Older Japanese RG's Vs. Prestiege

Thrash · #1 08-24-2005, 09:07 AM

How do the Japanese RG's 470, 550, 570, 750, 770, etc. compair to the new prestiege models. Other than the bridge and pickups I don't see much difference. Both seem to play as well as the other?

marianozz · #2 08-24-2005, 11:38 AM

Thing is, with the older models you get Edges and Lo Pros, V series pickups in the 5xx and IBZ USA in the 7xx (made by Dimarzio)... With the new ones, you have Edge Pros, some have V pickups and some have Dimarzio IBZ (which people swap anyway)...

Whats good about the new ones is the Prestige treatment to the neck...

If you ask me, ill take a 750 or 770dx over anything any day of the week... and a used 570 over new 1570 just for the trem alone (save quite a few bucks too!)

thats as far as the "replacement" models go...

And im not sure about all 470s being MIJ...

RCB · #3 08-24-2005, 12:07 PM

The 40XX series was MIJ in the late 80s/early 90s. Since then they were made in Korea.

I would also take a 770DX over a 2570, or a 570 over a 1570.

But I would take a 2020X or a 3120 over any old RG. As a matter of fact, Id take an RG3120 over any UCGR and Id take the new RGT320 over an american master.

**jim777** · #4 08-24-2005, 12:18 PM

It all boils down to the neck.
I don't have much experience with the Prestige guitars, only having had two. I was unimpressed by the RG3120, so I tend to stick with the older guitars. I would echo Marianozz's comments about the 7xx series guitars, though. Both trems are fine, so to me that's a wash. Pickups are almost always going to be changed as well. The old 7xx series bound wizard necks are a joy to play, and simply can't be beaten for the price. I'd personally take an old 7xx series guitar over the 5xx series because of the neck binding. I'd also look at an older 7xx series guitar over a new one, because I rarely buy new

So....If you are asking if the old ones are better, then I don't really know. It would be a personal choice about the neck, I suppose.
If you are asking if the old ones are worth considering as an alternative to a "Prestige" instrument, then the answer is absofreakinlutely.

marianozz · #5 08-24-2005, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCB

But I would take a 2020X or a 3120 over any old RG. As a matter of fact, Id take an RG3120 over any UCGR and Id take the new RGT320 over an american master.

Yeah, me too, thats why said "thats as far as the "replacement" models go..."

red5 · #6 08-24-2005, 05:25 PM

The 1570 is the newer version of the 570. 1570s have Edge Pros, and 570s had Lo-Pros or Edge's depending on how old it is. Both models are comprable as far as the trems go.

On the older ones, it is my understanding that you might get one with a great neck and one with a **** neck, where on the new ones all the necks are at least pretty damn good.

Stock pickups were different, but on these guitars, people usually throw in their own choice of pickups anyway.

I would buy a used 570 because you can buy them for quite cheap these days!

machinediva · #7 08-24-2005, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCB

I would also take a 770DX over a 2570, or a 570 over a 1570.

agree

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCB

But I would take a 2020X or a 3120 over any old RG.

agree

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCB

As a matter of fact, Id take an RG3120 over any UCGR

agree, for the heavier woods

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCB

and Id take the new RGT320 over an american master.

REALLY???!

RCB · #8 08-24-2005, 08:44 PM

yeah, I played an american master (purplle quilted maple top) of a friend a couple of times, and the only thing I loved about it was the looks.... and the RGA looks even better IMHO.

Flobanez · #9 08-24-2005, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCB

I would also take a 770DX over a 2570, or a 570 over a 1570.

Same here.

Titan · #10 08-25-2005, 01:55 AM

I totally love my older 570, love playing it right along with the J.Custom 8170. The 570 really holds it's own, especially considering what you can purchase one for...

LonePhantom · #11 08-25-2005, 07:12 PM

Weren't the RG470s made in japan until 93 and came with Edge trems. Moved to Korea in 94 and got TRS II trems, and went back to Japan in 98 or 99 and had slightly better TRS trems?

toshiro · #12 08-25-2005, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonePhantom

Weren't the RG470s made in japan until 93 and came with Edge trems. Moved to Korea in 94 and got TRS II trems, and went back to Japan in 98 or 99 and had slightly better TRS trems?

Yup.

ElectriK · #13 08-26-2005, 12:16 AM

so if they had edge's and were MIJ, woudlnt they be exactly the same as the 5xx's?

machinediva · #14 08-26-2005, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElectriK

so if they had edge's and were MIJ, woudlnt they be exactly the same as the 5xx's?

it depends... you still have to check for overall wood quality, and neck dimensions

toshiro · #15 08-26-2005, 09:37 AM

A 4xx from that period also had an un-contoured neck heel(it was flat like a strat, while the 5xx/7xx has an angle), a plate-mounted jack, and black headstocks(upper lines had color-matched heads). Also, during that time the 5xx and higher guitars had LoPro Edges.