Ibanez RG Premium....The good, bad and the ugly?

[MetalHeadMike]

Anybody playing on a 2015 or newer RG Premium and if so what's the verdict? I'm thinking of pulling the trigger on one (a new in box 2015 model).

From the little bit of digging I did, I think they are (or were) made in an Indonesian factory that's got some actual Ibanez affiliated training, QC, and staff managing things?

http://www.ibanezrules.com/namm/2011/
"Made by Ibanez Premium Factory - Operated by Prestige team of Fujigen and Hoshino. Located in Jawa Timur, Indonesia."

Fit to finish?

Overall quality?

Playability?

Worth 800-900 bucks new?

 

[mystixboi]

I have the Andy Timmons AT10P... I love it. I owned some of the first generation of premiums and a RG721. I sent all back because they had some issues that I didn't feel like dealing with...

That being said, I love love love the AT10P. I haven't touched any other guitar since I got it. The neck on it is amazing and the pickup combos are great.

i love it so much, I ordered a second one and it got delivered today!!!

If other premiums have similar fit and finish to this model, then I say go for it.

ibanezrules.com has a few NOS that they are blowing out for less than $600

 

[DrewJD82]

I've played a bunch since they came out, I can't say I've run into one that was abysmal, but I've played a few that did nothing and it was what was expected from the price point. What really blew me away on the majority was the neck/frets, really well done on most that I've played.

The ones that didn't impress me much were the newer white Universe and the blue floral JEM, something about them felt toy-ish. I picked up the $499.99 JEM Jr. and it blew the Blue Floral away, I actually think I'll pick up one of those Jr's so I don't have the beat on my 7V so much.

All in all, they're pretty good guitars. If Ibanez would just use Edge or Lo-Pro's on them, I wouldn't have a problem playing them.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

I have the Andy Timmons AT10P... I love it. I owned some of the first generation of premiums and a RG721. I sent all back because they had some issues that I didn't feel like dealing with...

That being said, I love love love the AT10P. I haven't touched any other guitar since I got it. The neck on it is amazing and the pickup combos are great.

i love it so much, I ordered a second one and it got delivered today!!!

If other premiums have similar fit and finish to this model, then I say go for it.

ibanezrules.com has a few NOS that they are blowing out for less than $600

Thanks for the input. I've been reading that a lot of them had some neck wood shrinkage and the fret edges are needing some filling back. I'll have to have the seller take some closeups of the fret ends on the one I'm considering.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

I've played a bunch since they came out, I can't say I've run into one that was abysmal, but I've played a few that did nothing and it was what was expected from the price point. What really blew me away on the majority was the neck/frets, really well done on most that I've played.

The ones that didn't impress me much were the newer white Universe and the blue floral JEM, something about them felt toy-ish. I picked up the $499.99 JEM Jr. and it blew the Blue Floral away, I actually think I'll pick up one of those Jr's so I don't have the beat on my 7V so much.

All in all, they're pretty good guitars. If Ibanez would just use Edge or Lo-Pro's on them, I wouldn't have a problem playing them.

Yeah, the one I'm considering has the Tight end r bridge which I've never played. By the looks of it I think i'd love it.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

I have the Andy Timmons AT10P... I love it. I owned some of the first generation of premiums and a RG721. I sent all back because they had some issues that I didn't feel like dealing with...

That being said, I love love love the AT10P. I haven't touched any other guitar since I got it. The neck on it is amazing and the pickup combos are great.

i love it so much, I ordered a second one and it got delivered today!!!

If other premiums have similar fit and finish to this model, then I say go for it.

ibanezrules.com has a few NOS that they are blowing out for less than $600

Forgot to ask you this, You still have an A6 Kiesel? What do you think of it?

I ordered one back in early October and it should be done soon (I hope). I was hesitant because of reading about Kiesel's QC issues that seem to be occurring more frequently. I have a Carvin ST300c that had an issue I didn't find about until I did my first string change several months after buying it. One of the nut screws(its a floyd) was completely stripped out in the neck wood. I was pretty bummed that they let a brand new guitar out the door like that. Of course it was still under warranty and they said to send it in and they would fix it. But after talking with their head tech, he told me all he would do if I sent it in was put some wood glue in the hole and re-seat the screw. To save the shipping I did it myself and its fine but never should have been missed.

 

[DrewJD82]

Yeah, the one I'm considering has the Tight end r bridge which I've never played. By the looks of it I think i'd love it.

Those are killer bridges!!

 

[Tone Zone]

Forgot to ask you this, You still have an A6 Kiesel? What do you think of it?

I ordered one back in early October and it should be done soon (I hope). I was hesitant because of reading about Kiesel's QC issues that seem to be occurring more frequently. I have a Carvin ST300c that had an issue I didn't find about until I did my first string change several months after buying it. One of the nut screws(its a floyd) was completely stripped out in the neck wood. I was pretty bummed that they let a brand new guitar out the door like that. Of course it was still under warranty and they said to send it in and they would fix it. But after talking with their head tech, he told me all he would do if I sent it in was put some wood glue in the hole and re-seat the screw. To save the shipping I did it myself and its fine but never should have been missed.

FWIW, I have two of them...one bought new (gloss), one used (satin) and had zero QC issues with both. Although, both of mine came with the Hipshot fixed bridge. They both seem to be well constructed, good fretwork, etc. And, I really enjoy playing them.

 

[mystixboi]

I have the Andy Timmons AT10P... I love it. I owned some of the first generation of premiums and a RG721. I sent all back because they had some issues that I didn't feel like dealing with...

That being said, I love love love the AT10P. I haven't touched any other guitar since I got it. The neck on it is amazing and the pickup combos are great.

i love it so much, I ordered a second one and it got delivered today!!!

If other premiums have similar fit and finish to this model, then I say go for it.

ibanezrules.com has a few NOS that they are blowing out for less than $600

Forgot to ask you this, You still have an A6 Kiesel? What do you think of it?

I ordered one back in early October and it should be done soon (I hope). I was hesitant because of reading about Kiesel's QC issues that seem to be occurring more frequently. I have a Carvin ST300c that had an issue I didn't find about until I did my first string change several months after buying it. One of the nut screws(its a floyd) was completely stripped out in the neck wood. I was pretty bummed that they let a brand new guitar out the door like that. Of course it was still under warranty and they said to send it in and they would fix it. But after talking with their head tech, he told me all he would do if I sent it in was put some wood glue in the hole and re-seat the screw. To save the shipping I did it myself and its fine but never should have been missed.

actually no, I ended up selling it because gas is never ending. To be honest, seeing so many threads about their quality control and the way they handle certain things, left a really bad taste in my mouth. I actually had another Aries come to me since the ash model that I had but I sent it back because I just couldn't shake this uneasiness that I get when I think about the managements style of the company as a whole.

They make some great guitars for sure. The ones that I have owned had no imperfections but at the end of the day, they lacked the mojo that my suhr has.

For what it's worth, I might order again from them in the future but I don't have any plans in doing so right now. I hope you enjoy your new guitar. Can't wait to see the pics

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Forgot to ask you this, You still have an A6 Kiesel? What do you think of it?

I ordered one back in early October and it should be done soon (I hope). I was hesitant because of reading about Kiesel's QC issues that seem to be occurring more frequently. I have a Carvin ST300c that had an issue I didn't find about until I did my first string change several months after buying it. One of the nut screws(its a floyd) was completely stripped out in the neck wood. I was pretty bummed that they let a brand new guitar out the door like that. Of course it was still under warranty and they said to send it in and they would fix it. But after talking with their head tech, he told me all he would do if I sent it in was put some wood glue in the hole and re-seat the screw. To save the shipping I did it myself and its fine but never should have been missed.

FWIW, I have two of them...one bought new (gloss), one used (satin) and had zero QC issues with both. Although, both of mine came with the Hipshot fixed bridge. They both seem to be well constructed, good fretwork, etc. And, I really enjoy playing them.

Glad to hear that See how mine turns out.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

I have the Andy Timmons AT10P... I love it. I owned some of the first generation of premiums and a RG721. I sent all back because they had some issues that I didn't feel like dealing with...

That being said, I love love love the AT10P. I haven't touched any other guitar since I got it. The neck on it is amazing and the pickup combos are great.

i love it so much, I ordered a second one and it got delivered today!!!

If other premiums have similar fit and finish to this model, then I say go for it.

ibanezrules.com has a few NOS that they are blowing out for less than $600

Forgot to ask you this, You still have an A6 Kiesel? What do you think of it?

I ordered one back in early October and it should be done soon (I hope). I was hesitant because of reading about Kiesel's QC issues that seem to be occurring more frequently. I have a Carvin ST300c that had an issue I didn't find about until I did my first string change several months after buying it. One of the nut screws(its a floyd) was completely stripped out in the neck wood. I was pretty bummed that they let a brand new guitar out the door like that. Of course it was still under warranty and they said to send it in and they would fix it. But after talking with their head tech, he told me all he would do if I sent it in was put some wood glue in the hole and re-seat the screw. To save the shipping I did it myself and its fine but never should have been missed.

actually no, I ended up selling it because gas is never ending. To be honest, seeing so many threads about their quality control and the way they handle certain things, left a really bad taste in my mouth. I actually had another Aries come to me since the ash model that I had but I sent it back because I just couldn't shake this uneasiness that I get when I think about the managements style of the company as a whole.

They make some great guitars for sure. The ones that I have owned had no imperfections but at the end of the day, they lacked the mojo that my suhr has.

For what it's worth, I might order again from them in the future but I don't have any plans in doing so right now. I hope you enjoy your new guitar. Can't wait to see the pics

I hear ya on the QC threads, figured I'd give them another shot and worst case scenario is I'm out shipping to return it.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Pulled the trigger so I guess I'm gonna find out. Had to delay shipping because I will be away from home for the next month so it won't be hear until mid January. Snagged the last one they had in stock and the sales rep told me he is pretty sure that there are no more coming and that this particular run is done. I'll post a NGD with some pics and my initial thoughts when I get it.

Specs:
Body: basswood
Top: Buckeye Burl
5-Piece Wizard wenge/bubinga neck
Fretboard: Wenge
scale: 25.5
Frets: jumbo w/ premium fret edge treatment
Bridge: Tight end r

This is the generic pics from their site for now:

 

[mystixboi]

Nixe

 

[riffermadness]

I bought an RG 3xxv-25th Anniversary Ibanez in the red color/maple neck setup,came with Dimarzio D'activator bridge and Air Norton single coil in the neck..overall it played great and the tremolo was different,maybe the Zero something,it had an adjustment on the back with a small wheel through the rear tremolo cover..I like how it played and had no flaws exept 1 fret end was a little sharp so I fixed that but I didn't like the D'activator bridge pickup,and like a dumbass I sold the guitar instead of my usual pickup swapping..I would like to have another one for sure,just with some SD' pickups in it.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

^^^
Yeah I'll give the stock Dimarzio IBZ pickups a whirl, but I really don't see them staying in there. I canceled an order for a Prestige back in September because I found out to swap pups was gonna be a hassle, but I've had a few months to stew on that aspect and feel comfortable doing some cavity dremeling or pickup plate filling for this one if need be. From what I gather, many Ibanez come with the pups screwed direct to the cavity wood and the height is predetermined and non-adjustable so if that's the case with this one, I guess I'll have to dremel it deeper.

 

[jsp]

That looks awesome. Kind of want...

 

[MetalHeadMike]

^^^
Yeah man, that wood combo lured me in. Always wanted to try Wenge.

 

[flatheads_4ever]

Nice find. I love me some basswood!!! The mahogany bodied RG's just don't have it compared to the basswood bodies.


Ed

 

[kunos]

congrats, I am gassing for a similar Ibanez, 6 strings, fixed bridge RG, but it's going to be a MIJ this time.

I had 3 indonesian made Ibanez. The first was an RG870 which was the first of the Premium serie made in Indonesia, flawless guitar, even liked the CAP pickups.
The second was an Iron Label 7 string, again, flawless in its simplicity. Both were gone because of international relocations.

The third and current one is a RG927 which looks gorgeous but came with so-so fret job, had to decide to give it a fret job or return it, 100 Eur and a fretjob later, it's a dream to play.

I was planning to get the RG921 which is the 6 string "sister" of the 927 but that fretjob gives me cold feet about it so I am thinking about a RG652KFX MIJ with full blown DiMarzio.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

Nice find. I love me some basswood!!! The mahogany bodied RG's just don't have it compared to the basswood bodies.


Ed

Wasn't sure about the basswood, never played a basswood guitar. But that total wood combo just looked interesting and I've been gassin for an Ibanez. If you believe in such things, the wenge and bubinga seem to have a rep for accentuating really forward mids and a thick clear low end response. The former aside, the grain and color of that combo grabbed me. Wasn't available here in the US, I guess this was an EU released model only.