The world of 12-string guitars offers a unique sonic landscape, known for its rich, shimmering tones. Recently, I had the opportunity to work on an Ibanez 12 String Guitar, and I must say, it left a surprising impression, especially considering its price point. This wasn’t a personal purchase, but rather a setup job for a customer who managed to snag this instrument for around $200 during a flash sale – a steal compared to the typical online price of about $500. Even before any adjustments, the guitar played reasonably well, but after a professional setup, it truly transformed into a fast and effortlessly playable 12-string.
Ibanez 12 string guitar body and bridge
Playability and Setup Enhancements
The key to unlocking the full potential of this Ibanez 12 string guitar was in the setup. Like many guitars, especially in this price range, a proper setup is crucial. I paid particular attention to the bridge saddles. Standard 12-string bridges of this style often lack individual string compensation, unlike those found on Fender XIIs or MIJ Fender Strat XIIs. To address this, I used a grinding wheel on my Dremel to individually compensate the saddles for each string slot. This modification significantly improved the intonation, resulting in a much more harmonically accurate and pleasing sound across the fretboard. This level of adjustability is not always expected in guitars at this price, making it a worthwhile upgrade.
Ibanez 12 string guitar headstock and tuners
The Pickup Predicament and Potential Solution
Despite the improved playability, there was one aspect of this Ibanez 12 string guitar that felt lacking: the pickups. Being a 335-style semi-hollow body, it comes equipped with standard Chinese-import humbuckers. While humbuckers are versatile, in this context, they simply didn’t deliver the bright, jangly character that one typically associates with a 12-string guitar. Both myself and the owner agreed that the stock pickups weren’t ideal for capturing that classic 12-string shimmer.
Ibanez 12 string guitar bridge and saddle modification detail
To remedy this, the owner is planning to swap out the humbuckers for GFS Surf 90s pickups. These pickups are designed to emulate the Dynasonic-style sound, known for their bright and articulate tone, but in a humbucker-sized format. I believe this pickup change will significantly unlock the sonic potential of this Ibanez 12 string guitar, pushing it closer to that sought-after Rickenbacker-esque jangle without requiring extensive modifications to fit traditional “toaster” style pickups. The Surf 90s offer a promising alternative to achieve a brighter, more classic 12-string voice.
Ibanez 12 string guitar tuners close up
Tuners and Intonation Challenges
On a positive note, the Ibanez 12 string guitar features individual sealed 18:1 tuners. These are a welcome addition on a 12-string, providing precise and stable tuning. However, the downside of these robust tuners is that they do contribute to a slightly headstock-heavy feel, which is a minor trade-off for tuning stability.
Ibanez 12 string guitar bridge saddle detail before modification
As mentioned earlier, the bridge design on this Ibanez 12 string guitar, similar to vintage Gibson 12-string models, lacks individual string compensation. This contrasts with more modern designs that offer adjustability for each string pair. While not a deal-breaker, it does mean that achieving perfect intonation requires some extra effort, as demonstrated by the saddle modification I performed.
Ibanez 12 string guitar bridge saddle modification process
Final Verdict: A Great Platform for 12-String Tone
Overall, this Ibanez 12 string guitar presents itself as an exceptional value proposition. While it may require a pickup upgrade to truly capture the quintessential 12-string jangle and a setup to optimize playability and intonation, the fundamental instrument is solid. For guitarists seeking an affordable entry into the world of 12-string guitars, or even experienced players looking for a modifiable platform, this Ibanez model is definitely worth considering. With a few tweaks, it can become a truly impressive instrument capable of delivering that classic, shimmering 12-string sound.
