I know this is kind of unanswerable by anyone else however I’ve decided to get a locking trem guitar strictly for messing around at home with metal stuff, EVH etc. just for fun. Essentially a toy but I’m lucky enough to have a decent budget.
Ive narrowed it down to an Indonesian made Jackson SL2Q with excellent hardware and Seymour pups (£900) VS an Ibanez RG prestige, MIJ (£1350).
Hardware spec is similar. The Jackson is neck thru rather than bolt on like the Ibanez. The Ibanez comes with a case, the Jackson doesn’t.
Both are miles away so it’s online order only, which I’m fine with. I already know I like the playability of both models.
Is it worth the extra dough for the prestige of an MIJ Ibanez with case? Is the QC likely to be £450 better on the Ibanez? I’m guessing the Ibanez might actually have a higher % depreciation if I come to sell it as I suspect they’d go for similar prices 2nd hand...Ibanez guitars don’t seem to hold their value that well.
Comments
Generally, I've always found Ibanez guitars to be lighter than the average for locking trem guitars.
Theyre hard are to beat at that price. The Japanese Jackson’s are ok but they’re not as good as the Japanese Ibanez’s
if it is the 652 you’re looking at, they have the skinniest necks ever, so make sure you’re cool with that.
I would personally also look at used - Prestige Ibby bargains can easily be had. A Prestige Jem around £1100 isn’t unusual if you’re patient. I would also look at MIJ Charvels, maybe even MIA ones if the prices were good, MIJ/US Jacksons and obviously the Wolfgang models, too. If you’re patient yo
So many of these guitars are excellent, I would basically go on neck profile - I know I like the Super Wizard profile so Ibanez are a no-brainer for me. I have owned three 652’s and I regret selling all of them.
I just weighed it...8.2 lbs. I swear it feels like 10 lbs. but it must be down to my declining health.
Dont think I could go schecter- just find the “hard ass metal” vibe they go for off putting.
I’ll post a NGD in due course. Thanks for the advice, sent me on an enjoyable research trip.
Have stuck mainly to the blues for several years now but it’s time to learn some of the shreddy stuff that got me interested in the guitar as a kid!