I'm looking for a cheap shredder

[pushpin&poetry]

Can anyone tell me anything else about this one(sorry small pics)?

Guy says it's an old RG series. Think it's ply? It's $100, I'm gonna go try it out later

[Lefty Robb]

looks like a RG170, its not a Gio, thats for sure, and its not ply.

[Fender868]

You could do better - go look at least for some RG3xx or RG4xx

[Lefty Robb]

Originally Posted by Fender868

You could do better - go look at least for some RG3xx or RG4xx

Not a maple neck for $100 though...the 3xx MIK are actually worse, and the 4xx are better as long as its a early MIJ, but they didnt come with maples and are easily $100 more, and atleast with this one, you don't have a TRS to deal with.

[pushpin&poetry]

Hey guys thanks for the replys.

Some background info:
I've recently been learning alot of Paul Gilbert, Malmsteen, dragonforce and other shred stuff. I have started saving, to get a really nice shred guitar someday(maybe J custom or nice RG), but for now I was thinking of getting something really cheap to hold me over, prob another 6 months.

Below is my current #1 guitar which is set up very nicely, I just want to be able to have easier access to the 21st fret, which this guitar does not really do.

Also the ibanez pictured above is an hour away. I still may go try it out tonight, not exactly sure if it's worth it or not. Thanks for the help!

[Mister CCJ]

For $100 and just a beater I think thats a pretty good deal. Its not a collector peice obviously but its true about it having a standard bridge no lo-trs to haggle with.

[Lefty Robb]

Will a bit of cleaning, setting up and some better pickups (unless those are already Dimarzio's, which I doubt, and you can get some used ones usually in the $40-$50 each range) it would make a damn good shredder..

[Fender868]

I just think that with a good 250 - 400 you can get something solid to last you those six months and become better. MY RG 4xx came with and Edge III which is a good bridge. People on here moan about bridges because they can't set them up. I've never had a bridge not return to pitch. For sure the Edge's and Lo-Pro's are better because they are more solid and provide better tone, but the Rg3xx and RG4xx are actually good if you can bother to set up the guitar properly. DragonForce use their tremolo's a lot, so you're gonna need one there and up until recently, Paul used to do a few things with his tremolo.

I think they're an important tool. It's better to have a lower quality bridge to get to know how to work it so when he does get the J Custom, he will really learn to appreciate his Edge and he will know how to service it.

MY 2 cents

[Lefty Robb]

Originally Posted by Fender868

I just think that with a good 250 - 400 you can get something solid to last you those six months and become better. MY RG 4xx came with and Edge III which is a good bridge. People on here moan about bridges because they can't set them up. I've never had a bridge not return to pitch. For sure the Edge's and Lo-Pro's are better because they are more solid and provide better tone, but the Rg3xx and RG4xx are actually good if you can bother to set up the guitar properly. DragonForce use their tremolo's a lot, so you're gonna need one there and up until recently, Paul used to do a few things with his tremolo.

I think they're an important tool. It's better to have a lower quality bridge to get to know how to work it so when he does get the J Custom, he will really learn to appreciate his Edge and he will know how to service it.

MY 2 cents

He just needs a good beater so he can save up for a J-custom more than likely, no sense in spending $3-$400 on a 5xx when he can put that to a JC. This guitar is just fine for that. And with your logic, I guess he needs a whammy pedal too.

[Fender868]

Never said that either, but a J Custom is a long shot away from 100$ or even 400$. That 5xx guitar will be a great guitar for him despite the day he gets a J Custom. Where as this guitar, will probably meet the trash or serve as project if he feels like playing around with heat guns and sander blocks. Most members on here play and rely on their 5xx series in and out of studio. Personally, i think they are the best guitars for their ridiculously small pricetag. The only thing, is that ibanez cut down on aesthetics to keep them cheaper than the 7xx series for instance.

Don't have to take my word for it, just search for "Rg 550" and read about all the great comments the people here have for them. It's your choice, but i remember being in your shoes. All i had were hardtails and guitars not entirely meant for shredding. I was about to actually buy a cheap Ibanez like that, but i spent a little more and got the RGT42Dx used for 450$ in dead mint condition. It's found it's place in the top of my rig ever since. It plays beautifully, is incredibly versatile, has a decent bridge (in my opinion) and although the stock pick ups were bearable, i ended up putting DiMarzio's in and increasing that guitars lifespan. The neck-thru design is well executed here and looks nice. Add an ivory bound fretboard and headstock into the bag as well as nice grayish metallic color and you got yourself another great buy for the money, although if there had been an Rg550 around, i'd have probably left with it. I am now getting my real Jem , and i've had this guitar for nearly a year.

It made the months go by faster cause i didn't have to sit there thinking about how much my guitar sucked hehe . Plus, the 5XX series will keep their value , especially if you find an older one (like 87-92). Try to get your 1xx ibanez to sell for more than 50$ after that. If you really don't want to keep the 5xx, it might become a way for you to make some money to pay off that J Custom. Prepare to sell it as you know you're nearing your purchase, and bam you get a J Custom. So the whole time it was more like you rented a 550 and now you're Truly gonna appreciate the hours of attention to detail, precision work and quality parts that went into that guitar.

Good luck in getting your guitar!

For the record, I am not sure how you could even deduce something that stupid from reading my post, but sure if he wants a whammy pedal maybe you could take the one thats stuck up your A$$ and hand it to him free along with whatever else is making you act like a douche. We were just talking until you started acting condescending. Go ahead, but you've been called out sir!

[pushpin&poetry]

Thank you both so much for your replys. I see both your points and appreciate you looking out for a newb. Well I went ahead and checked it out, and the most important thing, was that this guitar played very nicely. I am able to play things on this $100 guitar that I'm not on my other two guitars, both which cost me over $1000. It's much easier to play fast/shred stuff on this one, and I love the 24 frets and how much access I have to all the high frets. I'm really excited about owning an RG even if it's kinda a piece. Couple things

*If anyone could tell me anything else about this guitar that would be awesome. I'm wondering if this is all stock, or if it may be a random neck w/ a random body. I don't see many Ibanez's w/ maple necks.


*The tuners are grovers, are these standard w/ a model like this? I don't think so as there are small holes on the head stock.

*Lastly, the guitar sounds decent but not amazing through my amp. It seems everyone w/ an Ibanez loves Dimarzio's, which I would love to purchase, but I currently have a Duncan Full Shred, which I may put in(although I was saving it for another project) Anyone have good experience w/ full shreds.

Some pics.

[Fender868]

The tuners are grovers, which i assume aren't stock as they don't tend to put these on just any guitar, but i could be mistaken. I also recommend the dimarzio's. It has nothing to do with the ibanez association, as i am a recently converted ibanez head. I've had pick ups from EMG to Duncans , active and passive, and Dimarzio's are definately the way to go in my opinion. Check them out.

* sorry, it's late. Clearly the tuners aren't stock. Notice the wholes left by the stock ibz tuners.

[OLIE_ROCKS_THE_80'S]

Originally Posted by Fender868

For the record, I am not sure how you could even deduce something that stupid from reading my post, but sure if he wants a whammy pedal maybe you could take the one thats stuck up your A$$ and hand it to him free along with whatever else is making you act like a douche. We were just talking until you started acting condescending. Go ahead, but you've been called out sir!

Hey noob you really need to take a chill pill! this is not harmony central or any of other crappy forums you are accustomed to, there are rules here and mods enforced them, so do yourself a favor, read them and stop your temper tantrums!

[Fender868]

Get of my case old man, this did not concern you. There are rules everywhere, and i am sure the boards you just claimed were "crappy" have them too. I am sure the members there must be smart and opinionated to have such high regards from yourself.

Let me point out, however, that you are going around provoking me as of now, that makes you just as guilty. Besides, Robb didn't comment back because he noticed that i over reacted to his taunt and that it wasn't worth his while. I expected that, and respect that. You on the other hand old man, you're clearly too foolish. Stop provoking me. If you are so old and wise, perhaps you should do like Robb and forget what i said. I tend to regain my cool after. Can i really be made an example ,according to these rules, when Robb did critique my "logic" and attempted to insult me.

You're breaking rules by not posting according to the subject at hand or at least a thread where you were previously involved. If you have something to address, send me a pm and I'd be glad to continue this.

P.S. I just did some more research, and i turns out a friend of mine has that exact same guitar. I never knew much of it, and figured since it started with Rg1xx, it should be a lower model. Despite that, when i played it i was blown away by the comfort of the guitar for it's price. He got it for 80 bucks from his neighbor, but i had to clean it because he had the same pick ups with the rust on the pole pieces and the bridge was suffering some too. Personally though, it's a fine guitar. The difference is, he had a rosewood fretboard, but maples are very good too, but it's a preference.

Congrats, but please let us know when you do get one of those elusive J Customs.

I can't wait to get Jem's out of my system so i can begin looking for J custom. Tried one and almost bought it, but it was trans pink on maple veneer. No thanks

[Fabio]

Originally Posted by Fender868

Get of my case old man, this did not concern you. There are rules everywhere, and i am sure the boards you just claimed were "crappy" have them too. I am sure the members there must be smart and opinionated to have such high regards from yourself.

Let me point out, however, that you are going around provoking me as of now, that makes you just as guilty. Besides, Robb didn't comment back because he noticed that i over reacted to his taunt and that it wasn't worth his while. I expected that, and respect that. You on the other hand old man, you're clearly too foolish. Stop provoking me. If you are so old and wise, perhaps you should do like Robb and forget what i said. I tend to regain my cool after. Can i really be made an example ,according to these rules, when Robb did critique my "logic" and attempted to insult me.

You're breaking rules by not posting according to the subject at hand or at least a thread where you were previously involved. If you have something to address, send me a pm and I'd be glad to continue this.

P.S. I just did some more research, and i turns out a friend of mine has that exact same guitar. I never knew much of it, and figured since it started with Rg1xx, it should be a lower model. Despite that, when i played it i was blown away by the comfort of the guitar for it's price. He got it for 80 bucks from his neighbor, but i had to clean it because he had the same pick ups with the rust on the pole pieces and the bridge was suffering some too. Personally though, it's a fine guitar. The difference is, he had a rosewood fretboard, but maples are very good too, but it's a preference.

Congrats, but please let us know when you do get one of those elusive J Customs.

I can't wait to get Jem's out of my system so i can begin looking for J custom. Tried one and almost bought it, but it was trans pink on maple veneer. No thanks

Gee guys, calm down.. What's up with the insults? Anyway, good luck with the guitar, thread-poster! And good luck getting a J Custom, you'll never get disappointed.