Ibanez SZ320 VS. Jackson SLSMG

[Black Mask]

I know this is a Jackson site, so you guys have a certain bias (it's cool, I understand), but I'm looking for honest opinions of the Ibanez SZ320 and whether or not it stacks up against the Jackson SLSMG. I like the Ibanez SZ320's looks and specs.... Mahogany body, string-through, non Floyd bridge, slim body and passive pickups. Does the SLSMG win, though?

[Boxcar Willie 84]

Re: Ibanez SZ320 VS. Jackson SLSMG

I've played both, and while the Ibanez may suit your tastes well, the neck was just too thin for my hand. I like the Jackson better.

[data187]

Re: Ibanez SZ320 VS. Jackson SLSMG

i think the ibanez is a better value.

in my local guitar center, i saw the ibanez sz go for under $500 while the jackson slsmg was in the $700 range.

i also like the fact that the ibanez has a flame top while the sls has a matte black finish which i don't care for.

the ibanez also has a thicker body, which i think will sound better.

just my 2¢

[pro-fusion]

Re: Ibanez SZ320 VS. Jackson SLSMG

The Ibanez only has 22 frets, if that's important to you at all, while the SLSMG has 24. Otherwise, they seem fairly comparable. The SLSMG looks a bit sleeker to my eyes, and less traditional, more like the old Ibanez S-series. Obviously, that can cut either way, depending on your tastes.

Never played either one, but both brands tend to play pretty nicely. Don't know how the hardware quality on the Ibanez would stack up against the SLSMG.

[Black Mask]

Re: Ibanez SZ320 VS. Jackson SLSMG

Thanks! Any other thoughts?

[No Use]

Re: Ibanez SZ320 VS. Jackson SLSMG

also I think the SLS is a neckthrough, whuich will have some nice sustain, but the Ibanez also has a set-neck...

[Black Mask]

Re: Ibanez SZ320 VS. Jackson SLSMG

Yup. Both have set-necks as far as I know.

[VitaminG]

Re: Ibanez SZ320 VS. Jackson SLSMG

Originally posted by Black Mask:
Yup. Both have set-necks as far as I know.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">nope, the Jackson is a neckthru, not setneck

[RacerX]

Re: Ibanez SZ320 VS. Jackson SLSMG

Duh [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Black Mask]

Re: Ibanez SZ320 VS. Jackson SLSMG

D'oh! My bad.

[skarhead]

Re: Ibanez SZ320 VS. Jackson SLSMG

i'v played the sz 320 - extremely good guitar especially for the price it costs

friedman plays those( he claims it's not an iban custom )

[SARJ]

Re: Ibanez SZ320 VS. Jackson SLSMG

I've been thinking about getting an SZ320 myself. I strummed one a few months back, but it was only because I was shocked to see such an off the wall Ibanez. From what I got out of it, it's a plain and simple axe that has alot of potential. From what I've read, the pickups have/give better bass response. I guess tunning down on an SZ320 would sound good. It has a set neck so it's got tone similar to a Les Paul. It has a 25.1" scale neck so that would be a good compromise between a short scale and a longer scale such as a 25.5. It has 2 volumes and one tone with a 3 way toggle. Two volumes means you can blend pickups or shut one off to do that toggle trick. Since it's string through it has a load of tone. Man........the SZ320 is sounding better and better the more I type about it. You never know. I'm just waiting to see what Jackson comes up with next as well as several others. I'll decide after NAMM.

[data187]

Re: Ibanez SZ320 VS. Jackson SLSMG

jon v,
i totally agree with you....
the sz looks like a nice little guitar.
i like the slsmg also, but its tough to support jackson when the slsmg costs significantly more than the ibanez.

[Black Mask]

Re: Ibanez SZ320 VS. Jackson SLSMG

The higher price wouldn't really bother me that much. Japanese guitars are MUCH higher quality than Korean and Indonesian. So unless the SZ320 blows my mind, I'll probably wind up with the SLSMG.

[j2379]

Re: Ibanez SZ320 VS. Jackson SLSMG

theres always the schecter C1 i think, pretty much the same. stratish shape, set/neck thru, TOM with string thru, 2 hums, fairly cheap. ive heard alot of good things about the quality of those import schecters i tried one & it was pretty nice. nice frets, nice feel, good fit & finish.
after working on my buddys ibanez AXwhatever i wouldnt suggest ibanez to anyone unless it a highend. his guitar had bridge posts that the inserts wobbled, because they drilled the holes oval....or just too big. the frets need to be levelled & crowned some bad dead spots, even with HIGH action it was still noticable. & its almost always out of tune.