Very first J-Custom question - About the RG-METAL

[jem7vwh]

Ok-here's the question. *I love the RG-METAL-very very cool. *How rare are they? *(Hopefully not as rare as the EGYPT). *And how much should one expect to pay if I find it? *
Chris

[Anonymous]

Better question is "Can they still be ordered?"

J>

[Kevan]

The RG-METAL's aren't as rare as the EGYPT's are. *The METAL's were released worldwide in 1997. *I don't have any official numbers, but I'd guess there are less than 20 on Earth. *"12" seems to be the favorite number over at Hoshino. :-)
It is NOT, repeat- not, the same finish as the JEM90th's. *It's a completely different pattern, texture and color.
J-Custom prices vary widely; I've seen S-3040-PL's go for $800, and guys (specifically me) willing to offer kidneys (plural) for the RG-EGYPT. *I'd say expect to pay around $2,000 for a mint RG-METAL (I try to dig up the 1997 MSRP on it). *

None of the original J-Customs that came to the US can be ordered. *That train has sailed. *There are a few floating around overseas, including some models that we didn't get here in the US (like the RG-ARCH, RG-PAINTand the S-540-Japan). *One day, I'll tell you folks the crazy story behind the S-540-Japan finish. *Absolutely nutty. *:-)

[jemsite]

I received several emails from RGMETAL buyers overseas who saw the guitars locally and were curious to the value, quality, etc. I always told them to grab them because they're cool and rare. I think Hoshino overstates the rarity of their guitars, because if 12 or 24 were made why would one be hanging in a small shop in Turkey or France? *Either way they're pretty uncommon, especially in the USA. Very JEMish specs:

Produced June 1997
bridge: DIMARZIO DP193 AIR NORTON
middle: DIMARZIO ISC70 BLUE VELVET
neck: DIMARZIO DP155 TONE ZONE
fretwire: SBB216-195

I'd look for the best price. Given used JEM90s can be found for $1500ish paying more than $2k for the RGMETAL1 would be wasting $$$ IMHO at this time. Good luck... glen

[Todd Crawford]

There is still a RG-Metal new available in Germany, I think its around $1500-1600.
http://www.musik-produktiv.de/shop/s...P2D0899S5D39M6

[Todd Crawford]

It appears the RG-Metal is gone from that store. They do have the 7 string baritone models though, and a CST. Anyone confused when you get to that page, click on "On-line shop", then click on "E. Gitarre", then find Ibanez under the E. Gitarre" list.

[Armindo Dias]

Greetings from Portugal.

A store here in Portugal had a RG-METAL1 for about a 4 months or so... and i can tell you, it's an AWESOME FABULOUS MOST BEAUTIFUL guitar i've ever seen. The most curious thing, is that the store doesn't usually have Ibanez guitar, they usually have cheapo Arias and stuff like that. And it had the RG-METAL1 with the J-Custom case! That metal crattered finish drives me nuts, a truly unique guitar. I've never seen in person the Jem 90HAM, but the RG-METAL1 is BEAUTIFUL.

I almost cry when i think of it. I touched that guitar, i played it and it was almost mine. I was so stupid i can't believe it. I had the money to buy it and i spent too much time wondering if i liked the RG-METAL1 better than the Jem 7VWH. I couldn't decide between these two. I asked Glen several times about it, the quality, value, etc, but the doubt between the Jem and the RG was always present. The day i decided i wanted the RG-METAL, it was already sold. I mouth felt on the floor when the guy from the store told me that it was already sold....

I know, it was stupid. And if it was today i would buy it in a heartbeat. Anyway, it listed something like $2100 / $2200 (the same price as a new Jem 7VWH here in Portugal).

I wish i could find another RG-METAL1....

Cheers,
Armindo