Decent low priced Ibanez

[mmotorsport]

Looking into a cheaper Ibanez 6er. Came across these two which caught my eye. Anyone have experience with either as to which one is better.

 

[Mattmc74]

I had an Ibanez RG3EX1QM that was really nice! I have played some that were pretty shitty but the one I had was worth the cash. The pickups in it suck and you may need to finish the fret ends.

 

[Scali]

Well, I'd go for the second one... Not only does it look better, but it has a mahogany+maple body, which is a great classic combination for monster tone (think Gibson Les Paul).
The other is the usual basswood that Ibanez uses on most RGs, which I find rather bland.
Not sure about the 'Designed by EMG' pickups... I guess they're okay.
However, looking at the Ibanez website, they say it's just regular V7/V8 pickups, not EMGs?
http://www.ibanez.com/ElectricGuitars/model-RGR421EXFM
Wouldn't be a problem, the V7/V8 actually sound quite nice in mahogany, good classic rock tone.

 

[mmotorsport]

I think on the newer purple model its going to come with the V7/V8 combo but on the older red model it comes with the EMG Designed. I'm a little leary as to how these are going to sound. How about the necks on either of them?

 

[Scali]

Ibanez necks == sex

 

[mmotorsport]

I agree.....just wondering if theres any difference between the two.

 

[FYP666]

I agree.....just wondering if theres any difference between the two.

Flame maple top on the other model, reverse headstock, hardware color... That's about it

 

[Scali]

Don't think so... as far as I can see, they're both bolt-on 24-fret Wizard II necks.

 

[S-O]

Either these, or look around for a rg550, used or reissue.

Basswood shred machines!

 

[SamSam]

They've released some new cheaper RGA series models, cant remember the numbers but the see through mahogany bodied one looks pretty sexy.

 

[DomitianX]

I've played both of those at GCs and they are hit or miss on quality.

I would prefer a used 570 myself over both of those, but thats me.

 

[mat091285]

The RGR fixed bridge and flame maple top looks sweet!

The Ibby MTM2 is another nice option ... the price should be around those 2 guitars ... Black and reverse headstock and ... fixed edge 3 bridge ....

 

[mmotorsport]

The new RGA looks pretty sweet, but the other two are under $400 and i'm not really looking to spend more than that right now. im looking for the best bang for the buck...

 

[Harry]

I played the flame maple top model a little while ago and it was not a bad guitar for the price. Played fairly well, although I still prefer the Wizard I neck's flatter radius.
The older model that had the EMG designed, IMO, actually didn't sound as good as the V7/V8 set.
For playing full on death metal and needing maximum clarity the V7/V8 are not the best, but for playing single note leads I find them fairly good (if not great) and they are very quiet too hum-wise, they seem to be well designed.

 

[Bobo]

How bout a RG321mh? My favorite among the cheap Ibanez guitars. Maybe cheaper than both those (don't know what the black one is).

 

[hypermagic]

A caveat about the 321MH though it's really prone to dents dings and chips if your not careful, fuck my stand put dents on the bottom, FOAM COVERED GUITAR STAND ARMS!
And mine needs a setup badly and the fret ends done. As it stands now mine's pretty face palm worthy.

D:

 

[Bobo]

I haven't dented mine. It would be odd if mahogany dented more than basswood I think. I do like the look of the 321mh over most the other cheap models.

The fret ends on mine are a little sharp, and the fret job isn't perfect, but it's about as cheap as an Ibby gets and I believe it's made in the same place as most. I think I got a decent one. I played many cheap Ibbies around here, some were worse.

 

[CrashRG]

ive owned the RG2EX1, and for $299 its a pretty decent ibanez. the fret ends were a little rough, but that can be fixed very easily, and I had bought one right after they came out, they were equipped with the EMG/Ibanez pickups, which were horrible IMO, swapped out with some Seymour Duncans, and this guitar sounded huge, nice low action, handled low tunings very well, good quality finish. I owned, practiced and gigged with this guitar for pretty close to a year and a half and when i sold it to my brother, it still looked brand spanking new. The white binding will fade to a dull yellowish color quite fast though.

after a pickup swap, this guitar is a very good buy.

 

[mmotorsport]

so now there are a few little things affecting my choice. The rg2ex1 has v7/v8 and a 5 way selector which is good. and a sorta plain but decent finish. Now the 421 although looks better has what im afraid is crappier pickups and only a 3 way selector. but 421 is mahogany, and i haven't come across many mahogany ibanezs lately.

so im still debating............keep the info coming

 

[hypermagic]

Honestly if you can score a older used RG 550 or 570 on ebay it'll be miles better than the Indo stuff. Not to steer you away of course I'm sure an Indo RG will be a good machine with some love.

Choice is yours dude.