NGD: Ibanez RG (Flame Maple top!)

marytakesadrag

marytakesadrag

New member
Sorry I'm cheating w/ this NGD post because I bought this sexy thing a few months ago; however, I didn't start modding her until 2 days ago. I finished yesterday.

I LOVE her flame maple veneer. Extremely light Mahogany body (yah, not Basswood). Also like how dark and uniform her Rosewood board is. Bought it used on SevenStrings forum.

MODS:
Dimarzio Dominion /Dactivator neck, direct mount, and wood filler'd the ring holes
Replaced bridge with Gibraltar with matching knobs. Drilling required. Feels more comfy on my picking hand (a surprise perk because I did this mod for looks haha I'm a swallow bastard like that!)
Black plastic humbucker covers
Tried Shadow Kill pot; not what I expected but is really cool. But switched em all to standard CTS pots. Anyone want a Shadow Kill pot?
Replaced switch to 3-way CRL. Dead/"Killswitch" middle position (total accident but I'll take it haha)
Sounds fine. Tested everything w/ multimeter; all good. Not sure how I messed up the middle position wiring.

Dominion is my fave rhythm humbucker. Brighter than expected but love how percussive and tight it is. Djents like a mutha :headbang:

Dactivator is much louder than the Dominion so I can't say they're a good match but my style of playing works w/ it (its like a boost/overdrive for my solos). Upper frequencies stay clean but its a bit warm and fat in the lower end (not tight like I want) unless I back it off height wise. When I do that though, the mids lose compression & attack and highs lose articulation. Currently adjusting height to find perfect balance. Extremely sensitive to height adjustment. If all fails, may switch to PAF Pro or Full Shred.

BEFORE pic (stock from previous owner):
20150318_174225.jpg

AFTER my mods:
IMAG1777.jpg
 
Last edited:
Re: NGD: Ibanez RG (Flame Maple top!)

Congrats! Looks killer.

I like the Dominion in my RG as well. Super fast and tight and razor sharp. It is bright and has a ton of attack. Reminds me a bit of stuff that I liked about the Distortion and EMG 81 in a DiMarzio-voiced package. Cool pup!

I have the PAF Pro in the neck with mine and it's not a good match either. :(
 
Last edited:
Re: NGD: Ibanez RG (Flame Maple top!)

Demanic said:
Very nice!
Click to expand...

Thanks man! Most of my friends on social networking don't get my excitement so I had to squeel somewhere haha. Pretty excited about it albiet only minor changes. I think if a guitar is sexy, you'll pick it up more. Sure sounded sexy but its nice it has the looks to match.
 
Re: NGD: Ibanez RG (Flame Maple top!)

Rex_Rocker said:
Congrats! Looks killer.

I like the Dominion in my RG as well. Super fast and tight and razor sharp. It is bright and has a ton of attack. Reminds me a bit of stuff that I liked about the Distortion and EMG 81 in a DiMarzio-voiced package. Cool pup!

I have the PAF Pro in the neck with mine and it's not a good match either. :(
Click to expand...

Yah, def Distortion-esque! Both great mean rhythm pickups! They love big strings and pointy plectrums :headbang: Don't really like either for leads though haha

Aww man, so no on the PAF Pro? I guess getting a Dominion neck would be the best match :9: oh man, matching set! Boring! Haha, I think the Dactivator will stay awhile first.

I'm having issues intonating the bridge though, sadly. Very odd issue (screws pretty much stop turning after 1/2 way and end up w/ stripped bolts and awful intonation). I'm contacting the seller... crossing fingers that I get a solution.
 
Re: NGD: Ibanez RG (Flame Maple top!)

Thanks everyone! Yah, I'm a fixed bridge guy! Or I block my trems.

Thanks treyhaislip! Never thought I would like a natural finish but damn, I wouldn't have it any other way now (at least for an RG). Love her black binding too.

And just an update in case anyone comes across this later w/ the same issue about the bridge & intonation. I've had no previous experience w/ off-set saddles but they have shorter range of movement for intonation. A remedy for this is shorter screws.

The guy I bought the Ibanez Gibraltar bridge from, Ibanez Rules, told me this and I'm gonna try it out. I kinda freaked out about the situation (still polite to him of course) but he was cool. Also patient and cool with helping me pre-sale btw. Nice guy.
 
Re: NGD: Ibanez RG (Flame Maple top!)

marytakesadrag said:
Thanks everyone! Yah, I'm a fixed bridge guy! Or I block my trems.

Thanks treyhaislip! Never thought I would like a natural finish but damn, I wouldn't have it any other way now (at least for an RG). Love her black binding too.

And just an update in case anyone comes across this later w/ the same issue about the bridge & intonation. I've had no previous experience w/ off-set saddles but they have shorter range of movement for intonation. A remedy for this is shorter screws.

The guy I bought the Ibanez Gibraltar bridge from, Ibanez Rules, told me this and I'm gonna try it out. I kinda freaked out about the situation (still polite to him of course) but he was cool. Also patient and cool with helping me pre-sale btw. Nice guy.
Click to expand...


yeah.. im not crazy about light finishes on flame maple..but she looks really nice..i think its the contrast with the sides and the hardware.. i love guitars with good contrast in color.. reason a maple neck looks so sexy with black tuners.. imo lol
 
Re: NGD: Ibanez RG (Flame Maple top!)

Brandenburg said:
yeah.. im not crazy about light finishes on flame maple..but she looks really nice..i think its the contrast with the sides and the hardware.. i love guitars with good contrast in color.. reason a maple neck looks so sexy with black tuners.. imo lol
Click to expand...

Agree with ya 100% there, man! Haha. And thanks! She also plays nice and has a mean roar. Love everything about this guitar!
 
Re: NGD: Ibanez RG (Flame Maple top!)

Cool axe (y).

Yeah, Rich from Ibanez Rules is a top notch guy, and knows anything there is to know about Ibanez.
 
Re: NGD: Ibanez RG (Flame Maple top!)

Very nice and clean looking!

I had a D'Activator in the bridge of an RG, and put a Full Shred Bridge in the neck position and really liked that combination, btw.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top