KIESEL vs. IBANEZ Guitars - Which would you buy?

A friendly comparison between KIESEL & IBANEZ Guitars. Leave a comment below, and let me know what you think? Did I miss any details? Which would you buy, and why?
► More Detail on Kiesel Here: www.kieselguitars.com/
► More Detail on Ibanez Here: www.sweetwater.com/store/manu...
Thank you for watching my video! Thumbs up if you dig it! Share if you love it. Subscribe if you want to see more like it! Rock ON! \m/
SUBSCRIBE & CONNECT
► Subscribe / lmsjr
► Website thetoneking.com/wp/
► Facebook / thetoneking
► Instagram / thetoneking
► Subscribe: bit.ly/16PwgOs
Check out my Single: LIES.
► • LIES by The Tone King ...
► Buy LIES on iTunes itunes.apple.com/us/album/lie...
Save 7% off your first year membership of DistrKid. VIP link:
► distrokid.com/vip/thetoneking
Buy Reverb.com merch here:
► reverb.com/shop/merch?_aid=ttk
► reverb.com/marketplace?query=... Please note, description above may contains affiliate links to companies like Amazon.com, Sweetwater.com, ThomannMusic.com, Reverb.com, etc. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, I'll receive a small commission with no added cost to you. Thank you for your trust & support!

[@thetonekingofficial]

Here is the full Kiesel Guitars Factory Tour Video ... taken this summer when I was in San Diego ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2Goioamht6Sj80

[@krelbar]

2 days after seeing that video, I ordered a CT6.

[@bryansexauer1921]

krelbar Did you receive your CT?

[@loneponderer495]

When you put the price up you showed a Prestige line Ibanez yet showed an Indonesian Flag. All Prestige level guitars are made in Japan (currently). You even added it was a Prestige yourself.

[@blkjakk]

Void Cometh The new Premium (Indonesia) RG models w/ the hardtail are roughly $600-$1,200 depending on where/when you buy one.

[@loneponderer495]

Blkjakk I'm talking about his price example in the video. The guitar he showed was a Prestige (when showing price comparisons). Also Kiesel guitars only start at around $900 they can easily get far more expensive particularly if you want to pick a few options and not just get the basic already made ones. I rarely find someone who just gets a basic Keisel (it kind of defeats the purpose of buying from them) most pay over 2 grand which is far above most fix Bridge Ibanez's even Prestige ones.

[@misterkenova6695]

Can't compare Ibanez indonesian made vs Kiesel. New Prestige model vs New Kiesel would be more fair.

[@kellyhallidayiiify]

I've played a $1800 prestige and honestly, my $1000 Schecter hellraiser feels better, plays better, and sounds a lot better. I'm not very impressed with the product you get from Ibanez for the money you put into it.

[@geekguitars]

Looks like you can compare a Japanese Ibanez to a Kiesel either. Sorry but ibanez prices have gone way up and thier quality is becoming increasingly mediocre. Thier premium line is robbery IMO. Unless your prepared to pay for a J.Custom (robbery) thier guitars and basses are not that great for the money.

[@stormrising2623]

@@Livan75 because the price is similar. That's kind of the point. For ibanez to match the price of a USA made Kiesel you have to buy their cheap Indonesian model. So its fair comparison and the Kiesel is clearly better. That's the whole selling point of Kiesel, you get an amazingly well built guitar for the price of other manufacturer's cheap ass overseas version.

[@stormrising2623]

@@Livan75 regardless everyone is bitching about it being an unfair comparison when the ibanez is more expensive than the Kiesel. So their argument is absurd.

[@theaterofsouls]

@@stormrising2623 ibanez indo guitars are around 400 usd lol and that's with a trem

[@Augustofright]

You showed a price of a Prestige telling us it's an Indonesia made guitar... come on! That's dirty!

[@akaneedles3975]

Was this an AD for Kiesel??? Were you paid for this?? Or were you given the Kiesel for free to review?? Video just seems shady.

[@derrickallencover5534]

akaneedles Yeah he's paid, it's fixed

[@DC-yb7qd]

This is the shadiest video off all youtube

[@Axess-sv8nq]

Rob Chapman's 'Tonewood proof' video is just as shady and cringey.

[@rjpike75]

If I tour your factory and you give me an instrument, I'll be sure to say yours is better than anyone else's

[@stormrising2623]

Lol Kiesel makes insanely amazing guitars. So much better quality than a similarly priced Ibanez. Or even their next step up models.

[@jamesk4460]

15 minutes about contour,shape and paint 😁

[@thetonekingofficial]

+James Redfield did you like the comedy intermission when I called myself on the phone?

[@Duke_Silver]

and nothing about the neck shapes, or did I missed something? Who the hell is even thinking about the contours in a guitar? Maybe somebody who buys it to hang it on the wall?

[@krelbar]

Neck Shapes are a personal preference. I think he was trying to concentrate on things everything could agree on. Like styling, paint and contours.

[@Duke_Silver]

So the paint is not a personal preference? Because I, for example, think that both of these guitars are ugly as f**k. I also don`t like the contours, or rather don`t care about them at all. But I care about the neck shape- I had an Ibanez once, and it would be the best guitar ever (good sound, great look, great tuners, very light- which I like) but it had a neck shape that I absolutely hate - "Nitro Wizard", so I`ve sold it.

[@Duke_Silver]

BTW: 1:01 "When I say playability I`m talking about the comfort of holding the guitar, the NECK SHAPE, the control layout" So? Where is it?

[@Yord_Music]

Based on this review I'll be going with Ibanez.

[@Ibaneddie76]

THIS I A FULL ON KIESEL COMMERCIAL, IBANEZ BUILDS MANY DIFFERENT BODY STYLES SOME THAT HAVE WAY MORE CONTOURS THAN THAT KIESEL LIKE MY RGA PRESTIGE, THAT GUITAR BLOWS THAT KEISEL OUT OF THE WATER. THERE IS A REASON IBANEZ SELLS SO MANY GUITARS, THEY ARE THE BEST. I JUST BOUGHT AN IBANEZ ARTWOOD ACOUSTIC, I WENT IN WITH A $2500 BUDGET, PLAYED ALL THE STUPID OVERPRICED TAYLORS AND MARTINS AND KEPT GOING BACK TO THE $500 IBANEZ SO I SAVED MYSELF $2000 BECAUSE I WENT FOR PLAYABILITY AND SOUND INSTEAD OF BRAND NAME. SERIOUSLY IF ANYONE WANTS A BADASS ACOUSTIC CHECK OUT THE IBANEZ ARTWOOD SERIES WITH THE TORIFIED WOOD, SOLID SPRUCE TOP, MAHOGANY NECK, BACK AND SIDES, COMPENSATED BONE SADDLE AND BONE NUT, FISHMAN ELECTRONICS, REALLY NICE THIN GLOSS FINISH, OPEN GEAR TUNING MACHINES, THIS THING PLAYS LIKE A DREAM AND RINGS OUT FOR DAYS.

[@NathanChisholm041]

eddie julian Sorry Kiesel smashes Ibanez in every way! www.kieselguitars.com/catalog/guitars/gh24 my new guitars and i returned the Ibanez prestige s series!

[@debroahcain5191]

Still would take the ibanez

[@iseeyou3352]

Why

[@matejbludsky8410]

Nice RG570 or 1570 is very close to kiesel quality for significantly less money. If you compare same price range, Ibanez wins for sure

[@thetonekingofficial]

+Matěj Bludský 13:50

[@matejbludsky8410]

The Tone King right, used Ibanez $450 used kiesel $600 at least.. actually that's one of the things that holds me off kiesel, I have seen guys posting $3k guitars trying to sell them for years and years even with 50% down the price, nothing. Kiesel doesn't hold price very good in my opinion.

[@TheSammyreynolds]

a custom guitar period isn't going to sell for what you pay for it.

[@matejbludsky8410]

sammy reynolds yes and if it is a kiesel, it will not sell for more than amount that you would rather not sell it for, so your wife doesn't kill you.

[@ronpytlarz9667]

Matěj Bludský Ibanez along with everything else on the rack at Sam ash are cookie cutter guitars. Unless you want to spend 3G. For a Grand you can get a guitar that would prob cost about 2Grand at Sam ash or anywhere else. And it is already set up with a low action and stays in tune.

[@leesbassment6393]

The kiesel the way yours is is $1269. Not a whole not more than $949, but let's be honest about the price.

[@JohnZeeX]

Lee Jacobson and the Floyd Rose + nut adds another $220. Kiesel ain't cheap.

[@leesbassment6393]

John Z his doesn't have a floyd....

[@JohnZeeX]

Lee Jacobson I'm aware, but the Ibanez does. Anyone buying Ibanez is going to expect a trem, so spec a Kiesel with one.

[@leesbassment6393]

John Z yeah, but he was also saying how a trem is such a pain, etc. It was clearly a thinly veiled ad for keisel....

[@JohnZeeX]

Lee Jacobson then he's a newb that needs to learn how to operate a Floyd Rose properly. Anyone considering an ibanez RG is going to expect a locking trem. Lost a lot of respect for TTK over this one. And for the record, I have both Carvin and Ibanez hanging on my wall right now. So I'm not just sitting here fanboying for Ibanez. He compared an American made custom to an off the shelf Indonesian made production guitar. Totally bogus - and biased - review.

[@colinrobertson4569]

Kinda sounded like a keisel ad. Follow my finger \m/

[@thetonekingofficial]

+Colin Robertson at least I didn't ask you to pull it!!!

[@RockHardRiffs]

I've watched your Kiesel (Carvin) videos...the factory tour, etc., and I"m really liking the look of what they do. I enjoy your videos Tone King!

[@belles1835]

Sorry, but it is tough to compare an anniversary model (which will obviously keep the same shape as the classic RG style, which is 30 years old) to a new line that is trying to different and modern. You can look at finish and fret working as a comparison to the workmanship leaving the factory but to point out the lack of contours and cuts in 30'year old design to a modern one is silly.

[@toddflowers8052]

Kiesel ! American made to my specs,it's a no brainer !

[@tetolicocovers7219]

I never played a kiesel but played ibanez for almost 7 or 8 years and i love them, now i play ltd and prs, but someday i want a rg 7 string

[@alanburridge6947]

Jade is my birthstone, so green would be my choice. Pink? Never in a Millennium could I own a pink guitar, regardless of its playability. Enjoyed your videos on Kissel, they deserve every success.

[@jerryreichelderfer747]

I got my first Kiesel last year and have my second, an Aries model, due to be finished in a couple of weeks. Obviously I am very happy with my first one since I ordered a second. I am a Kiesel fan. Make no mistake. They have won my business by making a high quality USA made custom guitar for a great price, in a relative short time, 3 months or less from order to my door. For less than $1300 (including ultimate soft case and shipping) I was able to upgrade to stainless frets of the size of my choice, choice of fretboard wood, non stock pickups, 5 piece neck with woods of my choice, perfect paint job in the color I wanted (2-tone in the case of the Aries), Choice of headstocks, choice of bridge styles, choice of logo color, thinner neck profile for the Aries, choice of five different radius, and choosing between 9 or 10g strings setup at the factory to the tuning of my choice. Not to mention you can send in your own strings so it is setup how you want it at the factory for free, and you send in your own pickups to have them install them ($50 extra charge I do believe). 10 day trial period where you can send it back for a refund or rebuild (some options do void the 10 day trial period). 5 year warranty. The sales guys have always been helpful and patient when I called in. I had the pleasure of meeting Jeff Kiesel and a couple of the other guys at summer NAMM. All three were very friendly, down to earth, and super nice guys. Kiesel fan for life.

[@GuitarMagik]

I own both i love them both .They both do have good and bad points....BUT the worst is the re-sale of the kiesel is terrible.I know it doesn't matter to some people but after you collect a ton of guitars like i do it starts to matter .Thanks my 2 cents

[@NathanChisholm041]

The Guitar Hangout Ive never sold a guitar off mine ever! Once i own it its for life! Most customs dont sell well s/h its you're dream guitar not someone else's!!

[@goddessintriptych7046]

Yea, this is what I don't understand either. People gripe about not being able to re-sell their custom guitar. Sounds like they didn't give it enough thought before customizing it.

[@shaft9000]

On the axes with multiple woods and ill-advised brightly-colored bursts and gold up the ying-yang 'things', especially 7&8-strings...you are absolutely right. The sad reality is that nobody wants to pay anywhere near what I did for my tasteless-ly special, unique axe... but me. That's the main reason I ever bought the damned thing in the first place! heh. BUT I'll add that resale depreciation is not really better or worse than any other axe if you spec it conservatively and keep it under roughly the $2000 range. "Normal/common-looking' guitars are common for a reason: most people will more readily buy them , ON AVERAGE. Custom instruments by definition ignore what the average customer wants, to begin with. That Kiesel makes more custom electrics than anyone else is exactly why more of them float around the used market than any other custom make. It's quite a simple correlation, no need to confuse the whys and wherefores.

[@beegeewhy]

Not my main reason, but everybody plays Ibanez, and not so many play Kiesel. I'd buy Kiesel.....they are very high quality and very cool.

[@guitarmaniacgino]

Ibanez? For me there's no doubt about the quality. It is quite a brand that doesn't have to prove anything anymore. As for Kiesel, I don't know. It's always 50/50 when it comes to a custom guitar.

[@jefft9040]

I think Kiesel is doing a good job on what they are making, but personally I dont see the value or progressiveness with bevel cuts. Some of them dont look all that good anyway, makes the body look too skinny in some parts, but thats my opinion. I have a 91 RG that feels great when holding it as far as their simple design and shape goes. I do like what Kiesel is doing on the neck and the carbon rod addition. Improving in areas where many makers just go on making the same old thing. A big credit is due to them because thats something you cant see easily like the paint or the quality of the bridge or tuners. You have to market that feature and explain it. Both good guitars for the money but I like what Kiesel is doing.

[@trevorphillips4236]

Well for one u can get a kiesel without a bevel cut and the progressiveness is to make the guitar more comfortable to play more than its looks. It’s like getting the wood out of the way so u can focus on playing the guitar over stressing ur forearm. It may be a little difference but for some it’s a big difference.

[@ohplezz]

Your comparison is not at all fair. It really looks like your on the Kiesel/Carvin pay roll. If you wanted to be fair, you would have compared the Kiesel to one of the Ibanez Prestige models that are made in Japan. People who know guitars know you are being dishonest.

[@stormrising2623]

Lmao. Your showing what an idiot and an Ibanez shill YOU are. The cheap ass Indonesian ibanez is actually more expensive than the USA made Kiesel. So damn straight he's comparing the right model. Ibanez: shittier guitar, for more money. Yeah he's so unfair. Lol. All you did was prove how bad a deal an Ibanez really is if THAT is your argument on their behalf.

[@LilOlFunnyBoy]

Thanks for the infomercial. Kiss goodbye to any credibility you may have had, buddy.

[@theprisonier]

easy the KIESEL, I am a owner of ibanez and carvin-kiesel guitars, all sounds really nice, but KIESEL have something more, i don't know what but my music is better en the KIESELs

[@EatPezzzz]

14:15 you showed the bone stock price Ares vs the 'as tested' price of the RG. Not a fair comparison. I saw your Ares order video and it was $1424, out the door, correct? Also, it doesn't have a Floyd, which was a $120 option on the Kiesel. So, similarly spec-ed, you're comparing a $1550 guitar to a $1100 guitar. That's about a 150% price difference. Yes, Kiesels are excellent guitars and their sound reinforcement gear (when they made them) was excellent. I still play through my Carvin Quad-X tube preamp. Love it. I guess I was just hoping for a more apples to apples comparison.

[@JWCFB]

Louis we all knew where this was going before we watched it because of the previous Keisel factory tour and review videos you posted. Why didn't you A-B the sounds, Answer these 2 questions since your focus was oh comfort. Which guitar is lightest and which guitar has the thinnest neck?

[@thetonekingofficial]

+Jerry W you asked me 3 questions, not 2. Which 2 questions did you want answered?

[@thetonekingofficial]

+Maxx61 no irritation at all with the comments. I just have fun w some of them. In the end, to each their own. No more, no less. I don't sell guitars, I collect them, so I could care less what someone picks for themselves. For me, this is how I see them. I do like the modern touches of the newer instruments. So, of course, I like those features. But anyone with a cell phone could do the same ... Hop on and tell the world what you like, why you like it and ask people what they think. No harm, no foul in doing so. That's what makes it fun. As for the 3 question guy, I was just busting balls because he was busting mine. I'm human ...

[@jordanklimczak4789]

The Tone king has been sold.

[@Adam-wz7pv]

+the tone king I'm confused. I believe the prestige series are made in Japan, not Indonesia. The pricing you showed was for a new Prestige, vs. the base price for that Aries - and you didn't order the Aries as a base model (I configured one like your when you first got it). I don't have any particular love or hate for either brand - but I do have a Prestige Ibanez built in Japan from last year, and the craftsmanship literally is every bit as good as my Paul Reed Smith or Tom Anderson guitars. I think the example you showed would be closer to an $800 Iron series Ibanez - and you were comparing it to a $1300 Kiesel as configured - or am I incorrect?

[@anongrey]

And the Japanese Prestiges come loaded with Dimarzios or even Bare Knuckles and have titanium rods in the neck vs ordering sight unseen with Kiesel pickups, waiting 8 weeks (or longer) and hoping that you get what you wanted. This comparison is so slanted that it is hilarious.

[@Adam-wz7pv]

I'm a big fan of the Lithiums, actually - I think they're great. I just ordered a new Kiesel today - thought about going with their S22's, but I like the Lithiums enough to just stick with them.

[@goddessintriptych7046]

I second the Lithium pickup gripe... they don't sound great from what I've heard. You can still request M22SD's as an option 50 (like I did a few months ago), but not sure how long they'll have them in stock.

[@seerking]

@@anongrey my Premium S series has the same dimarzios as the prestige with an 11-peice neck.

[@anongrey]

@@seerking Yeah, the Premium Series is loaded now as well. Stainless frets and the whole 9 yards. Great axes indeed.

[@davidharder7512]

Another great video/review! The background music was annoying, but definitely a great video. Thanks, TTK!

[@UriVel]

I don't know what happened here with TTK... but this is one of the most un fear comparisons I've seen. I even thought about un subscribe from a channel I have enjoyed for years... I didn't, but I lost credibility

[@sonicsega1699]

i love when people do shootouts, however i loved how detailed u got TK. please do more.

[@thetonekingofficial]

+sonic sega thank you SS. Appreciate the thanks! This actually took all day to edit so I appreciate the thanks more than you know!

[@AleX-ux2qz]

For other than US buyers Kiesel don't have retailers all over the world, which means buying from them outside of the US will increase the price with customs and duties I say about 1/3 of the price of the guitar. And you can not try before you purchase. Ibanez is present all over the world and it's often you can try a model or a similar to what you want to purchase. I haven't played either of them, but both look great! Was considering either an RG or a Kiesel JB Signature guitar.

[@eric741977]

First off I'd like to say that I really enjoy the reviews and repsect your thoughts on products Tone King. This video here has me very interested in trying out a Kiesel guitar, although I love Ibanez and play RG's exclusively. In my opinion, I feel that the Ibanez RGAIX6FM or any RGA around the same price point as the Kiesel would be better suited for this video, not the traditional RG body. Just wanted to throw that out there. Keep up the great work.

[@supersamschwartz]

Great video!

[@christisgod3354]

I am just a hobbyist basement "warrior " so I play sitting down. I now look for all the comfort cuts in the body, the belly cut and the arm rest cut. Curves are where it's at.

[@youropinionisirrelevant7324]

I didn't realized that this is actually a youtube Ad for Kiesel Guitar. Where's the 'SKIP' button..????

[@techniqueswithtodd]

Did Kiesel pay for this? Also, comparing an INDO which is a cheapy Ibby against a pricey usa kiesel seems apples to oranges. I really just wanna know if the kiesel neck profile is the same as the Ibby Wizard profile 17mm at the nut, 19 at the heel.

[@andrewbonica]

I own many Ibanez RGs, but I also really want a Kiesel...or two! 🤘Love the modern curves of the Kiesel (and the hot colors) as well! ;-)

[@Photojouralist123]

Hi Louis John Ishii here, just finished watching the Jason interview and I must say you handled your self very elequently. Jason was kinda of edgy can one could feel it. I met him before in Tokyo at Ishibashi shop. I photographed him and he wasn't so happy until I spoke in an American accent and mentioned where I was from Seattle Wa. I started to get a bit sweaty listening to the interview. I don't think I could keep the same composure. Good luck

[@thetonekingofficial]

+John Ishii thank you John. You are right - I was offended with the way he came across and the comments he made but I genuinely tried to answer his questions despite his rudeness.

[@mugensharp]

i just ordered a kiesel a week ago and i still think this video is heavily biased

[@JaySims]

can I get a play list of who the backing track was!?

[@goblinzsuck9094]

Ibanez hands down. I actually hate over beveling and prefer the "Slab". I'm sure Kiesel is an oustanding guitar but the "modern" look is kind of gag worthy to me.

[@bryansexauer1921]

Ordered my Kiesel right after your video when you ordered yours. Still waiting, it's about 4 weeks late...but custom guitars are a fickle beast. I am sure it will be beautiful when it arrives. This is my 3rd from them, and they usually are ordered after one of your videos.

[@trushack]

1) Love that classic RG look with the Floyd, the classic Ibanez headstock shape, and the sharkfin inlays. 2) Love the sculpted body and add-ons(carbon-fiber rods in neck), the ebony fretboard, and the vibrant blocks on the Kiesel. Yeah, one is an import and one is U.S.-made and one is a custom-build while the other is off-the-shelf and all that stuff factors into a buying decision, but from a straight "do I dig how this guitar looks/sounds," perspective, I think plenty of us could find things we dig and things we'd change about both.

[@andyfaw9803]

Great video Tk? And you got your ears lowered again keep up the good work!

[@thetonekingofficial]

+Andy Faw lol

[@stevephillips3253]

Thinking about selling two Fenders (Strat/Tele) and getting a Kiesel guitar. Opinions please....

[@chrisbarnes4222]

If all your worried about is bevels compare it to the rga or rgd or s series and as far as carbon fiber rods go I'm sure there nice but I have a ibanez that is 26 years old and it's neck is perfect

[@darian_john]

Chris Barnes little did he know. The 25th anniversary models had KTS rods installed in them! And I agree I have an old Ibanez 15 years. And the neck is just as great as ever

[@thetonekingofficial]

+Darian John if that is the case, I did not know.

[@darian_john]

The Tone King hey no worries man! If you google the 25th Ibanez models. They have some information about it. Cheers! Also I would suggest comparing it to a more modern RG!

[@ryanwilson5936]

暗黒騎士 Ankokukishi My 1991 RBM-1 Voyager's neck is quite possibly the best neck I've played. Like you said, 26 years old and still in great shape!

[@danmar007]

I have a 1984 RS520 that is as much fun to play today as back then. The neck is perfect but what really amazes me are the pots which have never made any noise. Unfortunately the bridge is crap and I'm always tuning it. :-)

[@unfcknblvbl]

I lost count of the number of times "okay" was said. Other than that, great video, I've been looking forward to it.

[@joshuaH75]

HEY TTK! Keep up the good work, my man! I actually own a custom built Carvin Bolt Plus (that I ordered just a year or two before they changed to Kiesel) with an Original Floyd Rose. Plus, I own several Ibanez Prestige RG models. I love both for what they are. I ordered my Carvin with a Mahogany body and Koa top and the thinnest bolt-on neck that Carvin had to offer. It's fantastic! Fit and finish are perfect and I personally went through and upgraded to EMG active pickups. I love the guitar. The neck and fret work are exceptional. Now let's talk about my Ibanez Prestige guitars. I have a few that are made of basswood body, one that is swamp ash, and one that is brand new for 2018 that is a mahogany body. Most of them are equipped with Dimarzio pickups, one other has the V7/S1/V8 pickups, and one with EMGs active pickups. Most are equipped with fixed bridges, while, two have the Edge floating trems. All of my Prestige models are very nice, fun to play, sound great, great necks/ fret work. etc. I am going to side with Ibanez because it's just all down to personal preference. Both are great companies and Carvin/ Kiesel make very nice custom made guitars. The down sides to both brands: My Carvin Bolt-On Plus has a clearcoat finish on the body. It's nice, but very fragile. The neck is not as thin as the Prestige necks by Ibanez. When I ordered my Carvin the inlays in the fretboard were wrong. I ordered mother of pearl dots and ended up with diamond shaped ones... It took sooo long to get my guitar in, that I just didn't worry about the inlays, they looked fine, no biggie, not what I wanted, but that's very minor. Now here's my take on Ibanez.... Dear Ibanez, STOP MAKING CHEAPY CRAP GUITARS! It hurts your brand!! Parents and kids go out and buy these pretty, shiny cheap-o Ibanez guitars for just a couple to a few hundred bucks because they are pretty and it's a name brand, but most of them are just CRAP. Most of the issues for new players (besides learning how to play) is tuning stability, quality control, etc. Ibanez needs to stop pissing new players off and killing their inspiration by offering these junk guitars. Ibanez needs to stick to what they are good at, which is offering nice moderate to expensive guitars. Because after dealing with Ibanez and the $350-$500 price point guitars, I went to Schecter for a long time. Schecter offers much better guitars at around $400-$500. And in my opinion, Schecter kills Ibanez's quality control on guitars at this price point. Now as for the Prestige models. I love them. I just do and I buy nothing less when it comes to Ibanez. I do have an Iron Label model that I bought new a few years ago that was made in Indonesia in a natural finish swamp ash body, but it was $999. Solid as can be!! Solid! It is no cheapy guitar. So with Ibanez....buyer beware of cheapy Ibanez guitars, they are very frustrating. If you truly want an Ibanez, I highly recommend the Prestige line. I can buy an awesome Ibanez Prestige through SWEETWATER MUSIC and be playing faster, have an awesome guitar, have great quality control and inspection through Ibanez and Sweetwater, good warranty, and save some cash, other than buying a custom made Kiesel guitar. But before everyone slaughters me out there....just remember it's all down to personal preference between these two brands. Kiezel....I prefer the old Carvin brand name much better... But that's just me. LOL! Good luck everyone! I hope that I didn't muddy the waters too much! Thanks, TTK!

[@waizunmustahin8615]

This video has "paid promotion" written all over it. It's true that you complimented the Ibanez many times but this is NOT a fair comparison. Instead of an Indonesian Ibanez, try this again with a Japan-made Ibanez, with more modern appointments. Kiesel makes great guitars, but almost every video that Jeff appears in, he tries to make a point of critiquing other brands choices of hardware/wood/etc. to make it seem like Kiesel is the only brand doing what's right in the industry, and it pisses me off. And just because Kiesel guitars are made in America doesn't make them better than the rest. Patriotism is one thing, but what you're doing here is misleading people. Japanese luthiers are world-class, and anyone who knows their guitars knows that much. You have a good channel, and honest reviews/comparisons are going to help your channel more than Kiesels money, atleast in the long run.

[@shadowsong1]

man growing up i always loved Carvin and ... Keisel is great. but Jeff.....he just.....the way he comes off sometimes. I just can't do business with him.

[@bestboy897]

Mark Shields idk man jeff seems like a chilled out guy

[@krelbar]

Please elaborate why? He seems like a decent guy who is really into what he does.

[@MK-oz2lf]

cocky? yeah he does. *shrugs

[@shadowsong1]

I used to watch some of the live streams he would do on Facebook and when people would ask him to do certain custom things he just says no a lot and the way he does it its not "sorry man that's a good idea but we're just not doing that" it's "no man I'm not interested in doing that" with a very so of dismissive tone and his constant thing against Asian guitars. But mostly I don't like how I've seen him treat his potential customers sometimes. Louis is welcome to his opinion but I disagree with on Ibanez guitars being crude and slabby. Mine is evolved and fast and more ergonomic than any instrument I own. The guy from nutter was willing to do whatever I asked and I've never seen the guys from acacia say no.

[@shadowsong1]

暗黒騎士 Ankokukishi you know it's OK to not be into something like Japanese guitars.... But to me he comes off as a douche about it. Esp, Fernandez, and Ibanez have been killing it for decades. Burny, Edwards, and tokai are arguably better than Gibson. I'm not saying Keisel aren't great. They seem like they are. Jeff.... Just comes off negative sometimes.

[@JesseWrangell]

Ibanez, because once you ad the shipping and import costs of the Kiesel to Australia, the price sky rockets.

[@seymur312]

Dont forget about Kiesel not being available outside of US. You can order it, but add huge shipping+tax+customs costs on it. Also you can't see/test a one without ordering. I think Kiesel guitars are great value if you are in US.

[@dennisapplegate7553]

Great job I've been playing kiesel /carvin a long time USA made family owned no big corp. middle man and they will build to your spec.s what more could you want.

[@Blueesteel_]

I got that sabbath shirt!!! what a show that was!

[@sinanvidi]

please compare with some MIJ ibanez (Prestige/J Custom)

[@Killer0fToast]

Funny thing, Though that RG1XXV 25th Anniversary was made in Indonesia, for the 25th Anniversary, Ibanez sent their Japanese master builders to the factory in Indonesia to look after the production. I think ya missed that.

[@elevenAD]

i own both and i am a fan of both but my Kiesel is a far better guitar, in every single way, just not even close,most important the Kiesel is just easier to play and never gives me any issues, buying a Kiesel was one of the smartest guitar purchases i have ever made, i have had it over a year now and still love it more each day!

[@shaft9000]

I don't understand a lot of these comments claiming that an Ibanez prestige is built better than a Kiesel is..... unless Kiesel has somehow de-volved in quality from Carvin? I've owned both a prestige RG770DX 1992 and a Carvin DC135 1993 since they were new. They cost within $200 of each other; around 1000-1200. The RG's jack-wiring has gone dead, the trem bar's gasket wore down after 6 months, the paint on the knobs wears down to white. On the Carvin I've had to replace the trem bar gasket after ten years, is all. Just a testimonial from one guy that's owned both for over two decades, and used them both on stage and on paid recordings.

[@nationalist1969]

What is better? The kiesel or a strat?

[@Dirge4july]

The fact you didn't use a japanese ibanez guitar, I cant take this seriously. The price point and quality on these in the video are not even close.

[@bartnettle]

Seems Louis is loves his Country and is helping their import export. There is no stigma attached to buying a guitar from China or Indonesia or Japan like there is no stigma attached to a company sending their manufacturing off shore. And there should be! Brave!

[@rogervanbuskirk4428]

Kiesel guitars are the best. I have one of their guitars and a 6 string bass. I also had a Steve Vai Ibanez, but I sold that. My next guitar will probably be a Kiesel.

[@sheltma1595]

I have 3 vintage MIJ Ibanez guitars. I have been an Ibanez guy my whole life. I've got an 87 RG560, a 90 RG560, and an 88 R440 (Very rare... dare you to try to find one. It's an early version of the JS) I also have 2 custom built Carvins. A DC400 and a DC747. My fav guitar of all is the R440, followed by the 87 RG, which is actaully my main guitar. BUT... the reason is the electronics. I'm not a fan of factory Carvin pickups, but if I swapped electronics, I'd love the Carvin the most. The fit, finish, feel, and look of the Carvin is second to none.

[@timschirlls7422]

If you put in for gold hardware will your floyd rose be gold too?

[@1analist]

yes

[@matthewwolf3531]

Camry or Shelby Cobra... Which would you choose?

[@b-sideplank]

I feel you are right on every point, except on the neck hill joint. Ibanez revolutionized that cut and contour, and everyone else has been trying to imitate it. Kiesel can't win there. Kiesel is more 3d, for the lack of a better expression, but it still isn't better than that neck joint. But again, I agree with all other points.

[@motorkristburaz3086]

I want both

[@marcelblade]

What is the deal with the bevel cuts,?

[@MidtownMeezus]

Just because this is biased doesn’t mean you should not choose kiesel. It’s USA custom vs Japanese made. Regardless of country the two BRANDS can be compared fairly overall. I have a Kiesel being built now and I still want a couple different (vai/Satch) Ibanez guitars...just a matter of time

[@1973starling]

I inboxed kiesel about a guitar i seen on the fb page and i was directed to a sales rep who emailed me and i sent pic and 36 hrs later still no reply on price. It took a month last time to get a response. What is the deal? Lol

[@daleweber2579]

My first guitar was a 1980s Ibanez Rg 560 white. Rg version of Joe Satch's S from 1989. Had it for three days until someone stole. Bought my first which was a 1990s Ibanez RG 760, exact same one Paul Gilbert orange Ibanez but in black without the pickguard. These two look almost identical build quality wise, except for the body wood, fret board, and bridge. Nobody can force me to buy either one. Ibanez does have their pickups made in the house also. Ibanez, the fretboard is rosewood with mother of pearl inlay Yes the Sharktooth is a mother of pearl. The reason, why Ibanez fret board looks dull, is because it's rosewood. So, everything in a Kiesel guitar is the USA made? Be careful, with putting this label on everything. Because, I recently saw many companies get into multi-million dollar lawsuits, saying their product is made in the USA yet they use foreign components from a second party source.

[@BoudreauGuitars]

I think the deciding feature for me would be the headstocks. I don't like reverse headstocks, pia to tune but if the kiesel had a Floyd, with a locking nut I could live with it.

[@michel3105]

What's the beautiful background track that starts at 12:30?...

[@colintraveller]

It's far easier to buy iBANEZ Here in Glasgow , UK than it is to buy Kiesel . And buying from America I have to pay import tax again makes buying from America rather off putting .. especially products over a certain price point

[@turaly0n]

Yeah this video is lame. Tone King you have great vids, but this should just be re-titled "Keisel ad with some mention of an Indonesian Ibanez."

[@bigfootninjajr1481]

Ibanez necks make my hand cramp. I think a little thicker neck makes my fingers spread out farther. Who's with me?

[@XxHarounXx]

I can't say without trying them both

[@BaritoneOneFive]

I bought a guitar from Carvin (Keisel) once. Expensive woods and finishes. Sounded great, played well, but was still a weird ugly guitar with little resale value. However, the options you chose were WAY DIFFERENT than mine, and your guitar really looks great! Would choose American Keisel over Indonesian Ibanez, but not American Ibanez.

[@JustinP.]

I'm a fan of you videos, and watch on a frequent basis. I also am from NJ. I've been an Ibanez user for some time now. I own multiple prestiges, and a few pre-prestige Fujigen era 80s models. I will be building a kiesel here soon, most likely the new crescent, or TL series. While I liked your video, my only complaint would be that you used their premium as opposed to an original 550, or prestige model with similar bonus features. The rg shape is pretty close around, so I can understand comparing to the 550 re release. I would agree tho that this video comes off (a little) biased, or similar to an advertisement for kiesel. Noting that other prestige models come with TKS dual titanium reinforced trust rods could be useful information as well. I liked your video, and i am a fan of both manufacturers!

[@kdrake777]

How can I trust the judgement of anyone who still has a landline phone? Hahaha JK

[@thetonekingofficial]

+kdrake777 lol. Would you believe me if I told you it didn't work? Lol

[@kdrake777]

The Tone King I believe you TTK! 😂

[@davidlane147]

Which song is playing at 3:30?

[@justinrussell4594]

Love the backing track.

[@followfornothing]

Evolved = RGD Series

[@Kurt1969]

The comments below and number of thumbs down speak volumes. Enough said.

[@daveredfern8258]

You really should give a link to your background music TK........ i love that guitar instrumental, @ 4:10 ?

[@alainmalasse6553]

I bought 3 kiesel.2 ibanez. 1 vigier. All same quality levels. I sold my ibanez and 2 kiesels. Play most my excalibur then my dc 6. Kiesel are really great guitars.

[@greggsheridan9325]

Id pick the aries all day long. I have a jackson soloist with the Floyd and I have spent so many hours trying to dial that in and Intonate it and keep it in tune that I will never own another Floyd rose guitar and I am selling my Jackson guitar because of that. Not only that but where I rest my hand on the bridge makes the notes go sharp. I have an epiphone Les Paul custom and love it. If I was going to buy another guitar it would be the Kiesel or a PRS.

[@jawsykilla]

My Ibanez Prestige plays just as well as my Kiesel SCB7 but the Kiesel has all the features I wanted, the wood, the colour, the frets, the pickups, the bridge, everything. And they cost me about the same. So the Kiesel wins for me. But the Prestige does play just as good.

[@peterk743]

Great video Lou! Jeff makes incredible guitars. I have an A6 Multiscale and an A6 with a killer walnut top. I gig them everyweek and they feel great and sound great! I love Dean USA stuff, but I would have to say the Kiesel makes the best USA guitar for the money.

[@thetonekingofficial]

+Peter Kuperschmid great hearing from you man. We should catch up soon!

[@luigipati3815]

don't know much about Kiesel guitars, but they look interesting. As for contours, I think an Ibanez S body is a lot more contoured than an RG body and most other guitars

[@sigmundseamonster4708]

I know people are saying this looks like a Kiesel ad. Seriously though - USA made. The quality does look great and when I get some cash saved up it will most likely be a Kiesel. I got five bucks for this comment! lol, jk. Thank you for the review, compare and contrast. Subscribed. Edit: I wanted to add that I am not looking for resale value. I am looking for quality, affordability, and options!

[@discotex2236]

Wish he would have compared the fretwork/speed and feel of the necks. I ordered a Carvin neck with jumbo frets once. I have two RG331M guitars I got NOS for $290 each. The neck and jumbo frets are like butter. The Carvin was not even in the ball park. I love the idea of ordering a custom Aries but worry that it will feel uninspiring.

[@dieandgoaway]

Can you do an ibanez vs jackson? If you haven't done one already

[@EdDanaGuitar]

You took a lot of heat for this video... stick to your convictions... you are a smart and honest dude.... I get it totally!

[@Iamsamuel69]

I have a few of both guitars from both companies, kiesel has the upper hand as far as custom built guitars but I think the Ibanez rg 770 has the best neck available.

[@10000rambos]

I caught your disclaimer, saying it's the only Ibanez you have. In that case, I think a Prestige would be a more fair comparison to the Kiesel, and with that said, I still think the Kiesel is a better value. I have no issue with trems, so I think I would go for a trem guitar. I really like the trems on the Prestige, but the Floyds are great.

[@blkspade23]

Funny thing, when you talk about the Kiesel pickups being "special" as if the Ibanez pickups aren't unique. It should be known that those Dimarzio/IBZ pickup are uniquely made for Ibanez by Dimarzio. That has been the case going back to the 80s/90s V series pickups.

[@tonybowen455]

Wow, I was surprised about the rating hate after watching the video. It seemed like a fair comparison. I know you're reviewing an older rg, but for the newer ibanez's, a lot of people online say the premiums are better than the prestige. I think the premiums are made in indonesia and prestige in japan, but there might be some exceptions? All this being said, I''m still partial to ibanez. They have a way bigger line of products than kiesel, are more findable used, and I'm more likely to find one I can play before buying. I haven't played a carvin dc or rg or s guitar I've liked yet, but I have a fireman ibanez (paul gilbert). They both are great companies, but I'm just more likely to find something I like from ibanez, even with me not liking the rg or s series, with their talman line, jems, js, and artcore guitars.

[@seerking]

i can attest to that, i have an Ibanez S1070 PBZ and its better than the prestige variant, Same pickups but better sound and looks better and has a better bridge and more exotic woods, 11-peice neck, everything about it has more detail and flare. but still clean. I think they did this so that more people would buy it. If they could get more people to buy it at a lower price range they would make more money. Marketing Strategy.

[@SRNF]

"Its the only RG I have" < - I get that but please borrow or buy a used Japanese RG (Extremely easy and common to find affordable Japanese 90s RGs) and do a redo comparison in the future. I would like to see your opinion on the RG from their main line. No problem with the video, I get your intent but I think you would give us great content with a more realistic comparison (If you are so willing to do this again) Thanks bud.