HeavyMetal4Ever
Well-Known Member
Check out the Satriani Sigs, they have a rounder neck for an Ibanez.
Rock on!
Rock on!
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RG550![]()
I may not play Ibanez anymore but I think 25 years of playing all different models gives me some objectivity and I think the RG550 is the best non signature Japanese model Ibby there is. Well, .... it, I'm going all out and say it's the best (annnnnnnd now I'm banned on Jemsite).
The reissues were damn fine guitars. You find the yellow or the red and you would be happy. If you don't want maple neck, move up to the 770's.
Conversely, best overall Ibby in my opinion are USA custom square heel models with the wacky graphics or without.
I guess the question we should be asking you is, what is it you want in an Ibanez? They make all kinds of guitars. Folks have listed some of the most popular models from the 'metal/hard rock' range, but one of the trademark features of those Ibanezes is the thin neck. Do you want a trem? Any particular pickup config? Body wood? Colors?
The neck profile on the RGT3120 was called the 'Ultra' profile, and was only available on a few different models. It's my personal favorite profile, so I've spent some time tracking them down. Some of the older Radius models used this profile, but be aware that they had slightly narrower nuts (42mm). It was brought back in the mid 90s with the 43mm nut as the 'J-Custom' profile, used mainly on the 12xx-18xx series J-Customs. These aren't made anymore, and were only available overseas, so they're tougher to track down. It was then brought back as the Ultra profile, though with the 43mm nut, when the Double Edge piezo models were introduced. These included the RG2020x, S2020x, RG2120x, S2120x, and their J-Custom variants (RG6CST and S6CST I think.)
As others have noted above, sig models are another good place to look. The old Petrucci JPM profile was very similar to the original Ultra with 42mm nut. The JS necks are also good, but have a 42mm nut and a much rounder 9.5" radius fretboard. JEM necks are also a bit thicker, though not as thick as the Ultra, and be aware there are several models (VSK,VDY,PBK,DBK,90th, and DNA) with thin Wizard necks.
If you just want a MIJ Ibanez and don't care if it's a 'shredder' guitar, check out their other lines. The Artist guitars are fantastic LP-ish guitars. They make some very nice hollowbodies. There are other older lines like the SC and AX series that have thicker but very different necks.