Thoughts on RG520

AKMG · #1 07-16-2006, 04:21 PM

What are your guys thoughts on an RG520? Compared to a 550? Let's just say it's a '94 RG520.

RG_76 · #2 07-16-2006, 04:50 PM

I am pretty sure they have the same Trem as a 550/570. I like the idea of 2 humbuckers and no single coil, and I love the idea of a mahogany bodied higher end RG. What I do not like is the so called transparent black color they come in. IMO, they look like ass lol. Now, if you can find the dark blue version, (which is very dark and doesn't show the grain of the quilted sapelle top very well) i would buy it. I don't mind blue at at, and compared to that nasty looking transparent dark brown, i would buy it in a heartbeat.

Price wise, I have seen them in the $300-high 400's.

Hope that helps a bit =)

AKMG · #3 07-16-2006, 04:55 PM

Indeed it does! Thanks

I found one in a nice silver. I'm not sure if it's a standard paint job or a custom one, but wondering if it's worth it.

RG_76 · #4 07-16-2006, 06:22 PM

hmm, afaik, they only came in 2 colors, transparent blue and black. Silver might be an aftermarket mod. I am not 100% sure though.

you can see 2 of them here, in the 2000 catalog:

http://www.ibanezrules.com/catalogs/us/2000/00009.jpg

thanks to Rich for his awesome site, we can actually go back and see =) Also, I don't see an RG 520 in the 1994 catalog. Only 550's and 570's.

Check out the catalogs on Rich's site to make sure you are buying a 520. It sounds like a 570 to me.

http://www.ibanezrules.com/catalogs

Dee · #5 07-16-2006, 06:27 PM

The 520 is a good, solid guitar. I'd expecct to pay around $400 for fair condition, and maybe $475 for a very good one. I don't usually think in terms of USD, but I've seen them selling for somewhere around those prices.

As for the silver, I think this is pre-2000. There is a grey coloured one too, I think. 1998?

EDIT: Yeah, there is a flat grey coloured one from 1998. http://www.ibanezrules.com/catalogs/us/1998/98013.jpg

guitarslinger213 · #6 07-16-2006, 06:59 PM

great guitar. the wiring is cool. it's not a 3 way switch. it has some parallel and tapped options available in the 2,3,4 positions.

It sounds similar to a saber due to the mahogany. great guitar.

AKMG · #7 07-16-2006, 07:10 PM

So if you guys had a choice, would you get the "grey" RG520 or the RG570 in a grey metallic flake? Or is it not that much of a difference?

kirk · #8 07-16-2006, 07:43 PM

I'd like one in pink with fringe on the fingerboard.

The biggest difference aside from finish is the pickup and switching options.

I'd go for the RG570, if I didn't have a guitar with a h-s-h config. However, I do have two guitars with a h-s-h pickup config and I also have one with a s-s-s pickup config, so I guess I might want a h-h setup. But if I had a guitar with the h-h config, I might go for the h-s-h. Hmm, I guess it really depends on you.

sniperfrommars1 · #9 07-16-2006, 07:44 PM

The grey one is actually basswood, the 520qs models are the ones that have mahogany witha quilted sapele veneer on them. Rich voted them best bang for your buck once. Original edge trem, super wizard neck, mahogany body, v7 v8 pickups, grey powdercoat hardware. As far as the difference between a 520 and a 570 one just happens to have an extra middle single coil, hell most people dont even use that so if you can get the 520 for less go for it instead. And by all means go for whichever one sounds the best.

RG_76 · #10 07-16-2006, 07:50 PM

hmm, a 520 that is basswood...and gray, depending on price i would get it. But i already have 2 570's lol. It would be cool to have a 520 on the wall next to them.

nice catch on the models deeswift! I didn't have time to check in all of the catalogs.

I think I need to move to a new area. I keep seeing posts like, I found an RG 3120 for $400 that are making me jealous LOL =)

520 vs. 570, play them both and see which you like better. I would be they sound damn near the same since they have the same neck, and are both basswood and have the same V7/V8 pickups.

sniperfrommars1 · #11 07-16-2006, 07:59 PM

Well the 520 qs sounds alot heavier than the 570 but gg

**jim777** · #12 07-16-2006, 11:03 PM

My brother has a couple of the mahogany bodied sapelle topped 520's, both of them rootbeer colored. There's no way I would take a 570 over one of those 520's. The mahogany simply makes for a fuller sounding guitar to my ears.

AKMG · #13 07-17-2006, 01:28 AM

Oh yeah... is mahogany a better sounding wood than basswood? I play metal and a lot of classic rock so which would be better for me?

Dee · #14 07-17-2006, 02:13 AM

Mahogany is different to basswood. Whether it's better is up to the player, but generally mahogany gives a warmer tone. Les Paul's are mahogany with a slab of maple on top. Maple brightens up the tone, and mahogany keeps it quite warm and full. It's a good balance.

I like mahogany, but it needs to be paired with a good, punchy set of pickups with plenty of "zing" to balance out the tone.

sniperfrommars1 · #15 07-17-2006, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKMG

Oh yeah... is mahogany a better sounding wood than basswood? I play metal and a lot of classic rock so which would be better for me?

For metal and classic rock i vote mahogany. The comparions to a les pauls tone is a bit much though. Specifically speaking the rg only has a veneer of sapelle not a maple top and thus has a completely different tone, not to mention the floating tremolo, bolt on neck, bubinga strip, locking nut, high output pickups.