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Ibanez JIVAX2
ESP E-II Horizon FR-II
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Playability
73
Sound
81
Build
73
Value
61
Score
76
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Playability
80
Sound
84
Build
82
Value
72
Score
82
FIND IT ON:
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Ibanez JIVAX2 vs E-II Horizon FR-II

Reasons to Get
Ibanez JIVAX2 over E-II Horizon FR-II

Release Year
2022 vs 2021
From a more recent year
Neck Profile
JIVA vs Thin U
Thin and flat neck for playing fast
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Pickups
HSH vs HH
High output, round sound with a single-coil for cleans
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.669'' (17mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.748'' (19mm) vs 0.866'' (22mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
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 vs Floyd Rose
Intense vibratos like Floyd Rose but easier to setup
Fretboard Radius
17'' (431.8mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed

Reasons to Get
ESP E-II Horizon FR-II over Ibanez JIVAX2

Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Retainer Bar
Yes vs None
Assists you so tuning doesn't change when locking the nut
Neck Profile
Thin U vs JIVA
Comfortable neck with more grip
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Bolt-On
Stronger neck and easier access to upper frets
Pickups
HH vs HSH
High output without hum
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.669'' (17mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.866'' (22mm) vs 0.748'' (19mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Strap Lock
Yes vs None
Protects your guitar from dropping by locking the strap
Bridge
Floyd Rose vs Edge Zero
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 17'' (431.8mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output
Value Score
72 vs 61
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Ibanez JIVAX2 vs E-II Horizon FR-II

Bridge Pickup
DiMarzio Pandemonium vs EMG 57TW
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
DiMarzio Pandemonium vs EMG 66TW
Different Neck Pickup

Shared Features
Ibanez JIVAX2 vs E-II Horizon FR-II

Body Wood
Mahogany
Same Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Nut Material
Locking
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Number of Frets
24
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Decorative Top
Quilted Maple
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs XL Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the ESP E-II Horizon FR-II is probably the better product overall with its final score of 82 compared to the Ibanez JIVAX2's 76 score, although not by a lot.

The ESP E-II Horizon FR-II wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the Ibanez JIVAX2 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 ESP E-II Horizon FR-II is the better choice.

The ESP E-II Horizon FR-II meets 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Ibanez JIVAX2 meets only 3. 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

Ibanez JIVAX2
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

ESP E-II Horizon FR-II
  • Comfortable shape
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • 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.

Ibanez JIVAX2 Overview

  • From Ibanez's 2022 JIVA series
  • Nita Strauss Signature
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 17" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilted Maple top
  • African Mahogany body
  • Maple/Wenge neck
  • Bound Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: DiMarzio Pandemonium (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: DiMarzio True Velvet (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: DiMarzio Pandemonium (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Edge-Zero tremolo w/ZPS3 bridge
  • JIVA Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh machine heads tuners
  • Compare Specs >

ESP E-II Horizon FR-II Overview

  • From ESP E-II's 2021 Horizon series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilted Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 57TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 66TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking 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
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

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.

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.

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

The Ibanez JIVAX2 has an HSH configuration while the ESP E-II Horizon FR-II has HH pickups.

HSH is a versatile pickup configuration that will give you the high output, full tone, and quiet sound of humbucker pickups, but with the possibility of using a single coil for cleaner tones. The disadvantage is that the middle single-coil pickup will have a noticeable lower volume, so you might want to adjust the height of the pickups. Another problem is that if you set the middle pickup too high, it might interfere with your picking hand.

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

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

You can purchase similar pickups to the Ibanez JIVAX2's and use them on any guitar:

We found the same or similar pickups to the ESP E-II Horizon FR-II's online:

The Ibanez JIVAX2's pickups are Passive while the ESP E-II Horizon FR-II's are Active.

Passive pickups are what most guitars use. These have a normal output that works well for most genres. However, Active pickups are the preferred choice of heavy metal players because they offer extra output thanks to their 9v battery, which results in a heavier, more distorted sound. Bear in mind that achieving a completely clean tone with them won't be easy. So if you want to also use clean tones, you might want to avoid Active pickups.

Winner: Tie.

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 Ibanez JIVAX2 gives you 5 switch options while the ESP E-II Horizon FR-II gives you 3. This means that the Ibanez JIVAX2 gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Only the ESP E-II Horizon FR-II comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Split.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

Ibanez JIVAX2 pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Ibanez JIVAX2's switch options
ESP E-II Horizon FR-II pickups switch and push knobs diagram
ESP E-II Horizon FR-II'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 JIVAX2.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Ibanez JIVAX2
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 75
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 81
ESP E-II Horizon FR-II
Pickups 85
Sustain 85
Versatility 69
Tuning Stability 95
Sound 84

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 Ibanez JIVAX2 compares to the ESP E-II Horizon FR-II.

Country of Origin

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

Japan has a long history of high-quality guitar building. Little has changed in terms of their manufacturing and quality control over the years. Many guitars made in this country can be compared—and even beat—others made in the US.

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.

In this case, both have Locking nuts. 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.

However, only the ESP E-II Horizon FR-II has a retainer bar for the locking nut, which is a helpful addition. Without it, the Ibanez JIVAX2's strings will change pitch once you lock down the nut, so you'll have to make more micro-adjustments at the bridge to tune it correctly.

Winner: ESP E-II Horizon FR-II.

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 Ibanez JIVAX2's brige is a Edge Zero. This is a different version of Ibanez's Edge bridges. It comes with 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 .

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

On the other hand, the ESP E-II Horizon FR-II's is a Floyd Rose. This is a double-locking bridge system that allows you to perform techniques like dive bombs and pinch harmonics. The locking nut allows your guitar to stay in tune even after the most intense tremolo usage. The disadvantage is that it takes more work to change the strings and set up everything correctly.

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 JIVAX2.

Tuners

The ESP E-II Horizon FR-II has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Nevertheless, the Ibanez JIVAX2 has a locking nut, so it should have even better tune stability and doesn't need locking tuners.

Winner: ESP E-II Horizon FR-II.

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 Ibanez JIVAX2 has a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

On the other hand, the ESP E-II Horizon FR-II 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: ESP E-II Horizon FR-II.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez JIVAX2
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • 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
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II Horizon FR-II
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

Final Build Quality Scores

Ibanez JIVAX2
Quality of materials 55
Features 65
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 73
ESP E-II Horizon FR-II
Quality of materials 55
Features 95
Quality Control 95
Build Quality 82

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

Ibanez JIVAX2 Nut Width
Ibanez JIVAX2 Nut Width
ESP E-II Horizon FR-II Nut Width
ESP E-II Horizon FR-II Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Ibanez JIVAX2 has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 1mm (0.039'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Ibanez JIVAX2, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Ibanez JIVAX2 and ESP E-II Horizon FR-II's Scale Length
Both have the same 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.

In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

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

Ibanez JIVAX2 Neck Profile
Ibanez JIVAX2's neck profile
ESP E-II Horizon FR-II Neck Profile
ESP E-II Horizon FR-II'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 Ibanez JIVAX2 has a D type of neck. This is a thin and flat neck that is made for playing fast. If you prefer a neck that doesn't get in your way when soloing, this is the shape you should use. Guitarists that prefer to have a bit more grip won't like this type of neck.

The ESP E-II Horizon FR-II, on the other hand, has a U neck. This is also referred to as ''baseball neck'' because of its shape. It's usually thick, which is why some people with big hands like it. However, they can also be thin, similar to a C shape, but with more shoulders for a better grip.

Fretboard Radius

Ibanez JIVAX2 Fingerboard Radius
Ibanez JIVAX2's Fingerboard radius
ESP E-II Horizon FR-II Fingerboard Radius
ESP E-II Horizon FR-II'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 ESP E-II Horizon FR-II's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Ibanez JIVAX2'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 JIVAX2.

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 .

Ibanez JIVAX2:
Big Hands
Small Hands
ESP E-II Horizon FR-II:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Ibanez JIVAX2 Frets Size
Ibanez JIVAX2's Frets Size
ESP E-II Horizon FR-II Frets Size
ESP E-II Horizon FR-II's Frets Size

The ESP E-II Horizon FR-II has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Ibanez JIVAX2's Jumbo 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

Ibanez JIVAX2
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73
ESP E-II Horizon FR-II
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 90
Playability 80

Specs Side-by-Side

Ibanez JIVAX2 vs E-II Horizon FR-II
General Ibanez JIVAX2 E-II Horizon FR-II
Brand: Ibanez ESP E-II
Year: 2022 2021
Configuration: HSH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Japan Japan
Series: JIVA Horizon
Colors: White Tiger Eye Sunburst, See Thru Black Cherry Sunburst
Left-Handed Version: No Yes
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: African Mahogany Mahogany
Bridge: Edge-Zero tremolo w/ZPS3 Floyd Rose Original
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Neck-Through
Tuners: Gotoh machine heads Gotoh Locking
Fretboard: Bound Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: Maple/Wenge 3pc Maple
Decoration: Beaten Path Offset Blocks
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: JIVA Thin U
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.669'' (17mm) - 12th Fret: 0.748'' (19mm) 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm)
Frets: 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 XL Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 17" 12"
Nut: Locking Locking
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: DiMarzio Pandemonium (Humbucker / Passive) EMG 57TW (Humbucker / Active)
Middle Pickup: DiMarzio True Velvet (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: DiMarzio Pandemonium (Humbucker / Passive) EMG 66TW (Humbucker / Active)
Switch: 5 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None Coil Split
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1