The Guitar Player's Resource
Ibanez JS2GD 'Gold Boy': When Satriani's Vision Gets the Midas Touch! The 'Gold Boy' is the kind of guitar that speaks Joe Satriani's language fluently, with all the sonic DNA that made his otherworldly playing style possible.
Some guitars whisper; others roar. The JS2GD does something entirely different - it sings with that unmistakably liquid voice that's made Joe Satriani a household name among anyone who's ever wondered what an electric guitar is truly capable of. This isn't just another signature model draped in flashy gold hardware; it's a carefully engineered instrument that translates Satriani's decades of sonic exploration into something you can actually hold in your hands.
That dazzling gold finish might catch your eye first, but it's what's underneath that really matters. The alder body provides the perfect tonal foundation - neutral enough to let those DiMarzio pickups shine through, yet warm enough to add its own character to your sound. Think of it as the difference between a well-tuned concert hall and a bedroom with thick carpeting. You want clarity and resonance, not muddy overtones that cloud your musical message.
Here's where things get really interesting: those Jescar EVOgold frets aren't just there to match the aesthetic. These premium frets, combined with Ibanez's legendary Prestige edge treatment, create a playing surface that's so smooth you'll find yourself attempting runs and bends you never thought possible. It's like the difference between driving on freshly paved highway versus a pothole-riddled back road - every technique becomes more fluid and effortless.
The pickup configuration tells its own story about versatility. Those DiMarzio Satch Track humbuckers in the neck and middle positions give you that creamy, sustained lead tone that's become Satriani's calling card. Switch to the FRED pickup at the bridge, and suddenly you're dealing with more aggressive output and harmonic complexity - perfect for those moments when you need to cut through a dense mix with surgical precision.
That one-piece maple neck with the JS profile deserves special attention because it represents years of refinement based on real-world touring demands. It's substantial enough to provide excellent sustain and stability, yet comfortable enough that you won't experience hand fatigue during extended playing sessions. The 25.5" scale length gives you that familiar Fender-style string tension and note clarity that works equally well for rhythm chording and blazing lead work.
The Edge tremolo system proves that floating bridges don't have to be tuning nightmares. This design gives you all the expressive capability you need for dive-bombs and subtle vibrato effects while maintaining the kind of stability that lets you focus on your playing instead of constantly retuning between songs. That locking nut works in partnership with the bridge to create a system that stays put even under the most aggressive playing conditions.
What really sets this guitar apart is how all these elements work together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. The gold hardware isn't just bling - it's part of a cohesive design philosophy that says this instrument takes itself seriously. Every component, from those premium frets to the carefully voiced pickups, serves the larger goal of creating a guitar that responds to your musical intentions rather than fighting against them.
The rosewood fingerboard with mother-of-pearl dot inlays provides the perfect playing surface - smooth enough for lightning-fast runs, yet with enough grip to give you confidence during aggressive bending and vibrato work. That 22-fret neck gives you plenty of real estate to explore, whether you're working out complex chord voicings or stretching into the upper register for those soaring lead passages.
This is what happens when a master guitarist's vision meets uncompromising craftsmanship. The JS2GD doesn't just copy Satriani's sound - it gives you the tools to explore that sonic territory and beyond, opening up possibilities you might never have considered.
Body
Top/Back/Body: Alder
Neck
Neck Type: JS / 1pc Maple neck
Fretboard: Rosewood with MOP dot Inlay
Frets: Jescar EVOgold frets / Prestige fret edge treatment
Number of Frets: 22
String Spacing: 10.8 mm
Nut: Locking nut
Scale: 648mm/25.5"
Width at Nut: 42.8mm
Width at 12th Fret: 56.4mm
Thickness at 1st Fret: 20mm
Thickness at 12th Fret: 22.3mm
Radius: 250mmR
Hardware
Bridge: Edge tremolo bridge
Hardware Color: Gold
Electronics
Neck Pickup: DiMarzio Satch Track™ (H) neck pickup
Middle Pickup: DiMarzio Satch Track™ (H) neck pickup
Bridge Pickup: DiMarzio FRED (H) bridge pickup (Passive/Alnico)
