Maidenheadsteve
New member
I'm looking into an RG as a cheaper alternative to my Alder options. Basically I just want an HSH version. new or used. preferably black or white with a pickguard. By "best" I mean in terms of quality.
Best RG option for under $800?
- Thread starter Maidenheadsteve
- Start date
L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: Best RG option for under $800?
If you can find one, an older Japanese model like an RG550 can be a killer guitar for cheap. Those were HSH, basswood bodies, Edge Lo-Pro trems, and just put together really well. They typically had black pickguards and were available in black for at least some of the production years.
Of course, some of the new stuff in that sub-$800 category is really good these days, too. I think they tend to be made in Indonesia now, but from what I've seen they're a lot better than the older Indonesian and Korean RG models -- closer to the Japanese instruments.
If you can find one, an older Japanese model like an RG550 can be a killer guitar for cheap. Those were HSH, basswood bodies, Edge Lo-Pro trems, and just put together really well. They typically had black pickguards and were available in black for at least some of the production years.
Of course, some of the new stuff in that sub-$800 category is really good these days, too. I think they tend to be made in Indonesia now, but from what I've seen they're a lot better than the older Indonesian and Korean RG models -- closer to the Japanese instruments.
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Maidenheadsteve
New member
Re: Best RG option for under $800?
So would you take the $400-$450 range RG350 or RG450 (new) over the RG550 of old? most 550's used are around $500-$700 from what I've searched up.
So would you take the $400-$450 range RG350 or RG450 (new) over the RG550 of old? most 550's used are around $500-$700 from what I've searched up.
L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: Best RG option for under $800?
Probably not. I don't know the used market like a lot of the guys here do, but the used 550 would hold its own and likely come out on top against a new RG for the same money. And I think it would be a lot better than the 350 or 450 series. You should do some pretty thorough inspecting on a used piece, as there are quite a few things that can go wrong (wood, hardware) or just be missing (hardware, mainly).
Probably not. I don't know the used market like a lot of the guys here do, but the used 550 would hold its own and likely come out on top against a new RG for the same money. And I think it would be a lot better than the 350 or 450 series. You should do some pretty thorough inspecting on a used piece, as there are quite a few things that can go wrong (wood, hardware) or just be missing (hardware, mainly).
Maidenheadsteve
New member
Re: Best RG option for under $800?
Yeah, I've got the inspection of used stuff down. I'm not too concerned about missing hardware. Maybe the bridge, but depending on it's condition and age I'd probably replace it anyway.
Yeah, I've got the inspection of used stuff down. I'm not too concerned about missing hardware. Maybe the bridge, but depending on it's condition and age I'd probably replace it anyway.
L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: Best RG option for under $800?
You know about the set screws in the bottoms of the trem pivot posts?
You know about the set screws in the bottoms of the trem pivot posts?
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Best RG option for under $800?
+1
On several occasions, I have purchased the cast-off guitars of a local idiot. The list includes various Ibanez RG/PGM family models. My favourite was a Crafted In Indonesia RG321MHBK. I struck lucky with that example. So much so that, when the idiot asked to buy it back, I declined. Instead, I offered to help him source another RG321. The second example was purchased via eBay. It proved to be MIK. The build quality was depressingly poor.
+1
On several occasions, I have purchased the cast-off guitars of a local idiot. The list includes various Ibanez RG/PGM family models. My favourite was a Crafted In Indonesia RG321MHBK. I struck lucky with that example. So much so that, when the idiot asked to buy it back, I declined. Instead, I offered to help him source another RG321. The second example was purchased via eBay. It proved to be MIK. The build quality was depressingly poor.
Hairmail
New member
Re: Best RG option for under $800?
I could recommend an older model. Its the RG3XXV from last year. Well its not black or white and neither does it have a pickguard but it still looks cool, especially if you like the reverse headstock, and you basically can't beat it for value for money. It comes loaded with the edge II trem and real dimarzios and only costs about $700. I think musicians friend might still have it in stock.
*Edit* I also completely forgot, this model has a 5 way super switch so I doesn't really lack in verstility.
If you don't really like that you could try pick up a used ibanez premium. They should go for about $800. I think this RG950 ticks all the boxes for you:
I could recommend an older model. Its the RG3XXV from last year. Well its not black or white and neither does it have a pickguard but it still looks cool, especially if you like the reverse headstock, and you basically can't beat it for value for money. It comes loaded with the edge II trem and real dimarzios and only costs about $700. I think musicians friend might still have it in stock.
*Edit* I also completely forgot, this model has a 5 way super switch so I doesn't really lack in verstility.
If you don't really like that you could try pick up a used ibanez premium. They should go for about $800. I think this RG950 ticks all the boxes for you:
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astrozombie
KatyPerryologist
Re: Best RG option for under $800?
please... no RG 3xx or RG4xx
please... no RG 3xx or RG4xx
Hairmail
New member
Re: Best RG option for under $800?
Am I missing something? Sorry if I didn't detect the joke but if you are being serious:
Why not? There nothing wrong with it? Actually I find the RG 3XXV to be one of the best in its price range. And the RG 4xx doesn't exist, in fact neither does the 3xx.
Am I missing something? Sorry if I didn't detect the joke but if you are being serious:
Why not? There nothing wrong with it? Actually I find the RG 3XXV to be one of the best in its price range. And the RG 4xx doesn't exist, in fact neither does the 3xx.
ehdwuld
A Ficus
Re: Best RG option for under $800?
he meant the RG3 and RG4 series I think
I have a RG2EX1 HH and a RG4FM1 HSH
I like the quality of both
the RG4 has INF3 and INF4 pickups that I dont like
it has the EdgeIII bridge that most dislike but I think is fine
I think an RG350 or something like it probably would fit the bill
assuming you were planning on tinkering a bit anyways
the wood and hardware are just fine
as a note
when I was last in GC
the new 450's were in and there was something on the neck
like the binding wasnt trimmed off
thin flexable stuck straight out from the side where the binding was
and was on both of the newer 450's on the rack
both sides of the neck top and bottom
odd
he meant the RG3 and RG4 series I think
I have a RG2EX1 HH and a RG4FM1 HSH
I like the quality of both
the RG4 has INF3 and INF4 pickups that I dont like
it has the EdgeIII bridge that most dislike but I think is fine
I think an RG350 or something like it probably would fit the bill
assuming you were planning on tinkering a bit anyways
the wood and hardware are just fine
as a note
when I was last in GC
the new 450's were in and there was something on the neck
like the binding wasnt trimmed off
thin flexable stuck straight out from the side where the binding was
and was on both of the newer 450's on the rack
both sides of the neck top and bottom
odd
TheLivingDead
Dawn Of The Shred
Re: Best RG option for under $800?
Yeah definitely go for a used 550 if you can. Every once in a while you can get a killer deal on one. I've personally seen one go for $180 in great condition. Keep an eye out on craigslist.
Yeah definitely go for a used 550 if you can. Every once in a while you can get a killer deal on one. I've personally seen one go for $180 in great condition. Keep an eye out on craigslist.
Maidenheadsteve
New member
Re: Best RG option for under $800?
I'm going 550 if alder guitars don't work. I don't want a 3XXV since it only has two pickups. I'm passing on the 950 since I'm looking for solid finishes. Don't get me wrong, though: I'm very grateful for the input, as I hadn't noticed a few of the options.
I'm going 550 if alder guitars don't work. I don't want a 3XXV since it only has two pickups. I'm passing on the 950 since I'm looking for solid finishes. Don't get me wrong, though: I'm very grateful for the input, as I hadn't noticed a few of the options.