Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

[Mr. B]

As much as I like the fit and feel of them, I've decided to give up on the Ibanez S guitars as my main shred guitar. Something about the thin mahogany body, 22 fret neck, and ZR trem imparts a harsh, bright, clangy, screachy, quality to EVERY pickup I've tried in them.

I'm considering a Jackson DK2M or an Ibanez RG3550MZ Prestige

http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/u_eg_page13.php?data_id=61&color=CL01&year=2013&cat_id=1&series_id=147

or

http://www.jacksonguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=2914102576

I've tried the lower end Ibanez guitars, like the RG450's, and they feel pretty cheap to me. I don't want a beginner's guitar. The Jackson DK2M models feel pretty good and run about 700-800 dollars with Seymour Duncan pickups. (I'd probably trade them out, but at least I would have something to trade WITH). I haven't been able to try the Ibanez Prestige models because no one has them around here. They come with the Tone Zone and Air Norton pickups I want to use. However, there is a 700-800 dollar price difference between the Jackson Dinky and the Ibanez Prestige models.

My question to you is: How can an Ibanez, that is still just a Bolt-on superstrat with a boring black paint job, possibly be worth $800.00 MORE than a Jackson Dinky. Are they REALLY on a level that much higher than a Jackson Dinky or are the prices just hugely inflated because of the "MADE IN JAPAN" mystique?

I also don't know whether to stick with the tremolo models or go with the hardtail version of one of them this time.

Thanks in advance..

 

[LReese]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

I bought a DK2M for my nephew a few years back - I was pretty impressed with how well it played. I'm past the shredding stage of life now.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

Yeah, I have other guitars for blues, rock, jazz, metal, etc. I do want to keep one dedicated shred stick though.

 

[tc]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

One thing to take into account. The new DK2M guitars are made in Mexico, but the old ones when they were first introduced in the mid 2000s were made in Japan. If you're looking for a Japanese shred stick, that's probably your cheapest option. Japanese Ibanez models are obviously awesome and ridiculously well crafted. However, I think the feel and vibe of these two guitars is different enough that your preference really matters. Do you want a AANJ neck heel? Compound radius or flat all the way?

Jackson's speed neck is about 19.6mm (.775") 1st fret to 21.2mm (.835") 12th fret. Wizard necks can go from 17mm-19mm (Super Wizard HP/Prestige), 17mm-20mm (Super Wizard, original Wizard) all the way to 19mm-21mm (Wizard II, Wizard III). The RG3550MZ has a Super Wizard HP so it is a couple of millimeters thinner, with a flatter back contour. Give it some thought! Either way you'll get a beast of a guitar.

 

[Kac]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

As has been said, since they have quite a different feel especially with regards to the necks, this is something where you need to play them both to see if the increase in price for the Ibanez is worth it or if you like the feel of the Jackson better and there's no need to even consider the higher priced guitar...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

As far as there being room for improvement over the DK2M, I think the folks at Jackson might agree that there is, what with the USA Select DK1 -- "still just a bolt-on superstrat" -- starting out in a "boring black paint job" at a few hundred dollars more than the RG3550MZ. (Personally, I love my MIJ Dinky -- which I currently currently play every day -- but if someone offered to trade me even-up for a new, Fender-era DK1, I'd go grab the case and throw in a few sets of strings.)

Still, whether a guitar's design works for you is probably more important than the subjective quality pecking order. Consider:
- How do you like the neck? The radii are pretty different. The Jackson is compound, and the Ibanez is really, really flat.
- Is the heel on the Jackson vs. the AANJ on the Ibanez an issue for you?
- Do you care about the difference between H-S-H on a pickguard, and H-H with no pickguard?
- Have you tried the trem on the Ibanez? It looks like it has all kinds of futuristic devices and stuff in the spring cavity. You might like it, hate it, or not care.
- What do you think of the way the headstock on the Jackson flares the strings out, at multiple sideways break angles, vs. the straight, Fender-like pull of the Ibanez? Personally, I think it's mechanically a dumbo move that I put up with because it looks so cool. It's less of an issue with a lock nut, but if you have a hardtail with a traditional nut, you might need to do a little fine dressing of the slots.

Those high-end Ibanez are great guitars, judging from the ones I've played in stores in the last few years. The old MIJ ones were great, too -- though they don't have the latest tweaks and innovations that Ibanez have put into the newer models. I haven't played the newest generation of Pro Series Jacksons; I don't know that a MIM Dinky is like. But play both, if you can, or buy from a seller with return privileges.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

Thanks guys.

I appreciate all the "try it out for yourself" stuff, but I came here to get YOUR opinions, not mine. I already know what I like.

I have an older DK2M and I like it, but it is still set up with a JB/Jazz and I want to keep it that way for 80's hair metal. I played a lot of older RG550's back in the 80's and liked them too. I'm interested in YOUR first hand experiences (likes/dislikes) on the 2 newer models, and whether you think the price difference is ridiculous.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

If the quality of the Ibanez is close to JEM-level, then no, I don't think the price difference is ridiculous. A Japanese Ibanez at that level isn't a cheaper copy of something else; it is the real thing. But if you happen not to like that real thing, then it isn't the guitar for you.

I haven't seen any of the new Pro series Jacksons. Building them in Mexico makes a lot of sense. Without the factory in Japan where the best Jackson imports used to be made, it wouldn't surprise me to see them now coming from the same place that's been making so many mid-level Fenders. It might be a great guitar, but remember they're holding out on you to protect their USA line, which is a lot more expensive but a hell of a lot better.

Personally, if I really dug the Jackson but could afford the Ibanez, I'd spend a few hundred more and get the USA Dinky instead of either. You'd have EMG's to swap out as your "trade-in", but it would be balls-to-the-wall freaking awesome with just about any pickups you wanted to use.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

Just curious, have you played a Korean Ibanez Prestige? My dad has a S2170 Prestige from Korea than feels better than my old MIJ Jackson Soloist–very tight guitar and super fast neck. Just a thought

 

[SFW]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

The Prestige series is top notch. Some of the best fret work I have ever see on a guitar.

 

[Kac]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

Since you want our opinion. If I had the money I would spend the extra money on the Ibanez. I like the Ibanez neck and tremolo though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

Buy a decent used MIJ DK2M and a decent used RG550, spend a little on pickups and and a fret dress, come out way ahead.

That's how I roll.

 

[tc]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

The problem is, if I was in your position, I never would have given up on the Saber in the first place! Love them too much. Since that's not an option, I'd buy the RG.

 

[Brian Griffin]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

As much as I like the fit and feel of them, I've decided to give up on the Ibanez S guitars as my main shred guitar. Something about the thin mahogany body, 22 fret neck, and ZR trem imparts a harsh, bright, clangy, screachy, quality to EVERY pickup I've tried in them.

I'm considering a Jackson DK2M or an Ibanez RG3550MZ Prestige

http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/u_eg_page13.php?data_id=61&color=CL01&year=2013&cat_id=1&series_id=147

or

http://www.jacksonguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=2914102576

I've tried the lower end Ibanez guitars, like the RG450's, and they feel pretty cheap to me. I don't want a beginner's guitar. The Jackson DK2M models feel pretty good and run about 700-800 dollars with Seymour Duncan pickups. (I'd probably trade them out, but at least I would have something to trade WITH). I haven't been able to try the Ibanez Prestige models because no one has them around here. They come with the Tone Zone and Air Norton pickups I want to use. However, there is a 700-800 dollar price difference between the Jackson Dinky and the Ibanez Prestige models.

My question to you is: How can an Ibanez, that is still just a Bolt-on superstrat with a boring black paint job, possibly be worth $800.00 MORE than a Jackson Dinky. Are they REALLY on a level that much higher than a Jackson Dinky or are the prices just hugely inflated because of the "MADE IN JAPAN" mystique?

I also don't know whether to stick with the tremolo models or go with the hardtail version of one of them this time.

Thanks in advance..

Isn't the DK2M an import? Possibly Indonesian made. To answer your question I think it's because the Ibanez cost more to built due to the labor cost in Japan and more importantly, the "Made in Japan" mystique whether we like it or not are subscribed to by many guitar players albeit subliminally. You said the RG 450 feels cheap, is it because the parts are really 'cheap' crap or is it an Asian import?

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

Dunno exactly. The low end Ibanez just feel like cheaply made beginner guitars. I mean, we are talking 300-400 dollars new. I bought my Jackson DK2M when they were blowing them out for 400 a few years ago, and it felt and played much better than the Ibanez guitars at the same price point. Maybe the few RG's I played were bad examples.

I might add the Charvel Pro Mod series to my list of contenders.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

Hmm.. tough call. I mean it REALLY IS going to be what you prefer.. I personally (due to my budget) dont know that I could justify that much of a cost difference. I know Im guilty of price bashing on the forum all the time. I have a 1990 RG570 that I think is as good or better than some of Ibanez' $2000 current offerings. And I had a Japanese DK2 that played about as well as some of the high dollar Jacksons. (Just not as ornate) As I said in the beggining, this is gonna have to be what feels best to you. BOTH are great guitars. The imports have come so far these days and Jackson doesnt put out many turds.
The trem on the ibanez is probably better, The jackson comes with Seymour Duncans. And we all know here, thats the MOST important part, dont we?? wink wink

Im a HUGE Charvel fanboi, so yeah that would be awesome!

 

[Hairmail]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

The new DK2M models are made in mexico, part of the pro series.

I'd say go for the prestige, if it's for a shred guitar there's IMO nothing better. I think that the comparison is a bit unfair, 'cause in terms of quality and attention to detail the RG Prestige models are equal to the Jackson USA models.

There's lots of those small 'why didn't I think of that?' things on the presitge, like the holes in the cavity plate, and those non-slip knobs, not to mention the amazing fretwork on all the prestige models. Theres also the ZPS that allows you to put the trem in dive-only mode for downtuning, though the Edge Zero has the ZR trem that you didn't really like on the S models.

On the other hand I am a Charvel fanboy, a bit like bloodrose, and the whole pro-mod line is just pure win, probably not the kind of shred machine you're looking for-they've only for 22 medium-jumbo/jumbo frets and thin-C shaped necks. Not really speed demons.

I still say go Ibanez.

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

Jackson = Shred.

that's all there is to know about anything

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

I will say that Ibanez Prestige necks are some of the smoothest and most comfortable necks around for legato playing. And that if you plan on buying a guitar with the intention of immediately changing the pickups then you should not buy that guitar. Plus the Ibanez comes with a middle single coil so that means more available tones right out of the box. So my vote goes towards Ibanez here. Though I would prefer the JB 59 set personally. The attention to detail and the quality of the parts used is where that Ibanez's value comes from. Take Esp for example. They have basically the same les paul with the same specs and same pickups and same finish but one is an esp the other is an ltd. The ltd is hundreds of dollars cheaper but if you ever sat down and played both side by side, you'd know why, even if they're the same on paper. And this does not mean a korean model won't feel as good as a japanese one or what have you, I'm just speaking in generalities.

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

Not only that but the Ibanez's neck is a 5 piece with titanium reinforcement of the rods while the Jackson is just a flatsawn neck with graphite reinforced rods. So that neck on the Ibanez, the feel it has and the stability you get will blow that Jackson one away. And like you said, it already has the right pickups for you, and more tonal options. Those things alone are worth the extra money.