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Electric guitar players. Opinions on my next guitar...

MentalIlness

MentalIlness

Platinum Member
How would this guitar be for my next guitar purchase ? When I was in sixth grade, I had a guitar class. Loved it. Learned chords and whatever. Years and years pass....decide to get into it again. Picked up a cheap Ibanez RG450 to get back in the "groove" a year ago. I do not feel I am a beginner by no means, but im sure as heck not James Hetfield either. lol. Awesome concert the other day by the way.

So what are opinions your on this ? And....I am an Ibanez guy...through and through. If money permitted, the only other guitar would be a Vermillion Les Paul. But since those are priced A LOT higher, it is a no go for now.

So here it is..........

Ibanez ARZIR20

ARZIR20_BK_4L_01_CU_Body_Top.jpg


353637_main_l_201406101220.jpg


Was going to install EMG 80 / 61 pickups in my current Ibanez. But this one comes with them.

Good buy ?
 
I'm not personally an Ibanez guy so I will leave that to someone else. However, I have installed plenty of pickups on different guitars. I can say that the instructions for everything I've installed (EMG, Laces, Fenders, etc) are absolutely terrible. You need some electrical knowledge (and tools) to really understand them, so I just want to give you a heads up on that. Don't dig a hole you can't get out of.
 
If you want a great deal on an Ibanez, check out Guitar Center's used site and you can find some decent Prestige models, not to mention signature models.

Now, are you wanting a Les Paul styled guitar or is it just as long as it's an Ibanez?

*edit* the model you picked out doesn't seem too bad really, if that's what you're looking for. Do you think you'll jive with the neck shape?
 
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CraKaJaX said:
I'm not personally an Ibanez guy so I will leave that to someone else. However, I have installed plenty of pickups on different guitars. I can say that the instructions for everything I've installed (EMG, Laces, Fenders, etc) are absolutely terrible. You need some electrical knowledge (and tools) to really understand them, so I just want to give you a heads up on that. Don't dig a hole you can't get out of.
Click to expand...

EMG's are pretty much dummy proof with the quick connect system they have. But I do agree about other pickup manufacturers. APC pickups are the worst when it comes to installation instructions. They referred me to a guitar tech at a guitar store since they weren't really sure. So odd.
 
I don't care for the Les Paul style. They're heavy generally, and neck heavy specifically. AFAIC, guitar design reached perfection with the Stratcaster. Add pickups to get the desired sound.
 
I have ab ESP LTD and it looks similiar to your Ibanez, replaced the tuers with locking tuners. I also have an RR5 Jacskon guitar which is neat. By no means I am a guitar player more like a hacker in training. I have the line 6 wireless amp setup with the line 6 HDPOD 500 and 2 Rokit 8 speakers. I am a tab dabler lol Just finding the time to do everything.
 
It''s a good, solid, quality instrument. The pickups in that model are very hot and designed for metal. Is that what you're in to?

Otherwise it's got a thin neck, so it will be good for speed, and the components look to be decent. Should play nicely.
 
That is likely a decent guitar, but I'd ask what kind of music you're into playing?

Personally I find EMG pickups to be super sterile and boring, they make the chugachugachug sound fairly well but they have no soul or personality for my taste. The clean tones are processed and uninspired. Also, keep fresh 9V batteries on hand.

Again that's subjective.. but even if you play super heavy metal stuff, I still prefer passive pickups and a good amp. I have a 7 string in my collection with EMGs and it barely gets touched these days. There was a time where I *had* to have them.

What kind of amp would you plug that into?

Lastly, the single tone control would be irritating to me on that setup.
 
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Ibanez is a great brand, and that's a decent guit-fiddle. What kind of music are you playing? And what kind will you be playing 6 months from now when you're better than James Hetfield? (Ohh snap! 🙂
 
What type of music do I like to play ? Well....here is a short list of styles....

Guns N Roses ( When they were GNR w/Slash )
Black Sabbath
Megadeth
Aerosmith
Metallica
Thin Lizzy
Disturbed
Poison
Def Leppard
Alice Cooper
Great White
Warrant

Yea, you can basically see the style from these bands. Maybe some blues and the like thrown in. So yea, roughly anything from the 70's to the mid 90's.

And believe me, if it weren't so high, Id def go with the Vermillion Les Paul. But...I do like the style. And since I am an Ibanez guy...it just seems to fit. And I also wont have to install EMG's on my current Ibanez.

I do not do gigging. or anything like that. Just for my own entertainment at home in the "man cave". I may be purchasing the Marshall DSL40C as well. Seems like a really solid amp. Ive also been considering the Peavey 6505+ as well. But...hard to say what I will end up with.

EDIT: My neighbor recently purchased a ESP...Les Paul shape. And he also has a Telecaster. And I just cannot do as well on those, as an Ibanez. They are just odd feeling to me. And since I am totally used to Ibanez...well...yea.

Another thing, I have installed pickups many times for other people. So that wouldn't be an issue.
 
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MentalIlness said:
I have actually considered this. There is a Guitar Center in Virginia. 🙂
Click to expand...
Yea, what dig said. My rule for buying instruments is never buy them online. No two guitars feel or sound the same, even if they're the same manufacturer and model. They just don't. You need to feel it, play it, hear it, etc. Before you buy it. You'll also get to plug into different amps and try them out as well. Being mostly a drummer, you can't just say oh, that Ludwig snare sounds awesome that the guy on TV is playing. There's so much that is behind it that you need to play it. Tuning, different heads, different mics, etc. Hope you get the idea... Good luck.
 
What attracts you to the EMGs? Many of the bands you listed get their tone from good old PAF-style humbuckers. Since you have the metal covered with the RG450, maybe lean towards the 70s sound with the LP style. Just a thought. Really it boils down to what you like. If the EMGs get you there, then that's your right answer.

And yea, Les Paul rules. 🙂
(My '74)
Bulk082.jpg
 
twinrider1 said:
What attracts you to the EMGs? Many of the bands you listed get their tone from good old PAF-style humbuckers. Since you have the metal covered with the RG450, maybe lean towards the 70s sound with the LP style. Just a thought. Really it boils down to what you like. If the EMGs get you there, then that's your right answer.

And yea, Les Paul rules. 🙂
(My '74)
Bulk082.jpg
Click to expand...

Very nice....

😱

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
Id like to have the Vermillion Les Paul. But this one would do nicely.

LPCSRMACH1-Hero.jpg



Ever get the money saved up. Ima purchase this one.
 
Love a Les Paul...

But if I were to get a second guitar, I'd get a Mexican Telecaster. I have a Mexican Strat, would trade it in for a Tele if I could.

P.S. I suck ass at playing.
 
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