[Reinder]

Neck width question (Prestige)

I'm kinda looking into buying a RG652AHMFX, not one closeby to feel how the neck plays unfortunately. So I have 4 Ibanez guitars with 4 types of necks:

EX370FM TR
1 pc. maple Ultra? neck, neck joint, 25.5" scale
Scale length - 648MM/25.5"
Width at nut - 42MM
Width at last fret - 56MM
Thickness at first fret - 19MM
Thickness at 12th fret - 21MM
Radius - 430

JPM 90 HAM
1 pc. maple Viper neck, all-access neck joint, 25.5" scale
Scale length - 648MM/25.5"
Width at nut - 42MM
Width at last fret - 56MM
Thickness at first fret - 19MM
Thickness at 12th fret - 21.5MM
Radius - 430

RG2820CT TW
3 pc. maple Ultra neck, all-access neck joint, 25.5" scale
Scale length - 648MM/25.5"
Width at nut - 43MM
Width at last fret - 56MM
Thickness at first fret - 19.5MM
Thickness at 12th fret - 21.5MM
Radius - 430

RG 20064
5 pc. Maple/Walnut Prestige neck, all-access neck joint, 25.5" scale
Scale length - 648MM/25.5"
Width at nut - 43MM
Width at last fret - 58MM
Thickness at first fret - 18MM
Thickness at 12th fret - 20MM
Radius - 430

I like the neck of the RG20064 the least and it might be because of the wider neck (58MM) instead of the other 3 that have 56MM necks. The specs of the RG652AHMFX are:
Super Wizard HP5pc Maple/Walnut neck
Scale : 648mm/25.5"
a : Width 43mm at NUT
b : Width 58mm at 24F
c : Thickness 17mm at 1F
d : Thickness 19mm at 12F
Radius : 430mmR

This looks like the default neck for all prestige guitars right now. So what do you guys think, based on my other guitars and preferences, will I like this neck or not? (And yeah I know I gotta feel it for real to make final judgement). Thanks for your advice!

 

[Neon_Knight_]

Re: Neck width question (Prestige)

Nice collection! I would be mindful that your favourite neck is thinner than your others, as well as wider - this could be the actual reason, or at least a contributing factor, for your preference. The RG652's Super Wizard neck is the same width as your RG20064, but thinner again. It's impossible to be sure without playing it, but my guess would be that you'd like the Super Wizard neck even more.

Assuming you're looking at buying a new guitar, you don't have the option of a 42/56mm or 43/56mm neck. The 43/58mm width became standard for Wizard necks a decade ago, and standard for Prestige Wizard necks 5 years before that. The thickness and radius has been unchanged during that time though. I may be mistaken, but I think the increase in width coincided with changes from 3-piece to 5-piece neck construction. Here's a quick run-down of how the necks have changed over the years (there are odd exceptions, including occasional 42mm variants):

Original Wizard:
43/57mm width, 17/20mm thickness, 430mmR

Pre-2005:
Wizard II - 43/56mm width, 19/21mm thickness, 400mmR
Wizard Prestige - 43/56mm width, 18/20mm thickness, 430mmR
Super Wizard Prestige - 43/56mm width, 17/19mm thickness, 430mmR

2005-2009:
Wizard II - 43/56mm width, 19/21mm thickness, 400mmR
Wizard Prestige - 43/58mm width, 18/20mm thickness, 430mmR
Super Wizard Prestige - 43/58mm width, 17/19mm thickness, 430mmR

2010-current:
Wizard II (2010 only) - 43/58mm width, 19/21mm thickness, 400mmR
Wizard III (2011 onwards) - 43/58mm width, 19/21mm thickness, 400mmR
Wizard Prestige - 43/58mm width, 18/20mm thickness, 430mmR
Super Wizard Prestige - 43/58mm width, 17/19mm thickness, 430mmR

'HP' variants of the necks have the same measurements as non-HP variants (at least to my knowledge - I'm still trying to figure out what 'HP' means).

 

[Neon_Knight_]

Re: Neck width question (Prestige)

I have two guitars with pre-2010 Wizard II necks (43/56mm), two with post-2005 Wizard Prestige (43/58mm) and one with a Super Wizard Prestige (43/58mm). I play all of them regularly and love them all. The difference in width and thickness is immediately noticeable to me when I switch guitars. However, I haven't played a 43/58mm wide neck with 400mmR or a 43/56mm wide neck with 430mmR, so couldn't say whether the it's actually the width or the radius that makes the real difference to me...sorry.

I only just got the Super Wizard, but would say that's my favourite. It's an RG652FX - the same as the RG652AHMFX that you're looking at, but with a basswood body and rosewood fretboard. I'd definitely recommend it!

Actually, that's another key point for you to consider - a maple fretboard will feel very different to rosewood (which I notice all of your guitars have - like mine). Satin / gloss finish on the neck also makes a big difference - I would always go with satin.

Here's my collection, if you're interested:

 

[Reinder]

Thanks Neon_Knight_ for your comments, nice collection as well! I think you misread the neck I like. I like the 56mm more than the 58mm, so going by your comments I probably would not like the Super Wizard neck as much as my 56mm Ultra and Viper necks. So that means I would only be looking at pre 2009 or even pre 2005 guitars. A PGM 90th would be great

 

[Reinder]

Looking at the Ibanez website I see some models that have 57mm and even 56mm width necks. Kiko's is a 57 and the PGM's are 56mm (though those are not Japan made). But RG Prestige are all 58mm like you said.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

Sorry for misreading the most important part of your post...so yes, I meant the opposite to what I said...you'll like the Super Wizard even less. Thickness could be a factor as well as width though.

Kiko's has the width you're after, but also has a thicker neck (20/22.3mm) than any of yours...not necessarily a bad thing.

An older used guitar would be the only way to get what you're after, plus should save you some money compared to a new RG652. I'd be tempted to suggest trying out a Wizard III or Nitro Wizard neck (43/58mm width but 19/21mm thickness), to see how you find it, but all models with those are a step down in quality from Prestige.