Titus Bramble Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 If I were to buy a guitar based purely on looks it would definitely be one of these. I've never come across one to try it out though, anyone on here own one/played one? How does it play etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Plays fine. A bit strat like but neck heavy and a bit more awkward to wear. Looks good though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 (edited) Depends on which model you're looking at... Erm, currently own 2, but have owned about 5 or 6 over the years, including a 1978 IC200, an '81 IC50, and a '94 IC300. The '78 was great, mahogany body, set maple neck with volute, brilliant strap balance (no neck dive), but the neck was a tad thin (kind of like a Gibson SG/LP "slim '60 taper"). The '81 IC50 was a good example of the low grade, bolt neck version with the "ply" body. Someone had "refinished" it trans red, and you could see it was made of "off-cuts". Still a decent weight, and a good strap balance (no neck dive). Refinished it and moved it on. The '94 IC300 was frankly awful, even though it was an MIJ. Bolt on "Wizard" neck, Basswood body. Strap balance was awful because the body didn't have the weight of the old fashioned mahogany slab. Neck was far too skinny. There was another version built in the early/mid 90's, the IC500 (set neck & pearl binding) which was gorgeous, though I've never played one. There was also the ICJ1000 signature model with an Edge Pro (Ibanez Floyd Rose) trem. Currently have an '04 & '05 IC400 reissue of the late 70's IC200 (like my old '78). Set maple neck on a slab mahogany body, excellent strap balance, volute on the back of the neck, and a neck profile that's more like a Gibson '59/late '70's Ibanez Artist. At the same time, they also made the bolt neck IC200, which was quite good too, far better than the previous IC300 from the 90's. The latest version, the ICT (and Sam Trotman version) has a maple through neck, and won't give you the raucous mahogany tones that the IC's are reknown for, think a cross between a Gibson SG and a Firebird. It might be good for some situations, but does not cut the mustard in my book. I briefly owned a BC Rich Classic Exotic Bich (maple through neck), and although it was a superb guitar, and had plenty of bark, it just didn't have the bark AND bite of the IC400 Reissue. Another thing to bear in mind, is that the strap buttons are on the rear of the body, so the guitar does tend to "lean forwards" a bit on the strap (kind of like the ES 335, SG & Firebirds). It can be a bit annoying, but you do get used to it. They also have long necks, but if you're used to playing bass, it shouldn't be as much of a problem as it seems to be "just guitarists". There used to be an excellent website dedicated to the Iceman, but I don't have the URL. Did I mention I was a bit of an Iceman anorak? Edited March 27, 2014 by Skybone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Titus Bramble Posted March 27, 2014 Author Share Posted March 27, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Skybone' timestamp='1395925857' post='2407990'] Depends on which model you're looking at... Erm, currently own 2, but have owned about 5 or 6 over the years, including a 1978 IC200, an '81 IC50, and a '94 IC300. The '78 was great, mahogany body, set maple neck with volute, brilliant strap balance (no neck dive), but the neck was a tad thin (kind of like a Gibson SG/LP "slim '60 taper"). The '81 IC50 was a good example of the low grade, bolt neck version with the "ply" body. Someone had "refinished" it trans red, and you could see it was made of "off-cuts". Still a decent weight, and a good strap balance (no neck dive). Refinished it and moved it on. The '94 IC300 was frankly awful, even though it was an MIJ. Bolt on "Wizard" neck, Basswood body. Strap balance was awful because the body didn't have the weight of the old fashioned mahogany slab. Neck was far too skinny. There was another version built in the early/mid 90's, the IC500 (set neck & pearl binding) which was gorgeous, though I've never played one. There was also the ICJ1000 signature model with an Edge Pro (Ibanez Floyd Rose) trem. Currently have an '04 & '05 IC400 reissue of the late 70's IC200 (like my old '78). Set maple neck on a slab mahogany body, excellent strap balance, volute on the back of the neck, and a neck profile that's more like a Gibson '59/late '70's Ibanez Artist. At the same time, they also made the bolt neck IC200, which was quite good too, far better than the previous IC300 from the 90's. The latest version, the ICT (and Sam Trotman version) has a maple through neck, and won't give you the raucous mahogany tones that the IC's are reknown for, think a cross between a Gibson SG and a Firebird. It might be good for some situations, but does not cut the mustard in my book. I briefly owned a BC Rich Classic Exotic Bich (maple through neck), and although it was a superb guitar, and had plenty of bark, it just didn't have the bark AND bite of the IC400 Reissue. Another thing to bear in mind, is that the strap buttons are on the rear of the body, so the guitar does tend to "lean forwards" a bit on the strap (kind of like the ES 335, SG & Firebirds). It can be a bit annoying, but you do get used to it. They also have long necks, but if you're used to playing bass, it shouldn't be as much of a problem as it seems to be "just guitarists". There used to be an excellent website dedicated to the Iceman, but I don't have the URL. Did I mention I was a bit of an Iceman anorak? [/quote] Don't get much more throrough than that! Cheers mate. Like I said, I've never found one in a shop anywhere and from my quick internet searches I can only find the IC500 online. Edited March 27, 2014 by Titus Bramble Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 (edited) IIRC, before I bought the 90's IC300, I'd only ever literally seen about 3 or 4 of differeing vintages in shops, in around 10-15 years at that point. Since then, I have seen quite a few more, but they still tend to be quite a rare beastie (unless you have access to large shops with loads of varied stock). In fact, I believe I saw more Rickenbacker 480/481's for sale at that point than I saw versions of the Iceman (Icemen?). Since the '04-'07(?) reissues, they have become more widespread, mainly thanks to System of a Down and the Dragonforce variants. There was an awful scaled down version made, the ICX120 that was reasonably priced, but you're better off trying to find a full scale version IMO. Don't know much about the current IC500, apart from what I can see on the Ibanez site, it sounds as though it should "hit the mark" (set maple neck & mahogany body). As it's a current model, you should be able to find one at a larger Ibanez dealers, or maybe they could order one in for you to have a look at. They are pretty much "Marmite" guitars, you either love them or hate them. Edited March 28, 2014 by Skybone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruiner Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Used to always lust after one of these back when White Zombie were kicking around: [url="http://ibanez.wikia.com/wiki/ICJ100WZ"]http://ibanez.wikia.com/wiki/ICJ100WZ[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ancient Mariner Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 They had a couple in PMT Oxford store a while back, and I did try one (think it was a bolt-neck 200 model) because I always wanted an Iceman when I was younger and I'm a fan of older Japanese designs. It was OK, but not spectacular, entirely giggable but less inspiring than I'd hoped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted April 21, 2014 Share Posted April 21, 2014 A friend of mine had one of the original Paul Stanley models & it was one of the best guitars I've ever played. If I could have afforded it when he sold it I'd have definitely bought it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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