Please point me in the direction of a good, trustworthy Ibanez dealer?

[toneboy]

I've played guitars for 25 yrs, owned a few dozen guitars, and I sold thousands of guitars during the 12 yrs. I worked for a major East coast music store chain. I bought 2 guitars from Rich because I knew when I received them they would be ready to play out of the box...and they were. His prep and set-up work is second to none. Rich doesn't sell guitars, he sell instruments. The work that he puts into an instrument before he ships to you clearly shows that he wants you to get the best playing instrument possible. Can you find Ibanezes for less? Sure but anyone can just whore them out. Rich is the only dealer I've found online that cares about quality and quality is never cheap.

[HDS]

Originally Posted by Rich

But then if you think any Joe Blow is up for that, be my guest

Poor Joe Blow, always getting picked on.

[Rich]

Mr. Blow can take it

[DarthLamer]

My JS1200CA is for sale. Of course I didn't grind my nut. At least in my case, there was not a need for lowering the nut below what Ibanez had routed it, due to obtaining that particular magic spot between string height and truss rod adjustment. In my opinion, if the guitar's fretwork is on par, the straighter the neck the better. I cannot stand playing an instrument that is setup with that *boinging* resistance that stems from utilizing relief. With a light pick attack, and a straight neck, a person's fretting hand can nearly glide over the strings/fretboard with very minimal pressure needing to be applied. Why make the job harder, if there is an alternative solution in allowing it to be considerably easier?

[jb4674]

Originally Posted by DarthLamer

My JS1200CA is for sale.

Obviously you don't bother to answer your pm's eh?

Jimmy

[Rich]

Originally Posted by DarthLamer

My JS1200CA is for sale. Of course I didn't grind my nut. At least in my case, there was not a need for lowering the nut below what Ibanez had routed it, due to obtaining that particular magic spot between string height and truss rod adjustment. In my opinion, if the guitar's fretwork is on par, the straighter the neck the better. I cannot stand playing an instrument that is setup with that *boinging* resistance that stems from utilizing relief. With a light pick attack, and a straight neck, a person's fretting hand can nearly glide over the strings/fretboard with very minimal pressure needing to be applied. Why make the job harder, if there is an alternative solution in allowing it to be considerably easier?

There was a need? Or you decided it was good enough?

But as you are selling it, since it was $600 brand new from GC, would that mean it can now be bought for $500 since it's now used?

[DarthLamer]

I paid $600.00 for the guitar, and currently am selling it for $900.00. This resulted from "wheeling and dealing" with the associate. Due to speaking with the associate a couple of weeks after the purchase, in which I paid a considerable amount more than $600, I received a credit related to the contour blemish. Good luck on finding a comparable deal. Considering a new JS1200CA sells for $1500+, with the contour blemish and the few indentations on the clear coat, I feel it's well worth the price I am charging for it. What's wrong with trying to make a profit off of my purchase, I'm not falsely promoting the item. As I said, good luck on finding a better deal elsewhere. Rich, shouldn't you be more concerned in promoting your locking studs and setups vs myself possibly making a $300 off of a guitar purchase? In addition, considering the guitar has been setup properly, without the need to grind the nut nor any impeccable fretwork, and the cost of my having to commute 150 miles round trip TWICE, and being able to BARGAIN with the associate, I feel I have every right to the additional profit.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by DarthLamer

That's what warranty's are for.

I just don't understand why someone would spend an additional $1000+ on a guitar, when they can price negotiate with their local Guitar Center employees.

For instance, I recently purchased a JS1200CA from Guitar Center for....$600 USD, including the hardshell prestige case. Yes, it has a *very small* blemish, but seeming that I am a player, the guitar is going to get it's share of nicks and scratches soon enough. As for the playability, and the condition of the frets, it's unmatched imo. If I were to have paid the $1650 price quote that was given from you for the same model, what would I have had in return? A guitar that costs an additional $1050 USD, that would be lick-spitting purty? Much so, that I would be afraid of playing it, in fear of it becoming a...player?

Of course the Jems are decent guitars, but why would I pay $2k+ for one when I can purchase a 1570 or equivalent for $600? Ahh, that's right...the tree of life and the monkey grip. What would I do without that? Fortunately, there are still a few that fully understand the value of a dollar, and are not so overwhelmed in purchasing a signature guitar with some sheer hope of having an orgasmic connection with one's guitar idol.

Last but not least, can we try and be honest for a moment? Ibanez's QC is not as bad as you and your fanboys are putting it out to be.

Why? Maybe because you decided to give me a hard time in another thread where you made this comment. So If everybody should be able to negotiate their 1200 down to $600 as you implied here, why should they pay you $900? Or especially me $1500.

And thanks for answering my question, if you did nothing to the nut because it didn't need it, or because it was good enough. Because there is a big difference. And if you never touched it, it is definitely not set right.

[DarthLamer]

Rich, I think it's about time you and I kissed and made up. If utilizing relief, I agree, the nut on the low E side is just a hair too high. With having the neck almost if not perfectly straight, there really is not a need in lowering the nut, at least in my case, below what the height already is. Regardless, the guitar is just not for me. I've owned it for a couple of months, with the hope that the 240mm radius of the neck would *grow* on me. It hasn't, and I still have a desire for 430mm radius necks. You know, if you would want to wheel and deal, I would be willing to trade this guitar...for something used, preferably something with a 25.5" flat radius. I currently own an RG570, my main guitar, that I prefer the radius, but the thinness of the neck kills my fretting hand's thumb after several hours of playing/practicing.

[Rich]

smootch

It's too high, even straight, but if it works for you there's no right or wrong, there's only what you're happy with. But there should be a .5mm shim under the treble side, which is far too much, and with any relief at all, the bass side is .3mm too high, and, it probably has a rout base issue being masked by the angle caused with the .5mm shim.

And the original deal was still over $100 under dealer cost, and then renegotiated, was over $400 under

[DarthLamer]

Originally Posted by Rich

smootch

I swear I'm never going to wash that cheek, as long as I live!

[Darin]

Rich, what's the story with the 2000? Same nut issues I'm assuming?

[Rich]

Much older. I don't remember if I had to do anything special to yours. Pull it off neck string change if you really want to know

[DarthLamer]

Hey Rich, I'm somewhat interested in that used RG1550CA. Would you be willing to trade for my JS1200CA? Or better yet, wanna swap necks?

[Rich]

AS IS, sure, although I know there a guy that's >< close to having all the cash for it, but it's not sold or on hold yet.