Can't decide between these 2 guitars.

[Χάρης]

So I am thinking of buying my first ever 7 string guitar but need help choosing between the Ibanez RGIXL7 and the Harley Benton Amarok-7 .

Based on reviews, it seems like teh Harley Benton is a good deal for that price and the Ibanez costs almost double that. Plus it is a neck through design which if I am correct is something you mostly find on more expensive guitars. However the Ibanez has better tuners and bridge, and also DiMazrio's which I am curious of trying out.

Logically speaking, since this is my first 7 string I probably shouldn't spend too much and just go for the Amarok but I always wanted to have an Ibanez in my collection. Reason is that I tried one in a guitar shop and it played so damn good.

Anyway, I am waiting for your replies.

 

[Mincer]

Personally, I think it is worth saving for what you want. The HB is a good choice if you plan on upgrading the hardware over time to get closer to what you want. I am assuming you can't try either out, though.

 

[solspirit]

I don't know what model Ibanez your looking at but the Amorok looks pretty sweet.

 

[Securb]

One school of thought is the Harley Benton is less of an investment to find out if you actually like playing a 7-string and determining how much you are going to use that guitar.

 

[JOLLY]

One school of thought is the Harley Benton is less of an investment to find out if you actually like playing a 7-string and determining how much you are going to use that guitar.

That's a great point.

 

[80's_Thrash_Metal]

I would also entertain the Jackson brand if you're looking for an inexpensive "test the waters" level of a guitar.. I have one and after a few minutes with a file to the cheap frets, it's a pretty good guitar.

 

[Blille]

One school of thought is the Harley Benton is less of an investment to find out if you actually like playing a 7-string and determining how much you are going to use that guitar.

Agreed. If OP isn’t committed I would say cheaper. A long time ago I was wondering the same and it took me 30 mins in guitar center to decide it wasn’t for me.

If the OP is committed I would encourage to save first.

 

[Seashore]

I've always been impressed by the consistent playability of Ibanez but have to say I haven't stuck with any of their guitars. I haven't tried either of these. I would pick whichever one is closest in specs (and hopefully feel) to the guitars you already like playing. Adjusting to another string is one thing, but if you're adjusting to, say, another string and a different scale length and a different kind of bridge at the same time, it can be too much of a jump to enjoy and stick with.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

HB is bang for buck, Ibanez will have better resale value. The feel will be quite different with both - HB has a shorter 25.5" scale and C shaped neck, Ibanez is 27" and Wizard style (D profile) neck, so one may feel more comfortable, depending on your neck preferences and hand size. Both of these guitars are Indo, so may be of comparable quality.

 

[Mr. B]

5 / 10 years from now, the Ibanez is still going to be a functional guitar. Who knows what will happen to the neck/body/hardware on the Harley Benton.

 

[Masta' C]

A few months back, I picked up an HB Amarok baritone and it was surprisingly nice. Not custom shop quality, of course, but still very well made, nice looking, and a solid player.

I ended up moving it on when I picked up a very similar Schecter C-1 Apocalypse baritone. I do like the Schecter a bit more for nit-picky reasons like weight and a slightly thinner neck, but the HB was easily 85% as good as my Schecter for less than half the price!

When it comes to 7-strings, I do prefer the thinner D-shaped profile of Ibanez necks. Not sure how the Amarok 7 compares, but if it's anything like the profile on the baritone, most people would find it pretty comfortable.