RGA121 Dissappointment! - Page 2

fettouhi · #16 08-02-2005, 02:44 AM

Man seriously hope that Ibanez will release a lefty version at some point of their RGA's

.

Regards

André

lyconxero · #17 08-02-2005, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petie

Personally I wouldn't go to the hassle of getting a Prestige neck for a 321, I'd just get a decent fret job on the 321 neck.

Thanks for the reply! Getting a decent fret job on a RG321 won't change the dimensions of it and that's really what I want to change. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Wizard Prestige neck. The Wizard II necks are okay but maybe just a little wider than I need them to be. The RG321 is a very decent guitar (and very affordable) and I just figured it would be cheaper to throw a Prestige neck on one of them. I don't actually NEED to have a 15mm maple top (or I should say, I can't afford to have such a thing). I just want something that's awesome to play that I can throw some EMGs into (my favorite new pickups at the moment) and change tunings at the drop of a hat with.

Chud · #18 08-02-2005, 12:05 PM

Try it at another shop. One that has been setup and is on the wall, not from a box

Probably just because it's been sitting in a warehouse for a bit and it's not getting any playing or whatever.

Try one that's gone through a few players or whatever. Probably would be a vast impovement.

Robotechnology · #19 08-02-2005, 02:47 PM

I tried out 2 of these... the first one at the first store played well and sounded good, the second one at another music store did not do either.

Vinco · #20 08-03-2005, 02:17 PM

I encountered tha same problem on the RGA I bought 2 months ago.

When I tried it in the store, it always seemed to be out of tune. I asked a digital tuner to the owner of the shop.

I checked the tuning of each string: OK!
I checked the intonation using the 12th fret Vs harmonic technic: OK!

The guitar still sounded out of tune.

I then had the idea to check nut heigth : WAY TOO HIGH! The string slots weren't deep enough. So when fretting a string in the lower half of the neck, I actually bended it out of tune.

It was immediatly fixed by the shop tech using filler gauge! The guitar just rocked and I bought it!

I suggest you check that on the model you tried! Extreme caution is however required during filling operation as a slot filled too deeply cannot be easily fixed!!!

guitarshredder7 · #21 08-04-2005, 01:36 AM

yeah if its just the strings id change them out, if the neck is good i think the guitar is good

germX · #22 09-10-2005, 01:17 PM

i have just acquired my RGA121- it's one of my best Ibanez acquisition. IMO the fixed bridge Ibanez units are matching the floating bridge counterpart real fine.

rty13ibz98 · #23 09-20-2005, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

It's a hardtail with MB500 tuners [Gotoh's best]. The only way to make a hardtail with good tuners go out of tune is

strings not stretched enough
user error, detuning to pitch
possible binding in nut after bending strings.

bingo!
you always want to tune UP to pitch.
and to help the binding issue, i personallu use a mechanical pencil to lube the nut with graphite on all of my non locking nuts. i don't do it on my graphite nuts, as they are impregnated with graphite already.

rich

lyconxero · #24 09-21-2005, 01:28 AM

So basically I'm hearing that the RGAs are really good guitars, but come very badly set up from the factory. I was going to start saving up to buy one of the 121s from 'scam cash' but if the bad setup is an issue then maybe I'll have to shell out an extra $160 and get it from Rich. Atleast then I know that it'll be set up perfectly since I've heard nothing but good things about him.

screamndemon69 · #25 09-21-2005, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyconxero

So basically I'm hearing that the RGAs are really good guitars, but come very badly set up from the factory. I was going to start saving up to buy one of the 121s from 'scam cash' but if the bad setup is an issue then maybe I'll have to shell out an extra $160 and get it from Rich. Atleast then I know that it'll be set up perfectly since I've heard nothing but good things about him.

once you take care of the pickup issue (either replace or at least fix the height w/ blocks or springs) this is a great guitar. i got one les than a month ago and she is solid as a rock. the bridge is smooth and feels great. the neck is waht i'd expect from any Prestige model - just plain sweet. i have the RGA121 but would consider the RGA321 if it was a good price or used. i've been using it at gigs and it performs flawlessly now w/ an adjustment to the pup height.
here's Labor Day weekend with it.
http://photobucket.com/albums/v334/s...t=100_0203.jpg

rty13ibz98 · #26 09-21-2005, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScreamJem7

The RG321 has a flat, standard RG body. The RGAs have arched tops. Big difference in tone.

I have a RG321 that I loaded with Dimarzios. I bought it for rehearsal and drop tunings at gigs. It could use a touch-up on the frets, but for the price it can't be beat.

sounds like the rg321 i'm getting. i hate having several guitars setup for alternate tunings...especially locking trems. i have 3 hard tail guitars right now for standard to drop d, but none of them rg's. so the rg321mhmol with my air norton/tone zone rig is right on point.

rich

lyconxero · #27 09-22-2005, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rty13ibz98

sounds like the rg321 i'm getting. i hate having several guitars setup for alternate tunings...especially locking trems. i have 3 hard tail guitars right now for standard to drop d, but none of them rg's. so the rg321mhmol with my air norton/tone zone rig is right on point.

rich

Yeah, I seriously thought about just getting one of those RG321s and throwing in some Dimarzios or some EMGs but those RGAs are just sooo damn tempting. I just started doing a little math and if books don't kill me too much next semester and I start saving now, I may be able to afford one of those RGAs by around....May 2006. Until then, I guess I'll just have to deal with my Pacifica for alternate tunings.

dex · #28 09-22-2005, 07:04 AM

My local shop have a 121 and I have clocked couple of hours on it during the past 3-4 weeks and the guitar is solid.
The pickups are very decent (the V7 & V8 sound great through a Marshall JCM, Laney VC30 and Cornford Harlequin) and I'd rather thave them than Evolutions but I know the vast majority here will disagree.
The only thing that's irking me a little bit is that this carved top is done in a way that makes the guitar really "S type" like on the edges.
Gibsons are like 3" thick in the middle so even with a carved top they are still over 2" solid around the edges - the 121 looks like a toy at just 1.5" on the sides.....and the top is the worst case of driftwood ever......
I'm also not really sold on the stupid bridge either but that is a matter of taste.
To re-cap if I were blind I'd buy one of these in a heartbeat but as things stand now I'd rather have the 321 with Paf Pros.

ilia

screamndemon69 · #29 09-22-2005, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dex

To re-cap if I were blind I'd buy one of these in a heartbeat but as things stand now I'd rather have the 321 with Paf Pros.

ilia

it is a matter of whether or not it is worth the extra money to get the flamed maple and clearcoat. after you change the pups, that would be the only difference. if i had money to throw around - i probably would too. for now, my budget dictated the RGA121.