NUGD - Yamaha RGX 421D

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Yamaha RGX 421D in Aqua. Other than needing a new set of strings and cleaned up badly this guitar that's probably 20 years old or so is in fantastic condition. They only made them from '94-'98. Virtually zero fret wear and they are big frets. A few dings and small scratches, but nothing major at all.

I oiled the fretboard (was very dry) and polished the frets and did a basic cleaning on the guitar. After polishing the frets it plays really smooth. This was my first time changing strings in a Floyd Rose type trem and setting it up. I've got the action much better than it was when I received it, but I'll need to take it to a pro for a proper setup at some point. I've got some cool plans for this guitar.

Now I have a "shredder" type guitar...just wish I was able to play good enough and fast enough. LOL!!!

 

[Nostalgic Distortion]

Re: NUGD - Yamaha RGX 421D

Congrats man.... I think I had that exact same model in black when I was about 16 which would have been 98/99??? It was a great guitar, at the time I thought it was just amazing because I'd never owned anything that played as good!!! Most of what I'd used before then was lower end Fender stuff because that's what the guy's on the T.V. used? Lol, I didn't even mind that it had a Floyd & even back then I couldn't stand the things....

Yamahas, especially older ones, are almost always a fantastic value & just superb players!!!

IMHO they definitely don't get the recognition they deserve...

 

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: NUGD - Yamaha RGX 421D

I'm trying to decide if I want to put a set of Chrome Covered Tone Zone/Air Classic pickups or a set of Chrome covered JB(A2)/59 pickups in this. Either way it'll be great. I'm not sure what I'll do with the middle pickup. I may just leave that one in, change it to a 3-way switch and not even wire the middle pickup in. Not sure yet.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: NUGD - Yamaha RGX 421D

Stahp it!! You're making me understand and appreciate the quality of Yamaha guitars!!

If I were you, I'd take the middle one out of the wiring like you said, but replace it with a lipstick tube. It would defiently look cool either way though.

 

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: NUGD - Yamaha RGX 421D

The lipstick pickup would be a cool idea if I had one or had the money to buy one just for looks, but I don't.

I've got pickup rings ordered for all three pickups because I just don't like pickups mounted direct to the body. Just a personal preference, plus my pickups I have would probably have to be drilled out to work that way and I don't want to do that.

 

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: NUGD - Yamaha RGX 421D

The more I play this guitar the more I like it. Still needs to have a pro setup, but once I get that done and get the pickups swapped out it's gonna be a beast.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: NUGD - Yamaha RGX 421D

T-Bone!

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: NUGD - Yamaha RGX 421D

Yama-ha ha-ha ha ha!~

 

[greekdude]

Re: NUGD - Yamaha RGX 421D

nice upper fret access there +1

 

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: NUGD - Yamaha RGX 421D

nice upper fret access there +1

Yeah, it plays great. Can't wait to get it to my guitar tech to get a proper setup on it.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: NUGD - Yamaha RGX 421D

Oh, I've wanted an RGX520DZ for the longest time. Congrats!

 

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: NUGD - Yamaha RGX 421D

I really like this guitar. Very nice.

 

[toowrongfoo]

Re: NUGD - Yamaha RGX 421D

That look like a nice score!

At neck joint: Yeah, that looks comfy. My Caparison has that which is far more high-fret accessible than even my ibanez.

 

[toowrongfoo]

Re: NUGD - Yamaha RGX 421D

I'm trying to decide if I want to put a set of Chrome Covered Tone Zone/Air Classic pickups or a set of Chrome covered JB(A2)/59 pickups in this. Either way it'll be great. I'm not sure what I'll do with the middle pickup. I may just leave that one in, change it to a 3-way switch and not even wire the middle pickup in. Not sure yet.

It's strictly an opinion, but I wouldn't do the chrome cover stuff. We had a thread on that here with opinions but I'm convinced that there is a more "open" chimey sound to covered pups. I wouldn't recommend that with FR.

Again, just my opinion, worth 2 wooden nickels. (plus it's possible there might be some fitting issues? Not sure)

 

[T-Bone-BBQ]

Re: NUGD - Yamaha RGX 421D

Thanks, but I think I'll still try the Tone Zone and probably a Jazz in the neck. Both covered.

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: NUGD - Yamaha RGX 421D

Nice! Love the color and the direct mount pickups. Totally agree with the above pickup choices for it as well.