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D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford
Ibanez XPTB620
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Playability
72
Sound
61
Build
60
Value
69
Score
64
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Playability
77
Sound
79
Build
65
Value
74
Score
74
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D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford vs Ibanez XPTB620

Reasons to Get
D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford over Ibanez XPTB620

Type of Frets
Medium vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
C-Shape vs Wizard III
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Pickups
P90SP90 vs HH
Vintage tone with a lot of versatility
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Tremolo vs Edge Zero II
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone
Fretboard Radius
14'' (355.6mm) vs 15.75'' (400.1mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings

Reasons to Get
Ibanez XPTB620 over D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford

Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Medium
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
Wizard III vs C-Shape
Thin neck for playing fast
Pickups Brand
DiMarzio vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Nut Material
Locking vs Plastic
Best tuning stability for intense tremolo usage
Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Set
Stronger neck and easier access to upper frets
Pickups
HH vs P90SP90
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Bridge
Edge Zero II vs Tremolo
Intense vibrato effects and cheaper than Edge Zero
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 24.75'' (628.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Fretboard Radius
15.75'' (400.1mm) vs 14'' (355.6mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Value Score
74 vs 69
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford vs Ibanez XPTB620

Bridge Pickup
Seymour Duncan Designed Stack P-90 vs DiMarzio D Activator
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Seymour Duncan Designed Stack P-90 vs DiMarzio D Activator
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Basswood vs Okoume
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ovangkol vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-3 vs R6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Plastic vs Locking
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford vs Ibanez XPTB620

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed

Common Weaknesses

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

SET PRICE ALERT
SET PRICE ALERT

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Ibanez XPTB620 is probably the better product overall with its final score of 74 compared to the D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford's 64 score, which is a significant difference.

The Ibanez XPTB620 wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford in every aspect.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford is the better choice.

The D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford meets 3 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Ibanez XPTB620 meets only 2. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Ibanez XPTB620
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford Overview

  • From D'Angelico's 2021 Premier series
  • Bob Weir Signature
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 14" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Maple Scarf neck
  • Ovangkol fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Designed Stack P-90 (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Speed knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • 6-Point Tremolo bridge
  • C-Shape Set neck
  • 22 Medium frets
  • Grover 109 Super Rotomatic tuners
  • Weight around 7.8lbs (3.5kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Ibanez XPTB620 Overview

  • From Ibanez's 2021 X series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Okoume body
  • Maple/Walnut neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: DiMarzio D Activator (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: DiMarzio D Activator (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Edge-Zero II bridge
  • Wizard III Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh machine heads tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Woods Used in the D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford

Ovangkol wood pattern used for guitar building
Ovangkol
Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

Ovangkol is a beautiful wood that's popular for acoustic guitars. Its tone sits somewhere between rosewood and mahogany, meaning it has a punchy low-end and nice mid-range. Find out more about Ovangkol.

Basswood is a lightweight type of wood that isn't as expensive as other popular choices for guitar building. It gives more power to the mid-range frequencies. Its color can vary from pale white to light brown. Find out more about Basswood.

Woods Used in the Ibanez XPTB620

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
Okoume wood pattern used for guitar building
Okoume

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Okoume is an affordable wood and one of the first to replace Mahogany when the prohibitions started. It's generally softer than Mahogany and the tone has warmer lows.

Winner: Ibanez XPTB620.

Pickup Configuration

The D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford has an P90SP90 configuration while the Ibanez XPTB620 has HH pickups.

P90SP90 is a rare configuration for P90 lovers that want to achieve unique jazzy sounds. The advantage over having three P90s is that the middle pickup doesn't get in the way of your picking as easily since it's a small single coil.

On the other hand, Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

The Ibanez XPTB620 pickups from a more specialized brand than the D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford. Its pickups should give you a fuller, richer sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Hard Rock and similar genres.

We found the same or similar pickups to the Ibanez XPTB620's online:

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Ibanez XPTB620.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

The D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford gives you 5 switch options while the Ibanez XPTB620 gives you 3. This means that the D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford's switch options
Ibanez XPTB620 pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Ibanez XPTB620's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Ibanez XPTB620.

Final Sound Quality Scores

D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford
Pickups 70
Sustain 55
Versatility 59
Tuning Stability 60
Sound 61
Ibanez XPTB620
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 64
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 79

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford compares to the Ibanez XPTB620.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in Indonesia.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford has a Plastic nut. This is a low-quality nut that you might want to consider upgrading soon. Bone and TUSQ nuts are the best for guitars with a fixed or simple tremolo bridge.

On the other hand, the Ibanez XPTB620 comes with a Locking nut. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

Winner: Ibanez XPTB620.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

The D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford's brige is a Tremolo. Tremolo bridges give you more versatility than fixed bridges. They let you perform the intense vibrato effects that would be impossible with a fixed bridge. However, since the bridge floats and there's less contact with the body, the strings lose sustain slightly faster. They can also be a bit harder to restring and set up correctly than fixed bridges.

On the other hand, the Ibanez XPTB620's is a Edge Zero II. This is a cheaper version of Ibanez's Edge Zero bridges. It comes with the same locking stud bolts that lock down into the body and provide better stabilization, and with easier adjustment of the springs without having to remove the backplate thanks to a thumb-screw. However, the intonation in this cheaper version will require additional work.

Edge Zero IIs that come with the ZPS3 Zero Point system have two extra springs that help return the tremolo to the neutral position faster. These bridges offer tons of versatility, but they also require more work than simpler tremolos to set up.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Ibanez XPTB620.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford's are Grover 109 Super Rotomatic while the Ibanez XPTB620's are Gotoh machine heads

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

The D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford has a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

On the other hand, the Ibanez XPTB620 comes with Neck-Through neck joint. This neck is a lot more resistant and lets builders give the neck joint a more comfortable shape for soloing at the upper frets. The disadvantage is that they're more expensive and that if you damage your neck, you can't simply replace it like with bolt-on necks.

Winner: Ibanez XPTB620.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez XPTB620
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford
Quality of materials 56
Features 55
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 60
Ibanez XPTB620
Quality of materials 51
Features 70
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 65

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford Nut Width
D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford Nut Width
Ibanez XPTB620 Nut Width
Ibanez XPTB620 Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Ibanez XPTB620 has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 42.9mm (1.688''). This is a 0.1mm (0.0050000000000001'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Ibanez XPTB620, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford's Scale Length
D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford's Scale Length
Ibanez XPTB620's Scale Length
Ibanez XPTB620's Scale Length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

The Ibanez XPTB620 has the longest scale: 25.5". The D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford is only 24.75" long. This is a 0.75'' (19.1mm) scale length difference.

This longer scale means that the strings need more tension to get in tune. This is good if you want to avoid fret buzz, which can happen when the strings are too loose and touch the frets while vibrating. This is especially important when playing in lower tunings. This will also let you reduce the gap between fretboard and strings (low action) to make them easier to press down. However, this higher tension will also make it harder to perform bends and vibratos as the strings will feel stiffer.

This also means that the frets have a longer separation between each other, so this will make it harder for people with smaller hands when playing some chord positions.

Another characteristic of a longer scale is that it makes the guitar sound 'snappier' or brighter. This is due to the extra separation between harmonics and overtones produced by the tension. This influences tone more than any other factor (except the pickups).

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford Neck Profile
D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford's neck profile
Ibanez XPTB620 Neck Profile
Ibanez XPTB620's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford has a C type of neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

The Ibanez XPTB620, on the other hand, has a Wizard neck. This is thinner than most C-type necks. It won't get in your way if you want to play fast solos. It's not as slim as 'Super Wizard' necks, so it might fit you better if you don't like ultra-thin necks.

Fretboard Radius

D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford Fingerboard Radius
D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford's Fingerboard radius
Ibanez XPTB620 Fingerboard Radius
Ibanez XPTB620's Fingerboard radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Ibanez XPTB620's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Ibanez XPTB620.

Still, both tend to favor soloing over chords, so if you're looking for a guitar for playing rhythm, you might want something else with a radius closer to a Stratocaster's 9.5''.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison favor small hands .

D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Ibanez XPTB620:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford Frets Size
D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford's Frets Size
Ibanez XPTB620 Frets Size
Ibanez XPTB620's Frets Size

The Ibanez XPTB620 has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford's Medium frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 70
Playability 72
Ibanez XPTB620
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 100
Playability 77

Specs Side-by-Side

D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford vs Ibanez XPTB620
General D'Angelico Premier Bob Weir Bedford Ibanez XPTB620
Brand: D'Angelico Ibanez
Year: 2021 2021
Configuration: P90SP90 HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: Premier X
Colors: Blue Matte Black
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Basswood Okoume
Bridge: 6-Point Tremolo Edge-Zero II
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Neck-Through
Tuners: Grover 109 Super Rotomatic Gotoh machine heads
Fretboard: Ovangkol Ebony
Neck Material: Maple Scarf Maple/Walnut
Decoration: White Pearloid Block
Scale Size: 24.75" 25.5"
Shape: C-Shape Wizard III
Frets: 22 Medium Nickel Silver 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 14" 15.75"
Nut: Plastic Locking
Nut Width: 42.9mm (1.688'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Seymour Duncan Designed Stack P-90 (Single Coil / Passive) DiMarzio D Activator (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Seymour Duncan Designed SC-101 (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan Designed Stack P-90 (Single Coil / Passive) DiMarzio D Activator (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Speed Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 2 1