Ibanez rg370amhz any ibanez experts out there?

stenio83

Hey guys just looking for opinions on this guitar I’m looking for a budget shredder and did a impulse purchase of this guitar for £229 from a guitar shop it’s not arrived yet but can send it back so thought was worth a punt. It’s immaculate and only a 1yr old.

i own USA lespauls and strats but wanted a budget shredder for a bit of fun didn’t want to spend a lot and wondered what people’s thoughts on this guitar were? Any advice or if you think I should look at something else then please say. the specs are here 
https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/180108320413008--ibanez-rg370ahmz-swk-silver-wave-black-flat?gclid=Cj0KCQiAmafhBRDUARIsACOKERMQTpN1i5ZdH9mPVcQG7ct8rfS5CZp2Jkn9JxFnMyz6ChrBJltEK4IaAqKeEALw_wcB

ive been playing over 20yeara so I know what a decent guitar is but in this  situation I’m looking for the beat bang for buck! 
Are these rgs still aimed at a beginner market or is that the gio range? 

Also  I can’t find info if that’s a laminate top or if it’s the ash wood grain???? It just says ash body online!?

stenio83

Somebody, anybody??

skullfunkerry

Don't know about the top but I played (and nearly bought) the Blue Moon Burst version a while back. Nice guitar, I would have been happy to gig it - it certainly didn't feel like a budget model.

MelodicLydian

I don't know that model specifically but I've got Ibanez models that cost new from £200 to around 2K and all are decent guitars. Some needed a setup or tweak to my preference but their QC is usually good so no lemons.

The RG design is a great comfortable Super Strat shape and the Edge Zero II is the same bridge as used on Premiums in £900 mark - not quite the Japanese made original Edge quality but certainly very solid and dependable unlike some of the hardware they used on entry level guitars in the past. I have one guitar with this and my only complaint is that the screw cap arm can wobble in the socket as there is only one bushing. It bothered me as I like even the smallest touch to more the bridge so my fix for this was a little electrical tape around it before inserting the bar.

Given the price I would say it will be made in Indonesia at the same factory as the Premiums and the body will be either a laminate or a print. The stock pickups you might like but if not there are loads of nice upgrades possible.

Maynehead

Seems a decent RG for a decent price. I personally don't like middle pickups on a shredder as they get in the way of my strumming, and I never use them anyway, but obviously that's personal preference.

stenio83

MelodicLydian said:

I don't know that model specifically but I've got Ibanez models that cost new from £200 to around 2K and all are decent guitars. Some needed a setup or tweak to my preference but their QC is usually good so no lemons.

The RG design is a great comfortable Super Strat shape and the Edge Zero II is the same bridge as used on Premiums in £900 mark - not quite the Japanese made original Edge quality but certainly very solid and dependable unlike some of the hardware they used on entry level guitars in the past. I have one guitar with this and my only complaint is that the screw cap arm can wobble in the socket as there is only one bushing. It bothered me as I like even the smallest touch to more the bridge so my fix for this was a little electrical tape around it before inserting the bar.

Given the price I would say it will be made in Indonesia at the same factory as the Premiums and the body will be either a laminate or a print. The stock pickups you might like but if not there are loads of nice upgrades possible.

Sounds like I should be pleased when it arrives i thanks! I didn’t think it was painted ash body that would have been to good to be true

skullfunkerry

Maynehead said:

Seems a decent RG for a decent price. I personally don't like middle pickups on a shredder as they get in the way of my strumming, and I never use them anyway, but obviously that's personal preference.

Very much this: while Rich is doing the refin on my Performance I'm getting him to fill in the rout for the middle pickup

stenio83

So it arrived trem seems solid! Still can’t work our if it’s a laminate or print a shop told me it was painted and no info on Ibanez site which is fustrating build quality is ok frets are a bit rough down the neck! But quantum pickups are surprisingly good that said I may still return purely because it plays so well I reckon the premium model like this will be incredible!!

still not fully made my mind up but is this guitar worth the extra money. 

https://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/product/ibanez_rg_premium_limited_rg6pfgmltd-gbb_electric_guitar_geyser_blue_burst/

Maynehead

stenio83 said:

So it arrived trem seems solid! Still can’t work our if it’s a laminate or print a shop told me it was painted and no info on Ibanez site which is fustrating build quality is ok frets are a bit rough down the neck! But quantum pickups are surprisingly good that said I may still return purely because it plays so well I reckon the premium model like this will be incredible!!

still not fully made my mind up but is this guitar worth the extra money. 

https://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/product/ibanez_rg_premium_limited_rg6pfgmltd-gbb_electric_guitar_geyser_blue_burst/

If you have the funds, get it, or you’ll forever be thinking about it whenever you pick up your “cheap” RG.

professorben

stenio83 said:

So it arrived trem seems solid! Still can’t work our if it’s a laminate or print a shop told me it was painted and no info on Ibanez site which is fustrating build quality is ok frets are a bit rough down the neck! But quantum pickups are surprisingly good that said I may still return purely because it plays so well I reckon the premium model like this will be incredible!!

still not fully made my mind up but is this guitar worth the extra money. 

https://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/product/ibanez_rg_premium_limited_rg6pfgmltd-gbb_electric_guitar_geyser_blue_burst/

How much are you looking at for the premium model? 

EDIT* 

Ah just seen £699

fir that money I would be buying one of the MIJ genesis models that have just been reduced, you can get an RG550 in Road Flare Red for £649 now made in Japan and with a real original edge trem, I own a premium model RG and it’s awesome, but if I had the choice I’d get an RG550 Genesis. 

professorben

professorben said:

stenio83 said:

So it arrived trem seems solid! Still can’t work our if it’s a laminate or print a shop told me it was painted and no info on Ibanez site which is fustrating build quality is ok frets are a bit rough down the neck! But quantum pickups are surprisingly good that said I may still return purely because it plays so well I reckon the premium model like this will be incredible!!

still not fully made my mind up but is this guitar worth the extra money. 

https://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/product/ibanez_rg_premium_limited_rg6pfgmltd-gbb_electric_guitar_geyser_blue_burst/

How much are you looking at for the premium model? 

EDIT* 

Ah just seen £699

fir that money I would be buying one of the MIJ genesis models that have just been reduced, you can get an RG550 in Road Flare Red for £649 now made in Japan and with a real original edge trem, I own a premium model RG and it’s awesome, but if I had the choice I’d get an RG550 Genesis. 

The other thing to bear in mind is you might not like the zero point trem system, I don’t but others do, it’s easy enough to set it up as a traditional floating trem but not if you are not familiar with dicking around with floyds. 

stenio83

professorben said:

professorben said:

stenio83 said:

So it arrived trem seems solid! Still can’t work our if it’s a laminate or print a shop told me it was painted and no info on Ibanez site which is fustrating build quality is ok frets are a bit rough down the neck! But quantum pickups are surprisingly good that said I may still return purely because it plays so well I reckon the premium model like this will be incredible!!

still not fully made my mind up but is this guitar worth the extra money. 

https://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/product/ibanez_rg_premium_limited_rg6pfgmltd-gbb_electric_guitar_geyser_blue_burst/

How much are you looking at for the premium model? 

EDIT* 

Ah just seen £699

fir that money I would be buying one of the MIJ genesis models that have just been reduced, you can get an RG550 in Road Flare Red for £649 now made in Japan and with a real original edge trem, I own a premium model RG and it’s awesome, but if I had the choice I’d get an RG550 Genesis. 

The other thing to bear in mind is you might not like the zero point trem system, I don’t but others do, it’s easy enough to set it up as a traditional floating trem but not if you are not familiar with dicking around with floyds. 

I think your right mate that’s the one!!! 
Gonna go for the rg550 hopefully richtone music won’t be to fuatrated with me, and I’ve been playing nearly 25years and never had a FLoating trem so I’m sure it’s gonna mesh my brain up when i restring Hahhahahahhahahha. 

professorben

stenio83 said:

professorben said:

professorben said:

stenio83 said:

So it arrived trem seems solid! Still can’t work our if it’s a laminate or print a shop told me it was painted and no info on Ibanez site which is fustrating build quality is ok frets are a bit rough down the neck! But quantum pickups are surprisingly good that said I may still return purely because it plays so well I reckon the premium model like this will be incredible!!

still not fully made my mind up but is this guitar worth the extra money. 

https://www.richtonemusic.co.uk/product/ibanez_rg_premium_limited_rg6pfgmltd-gbb_electric_guitar_geyser_blue_burst/

How much are you looking at for the premium model? 

EDIT* 

Ah just seen £699

fir that money I would be buying one of the MIJ genesis models that have just been reduced, you can get an RG550 in Road Flare Red for £649 now made in Japan and with a real original edge trem, I own a premium model RG and it’s awesome, but if I had the choice I’d get an RG550 Genesis. 

The other thing to bear in mind is you might not like the zero point trem system, I don’t but others do, it’s easy enough to set it up as a traditional floating trem but not if you are not familiar with dicking around with floyds. 

I think your right mate that’s the one!!! 
Gonna go for the rg550 hopefully richtone music won’t be to fuatrated with me, and I’ve been playing nearly 25years and never had a FLoating trem so I’m sure it’s gonna mesh my brain up when i restring Hahhahahahhahahha. 

You know it makes sense. 

MelodicLydian

You really won’t be unhappy with the quality of a Japanese made RG550 unless Superstrats just aren’t your thing - they do build them as good as anyone really - a real dependable workhorse and more or less a Jem less a few minor features and looks as the RG was derived from the Jem. Despite all the fear a double locking system when setup correctly (bridge angle nothing loose/catching etc.) is very reliable especially the original Edge or a close variant like the low pro Edge. You can leave a guitar for months and it will still be in tune. Only downside is if you want a different tuning - but then it is a good reason to buy another guitar!

Restringing is easy so long as you change one string at a time and stretch the new one in fully.

Changing string gauge or setting for another tuning is easier if you put a few coins or a bit of wood in the cavity between the block and the body to keep the bridge from moving then tune by turning the screws for the claw - I went from 9 gauge in standard tuning to 10’s in Eb in a few minutes.

stenio83

MelodicLydian said:

You really won’t be unhappy with the quality of a Japanese made RG550 unless Superstrats just aren’t your thing - they do build them as good as anyone really - a real dependable workhorse and more or less a Jem less a few minor features and looks as the RG was derived from the Jem. Despite all the fear a double locking system when setup correctly (bridge angle nothing loose/catching etc.) is very reliable especially the original Edge or a close variant like the low pro Edge. You can leave a guitar for months and it will still be in tune. Only downside is if you want a different tuning - but then it is a good reason to buy another guitar!

Restringing is easy so long as you change one string at a time and stretch the new one in fully.

Changing string gauge or setting for another tuning is easier if you put a few coins or a bit of wood in the cavity between the block and the body to keep the bridge from moving then tune by turning the screws for the claw - I went from 9 gauge in standard tuning to 10’s in Eb in a few minutes.

Even playing the rg370amhz I was like wow so I think the 550 is gonna be amazing!!! 

I have a digitech drop which does work quite well for drop tuning. I can see now why these are called superstrats they really are a modern players instrument. 

stenio83

So!!! I did the swap!! And I was wann very happy man when I went to richTone in Sheffield! Awesome place and service!

I went with a fantastic  

ibanez, rg2550z prestige made in japan, Team J Craft in mystic black (which is like pearlescent shimmer) with upgraded dimarzos (originals where dimarzio ibz) the new ones are dimarzio tonezone, True velvet and Air Norton. It’s a beast of a guitar the construction and neck are just a brilliant a dream to play!! 

Will post pics on a new discussion titled ‘NGD’