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GMC Forum _ CHILL OUT _ Ibanez Rg Premium

Posted by: ElHombre Oct 9 2012, 04:24 PM

Hi guys

I was just wondering, how come the Ibanez Premium guitar is so cheap?
Like under a 1k $?

For example, Marco Sfogli uses it, one of my favorite player and an excellent pro artist.
And is it really made in Indonesia?

I was a little chocked actually, I thought it was about 2-3 k £$

Posted by: Sollesnes Oct 9 2012, 05:44 PM

Yes, it is made in Indonesia. That is why they are cheap (labor cost).
I've heard they hold a high standard (with some individual guitars even coming out better than some prestiges), but the quality checks is not as scrutinous as the prestiges. I think the build is overseen by japanese luthiers (or is supposed to be).
The prestige is of course far better, but you'll get more for your money in a premium

edit: Google says they have a specific factory for the premium models. After all, Cort is a shitty company, but in control of most low-end guitar manufacturing.

Posted by: ElHombre Oct 9 2012, 06:45 PM

Thanks

Well I have a japanese made prestige, and a while ago I was thinking of getting a Premium (thinking it was better), the same as marcos, purple. But I thought it would be too much money.

And now I found out this today, lol

Posted by: Sollesnes Oct 9 2012, 07:52 PM

Hehe

Ibanez, ESP, etc all keep a lot of endorsers on their cheaper lines (non-prestige, LTD, PRS SE etc) because their names attracts buyers who otherwise wouldn't dish out so much money. Besides, often you get almost as much guitar for a low-end guitar as for a high-end. Lately I've been playing a 300 US Ibanez over a Caparison

Posted by: Todd Simpson Oct 10 2012, 03:03 AM

The Premiums are really nice guitars and I think you'd be happy with one I know I would! I'd also like an RG reissue and they are even cheaper. Ibanez really made their bones as a company on making playable, fast, guitars that were not crazy pricey, way back in the day. When the IBANEZ RG series (550, 560, etc.) came out in the late 80s, guitar that played that were quite a bit more money. I"ve got one of the original 560's and it's still my fav guitar. They go in ebay for more than they cost new since it was a cheap low/mid range guitar.

The LOW LOW end of the ibby range is a bit crap these days as they just make billions of them. But the mid and high range one are really nice guitars for the price.

If you ever feel the need to spend 3k on a guitar, go have one custom, hand made, for you personally.

Todd

QUOTE (ElHombre @ Oct 9 2012, 11:24 AM)

I was a little chocked actually, I thought it was about 2-3 k £$