Opinions on RG-a-likes

[Shredder87]

I was wondering what you all thought on various RG-a-likes made by other manufacturers - you know, non-ibanez guitars that are similar to the RG.

Yamaha make excellent RG-a-likes in the form of the RGX121 and the RGX420 - the 121 having a 22-fret slim neck, excellent H-S-H pickups and a standard vibrato, and the 420 having an RG-esque 24-fretter and two good humbuckers and a double-locking vibrato. It also features a direct output switch, a great feature (I once saw an RG that had been customised with this feature). The Pacificas are meant to be great too.

There's also the Squier/Fender Showmaster series of guitars, I haven't tried one but they are reputedly good guitars.

The reason I ask is because I am looking for a fairly cheap guitar (i.e. Sub-£350) to buy as a backup at gigs to my RG2550, which is my main guitar. I currently use my old Squier Strat, although you can imagine it's a bit of a change in the sound going from an RG to a relatively weak single coil strat. Any reccomendations?

[gu1tar]

Personally I find the Yamaha electrics and Fender Showmasters to be horrible guitars. I'd go for a used RG550 over any of them.

[MilkshakeFiend]

What about a Maverick?

~M

[lyconxero]

Agreed and you could probably find a used one for that amount of money or at the very least get yourself a lower end Ibanez RG for that price (i.e. something in the RG3xx series). Personally, I would go for an RG321MH because that guitar is just awesome and VERY affordable. So if you ever break a string on your RG2550 you could quickly and easily switch to it and probably not have to worry about that for the rest of the show since it has a fixed bridge.

[Earthrug]

Another vote for some kind of Used Ibanez guitar or at the very least some kind of used guitar. If you are not in a hurry, you could always take your time and hunt down a used MIJ RG5xx-7xx. I dont know how much they go for over in the U.K. but here in the States you can find them really cheap. Mabye you can find a deal on E-bay or even try the classifieds on this site. A really cheap alternative would be to just throw in a full sized or stacked humbucker in the bridge of the squire.

[TMKXL]

The LAG AF200 is a cool one, with a price around 500/600.

[Racerx2k]

I almost bought a Squire Showmaster. I actually LIKED it. It felt right, and stayed in tuned quite well, in spite of the whammy-yankin'.

[Shredder87]

Yes, I didn't think of buying a lower-end RG... Duh! How silly of me.

I've never seen nor tried a Maverick, heard good reports though.

I would prefer another guitar with a double-locking so that I can play the same stuff as I do on the 2550. I admit I gave it a thought about customising the Strat a while back but I figured that with the cost etc. I would be as well buying another guitar. Any other lower-end RGs you'd reccomend? I'm looking for something strictly under £350 new, probably closer to £250-£300 (so I can buy a hardcase for it).

Cheers for the help guys, you people round here are really helpful!

[Algiman]

For that price you should be able to pick up a used RG550 with case. This is a back up guitar, so is it important that it is new?

[Shredder87]

Yeah it doesn't matter if it's new or not because it's only a backup.

I didn't know you could pick up a used RG550 for that sort of price... I thought they'd be a lot more expensive! If I'd known this I would've got one by now!

Thanks Algiman. I'm off to **** to get myself a 550... hmm... maybe Desert Yellow? Loch Ness Green would make my dreams come true!

[Shredder87]

Hmm, I see, I take it the name of "that bidding site" is censored on this forum... just noticed the stars.

[lyconxero]

Yup, it's censored. Good luck tracking down a used RG! That's definitely the best route to go, especially if it's to be a backup for a 2550.

[fettouhi]

Originally Posted by TMKXL

The LAG AF200 is a cool one, with a price around 500/600.

They are sweet LAG .

Regards

André

[bloodshreds]

[mi2tom]

Originally Posted by bloodshreds

looks nice but no 24 fret