Ibanez Montage? (Acoustic Electric)

[creekhed]

The Ibanez TALMAN cases fit perfectly for this axe!

[Mongo]

The AC100C case is spec'd for the Montage.
I didn't see any spec for which case the Talman uses.

[creekhed]

Yepper...that is the Talman case

[creekhed]

Here it is:
http://www.zzounds.com/item--IBAAC100C

[Mongo]

I'll be ordering one soon. 

[gpercy1]

I really like the DR Zebras-a little more crisp than the exps I believe-a little more zip through the magnetic pickup...in my opinion anyway--and I think they're cheaper..

[creekhed]

I switched to Martin Acoustic Extra Lights...Love them!

[gpercy1]

Naturals now in stock today at Musiciansfriend and Music 123 (7-10-08)

[stew3003]

I saw a Metallic Black Montage at Parker Music in Houston, Texas.   Interesting finish.  Gloss Black with small metal flakes.. I guess music stores are starting to get the Black Montage     

[jeffsailor]

I just landed a Koa (750) from the 'Bay. There are some significant differences between this and my 550. First, the case is different. Obviously they realized the case that came with my 550 was a bit tight and changed cases (or my 550 simply came with the wrong case).

The neck finish is much better on the 750 than on my 550, although its still a tiny bit rough along the edge of the fingerboard.

Also, the 750 has two large neck bolts whereas my 550 has a single bolt. I suspect that the "newer" models have two bolts. While at the Philly guitar show, a vendor had a 650 and a 700. Both of those had two neck bolts as well.

Do other owners out there have one or two neck bolts?

js

[Mongo]

I've only seen the single bolt setup.
Could you post some pics of the two bolt?
Especially the inner workings (if you decide to open it up) would be great.

I'm curious what the differences are.
The single bolt just locks it down with a small set screw setting the pivot angle.
Does the dual bolt setup still use the small set screw?

Does yours still have (2) 1/4" jacks and use (4) AA batteries?
I've seen ebay posts where they are still listing them with an XLR connector and 9V batteries.

[Mongo]

On a different aspect of the Montage, has anyone noticed the high sensitivity to handling in the pickups?

On the electric pickup (clean or gain channel) you can (for example) tap the neck strap button and it clearly comes out of the output. I opened up the control cavity (simple curiosity) and noticed that all of the components are highly microphonic. If I tap any of the cables, it sounds like I'm tapping the pickup with a screwdriver.

On the acoustic pickup it is even more noticeable if you lightly palm the strings near the bridge. You will get a low frequency 'thump' with the slightest of taps. I initially was alerted to this 'characteristic' while playing with headphones through a mixer. I'm a pretty percussive player and I noticed the music I was playing along with dropping out on the off beat. It turned out to be the thump coming down the acoustic channel was peaking the channel, overloading the mix.

I took some time and opened up all of the cavities to see if anything was loose or damaged. All looked fine. It was at that time I found the high sensitivity/microphonics of the internal workings. Even the flat ribbon cable from the bridge pickup will thump if you tap it.

The last time I played with Jamman I thought I heard his KOA exhibiting a similar thump in the mix. I wondered if this was just mine, or the nature of the guitar. If this is 'how it is', this guitar will definitely not be suitable for any recording.

Any Montage owners exhibiting similar characteristics?

[stew3003]

Mongo, I have a MSC650VV I purchased in June. The acoustic, under saddle, pickup is microphonic but as you know that's expected for an acoustic pickup.  However, I was surprised the electric pickup is slightly microphonic.  If I crank up the gain extremely high I can hear it when I tap on the pickup.  There is a little thump when I hit the guitar body (sound box),,,but not much low end...  Again I only notice it if I crank the gain very very high.  I play this guitar live through an SWR Strawberry Blond Acoustic amplifier with an XLR output to the mixer and have not noticed any issues with mixing.  I typically crank up the base when I play just electric and crank down the base for just acoustic.  The acoustic seems to have much more low end.  All in all I still love the sound, versatility, playability, and looks of this guitar.  GREAT VALUE, GREAT GUITAR.   

[madmuso]

@!## this is not fair , I joined the site to get info on all my old guitars but stumbled on this one which I have ( and probally wont in South Africa) and now I just gotta have one !!!

[chazmo]

Welcome to the acoustic section, madmuso (and ICW, in general)!

I'd say that the Montage and the new Artwood Studios (I hope) are the "ones to watch" in the current Ibby acoustic line-up.  The Montage is obviously a crossover kind of guitar, but a lot of the frequent posters in this section have both acoustics and electrics.