Ibanez RG Premium: Are they as good as they look?

[FretWizard88]

So I have been really digging the color options for the RG Premium, especially the Liquid Inferno option. Has anyone played one of these yet, and if so are they the sex.

Ibanez.com | Electric Guitars | RG920QM

 

[MaxOfMetal]

A few folks that played them at NAMM seemed to give them high praise, and Rich Harris seems to think they're pretty awesome.

That said, I've yet to play one. It looks like they haven't hit too many shops yet, at least any shop between Chicago and Milwaukee I've been to in the last couple months.

 

[FretWizard88]

I know musicians friend just got a bunch in, I would love for one of the shops in Green Bay or Appleton to get one in just so I can play it. I have always wanted an Ibanez with a flamed maple top, and these look amazing.

 

[FretWizard88]

This video is making me GAS for one of these really really bad!

 

[FYP666]

Just played one in a local music store. Felt great, but as always, didn't like the stock pickups... But it played like butter, neck felt great, and it did look awesome. The maple top is pure sex, I can guarantee

 

[Rook]

Yes.

A store near me has 3 of them already, and I'd rather have a nice Premium over say the 1570.

I preferred the look and necks to some of the high end japanese stuff, and they're at a really nice price point.

 

[JamesM]

WTB Highlighter colored RG Premium.

 

[FretWizard88]

This will be my next guitar for sure. Hopefully I can sell my Taylor this summer to get some extra cash. You will be seeing a NGD in the future from me, and it will be one of these in Liquid Inferno. I will probably put some better pickups in it like I do all of my guitars.

 

[rfseet]

the guy here has already tried and reviewed it

thE guitaR addicT!: The Premium report

 

[snowblind56]

I know musicians friend just got a bunch in, I would love for one of the shops in Green Bay or Appleton to get one in just so I can play it. I have always wanted an Ibanez with a flamed maple top, and these look amazing.

I doubt any of the shops in Green Bay or Appleton will ever see them. Guitar Center maybe, but none of the others. None of the shops in the area stock much Ibanez. Henri's Music used to, but only cheap ones for the most part, and it doesn't matter because the shut down.

 

[Arterial]

you'll definitely want to check jemsite.com for more info on the premiums. a few guys there have discussed it there.

 

[poopyalligator]

I have tried, the whole series of the premiums (they had all of them at my local store). They are definitely high quality guitars. I would say they are definitely on the prestige level. I personally love the dimarzio/ibanez pickups, but that is just me. You can bet that when they make a 7 string version premium i will buy one or two of them.

 

[Stealthdjentstic]

Are the tops veneers? I remember reading that somewhere.

 

[JamesM]

I read the same. Doesn't bother me, as it isn't an indication of quality or cost merely because many cheaper guitars happen to have veneers.

 

[Arterial]

Are the tops veneers? I remember reading that somewhere.

yeah the tops are veneers.

IIRC, theyre like 1mm tops or something.

 

[MaxOfMetal]

Are the tops veneers? I remember reading that somewhere.

Yep.

 

[Stealthdjentstic]

I really can't get past veneers. It just bothers me a lot.

 

[poopyalligator]

Im not sure if the top is veneer or an actual maple top. The ibanez website says it is a top, and from the pictures it looks that way, unless the bindings look like wood.

 

[MaxOfMetal]

Im not sure if the top is veneer or an actual maple top. The ibanez website says it is a top, and from the pictures it looks that way, unless the bindings look like wood.

It's been pretty much confirmed (via Rich Harris) that the "tops" on the Premiums is just a thin veneer.

If you want a real maple topped RG, you gotta spend the bucks to get an RG4xxx or a JCRG.

 

[BrainArt]

I want one of these so bad, but I haven't really seen much on them save a few videos and such. I'm not sure if any of my local shops have any in stock, because I haven't been to any of them in a while.

If they do, then I need to play one!