Ibanez Q Series - The BEST Headless Guitars?!

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👆 The New Ibanez Q headless guitars are finally here, and we are so excited to try them out and give you our first impressions with Lee Wrathe! The headless Ibanez Q (Quest) are Ibanez's most forward-thinking guitars to date! | tinyurl.com/yh5mv54u
» Ibanez Q Series HH in Laser Blue Matte | tinyurl.com/yf3tv7fe
» Ibanez Q Series HSS in Black Flat | tinyurl.com/ygu4t5ge
» Ibanez Q Series HSS in Sea Foam Green Matte | tinyurl.com/yfkotx2o
» Ibanez Q Series HH in Black Flat with Slanted Frets | tinyurl.com/yf3u5h66
» Ibanez Q Series 7-String HH in Antique Brown Slanted Frets | tinyurl.com/ye3ohv3m
» Ibanez Q Series HSS in Blue Sphere Burst Matte Slanted Frets | tinyurl.com/yz7gnoj7
If you liked the intro/outro jams, check them out on our Download Store!
» andertonsdownloads.com/produc...
The Ibanez Q (Quest) Series are headless guitars designed for the players who seek portable, ergonomic tools that can keep up with the increasingly technical and flamboyant styles spreading across modern rock and metal music. These babies come either in HH or HSS configuration and with the option to have slanted frets! There is even a 7 string.
Checkout Lee Wrathe's KZbin Channel!
» / leewrathespage
🎥 Looking to watch something else? Check out our video on the Ibanez AZS!
» • NEW Ibanez AZS Series ...
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» • OUTDATED - How to Orde...
⏰ Timestamps ⏰
» 0:00 Intro Jam
» 3:41 What are we Looking at Today?
» 11:10 What are the Specs?
» 14:54 What about the Pickups?
» 18:08 How to Change Strings on a Headless Guitar?
» 19:59 Let's Get Some Clean Tones on the HH!
» 23:44 Let's Get Some Clean Tones on the HSS!
» 27:35 Bit of Gain!
» 30:22 Trying out the 7 String
» 35:03 Outro Jam
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#Andertons #Ibanez #IbanezQ

[@MikaTarkela]

I don't get why so many people are hating on these. I'm glad Ibanez is trying some new and different things! :)

[@faboolean7039]

@@smelltheglove2038 not a fad but extremely niche. I can see these being really useful for a touring guitar player that wants a light guitar to carry around and not worry about it getting damaged during travel.

[@jc5512]

Have you not seen how insanely conservative most guitarists are? If it's not 50 years old, it's an unnecessary gimmick

[@jeremythornton433]

I don't hate them at all. I just wonder how they'd do on my wall mount guitar hangers.

[@jameslewis2635]

@@jc5512 Well if you consider that they first appeared in the 1980's and we are now in the 2020's give it 10 years and the same people will be considering headless as a classic design!

[@stuartbayliss9251]

@@jeremythornton433 These flare out a little, the guitars infront of the amps are being held up by what look like Hercules stands holding them by this flared bit.

[@pablo9364]

I see they’ve brought in the artillery. I’m referring to the guest of course

[@dreamscuba]

A few months ago, I wandered into a guitar shop and saw these. I was curious and wanted to try them... they were great. I walked away with a Q52. It is such a versatile guitar and so easy to play. It is a pure joy!!

[@MartinStrang]

I have not tried the Q series but I do have a Strandberg Boden guitar and an Ibanez Headless 6 string multi scale bass (EHB1506). Going headless and multiscale in my instruments has been a joy. I can do more practice with less strain to my hands. Absolutely worth it. Ergonomic and lightweight is key. Specially for musicians with hand, neck or spine injuries.

[@jordanthomasgray]

I play with a headless Steinberger Spirit pretty frequently. One advantage of the tuning pegs being bridge-side rather than up on the headstock is that you can make quick tuning adjustments while you still have a capo on. This is pretty invaluable if you play with a capo often and your neck’s intonation isn’t quite right.

[@PHeMoX]

You should never tune with a capo on though and most of the time the intonation is messed up because the capo doesn't sit quite right or due to other issues bridge-side. I'd go with Jimmy's suggestion instead.

[@mikeg.9238]

Ibanez and Schecter are easily my favorite brands , they always continue to deliver quality and innovation! Great review and demo!

[@PHeMoX]

There's no such thing as 'too many sounds'. It's what makes these guitars incredible.

[@playmoreguitar5393]

That outro put the biggest smile on my face :-)

[@hitotsunagi641]

The outro jam is spicy!! Great session from Pete and Lee

[@dash4786]

Lee was a wonderful guest I love this video! Also him using affordable pedals and amps was a great decision with this range of guitar. Wonderful video again

[@tonedowne]

So what you are saying is that I should get one for the studio because they have all the tones, are designed for sitting down and I don't have to worry about banging the headstock on the ceiling.

[@davepayne164]

And if you only use them in the studio you don’t have to worry about anyone seeing you play one…

[@pinkiewerewolf]

I’ve been waiting for you guys to review these guitars! I’ll have to check it out on my lunch break.

[@earlecraft7682]

I just got one Wednesday this week & I love it so far. Sounds great & very comfortable. Love how easy it is to change the strings. So far it's love at first play!

[@maltekraft6186]

One of the best outro jams you ever did guys, I love it. And the 7 String looks legit :D

[@ChippsChippendale]

Have to agree. Great jam!

[@nickbufalinoacoustic]

Amazing intro jam!! Listened multiple times and it really sold me on this series of guitars!

[@VibhasPatil]

Headless guitars are great but you really need to play one to decide if it's for you. The ergonomics can either be absolutely amazing or can make for an extremely uncomfortable instrument. I tried a few headless guitars made by a well-known company from Southern California some years back and while they were really well made instruments, I just couldn't bond with them. Try before you buy please!

[@bohdankhmelnytsky9369]

Headless guitars have no soul 😇

[@josku5]

@@bohdankhmelnytsky9369 lol what a boomer

[@akjl01]

😂​@@josku5

[@frilokk]

these new models will change the world. new wave today, vintage tomorrow

[@jeevansingh6944]

Great to see Lee in this video always enjoyed his Dawsons stuff. 👍

[@1337million]

The slanted frets might just be the selling point for me. Played Flying Vs sitting down for so many years that holding a guitar horizontally feels wrong lol

[@reneotten7376]

And it hurts your back.

[@Jaundice__]

These sounded good in the demo, well played chaps!

[@jasondeli]

Holy crap!!! That outro jam was incredible...wow !!!

[@scarey2me]

OMG they are sensational. What stunning looking guitars. And they don't sound half bad either. These are definitely winners.

[@A0073735963]

Regarding the frets -- Jescar is the name of the manufacturer, and Evo Gold is the name of the alloy. Not sure what materials they're actually using, but the say that it's nickel-free, which is good for those with nickel allergies. The hardness is supposed to be somewhere in between regular nickel silver and stainless steel frets.

[@jecky82]

@@smelltheglove2038 not just weaker, more sensitive as well. LOL

[@TheShinyShow]

@@jecky82 Yeah, like when someone mentions an allergy and some guy in the youtube comments gets all flustered about it.

[@chadmarx7718]

@@smelltheglove2038 pretty shit takes guys, a lot of allergies are in-born and people actually have no control over it jfc

[@benlogan430]

Focus factor is needed! It’s a guitar video, not a what’s wrong with today rant. Sweet guitars with Lee and Pete that’s all.

[@Replyingtoyourdumbcomment]

I got mine two days ago and I can whole hearted say these are my new favorite guitars. Amazing roasted quality neck that feels like something from a 3k+ suhr and the pickups are insane

[@imagzz4942]

Did you get a "normal" one or one of the versions with slanted frets?

[@Replyingtoyourdumbcomment]

@@imagzz4942 slanted and I LOVE IT

[@ShadowRifft]

I actually DO like how each guitar seems to inspire different types of playing, True point!👍🎶 and Awesome JAMM!!😎😎🎶🎶

[@KevTheSheep]

I bought myself a headless Kiesel bass last year, the weight differnce the lack of headstock makes is insane, tuning and restringing is much quicker and easier too. I'm not currently wanting to splurge on another Kiesel, but I do want a headless 7 string, and this particular one looks perfect for me. As for anyone who has yet to try out a headless instrument, I'd strongly recommend you do so, especially if you're a gigging musician, tuning stability is insanely good, restrings are nice and quick, and there is less weight for when you're jumping up and down on stage like a moron (it also means you're not gonna be poking other band members on some of those small stages)

[@Guitarburt]

I usually would only consider a guitar that had single and double coil pickups, but the tonal options on the humbucker version seem to have everything I would want sound wise.

[@shersan13]

just got mine! Love it!!!

[@johnlee85]

Been waiting for this one

[@GabiOprea]

Great guitars!

[@fatpandaproductions6835]

Jeeeeeeez........outro jam unfrickingbelievable😯😯😯 Mr.Wrathe has lightning fingers......they run up and down the neck like a four legged pink spider. I think even The Dane was impressed,and he's no mug on a guitar, judging by the look on his face. I love Andertons vids💚

[@SixString_J5]

12:25 Jescar is a brand that makes frets. They make nickle, stainless steel, and in this case Evo GOLD frets. These frets are partially gold and sit between nickle and stainless steel as far as hardness/ durability goes.

[@thestratman7903]

You beat me to the comment!!! I am looking into getting my strat refretted and my luthier suggests Jescars EVO Gold...Just not sure I can deal with the gold color...Any thoughts?

[@PeterWasted]

@@thestratman7903 Did you perhaps suggest you might like stainless steel frets to your luthier? Most luthier / repair people seem to hate stainless steel due to them ruining otherwise perfectly good tools.

[@thestratman7903]

@@PeterWasted Lol That's EXACTLY what I wanted on this next refret was SS and then he gave me the EVO gold pitch..

[@oosqueezemylemon]

err yeah - Jescar isn't a type of metal guys!

[@thestratman7903]

@@oosqueezemylemon It's a brand just like Dunlop that makes fretwire, that's well known for their EVO Gold wire

[@lonegroover]

Takes a while to get used to one. I have a Steinberger. But it's a good idea. Takes up less space, protects the tuners.

[@skarfie123]

That intro was amazing

[@drkluscious]

13:30 according to ibanez's website, the slated fret necks have a 20" radius and the non-slanted are actually 12". Pete isn't wrong when he talks about the latter not feeling flat.

[@Indigo-lucky]

Yep. They confused these radius specs with neck profiles (19mm thin for slanted, and 21mm at the nut 22mm by the body for the straight fret one).

[@80sday36]

That's a perfect thumbnail for headless guitar video review.

[@ZenRyoku]

well i don't know about headless guiti.... but the Ibanez series S was one of the baddest ass guitars ever made... 💯💯💯

[@matt6288joyce]

That outro jam was absolutely unreal!

[@notarealperson87]

im so glad i watched the whole outro and got to see Lee bust out the Michael Angelo Batio hammer-ons

[@davidf2281]

WANT Edit: Absolutely LOVED that intro

[@Roikat]

Headless is a better way to do locking trems (the Floyd Rose, etc. started as a retrofit for superstrats but ideally should make the headstock entirely unnecessary), which is why I'm disappointed none of these have a trem as far as I can tell.

[@NavneetKash]

Try Strandberg for that.

[@2WheelsGood.01]

@@NavneetKash while true. Strandbergs are double the price, or more.

[@Guitarburt]

Kiesel guitars. (formerly "Carvin")

[@EasyBoy17-o8g]

Maybe the line up was just an experiment and now that it has got alot of positive reviews they will introduce a proper prestige line up too with floating trema

[@Guitarburt]

@@EasyBoy17-o8g Would be nice if they were AVAILABLE. We're still waiting for them here in the USA. By the way, I should mention that my "go to" guitar for pretty much everything I do is a headless Ibanez called an "Axstar Ax75" that I bought in 1986. Ibanez made a headless guitar in the 80s.

[@maJastoL]

The parallel wizard neck on the qx sounds perfect! Wish they'd just put this on everything

[@hanovergreen4091]

Bought a QX52 on the recommendation of Anthony George because I like thinner necks. Liked it so much I bought a QX52. The pickups take a few hours for your ears (at least mine did) to acclimate to their tone. It's very, very clean and dry and flat but I find that also allows them to respond better to S-Gear and NeuralDSP Soldano plugins. The humbuckers have a driving growl like a race engine (not exhaust) at 20,000rpm. Just a "flat out" sound. After some hours on a QX, going to a straight fret neck I get the optical illusion that the frets are pointing UP rather than straight. Takes another 5-10min for that to go away. Outstanding guitars AND uber light. No regrets on both.

[@narendrakrane]

Those intro and outro jams!!

[@mediocreboi]

I'm an older Gen Z, I don't do the tapping instagram playing. Very bluesy "boomer bend" type of player but I also play mostly sitting and felt like I held my guitar like a total weirdo. Been looking for a HSS headless, wish it had a trem, but I gotta try this out.

[@MCRoaster33]

The Strandberg classic series could be a good shout for you then if you haven't checked them out already ☺️

[@laydownmisere3674]

My Steinberger has a trem, which is an advantage, but these Ibanez look like you can use a traditional guitar stand and hangar, which is also a very nice advantage.

[@zoomzoom3950]

I have my Q52 (Laser Blue Matte) on order for several weeks / few months. If it works as well as I expect and hope, I'll be adding a Roland GK and it may become my main guitar for my SY-1000 rig,

[@fateunleashed9680]

1000% agree with you Pete screw anyone that has the old school this is the way and it has to be this way view! Love trying what I like and enjoying what works and sounds good to me. That's what music is about. Money, amps, pedals, or custom shop guitars mean nothing if the player is making bad uninspiring sounds. Especially when the only gear that actually effects tone is pickups, speaker inside the cab, and the mic recording it in that order. That's why those 3 items ship with frequency response graphs, as you can measure how they change the sound.

[@gregmize01]

These look cool 😎

[@rottingcorpse6565]

The creation of this line must mean that the EHB headless basses are selling well so that's good news!

[@MartinStrang]

I have the 6 string EHB1506 and its amazing man! I`ve been playing 25 years and first time a bass feels so good to me

[@donald-parker]

Nice playing! Nice guitars. Man ... you guys could sell fridges to Eskimos.

[@nathanchampionmusic]

Awesome intro!! ''Get those 9ths in'' - David Gilmour (in my head) :D

[@Rockriverboarder]

The brushed stainless pickup covers look awesome. Single coils are beefy and modern sound. High quality switches. Really nice fret and wood work. 24 frets if you need that. Super easy to travel with. I’d have bought this years ago. Flat black not super interesting but can’t win them all. I’d buy it again in a minute.

[@siegmac3267]

Those pickups looks heavy sounding yet it can sound sweeet!

[@user-ne1bv9ol7e]

Cool guitars !!!!!!!😎

[@JesseLeeKing]

Them pickups do sound great

[@gavinkatz6260]

awsome intro what watch are you wearing pete? its beautiful

[@Sensates85]

Ibanez, give Lee Wrathe a big bonus man, he's so entertaining

[@DownToEarthMind]

would love this as a left-handed version

[@josuezacahua8331]

Currently playing a stranberg 7, planning on getting one of this Ibáñez, I don’t miss the heavy weight and that “uncomfortable” feel of traditional guitars

[@hihi225171]

Looking forward to a Q series prestige

[@TheEowli]

funny, rickenbacker tried the slanted frets thing in the 60s/70s and it wasnt a success, i guess the world wasnt ready back then

[@sb792079]

I can get behind these for sure. My first impression was the they looked dumb. Screw them, i said- give me my telecaster. But then if somebody were to ask me if i thought a tele looked good… No, not really. I think they look kind of dumb. Why do i like them then? Because they’re simple. They work. Does a headless design also work? Yes it does. Does it have some functional benefits? Yes it does. Does it have some drawbacks? Of course it does. You know what else does? A telecaster. Anyways… I don’t mean to preach. It takes a mindset, but I’ve come to find these beautiful in their own right.

[@sordel5866]

With a Tele you have the comforting illusion that no one who looks at you playing it will think that you picked it for its looks. With a headless guitar there's always going to be that slight anxiety that people are going to think that you bought it because you thought it looked cool.

[@maJastoL]

Tele headstocks do look dumb

[@joshbarron1380]

just got my qx54....its awesome

[@DeeSeaAreEss]

I’ve played a headless since the 80s. One of hidden benefits was how easy it was to change double ball strings. This became one of the pain points as they became rarer and more costly. I was hoping Ibanez getting into the market would drop the price a bit, but they’ve gone to the single ball and Allen key solution. Unless you’re used to Floyd Rose and locking nuts, how does this make it easier? Think I’m going to have to get something aftermarket to mod my beloved 80s shred machine.

[@7654321220]

it's Ibanez, how are they not extremely familiar with double locking so much so they made their own line of ZR bridge.

[@DeeSeaAreEss]

@water bottl When I was younger and playing live, all the time. Sometimes mid-gig if I got over enthusiastic :-)

[@DeeSeaAreEss]

@water bottl The problem was playing live you sweat. This was especially true under the old stage lights which (pre LED) could get hot. Small venues, hot lights and a summers evening could feel like being in a sauna. One place which was in a converted cellar, it was so hot, liquid was dripping from the ceiling - yuk! All this gunks your fretboard and strings. Playing live can be.unexpectedly brutal on gear.

[@TrevBec]

Waiting to see if they bring out a Prestige version.

[@karemare6426]

these guys are pros at their best

[@talkychris]

Superb intro, loved that. But how the heck am I supposed to hang that on the wall when I'm not playing it?

[@MartinStrang]

They could be hanged. Unless you have the EHB 6 String bass I also have. Neck it`s to wide so cant be hanged with regular hangers

[@Crowbar11115]

Pete with that "Bedroom Eyes Tone" today.

[@martynpiggottmusic4993]

Ibanez should make the Lee Wrathe Cool AF signature guitar x

[@JesseLeeKing]

I don't really like headless guitars but I kinda like these , I'd get one just for traveling with really

[@newgunguy4176]

I'm waiting for the neck through version.

[@Semikolon628]

Guy´s your game was so cool that i took off into sky !

[@OL-Electric]

Does Ibanez do a regular headstock guitar with that blue sphere burst finish, dark red back & black pickguard? That combination looks absolutely great

[@The-King-Murphy]

I like them.

[@StratsRUs]

Lee is brilliant.

[@elikipreos9007]

Great-guitar at a FAIR-price Gibson & Fender take note... Great to see Lee -W. out jamming

[@tavishurn2585]

Radius is 12", I think Lee was talking about the neck depth.

[@NH-nj3nw]

Get one of these to Rabea as soon as possible.

[@nocturnal101ravenous6]

JESCAR is the Company typically when you have a Metal Company Foundry/Fabrication they have like Alcoa 3063 or CarTech 2040. As each different company has their own % of metal elements that make the Alloy up. It is their own Custom blend of Nickel and Zinc they also may add more Cobalt to it, Also when talking about Fret Wire, almost all of it is Stainless steel Alloy, the difference is the composition there are nickel alloys used for Bone replacement surgeries aka prosthetics and then you have other alloys that are just percentage differences.

[@DaipayanKarmakar]

Everything is just perfect. But does anyone feel that pick ups lack the top end? Haven't tried them in person though.

[@Robert-Smith]

Evo golds fall in-between nickel and stainless for hardness so they will take longer to wear then nickel but not as long as stainless if that makes sense

[@Paul-D]

Jesscar frets are awesome. My eastman has them.

[@akalia_07]

I keep coming back to this video while waiting for mine to arrive in Canada.... everywhere in Canada is delayed and I'm kind of sad about it since it could've been my first Ibanez guitar. Kind of let down for me.

[@halofour01]

I tried a Steinberger Spirit and I absolutely hated it. This looks like it would avoid all of the shortcomings of the Steinberger but I wish they would talk more about the bridge. If the tuners have a nice smooth action and not too much resistance than I'm sold!

[@lithiumdeuteride]

Jescar fret wire is stainless steel. From their website: "Our stainless steel, with its greater hardness and tighter grain structure has much higher wear resistance for greater fret life. In addition, string bending is much smoother without the friction or grinding felt with traditional fret material. We have selected a stainless steel alloy that provides the best combination of fret life and installation ease."

[@JeremyBorkat]

Jescar is a brand, not a material. "Evo" is their material name.

[@or1on89]

I'm pretty sure EVO is just the branding for their nickel free alloy which is not made of 100% stainless steel...

[@WolfmanAndy]

Do slanted frets allow you to have a wider reach?

[@papiper7773]

Hi there..........Do you like the 2 humbucker version better than the 2 single coils and one humbucker version........Thanks.

[@brannonevans3685]

I dont think I have ever played a guitar with slanted frets before. Im thinking about the QX model. Are the slanted frets that hard to get used to? How are they with bar chords. Does it throw you off if you are not used to them? Thanks

[@ImInYourBrains]

Nope. Barely notice them. They look more slanted than they feel.

[@Mrthreadedtime]

Ibanez site says the radius is 305mm (12in) is that correct?

[@davidyoung8875]

Lee is a shred machine

[@colintrend4913]

The only thing I would like to see is a trem otherwise, this is great 👍

[@TheMerc1950]

Only thing that would have made this video more fun was having Bea in on the action as well!

[@SafaBoet]

Whats the scale length of the slanted guitar on the low E? Website only says 25.5 inch

[@JamesJohnson-hb1me]

I might have to get a blue one! Can a clip on tuner be used with these guitars?

[@reneotten7376]

Yes, just clip it on the head.

[@sleepyaccountant3193]

I am waiting for tremolo versions of these, or maybe a modified fr? Who knows

[@astrofreq]

I really love the design and look of this line, but I'm not digging the pickups on the HSS. It may be something I could get used to, but they have a distinct tone. If they had a version with a tremolo, I'd buy one no questions. I could always change the pickups if I didn't bond with them.

[@Ric007Mason]

😳that outro!!

[@wbfaulk]

Jescar frets are available in nickel silver, stainless steel, and EVOgold. EVOgold is SiCuFeTi.