RGA321 vs RGT320Q

[dan321]

Hey

RGA321 vs RGT320Q
I was thinking about getting one of these two guitars and i would like some peoples views on them and to help me decide. This thing is that i want a fixed bridge but i also want a neck through construction. And i figured if i blocked the trem on the RGT320Q then it would act the same as the fixed bridge. But i was wondering whether the sustain would be as good. Any on your views on this please.

[lyconxero]

You're going to get better sustain hands down from the RGA. I would only get the RGT if you want a floating bridge because even with it blocked it's still going to be a pain to re-string and if you're not even using it then what's the point? So my vote is for the RGA.

[mi2tom]

Originally Posted by lyconxero

You're going to get better sustain hands down from the RGA. I would only get the RGT if you want a floating bridge because even with it blocked it's still going to be a pain to re-string and if you're not even using it then what's the point? So my vote is for the RGA.

+1 if you want a fixed bridge than fixed bridge it is. Why go through the hassle to block the trem. Waste time and money. And still the sustain can't keep up with the real fixed bridge

[dave_mc]

+2 on the RGA.

[gu1tar]

Well, you'll save about $550 by getting the RGA 321 and since your first premise is a fixed bridge, I'd go for that. Keep in mind that the AANJ on the RGA321 gives almost as easy access as the neck through. And I'm with the other guys, if you aren't going to use the trem, it's not worth it.

Another thing to consider: I have an RGA121 (I don't like the blue finish on the 321) and it's awesome and I played a RGT320Q a couple of weeks ago and it was awesome too, but the back of the neck is clearcoated reeeeal glossy which I didn't like. And the finish color doesn't look as good in person as far as the quilt as it does in pictures. It looks more dull brown in person.

And since most guitars are bolt on and no one really complains about sustain (think Vai, Gilbert, Satriani, Lynch, Petrucci, Malmsteen, etc.), I think you're creating a criteria that isn't really necessary unless when you play you need to try and set the record for sustaining a note for a long time.

[dan321]

Originally Posted by gu1tar

Well, you'll save about $550 by getting the RGA 321 and since your first premise is a fixed bridge, I'd go for that. Keep in mind that the AANJ on the RGA321 gives almost as easy access as the neck through. And I'm with the other guys, if you aren't going to use the trem, it's not worth it.

Yea thanks guys for all your help. Yea i think that the RGA321 is prob more suited to me as it is a fixed bridge, and as you said that the RGA321 gives almost as easy acess as the neck through. Your help is appreciated.

[dan321]

So i take it that there is not much difference in upper fret acess between a bolt on and a neck through?

[lyconxero]

Not with the all access neck joint that's on the Ibanez RGs.

[gu1tar]

Originally Posted by dan321

So i take it that there is not much difference in upper fret acess between a bolt on and a neck through?

The RGA AANJ heel starts between the 19th and 20th fret. The neck through is a little better because it doesn't need the heel so is shaved thinner than where the heel would be.

If you have small hands, the neck through may make a difference if you are one of those off-their-rocker types who need to spend a lot of time doing scales on the last 4 frets.

[lyconxero]

I dunno...I can easily run up and down the fretboard on every single one of my RGs and upper fret access is super easy.

[gu1tar]

Originally Posted by lyconxero

I dunno...I can easily run up and down the fretboard on every single one of my RGs and upper fret access is super easy.

I agree, but what if someone had small hands and liked to keep their thumb wrapped around the neck all the way up?...just hedging my comments.

[lyconxero]

Originally Posted by gu1tar

I agree, but what if someone had small hands and liked to keep their thumb wrapped around the neck all the way up?...just hedging my comments.

You may have a point, but I've yet to see a player who needed to use their thumb much further beyond the 15th fret for anything. Most playing styles that utilize the thumb generally don't need to go quite that high. But even on the RGT, you'd still have problems with that because the cutaway is the same and that's what's going to get in your way more so than whether it's neck-thru or bolt on.

[dan321]

So either way you would need to play with your thumb behined the neck

[gu1tar]

Nah, we're just splitting hairs.

For practical purposes, the AANJ and neck through have equal accessability. But compare an AANJ Ibanez or neck through to something like a Strat or something and it's a world of difference. Lyconxero (I believe) is making the point that most guitarists (myself included) even on a guitar with a big heel don't use the thumb behind the neck when playing up high because of the heel and/or the limited access from the cutaway.

[moro]

I dunno. I feel like the difference between my AANJ RG and my neck thru Soloist is about the same as the difference between my old style Jem and my AANJ RG. Yes, the upper fret access on the AANJ is very good. It's not close to a real neck thru though.