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?

This post has been edited by ffrulz: Aug 3 2008, 07:42 PM

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 pmYou 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 pmWhat 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?

This post has been edited by sean392: Aug 3 2008, 08:06 PM

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.