Bottom line on RG350 series?

noise5150 · #1 12-14-2010, 10:47 AM

I am new to this forum and I am looking to get my first Ibanez. I am considering a Prestige level RG but I have an opportunity to buy a used RG350DX for under $200 and its in great condition. I have read some reviews of these where people say the pickups are terrible and the trem does not keep the strings in tune. If this is the case I don't want it even for a steal. By the time I upgrade it I can buy a Prestige. Please advise.

fwd0120 · #2 12-14-2010, 11:06 AM

Welcome to jemsite!! good point, 200 is very good for that guitar. but right now in the classifieds on jemsite there is a RG520 for 300, which is in player condition with a good deal of dings but in good working order.

It would cost about 150 at least to change the pickups, an edge fro bridge is about 200, that is about 550$ in total, which is more then enough to get a good RG550 (pre prestige, before the 2000s" which are arguably superior to the newer prestige guitars!

I suggest you save your penny and watch the classifieds here on this forum for 400$ you can have a dream!

Hikey Mikey · #3 12-14-2010, 12:54 PM

It's all in the perspective. The trem is functional, just not as smooth and worry-free as an Edge is. The pickups are what they are. Not as good as DiMarzios, better than the Powersounds that come on the GIOs. For under $200, the RG350 is a pretty good deal.

It's true that you can pick up a used MIJ Ibanez for the price of a new 350, there's just a lot more risk. If you know what you're doing, you can get a great deal.

If I were in the market for a new Prestige, though, I'd scoop up one of the RG2550E guitars being closed out at MF for $699. That guitar doesn't suck. Or use the current $100 rebate and Rich Harris's good prices to buy a 1570 or 1550.

Peace

Mike

RGTFanatic · #4 12-14-2010, 02:14 PM

Hi again Noise, Just to let you know, you should have continued this in your original post.......... I was watching that one for updates and I'm usually too lazy to look through other posts.....lol

Don't let anybody scare you off of the 350DX (including me!!), Its a very good guitar, and a great base for putting together whatever custom guitar you might come up with. Myself and MANY other folks are very fond of the Wizard II neck. If your comfortable with your Charvel neck, then I think this would be your closest fit. The fretboard radius (400mm or 15-3/4") is not quite as flat as the prestige wizard or the original wizard (both 430mm or 16-15/16"), but still flatter than the compound radius of your Charvel ( 12"@ 1st fret- 16"@ 22nd) The woods used in the neck won't be as "pretty" as the prestige's or the earlier 5xx-7xx series RG's, but I've never really cared about that. The "top-lok III" is not the same nut that is used on prestige's and the tuners are stock Ibanez as opposed to the Gotoh tuners found on higher end models (I'm not sure that the prestige's still get actual "Gotoh" or if they're gotoh designed), but I've found the hardware on the wizard II's to be VERY stable. Ive had several RG350Dx's, an RGT42, and now an RG450LTD.

As I stated in your other thread, The "EdgeIII" MAY not be up to your standards, but I've found that if you truly take your time in setting it up, it will remain very stable and fun to use. Contrary to popular opinion IT IS NOT MANDATORY TO REPLACE!!!!!!! I will use mine on stage with no lack of confidence in it.

Sadly, the same cannot be said for the INF series pickups. They pretty much ARE a mandatory upgrade (especially when you like your DiMarzio equipped Charvel).

Other than all of the above, the 350/370 are rock solid guitars that you can be comfortable with on stage. Believe me, It doesn't hurt as much when you ding a $400 guitar.

If you decide to go with a used 5xx/7xx series (which I HIGHLY recommend for your first Ibby) You will be rewarded with a VERY high quality guitar for roughly the same investment as a new 350/370. I would keep a close eye on the Jemsite classified's. When you find something that interests you, PM the owner. Let them know how much you have to spend- talk to them. Your FAR less likely to get screwed here than you are anywhere else. (let's face it- not a single Jemsiter wants the embarrassment of selling you a POS for too much $$$) Were all here to welcome you to the "Ibanez players club"!!!

noise5150 · #5 12-14-2010, 02:59 PM

Thanks for the info! I have been playing for over 15 years and have several high end guitars with Floyds so I just want to make sure the RG350s don't go out of tune with every dive! I have a good pickup I could throw in there right now or I could buy another. I know the Prestige is a better guitar in every way but for well under $200 its hard to turn down.

spam3d · #6 12-14-2010, 03:12 PM

I love my RG...built it for a laugh, turns out the trem is actually good and now ive put a set of evos in it and its great! Dunno what all the fuss is about with the edge III, i know the higher end ones are better but people slate the living dead out of them and quite franky its wrong becasue with a good setup they do perform!

ftw1422 · #7 12-14-2010, 04:28 PM

they are nice guitars

RGTFanatic · #8 12-14-2010, 04:35 PM

Noise: Alaskabat IS still selling his RG570, and to be honest..... It's a Bad-ass guitar!!! And AlaskaBat is as straight up a guy as you'll EVER find!!!!

Here's the link........ I would definitely talk to him.

http://www.jemsite.com/forums/f28/fs...-a-107555.html

Andyrosebrook · #9 12-15-2010, 01:30 AM

A Floyd rose special drops right into a rg350, $79 and I'm impressed with mine.

xXLinkageXx · #10 12-15-2010, 03:28 AM

My second favorite guitar is my RG350DX, right behind my prestige. I believe it's an '05. I've had no problems with the Edge III over these last 5 five years. Since you have a bunch of higher end guitars with Floyd's, I have a feeling you'll find this trem lacking though. Considering this and how long you've been playing, I say save up for a prestige or go the 5xx route like others have suggested. I would just make sure whatever you get is MIJ.

noise5150 · #11 12-15-2010, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xXLinkageXx

My second favorite guitar is my RG350DX, right behind my prestige. I believe it's an '05. I've had no problems with the Edge III over these last 5 five years. Since you have a bunch of higher end guitars with Floyd's, I have a feeling you'll find this trem lacking though. Considering this and how long you've been playing, I say save up for a prestige or go the 5xx route like others have suggested. I would just make sure whatever you get is MIJ.

You say you have had no problems with it but that I may find it lacking why is that does it go out of tune? If so might it be the neck clamp and not the trem?

Andyrosebrook · #12 12-15-2010, 10:18 AM

It's the trem, take out the edge 3 and you'll find the knife edges are worn down. It def. needs to be replaced if it's been used heavily, the material it's made of is cheap and will not stay in tune very well.

Coopster · #13 12-15-2010, 12:06 PM

I've got an RG350MYE that I recently bought. I haven't been able to really play it much yet but I have noticed the fretwork isn't as good as my Korean built S320 and the neck needs some tweaking, other than that I can't complain. Solid body build and I'm fine with the Edge III so far. The pickups are rather anemic and need an upgrade sometime but it'll probably have to wait as I just bought an old RG570 that I'll probably focus on first.

In fact, I compared it to a new 10th anniversary RG my shop has and the neck pocket is tighter on the 350 than the 10th. I could almost stick my pick between the body and the neck.

Plus it's yellow and I just love that.

Andyrosebrook · #14 12-15-2010, 01:18 PM

I did have to sand down one bad fret on my rg350dx, think 22 was way high. A little fine sandpaper and a dremel buff and it's great now, didn't have to refret. The neck was great, think I tweaked it a little to add a tiny bit of relief.

noise5150 · #15 12-15-2010, 01:21 PM

I am still trying to decide if I want to get a Prestige or RG350. I know the Prestige is a better stock guitar but I am also intrigued by the idea of modding a RG350 and throwing in some colored Evolutions. Ive seen a few videos and it seems like a fun project. If I do that Ill try to take before and after pics and post them for people to follow my project on this site.