Anybody else love-playing Ibanez RG guitars

[Ashurbanipal]

Re: Anybody else love-playing Ibanez RG guitars

I do believe reading somewhere that the fretwire used on some Ibanez guitars is quite soft unfortunately.
I don't play my 1527 much, which is a Prestige model made sometime in the last 5 years I believe, but have been playing my RG7421 (which is an MIJ) regularly for the last 2 years and the frets haven't really worn faster than expected.
The RG7421 was around before the whole Prestige series existed, back in the period when Ibanez was making some of their best 7 string instruments, so must have been a bit after they started using the Prestige tag on MIJ Ibanez guitars that the softer fretwire came into use.

Replacement necks are relatively inexpensive for what they are for RGs anyway so it's not a huge issue for me. It actually costs about the same to get a fully fretted, aftermarket neck that will fit an RG neckpocket as it does to get a refret job.

This is the reason for my replacement neck - wore the frets out after 7 years. Nothing worse than playing those railroad frets when they're worn. I've had the new neck on since last November and the frets are showing wear (there was none when I bought it, obviously). Planned obsolescence. The only bad is that the tenon of the new neck is smaller than the neck pocket, requiring extensive shimming, but whatever, at least the thing's playable now.

It's possible to get an Ibz in good shape neck on evilbay for $100-150.

 

[UberMetalDood]

Re: Anybody else love-playing Ibanez RG guitars

Uber and Petrovsk, have you guys had any issues with fret wear on your Prestige RGs?

Mine got all carved and chomped away really fast, and I always used light, nickel-wound strings...

I've been playing my RG3550 every day for several months and the frets haven't shown any wear yet. I had a Charvel production model that wore out in one year so my Ibanez frets are superior than those.

I absolutely love my Ibanez RG Prestiges. My RG1570 is my favorite guitar, and I have much more expensive guitars. A stainless steel refret costs around $200-250, so if I have to refret that's what I'll do. So far the frets are holding up as good as any other guitar I've owned.

 

[bloodswords]

Re: Anybody else love-playing Ibanez RG guitars

love my RGs more with Duncans in them. above: RG471 with Jazz/ Classic Stack +/ Screamin' Demon combo.