To PGM or to not PGM - that is my question

soopanova · #1 03-08-2009, 12:27 AM

I'm looking at buying a new guitar for $2500 or less (preferably less). I currently own a white '67 Epiphone Sheraton. I love that guitar but now I'm looking for something a bit faster and shred worthy. The pgm series guitars have definitely caught my eye especially since the pgm 301 is white with f holes (painted) just like my Epiphone (with real f holes). I need a fast, thin 24 fret neck with humbuckers and no tremolo system. Here are my reservations:

1. Price: Is there a cheaper Ibanez that is pretty much the same as the pgm? I was thinking about just swapping out the pickups on a cheaper model RG. I took a look at the RGA121 (http://cgi.****.com/Ibanez-RGA121-Gu...QQcmdZViewItem) and it looks killer but has now been dicontinued and replaced with a blue colored RGA321 (http://www.ibanez.com/ElectricGuitars/model-RGA321) that I'm not nearly as fond of. Does anybody here have experience with these RGA models? I'd like to hear your experience.

2. The somewhat dated "metal" look: I played a few Ibanez wizard necks and they are fast and easy to play. However, I was wondering if anybody could recommend any guitars that were equally fast and easy to play but looked a touch less metalish or didn't have Paul Gilbert's trademark f-holes which might lose their welcome after a while. I guess I'm looking for possible substitute instruments. Here is a few I've looked at online. Perhaps anybody who has played them could give me some feedback on how they compare to the pgms. Other substitute ideas are also welcome.

a] The Schecter Hollywood Classic
http://www.proguitarshop.com/product.php?ProductID=664

b] The Schecter C-1 Classic
http://www.proguitarshop.com/product...56&CategoryID=

c] Paul Reed Smith Mira
http://www.prsguitars.com/mira/specs.html

I love Paul Gilbert but I don't really listen to a lot of other guitar pyrotechnical stuff. I'd love a guitar that felt like a pgm but looked like something a touch more vintage. I'm leaning towards the RGA121 if I can still find one.

Thanks for your feedback and advice in advance !

toneboy · #2 03-08-2009, 12:36 AM

Have you seen the latest PGM sig model, the PGM401?

To me, that definitely has more a vintage look than the PGM301 did.

gpenguins · #3 03-08-2009, 12:50 PM

I didn't even read your whole post, but the answer is simple - PGM!

soopanova · #4 03-08-2009, 08:28 PM

Thanks guys. You know, I'm not a big fan of the solid black paint on the natural finish on those PGM 401s.

The three guitars in the lead now are a RGA121 with swapped out pickups, a PRS Mira and leading them all - a built to spec Carvin from their custom shop.

The help and advice I've been getting from the online guitar community has been simply fantastic!

Jack Secret · #5 03-09-2009, 09:17 PM

I've PGM'd 5 times and don't regret it one bit!

I want my 401 already! WAAH!

mi2tom · #6 03-09-2009, 09:46 PM

If you don't mind the F hole and and the faraway volume knob and no tone knob then why not

toneboy · #7 03-09-2009, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mi2tom

If you don't mind the F hole and and the faraway volume knob and no tone knob then why not

F holes have "mojo". As long the knob is still on the guitar, it's never to far away and tone is in your fingers, not in a knob.

Besides, if you're like me and EVH, you just stick a tone knob on your volume pot and you're ready to rock. \m/ \m/

brianxtr · #8 03-10-2009, 05:45 AM

you need just a pgm.but i think you already know that,
perfect ergonomic,just a volume knob on the right place.fine neck
good pickups.then your done.what do you need more?

aj_foes · #9 03-10-2009, 07:20 AM

forget anything else. PGM FTW!

MicahC · #10 03-10-2009, 09:01 AM

PGM, sir.

Neoclasiccl · #11 03-10-2009, 09:31 AM

PGM all the way. I am getting one of the 3 new PGM's but I haven't decided which (I don't even count the fireman which is why it isn't included in the 3). It depends on how the 20th reissue vote goes. I really want a PGM 200

scotte_za · #12 03-10-2009, 09:50 AM

I'm gonna be the lone ranger in this debate and say you'd be surprised at how good (and how much cheaper) a non-signature RG prestige with swapped-out pickups is.

j.p · #13 03-10-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotte_za

I'm gonna be the lone ranger in this debate and say you'd be surprised at how good (and how much cheaper) a non-signature RG prestige with swapped-out pickups is.

...and i think that you are right.
our friend must try the rga 121 if he can find it.