“World firsts, chunky rhythms and the lead tone of a generation”: Long-awaited Tim Henson 7-string headlines mega new Ibanez signature guitar drop – including a Paul Gilbert Fireman with a world-first mod
The Polyphia guitarist’s first extended-range signature guitar lines up alongside fresh models for Paul Gilbert, Andy Timmons, Pat Metheny and John Scofield
(Image credit: Ibanez)
Ibanez has dropped a feast of new signature guitar models for all-time greats and new generational talents.
The latest release is headlined by a seven-string version of Tim Henson’s sleek TOD10 Strat-alike and a new Fireman for Paul Gilbert, which marks the first guitar to feature a slide magnet as stock.
There is also a new axe for Andy Timmons and two big-bodied builds for jazz legends John Schofield and Pat Metheny.
What’s new? World firsts, chunky rhythms and the lead tone of a generation, that’s what. Let’s dive in…
Ibanez TOD70
Launched in 2022 to coincide with Polyphia’s guest-filled album, Remember That You Will Die, Henson’s gruntier, extended-range signature counterpart, the TOD70 ($1,699.99), comprises the same modern-minded specs.
See a set of Tim Henson Signature Series 7 Fishman Fluence pickups with a versatile tone-switching system via a push/pull tone pot, Gotoh MG-T locking tuners, and Luminlay side dots for evidence.
Of those pickup voices, Ibanez promises everything from “hyper-clean” and “nylon string surrogate” tones to a classic hot-rodded voice and “the quintessential lead tone of a generation”.
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There’s also a Gotoh T1527S fixed bridge with a whammy bar for dumps, dives, and wavers.
(Image credit: Ibanez)
Again, the silver-finished, double cutaway guitar is built from an American basswood body, and an AZ Oval C neck carved out of roasted maple – which is always a head-turner.
Its ebony fretboard is enlivened by Henson's signature Tree of Death inlay and crafted to a 25.5” scale length with a 12” radius.
It’s fair to say that extended-range versions of Henson’s signature instrument have been eagerly anticipated – and fans are already clamoring for an eight-string incarnation. Surely it can’t be long now…
Ibanez FRM350
Paul Gilbert’s inverted Iceman has returned with some headline changes.
The FRM350 ($1,299), as Paul Gilbert says with pride, is “the first guitar in the world to come with a slide magnet”, meaning steel slides can effortlessly mount onto the guitar via an invisible magnet on its lower horn.
That means external gizmos – from mic stand attachments to well-trained roadies – are no longer needed as your slide is there whenever you need it.
(Image credit: Ibanez)
“There's so much to do with this guitar… the rhythm is so chunky too,” Gilbert enthuses.
In addition, he attributes the Fireman’s body style – and large surface area – for its booming resonance, “huge rhythm tones and screaming solos.”
The build itself pairs an okoume body with a three-piece okoume/maple set-in neck and a bound ebony fretboard featuring acrylic and abalone block inlays and 22 narrow/tall frets.
Its gold hardware includes a Gibraltar Performer bridge with a Quik Change Classic tailpiece and two DiMarzio Air Classic passive Alnico humbuckers.
Sure Grip knobs also allow glue-like grip for abusing the volume and tone controls.
Paul Gilbert Signature Guitar - FRM350 | Ibanez - YouTube
Next up is a new DiMarzio The Cruiser/AT-1 pickup-loaded build, which combine to offer vocal-sounding mids, strengthened bass and extra clarity for Andy Timmons.
The ATZ300 – at a pricey $3,499 – boasts an S-Tech roasted maple neck, with the treatment set to increase durability and resistance to temperature changes, and a rosewood fingerboard with jumbo frets and Prestige fret edge treatment that promises “effortlessly fast playing”.
Its African mahogany body prioritizes a rich mid-low end, with Gotoh Magnum locking tuners with height adjustable posts helping optimize string tension.
A Wilkinson-Gotoh VSVG tremolo adds that classic Stratocaster feel, with a smooth tapered volume filter delivering a “uniform tone”, whatever position it's rolled to.
(Image credit: Ibanez)
Ibanez JSM10EM
For jazz players, John Schofield has been bestowed the semi-hollow JSM10EM ($699) in a vintage-oozing two-tone burst.
For its tonewoods, the prolific jazz guitarist has opted for a flamed maple top with Linden back and sides for a “flat and accurate tone”, a set-in nyatoh neck, and a bound walnut fretboard with acrylic block inlays.
Like Gilbert, gold specs are the aesthetic choice here, with another Gibraltar Performer bridge, and this time a Quik Change III tailpiece. Each of its Super 58 pickup offers dedicated Volume and Tone pots.
The humbuckers are said to deliver a “moderate output and vintage tone”, and a Tri-sound switch expands their tonal versatility with three different voices, including a split-coil neck.
(Image credit: Ibanez)
Ibanez PM3C
Last but not least, players can choose between Natural Amber and Black Low Gloss colorways for Pat Metheny's new PM3C ($1,599) signature.
Another big-bodied semi-hollow six-string, there's a decidedly less vintage, more modernistic flavor to its looks – especially the gold-hardware adorned Black model.
At one end of the body is an ornate-looking VT200 tailpiece to ensure tuning stays true and a third Gibraltar Performer bridge with low-positioned saddles for comfortable playability.
(Image credit: Ibanez)
At the other end, its PM Special S pickup catches the eye. With angular sides and a strip magnet, the single-coil pickup has been carefully created in collaboration with Metheny – including that standout visage – for a pickup that “embraces a well-balanced classic jazz tone which is essential to Pat's music”.
Wood-wise, a spruce top pairs with maple back and sides, a three-piece nyatoh/maple set-in neck, and a bound ebony fretboard that has been given medium frets and Artstar fret edge treatment for a spherical surface – which should deliver improved note accuracy and smooth performance.
A freelance writer with a penchant for music that gets weird, Phil is a regular contributor to Prog, Guitar World, and Total Guitar magazines and is especially keen on shining a light on unknown artists. Outside of the journalism realm, you can find him writing angular riffs in progressive metal band, Prognosis, in which he slings an 8-string Strandberg Boden Original, churning that low string through a variety of tunings. He's also a published author and is currently penning his debut novel which chucks fantasy, mythology and humanity into a great big melting pot.
