Ibanez RGT3120 dillema!

Freak Guitar · #1 11-17-2002, 12:34 AM

Please help you people who have used the RGT3120:

I already own a JEM7VWH, and I LOVE the oiled neck. I have been looking at a new guitar. I want the RG3120 for the sound/pups/etc...but I want the T3120TV for, along with sound, shear look and, mainly, the NECK THRU. I plan on switching out the bridge PAF Pro for a Tone Zone. Anyways, I know the RGT3120 is a finished neck, opposite that of my oiled JEM neck. Yet, the RG3120TB is an oiled neck, but it is NOT neck thru. I can't decide on the one I want! Help me those who have played both. I am making a huge decision!

Thankyou!
Brad S.

stretcher7 · #2 11-17-2002, 01:26 AM

I personally prefer the rgt3120. One of the best playing guitars ibanrz has made in years.

BeastofLove · #3 11-17-2002, 12:05 PM

I agree with Stretcher.
I too was very skeptical of the laquered neck... and I really liked the way the RG3120 neck felt- very much like my JEM7DBK. I was also a bit nervous that the RGT3120 neck was going to feel too big to me, since it is thicker than the RG3120's neck.

Well, I finally got an RGT3120, and I am soooo happy that I did. In my opinion, the neck feels much better than the RG3120's, and the tone & sustain is to die for. The laquer does not interfere with playing at all- not sticky or anything- like playing on glass. And it doesn't feel that much thicker at all, and I feel I am very sensitive to neck thickness. Actually, in some respects it feels more comfortable to me than a Wizard (on my PGM300) or Super Wizard (on my Jem).

I know people are a bit cautious because of the laquer and extra thickness of the RGT3120 necks, but let me just say that neither of those two things are problems, and the neck feels absolutely fantastic. It must be played to be believed.

And don't jump the gun to throw in a Tone Zone just yet. I think the dual PAF Pros have a really excellent thing going on in the RGT. Then again, I have a TZ in my PGM, so I don't feel compelled to put it in another guitar just yet...

-Ben

pri0531 · #4 11-18-2002, 10:48 AM

I have had a RGT3120TBD for about 8 months and I love it. The sound and feel is wonderful. It has taken a while for me to set it up the way I like it. As you know new guitars need time to settle. I also have a VWH and the transition between playing the 2 is very easy. At first I was not too thrilled with the pickups (PAFs), but now I really like them.
Good luck,
GP

Freak Guitar · #5 11-18-2002, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeastofLove

And don't jump the gun to throw in a Tone Zone just yet.

Im looking for more of the Michael Romeo kind of crunch, plus I love the 3120's sound. I'll try the PAF Pro's though.

ShredOrDead · #6 11-18-2002, 05:26 PM

I love my RGT3120. Do yourself a favor and get one.

vaijem777 · #7 11-18-2002, 06:24 PM

I wasn't too fond of the finished neck either, so I simply fine-sanded it. It didn't take much work at all, and now has a very smooth, satin feel to it.

I popped a ToneZone in the bridge, and FRED in the neck, and put all gold hardware on my RGT3120TV, and it's become one of my favorites. Definitely a great guitar!

Gresh · #8 11-18-2002, 06:35 PM

Chris nailed it....don't like the finish just sand it all off. It's an easy do it yourself job...albeit a messy one.

Paul Secondino · #9 11-18-2002, 06:37 PM

I had the RGT 3120.Nice guitar.I do hat the feel of a gloss finished neck htough.My hands hung up on it alot.IT had a certain resonance as neck thrus tend to have.I prefer the sound of a bolt on.I feel there is alot more midrange than is needed on a neckj thru design.but this is all personal preference.

If you get the RGT3120,sand the back of the neck and you will have the feel that you want.It may hurt resale value but is no bigdeal.IT wont hurt the guitar at all.As long as you do a clean job of sanding the neck you will be fine

Freak Guitar · #10 11-18-2002, 09:16 PM

will the Violet fade finish on the back of the neck sand off...because that is BEAUTIFUL. I know a shop here in AZ can do it for me...I'd prolly just have to pay someone.

Rich · #11 11-18-2002, 09:24 PM

There's no need to remove the finish. Ibanez went the extra step on the RG4's where they scuff down the gloss to a satin finish, very sweet. Just use some 0000 steel wool or 1000-1500 grit paper [yea, you know that 1500G mod Ed Roman claims he "invented"

]

vaijem777 · #12 11-19-2002, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

There's no need to remove the finish. Ibanez went the extra step on the RG4's where they scuff down the gloss to a satin finish, very sweet. Just use some 0000 steel wool or 1000-1500 grit paper [yea, you know that 1500G mod Ed Roman claims he "invented"

]

Exactly what I did!

Rich is dead-on: you don't have to put much elbow grease into it. And the "fade" on the back won't be affected at all, as long as you don't get too carried away

Paul Secondino · #13 11-19-2002, 12:38 PM

Yes.YOu definitely do not want to sand off the color from the neck.That would kill resale value.You oly want to get the gloss out of your way so to speak.0000 steel wool should work.I prefer to use super fine sand paper.ANd paper is cheap as is steel wool so you can experiment till you get it exactly where you want it.