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i recently Seymourized my Ibanez RGA 121 with a JB (bridge) amp; Jazz (neck)- i'm totally happy with the result, no regrets whatsoever. the Ibanez came with default V-series humbuckers which aren't bad at all but being a Duncan fan, i find them lacking.

the JB/ Jazz pair is a tried amp; tested pair, they prove their worth in this Ibanez particularly. while the JB is a renowned for its superb midrange, it did well to maintain a healthy bass response. i'm wondering if the Duncan guys recently inject this pickup with added bass because i hear a very healthy dose of bottom end here, unlike the JB i bought for another guitar, 4 years ago. the Jazz on the other hand is simply a gem in the neck. in split mode, i can pull off an impressive twang amp; was taken aback immediately. there's no doubting the Jazz in clean settings but it handles loads of drive very well- thumbs up. i now revere the Jazz amp; Full Shred as dedicated neck pickups which everyone should check out if they play considerably in the neck.

however, i hope Duncan's design team will help round off the edges of the mounting flap because the current rectangular design makes fitting impossible, i had to round them off with a file but it's nothing too tedious, amp; the returns are definitely worth it!

I see the fault here with Ibanez, as Ibanez is one of the only manufacturer that route their guitars so that only dimarzio pickups one ones with a similar baseplate (Ibanez V series and DMZ. Designed) will fit...

You would have had he exact same issue with EMGs, Fralins, Bareknuckles, Andersons, Lawrences, Gibsons....


Originally Posted by ZerberusI see the fault here with Ibanez, as Ibanez is one of the only manufacturer that route their guitars so that only dimarzio pickups one ones with a similar baseplate (Ibanez V series and DMZ. Designed) will fit...

You would have had he exact same issue with EMGs, Fralins, Bareknuckles, Andersons, Lawrences, Gibsons....

This isn't entirely true. Their direct-mount guitars have the route done to match the pickups that go in it. I've had a ton of RGs and AXs, all of which had EMG, DiMarzio amp; Duncans in them w/ NO routing.

Hey Bloodswords...glad to see your post as I am trying to decide on new P/U's for my new RGA.....I hadn't considered the JB because I haven't been overly satisfied with them in the past but maybe I'll reconsider. How do the Jazz and Full Shred compare for fast neck shredding and slow groove soloing?

Hope you're enjoying your RGA as much as I'm enjoying mine!


Originally Posted by JB_From_HellThis isn't entirely true. Their direct-mount guitars have the route done to match the pickups that go in it. I've had a ton of RGs and AXs, all of which had EMG, DiMarzio amp; Duncans in them w/ NO routing.This is correct... I was speking specifically of the ones w/ direct mounted pickups .. the ones that use Duncans from the factory are fine, but ones like my old RG1077XL with Dimarzios are a pain when you want to use pickups from any other manufacturer...

The 7-strings are the worst since the cutouts for dimarzio-equipped ones are triangular

Hi guys,
Been recently lurking and even more recently just signed up. I too have an RGA121 and I am looking to put a Duncan Custom in the Bridge and a Jazz in the Neck. The bridge spacing seems very wide... Did you have to use a trembucker spacing with the JB or did the standard SH-4 lineup fine? Great guitar by the way. Luv'ing mine.


Originally Posted by ZerberusThis is correct... I was speking specifically of the ones w/ direct mounted pickups .. the ones that use Duncans from the factory are fine, but ones like my old RG1077XL with Dimarzios are a pain when you want to use pickups from any other manufacturer...

Gotcha

Those are some of the nicest looking RGs ever. How do you guys with RGA's like that Gibralter III? bridge? Sorry for the hijack...


Originally Posted by Fusion1Those are some of the nicest looking RGs ever. How do you guys with RGA's like that Gibralter III? bridge? Sorry for the hijack...

I tried one RGA last weekend but didn't buy because of the price.
the bridge was good. no sharp edge or tip at all and low profile.
is 2005 the first year of RGA's?
there are ongoing RGA threads in several guitar boards. guys @ GC must know this otherwise they wouldn't be so firm on the price.
that or I look like a sucker

Hey Tyrion, welcome to the board!
I don't have an answer to your question. I plan on taking mine to my local store and looking at the p/u's and the guitar to see which would be better...I can tell you that F-spaced Dimarzio pickups align perfectly with the strings both in the bridge and neck positions in my RG.

Hey Fusion, I really like the Gibralter III bridge, it's very comfortable, obviously stable and like rguser said has no sharp edges. All in all I love the guitar, I know evereyone has their opinions about Ibanez stuff, it seems you either love them or hate them but this guitar is first rate.

What are the street prices of RGA's?

I saw a couple on e-bay a little while back one was listed for like $650 it didn't make the end of the auction. Beyond that I don't know.


Originally Posted by Fusion1What are the street prices of RGA's?The lowest I have seen for a new RGA 121 is $800. I think I saw $1600 for an RGA 321. Personally I can't justify 800 bucks more for a flame maple top. Even though it is a very beautiful top. YMMV.

That's about what I paid for mine ($800), I'm with you, another $800 is too much....plus I like the simple grain of standard maple. Not to hijack the thread further but what do you think....

standard black hums?

Nickel covered hums?


Originally Posted by SCOTT502That's about what I paid for mine ($800), I'm with you, another $800 is too much....plus I like the simple grain of standard maple. Not to hijack the thread further but what do you think....

standard black hums?

Nickel covered hums?

I think with the standard/unfinished maple Nickel covers would look cool. Would definitely give it a quot;vintagequot; look. I have the Violin finish and I am toying with the idea of cream/black.

Actually if you go here you can get a good idea of what it might look like from : localhost/ Just scroll down to the RG and select it and a virtual flash version will load that you can customize.

Oh great....that's what I needed, virtual guitar porn!

Uh...yea....I'll get back to ya......

Cream and black would look tough by the way...

I'd try a pair of zebra hummers.
nickel covers, I don't know
do they look good without bezels?

Yea, that was my concern as well.....double cream?


Originally Posted by rguserI'd try a pair of zebra hummers.
nickel covers, I don't know
do they look good without bezels?

Good point about the bezels. Doh!