Ibanez Prestige vs. EB Music Man?

Mister CCJ · #1 10-27-2007, 04:51 PM

I'm sure theres a similar thread but I searched and didn't find one. How do you compare them as far as playability, quality, sound, looks, etc? (honest, not biased opinions because it is Jemsite please)

**elcid** · #2 10-27-2007, 04:58 PM

Personally EB/MM on all counts except maybe looks.

MattyCakes · #3 10-27-2007, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister CCJ

I'm sure theres a similar thread but I searched and didn't find one. How do you compare them as far as playability, quality, sound, looks, etc? (honest, not biased opinions because it is Jemsite please)

mms play better straight out of the box no doubt. i personally believe that any guitar can play as well as another once it is broken in properly. i would also bet that they use better woods, however I dont think they look as nice as ibanez do

Mister CCJ · #4 10-27-2007, 05:05 PM

Because all seriousness, I'm a simple guy but a diverse guitar player. I don't want to have a million guitars, just one or two that can do everything I want them too. Im not a strictly metal player; in fact I really don't go heavier than DT or Vai. I love the voices of fenders and gibsons but I want something that does both and then some. I've liking Mesas now because they cover that middle ground as an amp (fender/marshall) and seem to have the sound I'm looking for (just need to save the dough up for one haha). The RG is considered a metal guitar by most. Why? How is the EB MM different and what makes it a better guitar? What are the pros and cons of Ibanez and MM?

Mister CCJ · #5 10-27-2007, 05:17 PM

And I think the breaking question is how are the bridges on the EBMMs? For example the JP model. It is a floating from what I know but how is it to restring and how much abuse can it take as opposed to an Edge type bridge? I don't play like Steve Vai; I do use the bar sometimes for vibrato or an occasional dive but not extreme crazy stuff. Can u change strings on the thing like on a standard bridge guitar?

**elcid** · #6 10-27-2007, 05:29 PM

I've only ever played a Wolfgang and owned a Petrucci and they were two of the best guitars I've ever played, especially the Petrucci but neither one sounded like a Fender or Gibson let alone covered both sounds. If that is your main objective it isnt going to happen, the two guitars have absolutely nothing in common except for the number of strings.

Mister CCJ · #7 10-27-2007, 06:06 PM

Yea well I understand that they won't sound like a fender or gibson, as much as I like the sound of vintage guitars. I'm talking more of a middle ground. Like the RG for instance. It can come somewhat close to either but a fender guy or a gibson guy wouldn't approve of it. I want versatility and playability, and a guitar that is comfortable. I like the EBMMs a lot recently because of how small and lightweight they are, especially the Silhouette and Axis, since I'm a small guy. I just don't know if thats worth giving up 2 frets and a Floyd for, you know?

MattyCakes · #8 10-27-2007, 09:24 PM

i have the feeling you are getting caught up with stereotypes here. im a jazz student and dont play metal much at all or if ever. i choose to play ibanez because they fit my hands the best. i have two RGs that have never left standard tuning.

the petrucci bridge is by far one of the best non locking bridges out there. it stays in tune well, smooth as hell. string it like a regular guitar.

TheOrangeChannel · #9 10-27-2007, 10:35 PM

Wolfgang's a Peavey.

studentofshred · #10 10-27-2007, 11:16 PM

Wolfgang is made by Peavey now, but was originally produced by Musicman.

**jaxadam** · #11 10-27-2007, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by studentofshred

Wolfgang is made by Peavey now, but was originally produced by Musicman.

It wasn't called a Wolfgang until Peavey made it. It was originally an EBMM EVH model, and with a few modifications it's now known as the Axis.

Mister CCJ · #12 10-28-2007, 08:51 PM

Well I feel the Ibanez fits my hands the best too, but I don't have enough experience with the EBMM. I guess I'm satisfied with the looks and playability of the guitar, just curious to know if I can do everyting I want to with it. I also want to play in different tunings as well, although im sure having different guitars for diffferent tunings is better than constantly changing tunings on one. Yea maybe theres a little bit of stereotype, and I want to get past that. I love my guitar. I still gotta get these crappy pickups out of it and maybe my XXX amp isn't what I'm looking for either. Again Mesas seem to have the vibe I want. I just don't know I'm loosing sleep over this.

rgr · #13 10-30-2007, 04:35 PM

I had a EB/MM Axis and numerous Ibz Jems and RGs. The Axis was an awesome guitar, well made, very nice woods, incredible workmanship, great sounding pickups. All in all, excellent. I sold it, I wish I still had it.

I love my Ibanez's, all of which have been Japanese, currently I only have a black RG550XX, but all of these have also played great, sometimes after a setup and maybe a pickup change.

BUT, they are both very different guitars, I can't say one is better than the other, it really depends on your style. The Axis has medium-ish frets, the Gotoh Floyd (very nice) doesn't float, the neck is narrow and rounded on the back... RGs and JEMs have floating trems, thin wider necks, bigger frets, just a completely different feel. You probably need to play both and see what works for you. Me, I like both and can comfortably play either, after a few minutes either one feels fine to me as long as it is setup properly.

On the quality bang for the buck, hard to say, between the Axis and the JEM, probably the Axis. Between a RG5-- and the Axis, kinda depends on the price of the RG, a XX Anniversary for $750 or so, probably the Ibanez, but it's really a tough call, alot of hand work goes into the EB/MMs.

Spiderman · #14 10-30-2007, 05:02 PM

Having owned both I would have to say that my EB was def a nicer guitar. That being said let's not forget the EB is a much more expensive guitar too. You would expect it to have a nicer higher end feel. For example I currentley own a Prestige RG1570 which is a great guitar in feel , craftsmanship, and materials. New it costs a hair over $700. (Slightley used ones can be had for far less on the Bay). My EB which was a Pertucci model cost $1800. Granted my EB had the Peizo option and matching color Head Stock but even w/o those option's its a $1500 guitar! Most of the EB's are in the $1500 price range. And these are real world prices not Sug. Retail. I think for the money its hard to beat a Prestige level Ibanez.

rrhea · #15 10-30-2007, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spiderman

Having owned both I would have to say that my EB was def a nicer guitar. That being said let's not forget the EB is a much more expensive guitar too. You would expect it to have a nicer higher end feel. For example I currentley own a Prestige RG1570 which is a great guitar in feel , craftsmanship, and materials. New it costs a hair over $700. (Slightley used ones can be had for far less on the Bay). My EB which was a Pertucci model cost $1800. Granted my EB had the Peizo option and matching color Head Stock but even w/o those option's its a $1500 guitar! Most of the EB's are in the $1500 price range. And these are real world prices not Sug. Retail. I think for the money its hard to beat a Prestige level Ibanez.

I got my RG1570 new in '04 and some time afterwards got the EBMM JP (which I later sold) and I agree that for $700 you get pretty much just as nice a guitar with the RG as you get in the EBMM.

EBMM does much better fretwork on their guitars, and the neck woods especially are nice, but at the end of the day a $700 guitar with a $150 pickup upgrade will get you a comparable guitar for much less money.

Ryan