NGD: Ibanez Pia Onyx Black

[Gitarmats]

So I've always wanted to try a Pia ever since they were revealed, and I'm happy to say the day is finally here! (Actually it's been a week or so now. Details details...)

I got this in a trade on the used market, but the previous owner had just had it for a couple of weeks, so it's basically brand new. Mint! I just fixed the intonation and trem angle a little bit, and this guitar was perfect.

Super comfortable neck that feels great to play. Pickups sound great! Haven't really messed around with the push-pull knob yet, but I'll test it out a bit more when I do a full video review. I checked for the sanding inside the holes and it's all good on this one.

I also quite enjoy the scalloped frets at the top. I feel it especially helps for tapping, actually. Easier to get good contact with the frets with the scallop.

I also got a coulpe of videos playing it out this week:




Overall super inspired by this guitar and super happy with finally owning one!

 

[HomespunEffects]

That’s boughie, bro!

 

[Los-D]

 

[Alex Kenivel]

Beautiful! This color has to be my favorite of the bunch as I'm not really into the typical white/pearl aesthetic but black and gold? Sploosh!

How's the neck? Typical thin shredder? That's the only thing that keeps me away from these kinds of guitars.

Sick playing on the videos, too!

 

[TSJMajesty]

That's a sick guitar dude!! Congrats!

 

[Gitarmats]

Beautiful! This color has to be my favorite of the bunch as I'm not really into the typical white/pearl aesthetic but black and gold? Sploosh!

How's the neck? Typical thin shredder? That's the only thing that keeps me away from these kinds of guitars.

Sick playing on the videos, too!

Thank you very much!

It's not the thinnest neck I've felt! It feels a little bit thicker than some of those typical Ibanez necks. I find it to be very comfortable!

That's a sick guitar dude!! Congrats!

Thank you!

 

[Eagle]

It is the neck is 19mm at fret one instead of the usual 17mm, it’s the Jem neck modeled on the early 80s Charvel neck.

 

[DrewJD82]

It is the neck is 19mm at fret one instead of the usual 17mm, it’s the Jem neck modeled on the early 80s Charvel neck.

Ibanez has fucked around with this a bit over the years and no one has been able to tell if it’s due to request from Vai or what. The 7DBK (textured finish) has a really thin neck, might as well be a Wizard, the DNA’s were somewhere between a Wizard and a JEM neck, the JEM JR’s have Wizard III necks that are closest to the traditional late 80’s/90’s JEM necks where they were still wide but had a little thickness to them.

I have a hunch it’s more of a decision on Ibanez’ end than Vai’s. Vai didn’t even know they made the 7V with an ebony board for a decade.

I actually haven’t even seen a Pia in person yet aside from seeing Vai live. I’m dying to try one out to see how it feels in comparison to my JEM.

 

[DrewJD82]

HNG, dude!!! Congrats!!!!!

That’s the only PIA so far that has made me want one! I came close to ordering one a few years back but at the time Ibanez was taking over a year to ship them out and already owning my JEM, I felt I should spend that kind of money on something in the opposite direction.

 

[Jarick]

That's a crazy cool guitar, I love the black and gold look.

 

[Eagle]

Ibanez has fucked around with this a bit over the years and no one has been able to tell if it’s due to request from Vai or what. The 7DBK (textured finish) has a really thin neck, might as well be a Wizard, the DNA’s were somewhere between a Wizard and a JEM neck, the JEM JR’s have Wizard III necks that are closest to the traditional late 80’s/90’s JEM necks where they were still wide but had a little thickness to them.

I have a hunch it’s more of a decision on Ibanez’ end than Vai’s. Vai didn’t even know they made the 7V with an ebony board for a decade.

I actually haven’t even seen a Pia in person yet aside from seeing Vai live. I’m dying to try one out to see how it feels in comparison to my JEM.

Some models do have the wizard neck.
Most of the main Jem models up to the increase in heel width are supposed to be the Charvel shape and the Pia is supposed to be as well but they do vary quite a bit and the heel change around 02 changes the feel a bit as well.
I don’t count any of the none Japan versions in this.

 

[Devin]

Epic guitar and dope playing kimg

 

[DrewJD82]

Some models do have the wizard neck.
Most of the main Jem models up to the increase in heel width are supposed to be the Charvel shape and the Pia is supposed to be as well but they do vary quite a bit and the heel change around 02 changes the feel a bit as well.
I don’t count any of the none Japan versions in this.

Unsurprisingly, ‘02 is my cut off year with Ibanez. The changes started earlier, around ‘98 when they started adding skunk stripes to the necks, but by ‘02 they had stopped using LoPros and went with the Edge Pro and 5-piece necks, from that point on nothing new I played felt like the Ibanez I grew up with.

 

[Gitarmats]

Epic guitar and dope playing kimg

Thank you!