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GAS: ANQNUGD – Ibanez RG1550MPBL

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DLMDLM Frets: 2513
edited September 2017 in Guitar

(Also Not Quite New Used Guitar Day)

Massive thanks to @StefB for the tip off about Coda's summer sale in this thread: http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/109947/ibanez-prestige-v-premium/  I at least owe you a pint. Very least.

On my part, I at least went outside this time for potatopics:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4377/36916274666_7a6159c1bc_b.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4389/36963018771_d2c0eeede3_b.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4393/36962922251_3875b6a06a_b.jpg

Actually, the shop's pics are still up:

https://www.coda-music.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/P/1/P1460366.JPG

This is a super-bright-sounding guitar! My first maple-necked Ibanez. Always loved that look.

Whoever did the setup at Coda surmised correctly that I wanted this for shredding and gave it 9s and a preposterously low action. It's lots of fun to play with no effort at all, but it is very buzzy.

I've no idea what the Seymour Duncan is, and Coda didn't say. Anyone known how I would tell? I've not had the scratchplate off yet to look for stamps/stickers/markings. It sounds OK, but has a far lower output than the Evolution and Tone Zone in my other Ibanezes. Actually not bad at all through the Herbert, it's a nice clear sound with great string separation, especially for rhythms. The remaining stock pickups need to go, though.

In fact, I'm thinking of copying what this YouTuber did with the plastics (I found what must be his guitar on Reverb):

https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--1MDSllyW--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1410451940/vgylmld2iayvg2blnw1j.jpg


He's got a Breed and a PAF Pro in there. I think we can all agree that his chops are worth more than the treefiddy I paid to get this (delivered).

Interestingly, for Ibanez nerds, this exact guitar was also put out with an Edge Zero, (making it the RG1550MZPB), but Rich says not: http://www.ibanezrules.com/new/rg1550mwhp.htm


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Comments

  • StefBStefB Frets: 2353
    I'm welling up @DLM :-)

    So glad someone from here bought that guitar, I very nearly did! Even better that you are happy with it, it really was a steal at that price. 
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  • mike_lmike_l Frets: 5700
    I was watching that guitar, but I already have an awesome RG1550. I'm so pleased that it has a good home now.

    Ringleader of the Cambridge cartel, pedal champ and king of the dirt boxes (down to 21) 

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  • DLMDLM Frets: 2513
    @StefB Oh yeah. That's why I posted this in that thread:

    https://storage.googleapis.com/relevant-magazine/2017/06/burglar-alamy.jpg

    I wasn't planning on taking so long over the reveal, but life got in the way as usual.

    @mike_l Yeah, I was thinking of you. This guitar is like yours, but without the maple top. What pickups do you have in there again?

    There's one on eBay over here at the moment: http://www.ebay.de/itm/Ibanez-Prestige-RG-1550-FM-RBT-Limited-Edition-/162664722131?hash=item25df92aed3:g:5FcAAOSwOjBZYo~G

    Paging @stevepage!
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  • mike_lmike_l Frets: 5700
    @DLM ;
    Mine has DiMarzio's, an Al DiMeola (N), NS-2 (M), and Double Whammy (B).
     

    Ringleader of the Cambridge cartel, pedal champ and king of the dirt boxes (down to 21) 

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  • StevepageStevepage Frets: 3047
    edited September 2017
    as always, an RG550fm turns up when I haven't got the money! 

    congrats on your score, I briefly picked it up at Coda a month or so ago and could instantly tell it felt like a great player. I have an rg550 already so it wasn't something I was desperate for.

    https://soundcloud.com/steve-p-5
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  • DLMDLM Frets: 2513
    @mike_l Those aren't your common-or-garden DiMarzios! Are you a DiMeola fan? I've a couple of CDs and have tried to play Race With Devil. I don't know the Double Whammy at all, it seems if one wants one now, one has to put in a custom order.

    @Stevepage It's quite an adjustment from my other guitars because it's so bright. I like bright guitars, but I might actually end up taking down the treble on my amp for this one, which is unheard of ! :scream: Higher output pickups would really serve how easy this is to play, I'm gonna have to experiment to get a compromise between a smooth legato sound and masses of attack and personality.
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  • mike_lmike_l Frets: 5700
    DLM said:
    @mike_l Those aren't your common-or-garden DiMarzios! Are you a DiMeola fan? I've a couple of CDs and have tried to play Race With Devil. I don't know the Double Whammy at all, it seems if one wants one now, one has to put in a custom order.


    They were in it when I got it. Mine was previously used by the band Aghast, who were quite thrashy. Sounds wise the DW is very similar to the Bulldog Extremist (custom wound to the same spec as @Clarky uses). The Al DiMeola is quite nicely rounded, a bit like a beefed up PAF, but not up to the DiMarzio Virtual HotPAF. 
    Neither are super hot, like the ToneZone or Air Norton in my Charvel ProMod.

    Ringleader of the Cambridge cartel, pedal champ and king of the dirt boxes (down to 21) 

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  • DLMDLM Frets: 2513
    @mike_l Ooh, Aghast! were quite good fun! I'm going to explore them further. Your description of the pickups sounds amenable to me, but I'm more tempted to go hotter, as with your Charvel...
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  • bluechargeboybluechargeboy Frets: 1906
    Congrats! It warms my heart seeing lovely Prestige Ibanez NGDs. Mmmmmmmm.
    I'm just a Maserati in a world of Kias.
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  • DLMDLM Frets: 2513

    @bluechargeboy Thanks! :) Did you see my other "Slightly-better-than-a-Prestige" NGD?

    http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/112462/gas-nlnssmlcgd-ibanez-limited-edition-for-2011-showcase-model-rg-extreme-shredding-machine#latest

    If only Ibanez would put something out with the specs I want, I'd post a J-Custom NGD, too. Grumble.

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  • bluechargeboybluechargeboy Frets: 1906
    @DLM I chose not to comment on the other thread! :D

    Here's me Prestige hardtail RG1451.



    I'm just a Maserati in a world of Kias.
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  • DLMDLM Frets: 2513
    bluechargeboy said:
    @DLM I chose not to comment on the other thread! :D

    Here's me Prestige hardtail RG1451.

    Well, I'd have wowed your guitar, but I had to LOL your post! Yes, my RG2011SC-BK is a very, very silly guitar. I don't care! :D

    I've been thinking long and hard about a hardtail Ibanez, too – so I can do tasteless compound and unison bends all over the place. :sunglasses: Though it might be cheaper for me just to get another bargain and block it off.

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  • bluechargeboybluechargeboy Frets: 1906
    I would quite happily get a trem'd version and block it, although the Tight End bridge is sweet. They all seem to consistently have great necks so you can't go wrong if you like the neck profile.

    FWIW I've got a Tone Zone in the bridge that I like, and a Blues Engine in the neck, that I am not keen on. This guitar has had all manner of pickups in it. :)
    I'm just a Maserati in a world of Kias.
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  • mike_lmike_l Frets: 5700
    @DLM i regularly take mine to jams, and have played everything from a slow blues to Metallica without sounding out of place.

    Ringleader of the Cambridge cartel, pedal champ and king of the dirt boxes (down to 21) 

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  • DLMDLM Frets: 2513
    DLM said:

    I've no idea what the Seymour Duncan is, and Coda didn't say. Anyone know how I would tell? I've not had the scratchplate off yet to look for stamps/stickers/markings. It sounds OK, but has a far lower output than the Evolution and Tone Zone in my other Ibanezes. Actually not bad at all through the Herbert, it's a nice clear sound with great string separation, especially for rhythms. The remaining stock pickups need to go, though.

    In fact, I'm thinking of copying what this YouTuber did with the plastics (I found what must be his guitar on Reverb):

    https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--1MDSllyW--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_620,q_90,w_620/v1410451940/vgylmld2iayvg2blnw1j.jpg

    Aha. It's an SH4, or Jeff Beck pickup. I've taken the guitar apart and discovered that if I do want to do the plastics over I'll also need a new volume pot at least, as the one fitted has a smooth shaft which won't fit a Strat-style plastic knob. Oddly, the tone pot has a grooved shaft, which explains the wobbly knob. :flushed:

    I'm really quite taken with the contrasting blues, but it might prove limiting in terms of pickup choice. I've just had a gander at Oil City...

    Also, I've gotta do the locking stud mod. What a stupid idea it was to leave those off. :P

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