This is one of Ibanez's 2008 models; made in China, Mahogany body, 22 medium frets with a bound rosewood fretboard, 3 piece maple set-in neck. It features an SAS Special Inlay which gives the guitar a nice visual touch.
SAS32EX
Reviewed by:
UTF, on april 08, 2009 6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Price paid: £ 289
Purchased from: igotmusic.co.uk
Features: This is one of Ibanez's 2008 models; made in China, Mahogany body, 22 medium frets with a bound rosewood fretboard, 3 piece maple set-in neck. It features an SAS Special Inlay (mother of pearl style with that similar design around the edge of the body also) which gives the guitar a nice visual touch. SAT Pro II bridge with tremolo arm and non-locking tuners. This model also features the true-duo humbuckers, which give the option of a single or double coiled pickup configuration. 1 volume control and 1 tone control, with 3-way pickup selector Switch and true duo switches activated by pulling up the volume control or tone control to go into single-coil setting. // 8
Sound: I mainly play a lot of rock/metal, styles such as Coheed And Cambria, Killswitch Engage, Fightstar etc, and this guitar suit's this music style nicely. I run it through a Bugera 6262 head with a 2X12 cab fitted with v30 speakers, and it holds up very well in both home practice and Live situations. Clean, Crunch or full on Overdrive, it can handle all of them without a hitch. This guitar is capable of achieving both a rich, deep sound and a bright sound, but due to it's slim body it won't quite go as naturally warm sounding in comparison to a Les Paul or a Gretsch, which is to be expected. Very little noise on whatever pickup setting I've had it on. Changing the configurations on the true-duo pickups only make a slight difference, the single coil settings slightly thin out the tone, and it's not going to get you a true Stratocaster single coil sound. But then again, if you want a Stratocaster sound, you play an actual Stratocaster, not a guitar with the ability to go between humbuckers and single coil. I nearly always keep it on the humbucker setting, and on that it has plenty of tone, I just expected a bit more versatility from the true duo pickups. I expect to swap them out for some Seymour Duncans in the near future. // 7
Action, Fit & Finish: The guitar came fully set up with a set of.009 D'addarios in Standard Tuning (and even during transit managed to stay perfectly in Standard Tuning!) the hardware and body were pretty much flawless, the only issue was a very small dent on the back of the headstock. Action and intonation had no problems what'soever when staying in Standard Tuning or Drop-D, but when putting it into other tunings such as E flat, drop C# or D Standard, expect to do a bit of action and intonation adjustment on the bridge using the allen keys provided (which is pretty painless, just requires a little read through the manual and some patience! ) I keep it in drop C# with.10 gauge strings. // 8
Reliability & Durability: I must've played over 30 gigs on this guitar since buying it in December 08, and racked up many hours of home practice and band rehearsals, and it's withstood all of that fine. The strap buttons are larger than the ones on the other guitars I own and it took a bit of effort to actually get the guitar strap on them! So once they're on, they won't come off that easily. The buttons were too big to take the plastic straplocks I had so I had to go for the metal ones with a new strap button, but the stock strap buttons should see you through fine unless you move the guitar around manically whilst playing. The SAT Pro II Bridge doesn't take kindly to new tunings as I said above, so I wouldn't advise going into a different tuning with this guitar mid-set during a gig. It requires constant retuning of all 6 strings and takes a while to break into the new tuning. When kept in the same tuning however, it's solid and never really needs adjusting unless the tuners get knocked around. I always bring a backup guitar to a gig with me regardless, but I've never needed it, never had a string break on me or any hardware failure with this guitar. // 8
Impression: For what I need it for, this guitar fit's the bill very nicely. I've been playing for over 10 years and also own a Squier Strat, a Les Paul Copy and an Epiphone SG, and this guitar easily gets the most use now due to it's sound and easy playability. I bought the guitar online after playing a similar SA model and being very impressed overall, but in hindsight it would've been safer testing this specific model out before purchasing, and finding out about the bridge's and true duo's capabilities. If this guitar was lost or stolen, I'd get the same model again without question, or a similar SA model. It's lightweight and the accessible neck makes it easy to play both rhythm and intricate lead passages on. One improvement I wished this guitar had would be better true duo pickups which give a more obvious, defined single coil sound. Apart from that, this is a very good guitar, definitely worth the price I paid for it and I can't see myself needing another one any time soon! // 9
SAS32EX
Reviewed by:
C.Alvestam, on april 09, 2012 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: C$ 650
Purchased from: Long&McQuade
Features: This guitar is one of Ibanez's 2008 models. Made in China (honestly, what isn't made there). It has 22 medium frets, with a set in neck. This guitar also features very unique, and beautiful pearl inlay in the neck, and around the body. This guitar features an SAT Pro II bridge. It has a 3 way selector, Volume and Tone. This model also features the true-duo humbuckers, which give the option of a single or double coiled pickup configuration. The neck isn't one of their thinnest, but it doesn't impede my playing. // 8
Sound: I mainly play Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal (Scar Symmetry, Solution.45, etc) And it suits the genre fairly well. I run this guitar through a Line 6 Spider Mark IV. I don't play any live shows, but it sure does rock out at home. This guitar can handle many sounds and genres, whether you're playing clean, crunch, or overdrive. It has a full sound, very clear, and basically no feedback (although it does depend on the volume you're playing at). But if you're looking to improve the guitar in any way, switch in some Seymour Duncan's. Overall, this guitar brings a lot of versatility to your playing no matter the genre. // 10
Action, Fit & Finish: The guitar came set up to drop C (usually is set up standard, but the tuning might have been tweaked or something. Everything was was flawless, when it came to the finish, or the hardware. I couldn't have asked for more. The action was perfect. I have had only one issue with it though. The bridge has pulled up, probably due to me switching the tunings and such. If you're planning on buying this guitar, make sure you don't plan on playing around with it. // 8
Reliability & Durability: So far, it has been able to take all I have thrown at it. I don't do any gigs, as playing guitar is just a personal hobby. When tuning, you will have to tune for a while, as the SAT Pro II isn't exactly fond of new tunings. I don't know whether it would be reliable during gigs, seeing as I've gigged before (which I have previously mentioned). The finish seems to be lasting, but finger prints and such are moderately prominent when looked at with light reflecting on it. But overall, I haven't had any problems with it, and I don't foresee any in the future (hopefully). // 10
Impression: For what I play, and what I need at the moment, this guitar perfectly suits my playing style. This guitar has great sound, durability, and looks fantastic. At the moment, I don't think there are any other guitars that I would prefer over this one. I do wish it had better tuning stability, and better pickups. But overall, It's everything a metal guitarist could ask for. // 8
SAS32EX
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on february 19, 2010 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Price paid: £ 350
Purchased from: GuitarGuitar
Features: I think the guitar was made in either 2007 or 2008, I can't be sure but I do know it was made in China (thank you back of headstock). The scale is 23.4 and this guitar has 22 frets. The neck is very round and not the thinnest of necks however it is very comfortable for shred as well as rhythm work. The body and neck are both mahogany with a set in construction. The fingerboard is rosewood with very unique looking mother of pearl inlays. It bears proudly the Ibanez SAT Pro II tremolo system which is non-locking. The pick ups are passives which a lot of people may dislike but I generally prefer. There are also coil taps on each humbucker, but I'm really not the guy to go to about how good the things are considering I don't use them. All in all, quite a high score for features although 24 frets and a floating tremolo would be nice. // 9
Sound: This guitar is great for all schools of rock and heavy metal music. I'm running through a simple rig of a Line 6 Spider 3 2X12 120 watt amp with a Dunlop Cry Baby (for gigs I normally rent a Marshall JCM 800 combo amp which it sounds great through as well). I've never been one for lots of effects so if someone is looking to use this guitar with effects and wants advice I'm afraid I'll be no use, but if you are one of the few like me who like simplicity and still love great rock tone then this is the guitar my friends. There is very little sustain which drags down the guitars mark a little but it makes up for it with the greatness of its natural voice and lack of feedback. I don't know about how this guitar would handle many styles outside of the rock schools, you'd need to ask someone else about that but in terms of rock music there's very little the guitar can't do. // 8
Action, Fit & Finish: Unfortunately the guitar lacks in score compared to the previous 2 segments here. The set up was fine for me because I never venture further in tunings then Drop D. However, this guitar will go no lower, so sorry to the extreme drop tuned guys but this isn't your instrument. For standard tuning and Drop D it is fine though. The springs in the back of the guitar for holding the tension of the bridge rattle around quite a bit. This however is probably due to the fact that I use 8 gauge strings and don't need much tension down there. However wrapping an elastic band around them will solve this problem. The strap lock has come out hundreds of times and the tuning pegs are forever coming loose. Replacing the hardware will do this guitar the world of good but very few people ever actually bother to do it, like myself, and unfortunately I have come to pay the price. // 5
Reliability & Durability: I have gigged this guitar and not had any problems during a gig. However before gigs and when playing at home the strap buttons have come out like I said as well as the loose tuning pegs. Amazingly enough though, even with the low quality tuning pegs the guitar stays solidly in tune. I would definitely bring a back up to a gig. The finish however is incredible there are no blemishes at all on this guitar and it looks great. My only regret about the finish is that I didn't get it in white. // 7
Impression: As you can probably tell I have very mixed opinions about this guitar. I do love it I just feel that there was some what of a lack in quality control at the factory where it was made. The only major problem is the huge number of loose screws but I feel that my guitar may just have been a one off with this as I have 2 friends that have this guitar and neither of them have had this problem. The guitar is a great match for me though. It's very comfortable to play and meets all my tonal requirements for rock and heavy metal (despite it's severe lack of sustain). I really wished I'd asked about the life-span of the hardware as I feel the tuning pegs on mine are drawing to a close end. If it were stolen or lost I might consider re-buying this guitar. However, I would definitely look around at other options first (probably an S series of some sort, still an Ibanez though because I love their guitars). I love the neck on this guitar and the general feel of it. It feel's like a rock instrument. When you pick it up you feel ready to rip out great songs in jams with your band. I compared the guitar with a lot of Ibanez RG guitars, as well as a few Jacksons and a couple of Dean guitars. I chose this one because at the time I wasn't interested in another guitar with a floating tremolo but now that I have a guitar without one I realise how much I do miss them. I also wish it had 24 frets simply because I like having them there even though I rarely use them, it's a comfort thing. All in all it is a great guitar but don't say I didn't warn you about the hardware issues and lack of sustain. // 7
I don't think I can edit reviews, but there was one factor that I would like to clear up. The true duo switch was only thoroughly tested on a solid state Marshall MG, and through that amp I could hear little difference between single coil and humbucker. Through a tube amp though, the single coil configuration is alot more obvious and defined, especially with cleans; you get a much more strat-esque twang to your sound. This became apparent last night after I'd already submitted the review though!
I have the flame maple version its pretty sick. I usually keep it on neck humbucker for the mostly bluesy stuff i play. I find the middle(neck + bridge) on single coil has decent jangle to it. Bridge humbucker sounds great with lots of gain. Its not made to but i pulled the bridge down all the way so it stays in tune better since im not a big trem user. Id reccommend this guitar to pretty much anyone its very versatile and plays awesome.
I almost bought this guitar the first time i saw it.The Inlay is so nice.very quality feel to it,it's pretty cool. but I'm only really buying RG's really. If you put some hotter pickups in it, you would destroy all.
I just bought this about 2 hours ago actually, I'm not totally sure.. I own An ESP-V401DX and An Ibanez RG350DX as well. I love the sound, and just noticed 22 frets. hahaha! But honestly, this guitar is great.. Another thing I didn't notice Is that there True Duo's and not EMG 81's. When I bought it I swore I saw EMG's Written on them, but it's not a big deal. I'll be changing them to Seymour Duncans/Emg 81/85's in the near future. Rock on and Great review sir.
I got this guitar in summer and It's awesome. The only and i mean only bad thing about it is the stock pickups that come in it , But I'm installing emg 81 and 85's into it!!!
what's with this 22 fret stuff?
i dunno about you but I like me at least 24
You could always bend the note up
ahhh but what happens when u have to bend on the 24th and you only have 22 ^_^
Well you snap a string my friend.
Anyway I just submitted my review and it should hopefully be up soon. I have a few interesting counter points to what the first review says so be sure to check it out before buying one as well.
The pick ups are passives which a lot of people may dislike but I generally prefer.
I prefer passives and I think many guitarists prefer them too. I tried actives on Ibanez RGA72 and they didn't give that funky sound that you get with passives. You only get clean or distortion but not mild overdrive neck pickup sound. Maybe it's that that RGA72 has some crappy pickups but still if that's what actives are I'm not going to buy any guitar with actives.
is it hard for it to make it stay in tune with drop c or c#? please i need to know..i played it in the shop and it just wont stay in tune i was wondering if it was that one or do all of them do it?
The pick ups are passives which a lot of people may dislike but I generally prefer.
I prefer passives and I think many guitarists prefer them too. I tried actives on Ibanez RGA72 and they didn't give that funky sound that you get with passives. You only get clean or distortion but not mild overdrive neck pickup sound. Maybe it's that that RGA72 has some crappy pickups but still if that's what actives are I'm not going to buy any guitar with actives.
And what I meant with this is that passives=twang, actives=no twang. Good for distorted or clean but not for overdrive/twangy blues/funk sounds. If you play modern metal, you don't want that much twang but I like a bit twangy sound that my passive humbuckers give.
, But I'm installing emg 81 and 85's into it!!!