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So as I mentioned in a thread a few moons ago, it's time to start looking for an axe to replace the MII Ibanez RG. I sold off my other RG that I never played, and saved up and last month finally got my tax return check. I've got a bit more that $400 to work with presently.
I've been looking at used Ibanez and Jackson pieces, as these seem to be the ones popping up most commonly in the configuration I'd prefer. Right now, there's an RG520QS on Craigslist and a couple on eBay, each around $400. My main concern is the difference in body woods. My RG5EX1 is basswood, and I'm running a JB8 in the bridge, and a demon in the neck. Mahogany is supposed to be even darker than Basswood. If I go with the RG520QS, I'm worried that I'd end up with a guitar that's too dark and sounds muddy, and necessitating a pickup change.
As far as Jacksons go, the DK2 seems to be popping up in my price range most often. The body is alder, but I doubt I'd say no to tighter lows and a bit more highs than basswood has to offer, as opposed to too much lows and not enough highs from Mahogany alone. The hardware's probably cheaper, and I might end up with the same problems I have now if I grab one with a cheap liscenced floyd. But, if the wood is good, I'd have less qualms about throwing nicer hardware on a Jackson than I would with my current Ibanez. This piece looks nice, but those pickups look like they're possibly P90s, and from the angle of the shot, I can't tell if it's a P90 in a humbucker rout, or a P90 rout that would need to be widened. If a maple fingerboard isn't going to make for too bright a change in attack from my current setup, there's also plenty of DK2Ms floating around as well.
Finally, there's the DIY route. Bodies, necks, hardware and electronics pop up on gear forum for sale sections, on eBay, on craigslist, all the time, and sometimes there's deals to be had. With some patience, I could snag a good body, neck, bridge, etc, and then assemble it myself. Undoubtably I'd spend more money and time before I had a ready to play guitar, but it would be my guitar with all the options I want from the get go instead of buying an axe that's almost there and then replacing it piece by piece. There seem to be some nice bodies for sale on eBay right now, like this one or this one, and there's plenty of necks for sale too.
I'd like some input on which route I should take and why, especially those that have experience with some of the guitars I've been considering.
I've been looking at used Ibanez and Jackson pieces, as these seem to be the ones popping up most commonly in the configuration I'd prefer. Right now, there's an RG520QS on Craigslist and a couple on eBay, each around $400. My main concern is the difference in body woods. My RG5EX1 is basswood, and I'm running a JB8 in the bridge, and a demon in the neck. Mahogany is supposed to be even darker than Basswood. If I go with the RG520QS, I'm worried that I'd end up with a guitar that's too dark and sounds muddy, and necessitating a pickup change.
As far as Jacksons go, the DK2 seems to be popping up in my price range most often. The body is alder, but I doubt I'd say no to tighter lows and a bit more highs than basswood has to offer, as opposed to too much lows and not enough highs from Mahogany alone. The hardware's probably cheaper, and I might end up with the same problems I have now if I grab one with a cheap liscenced floyd. But, if the wood is good, I'd have less qualms about throwing nicer hardware on a Jackson than I would with my current Ibanez. This piece looks nice, but those pickups look like they're possibly P90s, and from the angle of the shot, I can't tell if it's a P90 in a humbucker rout, or a P90 rout that would need to be widened. If a maple fingerboard isn't going to make for too bright a change in attack from my current setup, there's also plenty of DK2Ms floating around as well.
Finally, there's the DIY route. Bodies, necks, hardware and electronics pop up on gear forum for sale sections, on eBay, on craigslist, all the time, and sometimes there's deals to be had. With some patience, I could snag a good body, neck, bridge, etc, and then assemble it myself. Undoubtably I'd spend more money and time before I had a ready to play guitar, but it would be my guitar with all the options I want from the get go instead of buying an axe that's almost there and then replacing it piece by piece. There seem to be some nice bodies for sale on eBay right now, like this one or this one, and there's plenty of necks for sale too.
I'd like some input on which route I should take and why, especially those that have experience with some of the guitars I've been considering.
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