Darkstone DN520K DNV Review

This guitar is the new Standard in heavy metal guitars. It was made in 2010 in China. The fretboard is made from Rosewood, and has 22 Medium sized frets.

Features:	10
Sound:	10
Action:	9.5
Reliability:	10
Impression:	10
Overall rating:	9.2
Reviewer rating:	9.9
Users rating:	8.5
Votes:	36

overall: 10

Reviewed by: coltRL11, on february 01, 2011

Price paid: C$ 671.99

Purchased from: Axe Music

Features: This guitar was made in China but is still a VERY good quality guitar. It has 22 medium sized frets. It had a very smooth Rosewood fingerboard. The body and neck of the guitar is made of Sapele (Very close to Mahogany). Its has 2 cutaways with a very classy little piece that has been cutaway on the very bottom of the guitar. It has a tune-o-matic bridge. The bridge in very unique in away where the string just slides in and locks into place in the back of the bridge for easy changing. It has 1 volume knob and 1 tone knob. The tone knob is cool because if you push it in then the pickups will pick up as dual humbuckers but if you pull out the knob then they will pick up as 2 single coil pickups.It has a 3-way tone selector. Neck pickup - PP1-N (H) Bridge pickup -PP1B-B (H). The pickguard it very different. It has a unique design.(Very Stylish) When I purchased this guitar I had to special order it but when I received it it came with an instruction manual and necessary tools for adjusting the truss rod and bridge. // 10

Sound: I play pretty much every genre and style of music but I mainly play rock and metal. This guitar suits any sort of style even though it is labeled as a "metal guitar" For example I play in a jazz band at school and it works excellent for that type of sound and when I come home I play some metal and it still sounds great. This guitar has range. I use a DigiTech RP355 multi-effects processor and a Peavey X-series amp with this guitar. This isnt the best setup but it works fine. Depending on what you play and what effects you are using this guitar can do pretty much anything you want. If you want heavy feed back or a rich clear sound, this guitar can do it. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: Before I got this guitar setup to my wants, I played it for about 2 weeks factory set. It sounded great right out of the box but after I did get it setup it did sound better. The pickups were adjusted just fine. No complaints there. The bridge could have been setup a little bit better if I do say so myself. Since I special ordered it there were no imperfections in the look. No one had touched it so it had a great look and everything was cut perfectly. // 10

Reliability & Durability: I haven't really played much live shows but the ones that I have played this guitar got the job done and looked sexy as hell up there on stage. I really like the hardware because it seems really sturdy and doesn't move what so ever compared to some poor quality guitars. This guitars strap locks arnt the greatest considering the weight. This is a fairly heavy guitar so I do recommend getting some bigger, more reliable strap locks. I have had multiple incidents where I almost dropped my guitar onto the ground.:z If you were playing a live show you would not need a back up guitar but it pays to be safe. The finish is very nice. It has a purple and black splatter finish. The entire finish runs all over the body, up the back of the neck and all the way up to the back and front of the headstock. It is very classy and very reliable. // 10

Impression: I play everything. Like literally everything on guitar and its a perfect match because this guitar can do anything you would like as I have stated before multiple times. I'm 14 and have been playing for 9 years. I also own a Yamaha CRAP SERIES electric and an Ibanez classical guitar. I did my research before buying this guitar. I looked up reviews, looked online for stores and asked around at stores too. If it was stolen I would go on a rampage because I absolutely love this guitar to death and the feeling on the upper neck like up near the 15th-22nd frets is definatly my favourite feature. Along with the tone knob controls and the finish. :) the one and only thing I hate about this guitar is its weight. Its a little to heavy for my liking. Before buying I compared it to a Jackson Kelly, Jackson Rhoads, Peavey Tomb III and also an Epiphone Sg. I chose this guitar because all of the other guitars I compared it to were either to expensive or I would have to do alot of adjusting and I would have to buy alot of new parts to suit my wants. A couple extra things I think it could/should have are an on/off kill Switch (with distortion it gives alot of feed back) and better strap locks. Very little complaints. Excellent guitar. :) // 10

overall: 9.8

Reviewed by: levnde, on july 28, 2010

Price paid: A$ 1200

Purchased from: Allans Music

Features: This guitar is the new Standard in heavy metal guitars. It was made in 2010 in China. The fretboard is made from Rosewood, and has 22 Medium sized frets. The body is made from Sapele and is 45mm thick. It has a double cut-away and a unique kink on the base of the body. It has a Tight-Tune bridge along with a Tight-Tune tailpiece. It has PP-1 humbucker pickups, specially made for the darkstone. There are two knobs, one for volume and one for tone. The tone knob doubles as a push/pull coil-tap. Pull it up and both humbuckers are tapped to single-coil. // 10

Sound: This guitar is predominantly made for heavy metal, however I play a variety of styles and i am yet to find a sound that it doesn't produce. I am currently using this guitar with a Vox Valvetronix VT-15, and it produces a very full sound with great sustain. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: This guitar was ordered straight from Ibanez and was set up almost perfectly and was in pristine condition. I have been using the guitar for a few weeks and I am yet to find a flaw in this guitars make. When you pick up this guitar you can feel the quality in your hands. However it does come at a price, it is extremely heavy. In fact it is quite a bit heavier than the Les Paul. It is well weighted though so you don't feel as if it would slip away from you. // 9

Reliability & Durability: This guitar will definitely withstand live playing. This guitar is used by quite a few well known bands live such as Deathstars, Sabaton, and Epica. I can tell that this guitar will last a lifetime. The strap buttons are solid, but I would recommend getting a strap lock and a thick strap because of its weight. I would definitely depend on this guitar, however I would never turn up to a gig without back-up, any experienced guitarist would tell you that. // 10

Impression: This guitar is perfect for me. I don't have any regrets in buying this guitar. However is you intend to buy this guitar, make sure you play it a few times at least to see if its right for you. If this was lost or stolen I would definitely buy it again. The value for money on this guitar is great. I played many guitars before choosing this and I could not find a single guitar that could compare. I love how I am able to switch from single coil to humbuckers with a pull of a button. The detail throughout the guitar just shouts out quality and style. You really need to pick this guitar up to realise how beautiful it is. // 10

Comments

[CatAmplifier]

how can a China guitar get 4 10?

[Agent_Shagwell]

Thats why I don't take notice of any of these reviews.

[thedeaduk]

Ive

CatAmplifier wrote:

how can a China guitar get 4 10?

Why shouldnt it get 10's if its good enough? Have you played this guitar? If not then how can you really comment?
if its well built, reliable, plays well and is basically everything it should be for its price then why does it matter where its built?
If you honestly think that it cant possibly be that good just because something is made in China then you sir are deluded!
Ive played American Fenders and Gibsons that have come out of the factory set up like, and playing like s**t. Then Ive gone and played Indonesian, Japanese and Chinese guitars that have been absolutely perfect.
Stop being such an elitist.

[thedeaduk]

. . and before anyone starts, Ive not played this guitar, nor am I saying it definately does deserve 10's. Itjust annoys mne that many players dismiss something just because its made in China or wherever and doesnt have a big name on the headstock.

[EvoLancer211]

Yeah I'm going to say crappy, not because of the whole China thing, but in reality if it was the new guitar of metal...there would be at least 24 frets

[The^Unforgiven]

CatAmplifier wrote:

how can a China guitar get 4 10?

It's funny how some people seem to think that only Americans have been blessed with some magical gene that makes them the only competent guitar builders in the world.

[The^Unforgiven]

EvoLancer211 wrote:

Yeah I'm going to say crappy, not because of the whole China thing, but in reality if it was the new guitar of metal...there would be at least 24 frets

Well, the S series has been one of the world's most notable shred guitars since the 80's, yet it only got a 24 fret model in 2008 IIRC.

[Gotting]

It's funny how some people seem to think that only Americans have been blessed with some magical gene that makes them the only competent guitar builders in the world.

Word.

[dementiacaptain]

does anyone actually play those 24 frets enough to make a difference? further more, all of those same notes can be achieved on the next string except of course the 24th fret of the 1st E string. do you really need that?

[ParasiticTwins]

not a fan of the inlays, would have prefered block colour as opposed to the whole two-tone thing... nice looking guitar otherwise, though.

[Footallica?]

dementiacaptain wrote:

does anyone actually play those 24 frets enough to make a difference? further more, all of those same notes can be achieved on the next string except of course the 24th fret of the 1st E string. do you really need that?

Yes. We do use 24 frets.

[leftyace]

quick someone convert that price into USD because at first look it seems like you paid out your butt for a Chinese guitar.

[leftyace]

Actually, what currency is that anyways. AUD? There is a good chance I'm just plain retarted but this "A$" currency is new to me. If it is indeed AUD then you're saying you paid about $1000 USD for that.

[EpiExplorer]

This guitar is the new Standard in heavy metal guitars

You have balls, sadly people seem to be crushing them.

Its nice looking, probably plays Ibanezzy ie, pretty damn well but will sound so-so and repetitive after a while. Just my hand in Ibanez.

[travislausch]

I'd say that's the nicest looking Ibanez I've seen in ages.

[Ilelee]

Got this some days ago as a second guitar, and something quite different from my S-series (egen18), with it's thick neck, bridge/tailpiece etc.

For now I have been happy with it, it a has a quality item feel (much more than it's price suggest IMO), but it's definitely very heavy, something I really noticed after a got it home and switched between guitars.

As for the price, it is around 500-550€ in Europe, so not that much.

[g13_honda]

These really are some nice guitars. They go at music at a completely different angle than the S and RG guitars. The neck is not of the super thin type, but some people don't like those super flat wizard necks(myself included). This is a beefier guitar, and when run through a quality tube amp gives out some beautiful resonant tones.

[MonsterOfRock]

This guitar is the new Standard in heavy metal guitars. It was made in 2010 in China.

Just no dude.

The sad story of being a guitarist in Australia is that guitars are much more expensive than the US or UK (especially if you are buying from Allans/Billy Hyde).

Having said that, you can import guitars like ESP Edwards from Japan and it'll cost the same as what the reviewer paid. There are countless Edwards models that blow this outta the water in the same price range.

[BassDante]

looks nice just $1400 is out of reach

[Zeletros]

No floyd rose and 22 frets? And features 10/10?

[Duskmetal76]

I totally agree. Just because its made in China or Japan or Indonesia doesn't make it crap. And I know this first hand because I'm from America but have lived in China for most of my life and constantly visited Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, etc. I own 3 guitars all of which were built in Asia by companies like Jackson, Ibanez or ESP and they all work beautifully. I'm not saying that this guitar may be worth all the praise the reviewer has given, especially because I do believe that any next gen metal guitar should at least have a 24 fret neck. However just because its made in Asia gives no one the right to an elitist opinion that only American or other western products are superior.

[Beekaa]

I have this guitar and I love it...

Very versatile, Very sturdy, perfect neckshape for medium/big hands.

It's appearance is very chic,with a classy medieval kind of roughness.

I have the White Darkstone for about 6 months now...
Really a great guitar and that for €499.

[Gitaarbanaan]

I'm going to buy this one near Christmas, but I'm going to give it a try at the shop first...It looks very promising though!

[Hogsy]

Its a gorgeous guitar, i got one recently and absolutely adore it. feels and sounds incredible, its honestly a treat to play. I recommend trying it if you can, absolutely shat over ever other guitar in the shop when i tried. totally agree with the review pal.

[HarryBoy7]

I play in a covers band and have used this guitar for the last 6 months. Honestly, it's the best guitar I have ever owned ! We play everything from country, rock, metal and I have no problem with the versatility of this beast - split coil is awesome. I'm 39 and have had many guitars - mostly Gibsons, but I wouldn't swap it for a Gibson. I play it through a Marshall JMP-1 preamp into a Mesa 2020 then a vintage Marshall Quad - just awesome. The sustain is just brutal and even though it's heavy, it's really well balanced. A very underrated guitar, close your eyes and try a Gibson then this...

[coco-loco]

I love this. I've had it for just under 2 months now and it really is great. Highly recommended!!!

[MaggaraMarine]

CatAmplifier wrote:

how can a China guitar get 4 10?

That's true but you should read the review and not only look at the numbers. Numbers say nothing.

[Green St]

An amazing guitar. Tried it a couple of days ago and wow!!!!! Well done Ibanez, i'm going to buy one very soon

[lukeswarm]

I have the DN500k, it is my 3rd electric guitar and it is a amazing peice of kit. For the money its a real bargin. I play it more than a ESP that cost over $500 more and a fender that was about the same price... All played through a line6

[BigHeadClan]

24 frets gives me the perfect length and fret-size I may only use my 24th fret for a few songs, but I like to have the option.

[MaggaraMarine]

dementiacaptain wrote:

does anyone actually play those 24 frets enough to make a difference? further more, all of those same notes can be achieved on the next string except of course the 24th fret of the 1st E string. do you really need that?

+1. There aren't a lot of solos that need 24 frets. And if they need 24 frets you don't need to play exactly the same solo. In the 80s there were hardly any 24 fret guitars. Van Halen used 21 frets and he could play everything he wanted. Shred guitarists in the 80s had almost always 22 frets.