Opinions on the Montage?

[ChuckE99]

I just got back from the Seattle GC where I spent about 15 minutes playing a Montage (two-bolt neck, not sure of model number). I found it to be a very interesting guitar. I didn't know you could drive distortion on it!

I know others have had theirs for a few months now and I want your honest opinions. Love it? Like it? Hate it? Buyer's remorse? Best buy ever? At $650, it seems like a real bargain, but I have to be honest and say I expected it to somehow be more "substantial" (I don't really know what that means, maybe heavier?) And the worst part of it was the finish on the back of the neck. It felt like one of those cheap Gibson low-end LPs they have out now. I'd like my neck to be smoother.

[Juha T]

http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/forum/acoustic-guitars/ibanez-montage-(acoustic-electric)/

 

Juha

[ChuckE99]

I've read through most of the Montage threads as they evolved, but I'd like to get focused replies from owners with summarized impressions, and ratings. A lot of the threads on ICW are more about "It just came in the mail yesterday," or "I just adjusted the micro-tilt neck."

[jeffsailor]

Chuck,

I know its a long thread Juha posted, but you might want to read through it. Several members posted opinions there as they received their guitars. My review was not as glowing as others...

I received one of the early 550s. It had some finish issues, particularly with the back of the neck and that was my biggest beef. Johns played my 550 and I believe he liked the guitar.

I just recently got a Koa 750 which is much nicer in terms of the quality of the neck finish than the 550, but its still not as nice as I would expect from Ibanez. It just has a cheap feel to it.

All that said, I'm not going to be getting rid of the guitar anytime soon. Although I'm dissappointed with the quality, I think its a pretty cool "gadget"

js

[Mongo]

Chuck,

I was able to get one of the KOA models.

In a nutshell, I think the guitar is beautiful and has a nice acoustic tone to it. The neck leaves much to be desired. The finish on the back is below expectations and the frets are the thinnest I've ever played. I don't see it ever having enough meat to get any crowning done in the future. I does play well.

The electronics are very sensitive to handling noise on all channels. This practically eliminates any studio use for me. I love the built in effects and tuner.

All that said, I love the guitar, play it often and likely never sell it.

[ChuckE99]

Jeff and Mongo, thanks for the opinions. Jeff, I have read that long thread (as everyone posted to it, over several weeks) but I wanted to get a long-term review from everyone, much like you and Mongo have posted here.

[Mongo]

Chuck,

I've played Jamman's KOA after he got the work done on it (bone nut and bridge, refret with medium jumbo's - radius'd to inset into the neck binding). It plays considerably better, with a more natural feel.

I would also take some various grits of sand paper and get the neck polished to perfection.

Because mine is a KOA, I'm hesitant to modify it, even though I know the mods will improve my enjoyment of it. I expect down the road that the 'human' element in the neck QC will be a point of identification. We may all cringe that Ibanez released them this way, but years from now I bet we reference it...

I've seen two on ebay already being sold as damaged Ebay Item Number #380055181844. One of these days I may snag another neck to 'customize'.

The differences are not show stoppers for me. I love to play it anyway.

[Roland_G303]

I got to play Jeff's as well as test one in a music shop.  I think it's a cool guitar, but I'd agree that it isn't up to par with some of the better Ibanez's coming out of China.  It's fun for sure, but I think if you compared it to a Taylor T5 (which is considerably more) you'd see why the Taylor is a better guitar than the Montage.

Just my 2 cents...

Patrick

[jamman]

I've had mine for 6 mo's now ... I have the one bolt neck model without the new control template ..

I still like the guitar and play it often and keeping it ..

The KOA body is exceptional but as others (and I) have pointed out the neck finish is not up to snuff nor is the fret job (they ground them down too much). I'm not letting Ibanez off the hook for the poor neck quality which should be much better ..

I had mine re-fretted with medium jumbos and it feels MUCH better, I added a bone nut and saddle also ..

Is it a Taylor T-5, no but it sounds better acoustically plugged and unplugged than a T-5 imho and electrically in the ball park with a T-5. Fit and finish on a T-5 is definitely better.

Try one out if you can or buy it from MF and use the return policy to test it out ...

[gpercy1]

Greetings all-

Well I bought Montage #2 (Red from Musiciansfriend) to compliment my Natural that I bought a while back. Natural is the 1 bolt model, Red is the 2 bolt model...fit and finish on Red is better, Natural has a couple of issues with irregular binding along the edge...I should also tell you that I tried to buy a black one (it was a MF blem), but the "blem" ended up being a 6 inch crack in the back and a neck edge that looked like a washboard...I think it's back on the MF site as a blem-don't buy that one....Anyway-I like the Natural and the way it plays-adjusted the neck and lowered the action easily, will likely do the same with the red...If anyone out there can post pics of the inner workings of the FAST system it would be appreciated...The new red one is just a stunner-looks nicer than the natural, and sounds about the same too-different strings on each though...apples to oranges at this point. My wife is happy I've got my collection below double digits (sold a few to buy these) I've gigged with the natural a few times and it's held up well-lots of questions about it so far from crowd members...I've been very pleased so far-a nice instrument. Newer model came with actual Montage instruction sheet instead of generic Ibanez book...

[Mongo]

GP,

You can separate the neck from the body with full confidence that it will go right back where you left it. Just be sure that you don't change the small set screw setting while it's apart. You need to loosen the strings enough to remove the pins and just capo them around the 12th fret. I coil them up (like in a new package). Everything goes right back together.

You are probably the person in the best position to post pictures of the FAST hardware since you now own both (1 & 2 bolt configurations). Congratulations... I'd love to see some clear pics showing the differences between the 1 & 2 bolt versions.

In a nut shell, the FAST hardware is simply two brackets which pivot the neck on the end farthest from the bridge. The small set screw sets the pivot height and the large screw locks it down. You will understand the moment you take it apart.