Ibanez users, please enlighten me.

[youngthrasher9]

I'm shopping for a used Ibanez, and I already know that the 400 series is good enough quality, but I can find the 300 series version of what I want a lot cheaper and more available. As far as I can tell they are both made Indonesia and have the exact same fixed bridge. Will I notice a huge difference in quality between the RGD421 vs the RGD321?

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Ibanez users, please enlighten me.

I don't know what the differences are for sure, but I have been told that the cheaper ones use some sort of basswood plywood for the bodies. Maybe the 300 series is that way, but I couldn't say for certain. That said, I have a RG320 that I'm perfectly happy with, except for the ultra crappy stock pickups it came with.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Re: Ibanez users, please enlighten me.

What's your budget? Only interested in RGs?

I'd go for an older MIJ Ibanez, which can be had for not too much, unless it's an RG550, which tends to command more. In general, you get good build and hardware, and pups you don't feel bad replacing. With MIK/MII, it tends to be more mixed - some will be good, others not so much, playing first is a must. Though some of the RGTs, hardtails and the like made in the last 10 years are pretty good.

I'm fairly confident in buying a MIJ one without playing it first (unless it looks totally trashed), it's how I got the ones I have - took a punt on the first one and it convinced me enough that others followed.

 

[Kac]

Re: Ibanez users, please enlighten me.

I'm a fan of 300 series RG's. Nice enough quality for me personally, once the electronics are changed out.

 

[dominus]

Re: Ibanez users, please enlighten me.

I'm shopping for a used Ibanez, and I already know that the 400 series is good enough quality, but I can find the 300 series version of what I want a lot cheaper and more available. As far as I can tell they are both made Indonesia and have the exact same fixed bridge. Will I notice a huge difference in quality between the RGD421 vs the RGD321?

http://ibanez.wikia.com/wiki/RGD421
http://ibanez.wikia.com/wiki/RGD321

The RGD421 is an RGD series guitar introduced in 2012 as the replacement model for the RGD321. The RGD421 removed the tone knob, pickup selector, and check mark inlays, and included a new mid-cut EQ switch and black pearl dot inlays.

I'd get the RGD321 because the RGD421 is the RGD321 with ridiculous changes.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Ibanez users, please enlighten me.

the 321 should have a mahogany body

I have a RG2 and and RG4

both have bound fretboards
both are light basswood bodies
both play like a dream

the 4 has a floyd and a flame finish

other than that they are almost identical

the 321 should come with the V series pickups which are way better than the INF s in the 421

 

[youngthrasher9]

Re: Ibanez users, please enlighten me.

http://ibanez.wikia.com/wiki/RGD421
http://ibanez.wikia.com/wiki/RGD321



I'd get the RGD321 because the RGD421 is the RGD321 with ridiculous changes.

Thanks! This answered my question.

And WTF, an EQ switch and no pickup selector? What was Ibanez thinking?

 

[gottalovethe80s]

Re: Ibanez users, please enlighten me.

this being a thread with lots of ibanez users, I figured it would be a proper place to seek advice. I've been looking at this japanese ibanez with half-scalloped upper frets, anyone has an idea what model it might be?

looks like it would need some working on but the seller is giving it away for 150$. should I pull the trigger on this or not?

 

[Adieu]

Re: Ibanez users, please enlighten me.

I'm shopping for a used Ibanez, and I already know that the 400 series is good enough quality, but I can find the 300 series version of what I want a lot cheaper and more available. As far as I can tell they are both made Indonesia and have the exact same fixed bridge. Will I notice a huge difference in quality between the RGD421 vs the RGD321?

Dont touch a non-japan ibanez

Note i said non japan not non prestige. MIJ ibbies can be had from 250 all day every day, or 150 if youre a hot shot with the search function

 

[youngthrasher9]

Re: Ibanez users, please enlighten me.

Dont touch a non-japan ibanez

Note i said non japan not non prestige. MIJ ibbies can be had from 250 all day every day, or 150 if youre a hot shot with the search function

Bro, I know you mean well.

I need a guitar with 2 humbuckers, and a fixed bridge. Preferably longer scale (like 26.5). That's why I'm going for an RGD, because it has everything I want, and nothing else. MIJ is cool, but I play my brothers made in Indonesia S420 occasionally and the quality is good enough for what I'm doing.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Re: Ibanez users, please enlighten me.

this being a thread with lots of ibanez users, I figured it would be a proper place to seek advice. I've been looking at this japanese ibanez with half-scalloped upper frets, anyone has an idea what model it might be?

looks like it would need some working on but the seller is giving it away for 150$. should I pull the trigger on this or not?

It looks like a late 80s RG350 to me, but it's not Japanese - it's Korean. The main giveaway is the TRS trem – Japanese guitars always came with Edge or Lo Pro when equipped with a locking trem. There's also the fact that 300 series were never MIJ to begin with. From 1987, 100 to 300 series were MIK, 400 and up MIJ. Later on the 400 series also became MIK, but that was in the mid 90s.

It might be ok but I wouldn't go for it; it's possible to get MIJ ones cheap on places like Craigslist.

I see you're in Hanoi, so I'm not sure how prices work for Ibanez guitars where you are; it's different depending on the country.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Ibanez users, please enlighten me.

I thought Yamaha was the only ones to do a half-scalloped finger board like that?

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Re: Ibanez users, please enlighten me.

Someone did that by hand on the Ibanez, perhaps after seeing a Yamaha like the one above. Jems are the only Ibanez axes, afaik, that had/have any kind of scalloping.

 

[dominus]

Re: Ibanez users, please enlighten me.

the 321 should have a mahogany body

I have a RG2 and and RG4

both have bound fretboards
both are light basswood bodies
both play like a dream

the 4 has a floyd and a flame finish

other than that they are almost identical

the 321 should come with the V series pickups which are way better than the INF s in the 421

This is the *RGD* version, which is a baritone, not the same as the RG321/RG421.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Ibanez users, please enlighten me.

Someone did that by hand on the Ibanez, perhaps after seeing a Yamaha like the one above. Jems are the only Ibanez axes, afaik, that had/have any kind of scalloping.

Yeah i guess that was obvious wasn't it HA!. its 6am i have an excuse.

I would much rather a radius or sabre over a rg.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1988-Ibanez-540R-Radius-Rare-Fountain-Blue-Worldwide-550-560-570-770-760-750-/181268843069?pt=Guitar&hash=item2a34770a3d

 

[gottalovethe80s]

Re: Ibanez users, please enlighten me.

It looks like a late 80s RG350 to me, but it's not Japanese - it's Korean. The main giveaway is the TRS trem – Japanese guitars always came with Edge or Lo Pro when equipped with a locking trem. There's also the fact that 300 series were never MIJ to begin with. From 1987, 100 to 300 series were MIK, 400 and up MIJ. Later on the 400 series also became MIK, but that was in the mid 90s.

It might be ok but I wouldn't go for it; it's possible to get MIJ ones cheap on places like Craigslist.

I see you're in Hanoi, so I'm not sure how prices work for Ibanez guitars where you are; it's different depending on the country.

there are alot of ibbies here where I live and they are relatively cheap too. I've never been interested in them, but this one in particular caught my attention for its scalloped frets. I don't know much about ibbies but I asked a seller I know and he said it "might" be a custom. also the neckplate says "made in japan" on it:

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Re: Ibanez users, please enlighten me.

Hmm. Well the neck plate certainly is MIJ, but the rest, I doubt. Given that it's got various aftermarket pups in it, it's quite the Frankenstein.

If they're fairly cheap where you are, then look for a Japanese one, better build quality and hardware, and pups that are ok but you won't feel bad about swapping out.

 

[LonePhantom]

Re: Ibanez users, please enlighten me.

Dont touch a non-japan ibanez

Note i said non japan not non prestige. MIJ ibbies can be had from 250 all day every day, or 150 if youre a hot shot with the search function

Dude, there are plenty of good quality non-MIJ Ibanez these days, the 3xx up come with excellent bridges now. Like with any guitars, play first if you can to make sure you get a good one you like the sound of.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Ibanez users, please enlighten me.

the back of the headstock
should have the serial number that codes the model and country of origin

if it begins with an "F" it is Japanese

 

[baritone]

Re: Ibanez users, please enlighten me.

When you go for lesser models, you get cheaper parts and cheaper wood. i've noticed with Ibanez that the cheaper guitars are still made really well.