Happy Birthday, I think you’re officially an old fart now. Don’t worry so am I
I like the Ibanez a lot. You are correct on the bridge . Why they do that I don’t know.
What do you mean by a “ floating laminate top’ on the LP type?
It’s not just finding the one that looks best but finding the one that makes me feel best
Black single ply ,wet sanded with 1000 grit then wiped with Lemon Pledge , just right
I have 3 telecasters with the ashtray type bridge plates .They are all have brass so I can’t really compare ,They sound good and look good so I never saw a reason to change. 2 of them use the Wilkinson compensated saddles which I recommend for intonation