The Cheap Wood Of Ibanez S520

Kalimna

I think several  people have already answered your original query already, but it also seems that you are unwilling to accept that advice - your call.
However, there is no logic in dismissing a guitar, that you havent played, on the basis that the manufacturer has changed from one fairly generic hardwood to another fairly generic (and similar) hardwood. If the exact timber used in construction of the guitar is important to you, then pony up and order a custom guitar.
Given Satriani's ability to generate tone from whichever guitar he is currently playing, I think you have chosen an unfortunate example. And if you think that most of his tone on earlier tracks like Always With Me... is entirely due to the body wood of one guitar he used back in the day, then you might want to take a look at his extensive amp/pedal/studio setup at the time too.

If you like the look of the Ibanez, and the overall sound, then go and buy one. If you don't like it when you play it then sell it on.

I wish you luck in your sonic quest,
Adam

ICBM

Isn't Satriani's famous tone a Boss DS-1 through the clean channel of a Marshall 30th Anniversary?

mark123

Just  watched this 
The ones made out of a door and mdf are not that much difference to the mahoghany.

To be fair not much between them all , factor in when f/x are added ,delay/ overdrive etc, put  it in a band mix with bass drums vocals,10.00 at night in a pub i reckon the cork sniffers would struggle to say
" Thats a mdf bodied guitar" or "  Nice sounding ash bodied guitar" ...
go to 12.42 for the results

guitarmangler

ICBM said:

Isn't Satriani's famous tone a Boss DS-1 through the clean channel of a Marshall 30th Anniversary? 

Yes, but the surfing with the alien album is a rockman straight to the board.

mark123

mark123 said:

Just  watched this 
The ones made out of a door and mdf are not that much difference to the mahoghany.

To be fair not much between them all , factor in when f/x are added ,delay/ overdrive etc, put  it in a band mix with bass drums vocals,10.00 at night in a pub i reckon the cork sniffers would struggle to say
" Thats a mdf bodied guitar" or "  Nice sounding ash bodied guitar" ...
go to 12.42 for the results

would help if i put the link in! doh !

maltingsaudio

Bit confused at the Satriani references, the JS is a bigger lump than the RS, it was Frank Gambale who had the RS signature . FWIW I had a RS540 ltd from about 94 which was sweet as a nut, haven’t played on of the latest ones which comes close

Philly_Q

maltingsaudio said:

Bit confused at the Satriani references, the JS is a bigger lump than the RS, it was Frank Gambale who had the RS signature . FWIW I had a RS540 ltd from about 94 which was sweet as a nut, haven’t played on of the latest ones which comes close

I thought Gambale's signature was based on the 540S, the Saber series with a really thin body (hence that weird plastic mounting for the switch on his sig.)

The Satriani JS models are more of a development from the 540R Radius series, more rounded and Strat-like (and with a slightly thicker neck too).

maltingsaudio

Philly_Q said:

maltingsaudio said:

Bit confused at the Satriani references, the JS is a bigger lump than the RS, it was Frank Gambale who had the RS signature . FWIW I had a RS540 ltd from about 94 which was sweet as a nut, haven’t played on of the latest ones which comes close

I thought Gambale's signature was based on the 540S, the Saber series with a really thin body (hence that weird plastic mounting for the switch on his sig.)

The Satriani JS models are more of a development from the 540R Radius series, more rounded and Strat-like (and with a slightly thicker neck too).

You are correct and it’s where my confusion was , it’s the non qualified  S in the model number which I didn’t quite get. In my head an RS is the Gambale Sabre model  the JS is the Satriani model so when the op just said S520 I immediately assumed RS not JS

rossi

Wish I was young enough to try out one of theses.

JanekLubanski

Does type of wood used on leccie guitars make that much difference to tone? It might make a difference on an acoustic.

Loobs

IMO no, but others claim they can hear the difference. 

carlos

JanekLubanski said:

Does type of wood used on leccie guitars make that much difference to tone? It might make a difference on an acoustic.

About as much as your hair length matters for your overall body weight.

jaymenon

... I actually have a featherweight Ibanez S520WNF with a proper mahogany body from 2000 then I’ve been thinking of selling 

JanekLubanski

carlos said:

JanekLubanski said:

Does type of wood used on leccie guitars make that much difference to tone? It might make a difference on an acoustic.

About as much as your hair length matters for your overall body weight.

My hair is at that awkward 'in between' length at the moment.

maltingsaudio

JanekLubanski said:

carlos said:

JanekLubanski said:

Does type of wood used on leccie guitars make that much difference to tone? It might make a difference on an acoustic.

About as much as your hair length matters for your overall body weight.

My hair is at that awkward 'in between' length at the moment.

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/172303/