Ibanez JS2480 Owners Review

Owners review of probably one of the best guitars I've ever played. Rather than the classic sales review, I've aimed to give a view of the kind of tones and versatility of this guitar in the hands of a typical buyer.

[@AlbertWhiteOWL31]

Congratulations on your fantastic guitar. I have the small red JS100 bought out of curiosity and for the beauty of the body. Very high build quality for the price. It completely captivated me. After seeing your test I will move on to the higher models.

[@davidupton8100]

Thanks Albert, I have a JS100 too which I had painted by a Scottish artist used in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWGZk59oiLN3btksi=QEaudXCqoSmvdf0S I have to say it is brilliant. I upgraded the pickups to the Sathur8 in the bridge and the PAFJOE in the neck and it's stunning. Also I love the neck profile. There is something really top quality about the JS2480 but I have to say the JS100 is a spectacular guitar.

[@santanusarma]

Very nice review. This is one of my Ibanez collections. The Sustainiac Steath Pro is terrific. The Ibz-Gotoh Edge Pro tremolo bridge and all other hardwares are of superior quality and performance. The neck materials and craftsmaship are very fine. Loved the guitar.

[@martybreen6228]

Thanks so much Dave. This review was calm and comprehensive and showed me everything I needed to know without actually having picked one up. I’ve had my eyes on them since the Orange version but with Sustainiac, the DiMarzio Bridge pickup and the lovely MCR which reminds me of my Cherry Red 1989 Sabre, I’m totally sold. Must have! 😊

[@davidupton8100]

Many thanks Marty, this guitar is right up there against some stiff competition. This is one of only 2 guitars I would never sell, no matter what. I hope you can get hold of one. Good luck.

[@andrewbonica]

Always great playing, mate! 🤘

[@davidupton8100]

Thanks Andrew, hope all is good with you.

[@andrewbonica]

@@davidupton8100 doing well, thanks! 😉👍

[@martybreen6228]

Absolutely SUPERB review. I’ve never come across Dave Upton previously. I had a JS original back in the 1980s Cherry metallic red “Sabre” and regretfully pawned it when I was young dumb and broke. Have been following Ibanez and Satch as they have developed the Signature Series wondering when is the best time to dive back in now that I’m a grown up. I could not find a good review anywhere - not even on the Ibanez site - which demonstrates the sounds and versatility and switch/tone impacts as superbly as Dave’s review here. And he does it unrehearsed. No bullshit. He ain’t trying to sell ya for commission. He’s just a dude like me who melts over stunning lead tones. Anyway, he succinctly answered every question on my mind and I am BUYING THIS WEEK AS SOON AS I GET FUCKEN PAID 🤤. Dave thank you mate. I’ve don’t know why I bothered following you - I won’t ever need to review another guitar again. But I should say you are brilliant at reviewing these shredding machines and you should keep doing it. It’s hard to find someone with integrity and without a vested interest on KZbin, someone you can trust. I’m going to struggle being patient while I wait for my order! I’m down under and I imagine I’m in for a long wait. But it will be worth it. 🏆 for you mate.

[@davidupton8100]

Oh wow, cheers Marty, that's such fantastic feedback. You are right about there being no other motivation than wanting to spread my experiences of different guitars and if it help someone who is in the same position I have sometimes been in, then fantastic. You're also right about unrehearsed 🤣 I just chat about things in a rough order, people seem to like this approach. Slightly spooky that I've also just this minute come of a work call with an Australian company so may be headed down under soon. Anyway, I really hope you get your JS very soon and it's what you've been looking for, mine remains my favourite in my collection, let me know when you've got it. 👍🎸

[@andrewfraser2760]

The sustain is amazing 🙂

[@JC-fx3wh]

Can you have low action on that guitar? I've heard the fretboard is round like a fender strat.

[@davidupton8100]

I think it depends on your definition of low. Everyone who picks mine up comments on how low the action is, and I think it's lower than my PIA. Here's some info on how Joe has his www.satriani.com/2000/about/gear/setup.shtml

[@rocknrollsingh7568]

Hi, I m thinking to buy one but I already have a music man majesty basswood. I can’t play before buying this ibanez so can you tell how different it will be from majesty because I want something different more bluesy and rock n roll than majesty

[@davidupton8100]

I've never played a Majesty, but I suspect they aren't wildly different in general tone and playability. The only thing I would say is you have the sustainiac of course, and you can open the back and tweak the setting to get more of a lower output Les Paul or Strat tone on the neck position for blues when it's in non-sustain mode, and then have the benefit of the Satchur8 for lead which I personally think is the best lead pickup I've used (but I haven't used everything of course). It would help to try one if you can find anyone with stock.

[@rocknrollsingh7568]

@@davidupton8100 when I bought majesty i was a les paul guy, majesty is a wonderful guitar but i still love the more traditional vibe of les paul. So i am really looking for these satch features and expecting more bluesy and traditional tone than majesty. I m most excited about the sustaniac and this different bridge

[@dfgvjnkjdsnbkjsbdvjkhdsb]

*JS best*

[@chebrneck]

I just got one too. What I didn't like is the clanking push/pull pots

[@davidupton8100]

Really, if not particularly noticed that, what do you think of the rest of the guitar?

[@chebrneck]

@@davidupton8100I just meant is that you can hear the clank of the knob through the amp. but the guitar is very high quality. as it should be for the price.

[@rastanz]

Interesting guitar, that sustainiac will save a lot of finger tip skin from manual vibrato 😁 Great playing.

[@davidupton8100]

Yes it does, many thanks

[@sportsportsport]

Apologies if I missed it, what's your recording set up here? Amps and pedals?

[@davidupton8100]

I use a Line 6 Helix Floor modeller direct into my DAW.

[@joec63]

Dave, nice guitar. I have the JS2450 and love it. Can you expound on your signal chain for this video.

[@davidupton8100]

It's all using a Line6 Helix, so a Chrome Custom Wah into a Vox amp model and a simple delay. If you have a Helix I can send you the preset.

[@joec63]

​@@davidupton8100 Thank you but still using the HD500 into my AC15. I'll upgrade someday 👍

[@MK-tj5bf]

What kind of Wah you used in the beginning of this video? Thanks

[@davidupton8100]

I'm using a Chrome Custom Wah on a Line 6 Helix floor modeller, which is modelled after a Modded Vox V847

[@MK-tj5bf]

@@davidupton8100 thanks!

[@JudgeFredd]

Nice

[@fishhed8304]

I love my 2480 but hate the fact they used a 10 cent 9v battery connector instead of a drop-in (Fishman). I've broken the snap twice and had to repair it... That's the only downside to these guitars.

[@davidupton8100]

It is odd given the quality of the rest of the guitar. I wonder if it can be replaced by another brand of battery holder.

[@michael1]

It'll be whatever sustainiac supply to Ibanez in the kits - so the price or quality of the guitar from Ibanez is immaterial

[@colhad9505]

the guitar is great and ur playing is totally terrific

[@davidupton8100]

Wow thank you, much appreciated.

[@colhad9505]

@@davidupton8100 You think that the japanese model js2400 is much better than the js240ps from Indonesia?

[@davidupton8100]

@@colhad9505 Great question and one I wrestled with for a while. Undoubtedly it's better, the fret finishing is better and various elements of quality, however I suspect it's not £1000 different. I bought the more expensive one because I have wanted one of these for so long and I wanted it to be the holy grail guitar and of course hold its value. What did amaze me is how heavy it is, it's as heavy if not heavier than my PIA and Jem. The sustain is amazing.

[@colhad9505]

​​@@davidupton8100ty for u quick and interesting answer. You say you know the Schecter guitars : this Ibanez can be compared to the Sun valley, the Reaper or the Synyster models, with sustainiac too... or it s totally another league ?

[@davidupton8100]

@@colhad9505 Hi, I must have missed this question, sorry. I rate Schecters very highly so I wouldn't say this is in a different league and actually the Schecters give you more control over the sustainiac. I would say the quality of the JS and PIA is definitely better, particularly things like the trem and the switches and controls. I've always found Schecter controls can become scratchy. And my final point would be, personally (and it is a personal thing) I think the JS is the best guitar I've ever played.

[@hotchow8766]

I must admit that you are a rarity in that you achieved nearly 99% of the Satch tone from his album IS THERE LOVE IN SPACE? The difference (to my ears) is the post processing that a producer and professional engineer bring with a studio environment and studio tools. How do I contact you to get those settings on the HELIX? I'm using older Line 6 equipment, the POD x3 and the two-pedal FBX, but the parameters like delay type and time, reverb type and decay, wah pedal emulator, parametric EQ and all else would cut across modeler types and get me closer to the sound I want. I want to practice more and get the most out of what I own, not buy more equipment. Thank you and Merry Christmas.

[@davidupton8100]

Wow, I'll take that as a compliment, let me try and describe the Helix signal chain and I'm happy for you to just ping more questions for the bits I miss. In this order, Chrome Custom Wah, Scream 808 Distortion, German Mahadeva Amp, 10 band graphic with just 4khz up 1db, a Marshall 4 x 12 cab IR, Gray Flanger, a stereo Simple Delay on a 1/4 dotted off a 120 bpm feedback 40% mix 25%, Plate Reverb Decay 6 Mix 36%. I've given you the Helix names but you'll have to look them up and see if you have equivalents. At the start of the video I have the wah on but left int the heel position to create that tone. Good luck with it. Happy to try and help more.

[@123pap]

Great now I'm going to have to get one?😂

[@EdBenji]

24 frets would be useless to most players!

[@goceilievski874]

I guess even an expensive premium signature guitar doesn't simply just make someone play and sound like Satriani. Good effort though.

[@davidupton8100]

Thanks, it would surprise me if anyone would ever think it's going to make someone play and sound like Joe. I bought it because it's one of the best guitars I've ever picked up, signature or not and I'll use it for my own style and work.

[@user-kc7sf7xo7q]

Wow !