dreadguard268
New member
Between the regular series, premium series, and prestige? Specifically the S series. I can't really imagine it wouldn't at least be a bit better quality as the price goes up but does the price reflect that quality?
Ibanez fans: any major difference...
- Thread starter dreadguard268
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frankfalbo
In Fluence Y'all
Re: Ibanez fans: any major difference...
Premium is the high end of the Indonesian factory, which is the Cort factory formerly located in Korea. Prestige is Japanese and an entirely different build type/quality. Some people don't feel there's a difference. They can't tell the difference, or the differences don't justify the price and feature differential. But they exist. You'll have to try some and/or read web reviews.
Premium is the high end of the Indonesian factory, which is the Cort factory formerly located in Korea. Prestige is Japanese and an entirely different build type/quality. Some people don't feel there's a difference. They can't tell the difference, or the differences don't justify the price and feature differential. But they exist. You'll have to try some and/or read web reviews.
Toe-Knee
New member
Re: Ibanez fans: any major difference...
I find the quality across the board is excellent once you get above the obvious starter models such as gio,grg etc.
One of the main things that change as the price goes up is the necks they get thinner generally speaking. You also get better colours and finishes along with better hardware
I find the quality across the board is excellent once you get above the obvious starter models such as gio,grg etc.
One of the main things that change as the price goes up is the necks they get thinner generally speaking. You also get better colours and finishes along with better hardware
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Ibanez fans: any major difference...
The more expensive models use better materials and receive finer fettling in the finishing stages.
The more expensive models use better materials and receive finer fettling in the finishing stages.
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: Ibanez fans: any major difference...
I have to agree I have been an Ibanez player for years. Once you get above the $300 range they are all great players. IMO Ibanez is the best entry level guitar.
I have to agree I have been an Ibanez player for years. Once you get above the $300 range they are all great players. IMO Ibanez is the best entry level guitar.
Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
Re: Ibanez fans: any major difference...
I haven't played one of the Premium or newer MII models but people have been saying they're pleased with the level the guitars are at. MIJ is something special though. Again, I don't know what the newest ones are like, but the old ones are fab. I was skeptical but when I got an old one, I saw what all the fuss was about. However, I bet these Genesis reissues just as good, with some modern perks like the multi-piece necks. Speaking of which, Frank, have you got your hands on any of these babies? They've been trickling into the US here and there.
As has been said, it'll be materials, attention to detail, and hardware that differentiates things as you go up in value.
At the end of the day, you gotta go and play them, but for my part, I'm generally confident in buying a MIJ one without playing it.
I haven't played one of the Premium or newer MII models but people have been saying they're pleased with the level the guitars are at. MIJ is something special though. Again, I don't know what the newest ones are like, but the old ones are fab. I was skeptical but when I got an old one, I saw what all the fuss was about. However, I bet these Genesis reissues just as good, with some modern perks like the multi-piece necks. Speaking of which, Frank, have you got your hands on any of these babies? They've been trickling into the US here and there.
As has been said, it'll be materials, attention to detail, and hardware that differentiates things as you go up in value.
At the end of the day, you gotta go and play them, but for my part, I'm generally confident in buying a MIJ one without playing it.
Juanhanglo
Active member
Re: Ibanez fans: any major difference...
I have an MIJ rg520qs and an MII rg921 premium. They are really close qualitywise.
The fretwork on the premium series is near prestige level. The cost difference between the premium and prestige series is mostly due to the different labor costs and exchange rates of both countries.
My ibbys on the whole are just as good overall as my carvin and warmoths.
The premium series don't get the Super skinny wizard necks like the prestige do. Weather that is a good thing is a personal hoice. I absolutely love the profile on my 921 so it's a good thing for me! Cheaper too!
I have an MIJ rg520qs and an MII rg921 premium. They are really close qualitywise.
The fretwork on the premium series is near prestige level. The cost difference between the premium and prestige series is mostly due to the different labor costs and exchange rates of both countries.
My ibbys on the whole are just as good overall as my carvin and warmoths.
The premium series don't get the Super skinny wizard necks like the prestige do. Weather that is a good thing is a personal hoice. I absolutely love the profile on my 921 so it's a good thing for me! Cheaper too!
Brian Griffin
New member
Re: Ibanez fans: any major difference...
I pretty much doubt the Premium's higher standard cause they are built by the same Indonesian workers in the same factory. My brand new regular Ibanez had the inspection tag with QC stamps and the inspectors' names and guess what? The pickups were wired incorrectly. I had to email DiMarzio to get the wiring diagram and did the wiring.
The difference is probably more about the wood (solid vs. ply) than craftsmanship.
I pretty much doubt the Premium's higher standard cause they are built by the same Indonesian workers in the same factory. My brand new regular Ibanez had the inspection tag with QC stamps and the inspectors' names and guess what? The pickups were wired incorrectly. I had to email DiMarzio to get the wiring diagram and did the wiring.
The difference is probably more about the wood (solid vs. ply) than craftsmanship.
Brian Griffin
New member
Re: Ibanez fans: any major difference...
I thought the necks are based on the Wizard specs regardless of the price. Ibanez Premiums use Edge Zero II, which are also found in regular Ibanez.
I thought the necks are based on the Wizard specs regardless of the price. Ibanez Premiums use Edge Zero II, which are also found in regular Ibanez.
Re: Ibanez fans: any major difference...
Prestige, Jcustom, and 90s premium series ("custom made" inlay near end of fretboard) are far superior stuff.
Old MIJ's are the best price/quality deal, commonly sold for 400-500, but sometimes can be had for less
Prestige, Jcustom, and 90s premium series ("custom made" inlay near end of fretboard) are far superior stuff.
Old MIJ's are the best price/quality deal, commonly sold for 400-500, but sometimes can be had for less
Re: Ibanez fans: any major difference...
Wizard the marketing moniker =/= THE fujigen gakki "Wizard neck profile"
Edge #/letter trems =/= THE bulletproof gotoh built $300 a piece EdgePro / LoPro Edge originals (often called "original edge" by players/sellers)
Huuuuuge differences. LITERALLY. Not cork sniffy differences, but physically different design, visible with naked eye. Different materials too, but the whole different design thing stands out even more.
Wizard the marketing moniker =/= THE fujigen gakki "Wizard neck profile"
Edge #/letter trems =/= THE bulletproof gotoh built $300 a piece EdgePro / LoPro Edge originals (often called "original edge" by players/sellers)
Huuuuuge differences. LITERALLY. Not cork sniffy differences, but physically different design, visible with naked eye. Different materials too, but the whole different design thing stands out even more.
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Brian Griffin
New member
Re: Ibanez fans: any major difference...
I just found the Premium has reinforced Titanium neck, regardless whether it is necessary.
I just found the Premium has reinforced Titanium neck, regardless whether it is necessary.
Re: Ibanez fans: any major difference...
Maybe its their way of pointing out they actually HAVE a truss rod....colour me unimpressed
Titanium rod - so clearly not the most important property of a guitar neck.
Maybe its their way of pointing out they actually HAVE a truss rod....colour me unimpressed
Titanium rod - so clearly not the most important property of a guitar neck.
J E C
New member
Re: Ibanez fans: any major difference...
These Titanium rods/strips may do more then just help stabilize the neck. They may be installing them to help prevent dead spots in the necks and even out the tonality of them just like graphite strips/rods can and do do. One of the manufacturers (I don't remember which one) that made guitars for Eddy, made a number of prototypes for him. Some had graphite strips in the necks, some did not. He picked up on it right away, and asked what was different. As far as I know, all of his necks have graphite strips in them now.
These Titanium rods/strips may do more then just help stabilize the neck. They may be installing them to help prevent dead spots in the necks and even out the tonality of them just like graphite strips/rods can and do do. One of the manufacturers (I don't remember which one) that made guitars for Eddy, made a number of prototypes for him. Some had graphite strips in the necks, some did not. He picked up on it right away, and asked what was different. As far as I know, all of his necks have graphite strips in them now.
Re: Ibanez fans: any major difference...
I must be in the minority of used guitar snobs, cuz to me, an 800 buck pricetag better sound nice even with the rustiest most fossilized strings imagineable.
Reminds me of some old proverb I cant quite remember, something about bad dancers always blaming being "cramped" by their....shoes? Pants? (dancer here is the guitar not the player, and the pants/shoes are the strings... although I expect someone will make a case within the hour for a more classical application of the proverb - to snobs, sniffers, or GAS sufferers in general)
I must be in the minority of used guitar snobs, cuz to me, an 800 buck pricetag better sound nice even with the rustiest most fossilized strings imagineable.
Reminds me of some old proverb I cant quite remember, something about bad dancers always blaming being "cramped" by their....shoes? Pants? (dancer here is the guitar not the player, and the pants/shoes are the strings... although I expect someone will make a case within the hour for a more classical application of the proverb - to snobs, sniffers, or GAS sufferers in general)
Re: Ibanez fans: any major difference...
Titanium proper (not alloy, thats just smoke and mirrors) is simply a lighter, sturdier, harder-to-strip truss rod. (as to tension resistance, would depend on design/size, might be far better @ same sizw...but might actually be worse since titanium often gets used as a pricier option to build miniaturized, weight relieved designs that offer the benefit of being several times smaller and lighter, yet providing ALMOST as good performance)..
Dead spots were a famous issue on some Ibanez S-series model with one specific trem in recent years, afair, but for most well engineered axes are a nonissue to begin with
Truss rods, too...at least back when good hands built em from proper hardness quality maple, old Wizards exhbited no unusual tendency to warp, and in fact were remarkably stable and forgiving to tension changes despite their record thinness
Titanium proper (not alloy, thats just smoke and mirrors) is simply a lighter, sturdier, harder-to-strip truss rod. (as to tension resistance, would depend on design/size, might be far better @ same sizw...but might actually be worse since titanium often gets used as a pricier option to build miniaturized, weight relieved designs that offer the benefit of being several times smaller and lighter, yet providing ALMOST as good performance)..
Dead spots were a famous issue on some Ibanez S-series model with one specific trem in recent years, afair, but for most well engineered axes are a nonissue to begin with
Truss rods, too...at least back when good hands built em from proper hardness quality maple, old Wizards exhbited no unusual tendency to warp, and in fact were remarkably stable and forgiving to tension changes despite their record thinness
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sixstringsamurai333
New member
Re: Ibanez fans: any major difference...
I was skeptical about the Premium series when it first came out a few years ago... and I was right. Indonesia wasn't quite up to scratch at that point, and the guitars I saw in the shops were just rough as hell. Finishing defects etc, and the "rosewood" board looked nothing like rosewood to me.
However, just this year I got an Andy Timmons sig Premium to review (which Andy actually shared - yay!!! http://sixstringsamurai.co.nz/2013/09/15/electric-gypsy-ibanez-premium-andy-timmons-at10p-review/ ) and it was really, really bloody great. I'd quite happily put this next to some of my made in Japan/USA type guitars.
On the other hand, I haven't played any recent "normal" Premiums, so it could also be that the quality is bumped up for the signature models - after all, historically the AT models have been some of the most expensive in the Ibanez range.
When all is said and done though, I'd still take a Prestige for a number of factors - hardware, body woods, detail QC, and resale value.
I was skeptical about the Premium series when it first came out a few years ago... and I was right. Indonesia wasn't quite up to scratch at that point, and the guitars I saw in the shops were just rough as hell. Finishing defects etc, and the "rosewood" board looked nothing like rosewood to me.
However, just this year I got an Andy Timmons sig Premium to review (which Andy actually shared - yay!!! http://sixstringsamurai.co.nz/2013/09/15/electric-gypsy-ibanez-premium-andy-timmons-at10p-review/ ) and it was really, really bloody great. I'd quite happily put this next to some of my made in Japan/USA type guitars.
On the other hand, I haven't played any recent "normal" Premiums, so it could also be that the quality is bumped up for the signature models - after all, historically the AT models have been some of the most expensive in the Ibanez range.
When all is said and done though, I'd still take a Prestige for a number of factors - hardware, body woods, detail QC, and resale value.
superpete
Well-known member
Re: Ibanez fans: any major difference...
I got one of those 25th Anniversary Premium RGs. For what it is, it's great. It didn't feel substanially inferior to the prestige models. To answer the OP question, yes, there are differences in hardware and wood, but the price difference is not entirely justified. I thought the Indonesian ones felt really similar to the Japanese ones.
I got one of those 25th Anniversary Premium RGs. For what it is, it's great. It didn't feel substanially inferior to the prestige models. To answer the OP question, yes, there are differences in hardware and wood, but the price difference is not entirely justified. I thought the Indonesian ones felt really similar to the Japanese ones.
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