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my hunt for a new guitar continues, so i headed up to the local pawn shop. dissapointed with about every guitar there, the last guitar on the rack caught my eye as i was about to turn around and leave. it was a natural wood finish Ibanez RG560. it played amazing, felt great to play a thin, fast neck for once with super low action. i didn't get to hook it up but i'm sure the stock pickups weren't to hot. anyways the problem i noticed, since it was bolt-on, was reaching the higher frets. i have never had this problem with other bolt-ons. i felt like i had to reach my palm all the way around the big bolt just go grab certain frets. to reach up to the low and A string was quite a stretch lemme tell ya. is this a common problem with most bolt-ons or am i just a whacko for not noticing this in the past?

Most newer ones have sculpted heels (like the Ibanez All Access Neck Joint), but yeah, older ones are pretty cumbersome. My Kramer Focus feels like the neck is bolted onto a brick

pretty much a problem with ibanez guitars, since they need a larger neck heel for added stability for their ultra thin necks

why is it i never have a problem with a strat like neck joint but others do? they never seem to bother me.

-Mike

well i've played many bolt-ons, even a similiar rg, the rg170 which is a downgraded version of the 560, and the neck joint wasn't a problem. it just seems this guitar stuck out and i was thinking maybe it was just the way it was made or some kind of defect.

It's not every day that u hear someone complaining about a joint too big to wrap ur hand around.


Originally Posted by Daveypretty much a problem with ibanez guitars, since they need a larger neck heel for added stability for their ultra thin necks

Yeah, until about 10 years ago.

Ever played an old Jackson, Charvel, Fender, Kramer, etc... they ALL have the clunky heel.


Originally Posted by JB_From_HellYeah, until about 10 years ago.

Ever played an old Jackson, Charvel, Fender, Kramer, etc... they ALL have the clunky heel.

My Peavey Raptor has a hugh heel i hope the all aren't that way


Originally Posted by Tux789My Peavey Raptor has a hugh heel i hope the all aren't that way

Old bolt-on neck heels (and some newer ones) are all pretty clunky. I had a mid-90's Jackson PS-4 that was ok, a Charvel Avenger that was ok, and a whole slew of Ibanez RGs and LTDs that were great. The best was my RG470 with the AANJ.

The comment about thin-necked guitars needing a big heel joint is not true.

Never had that problem, but my hands are large.


Originally Posted by JB_From_HellOld bolt-on neck heels (and some newer ones) are all pretty clunky. I had a mid-90's Jackson PS-4 that was ok, a Charvel Avenger that was ok, and a whole slew of Ibanez RGs and LTDs that were great. The best was my RG470 with the AANJ.

The comment about thin-necked guitars needing a big heel joint is not true.

well actually it could be worse i guess, it really hinders doing anything close to shreding on the bass strings on the highest frets but in my experience you really dont do that too often but it can be a pain

i´ve own 4 bolt on guitars and i have never had any problem with the hill... i guess that my peavey tracer is the oldest and has a bigger hill than the other 3...
JJ

I can reach the 24th fret on my 7th string on my LTD bolt-on...I guess I just have good wrap?
The body's like 2quot; thick right there too...dang thick horizon, lol


Originally Posted by kitkatwell i've played many bolt-ons, even a similiar rg, the rg170 which is a downgraded version of the 560, and the neck joint wasn't a problem. it just seems this guitar stuck out and i was thinking maybe it was just the way it was made or some kind of defect.

not quite. the RG170 features a HSH pickup combo, the 560 has a HSS config. if it helps, here's a pic (my 13yr old darling...):

Originally Posted by bloodswordsnot quite. the RG170 features a HSH pickup combo, the 560 has a HSS config. if it helps, here's a pic (my 13yr old darling...):
Damn put LED inlays and you would have a more colorful guitar than Vai's

I play in the classical position when soloing and it helps A LOT.

Oddly enough yesterday when I was playing my RR I had trouble working it up in the higher frets because of the bolt. It sucked.

This is why I recomend a sculpted heal to Customers that I build for (ones that are getting bolt on necks that is).

neck throughs with a sculpted heel are where it's at for neckwork


Originally Posted by Daveypretty much a problem with ibanez guitars, since they need a larger neck heel for added stability for their ultra thin necks

Uhhh...would you care to explain the logic behind this? I am having trouble trying to figure this one out (one eyebrow up while scratching my head)!!!!