Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

[Mr. B]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

And that if you plan on buying a guitar and immediately changing the pickups then you should not buy that guitar.

Haha. If I agreed with you on that one, I wouldn't own ANY guitars, and that would probably be true of most people on this forum.

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

Haha. If I agreed with you on that one, I wouldn't own ANY guitars, and that would probably be true of most people on this forum.

If you buy a guitar and you're cool with it but your tastes change and want something different or better later on than that's fine. Modifying your guitars is fine. But if you are buying a guitar EXPECTING to modify it, then it is kind of a waste (unless you are doing it because it's your hobby to mod things because you think it's fun or productive.) If you're just looking for an instrument that sounds and plays great than a better investment would be buying a guitar that otherwise wouldn't need modification is all I'm saying.

 

[vinta9e]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

Have you already seen that Gunslinger BloodRose put up for grabs in the Trading Post?

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

Meh. Shredsticks usually have JBs or Tonezones, and I pretty much can't stand either of those pickups. Actually, there's only a few guitars I can think of that I wouldn't be changing the pickups in if I were to buy one.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

But if you are buying a guitar EXPECTING to modify it, then it is kind of a waste (unless you are doing it because it's your hobby to mod things because you think it's fun or productive.) If you're just looking for an instrument that sounds and plays great than a better investment would be buying a guitar that otherwise wouldn't need modification is all I'm saying.

You do know what forum you're posting on don't you?

I actually do think that the prestige Ibanez RG550MZ might have a set of pickups that I would want, but I've never tried the Air Norton or the true velvet middle, so I'm not sure. I will say this though... I can't think of ANY production-line factory guitar from ANY company that has the exact set of pickups and tone controls that I want in it. I would buy a brand new top-of-the-line Gibson Les Paul knowing that I would want to install the Whole Lotta Humbucker set in it withing a week. I think modding guitars is the hobby of most people on this forum. Thats why it exists.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

Yeah, I don't like the Tone Zone as a general purpose pickup either. I do like it for shred though. I usually pair it with a Paf Pro or Full Shred Neck, depending on how bright the guitar is.

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

You do know what forum you're posting on don't you?

I actually do think that the prestige Ibanez RG550MZ might have a set of pickups that I would want, but I've never tried the Air Norton or the true velvet middle, so I'm not sure. I will say this though... I can't think of ANY production-line factory guitar from ANY company that has the exact set of pickups and tone controls that I want in it. I would buy a brand new top-of-the-line Gibson Les Paul knowing that I would want to install the Whole Lotta Humbucker set in it withing a week. I think modding guitars is the hobby of most people on this forum. Thats why it exists.

Course I do. Often there are not guitars with the exact set of pickups and specs everyone likes, but in this case, there is.

 

[Juanhanglo]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

The Ibby is a Kickass guitar. For a more cost effective ibby, the premium series is a great value.
I have an rg520qs and an rg921 and they are both on an equal playing field.

The fretwork on the premium series is near prestige level BTW. You can also get a black 920 or 921 for around $900.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

I dunno, I don't think my 350M feels cheap. I did replace the pickups, pots, jack, knobs and the locking nut was not setup well, but for $250 and a little work and basically free parts/pickups (already had in the box), well, it's awesome.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

I've been thinking about buying an RG450, modding it, and playing it for a few months to see if I really gel with the overall feel before I sell off too much stuff trying to get the prestige.

 

[tc]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

I'm not a fan of Gunslingers, but you should really look into the Grover Jackson made one in the trading post. $1100 for that? Unthinkable!

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

Have you already seen that Gunslinger BloodRose put up for grabs in the Trading Post?

Thanks for the plug!!

Meh. Shredsticks usually have JBs or Tonezones, and I pretty much can't stand either of those pickups. Actually, there's only a few guitars I can think of that I wouldn't be changing the pickups in if I were to buy one.

Yeah, they usually do. The one Im selling has a JB in the neck tho and Dist in the bridge. Never thought to use a JB in the neck, but it is awesome! Ill definately do this in a guitar in the future!

I'm not a fan of Gunslingers, but you should really look into the Grover Jackson made one in the trading post. $1100 for that? Unthinkable!

Thanks! Should I ask more??? ; ) Id love to get more for it, but REALLY need to move it..

 

[Adieu]

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..

Try an early 90s 540s... No zr there. No clang. Not at all superbright or screechy.

FujiGen JAPAN built (later to become known as the "prestige" plant) japanese...at non prestige pricing. 400-600 usually.

That gets you: LoPro Edge original, original Wizard neck, original dimarzio ibzusa pups (i dont much like em, but it seems you just might)...simply put, its THE original saber. Well okay, the 89 one with original edge trem is more original-er, but I cannot speak for it, having never owned one.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

I don't know what quality of the S470 imparts the screachy microphonic mids/highs that I don't like. Its like you've taken the bubbly les paul neck tone that Slash had in the GNR era solos and magnified it until it becomes microphonic. It is increasingly annoying as you play leads on up the fretboard. The S470's impart this quality to every neck pickup I've tried in them when played with higher gain. I've used the same neck pickups in my Jackson DK2M and they are fine. Makes me think it may be where the 22 fret neck of the S470 places the neck pickup, or it could be the Bridge like you say. I don't know, but I am burnt out from trying to find the magic pickup/tonepot/cap combination that will work for me in the S Ibanez line.

Its really frustrating because I own 3 of them, and they are all in pristine condition. The Whole Lotta Humbucker set nailed the tone I had been after in my Les Paul all these years. I just wish I could do that with My S, since it fits me better than any guitar I own.

 

[tc]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

Have you ever tried the 24 fret S Series models? If the placement bothers you then it might be worth a shot.

 

[vinta9e]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

That US Gunslinger is just like an S-series, except it's made right! The most obvious difference is the full-sized body, thanks to which it's going to roar rather than hum. I know you might have all sorts of doubt about the guitar in question but I'd be genuinely surprised if you don't love it.

The Saber's lenticular-profiled body concept has been employed by others. In particular, The Jackson Stealth and Washburn KC series guitars outplay the Sabers at their own game. Well, that's my judgment. I recommend getting familiar with these to anyone who likes the Saber's feel but might consider Ibanez a little tonally-challenged.

You could try a couple of mods on your guitar, Mr. B - such as swapping the springs and the sustain block - but no matter how much you put into it, the woodwork underneath it stays the same. That's the reason why I encourage you to leave the Ibanez behind altogether. You might have outgrown it.

 

[Adieu]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

I don't know what quality of the S470 imparts the screachy microphonic mids/highs that I don't like. Its like you've taken the bubbly les paul neck tone that Slash had in the GNR era solos and magnified it until it becomes microphonic. It is increasingly annoying as you play leads on up the fretboard. The S470's impart this quality to every neck pickup I've tried in them when played with higher gain. I've used the same neck pickups in my Jackson DK2M and they are fine. Makes me think it may be where the 22 fret neck of the S470 places the neck pickup, or it could be the Bridge like you say. I don't know, but I am burnt out from trying to find the magic pickup/tonepot/cap combination that will work for me in the S Ibanez line.

Its really frustrating because I own 3 of them, and they are all in pristine condition. The Whole Lotta Humbucker set nailed the tone I had been after in my Les Paul all these years. I just wish I could do that with My S, since it fits me better than any guitar I own.

Its some strange "feature" specific to the 470 model... At least some of the other sabers do not behave that way at all

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

Well, I've ruled one factor out on the S470 models. I had forgotten that one of my S470's was the natural wood finished 24 fret model. It doesn't quite have the same microphonic sound of the 22 fret models, but it is definitely still audible. It is worst on the G string around the 12th-15th fret, and gets much more noticeable with higher gain. Sounds a lot stratitis actually, but it gets even worse as you move the pickups farther away.

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

You sure you don't just have a high fret or something?

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Jackson DK2M vs Ibanez RG3550 Prestige for shred

No, I'm sure its not that. I'm talking about 3 separate S470's and a S320. They all have the same annoying quality. Its not cutting out or buzzing like a high fret. It sounds like stratitis or a microphonic pickup, but like I said, it does not help to lower the pickups.