Deciding between a RG3120 and RGT3120? Tone questions?

edguyrocks · #1 09-12-2007, 07:47 AM

Hey guys. I am new to the board. It is cool to be here. I have played ibanez guitars off and on since 1986 with my first roadstar II.

Anyway...for the last 6 years I have played a RG2020XTB and I love it. Has been my staple tone. It has Dimarzio Steve's Special(B) and Air Norton(n). I have in the past few years had a Basswood RGR1220BK and a 86 Kramer Baretta which were cool axes. The Kramer a bit more, but I have since sold both cuz i identify my tone with my 2020xtb.

Okay...I have a situation where I can purchase a Deep Red RG3120, or a newer RGT3120 in Brown. they are both in the low to mid $700-750 range. Both are in great shape. I am kinda torn. I like the idea of a neck thru, but it is maple, and the pickups are mounted to the maple.

The RG3120 has more mahogany, but is bolt on.

I have read numerous posts that the RGT3120's PAFs don't cut it. My RG2020xtb has a Prestige wizard neck.

I am just looking for a deep, warm, yet clear tone....which should I go for?

I don't have a chance to play either one, since they are an online deal...sucks.

Anyway...here is my guitar in action:

http://www.mp3lizard.com/download.cfm?id=24399
http://www.mp3lizard.com/download.cfm?id=24314

rty13ibz98 · #2 09-13-2007, 11:40 PM

rg2020x has a prestige ultra neck. i have an rg2120xtb from 02 and its the last year of the prestige ultra and lo-pro double edge. i also own both guitars your looking into...the same colors. the rgt is by far the best guitar i own, and i own like 30+ electrics. i have all my mahogany rg's with air norton/tone zones. so both of those models that i have are near identical. the rgt3120 has almost no string tension and the lo-pro is super sexy. flutters when you look at it. the violet chrome is beautiful as well. i put q-parts abalone chrome knobs on mine. the rg3120dr i have is a great guitar. it was my main gigging guitar for one of my bands. plays great...now. it took a long time for the truss rod to settle in with that neck. weirdest thing, i would set it up...it would play ok. 3 months later, the tension would be tougher, but the strings were at the same place over the fretboard. after nearly a year of setups, it kills. not nearly as good of a guitar as the rgt, though. the rgt just sounds more complete over the tonal spectrum. big and full. the rg3120 sounds great, too, but like its overcompensating. the bottom line is that the rgt was $500 more than the rg when new, so if you can score one for the same price, do it. if not, get me the info...i'll buy whatever one you don't get.

rich

edguyrocks · #3 09-14-2007, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rty13ibz98

rg2020x has a prestige ultra neck. i have an rg2120xtb from 02 and its the last year of the prestige ultra and lo-pro double edge. i also own both guitars your looking into...the same colors. the rgt is by far the best guitar i own, and i own like 30+ electrics. i have all my mahogany rg's with air norton/tone zones. so both of those models that i have are near identical. the rgt3120 has almost no string tension and the lo-pro is super sexy. flutters when you look at it. the violet chrome is beautiful as well. i put q-parts abalone chrome knobs on mine. the rg3120dr i have is a great guitar. it was my main gigging guitar for one of my bands. plays great...now. it took a long time for the truss rod to settle in with that neck. weirdest thing, i would set it up...it would play ok. 3 months later, the tension would be tougher, but the strings were at the same place over the fretboard. after nearly a year of setups, it kills. not nearly as good of a guitar as the rgt, though. the rgt just sounds more complete over the tonal spectrum. big and full. the rg3120 sounds great, too, but like its overcompensating. the bottom line is that the rgt was $500 more than the rg when new, so if you can score one for the same price, do it. if not, get me the info...i'll buy whatever one you don't get.

rich

Thanks Rich...that is really good info. I am glad I came to the forum now, cuz i figured I would find someone who had owned both. You are really giving me gas for the RGT. haha So the RGT is full sounding? You have Tone Zone/Air Norton in yours then?

rty13ibz98 · #4 09-14-2007, 08:35 AM

yeah, AN/TZ in all of my mahogany rg's:
2 rg321's(different colors)
rg520qstbk
rg2120xtb
rg3120dr
rgt3120tdb
rg7ctvv
rg7620 with christopher woods mahogany body

i like consistency. i have enough guitars for variation. i don't want to list them...we'll be here forever!

rich

Wild_Child · #5 09-14-2007, 09:10 AM

Get the RGT3120 and switch out the pickups. If it's fullness and warmth of tone you're going for, I'd say the neck-through is the way to go.

Are you a Sonata fan? That RG2020XTB is pretty much what Jani was using for the non-7 string songs after reckoning night, with the same pickups as you. The piezo sounds amazing for mimicking acoustic sounds.

Liking the Kamelot cover, and your name speaks the truth

edguyrocks · #6 09-14-2007, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild_Child

Get the RGT3120 and switch out the pickups. If it's fullness and warmth of tone you're going for, I'd say the neck-through is the way to go.

Are you a Sonata fan? That RG2020XTB is pretty much what Jani was using for the non-7 string songs after reckoning night, with the same pickups as you. The piezo sounds amazing for mimicking acoustic sounds.

Liking the Kamelot cover, and your name speaks the truth

Jani is damn good. I did hear they booted him out of SA though. I don't know who their new guy is now?

Wild_Child · #7 09-14-2007, 06:35 PM

Yep, reasons are pretty sketchy but it was something to do with him messing around with his army service and holding up the whole band.

Their new guitarist is a guy going by the name of E.Vil (Elias Viljanen

) He plays Jem and UV guitars so he'll do nicely.

IbanezForLife · #8 09-14-2007, 09:09 PM

The Rg3120 doesn't even compare to the RGT's. At the time the RGT3120's were out, they were the top of the line RG's. To me it would be like comparing an RG550 to a Jem. Get the RGT now. That's a great price.

edguyrocks · #9 09-14-2007, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IbanezForLife

The Rg3120 doesn't even compare to the RGT's. At the time the RGT3120's were out, they were the top of the line RG's. To me it would be like comparing an RG550 to a Jem. Get the RGT now. That's a great price.

When it is put that way.....I guess I gotta do what I gotta do! haha

Spiderman · #10 09-15-2007, 01:17 PM

Just make sure you are comfortable with the thicker neck of the RGT. I've owned both as well and where is I agree the RGT is a nicer guitar, I just couldn't get used too the thicker 'Ultra' neck. Just a thought. Anyway good luck with your purchase, I'm sure you will be happy either way. Both are great guitars

screamndemon69 · #11 09-18-2007, 11:22 AM

I bought an RGT3020 recently and it is one of my fav axes I own. I just saw one on the 'Bay starting at $1050 just like mine. The neck is actually very comfortable and the tone is thick with the PAFs in it IMHO. They were like $1599 when new.

dannymills · #12 09-18-2007, 01:08 PM

Nice tone, dude. What amp are you using on that clip?

edguyrocks · #13 09-18-2007, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannymills

Nice tone, dude. What amp are you using on that clip?

I believe in both I was using my Splawn Quickrod. Thanks for the compliment.

**jim777** · #14 09-18-2007, 05:35 PM

The RGT is a nicer guitar, in my opinion. The Root Beer brown colored ones where really nice looking as well. For the same price the RGT is a no brainer.

jim