Had to wait for them to come back in stock here in the States. But, super excited to explore with this gorgeous thing.

I can see you have the Chinese Hongh company's potmeters at 04:55. Originally, Ibanez could have used Made in Korea potmeters, I saw them in earlier models on Facebook and on utube as well. It does not mean bad by default but my Hongh volume pot died during the first gig with the guitar leaving it mute and unusable. At home I blew it out a bit, did some spraying, and now it works - for a while again.

@TheGuitarGeek

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info, I wonder what the failure rate of those pots are.

@ymelfilm

Жыл бұрын

@@TheGuitarGeek can you also check how many holes you have on ur neck, I think there must be only 4 ones.. I mean when u take the neck off. Thank you

I think it’s a slick looking guitar.

I think this is the most interesting and best-looking of the new headless line. I'm torn between this and a Kiesel Zeus.

@TheGuitarGeek

2 жыл бұрын

I agree. I’d love to try that Kiesel too

How well does this guitar do with heavier songs? If I’m trying to play anything metal related will it deliver that warmer, grittier sound? Looks insane tho

To me the alter switch sounds like it's backwards, the series sounds should be darker than the parallel settings. I thought when you first went to 4th position earlier in the video before you mentioned the switch it sounded like the middle and bridge were in series. Maybe check it with a multimeter, the impedances should be summed as opposed to sort of taken away? Great video though, I love small guitars as a Mustang fan but I'd not considered anything like this. Looks and sounds cool!

@ThatMattGoodMusic

2 жыл бұрын

(Left me feeling a little itchy and scratchy though)

would be cool if you could string it with loop ends at the head, instead of ball-end strings.

Thanks a lot for your video ! Is someone know if I can bring it in the cabin of a plane ? As I am traveling very often it’s a very important point for me… Thanks !!!

How do your big hands get on with the narrow 42 mm nut width? I would have bought a Q Series guitar already if they were 44 mm or wider!

That guitar... I want to like it, but have you done the test of tuning it mid gig with sweaty hands. I have a Steinberger and that is a problem. Even the Erlewine Lazer, where they had the chance to make better gripping knobs, suffers from the same maladies. Not Steinberger, nor ABM, not Hipshot and now not even Ibanez have come up with a good solution. But I dig it. My first Squier Strat had ceramics and I liked them. Keep up the good work.

@andresilva8444

2 жыл бұрын

And, btw, Check my videos making a guitar called Itch.

@TheGuitarGeek

2 жыл бұрын

The grip on the tuners is surprisingly strong. I think you should be ok with these

@andresilva8444

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheGuitarGeek This is the sort of thing I’d love to be proven wrong and I can’t wait to try it.

@TheGuitarGeek

2 жыл бұрын

@@andresilva8444 go for it!