Hey guys, I know I haven't been around for a while, that's because I'm focusing on my semester at the moment anyway, I needed some suggestions.

I'm getting a college scholarship of $3000 out of which I've planned to spend $600 to $700 on new gear.

I wanted to buy an Ibanez Jem 7V, but it would cost me the whole $3000 and that's a lot to spend on a guitar for me at the moment And I'm really not gonna buy a used guitar again after more bad and less good experiences in dealing with second hand guitars.

So I thought of buying Ibanez RG350DX, which would cost me around $500, but a friend of mine who runs a studio said he doesn't like that one for some reason. He suggested Ibanez RG1570 Prestige, but it'd cost me $1150 (with a hard case).

So I am REALLY confused. I wanted to get a guitar and an interface within a budget of $600 but it seems I won't be able to get a good deal if I want to buy a new, and not a used, guitar.

After reading this post, you know now that I'm a big fan of Ibanez but I'm open to companies like Washburn, Epiphone, Jay Turser etc.

So please, suggest a good guitar, and if you can, a good interface for me that would come inside my budget of $600 to $700 (preferably max. $650)

Hi mate, I'm not very into Ibanez newer models. I had an RG520 and it was a killer guitar... maybe you can search for an used one?
I would also recommend PRS SE series. The 24th frets model is a great guitar and it's very versatile.

Regarding interfaces, are you talking about an audio soundcard for your computer? If that's what you want to get my suggestion is going for an m-auio Fast track. You can't go wrong with one of these.

That's a big scholarship, bro
What guitar do you have now?
I don't suggest you to buy rg350. No, it is not bad or anything but it is entry level ibanez (except for grg).
I would look at ltd 300-500 series or prs se.
The interface will cost you around 100-150$.

There is, in fact, an RG520 available at my local music store, but its pretty worn Would you recommend any specific models of PRS SE series or any guitar from that series will do?

Well, not like an internal soundcard. I guess an external interface with a firewire connector would be good for me, USB has too much lag. And yeah, I had m-audio fast track in mind, they have an m-audio fast track pro for $160, what do you think about that?



Thanks

I've a non branded but a really good guitar, its hand made by the person I bought it from How much, on average would a ltd 300-500 series guitar cost me? A new one? Because I don't think they have those, I'd have to ship it from somewhere else

What do you think about m-audio fast track pro for the interface?

Yay, that card will do it's thing. Everybody suggests it on every forum
For example this one.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/esp...electric-guitar
Or
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/prs...c-guitar/h70026
All the Prs se i've played were wery good manufactured.
Oh. And also Schecter.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/sch...c-guitar/h92718
And you should look on the net - there may be some better deals on a new ones.

All of those look really amazing I'm putting all three of them on my consideration list thanks

Used is not always bad. A few months ago, I picked up a Jackson SL3MG, with a hard case, for $500. It is almost mint condition. It's a beauty and everything I ever wanted in a guitar. Zero problems with it also. Just get it checked out, if you buy used and you'll be fine.

I have gotten away with used guitars before, just not as much as I would've wanted but yeah, it is an option.

I forgot these. Godin are even crafted in Canada for a Chinese/Korean price.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/god...electric-guitar

GABE is spot on. Many of the really spiff Ibanez guitars were built during the "Golden Age" of Shred/Guitars in the 80's/90's such as the one GABE mentioned. You can find these used on Ebay but make sure you can return it. Don't bid on "no returns" items if you can help it.

Check for

RG550
RG560
RG565
RG520

These are some of my personal fave IBBY guitars and play like a dream. This is back when they were Made In Japan (MIJ) before they started making them elsewhere and the quality dropped a bit in their mid range line.

These guitars have kept their value amazingly well and are still sought out by players to this day. I"m luck to be the proud owner of an original RG560. It's still my fave axe I've ever owned and I"ve owned quite a few guitars.


As for NEW guitars, maybe check out the RG3XXV reissue guitar. It's very close to the original Ibanez RG guitars Runs about $699 new.

Click to view attachment

Todd



You might look at the newere Ibanez Models in the IRON LABEL Ibanez series. But they are also not cheap.

Whatever you buy, don't forget to try it out and see how it feels. Even a cheap guitar might be better than those listed $3000.

Ok, I'll say it again - nobody can choose for you. Certain brand and model sounds different in different hands, remember that .
I have ( and had ) lots of guitars, a thousands of dollars worth and also no named 100$ guitars which sounds equally good as a these expensive, and all of them have in common one thing - they suit me ! Balance, weight, shape, neck.. Why to give a XXX dollars for a guitar if I'll feel the pain in my arms or in the back an hour later !? Just because someone said that is good ?! Because I have known brand which all have to admire?! No way! I'm not a slave to the guitar, I want her to be my slave

!! Love it!!

Thank you guys! I've contacted a few stores around and seen some guitars now.

@Jouve: I'll have to think about that one, I've never tried a Godin before

@Todd: The only one my local music store has that suits me is an RG470MHZ, and it looks beautiful, mahogany and all he's selling it for $500. What do you think?

@Maharzan and Sinisa: Yes, I agree with that completely, but I've tried that Jem and it suited me perfectly, it had extremely low action and the weight and body size were just optimal for me, but the price wasn't that's why I was asking for alternatives. Just asking for opinions because I want something that isn't such a heavy investment but becomes 100% loyal to me that's one of the reasons I don't like buying online, because I don't get to test the guitar before ordering it

This one looks yummy!

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/prs...c-guitar/h70029

Indeed

Mate, I am a PRS man and I would definitely direct you towards the SE series - it's by far, the best product judged from a perspective based on a balanced proportion between pricing and quality.

I have been using the PRS SE Paul Allender since 2010 and I am totally satisfied Sturdy, beautiful, great tone and playability.

I think that with a little bit of luck, you can get a used PRS SE (Paul Allender or Custom 24 would be a great choice, or if you want something darker sounding, try the Ackerfeldt model) and this baby maybe -> http://www.thomann.de/ro/emu_0204_usb.htm I am recommending this one, because I have used it and it rocks We have recorded some of the stuff on the Days of Confusion EP using it.

Thanks man, I've got them both down on my list and I like that interface, especially for that price

Also, you've got an Ibanez Jem, right? I know my next question would be really hard to answer, but would you say that either your Jem or your PRS SE is better in any way than the other?

If you really love JEM, double your budget and buy a used one. They pop up here: http://www.jemsite.com/forums/f31/

BTW, I have the cheap JEM Jr, made in Korea and it really has the thin neck and easy to play. But you get what you pay for. The hardwares aren't good.

Thanks but still I'm trying not to resolve to used this time :S

To sum up.


1.)No matter what, try before you buy.

2.)No matter what, make sure you buy the guitar because you like it, and how it plays, not because anyone else said it was good.

3.)Used gear is cheaper. Better bang for your buck.



let us know what you end up with

Todd

It's like asking if Bruce Lee would kick Jackie Chan's behind

They are different guitars, but the JEM has a personality and appearance that will usually drag you in a certain direction - the Vai direction and it has a Floyd. I am only using it now, because I don't have another standard tuned guitar. Once the new PRS C3 arrives in my hands, I will put the JEM on the wall.

I can really feel the difference between the PRS and the JEM and for me personally, the PRS is a better choice

Great quote!!! That bit about Jackie chan and Bruce is perfect it illustrates how two things can both be very different but still both be great for entirely different reasons.

It's a natural question to ask as a new player. Which gear/axe is "better"/"best" and its part and parcel to the journey to be frustrated slightly at the truth hidden in apparent ambiguity when experienced players try to convey how relative and subjective buying an instrument can be.

That Ibby is a rare bird! They were only made for about a year. Is it used? They have not made for a few years. If you like. How it plays and sounds, see if you can work a bit better deal.

I can recommend the 350 DX, I have one. mine's a Korean made one rather than the later Indonesian ones. I swapped out the original P/Ups for Seymour Duncans (Jazz in the Neck and a JB Jr in the Bridge) and a Dimarzio Evolution Single Coil in the centre.

I'd go try that RG470 out, that neck should be amazingly thin, as it is a wizard III neck.

Time to make people drool!





BAM! Those are all the guitars I've owned over the years. Only 1 guitar is missing which was a Schecter Loomis. But to prove that value doesn't always mean better. I only have the Ibanez S770 out of all them. It is probably the cheapest one I've owned. Most people would kill for half of those. Just because it plays good in the store doesn't mean when you have had it for a month that it feels the same. When the WoW factor has left and you still play it. Then you know it was a good buy. Everyone of those guitars played great. But each had a flaw for me. As I sit here and type this I have my S770 in my lap. The only downfall to it, the pickups, but past that it has lasted I want to say 2-3 years for me.

Go out and try guitars to see what you like/dislike about them. Then come back be like. HEY! I love the neck of the PRS, but want the body of a Les Paul, BAM! Ibanez Art Series or a ESP/LTD EC-Series. Just helps with more knowledge of what you are looking for.

I really love the rg550's for their thin neck. Really awesome guitars to rely on. But as said, its like choosing a girlfriend for you, we couldnt do that for you, you should do what feels right to you.

For me, the first picture with the PRS and that Music Man would be perfect. I played on a Music Man at a friend's place and it was like butter on the fingers... wow Todd is right The only way in which you can figure out what instrument fits you, is to try them and see how comfy they can feel in your hands and if what you can hear out of them is pleasing. That great tone will nevertheless be achieved with some tweaking which you need time for, so, in this case Travis' approach of furiously buying and selling lots of axes is a winner for certain - he most probably managed to understand which guitar offers what he wants.

My problem with most guitars is weight, my LP I think was some where around 14lbs. It hurt to play standing and even long times when sitting it would wear me down. Thus I like the S it is half that weight and I can play it for upwards of 8 hours no issuses.

Yeah everyone loved the EBMM/PRS the necks are a tad thicker than my Ibanez, they weigh in around 10-11lbs. But I've also noticed that all my guitars have Floyds or knock offs not just a trem to do subtle vibratos.

I won't get a floyd ever again The subtle trems are my piece of heaven for certain. The floyd takes way too much time to set and change the strings on.

Oh man, those beauties

@Todd: Nope, the RG470 is new! and yeah, I've tried it, it plays amazingly smooth
@Jones: I'm gonna try 350DX on the shop and see if it works for me

In that case, the RG470 is worth considering but you should try to get him to trim a tad off the price It's a very rare Ibanez and finding a new one of those is even more rare since they have not been made in a while and are something of a collectors item among IBBY fans

Here is a link to the guitar in the IBBY WIKI. The stopped production in 2004!!! So if it's new, it means it's been in a warehouse for almost 10 years? Look it over carefully, make sure it's not "Nused"

http://ibanez.wikia.com/wiki/RG470

Todd

Oh, sorry Todd, I think I misunderstood when you said RG470. I meant to say he has an RG470MHZ, they started producing it in 2011, that's the one I'm talking about, the one with the mahogany body

This one: http://ibanez.wikia.com/wiki/RG470MHZ

That's still good news They only made those for one year!!! In 2011. So if it's new, it's been waiting for you for a couple of years. Again, limited run guitars have an edge over mass produced models in terms of attraction for collectors/buyers. It won't help much if you sell it back to the store. But on Ebay for example, it could help a good bit.


But the same rules apply, try before you buy and always see if you can get a better price than is first asked. Paying the initial asking price isn't always needed. But if you can't get them to budge on the price. You can to decide if it's worth it. That's a nice guitar. The pickups are not the top of the range, but then again, the pickups in my stock RG560 are not top of the range either and I have yet to replace them. Probably never will as my RG is now a collectors item and keeping it stock actually helps retain value. Not to mention that I like the pickups

Todd

Thanks loads, Todd