RGA questions

[kenneth]

I was really intrigued to see the RGA thread; I've been looking for a new Ibanez; love the Wizard neck, but kind of burnt out on floating trems, and not really into the fancy tops, vine inlays (or no dots at all!) you find on most Prestige models. So the RGA121 really caught me eye. Just a couple questions for all you RGA121 owners - how much of a difference does a 24-fret neck make in terms of playability? I've always played 22-fret guitars and prefer kind of a "compact" feel - as stupid as it sounds, I was always thought 24 frets would make the guitar seem kind of "neck-heavy" in terms of balance and reach. Also, with the two humbuckers and 5-way switch setup - what kind of single coil tones can you get? I'm more of a power pop guy than a metal or prog guy, so I'm looking for max versatility....

[sick-boy]

I think the main difference in the 24 fret necks is the sound of the neck humbucker. This can be a very controversial topic that has led to more than a few heated debates. Long story short, some people think the neck pup sounds "muddy" in a 22 fret guitar, while some people think it sounds nice and warm. Likewise some people think the neck pup in a 24 fret guitar sounds too "glassy" or high or whatever, while others think it rings out nice and clear. Really it comes down to personal preference. I like both and try to stay out of the arguements.
If you like the RGA, but do find yourself not in love with the sound of the neck bucker, some people have flipped it 180 degrees and like the sound better. Once again it's all up to you.
I've definitely got a RGA on my hit list, as I've grown a little tired of the trem myself (mainly because I don't use it as much as I thought I would). Plus, like you I like the simplicity of the model.

[rastachild]

well it depends on what scale length you are referring to really. 22 fret guitars are usually 25.5 (fender) or 24.75 (gibson). 24 fret guitars are pretty much exclusively 25.5. so in that regards, it pretty much feels the same. if you compare 24 & 22 fret guitars of the same scale length, you'll notice the neck is just set further into the body (closer to the bridge) on the 24 fret necks.

the main difference you'll feel is that it is noticeably easier to reach higher frets. not that you're going to spend all of your time on the 24th fret, but even reaching frets like the 17th-20th seem much easier to reach. another thing to keep in mind is that because the neck is in a different position in relation to the bridge, the overtones will be different. some people (myself included) feel that 22 fret guitars seem to have 'sweeter' overtones and harmonics. some people don't notice this at all though.

and my opinion is that you won't be able to get really decent single coilish sounds from a 2 humbucker set-up. or, to rephrase it, you won't be able to achieve the in between tones you can get from a H-S-H set up (at least from my experience).

but i do own the rga121 and it is definitely a fantastic guitar. i doubt you'll be disappointed.

[jj0389]

Before the RGA121, I flip-flop between the strat and the Jem7vwh. I don't notice the tonal difference between 22 and 24 frets. Every guitar will sound difference anyway. Why worry about such subtle difference?

My RGA121 comes with Seymour Duncan Jazz and JB. It is wired differently than stock. On the 2nd and the 4th position, the Humbucker splits into single coils. I get some very nice single coil sounds from those two positions.

[Johnny Two Tone]

Like Rastachild said the 'compact-ness' feel of the guitar will be the scale. The two extra frets on a 24 fret neck will simple be farther into the body so the length of the neck is not changed. Personally, it annoys me to not have those extra two frets when your playing leads or soloing (too much bending of the 22nd fret).

As for the selection switch: By default it switches thusly: Neck humberbucker full; neck humbucker parallel coil; both humbuckers full; bridge humbucker single coil; bridge humbucker full. So, you get a pretty good selection of sounds. You can slap in other 5-way switches for different option as well.