[TeenBite]

I'm looking for a good first electric guitar (I've been playing acoustic for about a year now), and I have been left in awe by the looks of the RG350EX. However, I would love to know anyone's opinion, and also if there is any difference between the EX and DX besides colour and trem system (and does that make a difference).

 

[stealthgerm]

both the EX & DX finish sport the Edge III floating vibrato bridge, the differences between the two are merely cosmetics, tonally, they sound above average IMO. a worthy first investment. if you think the 350 looks stunning, the 320's laminate top should be one-up.

RG320

 

[lyconxero]

You can't go wrong with an Ibanez RG for your first electric. GermX is right: most of the differences between those guitars are simply cosmetic, but the RG320 will sound a bit different from the other two simply because it has a flamed maple top. I personally have an RG370DX and it rocks. I wanna drop some EMGs into it to give it a lot more articulation with distortion.

 

[TeenBite]

Thanks guys. All the names are way too confusing... The 370 is a version below the 350, but the 320 is better, right? The 320 does look nice, but it doesn't have the shark tooth inlays, and I think they really make the 350 stand out.

 

[damo7v]

not necessarily better, but different.

ibanez has a series of codes they use to describe different variants... eg. x20 means it'll have two humbuckers and no single coil with no pickguard, x50 means it'll have a hum-sing-hum pickup configuration with a pickguard, x70 means it'll have hum-sing-hum with no pickguard... (i'm sure there are exceptions)

don't count on the flame maple of the rg320 making a difference tonally, as the flame maple is more a veneer than a top as such. it's too thin to be substantial. but it looks great.

 

[Flobanez]

both the EX & DX finish sport the Edge III floating vibrato bridge, the differences between the two are merely cosmetics, tonally, they sound above average IMO. a worthy first investment. if you think the 350 looks stunning, the 320's laminate top should be one-up.

RG320

That's a good choice.

 

[TeenBite]

Thanks damo7v. I just realised that was probably a stupidly n00bie question I could probably have answered myself with a bit of research.

Flobanez: it is a nice guitar, but I want a single coil definately (if I wanted a H-H configuration I'd get an Epiphone Flying V).

 

[chef21]

Teenbite I just purchased the 350dx, and i like it a lot. Shop around because there are good deals out there. I got mine at ******** on sale for 319.00. it's a great guitar for the price, nice neck (i to like the shark tooth inlays) the pick ups sound really good, but will probably swapp them out later on. its a good choice though. chef 21

 

[TeenBite]

I'm from Britain, and can get it (the EX) for £300 (£270 for the DX!).

 

[damo7v]

that might well be the going rate in britain, but seems damn expensive. how would you go importing one on a private sale?

 

[TeenBite]

Everything is expensive over here, we just get used to it, and £300 ain't that bad. You know it costs £150 for the most basic of portable basketball nets over here, when it's like that many dollars for a one with spring loaded square backboard.

 

[ElectriK]

the edge 3 is pretty shoddy trem, i would suggest an RG 321. It has a mahogany body and no floyd rose, so you wont have as much trouble setting it up, tuning, chainging strings etc especially since its your first guitar. Plus i think the RG 321 is the best guitar in its price range, its also slightly cheaper than the 370. 250 and 320.

 

[damo7v]

the edge 3 is pretty shoddy trem, i would suggest an RG 321. It has a mahogany body and no floyd rose, so you wont have as much trouble setting it up, tuning, chainging strings etc especially since its your first guitar. Plus i think the RG 321 is the best guitar in its price range, its also slightly cheaper than the 370. 250 and 320.

ah, but...

if I wanted a H-H configuration I'd get an Epiphone Flying V

i have an edgeIII, as well as an edgepro, edge and edgeproII and find the edgeIII to be perfectly acceptable.

 

[lyconxero]

Yeah, I don't think the Edge III is a shoddy trem at all. It stays in tune quite well and it gets the job done. Of course, it's not as fluid as an Edge Pro but you definitely get what you pay for.

 

[ElectriK]

the edge 3 is alright but, imo its not that great, especially since his first electric, itl save him lots of headaches especially if he wants to experiment with down tuning. Is he even going to use the trem much at all? Beause if he doesnt there is little point of getting it. Ah well too bad he doesnt want the H H config.

 

[stealthgerm]

Thanks damo7v. I just realised that was probably a stupidly n00bie question I could probably have answered myself with a bit of research.

Flobanez: it is a nice guitar, but I want a single coil definately (if I wanted a H-H configuration I'd get an Epiphone Flying V).

many people would dismiss the 320 for the lack of a single coil in there so it is deemed less tonally versatile. however, the 320 has a 5-way switching option which splits the humbuckers in pisition 4 for a very convincing single coil tone. however, if you insist on a real single coil, the 350/ 370 would make a better option.

 

[TeenBite]

As far as the setting up being complicated goes, I'd love a challenge, and would prefer an actual single coil. I'm the lead singer in a band that already has 2 guitarists, so I'll only be doing fairly random things, meaning I have to be able to do anything.

 

[lyconxero]

My personal advice is that you should buy a Prestige guitar if you can afford......IF you can afford it. Overall, they are much better guitars than the regular series and have a much higher resale value. Of course, if you're going to be rough with the guitar and not take proper care of it then maybe a regular series guitar will be fine. I bought an RG370DX and I loved it to death at first, but after playing some Prestige RGs I'm already thinking about bigger and better things.

Also, a floating trem isn't something to be taken lightly. Definitely decide whether or not you're actually going to use the trem before buying a guitar with one because they are a serious hassle.

 

[marianozz]

Usual advice around this parts...

Get a used japanese RG 5xx... youll end up saving money and getting a much, much better axe... have a friend you trust help you check it out (if your not so used to trying out electrics yourself)...

I know usually people tend to go "i dont wanna spend that much, its my 1st"... but still, if youre serious enough about playing the better instrument will pay off, as itll encourage you to play it more, youll be way more satisfied with it, etc...

i had a couple cheap 1st and 2nd guitars... i ended up spending more than if id got a good RG 10 years ago...

 

[Dylan7620]

my friend just got a 320 and its a really decent guitar. the trem isnt THAT big of a deal... just block it if ur not going to use it... then u can expirement later