Choosing between 2620 or 220A

Big Red · #1 10-01-2006, 05:10 PM

Hi folks,

GAS has hit me hard, and I think am I ready to handle a Prestige. I have narrowed it done to these two models, and I have a few questions:

a). Coming from an RG320FM (with its smooth top), I was wondering how rough the textures are on both the 2620 and 220A. Will they turn my picking arm into grated cheese (regardless of picking technique)? They are not in stock at my local music store (Steve's in Toronto), so I am unable to test them out at this point.

b). How much brighter is ashwood in comparison into basswood? I am more into melody as opposed to going chugga-chugga.

I don't want to consider the other models for various reasons (e.g. middle pick-up gets in the way, don't like pick-guards, etc....), and the 320Q costs more money than I am willing to spend.

Thanks

dcrane2000 · #2 10-01-2006, 09:51 PM

I have a 2620, the texture is not rough, it has some relief (smooth bumpy) to it but its a smooth relief. I have no problems with my arm becoming irritated by the finish. Im very impressed by my 2620.

GAZ · #3 10-02-2006, 04:49 AM

I have a 2620 too and the finish is a satin lacquer ( the textured finish is slight and quite smooth to the touch) and under sweaty gig conditions it's great because your arm doesn't stick to it at all unlike the glossy finishes !!! Most people love satin finished necks so................

P.D.U.-OTIO · #4 10-02-2006, 06:16 AM

I'm not familiar with the 2620, though I can say the two 220 Ash one's I have for sale, are both very hot! Much hotter, louder, and more agressive than say, Mahagony. And both 220A's are smooth, satiny, silky smooth. Pray this helps, sincerely, Andres

GTR-MAN · #5 10-02-2006, 10:58 AM

I have a 2620 also and love it. Never had any issues with the finish at all. Great guitar !

screamndemon69 · #6 10-02-2006, 03:45 PM

ash is brighter and crisper than basswood. it is said the basswood is between alder and mahogany for tone.
the ash might be nice for crisper clearer tones but the basswood might be more "all around" for rhythms and leads.
i wouldn't worry about the feel of the body - they are both smooth and silky. the texture is minor and actually less than a DBK and those are smooth as well.
unless you're sold on a trem RG, i would consider the RGA as the woods are very balanced and you can always put your choice of pups in it to suit you.

eelblack2 · #7 10-02-2006, 05:44 PM

Ash has terrific bite for soloing and its very resonant for chords where you want to hear each note of the chord (Think a big M7th chord with heavy distortion and you want to hear ALL the tones thru the dissonance). I have a Swamp Ash strat with OFR, and a Swamp Ash custom 7. I like both very much. Even the low B on the 7 cuts thru distortion and sounds defined. Watch your pickup choices with Ash or it may get a little "cutting" of you have too bright a pickup.

Big Red · #8 10-02-2006, 08:29 PM

Thanks for the input folks, that was extremely helpful. I have just thought of another Prestige-noob-type question; how is the tremolo arm attached to these upper-level RGs? Do they screw in, or do you just place it in and the arm therefore swings freely? I am asking because I want it to stay still regardless of what position the guitar is sitting in. Or in other words, I want it to hover close/r to my picking hand when required.

I'm am really starting to get annoyed with my with 3-series RG when the tremolo arm automatically aims towards the floor.

Cheers

P.D.U.-OTIO · #9 10-02-2006, 09:37 PM

They pop in and pull out, it depends on how good your set up is and how new the plasitc shims are on the bar as to it falling and hanging or being tight and responsive. Peace, Andres

eelblack2 · #10 10-02-2006, 11:55 PM

Like PDU said, the Edge, LoPro Edge, and Edge Pro use those little o-ring washer doodads and the bar just pops in. As long as the doodads are reasonably fresh the bar will stay in place fairly well.

screamndemon69 · #11 10-03-2006, 07:05 AM

i think (correct me if i'm wrong) you can change out the bar and insert to a screw in style with a collar so you can set it where you want it. do a little research on the forums or post in the mods/tech section and someone will answer.
if you keep the plastic pcs fresh, the arm will stay in place. Ibanez sends out a few extras with a new guitar and they are easily (and usually) found for cheap.
any closer to a choice on the guitar?

Big Red · #12 10-03-2006, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by screamndemon69

any closer to a choice on the guitar?

No, not yet. At the very least I want to try them out at my local music shop, compare them to each other (overall feel, tonal quality of each wood), and A/B them against my current RG320FM (basswood with maple top, loaded with a Dimarzio Super Distortion and a PAF-Pro). They didn't have any 2620's or 220A's in stock when I went in last week, but I was told that the store will be gearing up for the Xmas season soon. However, I did get to try out a RG 2570E.... not impressed with the single coil (which gets in the way of my picking) or the color scheme of barely-visible fretboard inlays (couldn't easily determine exactly where my fingers were). God forbid I try out a vine-inlay Jem. LOL.

I saw these guitars (2620, 220A) in the shop a year ago, so I know that they carry them on a somewhat regular basis.

Cheers

MetalZone · #13 10-03-2006, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Red

the color scheme of barely-visible fretboard inlays (couldn't easily determine exactly where my fingers were). God forbid I try out a vine-inlay Jem. LOL.

I thought the transparent inlays looked really cool, its got this 3D look into the fretboard wood.
I've yet to try out a vine inlay... I wonder if I'll get confused with the myriad of 'stuff'. I do really like the look of the vine inlays of the j-customs though.

the main difference between those two would be the neck thru and body wood. the neck thru is really nice on the upper frets, then its either ash or basswood. i've yet to try an ash bodied guitar though. only seen the RGT220H around here.

Darin · #14 10-03-2006, 05:42 PM

Another vote for the 2620 from a happy 2620 owner.

Big Red · #15 10-03-2006, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MetalZone

I thought the transparent inlays looked really cool, its got this 3D look into the fretboard wood.
I've yet to try out a vine inlay... I wonder if I'll get confused with the myriad of 'stuff'. I do really like the look of the vine inlays of the j-customs though.

the main difference between those two would be the neck thru and body wood. the neck thru is really nice on the upper frets, then its either ash or basswood. i've yet to try an ash bodied guitar though. only seen the RGT220H around here.

I also have a neck-thru Dean Z 79' reissue which is mahogany... the tone and sustain of it is incredible in spite of its mid-level pick-ups. The other reason why I'm checking out the 220A IS because of the neck-thru design. Between that, the brighter ashwood, and the tight sounding pickups (yes, I do like them), I would expect this baby to sing!

Cheers.