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Hello all. As some may remember, I just purchased a used RG2550Z from my local GC. After playing and playing (and that neck felt great!!) I returned it. Thing is, I've never been much of a double locking, floating bridge player (although I do like vintage style, non locking trems). Though I have to say that the Ibanez ZR bridge is the smoothest "Floyd Type" bridge that I have played, and the adjustment was soooo easy to maintain correct bridge positioning, I just didn't like or want the extra mass of that bridge and the locking nut. I ended up swapping this for another RG2EX1 and a RGA42FM - I really like the fixed bridges (plus, they didn't have any SA models). I know, this is a pretty significant step down from a Prestige model but the ones I picked out do play very, very well.
This is not say that I am not wanting a Prestige model. My eyes are peeled and looking for a Prestige SV with a non locking nut and more "vintage" style bridge. Sure, the bridge is still far from vintage but you know what I mean. I wish Ibanez would offer a fixed bridge Prestige as I would really love that, but I'm sure I will love the SV just as much.
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For less then the cost of a Prestige you can have a professional tech make both of those guitars play like Prestige models. It may be something to look into, especially if you already like the looks, feel, and tone of them.
Current "Heard":UV777PBK - UV7PWH - UV7BK "Green Dot" - UV7BK "Green Silver Dot" - RG7620VK - RG7420BK - RG1527RB GUITAR SET-UP AND MAINTENANCEIbanez Catalogs--- Megatron's Trem GuideNeed replacement parts? Go here.Want to talk to Ibanez USA (Hoshino USA)? Then call this number (PA area code): (215)245-1648.OFFICIAL IBANEZ PARTS & APPAREL STORE!!!
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Thanks for the inspiration! I still want a Prestige but surely would like to have my Indo's play like Prestige's. I've read in several threads on the RG forum that usually just a good prefessional fret job can help greatly with the Indo's. Is this usually just a level, crown, and polish? Is there something else that could be done prefesionally?
Thanks again, I was a bit depressed returning it as it was an amazing deal (the guitar looked like it was never played), but I still got some nice guitars that I like as well...
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bfloyd6969 wrote:Thanks for the inspiration! I still want a Prestige but surely would like to have my Indo's play like Prestige's. I've read in several threads on the RG forum that usually just a good prefessional fret job can help greatly with the Indo's. Is this usually just a level, crown, and polish? Is there something else that could be done prefesionally?
Thanks again, I was a bit depressed returning it as it was an amazing deal (the guitar looked like it was never played), but I still got some nice guitars that I like as well... A typical fret job consists of a level (making all the frets level with each other), crown (shaping the top of the fret to proper tolerances), dress (clean up the edges of the frets), and polish (smooth the whole fret for easy bending). As far as the playability of a fixed bridge guitar, that's all you really can do. Though if you're having tuning issues, you can replace the nut with a graphite or roller nut. As for tone, a new set of pickups will go a VERY long way.
Current "Heard":UV777PBK - UV7PWH - UV7BK "Green Dot" - UV7BK "Green Silver Dot" - RG7620VK - RG7420BK - RG1527RB GUITAR SET-UP AND MAINTENANCEIbanez Catalogs--- Megatron's Trem GuideNeed replacement parts? Go here.Want to talk to Ibanez USA (Hoshino USA)? Then call this number (PA area code): (215)245-1648.OFFICIAL IBANEZ PARTS & APPAREL STORE!!!
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Thanks, understood:)
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But...they do make fixed bridge Prestiges. The RGA series, currently the RGA321. They are wonderful. There are TONS of used or NOS RGA121s around also, as they are discontinued. Some have wonderful wood finishes. Why put all the money into pimping the Indos? An RGA is tenfold the guitar an RG2EX is.
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I absolutely love my RG2550Z...the neck IS amazing. I'm not much of a trem user either, but it's nice to have IF I ever want to use it. Tuning stability is not an issue as it stays in tune better than my Gibson SG...so there really aren't any cons.
2008 Ibanez Prestige RG2550ZGW
2005 Ibanez Prestige RG1527BLK - Dimarzio Blaze 7 (B), Air Norton 7 (N)
1999 Gibson SG Standard Natural Burst
Mesa Dual Rectifier
2007 Ibanez AEG20E
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Mosi wrote:But...they do make fixed bridge Prestiges. The RGA series, currently the RGA321. They are wonderful. There are TONS of used or NOS RGA121s around also, as they are discontinued. Some have wonderful wood finishes. Why put all the money into pimping the Indos? An RGA is tenfold the guitar an RG2EX is. I forgot about the RGA Prestige. I also have a RGA42 so I too know about them, and it is a wonderful guitar. I believe the point Max was making is that with a professional fret job and upgraded pups the 2EX1 would still be much, much less than a Prestige model, and still a fine guitar.
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I had an RGT6FX and a prestige RGA121 at one time, and I spent more time playing the Korean RGT6 than I did the Japanese RGA121. Even though I thought the RGA was a better made guitar, I still preferred my RGT6.
1999 RG7621 - 2009 RG1550m
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Mosi wrote:But...they do make fixed bridge Prestiges. The RGA series, currently the RGA321. They are wonderful. There are TONS of used or NOS RGA121s around also, as they are discontinued. Some have wonderful wood finishes. Why put all the money into pimping the Indos? An RGA is tenfold the guitar an RG2EX is. If these were trem equipped guitars I'd be 100% with you Mosi, but in the case of fixed bridge models, far less of the guitar is "inferior" in comparison to a MIJ model. Aside from thickness of the neck (which is a matter of preference anyways), an RGA42 with a professional fret job can potentially play FAR better than a new Prestige RGA121.
Current "Heard":UV777PBK - UV7PWH - UV7BK "Green Dot" - UV7BK "Green Silver Dot" - RG7620VK - RG7420BK - RG1527RB GUITAR SET-UP AND MAINTENANCEIbanez Catalogs--- Megatron's Trem GuideNeed replacement parts? Go here.Want to talk to Ibanez USA (Hoshino USA)? Then call this number (PA area code): (215)245-1648.OFFICIAL IBANEZ PARTS & APPAREL STORE!!!
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MaxOfMetal wrote:
Aside from thickness of the neck (which is a matter of preference anyways), an RGA42 with a professional fret job can potentially play FAR better than a new Prestige RGA121. There is quite a bit of personal pref in my ad for the Prestige as well, yes, but what exactly are the technical reasons that make you think a fret job on an RGA42 (which is a top MII, for sure) would render it superior?
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Mosi wrote:MaxOfMetal wrote:
Aside from thickness of the neck (which is a matter of preference anyways), an RGA42 with a professional fret job can potentially play FAR better than a new Prestige RGA121. There is quite a bit of personal pref in my ad for the Prestige as well, yes, but what exactly are the technical reasons that make you think a fret job on an RGA42 (which is a top MII, for sure) would render it superior? Keep in mind that I'm talking playability only. The fret work on the Prestige series guitars is really good, but it certainly isn't as good as it could be. A good example would be the difference between an RG1570 purchased as Musicians Friend compared to one purchased at Ibanez Rules which has gotten the of Rich's service packages. A skilled tech can make even the shoddiest, most hastily done, sub-par fret work an utter work of art. All it takes is some time, effort, and skill. Many, if not most, techs out there can preform a REALLY nice fret job, so I'm not talking about "only if you take it to a master craftsman". It's true that the neck on the RGA42 is thicker, but as I said before, that's a matter of preference. Plenty of player prefer the slightly thicker Wizard II, JEM, Ultra, etc. neck profiles. Other than the frets being level, the radii matching, the fret ends dressed, and the tops and sides smoothed, what really goes into playability? The contour of the tops are the same. The Pickup configuration (H-H) is the same. The bridge is a bit different, but I've yet to hear a complaint about it. Is it really that far of a stretch to consider? Also, let's not forget the word "potentially" and it's meaning. 
Current "Heard":UV777PBK - UV7PWH - UV7BK "Green Dot" - UV7BK "Green Silver Dot" - RG7620VK - RG7420BK - RG1527RB GUITAR SET-UP AND MAINTENANCEIbanez Catalogs--- Megatron's Trem GuideNeed replacement parts? Go here.Want to talk to Ibanez USA (Hoshino USA)? Then call this number (PA area code): (215)245-1648.OFFICIAL IBANEZ PARTS & APPAREL STORE!!!
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Basically you are saying an out-of-the box RGA Prestige is inferior to a fretjob-processed RGA42 in playability terms. That is true. Technically, when leaving out the personal preferences, as agreed upon.
I just don't see why anybody would do this who has the choice between the two guitars, especially if a used Prestige can be found and thus costs in the end maybe even the same after the fretjob as the 42. And comes with a case. And I would guess has a more sturdy neck which potentially stays better in shape over time. Plus has arguably a better re-sell value in case it goes back on the used market.
In the end, personal preference (or simple availability...) wins. As always :).
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Mosi wrote:Basically you are saying an out-of-the box RGA Prestige is inferior to a fretjob-processed RGA42 in playability terms. That is true. Technically, when leaving out the personal preferences, as agreed upon.
I just don't see why anybody would do this who has the choice between the two guitars, especially if a used Prestige can be found and thus costs in the end maybe even the same after the fretjob as the 42. And comes with a case. And I would guess has a more sturdy neck which potentially stays better in shape over time. Plus has arguably a better re-sell value in case it goes back on the used market.
In the end, personal preference (or simple availability...) wins. As always :). If he said he had a big wad of cash and was asking which route I would recommend, I would fully agree with you, and tell him to scoop up a used RGA Prestige, but that's not the case. Under these circ umstances, upgrading the guitar that he already owns, in my opinion, is his best option.
Current "Heard":UV777PBK - UV7PWH - UV7BK "Green Dot" - UV7BK "Green Silver Dot" - RG7620VK - RG7420BK - RG1527RB GUITAR SET-UP AND MAINTENANCEIbanez Catalogs--- Megatron's Trem GuideNeed replacement parts? Go here.Want to talk to Ibanez USA (Hoshino USA)? Then call this number (PA area code): (215)245-1648.OFFICIAL IBANEZ PARTS & APPAREL STORE!!!
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Hmmm....all this talk makes me consider searching for a used RGA321F BX again...but my issue is also lack of a wad of cash ;).
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Mosi wrote:Hmmm....all this talk makes me consider searching for a used RGA321F BX again...but my issue is also lack of a wad of cash ;). I think there are a couple over on sevenstring.
Current "Heard":UV777PBK - UV7PWH - UV7BK "Green Dot" - UV7BK "Green Silver Dot" - RG7620VK - RG7420BK - RG1527RB GUITAR SET-UP AND MAINTENANCEIbanez Catalogs--- Megatron's Trem GuideNeed replacement parts? Go here.Want to talk to Ibanez USA (Hoshino USA)? Then call this number (PA area code): (215)245-1648.OFFICIAL IBANEZ PARTS & APPAREL STORE!!!
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Mosi wrote:Basically you are saying an out-of-the box RGA Prestige is inferior to a fretjob-processed RGA42 in playability terms. That is true. Technically, when leaving out the personal preferences, as agreed upon.
I just don't see why anybody would do this who has the choice between the two guitars, especially if a used Prestige can be found and thus costs in the end maybe even the same after the fretjob as the 42. And comes with a case. And I would guess has a more sturdy neck which potentially stays better in shape over time. Plus has arguably a better re-sell value in case it goes back on the used market.
In the end, personal preference (or simple availability...) wins. As always :). In my case it was a trem thing. I much prefer a fixed bridge over a double locking floating bridge. I found my 2550z used for $699, good price. Still, I just didn't like the trem, nothing against the ZR trem, just that it is a double locking trem and I really don't like them. I purchased the 2550z just because it had the Prestige name on the headstock and yes, the neck felt great. Once I got over the awe of having a Prestige, I really wasn't liking the extra mass of the trem so I returned the 2550 and was able to get both the 2EX1 and the RGA42 for the same money, both guitars which after hand picking through play wonderful. If they had a used fixed bridge Prestige I would have definately got it!! (pending it was in good playable condition which I render it would have been). So now, I plan to get fret jobs for both the 2EX1 and RGA42 and continue my search and collection to find a used fixed Prestige or even just save enough to get a new RGA Prestige or SV Prestige:)
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bfloyd6969 wrote:
Still, I just didn't like the trem, nothing against the ZR trem, just that it is a double locking trem and I really don't like them.
Your a little confused. The RG's don't come with ZR trems. Probably meant a Edge-Zero.
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Ouija wrote:bfloyd6969 wrote:
Still, I just didn't like the trem, nothing against the ZR trem, just that it is a double locking trem and I really don't like them.
Your a little confused. The RG's don't come with ZR trems. Probably meant a Edge-Zero. Yup, my bad - meant to write Edge Zero with ZPS3. I got the ZPS3 and ZR confused. Sorry... (told you's I wasn't a trem guy:))
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MaxOfMetal wrote:
I think there are a couple over on sevenstring.
RGAs yes, but not the flame maple Black Onyx version. I am picky.
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