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I not very familar with ibanez guitars, but I was thinking about getting on next summer. I'm looking to get a good guitar for shredding. I heard that rg's are pretty good for those purposes. I'm looking at getting one around $1000 at the max, so maybe up to $1400. I'm going to go to guitar center with my friend when I go back to college this weekend. Which Ibanez guitars would you guys recommend for me to try? I really want to try a pgm.

try the SZ. i like it much better than the RG.

Anything Prestige Series. RGs are very comfortable. Most Ibanez are comfortable. Aim for a neckthru like the RGT320 or RGT220 (I've always wanted one like this but never been able to find one).

SZ is very nice, S series too

I love the SZs, but the necks seem slow to me. That isn't to say you couldn't shred on one, but it's probably not ideal for it.

My least favorite Ibanez? SZ. The S series is great otherwise, may be wanting the extra 2 frets, so I would go for an RG or maybe a used Jem? I don't know what they go for.

I have 3 Japanese made Ibanez's. If your looking to spend between 1000 and 1400, Japanese made is the way to go. If your looking RG, their are plenty of models that fit that bill, provided that you want the extra 2 frets. If the S or Sabre series is your thing, you'll have to go used because Ibanez no longer produces S series, except JS, in Japan. Their are some really smoking deals on Ebay on Jap made Sabre's, which are total shred machines. You just have to look around and it won't take too long to find what you want. Plus, they generally sell for around 5-600. I don't think that the SZ is the way to go for shredding. The neck is very large, and the frets are very small. It is actually got more of a Les Paul kind of vibe to it.

I'm not really into jems that much. How do you know if something is of the prestige series? I'm probably going get either a basswood or alder body, basswood more likely as many ibanez are made of this material. I'm not even sure if would like mahogony body, I never used a guitar of that type. I actually have only used one guitar by whole life, my alder strat with a maple neck. I'll just try the other types of wood, to just see if I would like it. I'm just guessing that I would want to get 24 frets for hitting those high notes, cause I got a 21 fret guitar now.

h8red442 on the thru neck idea on guitars, I just looked at some and they don't interest. Some just have a look that isn't for me, but those are just the ones with stripe right down the middle. The others look pretty good. What would be a general effect of the thru neck be on tone.

Oh I more thing do you guys know which dimarzios the guitars that have them are?

First, the only 24 fret guitars by Ibanez are going to be the Jems. Second, most everything is either basswood or mahogany. As far as Dimarzio's go, only the JS and the Steve Vai Jems come standard with them, everything else is Ibanez made or Dimarzio/Ibanez (not the real deal).


Originally Posted by marty_the_westieFirst, the only 24 fret guitars by Ibanez are going to be the Jems. Second, most everything is either basswood or mahogany. As far as Dimarzio's go, only the JS and the Steve Vai Jems come standard with them, everything else is Ibanez made or Dimarzio/Ibanez (not the real deal).

I just checked the website and most of the rgs do have 24 frets. Do you know what tonally the dimarzio/ibanez pickups relate to which dimarzio pickups?

My RG570 has 24 frets

I love it, I fell in love with it the instant i picked it up

uh...All RG's have 24 frets.

marty_the_westie: Where are you getting your information? Ibanez definitely still offers many different models in the S series, and the RG series has 24 frets.

The SZ series is pretty nice but do note that they have pretty thick necks

Find yourself an older (but after 1995) RG 5XX series. They have the All Access Neck Joint, and are cheap to buy (Usually under $4-500 depending on the year) They play awesome and you can always replace pickups. The Edge Trem on them is as good as any Floyd. I have 2 RG750's and they wail.


Originally Posted by pinto79Find yourself an older (but after 1995) RG 5XX series. They have the All Access Neck Joint, and are cheap to buy (Usually under $4-500 depending on the year) They play awesome and you can always replace pickups. The Edge Trem on them is as good as any Floyd. I have 2 RG750's and they wail.

Why after 1995?


Originally Posted by pinto79Find yourself an older (but after 1995) RG 5XX series. They have the All Access Neck Joint, and are cheap to buy (Usually under $4-500 depending on the year) They play awesome and you can always replace pickups. The Edge Trem on them is as good as any Floyd. I have 2 RG750's and they wail.HUGE 1, i've got one of these, plays awesome, stick a duncan in there and you have instant tonal heaven. Only negative i can think of is that the neck shape is a love it/hate it thing, i love it, but many people don't.

What your opinions on pickups in ibanez guitars guys? Oh do any of you know what tonally what some of the ibanez pickups are in relation to any dimarzio and duncan pickups?

Supposedly newer Ibanez guitars have Dimarzio-designed pickups, but older ibanez pickups were trash, or at least all the ones I have tried have been.

I just got a new RG1570 and like it a lot. It has the prestige 5 piece neck, egde trem 24 frets of course and a pretty cool color(mirage blue) assembled by there top dogs J craft in Japan. It comes with a road case that fits like a glove for $750. Jem features at a third of the cost.