Ibanez Paul Gilbert FRM100-TR Signature Guitar Review

Specification

• Neck Material:    3pc Mahogany/Maple/Mahogany
• Set-in Neck
• Body:    Mahogany
• Frets:    Medium frets
• Fingerboard:    Rosewood
• Inlay:    Dot
• Bridge:    Tight-Tune
• Tailpiece:    Tight-Tune
• Neck PU:    DiMarzio® Injector™ (H)
• Mid PU:        DiMarzio® Area67™ (H)
• Bridge PU:    DiMarzio® Injector™ (H)
• HW color:    Chrome
• Color:    TR (Transparent Red)

Pickups

“It’s time to buck the hum!”

One of the most exciting elements of this guitar is the pickups which have been custom designed by Dimarzio. I think these echo Paul’s  move towards a more dynamic, blues driven sound, something that is quite different to the ‘hot rodded’ rock tones on the early Mr Big records.

“They are designed with hum-cancelling construction to eliminate the noise but retain single-coil tone. These pickups have a warm, modern tone compared to vintage single coil pickups, and provide a clear, tight sound. The sound stays true even under high gain settings, so solos can be clearly heard when performing with a group. The classic bright and clean sound is easy to achieve.”

The FRM-TR features DiMarzio Injectors in the bridge and neck positions along with a DiMarzio Area ’67 in the middle position.

Neck Pickup – DiMarzio Injector Neck
The Injector™ Neck Model tracks high-speed solos at high gain without becoming either thin or muddy, and has a very full, well-balanced, clean sound. It has about 40% less magnet-pull than standard single-coils, and this is essential for the superior speed and dynamic range with which this pickup responds to pick attack.

Middle Pickup – DiMarzio Area ’67
The classic bright and clean sound of a ’67 single coil, but without the hum. Reduced magnet pull by 40% for improved sustain and clarity. The Area ’67™ has the chime of ’60s pickups, and the 2 and 4 positions are light, bright and quack-happy.

DiMarzio®  Injector™ Bridge
It was designed to work equally well with rapid single-note arpeggios and power chords without becoming muddy or compressed. It has about 40% less magnet-pull than standard single-coils, and this is essential for the superior speed and dynamic range with which this pickup responds to pick attack.

Fretpoint Verdict

This is one of the best signature guitars that Ibanez have produced in recent years and I particular like the tones from the injector pickups in the bridge and neck positions. As Paul demonstrates in his video, the sweet spot at  the 10th fret is amazing, largely due to the combination of the fixed neck and mahogany body. The tall pickups are also a great idea and something that I really like, as I love to get a wide vibrato on some of those higher notes.

Downsides? Well, in our opinion the guitar looks amazing however it won’t be to everyone’s taste. The reversed Iceman design is quite a radical shape and vintage connoisseurs may be put off by the design. The lack of a whammy bar may also be an issue for rock guitarists as it won’t allow you to pull off some of those typical Eddie Van Halen/Steve Vai style licks. Another minor gripe is the lack of a hard case and considering how nice this guitar is, a gig bag is wholly inadequate. I suspect this is due to the fact the guitar would require a custom guitar case due to it’s shape.
However if your after a great tone machine that is robust, a bit more striking in the looks department and has bullet proof tuning then this is your axe.

Find out more over at the Ibanez website.