James Munky Shaffer has been associated both with Ibanez and 7-string guitars for 20 years. One of the many young players who found themselves transfixed by Steve Vais 7-string virtuosity, Munky's first 7-string was a Universe. But it was only a matter of time before Munky, along with the band mates who would become Korn, found his own earth churning style of 7-string play. As the band gained artistic and commercial momentum, Munky and Ibanez began a guitar-designing collaboration for the ages, and now its latest fruit is the APEX20. The Basswood, the 3pc Maple neck and Rosewood fingerboard comprise the foundation for the APEX20, delivering the combination of musicality and durability that Munky needs. The Gibraltar Standard II-7 bridge provides the picking hand enormous freedom. Whole step down factory tuning and the DiMarzio Blaze pickups emphasize treble and bass, and are particularly designed to articulate the 7th string with notable clarity.