[Grimwing]

Hello people!

I'm new around here. I'll buy my first (electric) guitar soon. This site seems to be a very good place to ask for advice as a beginner.
So, I want to buy a guitar that has a warm, beefy tone for the style of metalcore, industrial metal, sludge, djent, and generally heavier stuff like these genres.

I've been considering these models, just not sure yet:

- Ibanez GRGR121EX (This was my original plan for my budget)
- Cort Z42 (Another possible choice for the same price as 121's)

More expensive ones:

- Ibanez SZ520QM (Looks like a dream, but all the videos show a bit weak sound?)
- Ibanez RGA32 (Sounds good, but not sure if those active pickups are great)
- Ibanez RGR321EX (Seems to be a pretty popular piece)
- Ibanez ART120 (There are rather diverse opinions about its humbuckers, made in China :/)

My question is, which would be ideal for my purposes? Any opinions?

When I'll become experienced in playing the guitar, I'm planning to detune it with a new set of thicker strings (maybe even to B standard).
Later I'm also planning to install Seymour Duncan Blackouts in it.

Please give me some advice! Thanks!

 

[jimistephen]

Instead of looking for a new cheap model, I would look for a used premium model. (and not the new Premium line they have). What I mean is I bought a RG321MH for 300USD a few months back and then a month later I saw a local guy selling 91 or 92 RG570 for 300USD. The 570 would have been a professional quality instrument compared to my 321.

That being said, I can give you advice. I would completely stay away from the GIO line. (any guitar that has a G in front of it. GRGR121EX) The RG3xx series are generally regarded as good, as long as you don't have the EDGE III tremolo on it. The new ones have an EDGE-ZERO which seems pretty good.

I don't know anything about the Cort, although they used to make guitars for Ibanez.

All those other guitars would be a great starting point. For a fat metal tone I would look for something with a Mahogany body, but it doesn't have to be.

 

[Grimwing]

Thank you for your answer.

I'm not eagerly interested in used models, and there aren't too many in my region. And yes, I'm staying away from any tremolo.
Regarding the €200 GRGR121EX, compared to the €400 RGR321EX, the only major difference are the pickups. Same basswood body and bolt-on neck, fixed bridge and 24 frets. Would it really worth paying another €200 (a set of SD Blackouts' price) for it? And why?

 

[IBZshredder]

id recomend a rg321, really good guitars for the price. in that price range, you WILL NOT find a better neck, plus it is mahogany.

 

[Grimwing]

id recomend a rg321, really good guitars for the price. in that price range, you WILL NOT find a better neck, plus it is mahogany.

RG321 has mahogany body, but it's only available in the States. RGR321 has a basswood body and it's available in my country also. (Hungary, Central Europe)

 

[IBZshredder]

Thank you for your answer.

I'm not eagerly interested in used models, and there aren't too many in my region. And yes, I'm staying away from any tremolo.
Regarding the €200 GRGR121EX, compared to the €400 RGR321EX, the only major difference are the pickups. Same basswood body and bolt-on neck, fixed bridge and 24 frets. Would it really worth paying another €200 (a set of SD Blackouts' price) for it? And why?

I can guarantee you the wood used for the neck on the 321 will be much better, and stronger. the 321 necks are solid, i have hit my 321 neck off the ground really hard headstock first(i was surprised it didn't break ), and the guitar was still in tune. the fretwork is perfect on them, no sharp fret edges on mine, and ive had it for two years. oh yeah, and i rarely have to adjust the truss rod. id say go for the rg321, just a better instrument overall, and will last many years. the neck joint is aanj, i think the 121 is just a standard 4 bolt. the aanj is much nicer. the pickups on the 321 are actually alright, where as the 121 pickup's would be less than impressive.

 

[Grimwing]

ibanez.wikia.com/wiki/GRGR121EX

It has AANJ neck too. I'll check them out live on 4th of July (the store moves to another address, and they'll have 10-30% discount). Mostly 10% on guitars though.

hangszerdiszkont.hu/index.php?manufacturer_id=23&category_id=1&option=com_virtuemart&limitstart=0&limit=30&page=shop.browse&Itemid=1

Could someone suggest a really great guitar under €380?

(Sorry for no www's, I'm unable to post link yet. I have to have at least 10 posts for that.)

 

[jimistephen]

The RGA32 would probably be really good for what you want.

 

[Grimwing]

The RGA32 would probably be really good for what you want.

Yeah, I'm considering the RGA32. They say it's a rather heavy guitar which I don't mind because I like if something has material in it. When I buy a new optical mouse, the first thing I do is disassemble it right away, and glue some fishing lead in it to get a better feel for my hand.
However, it's pickups are not suited very well for clean settings, sounds too digital, but a few years later I'll install SD Blackouts anyway.
The other I'm considering would be the SZ520QM, which has surprisingly weak sound on all the videos (even the HD ones with really good amplification), somewhat powerless, like the "attack" of the string picks are nonexistent.

All in all, I'll test them live in the store to decide which one I could fall in love with.

 

[mike570]

I wouls also suggest the RG321. The RGR321 looks pretty cool. I actually wish they sold this here in the US. Even though it's basswood it should be a good guitar.
The RGA32 is a good stock guitar as well. The fixed bridge RGA's in general are pretty good.
Good luck!

 

[Grimwing]

And I wish they sold RG321MH in Europe.

 

[tommychains]

whichever guitar you decide on, try to find a chaper used one. i saved a lot when i bought my 2004 iceman ic200. p.s., if you're looking to play in those lower tunings, i suggest a pair of DR D.D.T. (drop down tuning) strings. Best strings in my opinion for that style of playing.

 

[Grimwing]

I think I'll choose the SZ520QM.

 

[jimistephen]

That would be an excellent choice.

 

[Grimwing]

Oh geez... I almost ordered the SZ520QM, and they've removed the item from the webshop I was browsing for a week now... There's only one shop left in my country that's selling this type. I'm gonna call them if it's in perfect factory condition (considering its production ended in 2007), and if yes, I'll order it. Probably the last piece in my country. Wish me luck.

 

[RI_RGplayer]

Instead of looking for a new cheap model, I would look for a used premium model. (and not the new Premium line they have). What I mean is I bought a RG321MH for 300USD a few months back and then a month later I saw a local guy selling 91 or 92 RG570 for 300USD. The 570 would have been a professional quality instrument compared to my 321.

That being said, I can give you advice. I would completely stay away from the GIO line. (any guitar that has a G in front of it. GRGR121EX) The RG3xx series are generally regarded as good, as long as you don't have the EDGE III tremolo on it. The new ones have an EDGE-ZERO which seems pretty good.

I don't know anything about the Cort, although they used to make guitars for Ibanez.

All those other guitars would be a great starting point. For a fat metal tone I would look for something with a Mahogany body, but it doesn't have to be.

I will give this a big X2

Would you rather have a brand new Kia, or a used Corvette?

 

[jimistephen]

What he means is would you rather have a new Yugo, or a used Ferrari?

 

[Grimwing]

I'm totally broken. The last SZ520QM was sold... I sooo wanted this masterpiece. I have to search for an alternative solution now. :/