toneseeker74
New member
Which do you prefer and why? Both MIJ. One has original Edge, the other has original Floyd Rose. Both single pickup, which I would replace.
Ibanez Roadstar RG410 or Kramer Focus 1000?
- Thread starter toneseeker74
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Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
Re: Ibanez Roadstar RG410 or Kramer Focus 1000?
Don't think you can go wrong with either. The Ibanez is basswood and has a Fendery C shaped neck, oil finished; the Kramer has some kind of glossier finish. The stock Ibanez humbucker is good, bit like Custom/Super D, with a push-push pot to split it. Fingerboard has a flatter radius than the Kramer, I imagine.
One advantage the Ibanez has over the Kramer, imo, is that the trem studs go into inserts in the body, whereas on the Kramer, the posts screw directly into the body.
Here's my 410. It's a parts mutt but comprised of correct bits. PAF Pro loaded (trem spaced - lines up better than regular, despite the angling).
Don't think you can go wrong with either. The Ibanez is basswood and has a Fendery C shaped neck, oil finished; the Kramer has some kind of glossier finish. The stock Ibanez humbucker is good, bit like Custom/Super D, with a push-push pot to split it. Fingerboard has a flatter radius than the Kramer, I imagine.
One advantage the Ibanez has over the Kramer, imo, is that the trem studs go into inserts in the body, whereas on the Kramer, the posts screw directly into the body.
Here's my 410. It's a parts mutt but comprised of correct bits. PAF Pro loaded (trem spaced - lines up better than regular, despite the angling).
kramersteen
PowerMetalRaph
Re: Ibanez Roadstar RG410 or Kramer Focus 1000?
^^Oh the old deck picture Aiiiiiiiiiiiii. I bet you miss chilling on that verandah?
^^Oh the old deck picture Aiiiiiiiiiiiii. I bet you miss chilling on that verandah?
Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
Re: Ibanez Roadstar RG410 or Kramer Focus 1000?
Yeah, classic Australiana
, requisite bottlebrush tree in the background. Nice part of Melbourne, the outer east.
Yeah, classic Australiana
, requisite bottlebrush tree in the background. Nice part of Melbourne, the outer east.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Ibanez Roadstar RG410 or Kramer Focus 1000?
My money went on a beaten up off-white RG410. Currently languishing in a gig bag, awaiting fret dress. Shiny black JBJ pickup. Doesn't line up at all but sounds so good that I am reluctant to swap to the grungy-looking zebra JBJ that would fit the cosmetic vibe so much better.
My money went on a beaten up off-white RG410. Currently languishing in a gig bag, awaiting fret dress. Shiny black JBJ pickup. Doesn't line up at all but sounds so good that I am reluctant to swap to the grungy-looking zebra JBJ that would fit the cosmetic vibe so much better.
Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
Re: Ibanez Roadstar RG410 or Kramer Focus 1000?
^^ Get a bobbin topper for one coil.
And do something about the languishing :nono:.
^^ Get a bobbin topper for one coil.
And do something about the languishing :nono:.
Vasshu the humanoid typhoon
Unseen
Re: Ibanez Roadstar RG410 or Kramer Focus 1000?
Ibanez.....more consistant than most ole Kramers...
Ibanez.....more consistant than most ole Kramers...
vinta9e
New member
Re: Ibanez Roadstar RG410 or Kramer Focus 1000?
Irrelevant..... 'less you buy by pallet...
Irrelevant..... 'less you buy by pallet...
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: Ibanez Roadstar RG410 or Kramer Focus 1000?
The Focus stuff is good but they went overboard with paint thickness and heavy hardware which puts the Roadstar a bit on top for me. I like very few guitar necks in the world better than those second generation blazer necks and many roadstar necks.
The Focus stuff is good but they went overboard with paint thickness and heavy hardware which puts the Roadstar a bit on top for me. I like very few guitar necks in the world better than those second generation blazer necks and many roadstar necks.
King IzzO)))
Ultimate Kitten Puncher
Re: Ibanez Roadstar RG410 or Kramer Focus 1000?
Why not both?
Why not both?
RoteGitarre
New member
Re: Ibanez Roadstar RG410 or Kramer Focus 1000?
Never played the Ibanez, but my '86 F1000 is my favorite lately, so I would have to go with the Kramer. The neck shape varies quite a bit depending on what year it is, as they were built by several manufacturers, Matsumoku and ESP to name a couple. Considering that they were almost all ESP built after '86, there really weren't consistency issues to speak of, unless you're talking about the US assembled American line.
Sent from my XT912 using Tapatalk
Never played the Ibanez, but my '86 F1000 is my favorite lately, so I would have to go with the Kramer. The neck shape varies quite a bit depending on what year it is, as they were built by several manufacturers, Matsumoku and ESP to name a couple. Considering that they were almost all ESP built after '86, there really weren't consistency issues to speak of, unless you're talking about the US assembled American line.
Sent from my XT912 using Tapatalk
toneseeker74
New member
Re: Ibanez Roadstar RG410 or Kramer Focus 1000?
Thanks everyone! I had a Focus 2000 briefly, and I thought the neck was too narrow. Profile was OK, but nothing notable good or bad. Given the reputation of variable neck shapes I guess it is a crapshoot. Also didn't like the height of the fretboard above the body...I'm wondering if this is typical for locking bridge guitars.
The RG410 intrigues me, but my only experience with a basswood guitar required 10-12 pickup swaps to find something I liked. Ah well, I guess trying something new is part of the fun of playing/buying/selling guitars.
Thanks everyone! I had a Focus 2000 briefly, and I thought the neck was too narrow. Profile was OK, but nothing notable good or bad. Given the reputation of variable neck shapes I guess it is a crapshoot. Also didn't like the height of the fretboard above the body...I'm wondering if this is typical for locking bridge guitars.
The RG410 intrigues me, but my only experience with a basswood guitar required 10-12 pickup swaps to find something I liked. Ah well, I guess trying something new is part of the fun of playing/buying/selling guitars.
Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
Re: Ibanez Roadstar RG410 or Kramer Focus 1000?
The height of fretboard thing is because these guitars have top mounted trems.
As an example, here's a Jem, which has a recessed trem, see how low the pups and neck are.
My 410 quite a light guitar - most of the weight comes from the tuners and bridge. I just put 10s on it and it sounds better than with 9s. The PAF Pro is pretty much like in the description on the DiM site and I like it - has a bit of scream, but very versatile, picking close to the fingerboard gets a nice warm sound that approximated a neck hb very well.
I measured the neck when I got it, and, iirc, it's 42mm/21mm at the nut and about 53mm/22mm at the 12th, with generously tapered shoulders. Feels a bit like a mix of C and V, actually.
The height of fretboard thing is because these guitars have top mounted trems.
As an example, here's a Jem, which has a recessed trem, see how low the pups and neck are.
My 410 quite a light guitar - most of the weight comes from the tuners and bridge. I just put 10s on it and it sounds better than with 9s. The PAF Pro is pretty much like in the description on the DiM site and I like it - has a bit of scream, but very versatile, picking close to the fingerboard gets a nice warm sound that approximated a neck hb very well.
I measured the neck when I got it, and, iirc, it's 42mm/21mm at the nut and about 53mm/22mm at the 12th, with generously tapered shoulders. Feels a bit like a mix of C and V, actually.
toneseeker74
New member
Re: Ibanez Roadstar RG410 or Kramer Focus 1000?
Thanks, Ashurbanipal. I guessed that the neck height above the body was due to the trem. On my regular style Strat, it's not so noticeable though. Does the original Edge tend to sit lower than an original Floyd Rose?
Thanks, Ashurbanipal. I guessed that the neck height above the body was due to the trem. On my regular style Strat, it's not so noticeable though. Does the original Edge tend to sit lower than an original Floyd Rose?
Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
Re: Ibanez Roadstar RG410 or Kramer Focus 1000?
The Edge sits higher, quite a contrast with the Jem, which has the fingerboard flush with the body in comparison.
As you can see, the trem doesn't rest on the body - it can't because of the baseplate design, and the bridge would be hitting the body when bending down if it's too low. As a result, there's some upbend – up to A on the G string with the way I've got it. So the only way to make it truly bend down only is to stick a block of wood in the back so the trem block comes to rest on it in neutral position.
The Edge sits higher, quite a contrast with the Jem, which has the fingerboard flush with the body in comparison.
As you can see, the trem doesn't rest on the body - it can't because of the baseplate design, and the bridge would be hitting the body when bending down if it's too low. As a result, there's some upbend – up to A on the G string with the way I've got it. So the only way to make it truly bend down only is to stick a block of wood in the back so the trem block comes to rest on it in neutral position.
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DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: Ibanez Roadstar RG410 or Kramer Focus 1000?
One of the factors to consider is replacing the worn out trem. Not sure of the design changes to the Edge, but an OFR made today can replace an OFR made in 1986.
As for the "threaded inserts vs woodscrews", I've not seen any evidence to support the notion of one being better than the other. OFRs do still come with woodscrews, as well as threaded inserts.
One of the factors to consider is replacing the worn out trem. Not sure of the design changes to the Edge, but an OFR made today can replace an OFR made in 1986.
As for the "threaded inserts vs woodscrews", I've not seen any evidence to support the notion of one being better than the other. OFRs do still come with woodscrews, as well as threaded inserts.
toneseeker74
New member
Re: Ibanez Roadstar RG410 or Kramer Focus 1000?
Yeah, the replacement parts for the OFR has me leaning toward Floyd.
Yeah, the replacement parts for the OFR has me leaning toward Floyd.
Ashurbanipal
Well-known member
Re: Ibanez Roadstar RG410 or Kramer Focus 1000?
Edge parts can be had relatively easily, eBay or ibanezrules.com.
I often look at them on eBay and quite a bit of the time you see examples in great nick. The trem on my 410 was practically unused when I got it.
Edge parts can be had relatively easily, eBay or ibanezrules.com.
I often look at them on eBay and quite a bit of the time you see examples in great nick. The trem on my 410 was practically unused when I got it.
Vasshu the humanoid typhoon
Unseen
Re: Ibanez Roadstar RG410 or Kramer Focus 1000?
And you can still buy new parts from Gotoh for the Edge
And you can still buy new parts from Gotoh for the Edge
