RG421

al885 · #1 01-28-2004, 03:09 PM

They've got one of these at my local store, no price tag on it though. I played it and it seemed nice for a hard tail guitar (ive been wanting one).

what is your opinion on these and how much do they go for?

vaijem777 · #2 01-28-2004, 03:18 PM

The RG-421 has been discussed MANY times in previous threads. You can check out a full review here:

http://www.jemsite.com/axes/htm_opin...v_ax.htm#rg421

They're fine guitars, and usually sell for under $300. They were going for as low as $279.00 for brand new ones a couple of months ago.

al885 · #3 01-28-2004, 04:44 PM

the store wanted either 395 or 495 for it which is not worth it.

vaijem777 · #4 01-28-2004, 04:51 PM

WAY overpriced.

al885 · #5 01-28-2004, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vaijem777

WAY overpriced.

Yeah, its hard to beleive since i got my 2003 PGM30 at a pretty good deal of $550

Getthis · #6 01-28-2004, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vaijem777

WAY overpriced.

Since the list was around $600, that price range was standard for a new 421 at a dealer. The clearance sales were unbelievable and I'm glad I bought one then. It's still worth $400+/- if you can find a "new" one.

vaijem777 · #7 01-29-2004, 10:13 AM

If you don't have anything better to do with your money, sure- $400 is fine. But, why buy new when you can get a perfectly pristine used one for $300 or less? Better yet- if you're really anxious to spend that much, just pick up a new RG321 in solid mahogany. Same quality, better tone.

Algiman · #8 01-29-2004, 12:44 PM

Sorry to butt in to the conversation. I've been looking round for info on the mahogany 321 but can't find any. Do any of the Ibanez web sites have it displayed yet?

Getthis · #9 01-29-2004, 12:48 PM

http://www.ibanezrules.com/namm/2004/rg.htm

Algiman · #10 01-29-2004, 12:52 PM

Very nice, anyone know about UK availability?

MALAM · #11 01-29-2004, 09:44 PM

The only fixed bridge RG available in the UK is the RG321 in a flat black finish

vaijem777 · #12 01-29-2004, 11:13 PM

Well...since the mahogany version of the RG321 was only introduced a little more than a week ago, it's probably safe to say that it may eventually be available in the UK.

dex · #13 01-30-2004, 06:01 AM

New models are introduced here around June.
Shops get the new catalogues around March and then can order new stuff but it takes another 3 months before the new models are in shops.

ilia

Polaris20 · #14 01-30-2004, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vaijem777

Same quality, better tone.

No, not same quality. Cheaper pickups, and some people still happen to feel MIJ Ibanezes are better than MIK Ibanezes, even though the MIKs have drastically improved.

Also, tone is relative. I prefer the tone of my JS2000 over any mahogany guitar I've ever heard.

Mahogany is not "better" than basswood, just different. If it were better, than the JS and EBMM/JPM wouldn't be basswood.

vaijem777 · #15 01-30-2004, 08:56 AM

The Mahogany RG321 that I played at NAMM felt absolutely NO different than the 2 Japanese RG421s that I've had. The neck was every bit as well-made as the 421s that I've played. Workmanship was certainly on-par. It's a simple guitar- there's not much room for difference.

Also, I don't recall hearing of anybody (on this site at least) that hasn't changed the pickups in their RG421, so the electronics are pretty irrelevant. With a street price of around $250 or less, the mahogany RG321 is pretty hard to beat.

Mahogany may not be "better" than basswood, but it is more expensive. That said, the standard basswood RG321 is $30 LESS than the mahogany one, so either way, the 321 is a better buy than a $400+ RG421. Even after you upgrade the electronics.

It's not as if either is ever going to a "collectible" guitar anyway. On these models at least, the difference between Japanese and Korean manufacture is a line that's nearly blurred into oblivion.