Guitars are loved for so many reasons. Their affordability, accessibility, and portability put them streets ahead of other musical instruments. It can accompany others and is also capable of playing solo, making it a highly versatile musical instrument. It has been used to play millions of songs in almost every genre.
With that out of the way, it is crucial to keep a few factors in mind while purchasing a guitar. Experts suggest that you should not just visit a local musical instruments shop and choose any guitar randomly. It is a significant investment, and you should pick your guitar wisely.
Its design, construction, features, and brand are some important considerations when choosing a guitar so you don’t face any problems later. Talking about the guitar manufacturers, we cannot leave Ibanez behind. Ibanez is a renowned company that offers industry-leading guitars and guitar accessories.
Headquartered in Japan, the company came into being in 1957. From electric to acoustic guitars, the company offers a wide range of guitars. It also manufactures accessories, including effects and pedals, amps, tuners, straps, etc.
Manufactured by Ibanez, the Ibanez Montage is a well-constructed guitar with all the bells and whistles for the best playing experience. It gives you the luxury of switching between the acoustic and electric guitar playback, giving you the best playing experience.
Having said that, like all other guitars, problems may pop up over time while using the Ibanez Montage guitar. While Ibanez continues to refine its construction, you can still encounter a few problems while using it.
Today, we want to take a look at some of the most common Ibanez Montage guitar problems and their simple solutions. Let’s get started!
Troubleshooting Ibanez Montage Problems
Here are some common Ibanez Montage guitar problems you will likely encounter.
- Switch Not Working
Switch not working is among the most common problems you may face while using the Ibanez Montage guitar. As mentioned earlier, the Ibanez Montage guitar allows you to switch between the acoustic and electric guitar playback.
That is made possible with the help of a switch, but that switch may not work correctly sometimes. And sometimes, it just stops working at all. This problem usually arises when the contact point of the switch gets dirty or corroded. Dust particles may get stuck inside it, hindering its normal functioning.
Luckily, fixing it is a pretty straightforward affair. Grab a tool, such as a screwdriver, to access the switch. It is important to note that you do not need to remove the switch for this purpose; you just need to access its back. Just unscrew its back plate, and you are good to go! It will take some time to come off, but it will eventually.
Once you have accessed it, get an electronics cleaner spray and spray it on the contact point. Do not overspray it, and make sure to wipe off the excessive spray using a paper towel. It is recommended to use a spray cleaner that is meant to be used for this purpose.
You can find many electronics cleaner sprays in the market, but make sure to ask the seller whether it can be used on switches or not. These sprays improve the dynamic range and conductivity while reducing abrasion failure and deoxidizing. The directions are usually given on the spray, so consider reading them before spraying.
- Posture Issues
If you own the Ibanez Montage guitar, you’d know its design is not ergonomically sound. It is seen that the single-cut dreadnought construction is not ideal for long playing sessions. The Ibanez Montage guitar is made for excellent performance, and this design does give you an edge while playing.
The bigger hole in these guitars gives a warmer and beefier sound. Furthermore, this construction also makes it louder than most guitars, making it a suitable option to play at gigs. However, this design trades off comfort for this performance.
The Ibanez Montage guitar has a bit bulkier body, which could be hard to manage for people with back pain or short hands. Sadly, there is no solution to this problem. While this design is a headache for some users, it is a blessing for many. If this design is a deal-breaker for you, consider looking elsewhere.
- Output Related Problems
While the Ibanez Montage guitar is powerful, its sound output may drop sometimes. This is a common problem with many guitars. If you are a professional player and notice a decline in the sound output of your Ibanez Montage guitar, consider getting it fixed ASAP to avoid this hiccup during your live performances.
One thing that you can do to make your guitar sound louder is to strum harder. Of course, when you strum harder, it will produce a louder noise. And yes, if you strum with your thumb and fingers, consider purchasing a pickup. You will notice a boost in your Ibanez Montage guitar’s output as soon as you use a guitar pickup.
In addition to that, a guitar amp is another option to consider if you want your Ibanez Montage guitar to sound louder. Many pro guitarists use a guitar amp to strengthen their guitar’s signals. It amplifies your guitar’s weak signals and makes it sound louder while maintaining its tonal quality.
However, guitar amps can be costly and are only recommended for players who get to play at gigs often. If you are a weekend warrior and only play casually, the sound output will be adequate. On the other hand, if your guitar produces no sound output at all, the problem could be deeper.
If something is hooked up improperly, it will cause this problem, and you will hear no sound at all. So, make sure that the wiring matches the instructions. However, it is also possible to connect everything correctly and still get no sound.
If that’s the case, consider hiring a trained professional. They will inspect your Ibanez Montage guitar and find out what’s causing the problem.
- String Problems
The strings on the Ibanez Montage guitar may get rusty or wear out over time. As you use your guitar, its strings absorb the sweat from your hands, resulting in corrosion. If your hands sweat a lot, you are likely to face this problem now and then. There is no way to fix rusty guitar strings; you will need to replace them if they have corroded.
Guitar strings are available all over the world. Just make sure to buy the best ones, or you will need to replace them again after a few months. Having said that, you can avoid this problem by cleaning your guitar strings. Consider setting a maintenance schedule for your guitar.
If you play occasionally, make sure to clean your guitar strings every time you use your Ibanez Montage guitar. Apart from that, the guitar strings may also break if you strum the strings too hard. Whatever the case is, replacing the strings will fix the issue.
The Bottom Line
The Ibanez Montage guitar is a powerful and great-sounding guitar manufactured by Ibanez. If you want to buy this guitar, we have outlined all the problems that you will likely face, along with their simple fixes.
Its output may get low sometimes, or its strings can also get corroded over time. Make sure to get your Ibanez Montage guitar serviced to avoid any problems.