So I finally got to try an RGA 121 yesterday... (questions for owners!)

[dave_mc]

I know a lot of you guys are GASsing over one- I know I was too. Luckily, I took a trip to Belfast yesterday, and one of the guitar shops had one in stock- just in that day, too, lucky me!

Well, suffice to say, it's worth GASsing over, it was great- fast neck, good finish, looked sweet (natural finish) even with the plain maple top, had a kind of utilitarian but classy vibe going on (even though a flame top would be cooler, but I'm not paying £370 for a fancy top!). Sounded great too unplugged, very resonant and balanced tone. Even the V series pickups weren't all that bad (I had them on my RG before I swapped them for swinesheads) but you'd want to switch them if you have the option, obviously.

Anyway, it rocked, basically. Needless to say, my GAS has got worse. So I have a few questions for any owners who happen to frequent this forum:

1) I read someone saying that you had to route the pickup cavity for EMG's. I don't want EMG's, I'd probably put in either Swinesheads or Bareknuckles (just regular passive pickups in other words)- i have swinesheads in my rg470, they were a direct swap with the V7/8 pickups that were in there (the RGA has these too). I assume they'd be a direct swap in the RGA too? (i.e. no routing?)

2) the pickups seem to be direct-mounted to the body. Does this mean you can't adjust the height of them?

3) Do you need to get locking tuners for this guitar? If you do, which ones fit with no modifications?

4) anything else to bear in mind/warn me off it etc.? (i doubt it, but just in case!)

That's about it, thanks for your time, I appreciate it.

oh, and it was made in Japan (i asked this in another thread, lol).

[knotty]

What is so wrong with v7/8's mine sound fine in the RGA 121?

[norvan]

2. If it's like the 1570, which i'm guessing it is, then sadly, your presumption is true. On my 1570, the neck pup is as high as the fretbard, and it's a pain in the ass.

[dave_mc]

Originally Posted by knotty

What is so wrong with v7/8's mine sound fine in the RGA 121?

yeah, they sound fine, but I'd rather put in my own choice Any opinions on my other questions?

Originally Posted by norvan

2. If it's like the 1570, which i'm guessing it is, then sadly, your presumption is true. On my 1570, the neck pup is as high as the fretbard, and it's a pain in the ass.

does the 1570 have direct-mount ones?

My 470 has normal ones with surrounds, so I can change the height...

Thanks for the replies so far, guys. Cheers! keep 'em coming if anyone else has any opinions!

[ibanez2005]

V7's/V8's are great pickups, i wouldnt change mine at all.

[dave_mc]

ok, people, I had those exact pickups in my ibanez rg 470 and i switched them to swinesheads, which are much better.

Seriously, this isn't a discussion about whether or not the V series pickups are any good- i WILL switch them.

any ideas on the other questions? i mean seriously, at least one of you who has posted has this guitar, could you tell me if you can adjust the pickup height even? or any of the other questions...

Any help appreciated!

Cheers!

EDIT: sorry, I didn't mean that to come across so harsh, I do appreciate any input, but I can see this thread deteriorating into a discussion on the merits of the V7/V8 pickups, rather than answering my questions!

Cheers!

[Andelusion]

Locking tuners would be a nice addition to my RGA121, but they're not essential.

I hope you get it They're great guitars! One of the best lines Ibanez has brought out recently I think.

[disassociative1]

Ok i know this isnt a pickup discussion but HURRRRAAAAHHH for the mention of bare knuckle pickups......awsome things.

[dav2321]

If you put spongy foam under the pickup then you can adjust the height as you like- I've done it on both my RGAs. As far as locking tuners I put the Planet Waves on one and it works great. Earvana nuts are also a nice do-it-yourself mod.

[lyconxero]

Originally Posted by dav2321

If you put spongy foam under the pickup then you can adjust the height as you like- I've done it on both my RGAs. As far as locking tuners I put the Planet Waves on one and it works great. Earvana nuts are also a nice do-it-yourself mod.

My God, those guitars are gorgeous...

[germX]

good to see the RGA121 with Duncans in there- count me in



yes, the pickup heights aren't easily adjustable, but ibanez has included paddings in the pickup cavity to compensate for the height, you can simply add a cardboard/ thick paper layer for further elevation. i did that.

[dave_mc]

ok, thanks, guys, those are the type of answers I was after- thanks very much!

Do the planet waves tuners simply slot in with no mods?

Any online sites in the UK where I can order an Earvana nut?

That's a good idea about the foam, by the way! Cheers!

EDIT: yeah, I'm really digging the RGA's- i tried the SZ series, but wasn't overly impressed- I much prefer the RG necks, jumbo frets, etc. Great idea on the part of Ibanez, IMO. And that Vintage Violin one actually looks quite nice, but I still think I prefer the natural one...

[dav2321]

Originally Posted by dave_mc

ok, thanks, guys, those are the type of answers I was after- thanks very much!

Do the planet waves tuners simply slot in with no mods?

Any online sites in the UK where I can order an Earvana nut?

That's a good idea about the foam, by the way! Cheers!

EDIT: yeah, I'm really digging the RGA's- i tried the SZ series, but wasn't overly impressed- I much prefer the RG necks, jumbo frets, etc. Great idea on the part of Ibanez, IMO. And that Vintage Violin one actually looks quite nice, but I still think I prefer the natural one...

Yes the Planet Waves tuners drop in with no alterations needed, not sure about a UK Earvana site, I'd just check their web site.

[dave_mc]

^thanks. Mucho grazias (that's probably spelt wrongly, I never did spanish)

This is a long shot but... anyone know if any of the other locking tuners (schaller/gotoh/sperzel) are the same size as the planet waves ones?

Just in case I can't get PW ones, or they're very dear or something.

Thanks again!

EDIT: oh yeah, to those of you who've put duncans and dimarzios in, they fit with no mods, right?

[Tom Gilroy]

Hey Dave, good to see you here.

(<== Prophet of Page)