Wanna join the Prestige Family...but what axe? Please help

2628 Views 24 Replies 10 Participants Last post by guitarshredder7, Jul 30, 2005

solid

Discussion Starter · Jun 30, 2005

Hi there!

I've been checking the forum a lot lately, and the stuff I read here was very interesting. 2bad there aren't many posts about the recent Prestige series. So I thought you guys might be able to help me with some questions I have. It's been itching in my fingers to get a new guitar since months now. I've only been playing for 2 years, only guitar I have is a SQUIER. Of course I would like to get a JEM, but let's face it: I am not even decent on the guitar. But I ABSOLUTELY WANT a new, and GOOD guitar. All that being said, I wanted to ask your opinion on the 2005 models of the RG3120F, RG2570E and on the SZ2020FM. I narrowed it down to those 3, but am not really sure what to chose. Is there a big difference between the 3120F and the 2570E, soundwise? Quality? What about the SZ2020 with the Seymour Duncan/IBZ PUs? Is that like the Ibanez version of a LP?
I would be happy if some of you guys could comment on those 3 axes, as I was actually going to decide and order TODAY

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Ibateur

· #2 · Jun 30, 2005

Soundwise all pretty different. I believe:
1) Woods are different (3120 2020 are mahogany, and 2570 is basswood)
2) SZ is non-trem and set neck, so probably comparable in many ways to an LP.
3) Neck profiles are all different (SZ thickest and 2570 thinnest, though I could now be mistaken since they may have changed the profiles)
4) SZs use SD/IBZ pickups, 3120s have Dimarzio (TZ PAFPRO) and 2570s have Dimarzio/IBZ pickups all different models.

Depending on what kind of stuff (music) you're playing, I would go with the RG3120 first, as it at least has a floating trem for you to work with, rather than the Squier type trem. The SZ is second choice.

I may be biased because I have an 02 RG570EX and assume it is close to the 2570E (... edited ... I didn't mean that my guitar sucks. I love it (TZ/JB Jr/PAFPRO), though am currently playing my Les Paul copy a bit more now).

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solid

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 30, 2005

Thanks for your answer and opinion. Unfortunately, Ibanez stopped equipping it's RGs with real Di Marzio, so this years 3120F has got the same Di Marzio/IBZ pickups than the 2570E. The only difference would then be the wood (mahagony for 3120, basswood for 2570).

Taking that into cosideration, I wonder if the mahagony/basswood difference is such that it would be worth paying 500 bucks more. What do you guys think? The problem is that I don't really know what tone I am looking for. I love Vai's and Satch's killer tone, but I also love the nice melodic (can't find good adjectives to describe) tone of Slash. I like Timmons, Malmsteen, etc, but I also dig stuff like Robin Trower or Gary Moore, heavier blues. Being a beginner, I mostly play heavier blues stuff (am much too slow to play anything close to Satriani yet). Maybe an RG would be the wrong choice than??? But I want a killer, crunchy sound, no thin, classic blues sound.

I'm completely lost.. What instrument is more versatile? Can I play nice melodic warm stuff and the next minute get a sick animal sound with the RG? Or is the SZ better for that stuff.... HELP, I'D DROWNING IN DOUBTS

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Ibateur

· #4 · Jun 30, 2005

In that case, I would advise to get an SZ rather than the RG. It is cheaper by far than the rest but still quite a good instrument. At least, as a beginner, you don't (yet) start with all out expenses, like the crazy fools on this board (ahem). All the guitar players you mention have really different guitar tones (and guitars).

Your tone "preferences" are saying "more than one guitar" though, so if you aim lower and get pre-prestige 02/3 models, you may be able to afford both!

Bluestreak

· #5 · Jun 30, 2005

There's almost no difference between my '04 RG2770, which is mahogany, and my '91 RG570, which is basswood. Tonally, I see little difference, and you can't distinguish between the two guitars on my recordings.

If I were to advise you to get a Prestige series, it'd be the RG 2550 or 2570. I'm not a fan of the SZ series. Yes, an better RG will cost you more, but if you're serious about getting a good, life-long keeper type of guitar, that's the one to invest in. And the money you spend on a good guitar will also motivate you to practice and become better.

That's the effect my custom Charvel had for me back in the late 80's... I invested in a good guitar, and I practiced more as a result.

-R

markg5150

· #6 · Jun 30, 2005

Bluestreak said:
There's almost no difference between my '04 RG2770, which is mahogany, and my '91 RG570, which is basswood. Tonally, I see little difference, and you can't distinguish between the two guitars on my recordings.

If I were to advise you to get a Prestige series, it'd be the RG 2550 or 2570. I'm not a fan of the SZ series. Yes, an better RG will cost you more, but if you're serious about getting a good, life-long keeper type of guitar, that's the one to invest in. And the money you spend on a good guitar will also motivate you to practice and become better.

That's the effect my custom Charvel had for me back in the late 80's... I invested in a good guitar, and I practiced more as a result.

-R

I agree, get the best you can afford.

Personally I prefer the RG2550 over the 2570 because it has a pickguard and doesn't have the shark tooth inlays

toma

· #7 · Jun 30, 2005

markg5150 said:
Personally I prefer the RG2550 over the 2570 because it has a pickguard and doesn't have the shark tooth inlays

i agree, ive been looking at one of them for a while

toma

solid

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 30, 2005

I just read on another forum that on a guitar with single coil in the middle, the output of the humbuckers is set lower, so the 3 PUs match in output.
Has anyone ever heard of this? Generally speaking, is a HH axe better than a HSH axe? I read on many occasions that the single coil in the HSH models is actually crappy, useless, etc. Few people say that you can get very nice nuances with it though... what is your feeling about the HH vs HSH issue?

Bluestreak

· #9 · Jun 30, 2005

solid said:
I just read on another forum that on a guitar with single coil in the middle, the output of the humbuckers is set lower, so the 3 PUs match in output.
Has anyone ever heard of this? Generally speaking, is a HH axe better than a HSH axe? I read on many occasions that the single coil in the HSH models is actually crappy, useless, etc. Few people say that you can get very nice nuances with it though... what is your feeling about the HH vs HSH issue?

I find that highly dubious. My '91 570 has the HSH configuration, and with an EVO now installed at the bridge, I don't think you can find a guitar capable of screaming as well as my 570 does with a thick, high gain preset to play through.

I wouldn't sweat that detail, I personally think it's bunk. Oh, and I like the sharktooth inlays. Always have, they never get old to me.

-R

bpd111

· #10 · Jun 30, 2005

I throw my vote in for the 3120. Nice flamed maple top, but lacks a middle pup (which I would miss as all my electrics have). The 2570 has the middle pup, but the wanna-be Jackson inlays spoil it for me.

The SZ is Korean-made, and with as much discussion as there's been here about that, I still wouldn't buy a Korean guitar. The Japan-made guitars are and likely will be much more sought after.

I don't believe the statement about the guitars with middle pups having humbuckers with lessened output. I'm doubtful you can do that, but I believe he was referring to the fact that when the 5-way is switched to use the middle coil, the output will be less than the humbuckers by themselves.

I don't think you'll go wrong with either guitar. It comes down to which appeals to you more. They both have very different finishes, but I don't think tone will be much different.

Once you make up your mind, though, follow the link at the top of the page to Ibanez Rules! and buy from him. His prices will be competive if not better and his set-up will be second to none.

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solid

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 30, 2005

Thanks for all the advice and opinions! I appreciate it.
I think the choice is going to be made between the 2570 and the 3120. Although the SZ I am referring to is Japan-made, it's an SZ Prestige.

It might sound silly to you more experienced guys, but although the SZ might be a nice alternative, soundwise, I just don't like the fat, clumsy looks of it... I think you have to be attracted by the looks of a guitar too. Not only of course, but if you don't like the looks, you won't pick it up as often.
The RG look much more aggressive. They just look !!ROCK!!
And the sharktooth inlays add something to that. Although the finish of the 2005 3120 is much more elegant, classic in a way. Well, it's gonna be tough to decide anyway. But I promised myself that the decision will be made TODAY... it's been going on for months now, this back and forth in my mind.
Fed up of it really.

I don't doubt a second that Rich is an expert and a great guy to buy from.
But the guy at my shop here in Luxembourg is very nice when it comes to the price, and I get the guitar within 5 days. Sorry Rich, maybe next time

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solid

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jun 30, 2005

Any1 got a last comment or advice? I'll leave the office in 30 minutes, and go order.... now is the time to share your knowledge, children of the sun

bpd111

· #13 · Jun 30, 2005

solid said:
Thanks for all the advice and opinions! I appreciate it.
I think the choice is going to be made between the 2570 and the 3120. Although the SZ I am referring to is Japan-made, it's an SZ Prestige.

Some '05 Prestige guitars are made in Korea.

http://www.ibanezrules.com/namm/2005/sa_gsa_sz_gsz.htm

Rich

· #14 · Jun 30, 2005

NO S, SZ, SA, or any S derivative is MIJ

vaijem777

· #15 · Jun 30, 2005

Rich said:
NO S, SZ, SA, or any S derivative is MIJ

The AT-300 is a "derivative" of one of those body styles.

Rich

· #16 · Jun 30, 2005

But doesn't have an S in the model name

vaijem777

· #17 · Jun 30, 2005

So? A "derivative" doesn't have to have the same name/model number.

The RG isn't called a JEM or vice-versa, but one is clearly derived from the other.

No S, SA, SZ models may be MIJ, but the AT-300 IS an S "derivative" and IS MIJ

Rich

· #18 · Jun 30, 2005

:roll:

vaijem777

· #19 · Jun 30, 2005

Hey! What do you expect? You overlooking details is a rare thing. Somebody's gotta take advantage of the opportunity!

Oh yeah, and I'm bored.

Rich

· #20 · Jun 30, 2005

And I'm too busy. Swap?

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