Ibanez?

[racerevlon]

That 3550MZ is definitely beautiful. Also, the 24-fret S models are awesome if you love the Les Paul sound but want the flexibility of a super Strat. The S series have mahogany bodies. Check out the S570MQM. May be my next purchase (Bright Blue Burst).

My main recommendation would be to stick with models that have the ZPS trem and not the Edge models (especially Edge III). The ball bearings in the ZPS trems are so smooth and stable--worth every penny.

 

[Skrapmetal]

I just ordered an Apex 2 yesterday. Does that count?

I really wish Ibanez made a model or two in the prestige line without a FR. One high end, Japanese-made six (or seven) string with a fixed bridge and passive pickups. I'd probably buy two.

 

[racerevlon]

Reza--looks like any one of those three will have either the ZR trem or Edge Zero with ZPS, so. You can't get go wrong either way. I'd go play that $400 Silver and the black S2170SE and snag whichever one I gelled with better. That $400 Silver could easily be turned into a MONSTER machine if it's not already.

 

[drewiv]

Buy my old one from Steve K in the classifieds.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=125000

 

[drewiv]

I just ordered an Apex 2 yesterday. Does that count?

I really wish Ibanez made a model or two in the prestige line without a FR. One high end, Japanese-made six (or seven) string with a fixed bridge and passive pickups. I'd probably buy two.

They do:
http://www.ibanezrules.com/new/rg3521gk.htm

 

[Skrapmetal]

I just ordered an Apex 2 yesterday. Does that count?

I really wish Ibanez made a model or two in the prestige line without a FR. One high end, Japanese-made six (or seven) string with a fixed bridge and passive pickups. I'd probably buy two.

They do:
http://www.ibanezrules.com/new/rg3521gk.htm

Sneaky. I've probably overlooked that a dozen times because that bridge looks so much like a FR in thumbnail pics.

 

[drewiv]

I just ordered an Apex 2 yesterday. Does that count?

I really wish Ibanez made a model or two in the prestige line without a FR. One high end, Japanese-made six (or seven) string with a fixed bridge and passive pickups. I'd probably buy two.

They do:
http://www.ibanezrules.com/new/rg3521gk.htm

Sneaky. I've probably overlooked that a dozen times because that bridge looks so much like a FR in thumbnail pics.

They are also making this one. I own one, a touch neck heavy, odd for Ibanez, but plays nicely.
http://www.ibanez.com/ElectricGuitars/model-FR1620

 

[nevusofota]

I just ordered an Apex 2 yesterday. Does that count?

I really wish Ibanez made a model or two in the prestige line without a FR. One high end, Japanese-made six (or seven) string with a fixed bridge and passive pickups. I'd probably buy two.

They do:
http://www.ibanezrules.com/new/rg3521gk.htm

RGA121 Prestige also.

 

[nevusofota]

Best bet is a used RG J-Custom. There is a nice 7 string on eBay right now at a great price. I really didn't like any of the new premium RG's.

 

[Skrapmetal]

I just ordered an Apex 2 yesterday. Does that count?

I really wish Ibanez made a model or two in the prestige line without a FR. One high end, Japanese-made six (or seven) string with a fixed bridge and passive pickups. I'd probably buy two.

They do:
http://www.ibanezrules.com/new/rg3521gk.htm

Ibanez site says it is available in 6, 7, and 8 string. Anyone ever seen one of these in a 7?

 

[drewiv]

I just ordered an Apex 2 yesterday. Does that count?

I really wish Ibanez made a model or two in the prestige line without a FR. One high end, Japanese-made six (or seven) string with a fixed bridge and passive pickups. I'd probably buy two.

They do:
http://www.ibanezrules.com/new/rg3521gk.htm

Ibanez site says it is available in 6, 7, and 8 string. Anyone ever seen one of these in a 7?

I have not, but contact Rich @ Ibanes Rules. If someone can get one, or knows of one, it's Rich. Great guy, great pricing.

 

[severinsteel]

As a former Ibanez a holic, I honestly wouldn't fool with the new stuff. Don't get me wrong, Ive enjoyed some of the Prestige line, but after owning 30 odd Ibanez RG's over the past 4 years, the creme of the crop were the square heel RG550's. I still have 3 of them. Granted, the J Customs look killer, but they ate just not my thing.

 

[Jimbo72]

Had this J.Custom for sale a couple times and I'm glad it never sold! Great playing guitar and the Bare Knuckle's smoke!!

 

[ACShreds]

Absolutely love Ibanez and its honestly my dream to get a endorsement just so i can get access to their custom shop haha. For me their quality is good in the prestige line and J custom stuff but their recent line of guitars have just been real ugly cosmetically to me. Wish they'd chill out on weird fret inlays and color schemes and ugly stains and flame tops. I'll see something i like but there'll just be one little dumb thing that'll keep me from buying it. Also their stock pickups aren't very good. Be sure to swap them out asap when getting one.

 

[racerevlon]

Pickups will always be a personal thing and get swapped out to taste, but playability is key. I think with the new Wizard III necks, and even the 5-piece reissue of the original Wizard you can't go wrong. Main thing is to make sure you get the Edge Zero, ZR, or ZPS trem and you're in business. Everything else is just some flavor of standard Floyd. That said, looking at the Ibanez Web Site, looks like they're standardizing on the Edge Zero II trem--even lower-end models like the RG350 have the Edge Zero II on-board, and you can get one of those for around $450 new. Looks like the Wizard II neck is getting phased out as well, so maybe Ibanez has figured out what customers want and is finally delivering across the whole portfolio.

I'm now looking into an S570MQM (I have a 22-fret S but would love to have a 24-fret S), RG2XXVFP (Fluorescent Pink will probably never see the stage--more of a collector's piece / home noodler, and possibly a Premium RG920MQM. Will have to see what comes out at NAMM. Oh, and just read: the ZR trem is the ball bearing trem, Edge Zero is still knife edge, but has the ZPS--either is still a vast improvement over previous versions.

 

[MARIU5]

Just saw new prestige models without the locking nut and a vintage styles tremolo, the one in the SV series ...

 

[2ndhandband]

Ibanez RGs are my favorite guitars, hands-down. I prefer the vintage ones because I'm not crazy about the new trem designs; it's gotta be an original or low-pro edge. My only complaint about RGs is that not many have an HSS PU configuration, which I prefer... but I've solved that by using a Humbucker From Hell in the neck position.

 

[yngzaklynch]

I met the guy doing the N' Stuff Ibanez demo. He is good greiends with fellow forumite bstaley. Dude is fast as hell and owns some killer guitars.

 

[racerevlon]

The RG760 is the H-S-S to have. I have a '95 in black with neon green pickups. Plays and sounds like a dream.