1998 RG 570 upgrade tips

[elcid]

Originally Posted by CosmicDebris

You forgot to put some real dimarzios in it.

I read on the Megadeth boards that the IBZ/USA pickups were real Dimarzios. Not only that but you could get a good shred/blues/jazz/african folk tone from them with a Marshall MG15

[CosmicDebris]

That is true but only if you put them into Chinese Gibsons.

[plugger]

Once I've got the hardware sorted, I was thinking the cosmetics could be attended to. Probably the cheapest way of improving the cosmetic side is to simply buy a replacement body.

Any advice about that? While necks vary in quality up and down the range, a basswood body is going to be a basswood body, regardless of what model RG it orginally came from... right? There are some nice quilted tops going from some of the lower ranked "QM" models.

The other possibility is an aftermarket body, or maybe even a body from another model, like an s540, say.

Thoughts?

[Gudster]

Originally Posted by elcid

I read on the Megadeth boards that the IBZ/USA pickups were real Dimarzios. Not only that but you could get a good shred/blues/jazz/african folk tone from them with a Marshall MG15

Bet it plays like butter too. Or liquid lightning.

[Algiman]

Originally Posted by plugger

While necks vary in quality up and down the range, a basswood body is going to be a basswood body, regardless of what model RG it orginally came from... right?

No, just like any wood basswood comes in different qualities from great to firewood.

Originally Posted by plugger

or maybe even a body from another model, like an s540, say.

A guitar body built for a 22 fret neck is not going to be the right dimensions for your 24 fret neck, so it'll not intonate when you put it back together. Stick to an RG.

[plugger]

Originally Posted by Algiman

No, just like any wood basswood comes in different qualities from great to firewood.

Well, that was my question: Do you really think the quality of basswood is higher on a 550 body than say a 350 body? Maybe by the time they get up to the custom shop stuff they might start grading the blanks a bit more carefully, but for the production models, they are made in such high numbers, I think this seems unlikely...

Originally Posted by Algiman

A guitar body built for a 22 fret neck is not going to be the right dimensions for your 24 fret neck, so it'll not intonate when you put it back together. Stick to an RG.

I thought the way the 24 fret model Ibanez necks were made was that they had the same pocket position as the the 22 fret Ibanez necks, but just had an extended fretboard.

Fender necks are like that; a 21 fret neck is interchangable with a 22 fret neck on any Strat or Tele...

[chaos731]

That's a nice axe. Nice color, too.

I've got a 2000 RG570 with the super-wizard neck. Properly set up, you'll absolutely love it. My 570 is my favorite guitar I've ever played. Mine's all-stock, though I purchased an evo bridge to ostensibly replace the stock pup, I've still never found a good reason to do so. Clean 'er up, get that bridge set up properly (could it BE any more dropped into the cavity?) and you'll have a winner for life.
Cheers!

[LonePhantom]

Originally Posted by plugger

I thought the way the 24 fret model Ibanez necks were made was that they had the same pocket position as the the 22 fret Ibanez necks, but just had an extended fretboard.

Fender necks are like that; a 21 fret neck is interchangable with a 22 fret neck on any Strat or Tele...

Only on older pre-AANJ necks. although with the retro-fitting of a 24 fret RG neck to an S body you have to relocate the neck pickup.

[Ibateur]

Originally Posted by plugger

Once I've got the hardware sorted, I was thinking the cosmetics could be attended to. Probably the cheapest way of improving the cosmetic side is to simply buy a replacement body.

Any advice about that? While necks vary in quality up and down the range, a basswood body is going to be a basswood body, regardless of what model RG it orginally came from... right? There are some nice quilted tops going from some of the lower ranked "QM" models.

The other possibility is an aftermarket body, or maybe even a body from another model, like an s540, say.

Thoughts?

Hopefully after all is said and done, you don't end up spending more than you would have had you bought one in better condition.

[plugger]

Originally Posted by Ibateur

Hopefully after all is said and done, you don't end up spending more than you would have had you bought one in better condition.

True -- it's easy to overcapitalise a "bargain" instrument.

Probably if you want nice, you should just buy nice -- unless you want the project.

I'm actually fairly open minded about this instrument. In the first instance, I really just want something that I can bring up to a high standard of sound and playability. Aesthetics are strictly an afterthought.

As I say, once I get the hardware sorted on it, I'll consider my options in more detail. At the very least, I'm into a bit more money getting some new parts for the trem by the sound of it.

I may just leave it as a mean "junkyard dog" type of guitar -- not pretty, but it does the job.

Not _every_ RG has to be a wannabe Jem!

But even a junkyard dog needs a studded collar -- at least if you are going to be a _stylish_ junkyard dog.

So what's the equivalent of a junkyard dog's studded collar for a beat-up RG?

[chaos731]

Originally Posted by plugger

So what's the equivalent of a junkyard dog's studded collar for a beat-up RG?

Get a black Dimarzio straplock strap, add metal spikes.
Voila...studded collar for your junkyard dog.
All the ladies will swoon, I tells ya.

[plugger]

Chaos, I like your thinking! A clever way to dress up a guitar... a strap that makes a bit of a statement.

I actually had a look at some leather studded straps, and most reminded me of either KISS or The Village People. (Probably not surprising, as some people would say they're basically the same thing, except of course TVP additionally had a modicum of musical talent thrown in there as well.)

However, this "shotgun special" did catch my eye:



Kinda cool, in a politically incorrect way, bit the price tag for that particular strap would mean I'd pay almost as much for it as I did the guitar!

But I'm on the look out now!