Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

Ibanez iceman


Titus Bramble
 Share

Recommended Posts

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? :lol:

Edited by Skybone
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[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? :lol:
[/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 by Titus Bramble
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 by Skybone
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...
 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...