trix- Nvm, no worries. Was just curious on testing it out and seeing how good it is. Might drop by and have a look next weekend.

evalshtog- Yet again, we always want the same STUFF! Unfortunately they only have the red/black bevels. But it looks really cool IRL, unlike the pics on the net.

wait i think i remeber theres the kh 120 half cab,michael ammott siganature ninja v2 35 watt combo,rx 25,35,kh 15watt,and a g3plus 100watt i think thats basicall yit

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Added on August 3, 2008, 5:35 pmhopefully they bring the black demmel in by jan next year cos im getting it then =)

Dude, the only way they are goin to bring it in is if they know there is a demand for it. Just go by their showroom/call/e-mail them a few times and inquire about it. Ask your friends to join in too, haha. Thats what i did. But when they finally brought it in, i'm broke because i just spent my cash on doing up my car.

ill do that

Hey people, I'm now in the market for a 2nd electric and having a wee problem deciding which to get.

Firstly I mostly play rock (heavy stuffs) but do also play on clean.

I have two axes in mind, the S520EX and AX-50.

Clearly the AX-50 is cheaper but then I can swap out pups to either EMG H4s or H4As which comes total quite cheaper or same price as the S520EX with stock pups. The reason I picked H4s or H4As as to 81s or 85s is because they are passive and do not need a battery for which I think is cost effective for me.

Aside from that, both axes are Indonesian and the ESP has a fixed bridge not tremelo while the S520EX does.

The tremelo difference might or might not affect my decision because I currently do not utilise it at all due to the fact my current axe has a single way unlocked bridge so I'm not sure whether will I should factor this into my decision or not.

Any advices? How are the H4 and H4A pups? Any differences between the two?

umm...the S520 is MIK. so there should be a difference in workmanship..

Get the S series, its def better than the LTD. But if you aren't using the trem a lot or if you change tuning often, the trem might be quite a hassle. And passive EMGs aren't really good. If you want to stick with passives on the LTD, better you go with a pair of SD or DiMarzio pickups instead. But IMO, the S would be a better choice by a mile.

Really? I asked the shop as they did not have a display set and they sais it was indonesian but the korean one would be more expensive.

What is your budget then? And also, what kind of music/bands do you play? Maybe we could recommend some axes in that price range which would be good choices.

yup. just came back fomr deciding between a s520 and s420. both are MIK both with similar pricetags of 2550 at bents.

the S520 is actually twice tha price that of the LTD Ax-50
another difference between the 2 guitars are, 22 and 24 frets. LTD have 24 frets while the S series has only 22 frets. some of the guys would consider this to be a real headache (esp when it comes to RR3 and Alexi-200)
anyway, Ibanez S-520 is worth it for the price, for 3 piece wizard II neck and Mahagony body

Also, cost effective of the Battery? Not really. Depends on how often/long you play. Swap out the battery every say 4-6 months on average playing.....
Means your spending 20-40 bucks A YEAR for batteries.

But if you're looking for a guitar that's around RM2200 (I assume that's the budget, judging from a cost of a S520) that's made for Metal, why not just go for the RG series? The RG350, RG370 or heck, just throw in abit extra for an RG1570...... Definitely more shreddable and a much gnarlier (for lack of a better term) guitar.

True, but the prob with the RGs in that price range is the Edge III trem, i should know. Since you are new to trems, the Edge III would be quite a headache at first, though you could get used to it after a while.

If you want an RG at that price range, get a hardtail. If you want an S, then one with a trem would be ok since they have the Edge Zero IIRC. But as trix said, best you save up and get an RG Prestige!

My budget would be around 2.6k and I play music ranging from Metal (Metallica/Slipknot/Children of Bodom/Nightwish etc etc) to Heavy Rock (Creed/Alter Bridge) to Clean (Strumming Acoustic songs and stuff)

But basically I want to focus on crunchyness in distortion for mutes which maintaining an acceptable sound for clean stuff. My budget will be around the S520EX's price which currently I have a special deal for RM2.5k + a hardcase.

S520 is almost as good as the prestige, since its made in korea. MIK ibanez guitars such as the RGT6ex are way much difference from the RG300 series which are indonesia made. though wood and all may be the same, the workmanship and probably the grade of the wood is different. S series prestige is costly, unlike the RG1570 prestige

Well, thats a really good price especially with the hardcase. But you might find the 22 frets limiting if you want to play songs by those bands, especially COB.

So in the end the S520EX with stock pups is a better choice than the AX-50 with EMGs? (this time with 81s or 85s since blacktrix said the cost is negligible)

Agreed. I didn't know how important 24 frets were to bands like COB and Dragonforce......

but anyways, the S520 is using the ZR-Trem, NOT the Edge Zero trem. But it's still a semi-floating trem and tuning it is still a b***h.

To me honestly, the S520, as big of an S guitar as I am..... isn't THAT spectacular. Right now, the only S for me is the new S5470 Prestige (around 4-5k) and of course, the Egen. You just can't get much tone from the standard pups of the S. Also, 22 frets vs 24 frets man!

And it all boils down to???

I should consider a RG instead?

I asked GC Midvalley, for now they have only Hammet's signature model in stock
They might have more models on the next shipment, but he doesn't know yet.
He also said it's possible for them to order in for you.

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Added on August 3, 2008, 7:51 pm
You kidding? The 1570 bents has is MII and has a 3k+ pricetag
unless its an MIJ 1570 or heck 1550 <<<<<< 1550 ALL MAPLE NECK FTW
then 3k probably can justify its pricetag

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Added on August 3, 2008, 8:04 pm


What you want.
New v Old.
Brand. Strictly Ibanez?
budget 2.6k right?

I'll give you a few pointers bout the Ibanez guitars in discussion here

Ibanez S470 Price tag = 2.3K+ MYR
Plus sides = S-series uses ZR-tremolo bridges, instead of knife edges, they have fixated ball bearing anchor. They are much smooth when you dive or pull up. Also, since it's using bearings, they have a lot less friction so they wear quite well. S-series is also very light because of the ultra thin mahogany body. MIK ones seems pretty well built, never touched MII ones. AANJ plays and feels close to a NTB guitar.

Negative is S-series uses horrid mahogany, they sound very basswood like, with little richness in tone. It's alright if you were to slap in some EMG, it'll sound nearly the same on all guitars anyway. S-series also only has 22 frets, putting you at a disadvantage if you were to play COB neoclassical runs.
Biased negative views = Wizard necks, overly flat fretboard radius.

Ibanez RG3xx Price tag = 1.7-1.8K MYR

Plus sides - Weight, despite thicker body, the use of basswood makes it light. 24 frets. AANJ plays and feels really good. Looks good with mirror finish pickguard (assuming some of the 3xx series has pickguards =p).

Negatives - Edge III trem, knife edges are very weak, expect it to not hold your tunings very well, and for it to show wear very early. Hefty pricetag for a guitar of this quality (No offense to Ibanez owners n fans)

Ibanez RG1570

Plus - Edge Pro I/II bridge, a very good tremolo bridge. Light, 24 frets, you heard it all b4.

Negatives - Severely overpriced for MII ones.



SOLUTION TO YOUR PROBLEM
Get a second hand MIJ Jackson =p Gappy you got any?

heck? the rg1570s are now MII?

I'd prefer a new one. Yeah around 2.6k. Not really strictly Ibanez, I'm alright with ESP but the design of Jacksons is not to my liking though.

You are now my enemy! Haha, jk man. But seriously, if you want something good at that price range, best you go used or sacrifice the 2 frets and get the S520EX. Also, i saw this new neckthru Ibanez with mahogany body and EMG81/85 pickups at Bents. Its a hardtail though, and below 3k IIRC. Should be a good choice if you want to sacrifice the trem for the 2 extra frets and active pickups instead. If not, you better save up 1-2k more to get a really good guitar. ESPs, erm, i mean, LTDs at that price aren't worth it.

sean392- Thanks for the Randall info man.

i myself am using an ltd ax-50 with emg hz's in them and im pretty satisfied with it. i think a big part of your sound comes from your amp, not just your guitar(very debatable subject).

about the 22/24 fret thing, i think its more of getting used to rather than playing with the extra 2 frets. how many songs actually go up to the 23rd or 24th fret? its more of a preference because if you're used to playing with 24 frets(like me), you'll find it awkward with the different fret positions on the 22 frets because the position of the 12th fret will be closer to the body of the guitar.

and yes dead eye, the 22/24 frets problem with the rr3 and alexi 200 still giving me headaches till this day

i've tried his guitar..surprisingly not bad for a mii ..the workmanship is definitely better than other MII that i tried before ..

never heard of 1570 being MII ..if that is true ..i think its a stupid move for ibanez to make a MII prestige ..

s392 : got lah..early september in ! ..woot

iirc la
MII 1570 is in bent KL
but saw that quite awhile back

Are you sure? I don't think there are MII Prestiges, hence PRESTIGE. Unless Ibanez want to intentionally throw away the reputation of their Prestige line.

well..actually it is possible lah ...

not all PRESTIGE are MIJ ...

Ibanez SA2020 prestige is MIK

MIK is still not that bad, but MII?! Cant really register that fact. Haha.

the new RG1570 is MIJ, and yes price i above RM3k. well blacktrix isnt wrong when comparing the S520 with RG1570. RM2.5 + hardcase and RM3k + hardcase, RM500 different for a prestige, i mean its not a small amount, but considerable.

and the emg81/85 neck thru which fatboythin mentioned would be the RGT6ex FX, neck thru and MIK.

u carry rgt42dx ?
those are pretty good too it seems

After much consideration I decided to hold out a little bit longer to see whether I can expand my current budget or not. Any other guitar makes to consider in the meantime people?

Basically below 3-4k, Ibanez or Jacksons would be your best bet unless you go used. Just save up and inform us of your max budget, then we can look into things. Good luck.

Yuppers. I did say to throw in some extra for the RG1570...... Although my original price point for the Ibanez was about RM2200 for the S and about RM2800 for the RG Pres.... But still..... I was alluding to the fact that maybe he should save up a bit more (since his budget is already RM2500) and get a much much better guitar.

And good luck on your guitar quest man!

About the Prestige 1570 do I need to swap the pups?

The pickups are decent enough...... better then the regular RG pickups definitely.



And common! It just looks..... so..... darn...... good!

Looks nice but I wish I could have the S body though.

Anyway, since I'm holding out to expanding my budget, just how much do I need to get a decent axe? 3.2? 3.5?

Try 3.5-4k, you should be able to haggle down the price of a few RG Prestiges to below that if you're lucky. My friend managed to haggle and got an RG2550Z with hardcase for only 3.4k at Bents last Friday.

yeah i do bro, the one neck thru model MIK with sharktooth inlays.
indeed it is good, and worth the price as well


ouch... u shud've ask him to haggle me, he'll save more

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Added on August 4, 2008, 1:43 pm
the S520 isnt that bad actually, its already a good guitar

Haha, i told him to go through you. He said he'll ask me to contact you when he wants to buy it. But he went and bought at Bents without telling me, grr..

Try Ibanez RGT42DX
Maple NTB
Mahogany body
Edge Pro II
24frets

699USD, should be around 2.4k

PM Deadeye I think he can give you a good price

Discontinued model? I couldn't find it in the site.

Woh? Just checked the newer ones removed the Edge Pro II and replaced with an Edge III
heh tough luck =/

http://www.ibanez.com/eg/guitar.aspx?m=RGT42DX

Really don't have meh? You sure you looking the right places?

http://www.zzounds.com/item--IBARGT42DX
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product...58&src=3SOSWXXA
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez-RGT42DX...658-i1173389.gc

From the musiciansfriend site, the black model has an edge pro II, while the white one an Edge III

heh

hey i will be going down to sg, maybe i can help you to get if you wan it..
I think they might have some discount..

http://www.musicplayers.com/reviews/guitar...anezRGT42DX.php

a random review of the older RGT42DXFM, doesn't look like a shabby review
seems like they didn't like the pups, but that's swappable. heh

Are fender guitars advisable to play like some acoustic songs?

Or should I use an acoustic guitar?

Best would definitely be a acoustic. But if you want to play acoustic songs on a Strat once in a while, it should be no problem since they have great cleans anyway.

Okay thx, i would be using the strat for like Pink Floyd songs,..

Or why not Epi Les Paul Ultra II with the Piezo pickup?

the only acoustic i want now is this...


but my budget ran abit cos i bought the boss micro BR and razer mako recently...bah...