mr dave

but now you're forgetting the issue of target market.

ibanez guitars are mainly sold to metal and shredder types, technical musicians. gibsons want to sell their guitars to middle aged fogeys who want to relive their youth and 'totally nail that rocking solo in stairway'. one demographic wants a technical instrument the other wants a new belt buckle and you can be guaranteed the manufacturer knows this. which is why ibanez usually doesn't ship garbage but doesn't always lend itself as well to other styles. although their new models i noticed recently seem to be a lot more accommodating.

speaking of awesome finishes - ESP's vintage black is WAY nicer in person than any pic.

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