Looking for a new axe.. prestige Ibanez or other brands ?

[mindwalker]

Hey guitar experts

Recently on my quest for a new guitar, I've narrowed down my search to:
- RG2570
- RG550MXX 20th Edition
- RGT220
- S5470
- Schecter C-1 Blackjack FR (with Seymour Duncan passives)

I know, it's not such a short list.. the problem is that where I live it's actually difficult to get hold of all these and try them (most of the shops require me to pre-order them into the shop, paying already part of the price of the guitar.. silly I know).

Now, I'm a bit unsure about which one to get. They're on different levels and price ranges... cheaper would be the Schecter and then going up all the way to the RGT220.

I'm playing mostly rock and metal.. I like the shredding type and hope to get good at it one day. But I want a guitar that won't hold me back. I don't want to be playing with active pickups because I don't want to be swapping batteries all the time plus I heard passives have more expression and soul..

Out of all the guitars that I've mentioned I'd think the S5470 would suit me best... good colours, mahogany body, expensive but not extremely expensive... BUT apparently there's a sustain issue on the higher frets... the sound will decay sharply after some 3-4 seconds I don't want to pay over 1000 dollars for a prestige guitar that has problems right out of the box

The other RG models are also an option however I heard basswood won't sound as good as mahogany... still I think the RG550 in desert yellow looks killer! However I dunno if I can actually hear any difference from mahogany to basswood..

The RGT220 seems pretty all right but it's a bit expensive.. around 1600 eur where I live.. however it has all the features I need (apart from the fact of having the raw wood finish which I'd rather trade for flamed maple)

And then there's the Schecter... mahogany body, neck through, not too expensive.. but is it up to the other guitars ? Will it fall apart in a few years to come ? Heard the floating bridge is hard to stay in tune... also the neck is fatter than the Ibanez necks but I cannot foresee how this will impair my playing (if at all)

Any hints will be highly appreciated

[Stringz]

I have a 2570 and it plays like a dream, but I'm not sure if Ibanez is still producing them.
Many guitarists don't like the Edge Zero Trem........... but I love mine, dive after dive, pull up after pull up it lands back in tune every time. The stock Ibanez/Dimarzio pick ups are alittle weak, having said that I still havin't changed mine after 2 years. Depending on your style and finances and you may want to change them. The finish ( contoured vital silver ) is really nice however the 2570 doesn't have a pickgaurd, I anchor my right hand just under the pups and as a result some of the finish has worn off,,, not a big deal for me, but I am thinking of a mirror or black pickgaurd. Overall I can't say enough about my 2570,,, for a thousand bucks Canadian it has been a truely great guitar.

[IbanezDaemon]

For me it's between the S5470 and the 550. Damn that's a hard choice but if I take into account value for money I'd plump for the 550. The s5470 is a killer guitar as well though. Nice choice to have to make.

P.s the RG2570 Vital Gold is gorgeous!!

[Dino]

Find one of those puzzletop RG's Ibanez did back in 06'. Mahogany body and looks killer it's the one guitar I have that people can't get over...

[IbanezDaemon]

Originally Posted by Dino

Find one of those puzzletop RG's Ibanez did back in 06'. Mahogany body and looks killer it's the one guitar I have that people can't get over...

Beauty mate. That's an RG20063 right?

[callen3615]

Get a rg20th. There amazing.

[callen3615]

Desert Yellow





Road Flare Red

[Danceswithgravy]

Depending on your style and preference, I recently bought a pgm401 and it's the greatest guitar i've ever played. The neck is perfect in my hands, but there are times where a tremolo comes in handy.

[sactownthrash]

callen those rg20ths are gorgeous!!! I'm dreaming the day I can buy one and find one in good condition at a not so pocket burner price.

[Dino]

I have a 20th and people step all over it to get a closer look at the puzzle.

[sactownthrash]

That puzzle guitar is a beauty...but I bet that thing cost a lot more than a 550 reissue haha.

[-Rhaab]

desert yellow 550 would be amazing to own
I think you should go for the 5470

[mindwalker]

Thanks for all the answers guys... it really is a difficult choice as I love both the looks of rg RG550 reissue DY and the S5470F with matching headstock. But in europe where I am we're talking about a difference of 550 dollars (RG reissue being the cheapest). However the S is mahogany which I heard is an all round better wood...

And I also recently found on sale here the RGT220Z ( http://i374.photobucket.com/albums/o...g?t=1249482376 ) but that's extending the budget even more...

Basically RG550 = 1440 usd, S5470F = 2000 usd and RGT220Z = 2300 usd

But then again I'm upgrading from an Ibanez GRX40 so maybe I'll be happy with any of them

[Foulacy]

in reference to the schecter blackjack, all of the guitars you listed have a floating, double-locking tremolo system, and all will be equally hard to keep in tune if you're bad at that kind of thing.

also, i have both an rg2550 and a blackjack, and i love the necks on each of them.