Details & History
Currently I own a 2004 RG 1520 GK with Roland 13 pin output, a 2004 S 470 DX with added Roland GK-3 pickup, and have a 2005 Artist AR 300 Brown Sunburst on order.
One of my first guitars was a White late 70’s double cutaway Artist Les Paul, and I also owned an IMG 2010 Ibanez Midi Controller in 1984, and a Roland G 505, and G 808 which were manufactured by Ibanez, (well,…sort of), and included the Roland 24 pin output for use with the Roland GR 300.
I have recently caught the retro bug, and am looking to find a replacement for my old Ibanez Les Paul, (I just ordered a new AR 300 to hold me over until I can find a decent price on either a 2004 AR 2000, or a late 70’s Les Pail “tribute” guitar.
I will send better pictures when my girlfriend returns from vacation with my new camera. The pictures below include a shot of the S 470 with my Project Studio, my RG 1520, and a close up of the peizo’s on the 1520.
When the AR 300 arrives, I will be replacing the Gibraltar with a GraphTech Tonepro’s with the Ghost Hexpander and 13 pin output, (If only there was an Ibanez Custom shop in the US !!!).
Jonathan McDonald
Alexandria, Virginia USA
This Ibanez AR200, (Korea) is soon to be converted for
use with the Roland VG-88 V-Guitar System, and GI-20 GK-Midi Interface. I
absolutely love my AR2000, and could not see gutting it to install this
system. I've already replaced the stock tuners with Gotoh Delta 510 with
20:1 ratio. The replacement of the Gotoh tuners has solved the tuning
instability issues, and did not leave any extra holes, (looks completely
stock!). The GraphTech Ghost Tonepro bridge with Piezo saddles, Hexpander
Module, and 13 pin output jack, are in transit. The bridge replacement will
be to a "Nashville" TOM bridge, and stop tail piece, (in gold). The mini
switches, (for controlling the synth), will be placed in the same positions
as on older AR models. Ibanez strap pins, (in gold), and an AR 2000 bone nut
have been ordered also to keep that stock facade. A little "aging" on the
fretboard and neck should give it a better feel.
Here is my primary workhorse, a 2004 Ibanez RG 1520. It features the factory peizo's with 13 pin output for use with the Roland VG 88 2.0 guitar system, and GR/ GI-20 GK-Midi Interface. It is the best tracking of any guitar I have ever used! Recording jingles and audio for TV production, I almost never need a keyboard, as my Ibanez guitar can faithfully trigger any Synth/Sampled sound, along with "virtual" guitars/amps/effects from the VG-88.
