Any Thoughts/Advice on the RG2120X ? Worth Getting?

JTM45 · #1 02-24-2005, 09:31 PM

Hi.
I've seen a used RG2120X for sale and I'm quite keen on getting it. The only thing is that it's in a shop quite far from where I live so I haven't played it yet. I want to find out if it's worth further investigation.

I've fancied getting a guitar with a Piezo pickup for a while now and as well as being a nice looking guitar it has the 'Double-Edge' bridge too. What's the 'Double-Edge' like? Does it sound good and is it free from any problems? And what are the standard pickups on that guitar like? Is it just the same as any other RG as far as ease of changing pickups goes or does the Piezo make any electrical mods a nightmare? Does the Mahogany body sound nice on an RG? And finally, what are the 'Ultra' necks like?

I'd be very grateful for some opinions on these guitars especially from people who have owned and played them. Thanks in advance for any help given. It is very much needed and appreciated!

All the Best! JTM45.

Soloist · #2 02-25-2005, 01:07 AM

The RG2020X was probably the best sounding and playing guitar I ever owned. I currently own all J-Custom models 2 8520's a JCRG-3 and an RG8527 and I still think that I liked my old 2020 better than all of them; not enough to get rid of my J-Custom's but there are days when I seriously think about ditching one of my JCRG's to get another RG2020 (or maybe the RG6-CST or RG-PR3; the PR-3 had a similar sound). Luckily I purchased a double edge on **** (talk about rare!) so I wlll be putting it in one of my 8520's (I can finally put those additional 2 knobs to use).

Anyway, the 2020's have a warm, thick tone, that is very defined and somehow naturally slightly compressed. I have tried guitars that are extremely similar (RG520QS, RG3120, RG2420, etc..) and the 2020 sounded FAR better than all of them (especially in comparison to the 3120). On a similar note I owned an RG2027X that consistently outperformed every other 7 string I have owned. I am beginning to think that it has something to do with the electronics involved in the DE, maybe some stray capacitance or effect that the additional electronics in there provide (I really do not know) but all of the DE guitars I have tried (which include the RG2020, S2020, and RG2027) have all sounded amazing.

Soloist · #3 02-25-2005, 01:22 AM

I forgot to comment on the neck and piezo pickups. The Ultra neck on the 2020/2120X has a strong U shape and is thicker than the standard wizard; it may seem a lot thicker if you are used to the wizard but for me, and I also heard from others, it is a shape that you grow accustomed to and usually end up preferring to other Ibanez necks. The piezo pickup, while it does not sound exactly like an acoustic it is close enough to use live as an acoustic or as just another unique tonal variation; I should also let you know that I have tried other piezo systems and the Ibanez is as good as any other but no electric guitar can sound exactly like an acoustic, really because of the lack of, of course, space to resonate within the guitar.

JTM45 · #4 02-25-2005, 09:30 AM

Thanks 'Soloist'!
That's some superb information there and is very much appreciated. I want the guitar even more now! I'm in the UK and you don't see them come up for sale very often over here so I think I may have to grab this one while I can. I've only seen pictures so far but it looks like it's got a sort of 'exposed binding' thing going on. Is that what it is?
You were saying about putting your DE in another guitar. Is there much too it? Say,for instance, if I wanted to change the body on this 2120 at some point? Would it be straightforward enough, if I got a body with all the routing done correctly, to change everything over to the new body? I'll leave it as it is for now but maybe in the future I'd be up for a bit of tinkering,lol.
Thanks again for answering my questions so thoroughly and informatively. I'll let you know if I do get the guitar. All the Best!....JTM45.

127.0.0.1 · #5 03-08-2005, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTM45

Thanks 'Soloist'!
That's some superb information there and is very much appreciated. I want the guitar even more now! I'm in the UK and you don't see them come up for sale very often over here so I think I may have to grab this one while I can. I've only seen pictures so far but it looks like it's got a sort of 'exposed binding' thing going on. Is that what it is?
You were saying about putting your DE in another guitar. Is there much too it? Say,for instance, if I wanted to change the body on this 2120 at some point? Would it be straightforward enough, if I got a body with all the routing done correctly, to change everything over to the new body? I'll leave it as it is for now but maybe in the future I'd be up for a bit of tinkering,lol.
Thanks again for answering my questions so thoroughly and informatively. I'll let you know if I do get the guitar. All the Best!....JTM45.

Yeah, mine's a green/blue transparent with "natural" binding, basically it's a no-color binding.

I agree with Soloist on the neck profile thing. I prefer it to any of the Ibanez Wizard Prestiges (I had a RG2570EX and this 2120X eats it alive). I'm in love with the bridge pickup but hate the neck pickup. The bridge p/u has a very warm and thick tone to it.

I found the piezo pickup to be overly harsh when directly connected to P/A, so you'll have to use your guitar amp's clean channel. My Valvetronix can't do jack to reduce harshness of the piezo, but my Randall MTS's clean channel makes the piezo sound very good.

The Piezo is from L.R. Baggs, btw.

joskjor · #6 11-01-2005, 06:37 PM

I bought my 2020xtb (transparent blue) just one year ago in Denmark-street, London. I own a MusicMan Petrucci signature w\piezo too, but the RG has better action and acoustic sound... But I`m not that pleased with the Humbuckers (V7 & V

Anyway, It`s the best guitar I`ve ever tried! No doubt!

rty13ibz98 · #7 11-04-2005, 10:29 AM

i have a 2002 rg2120x. the one with the old double edge, but with the 2 band eq. i love it. mine is loaded with an air norton and tone zone. i absolutely love this guitar as it is my second in line from my rgt3120(also 2002). the double edge piezo is great. yeah, it doesn't sound exactly like a piezo acoustic, but in my opinion, sounds better. the baggs setup sounded so good, that i bought another lr baggs piezo bridge to retro my robin ranger. the electric piezos don't have the upper midrange spike and don't have as much percussive clicking as a piezo'ed acoustic. they are excellent for quick demos and feel better, due to being electric. if you have the chance to get one, do it. they are becoming more rare as ibanez is slimming down/consolidating the piezo equipped guitars.

rich