USCG
Trick or Treat

Details & History

Jerry - the guitar arrived today.  What a treasure!  AND the paperwork is absolutely unbelievable...sheds light on Ibanez's brief venture into the North Hollywood USA Custom Series!

I quote:  "...we felt it was time to take on a new challenge....they (instruments) would be made only of the most select woods and fitted with the finest hardware and electronics available.  And they would be hand-built in America...Even the location was carefully considered:  our facility in N. Hollywood puts us in the center of an area that has spawned so many other classic instruments and gives us access to the ideas, creativity and trends generated by the huge number of working musicians and artists in the Southern California area...And to satisfy an artist's need for an instrument that matches its excellence of sound with excellence in looks, Ibanez accepts only the most select pieces from exotic woods..."

The original warranty card is untouched with matching serial numbers on it.  The guitar itself is absolutely wonderful with minor dings/scratches.  Not sure about you, but I've NEVER seen another one with this particular finish.  Way cool...everyone who's seen it thus far is totally freaked out!

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 'Trick or Treat' design is found in the 1991-2 catalogue and is believed to have been available only in this year. If you can help with further information on the guitar, please get in touch.