Anyone got a new RGA 121?

BUCK · #1 09-13-2005, 01:13 PM

Ive been considering buying on of the natural finish ones. The fixed bridge is very tempting (if it was a standard hardtail I would have bought it by now). I have some questions for anyone who owns one.

1. Does the Gibraltor allow for very low action? (My S1520 has the strings nearly resting on the frets and does not buzz at all)

2. How is the neck and the finish? (S1520 is bound and extremely thin)

3. What is this I read about string spacing being further apart at the bridge?

4. Does the pickups not have springs?

5. Is it worth $839 ?

thank you.

lyconxero · #2 09-14-2005, 12:44 AM

Where did you find it for $839? It's selling for $900 on 'scam cash' and they're supposed to match prices. I can tell you that the action is as low as on any other prestige RG. I'm assuming the pickups are directly mounted from how it looks in the picture so I would think that springs would be a must.

Even though I wish that I could get the guitar for cheaper, I would say that it's DEFINITELY worth the $839 or $900 or whatever you can get it for. It's a very sweet little guitar.

germX · #3 09-14-2005, 05:14 AM

IMO the Gibraltar bridge offer a smoother outline for maximum picking hand comfort as opossed to traditional hardtails.

woodshed · #4 09-14-2005, 06:49 AM

>1. Does the Gibraltor allow for very low action?
Yes. Mine came from the factory with the action *exactly* as I like it, which is low.

>2. How is the neck and the finish?
The neck is not bound but it's thin. Mine feels slightly thicker front-to-back than the RG-570 I played for several years, back in the early 90s. This is a thin neck.

>3. What is this I read about string spacing being further apart at the bridge?
I haven't looked at mine; I'll check & post a pic.

>4. Does the pickups not have springs?
Don't know.

>5. Is it worth $839?
IMHO, yes.

BUCK · #5 09-14-2005, 10:23 AM

Thanks,
I want one of these very soon. But Iam very unsure about that bridge.

King Knall · #6 09-14-2005, 11:25 AM

I've heard good reviews on the Gibraltar, so hopefully it goes well for you.

tTz · #7 09-14-2005, 12:15 PM

I didn't realise these were so cheap until I read this. I thought they were higher up in the Prestige line, with DiMarzios and such. And because of this, I never gave them a second look...until now.

I thought they were something like £800 or £900 when I flicked through the Ibanez catlogue without reading the specs. I'm an idiot

ecalcagnino · #8 09-14-2005, 12:53 PM

I have had a couple and I am getting 3 more in on Friday. To answer your questions:

1. Does the Gibraltor allow for very low action? --- Yes. You may have to file the string slots in the nut a bit bit it is a great bridge.

2. How is the neck and the finish? --- Great feel to it, very light finish. The tone really comes from the wood on these.

3. What is this I read about string spacing being further apart at the bridge? --- It's close to an F-Space.

4. Does the pickups not have springs? --- No, there are no springs. It would be a great addition/modification to these.

5. Is it worth $839 ? --- Yes, more infact, but I sell them for $800.00 shipped in the US.

I do a full setup on these including the pup height springs for $50.00 extra.

Thanks!

Eric
eric@ericsguitars.com
www.ericsguitars.com

Rich · #9 09-14-2005, 01:20 PM

I see absolutely no reason to put springs under any of Ibanez' direct mount pups. Pickups height is adjusted once and left. Rarely is a pickup set too low from the factory in which case I just put new foam under them and adjust to desired height.

I have a new 121VLF that has a blem under the upper strap pin and is $700 [with fret level, fret end radiusing, nut height cut correctly, etc.]

ecalcagnino · #10 09-14-2005, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

I see absolutely no reason to put springs under any of Ibanez' direct mount pups. Pickups height is adjusted once and left. Rarely is a pickup set too low from the factory in which case I just put new foam under them and adjust to desired height.

In general, I agree but all the 121s I have seen have had the pups be too low and it makes a big difference to raise them up. Foam can do the trick as well.

Rich · #11 09-14-2005, 01:25 PM

Foam at least keeps the pickup square, springs allow it to wobble like a weeble

ecalcagnino · #12 09-14-2005, 01:29 PM

If they're not cut right, I agree.

But it's not like they need to go up an inch or anything. I find the coupling with the guitar a bit tighter with springs tightened down or a harder connection as opposed to too much foam though, don't you?

Rich · #13 09-14-2005, 01:32 PM

The foam is always going to be a more solid connection. Can you hear the difference between foam and a spring? Most will argue you can't hear the difference between direct mount and guard mount, much less how they're mounted! Now I can see mounting them on perfectly cut solid wood blocks for pure contact maybe making a difference [just in perception alone!], but springs or foam? Nah.

ecalcagnino · #14 09-14-2005, 02:04 PM

Just to talk this to death

I wasn't saying I can hear a difference, which I can't, BUT I would say a combo of the cranked down springs + foam is my choice for stability. So there.

Rich · #15 09-14-2005, 02:08 PM

To the death it is!!

I still see no need to go past the foam. Once the foam is compressed it's useless anyway if you want to raise them, so in combination the foam becomes a moot point. New foam, set height once, never touch again, pickups remain firmly square without wobble