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USCG
The Icy Hand 
of Death
NAME: The Icy Hand of Death YEAR: 1990 OWNER: 

Details & History

{I got an email from Matthew Quin on the subject of the Icy Hand of Death. Ed!}

Mathew writes....

Hi,
 
Around 1989 - 90 I played a USCG - Icy hand of death model in Melbourne Australia, here are some details that i remember, that are quite different to the model shown on your site:
 
The graphic was slightly different, the background on the Unravelled Consciousness model was the one on the Icy hand of death model (light blue w/small horizontal white clouds), instead of the rotted hand facing horizontal it was actually going vertical and was a creamy bone colour with icicles.
 
The pickup configuration was interesting as it had a 3 coil humbucker in the bridge, referred to as the "Motherbucker", I can't quite remember but it may also have had a single coil in the neck (?)
 
It had a maple fretboard, and a standard edge trem and volume/tone controls, and a mini switch for the humbucker.
 
Above all it was a great looking and playing guitar and i always loved to go in and see it, wish i had money at the time to get it, ahh well.
 
Hope this info helps.
 
Regards
 
Matthew Quin

 
 

 

NAME: The Icy Hand of Death YEAR: 1990 OWNER: 

Details & History

Based on the 700 series, the USA Custom series was designed to be an affordable 'custom' range. More customized then custom, you were able to select from a number of finishes, necks, inlays, headstocks, and pick up's to create a guitar for yourself. So whilst not strictly a Luthier's one off, the USA Custom's still are very sort after and collectable. Numbers are very vague and (with the exception of the early very rare pre-production runs thought to number no more then 250 pieces), extremely hard to tie down. (its up to you lot out there that have them to give us details. Please Ed!). Points to notice are the Ibanez Edge trem system, (like the early Jem's) on the Graphic series, with the option for a hard tail on the Exotic woods, and a cutaway neck joint, again like the Jem's and again the exotic woods got the AANJ as a bonus. (Why just them? Ed!). And the rather 'handily' placed volume knob right under the bridge pick up.

The 'Icy Hand' design is believed to have been available only for the 1990 run as its not shown in the 1991-2 catalogue. If you can help with further information on the guitar, please get in touch.

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