Ibanez Customizing

digitalsubstance · #1 07-03-2007, 02:42 PM

I have an Ibanez RG350MDX and I want to make some changes to it. I'm going to get the neck scalopped to help me play faster, and am going to get a "monkey grip" cut into the body. I was also thinking about changing the scratch plate or making some cosmetic changes. Maybe I will strip the paint and give it a coat of green. Like this guy - http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/6613/greensi2.jpg What do you think would look cool? Thanks

**elcid** · #2 07-03-2007, 02:46 PM

Scalloping the neck isnt going to magically make you play faster and its not a short cut to practice, but knock yourself out.

Brosa · #3 07-03-2007, 02:50 PM

Actually.. Playing with a scalloped neck only makes accurate play much harder. It does NOT make you play faster.

I have a Fender HM with a scalloped neck for about 13 years now and i really love the neck. But you got to really practice to gain benefits from a scalloped neck. It's not easy, but very cool indeed

digitalsubstance · #4 07-03-2007, 02:53 PM

I'm already at a stage where I'm nearly basically shredding (speed picking). I thought neck scalopping would help me get to that next stage of speed.

digitalsubstance · #5 07-03-2007, 02:55 PM

Also, I've got a crappy Edge 3 tremelo. I have enough money to get a floyd rose but I don't know which size to get. Can anybody help?

**elcid** · #6 07-03-2007, 03:04 PM

Make a list of all the monster guitar players who have scallopped necks and who dont. Then tell me you need a scallopped neck to play fast.

GlassCasket · #7 07-03-2007, 03:27 PM

+1 elcid

Dont bother trying to scallop it yourself if you do it. Youll probably go to deep.

And the Edge three isnt really THAT bad, but if you get a real floyd then you need to reroute the guitar for it. If anything look for a original Edge or Lo-Pro edge on the bay

Holy Katana · #8 07-03-2007, 03:40 PM

Change the neck to an Original Wizard, and scallop only 21-24. I guess you could cut the Monkey Grip in there if you want. Also, change the pickups to DiMarzios.

**jim777** · #9 07-03-2007, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitalsubstance

I'm nearly basically shredding (speed picking).

Well, that is faster than sorta mostly shredding

Seriously, I like the color and the neck as is. I'd swap out the pickups, and maybe get an OFR as well. That's about it. One of my brothers had one of those and it was a nice guitar.

Toxicity! · #10 07-03-2007, 05:42 PM

i have a scalloped rg as well.. and it does not make you play faster... on the contrary, it takes a bit of getting used to.
i actually scalloped the fretboard myself, and it turned out pretty ok. just constantly check it so you don't go too deep.

Dee · #11 07-03-2007, 06:21 PM

Don't put a monkey grip in there. It's an RG. Accept it for what it is. If you do a bad job, it'll look like crap anyway. Like Jim, the only thing I'd change is the pickups. Maybe I'd fit an Edge Pro. I agree, the colour is good as it is. Thing is, by the time you've spent all this money on upgrades you could have just bought a better guitar. But once again, RG's with monkey grips suck. Just my opinion. Save up for a JEM if that's what you want.

mfergel · #12 07-03-2007, 06:25 PM

The 350's are one of the nicest looking RG's. Change out the tremolo and leave the rest of it alone. Instead, save up for your next guitar.

Ki swordsman · #13 07-03-2007, 08:12 PM

Dee, if the RGs are the same shape as a jem, then you don't actually think it looks bad with a monkey grip(unless you don't like jems with them either), it's more that your personal philosophy doesn't agree with it no?
many people like them and see no reason not to cut them if they like them...

i happen to like monkey grips. i say go for it if it's what you want to attempt. i've cut 2 before. but if it's cut by you or a pro it'll need refinishing unless you want to just oilfinish the wood on the cuts which may look cheap, unless done reeeally well and with clean lines...

i agree on the pup change. but before changing the bridge, set it up really well and see what it's like... i've seen many people on this forum saying the edge 3 is actually quite stable and good when setup right. and new trems are expensive.
if you really want to scallop, try 21to24th frets first and see what you think, that's what most people using scallops have. and there's a tutorial on www.projectguitar.com for scalloping.- it looks really easy and easy to control not going too deep.
for the neck.. firstly make sure you're guitar is well setup. it may play a lot better with better action(which can help you play faster), be sure to do/learn to do truss rod adjustments too.
then simply giving a neck a clean and a fret polish and having a good setup(read up on all that if you're not sure... www.ibanezrules.com tech section

).. some people like to sand the back of the neck a little too, just to remove some of the clear.. get some new strings on it too and i think you'll find it can be a much better player with some of those setup tips.
the pickguard is a good easy mod to change it up, so are the knobs, truss rod cover and pup colours if you do buy new ones

David McCarroll · #14 07-03-2007, 08:19 PM

well, like most people here, I'd say your biggest back for your buck/effort will be the pickups. As far as scalloping, all it really does is let you dig in under the strings - makes playing well intonated chords a pain in the backside unless you use heavy strings, so why not try scalloping the fretboard from, say the thirteenth fret up - you don't play chords that far up the neck, and that's sort of where being able to dig in a bit harder is likely to help your lead playing......

Dee · #15 07-03-2007, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ki swordsman

Dee, if the RGs are the same shape as a jem, then you don't actually think it looks bad with a monkey grip(unless you don't like jems with them either), it's more that your personal philosophy doesn't agree with it no?

I don't like the grip at all, JEM or not. An RG with a grip just screams "JEM wannabe", or "I want a JEM but I can't afford one". Cheese.