Ibanez PS10-LTD

My guitar, the Ibanez PS10LTD serial #: H950054, was made in Japan. It has:
22 frets,
2 volume controls and 1 tone,
3 way selector,
2 humbuckers with passive electronics (no batteries),
great neck,
tuners are in gold "non branded" and only says "Made in Japan" on them, I guess the frets are called "jumbo Frets" and an old style robust case was included.

This guitar sounds really good. I used to change pickups to get another sounds on my earlier guitars but I have discovered over the years that to me, at least 50% of the sound is me playing, my hands/fingers. The pickups I normally like best are the EMGs 81s & 85s plus their older single coils but on my PS10LTD the pickups are nonbranded on the outside but they sound good so I will not change them to EMGs.

I issue that I really like is the high frets, it makes it easier to have controll over the bends.

It has an overall great finish BUT the bridge was/is not 100% OK so it has been and is impossible for the guitar to keep the tuning. Once you make a bend it's out of tune. I have ordered a new bridge from the factory but it seems to take some time to get it...
Otherwise it is a quality instrument.

I have had a lot of guitar over the years, Gibson Les Pauls, Explorers & Flying Vees, Fender Stratocaster & Telecaster, Larrivees, Jacksons, Ibanez Explorer & Flying Vee, Gretsch, Silvertone and so on, but I honestly must say that when it comes to playing this is the best guitar I have ever had. I will never sell it, no matter what. I only wish I could find 1 or 2 more to buy. If somebody is looking for "the" guitar, this is the only one you need. The quality (excepet for the bridge) is really good and you could not ask for more.

I have not been in contact with Ibanez myself. I talked to the music store in Sweden who talk to the swedish distributor and the process to get a new bridge from Japan seem to slow...

I have been playing guitar since 1976 and consider myslef as medium player in terms of knowledge. I'm not a beginner and I'm no Steve Lukather either! (even if I wish I could play as good as he can!)

I still love to play around with different amps & effects so I bought a Lin6 Vetta Combo amplifier so now I got the best guitar that money can buy and the same goes for the amplifier.

If somebody steal this guitar I will contact Ted Nugent (or the mob, or Hells Angels) to help me find those who stole it!

The radius of the neck and the jumbo frets are my favorite features of the guitar. The design is really cool and so is the overallfinnish.

I did not compare it with any other guitar before purchasing it. I had an orginal Ibanez PS10 that I bought in 1978 but later sold... don't ask me why... So when there was an opportunity to purchase a new I did so without playing it before making up my mind.

If you are able to purchase one, don't think, just do it! (before someone else has!)

This is really one of the highlights in the history of guitar making/manufacturing, get one, of you are able to!

My predecessors already offered an accurate panorama, so let me add that I found and purchase this piece last Saturday 29th of April, 2000 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at the local distributor's showroom. For diverse reasons, the guitar was never played and rested inside it original case during 5 years. I'm not much of a KISS extreme fan myself, but -let's so admit- this guitar is awesome as well as glamorous... and it was as mint as it could possible be!, since it was never played, its condition is impeccable. Serial on mine is # H 950717, and was proudly made in Japan (yeah, the Japanese are proud too).

Designed way back in the 70's, the Iceman is Ibanez's most original radical-shaped guitar. Easily the most identifiable and enduring Ibanez designs, this unique instrument has been described in each and every Ibanez catalog as the ultimate guitar for arena rock ever since. But there are also Iceman fans are among alternative and industrial players alike. Over the last 20 years the Iceman has been associated with players as diverse as Paul Stanley of Kiss, Steve Miller, Al Jourgenson of Ministry, and J of White Zombie. The PS 10 Limited borne as a collector's item and its design and construction is uncanny. Of all "Icemans" I've ever seen (I own two more), the PS 10 Ltd. is (by far) the best one (although probably not the most sought after by collectors today, whom are based on either availability-per-year preferences or seeking a few more limited production pieces), only second to the "Mirrorball" or "Cracked Mirror" Paul Stanley used to flash in concert a couple of decades ago (Ed Roman and Roger Cavuoto still offer copies of those).

Regarding its features, this classy piece offers a Mahogany, Maple Top & Back (Paul Stanley's?) "Iceman" style body and an unbelievable 3 piece Maple set neck, angled at headstock. This neck has to be felt to be believed, its construction is extraordinary (for all you tech freaks, thickness is 20.5*23.5 AT1F*12F). The elegant fingerboard is nothing less than ebony, with 22 jumbo frets of impeccable polish. Again for tech freaks and hardcore collectors (like myself, fingerboard?s radius (in mm) is 430mmR, and scaling is (in mm/inch) 628/24.7.

Probably the most eye-catching feature of this babe is the way it looks, sparkle black with multiple abalone binding, together with all gold hardware (including mirrored surfaces, namely: truss rod cover, pickguard and tail). Tuners are Ibanez MB506G (the classic ones with plastic grips) and the lower anchor is composed by an Ibanez Gibraltar bridge & Ibanez Quick Change tailpiece. Besides being classy looking, all hardware pieces are of outstanding quality.

The pickups and electronics on this one will define the way it sounds, so take note that, on the front, you?ll be enjoying an IBZ V-7, and another Ibanez, the IBZ V-8 (4 wire humbuckers, both with golden pole pieces) will be covering your back. Controls comprise 2 Volume & 1 Tone pots, 3 way toggle switch. Virtually irreplaceable rubbered caps topped the control pots.

This is one of the most beautiful guitars I ever own, if you wan to know more on this guitar, as well as see pictures, wiring diagrams, and parts close ups, just get the full story at http://electricguitar.50megs.com a click away.

This is a rock guitar; arguments stop right there. When trying to describe something as subjective as how a guitar ?sounds? phenomenon which (usually) entails a chain travelling from your abstract brain to your concrete amplification, problems generally arise. Notwithstanding, I?ve got to admit that ?Anonymous? here did a very good job.

Based on that variety of factors involved, I didn?t particularly found the bridge pickup to be ?too? hot, but most definitively FULL. Moreover, this guitar might qualify as a ?metal? or ?industrial? guitar ?I prefer mine hotter-, but without question is THE ?rock? guitar. The ?body? of this axe is incredible (in terms of sound), feature equally useful within clean or roaring sonic environments. I?m not sure this guitar can ?cut through? any mix, but for sure it will ?wrap? it up, since it sounds enormous.

Textured and rich, the tones you can pull from this babe are nothing less than professional. Sustain, everybody agrees, is amazing, and goes all the way. Surprising for some, this axe is truly versatile, since with virtually no tweaking travels from jazzy pie to engine of destruction. If you?re after a professional sounding instrument, this one is a sure shot.

For the record, I checked this one out with several rigs, from a Marshall 1981 full stack (also with just one 4x12 cabinet) to a Korg ?Pandora? PX (including a Roland Jazz Chorus and a Vox AC30) and results were similar: a perfect ?10?.

Even when I get this guitar (used?) factory setup was still top notch. The original hardshell case, of high quality, is highly recommendable and probably helped a great deal maintaining the factory setup.

No dead spots, no cracks, no rattle, just impeccable intonation on mine, so I?ve got to rate this category as ?10?, without hesitation.

This guitar rock solid. It might become your axe of choice in no time. Everybody agrees again here: this babe is EXTREMELY well made, expect no problems. I generally don?t go this far, but since the issue has been covered already, I?ve also got to admit that soldering connections and inner cavities were meticulously achieved (check for paint coverage under pickup cavities for yourself). If you compare this degree of attention to detail with other top of the line guitars from BOTH American and Japanese. I can?t wait to see the faces of some when opening up the priced (of recent make) Gibsons or Fenders to check this out. Briefly, this one is FLAWLESS.

I?ve got to comment that, no matter if it?s an Ibanez Gibraltar bridge or an old school Floyd Rose, the gold finish is likely to bubble and flake off, and no exceptions (to be best of my knowledge) exist to this rule.

Another close connection with past reviewers here, since I also highly recommend keeping this guitar as pristine as practicable, in particular something so gorgeously finished. Piece of advice: be over-protective, since if like us here you plan not to sell this guitar ever, it will be with you ?till you drop and, if you?re just investing, it will pay off. This guitar, in particular is delicate, so follow this simple advice, you?ll be glad that you did.

I said this a zillion times: Never play without a backup!. If you've got to do that consider there's no tremolo here, so chances of survival increase.

My experience with Ibanez reps both in Argentina and Japan were radically different than that of my predecessors. Incredible helpful and kind, we glanced through registers and catalogs in order to gather as much information as possible about the axe, and they seemed committed to customer satisfaction. Since these guys were the ones that placed me in front of this babe, a top mark is well deserved.

Notwithstanding the aforesaid, I did love and have a laugh when I read ??If you're talking about a model that's more than 18 months old, you might as well be speaking Bengali. They know nothing and don't care??, because that happened to me regarding my American Washburns and Fender Strats. Even once with Ibanez US (if I remember that correctly). Of course, you instantly run to their websites, just to find nothing more than marketing stuff and gif animations. Send an email, and nothing will return? strange concept?

I've been playing for more than 20 years now, both to put bread on the table and as a guitar enthusiast, and nowadays own more than 30 guitars and a bunch of other gear (tour leftovers or specific purpose purchases). From that pack, the PS-10LTD is one of my most treasured pieces, and I'd buy this guitar again without even thinking. I don?t believe in proposing changes to any concept, since in most cases said proposal might jeopardize the concept itself. Notwithstanding, better access to upper frets might be welcomed. I share previous standpoints offered here...don't dismiss this as a novelty piece. This is as much guitar as money can buy.

I?m the proud owner of more than 30 guitars, proudly including this one. If you?re interested in pictures, original wiring diagrams, parts debriefing or just further details, be welcomed to my homepage at HTTP://ELECTRICGUITAR.50MEGS.COM

See adjanti's review for all of these

See adjanti's review for all of these

See adjanti's review for all of these

See adjanti's review for all of these

See adjanti's review for all of these

Everything adjanti's review said is real. I initiall bought this as a kiss fan first, and a guitarist second. If i wasn't a kiss fan and got to play this beauty, i would have bought it anyway. i have played for 8 years and have never played anything like this, including middle range prs guitars - no joke - . believe it or not this thing cranks through a fender twin, and i am never, ever going to have it as a trophy. it is just too good to play

This one of the earliest top-of-the-line reissue Icemans...a 1995 PS10-LTD, Paul Stanley Signature. Japanese manufactured (their premier factory - the Ibanez equivalent of American made Fenders and Gibsons). DON'T dismiss this guitar as a "collectors" piece for KISS fans, or just a freaky-shaped novelty. When Ibanez puts their minds to it, they can build incredible guitars. In the solidness of it's feel, accuracy of the neck, and general balance, it reminds me a lot of the 70's Musician series, or the "lawsuit" Les Pauls with bigger frets - excellent guitars - although the neck on the PS10 has more taper and flare than the Musician. They learned a lot during their period of ripping off Gibson's designs.
It's a mahogany body with maple top, 22-fret set neck. The fingerboard is ebony, the frets are gargantuan, and the neck and body are fully bound. The body binding is finished off with an inset of hand-inlaid abalone. The fingerboard inlays are mother-of-pearl block, transected by a trapezoid of abalone. The hardware is all gold, including the resurrected Ibanez Gibraltar bridge (their big honkin version of a "nashville"-like bridge...love it). There is also an obnoxious (that's the point, right?) pickguard, tail and truss-rod cover done in gold mirror plexi.
It's a H/H set up, with one each Ibanez V7 and V8, a 3-way toggle, a master tone knob, and a separate volume for each pickup. Each of the volume pots will cut both pickups when it reaches "0" with the toggle in the center position.
The nut is a "plasti-bone"/brass combo...very nice. Can't specifically identify the tuners (top-o-line Ibanez non-locking, with the pearloid "W"s, not the little jelly-bean knobs), but I can say they're tight, but not "grabby" - very very smooth. Very easy to fine tune.
The finish is an outrageous metallic black (you can see the metal fleck in direct glare...looks like an automotive finish), with a generous coating of laquer bordering on the ridiculous. It's gorgeous. You either love the wacky body styling or hate it. I have a weird sense of humor, so I love it. It looks like some occult ritual implement. My favorite thing is to use it for stuff like Radiohead, just for the sheer incongruity.
In general, this guitar is so anally put-together and so extravagantly appointed with all the abalone and mother-of-pearl it's almost sick! When I first oiled the neck, the inlays looked electrified. If you wanted anything much nicer, you'd be talking pre-demise B.C.Rich Mockingbird Supreme, or PRS (much to my pleasant surprise). Anything below that level of quality off-the-rack will be blown completely away by this guitar. Serious.
Kind of a collector's item now that these extra-deluxe models are out of production (Stanley is a Washburn man now...what's he thinking?!)

I play many styles of music, but this guitar was purchased mostly for making very loud noises and generally caving my own skull in. Sound? It sounds amazing. Ok, it's definitely a rock guitar...I still need a good tele for the single-coil lushness, twank and fully-clean tones. But this thing ROARS.
Of course, "roar" has a lot to do with amplification and whatnot, but as far as the guitar-element of that equation is concerned, this thing will peel your face off and show it to you. If anything, the bridge pickup it TOO hot. But it is FULL. I noticed the beef right away when I plugged it in. Not mud...beef. And very dynamically balanced. Every note of a chord cuts through at the same level, nice and distinct from each other, even on fairly overdriven settings. It's tight. This was most apparent through an old Marshall 800 series 100W head.
The clean tones are pretty nice for a humbucker guitar too. Nothing to knock your socks off, but adequate. I was pleasantly surprised since I was expecting to replace the pickups pretty quickly. I changed my mind.
It stays in tune better than any guitar I've ever played. Period. Even with freaky, extra-low chunk tunings (like C,G,D,A,B,E)
It's not noticeably noisy, and the brightness it does have doesn't set my teeth on edge (but I keep my amps set pretty "brown". As with most guitars, I recommend USING the tone and volume knobs. Most people just crank them all the way up and forget about them, except for using the volume knob to cut the signal between songs. You get a lot of tonal and textural variety on this guitar (as most others) by using the on-boards creatively.
Strictly in terms of versatility, this guitar is nothing special. It's a loud rock humbucker guitar. But what it does, it does FAR better than I ever expected.
The most amazing thing about this guitar? SUSTAIN. I've played a lot of very expensive guitars, and owned a few, and NOTHING so far can touch this thing with a fresh set of strings. You can tell immediately when you pick it up and strum it. Solid-body electrics are just not this loud unplugged. Combine the set neck, the hardwoods, and the Gibraltar bridge with the ole Ibanez "tone-block"...it just doesn't want to shut up (and neither do I - I thought it would be cool, I didn't think it would be this deluxe).

This guitar came to me 4 years old, covered with dust, and unplayed. There was no factory set-up...truss-rod and bridge were a-floppin'. It didn't take long to get it ready to go, though. The neck trued right up when I put on a fresh set of 11 gauge strings and adjusted the hardware.
The intonation screws rattle on certain notes, and need to be tightened down - a pain in the butt about the Gibraltar, but worth the effort to own this bridge.
I like guitars to feel a little springy, but with this neck, bridge, nut and frets, you could easily adjust to get the action stupid-low if that's what you want.
Only flaws are a minor crack along the body-binding right under the 22nd fret - not a design issue, just a hickie on this particular guitar - and a touch of oxidation on some of the frets (it sat for 4 years and never got played...cleaned right up). The rest of the hardware was surgery-clean.

I haven't had this guitar long enough to get a true feel for it's long term durability, but I can tell you that it is EXTREMELY well made. I would not expect it to have any more problems than any other well-made instrument. The hardware is solid, body and neck are VERY solid, and the solders are meticulous. My past experience with the Ibanez Gibraltar bridge tells me that though it's well-designed in general, the gold finish is likely to bubble and flake off, so I'm keeping it extra clean.
The only "durability" issue would likely come from the desire to keep it as pristine as possible since it's so gorgeously finished and appointed. Any guitar that gets used is going to get scratched, dented and a little worn. That will be unfortunate, but anyone who lets one of these just sit as a trophy axe is an idiot. It's a monster player.
The placement of the back strap-button, under the little "peak" on the rear of the body will cause a lot of rubbing and surely damage the finish there if it's used live, but c'est la vie...where else are you gonna put it? And I'm not worried about being over-protective since I'm NEVER going to sell this guitar.

I have found Ibanez useless as far as customer support.
They are nearly inaccessible, preferring to let their dealers address customer issues (and you know how helpful most of THEM are...vis - Guitar Center, at least in Texas). I did managed to get a phone number to their main office (the Ibanez division of the parent company). The "dealer reps" I talked to were rude, annoyed that their sacred support line had been profaned by a call from a mere "customer", and they knew less about their guitars and replacement parts than I did (which ain't sayin' much). If you're talking about a model that's more than 18 months old, you might as well be speaking Bengali. They know nothing and don't care.
I didn't get the guitar from them anyway, so I guess I won't sweat it. (did you see the list price on this thing? trust me...I didn't pay anywhere near that...)

I've been playing for 19 years and own or have owned lots of other gear. I'd buy this guitar again in a heartbeat, and I'd be willing to pay more for it. If it was stolen, I'd hunt the thief down at all costs and force him to eat his own buttocks.
The only change I'm going to make right now is replacing the master tone with a pull pot to split the neck p/u. I may decide to replace the pickups someday, but they're much better than I expected and really quite nice.
The sustain, the feel of the neck and ease of play on this guitar are exceptional. You may or may not think much of Paul Stanley, but he and Ibanez designed a KILLER rock guitar here. I'll say it again...don't dismiss this as a novelty piece. And if you're thinking about landing an Iceman, skip the rest and go for the LTD if you can work a deal on it. The others are ok - this one is the big smokin taste-daddy.