MY first Ibanez - opinions?

robharries13 · #1 07-14-2009, 05:35 PM

Hi everyone,
essentially, ive been mainly a fender/strat player since ive started playing about 5 years ago, mainly because i was into the whole blues style and david gilmour is my favourite guitarist. lately though, ive been practising much faster, shred style music, which on my strat, with its 7.25" curved fingerboard radius, isnt particularly comfortable. Also, its odd 3 pin bolt on neck instead of the standard fender 4 screw bolt on neck makes finding a replacement neck difficult.
Plus on top of that, it just sounds plain terrible

After looking round, its pretty obvious that Ibanez are the first stop for "fast" shred guitars with their wizard necks etc. You'll all have a better opinion on it than me, which is why im here basically.

Ive spotted 2 Ibanezes which have caught my eye. First is the S470, which i can pick up for just under £400. I love the look of it, and its small weight is also particularly attractive to me, as i tense up with heavier guitars. However, ive read about this model that there are a couple of faults, such as lack of sustain, bad pickups, and that the fingerboard is the wrong radius for the trem. Pickup changing and anything that couldn't be solved with a simple set up doesnt really bother me, but any unsolvable problems about this model i should know about would obviously be a help.

Secondly is the Prestiege RG1570, which is pretty much stretching the very limit of my budget at about £740. Unlike the S470, im not really a fan of this guitar's appearance (not really into metal-looking guitars), but if the tone is good (which ive read it is!), im happy to prioritise the guitar's sound over its looks. Again,same as before, any problems and praises of this guitar would be helpful.

Many thanks for any feedback you can all give me. Much appreciated.

MarkE · #2 07-14-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robharries13

Secondly is the Prestiege RG1570, which is pretty much stretching the very limit of my budget at about £740.

Doesn't answer your question but you may be interested: There are a couple of 1570s on evilBay at the moment at much, much less than that. One of them has had some ugly pickups fitted but that's an easy fix.

smooth55 · #3 07-14-2009, 05:49 PM

Have you looked at a JS model? You'd probably have to go used for your budget, but that'll give you a shred-worthy guitar that will also do all the bluesy stuff you started on. It's extremely versitile. The 10" radius will also not feel as alien if you're used to a more rounded fretboard and is not hinderance to faster playing.

IbanezDaemon · #4 07-14-2009, 05:55 PM

Which model of S470 is it mate?

robharries13 · #5 07-14-2009, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IbanezDaemon

Which model of S470 is it mate?

The model i can get is the 2008-09 version made in Indonesia rather than Korea, which has the "oval" inlays on the fingerboard, rather than the previous "wave" inlays.

Timbaline · #6 07-14-2009, 06:26 PM

I suggest you buy a used 540s on evilbay.

Yousef · #7 07-15-2009, 12:01 AM

Overall I think you'd be happier with the S series. If you want to buy new, the S470 will do you good. I owned an 05 S470 for about 3 years and I enjoyed it. ZR trem is incredible.

If you want to save some $$$ and get a quality instrument (that may need some tuning up) check out the 540S guitars. They are incredible guitars and probably suggest you look into that before deciding on getting a new S470.

IbanezDaemon · #8 07-15-2009, 07:02 AM

I would definitely go for the 1570 mate. That's a Japanese made guitar (Fuji Gen) and of superior build quality to an Indonesian made guitar. It also has an Edge Pro trem on it which is a great system. You may also want to have a look at the RG550 as well. For the money they don't really come much better than the 550.

Homebake · #9 07-15-2009, 07:30 AM

definitely 1570, hands down, i personally wouldn't even consider the S's (mainly because i'm an RG fiend).

they have probably the most "shreddy" neck on any ibanez, the trems are stable as hell and they're just plain awesome.

robharries13 · #10 07-16-2009, 11:21 AM

Ive spotted a 1993 Ibanez RG550 MIJ with a Low Pro Edge trem fitted Tremol-no trem (whatever that is) for £475, and it happens to be near my city. Good purchase?

mike570 · #11 07-16-2009, 12:26 PM

If you're currently a Fender Strat guy, the JS might be for you. You can find a good used one in the Internets. If not, then I'd look at the S but I would play one first if you can. They're pretty decent guitars.

marianozz · #12 07-16-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robharries13

Ive spotted a 1993 Ibanez RG550 MIJ with a Low Pro Edge trem fitted Tremol-no trem (whatever that is) for £475, and it happens to be near my city. Good purchase?

Not sure how much they go used in the UK, but as far as guitars go, its the best of the bunch (as long as its in good shape).

Also, as said, try to check for used S from the 90s, the 540 was Japanese, Lo Pro trem and decent-to-good pickups depending on the model. They are made of mahogany, so, you can get one cheap cause its all dinged up and make an extremely beautiful intrument out of it just by sanding away

Dont dismiss buying used, check the classifieds here too (lots of deals, great comunity), try and play some for yourself in stores and such and, above all, dont rush into buying something youre not 100% comfortable with. The right one will eventually come your way

IbanezDaemon · #13 07-20-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robharries13

Ive spotted a 1993 Ibanez RG550 MIJ with a Low Pro Edge trem fitted Tremol-no trem (whatever that is) for £475, and it happens to be near my city. Good purchase?

Ha! Ha! I think I bought that very guitar last week Rob from a guy in Merthyr Tydfil. Sorry dude!! I've posted pics of the guitar in this category.

brianxtr · #14 07-21-2009, 04:17 AM

i say a old 550...cant go wrong

eviltwin · #15 07-21-2009, 12:49 PM

any new or NOS Ibby with an Edge Pro. You might want to check out the 7strings a well (RG1527) A new Ibby will last you at least 10years so paying #200 more now is nothing...

Don't go 2nd hand, you'll be at the mercy of whoever set it up, you'll have worn frets and someone else's dings. Plus idiots would've installed stuff like tremsetters or (incorrectly rewired) other pups. Since a brand new MIJ RG is #700 I would NEVER pay more than #250 for a 2nd hand one.

Unless you can get a signature Ibby 2nd hand for #700.
Signatures in order, based upon your preference:

1) Jem
2) PGM
3) JPM
4) FGM
5) JS

please note that these are all either LoPro Edge or EdgePro.