[speedyone]

Hi all,

Been pondering getting an Ibanez for a long time, and finally ready to take the plunge!

I have narrowed it down to 2 guitars--

The S6570Q Prestige or the RG752AHM

(I REALLY want a 7 string, but the S series doesn't offer one).


What concerns me between these two is the playability.


My store ONLY carries the budget versions of Ibanez guitars. In fact NO store within 200 miles of where I live carries any nice Ibanez guitars.



I got to play an RG470AHM, and that thing felt TERRIBLE; the action, the neck, the trem, total garbage.


Yet I also got to play RGA42FM (also the "Standard" budget line,) and that thing felt INCREDIBLE to play.


So here's my dilemma:


Do I buy the much more expensive S Prestige which I think will play really nice (but it's a 6 string,) OR, do I get the RG752AHM which IS a 7 string, but might end up playing like crap if it feels ANYTHING like the budget version of the 6 string I played?


Does anyone here have any opinions or insight to offer between the two?

I've listened to a ton of soundclips, checked out every youtube demo vid I could find, and I DO like the tones of the two guitars equally well, even though they are different.


I COULD order the RG or S from Sweetwater, and use their return policy if I didn't like it, but chances are, the guitar won't be optimally setup when I get it. (I was thinking of ordering my guitar from Rich, since he WILL be able to setup the guitar expertly for me before I receive it).

I have no guitar at the moment, so the one I buy will be my only guitar, and probably the only one I'll be able to afford for a number of years.

Thanks all for any advice/input, and I'm happy to answer any other questions you might have for me!

 

[sepulchrave]

This is easy, you REALLY want a seven string so you really need the RG, the setup is critical so pay extra for the perfect setup. Some decisions are just easy.

 

[speedyone]

Well it is true, I really do want a 7, but I just can't get over how crappy the Standard version of the RG played. I got to also play an older S model, and that one played great.

I really wish someone who has played both an S Prestige AND an RG Prestige is here on the site, and could tell me whether or not these two guitars would "feel" similar and play equally well if they were setup correctly.

Maybe Rich will respond-- since he has played and setup tons of Ibanez guitars.

I do appreciate your reply Sepulchrave!

If I COULD get the 7 string setup well, and feel good to play, I think I'd lean more toward that model.

 

[jono]

I've got an S5570Q which is the predecessor of the 6570 and various similar RGs.

from a left hand point of view, I don't think there's any difference at all between the RG and the S series in terms of playability. Obviously there's the whole 6 vs 7 thing going on, the bodies do feel different the balance is roughly the same, it's the thinness of the S series and the somewhat angled controls with the S that just make it feel noticeably different to a normal superstrat. I'm also not a big fan of the top mounted jack-socket.

Overall though, what I would say is exactly what Sepulchrave said. If you want the 7, get the 7... the one thing you cant change is the number of strings...

Also I'd order from Rich, and get the best setup possible from him. You pay a bit more, but it is 100% worth it. I got a JEM from him ages ago and on halloween I use the set up on that to scare "boutique" dealers as to just what is possible from a production line Japanese superstrat.

 

[Leviathus]

Someone shine the Ibanezrules logo over the skies of south Jersey quick!

 

[Rich]

There is no 7 string S for next year either so you can eliminate that. there is a couple different RG 7's coming unless you already like what is available, and don't forget the RGD's, they are a longer scale but still cool 7's.

 

[speedyone]

Thank you everyone for your replies!


Rich, I started a thread in August of 2017 asking about whether or not locking trems could handle 007's.


Well, I don't have to use strings THAT light, but I do feel good with 008's now!


You mentioned that you thought you had only setup an Ibanez maybe once in 10 years with 008's.... Do you have any thoughts about whether using that gauge would work alright as far as staying in tune well with a locking trem?


I think after a lot of thought, I'll probably go for the S6750Q. Being so lightweight and ergonomic is a huge plus to me!

 

[Rich]

Odd, I just did an RG with 8's last week. It is a rare ask. It's a normal setup but very few play 8's. I setup 10 times more with 12's in C standard 8O

 

[webjunk]

Hi all,

Been pondering getting an Ibanez for a long time, and finally ready to take the plunge!

I have narrowed it down to 2 guitars--

The S6570Q Prestige or the RG752AHM

(I REALLY want a 7 string, but the S series doesn't offer one).

What concerns me between these two is the playability.

My store ONLY carries the budget versions of Ibanez guitars. In fact NO store within 200 miles of where I live carries any nice Ibanez guitars.

I got to play an RG470AHM, and that thing felt TERRIBLE; the action, the neck, the trem, total garbage.

Yet I also got to play RGA42FM (also the "Standard" budget line,) and that thing felt INCREDIBLE to play.

So here's my dilemma:

Do I buy the much more expensive S Prestige which I think will play really nice (but it's a 6 string,) OR, do I get the RG752AHM which IS a 7 string, but might end up playing like crap if it feels ANYTHING like the budget version of the 6 string I played?

Does anyone here have any opinions or insight to offer between the two?!

I have both RG's & S models. What I like better about my S's are the feel when playing. Its not really what I myself would call playability but YMMV.
Its more lighter weight and balance. My left hand does not feel like its holding up or lifting the guitar if that makes sense. The hand is more relaxed, not having to really grip the neck to hold it in position. That also means my right hand isn't always gripping the bridge or body for accurate picking. On the opposite spectrum I have a heavy Les Paul that my left hand has to hold in position the guitar with a firm grip to accurately pick the strings especially when running around on stage. Its not just the weight of a Les Paul I find tiring but the lack of balance. Its also not neck dive or the like but the S stays balanced better when moving around, so again not just about weight, I think. An RG falls in the middle of these. I have strats lighter than my RG's but the balance is the same as those RG's.

Playability to me is more about the neck, frets & body contour. No one can tell you how each of these fit your playing style. I have a friend that can't play any of my Ibanez's as he needs a baseball bat for a neck.

I will say that the cheaper Ibanez & yes, other brands are often not consistent. That's why you hear people that played one in a store, ordered same model online and it played different. Prestiges I have found are a lot more consistent tho every once in a while there's something off. So playing cheaper models is only an indication of that particular instrument in your hands. Weight varies a lot more on them too. I rarely buy instruments without having the same in my hands. One guitar last year I bought used because the two new ones did not play as well.
If you don't work on your own instruments then buy from Rich. He is not just setting up but looking it over carefully, essentially an extra QA. Sweetwater I won't buy anything from tho they still call me sometimes. I bought two basses (a year apart) that neither were right. The Fender Jazz had major issues and was obvious they never even visually inspected it which I expected better for a $2000 bass & their 55-point inspection. Another reason I prefer to play what I'm buying but needed the Jazz bass for gigs right away. Most of my guitars & basses I've bought while traveling or on tour. Several came from Music Store in Germany. They'll drag stuff out of the warehouse for me, and accommodating with any issues. Even kept one for me to ship later to the US so I didn't schlep it around Europe. Yes I checked the serial #.

 

[The TPS Report]

I think after a lot of thought, I'll probably go for the S6750Q. Being so lightweight and ergonomic is a huge plus to me!

Order from Rich. Get the Silver setup. You'll be amazed how much better it will play than store bought and/or worked on by your run of the mill local guitar guy after you buy it.