Hi! As some of you may know, I've been looking around to find a guitar for me. Recently I narrowed my choice down to Ibby RG450 and JEM 550. There's some problem with that. As much as I'd love to get either, I tried some MiJ Ibanez borrowed from my friend and the neck and responsiveness were amazing BUT the FR Edge felt horrible. I don't know which model it was exactly but I didn't like the whammy bar at all and palm muting was weird too. Does it make sense to get a FR guitar and keep the bridge locked? I think I'm rather a TOM person. I'm also a fan of Papa Hetfield. I found this guitar, LTD Ex-50. Did anyone get to try one of these? I'd just put my EMGs in and rock another fine TOM guitar, simple yet powerful. Or so do reviews say...

This post has been edited by Adam M: Mar 3 2019, 06:54 PM

It's totally fine to stay away from FR guitars. But keep in mind everybody goes through a getting used to period+There are various models that affect right hand positioning. Give the used guitars a try anyway, if you feel certain you dislike the FR type designs then it ok o look elsewhere.

Not the exact model but I did try some LTD's 2-3 weeks ago. The one you're mentioning seems to be a lower-end model and to be honest I didn't find anything special about them though likely they're solid for the money. The explorer body shape is comfy+balanced when sitting down but you'll hate moving around with it at home and almost no exception everybody bumps the pointy edge at some point

I'd say keep saving and looking on the used market. Just for the record I also own a Jackson js-11 and use it as a travel guitar. I love the neck of that cheapo guitar and the PU's aren't half bad, but not happy with the tuners or the nut and always on the fence if I should keep or sell it...if you ever visit a store might be worth trying one.

I like how FR guitars look but I'm not exactly interested in using it after trying it now. I'm more of Hetfield/Friedman guy who prefers simpler design - a guitar that you can just plug in and play, not worrying about the batteries dying in the middle of the song or the string breaking likewise. I read GMC threads about FR, restringing it and this whole compensation method. It's not something I want to get into. But I must say, FR has amazing sustain or at least the guitar I tried did.

Generally, I've wnated an explorer type for a long time and I'd make it a guitar tuned solely for Metallica. My GC has also EX-200 model, which is a bit more expensive but still affordable. I'd consider that one too but I keep an eye for used guitars market too.

There are wads of people who use a FR guitar and lock the bridge down. They make a little kit that is not expensive called a TREMEL NO that locks the bridge. It gives you great tuning stability as it's still double locking and you get fine tuners on the bridge as a bonus. In in the end it really comes down to which guitar says "I'm for you" when you pick it up and play it. Some folks HATE Ibanez guitars. Some folks really HATE Ibanez necks in particular as they do not have a lot of beefy thickness which some folks really like. Of course, some folks love em. You'll run in to this a LOT. Guitar issues with wads of folks on either side of the issue. Just like choosing the notes in a scale, one has to choose ones instrument with care. Of course, you are not married to it, you are just dating, you can always trade up for a better model
Todd

Now you tell me? So it was the guitar that I was supposed to replace...

I looked up this Tremol No system and it's not expensive but it's not too cheap either. Or at least my savings and budget plans didn't foresee it. Sounds like a nice contraption, nonetheless! It's good to know it's possible to do that if I feel like it.

About the necks, my Samicks both have something I'd call a speed neck but I didn't compare it to Ibanez side by side, so I can't tell. My brother's Washburn and Defil are a bit thicker. I didn't try any high-speed riffs on them, maybe I'll borrow them and check sometime. Then there's my Spanish classical guitar and it has a VERY thick neck. I didn't reach the stage where I can shred on the classical but I'm pretty used to fat neck and higher string action, I actually like it a lot! It's only downside is no cutaway, so anything above 12th fret is a challenge.

I feel I would adapt to the scallops eventually but a floating bridge doesn't fit my style right now, so we're back at Tremol No.

Talking about dating, marriage and stuff, right now I think the ESP Explorers are calling for me but I'm not sure if it's because of the sexy design or because it's so Metallica. They look so nice and heavy! I checked my spare parts today and if I sold the pickups I don't use I could afford EMG's Het set for my LP for the ultimate Hetfield experience. This way I could get one of the Ibanez as well if I like it!

I have an LTD MH-1000, and although I love the specs of it - it seems my RG is a little snappier tone wise. I think part of it might be the bolt-on neck which I prefer to the set/glued necks.

I have to say I play both of them regularly though