steve_underhill's Reviews

Gorgeous looks, LP tone and sustain on a budget

Sometimes found as the "SmartWood Exotic", this Gibson was made in a few varieties. The early ones from the late nineties featured several optional top woods harvested from sustainable rainforests in cooperation with the Rainforest Alliance. Features mahogany back and neck, 490R and 498T humbuckers, and a distinct flat black headstock plate omitting the usual Les Paul logo.

Despite the lower weight and slimmer profile, the Smartwood has the distinctive tone and sustain of a larger, pricier LP, and is capable of achieving a blistering sound thanks to the 490/498 humbucker setup. Was around $1,000 new, and usually found around $700 in 2015.

Pre "lawsuit era" hybrid from 1970

The Ibanez 2020 was made for a year or less starting in 1970, using stock obtained from the freshly defunct Teisco company (and recently laid off builders). It features a variety of features inspired by a wide range of guitars, showing a major leap by Ibanez in moving towards higher quality copies of big name guitars.

The bridge and Bigsby-style tail evoke 60's Hofners. The adjustable P90 style single coils pack considerable punch, and the body, while Strat shaped, is much wider, more like a Jazzmaster. Early examples have the Teisco "checkmark" style 3x3 headstock, while the last ones have an exaggerated Strat style 6 in line version. The 2020 also features block pearloid inlays and chrome, tapered oval tuner buttons (this reviewers personal favorite for comfort and style). There are no serial numbers.

The Ibanez 2020 is an uncommon example of a high quality and rare vintage guitar at an affordable price ($300-600 as of 2015). While it is unlikely to ever be as well known and sought after as the later "lawsuit" guitars, the 2020 is a distinct and important moment in the history of a major guitar manufacturer, and a true "players" instrument.