Which Ibanez Prestige: RTG3020QM or RG3520Z

[mindwalker]

Hi!

So I found this shop which is selling these 2 models new (even though they have been now both discontinued). The price is not exactly very cheap.
RG3520Z: 1300 eur / 1870 usd
http://www.ibanez.co.jp/products/ima..._HBK_00_01.gif

RGT3020QM: 1700 eur / 2440 usd
http://www.ibanezregister.com/images...spb-pres03.jpg

Biggest differences
Neckthrough (RGT3020 against RG3520 which is bolt-on)
Edge Zero (RG3520Z has an Edge Zero, RGT3020 has the Edge Pro)
DiMarzio PAFs (RGT3020 has the official DiMarzio PAFs, RG3520 has DiMarzio / IBZ)
Neck (RGT3020 sports the Ultra neck, 3520 has the Wizard Prestige)

So considering these differences which one do you think it's the better guitar ? I haven't played the RGT3020 yet so I wonder how the neck feels. I do think the 3520 has a more metal look which is also more into the kind of music that I play.. it's also cheaper so pups can be upgraded and it's got the Edge Zero tremolo which is newer (but better than Edge Pro ??). Being bolt-on I don't know if it makes a big difference to me.. I would have to play them for a long while to be able to tell this which is hard to do in the shop.

And then there's also the RGT320 which is the next step from RGT3020.. it's even more expensive than the RGT3020 but is it worth it ? Better to just spend extra 200-300 dollars now and be satisfied forever

However I am not an advanced player neither do I have a band so it's mostly for now, for my own practising and pleasure.

Thanks for any insights!

[IbanezDaemon]

Both are awesome! Nice choice to have to make. For me the RG3020 takes it. My reasons, and this is my personal preference by the way and by no means gospel:

3020 has the neck thru. I also prefer the Edge Pro trem and the DiMarzio Paf's are great pickups and in my humble opinion better than the DiMarzio/IBZ pups. You certainly won't have to upgrade the Paf's.

[mindwalker]

Yeah you're right.. on the other hand, the price difference allows me to buy a Blackstar HT-5 combo amp if I go for the RG3520z.. however a good guitar is the core of a good sound and good playability so I guess I'll have to play both and see which one my fingers fall in love with.

Also black / brown is more suited for metal whereas the blue finish of the RGT3020 is a bit more pop... but well you can't just get a guitar based on the looks. I've read that the Edge Zero is not as good and it's made in China, plus you can't flutter (not that I do it anyway... also read the ability to flutter is a design flaw and proof of less tuning stability which the Edge Zero intends to correct.. hmm.. think it'll be a choice from the heart)

[Timbaline]

I say you go for an RG1527 7-strings are always the way to go.Though, if I wasn't playing 7-strings I would get the RGT3020QM. *Cough* Get a 7-string *Cough* *Cough*insert another subliminal message here *Cough*

[IbanezDaemon]

I think if you're gonna spend that sort of money on a guitar mate it's best to try both of them out. They are very subjective things. I'd buy both of them like a shot, they're amazing for sure. Maybe you're too far away from the shop in question to be able to try both?

[mindwalker]

Yeah I'll try them both, the shop is not too far! I was just wondering what would be best in the long run since you can't measure that with a quick trial... or somethings you can just not notice immediately on the spot. And these guitars have been out for a while but there's not a bunch of reviews about them (specially not about the RG3520z).

In fact I have already tried the RG3520z but I didn't like it because the action was too high.. but this is fixable though. I just haven't touched the RGT3020 yet.

[IbanezDaemon]

I'm surprised at you trying one that had the action set too high on it. They usually come pretty well set up and just need a minor bit of tweaking here and there. You could probably adjust the action yourself. 3 Of the main factors that determine action are bridge angle/height, nut height and neck bow I think. It's great that you will be able to try the guitars out. I take it you are based in Europe somewhere judging by your mention of Euros in your initial post?

Can I ask also if it's definitely gonna be between those 2 guitars? Would you consider something else? There's a guy selling a J Custom on this site that frankly if I had the money I'd be taking his arm off for it. Superior guitar!

[southpaw_lefty]

Your decision will be easier once you try them out. The neck profiles are very different.

[mindwalker]

Yes you're right, Europe (Holland to be precise).
Well this guitar with the action too high had strings with a little bit of rust in them so I guess the guitar has been hanging there for a while (also dust between the 2 humbuckers). I like the action set at 1/25 of an inch (that'd be 1 millimeter) it this guitar had it at about 1/13 of an inch (around 2 millimeters).
I think for this kind of adjustment, nothing more than lowering the bridge and adjusting the intonation would be needed ? (assuming the guitar has no issues.. and since it's new it shouldn't have them).

Last week I tested in another shop an Ibanez RG3620 (pretty much the same as the RG3520) and it felt much better.. the action was probably not so high

The J Custom looks super sexy indeed.. but the hassle involved in getting it over here (and no possiblity to see it by myself first) it's probably easier for me to just get something locally. (and I think it'd probably have to pay some duty tax ? so it would become much more expensive)

[IbanezDaemon]

The shop in Holland wouldn't be RJV guitars by any chance?

[mindwalker]

Nope, it's Dirk Witte in Amsterdam

[Foulacy]

rgt3020 in that gorgeous blue... that's what i would do.

[mindwalker]

So I tried both guitars... and the neck in the RG3520Z felt much nicer (wizard prestige vs ultra neck of the RGT3020). The RGT3020 felt a bit bulky.. bulkier than the neck of my Ibanez GRX40 which I own at the moment...

So I think my choice is made... however.. the hardware in the RG3520Z didn't feel as solid. At least not the volume and tone knobs. On the RGT3020 turning those knobs feels solid and with a slight amount of resistance or feedback. On the RG3520Z these knobs would turn in a bit more loosey way. It's hard to explain but there was a difference. I don't know if this is the way it's supposed to be or if this specific item of the RG3520 is a bit worst quality than it should....

Oh and the pickups on the RGT3020 were MUCH better... what a bite!! However the RG3520 will obviously get upgraded pickups