I love that guitar. I almost ordered one the other day but they were out of stock. I ended up getting a Schecter hellraiser Hybrid PT with the same type of paint job.
I ordered this guitar a few weeks ago and received it today. Boy oh boy, Indonesian Ibanez have some big quality control issues! Befor plugging it in I did a quick inspection and found around 10 flaws ont the guitar. Everything from glue on the fretboard, scrathes in the neck binding, dings and dongs on the body/neck, scratches on the body that looked like someone tried to sand it down, paint on the side of the headstock, rough fretwork and even the fretboard wasn't glued in even with the neck. Guess I got a big lemon! It's unfortunate as the guitar plays great and the finish is pretty awesome, but I won't roll the dice on another one. Will definitely get a nice Prestige (RGR652AHBF) from a local guitar shop instead, as I already played it and has flawless craftsmanship. No wonder as Prestige guitars are built by Fujigen, I own a FGN (the Fujigen in house brand) that was 500 bucks and it is one of the best built guitars I have ever held in my hands. I even bought second hand guitars that were in better shape than this brand new Ibanez. My tip: before you order online check for return policies!
Very strange…mine was fantastic, as are all the other Indonesian Ibanez guitars I have. You definitely got a fluke guitar rather than the norm…I assume you ordered online rather than inspecting it first? Obviously Prestige level will be better, but these days I rarely see an Indo Ibanez that has issues.
@@EJBGuitar Yes I ordered online. It's the strangest thing as I own an Ibaenz ATK200 bass and an Ibanez acoustic guitar, both were way cheaper and both are flawless instuments. I'd even go so far as that the quality was around an entry level guitar. I made several pictures and when I checked them later I saw that even some screws were rusty, the neck binding was damaged at several points and the list goes on. I'll get my money back so it's not a big deal. But It was the first time I ordered a guitar and sent it back within a few hours of reciving it. The only thing I forgot was to write down the serial numer to check with Ibanez if that instrument was a fake build. I doubt it as I bought from Thomann and I don't think they would sell instuments from shady sources.
@@EJBGuitar It was supposedly a new guitar. After a little bit of searching on the internet, it seems like some other people had the same issues with that model. I got my money back, so it's not a big deal. I ordered a Dunable DE Cyclopse instead, after I checked one out at a guitar store. These guitars are awesome on par with Prestige Ibanez but with an even greater feeling neck!
@@rk28984 I have ordered this guitar's "brother" - RGD61ALA from Thomann in Germany and apart from non-working electronics/broken bridge pickup's mounting screw in half/destroyed other screws' heads (all of these are either 100% Thomann fault or 50/50 Thomann/Ibanez), it had the same things you have also mentioned: dirty binding, sloppy luminlays, badly finished neck mounting holes, badly finished truss rod hole, glue on fretboard, few rusted frets and all other visual flaws. I have a video on my channel showing it's condition in brief. Strangely enough, after that I have ordered Ibanez RGIB21 from Thomann - it has arrived with broken strap mount on horn, all scratched and it looked like it has been used for quite some time. Returned both of them, ordered from local shop - got a perfect RGIB21. Both of Thomann's guitars have been sold as A-stock (and even with higher price than in my local shops), at the same time being an obvious return in broken state.. I have no idea what it was, but I stopped buying guitars from them.
Bout to buy this guitar, so glad i found this demo, i play almost every song you hit lol. Very cool to hear the priest and especially shock me. Huge kiss fan here. Great job bro
Thanks man! Appreciate it. Killer guitar. Also, I’ve heard that Ibanez might be putting a push/pull pot in it now to split the coils, but I haven’t confirmed that so if not, you should think about doing the mod I did because the Fishmans tap nicely!
Yeah not sure why they dropped the ball on that, very rarely do you see moderns not tapped. How do you like the bridge? I haven't played a gilbralter since my old paul stanley iceman. And it was totally different. I usually play a floyd. But really want a good hard tail
Probably just as simple as they couldn’t get 25k push/pull pots for a period of time due to the pandemic maybe. I like the bridge a lot - always nice to have a dependable hard tail…one of the main reasons I also recently got the RGT1221PB ( ua-cam.com/video/JbJltQU4KNA/v-deo.html ) Dang, I need to get another Iceman at some point…had one of the originals from the late ‘70s and one from the early 2000s - need one again!
I bought one in the end as well. I have a couple of Ibanez Prestige with Edge trems, but I'm really enjoying the hard tail on this one. It has excellent stability and sustain. The neck is fantastic - a bit thicker than my other RGs, but it suits this guitar, and and the wood feels really nice. The pickups are great as well. But the best thing is the colour... it's almost magical! I love it.
Just like it says in the video…the Big Hairy Profiles Kemper profile of the ADA MP1 preamp…the specific profile is the “ADAMP V2 D Wags” profile from that profile pack. No effects, just the amp profile.
Interesting. I picked one up, and I thought the original switch was coil tap, and the push/pull was fishman voicings. Amazing axe nonetheless! Glad I purchased!
Ibanez changed the way these are wired now since I got mine…not sure why unless it was some kind of parts shortage due to the pandemic maybe? Anyway, “newer” ones should have the voicing AND coil tap options from the factory.
Thanks! Does yours have the coil split already wired in? I’ve been told that since I made the video that Ibanez started doing that. Someone else told me that they had a temporary problem getting the 25k pots in push/pull form which is why they briefly weren’t doing it.
@@EJBGuitar no mine is the same as yours was originally , no coil split switch, so I'm guessing mine is an older version, doesn't really worry me as I can just use my tele for single coil stuff, but a cool feature to have already installed
MartRockCafe - if you don’t mind adding another mini switch (or want to buy a push/pull 25k pot), you could do the same mod I speak about in the video…it really was very simple (the mini switch option is super easy…it’s just wiring it to the “coil split” solder points I showed on the pickups!) Either way - enjoy that thing!
Yeah, like mentioned somewhere else in the comments here, Ibanez changed it on later guitars after I bought mine…mine (and the original version of this model) had no push/pull pot. It’s good that they did the change as it’s a feature that should definitely be included!
Iridescent I think is the word for that color finish. It looks great and sounds amazing. I'm not sure if this would be a great second guitar for me. I wanted a guitar a step up from my Ibanez RG2EX that I loaded up with DiMarzios. This is definitely nicer and sounds great too. I mainly play metal with some bluesy stuff from time to time. Any tips for someone considering this guitar?
Evidently, Ibanez IS doing the coil-tap mod that I did on mine now so if you get a current one, your good to go! It’s a killer rock and metal guitar IMO.
Hii, awesome review. I am looking for a versatile guitar and I am confused between Rg421Hpfm and this one. Which one would be better? I want to play blues, progressive rock, metal etc.
Thanks! That’s a tough call, personally I think I’d prefer the Tone Zone and Air Norton pickups in the RG421 slightly over the Fishmans for the styles you mentioned…though I was pleasantly surprised with the tones I could get from the Fishmans! That being said, I think both guitars are nice and either would be a good pick.
It indeed is a beautiful guitar. In addition I have to say, your sound is really good & clear, though you're using a LOT of grime. 😀 Is that a Kemper amp you're using? What kind of amps are you using live?
Yeah, it’s a Kemper. I also use powered Kemper rack head when I play with my band. Pretty much the same profiles, but with a little more of the lower frequencies rolled out when with the band.
That’s tough…the other guitarist in my band has a Sentient in one of his and it’s a killer pickup. I do like the Fishmans ability to have a few “voices” though so I personally would probably go for the Fishman. Either way would rock though!
It says on the Ibanez website that the volume knob is the push/pull for the active/passive voicing, and the toggle is for single coil? Is this information wrong and you have to add in the single coil after? Many thanks.
Hello! Maybe Ibanez has upgraded/changed the RG631-ALF now…mine did NOT have any push/pull pots and the Mini Switch was the voice switch. (The Coil Tap “solder tabs” on each pickup like I show on the diagram in the video weren’t connected to anything on mine). I see what you are saying on the website, and I don’t remember it saying that when I got mine, so hopefully Ibanez has in fact made that change because it makes a great guitar even better!
Awesome review and guitar. Thanks Jason. I'm starting to learn guitar and I'm in between with this model and genesis rg550. Which one would you prefer? Thanks.
Both are nice…guess it comes down to whether or not you want the tremolo or not, and the maple fretboard. I personally like the pickups in this one over the 550. Money aside, both would be great!
![[TEST] Ibanez RG631ALF-BCM: Metal-Axt ohne Schwächen!](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/T36zshHmyLo/mqdefault.jpg)
Gorgeous guitar collection man! Really smart pickup modifications too, that's a great idea!
Thanks!
I love that guitar. I almost ordered one the other day but they were out of stock. I ended up getting a Schecter hellraiser Hybrid PT with the same type of paint job.
I ordered this guitar a few weeks ago and received it today. Boy oh boy, Indonesian Ibanez have some big quality control issues!
Befor plugging it in I did a quick inspection and found around 10 flaws ont the guitar. Everything from glue on the fretboard, scrathes in the neck binding, dings and dongs on the body/neck, scratches on the body that looked like someone tried to sand it down, paint on the side of the headstock, rough fretwork and even the fretboard wasn't glued in even with the neck.
Guess I got a big lemon! It's unfortunate as the guitar plays great and the finish is pretty awesome, but I won't roll the dice on another one. Will definitely get a nice Prestige (RGR652AHBF) from a local guitar shop instead, as I already played it and has flawless craftsmanship. No wonder as Prestige guitars are built by Fujigen, I own a FGN (the Fujigen in house brand) that was 500 bucks and it is one of the best built guitars I have ever held in my hands.
I even bought second hand guitars that were in better shape than this brand new Ibanez.
My tip: before you order online check for return policies!
Very strange…mine was fantastic, as are all the other Indonesian Ibanez guitars I have.
You definitely got a fluke guitar rather than the norm…I assume you ordered online rather than inspecting it first?
Obviously Prestige level will be better, but these days I rarely see an Indo Ibanez that has issues.
@@EJBGuitar Yes I ordered online.
It's the strangest thing as I own an Ibaenz ATK200 bass and an Ibanez acoustic guitar, both were way cheaper and both are flawless instuments. I'd even go so far as that the quality was around an entry level guitar. I made several pictures and when I checked them later I saw that even some screws were rusty, the neck binding was damaged at several points and the list goes on.
I'll get my money back so it's not a big deal. But It was the first time I ordered a guitar and sent it back within a few hours of reciving it.
The only thing I forgot was to write down the serial numer to check with Ibanez if that instrument was a fake build. I doubt it as I bought from Thomann and I don't think they would sell instuments from shady sources.
Wonder if it was a returned guitar resold.
@@EJBGuitar It was supposedly a new guitar. After a little bit of searching on the internet, it seems like some other people had the same issues with that model.
I got my money back, so it's not a big deal. I ordered a Dunable DE Cyclopse instead, after I checked one out at a guitar store. These guitars are awesome on par with Prestige Ibanez but with an even greater feeling neck!
@@rk28984 I have ordered this guitar's "brother" - RGD61ALA from Thomann in Germany and apart from non-working electronics/broken bridge pickup's mounting screw in half/destroyed other screws' heads (all of these are either 100% Thomann fault or 50/50 Thomann/Ibanez), it had the same things you have also mentioned: dirty binding, sloppy luminlays, badly finished neck mounting holes, badly finished truss rod hole, glue on fretboard, few rusted frets and all other visual flaws. I have a video on my channel showing it's condition in brief.
Strangely enough, after that I have ordered Ibanez RGIB21 from Thomann - it has arrived with broken strap mount on horn, all scratched and it looked like it has been used for quite some time. Returned both of them, ordered from local shop - got a perfect RGIB21.
Both of Thomann's guitars have been sold as A-stock (and even with higher price than in my local shops), at the same time being an obvious return in broken state.. I have no idea what it was, but I stopped buying guitars from them.
And it does have the looks that kill
I think I have to try the guitar out, I really like it.
Bout to buy this guitar, so glad i found this demo, i play almost every song you hit lol. Very cool to hear the priest and especially shock me. Huge kiss fan here. Great job bro
Thanks man! Appreciate it. Killer guitar.
Also, I’ve heard that Ibanez might be putting a push/pull pot in it now to split the coils, but I haven’t confirmed that so if not, you should think about doing the mod I did because the Fishmans tap nicely!
Yeah not sure why they dropped the ball on that, very rarely do you see moderns not tapped. How do you like the bridge? I haven't played a gilbralter since my old paul stanley iceman. And it was totally different. I usually play a floyd. But really want a good hard tail
Probably just as simple as they couldn’t get 25k push/pull pots for a period of time due to the pandemic maybe.
I like the bridge a lot - always nice to have a dependable hard tail…one of the main reasons I also recently got the RGT1221PB ( ua-cam.com/video/JbJltQU4KNA/v-deo.html )
Dang, I need to get another Iceman at some point…had one of the originals from the late ‘70s and one from the early 2000s - need one again!
This was a really great, in depth review. Thanks a lot. I am seriously tempted by this guitar!
Thank you! Let me know if you end up getting one.
I bought one and this guitar is literally perfect for metal but it also has a really nice clean tone and the finish looks even better in person
I bought one in the end as well. I have a couple of Ibanez Prestige with Edge trems, but I'm really enjoying the hard tail on this one. It has excellent stability and sustain. The neck is fantastic - a bit thicker than my other RGs, but it suits this guitar, and and the wood feels really nice. The pickups are great as well. But the best thing is the colour... it's almost magical! I love it.
@@GarryParker Glad you guys like them! The paint job really is awesome, isn’t it?!?
0:35 wow.. what a sound 😍 which effect(s) and amp are you using here?
Just like it says in the video…the Big Hairy Profiles Kemper profile of the ADA MP1 preamp…the specific profile is the “ADAMP V2 D Wags” profile from that profile pack.
No effects, just the amp profile.
awesome mics.. those fishman's sound great
Interesting.
I picked one up, and I thought the original switch was coil tap, and the push/pull was fishman voicings.
Amazing axe nonetheless! Glad I purchased!
Ibanez changed the way these are wired now since I got mine…not sure why unless it was some kind of parts shortage due to the pandemic maybe? Anyway, “newer” ones should have the voicing AND coil tap options from the factory.
Great review mate, ive just picked up a sweet used one of these, its an awesome guitar!
Thanks! Does yours have the coil split already wired in? I’ve been told that since I made the video that Ibanez started doing that. Someone else told me that they had a temporary problem getting the 25k pots in push/pull form which is why they briefly weren’t doing it.
@@EJBGuitar no mine is the same as yours was originally , no coil split switch, so I'm guessing mine is an older version, doesn't really worry me as I can just use my tele for single coil stuff, but a cool feature to have already installed
MartRockCafe - if you don’t mind adding another mini switch (or want to buy a push/pull 25k pot), you could do the same mod I speak about in the video…it really was very simple (the mini switch option is super easy…it’s just wiring it to the “coil split” solder points I showed on the pickups!)
Either way - enjoy that thing!
Hey bro..the small switch is the coil tap and the volume is push pull ..according to ibanez
Yeah, like mentioned somewhere else in the comments here, Ibanez changed it on later guitars after I bought mine…mine (and the original version of this model) had no push/pull pot. It’s good that they did the change as it’s a feature that should definitely be included!
Guitar and golf!
Iridescent I think is the word for that color finish. It looks great and sounds amazing. I'm not sure if this would be a great second guitar for me. I wanted a guitar a step up from my Ibanez RG2EX that I loaded up with DiMarzios. This is definitely nicer and sounds great too. I mainly play metal with some bluesy stuff from time to time. Any tips for someone considering this guitar?
Evidently, Ibanez IS doing the coil-tap mod that I did on mine now so if you get a current one, your good to go! It’s a killer rock and metal guitar IMO.
Hii, awesome review. I am looking for a versatile guitar and I am confused between Rg421Hpfm and this one. Which one would be better? I want to play blues, progressive rock, metal etc.
Thanks! That’s a tough call, personally I think I’d prefer the Tone Zone and Air Norton pickups in the RG421 slightly over the Fishmans for the styles you mentioned…though I was pleasantly surprised with the tones I could get from the Fishmans! That being said, I think both guitars are nice and either would be a good pick.
@@EJBGuitar hii, thank you for the response. I'l' go for rg421 then it fits my budget too. Good job btw keep it up. 😍😍😍😍
It indeed is a beautiful guitar. In addition I have to say, your sound is really good & clear, though you're using a LOT of grime. 😀 Is that a Kemper amp you're using? What kind of amps are you using live?
Yeah, it’s a Kemper. I also use powered Kemper rack head when I play with my band. Pretty much the same profiles, but with a little more of the lower frequencies rolled out when with the band.
Thanks for a review :)
What would you pick actually: Fishmans or SD Pegasus/Sentient? :)
That’s tough…the other guitarist in my band has a Sentient in one of his and it’s a killer pickup. I do like the Fishmans ability to have a few “voices” though so I personally would probably go for the Fishman. Either way would rock though!
@@EJBGuitar Thanks :)
@@EJBGuitar Haha, now I also have this guitar, but model with coil-split :) Cool guitar, but I see you also have pickguard a bit off on lower horn :))
It says on the Ibanez website that the volume knob is the push/pull for the active/passive voicing, and the toggle is for single coil?
Is this information wrong and you have to add in the single coil after?
Many thanks.
Hello! Maybe Ibanez has upgraded/changed the RG631-ALF now…mine did NOT have any push/pull pots and the Mini Switch was the voice switch. (The Coil Tap “solder tabs” on each pickup like I show on the diagram in the video weren’t connected to anything on mine).
I see what you are saying on the website, and I don’t remember it saying that when I got mine, so hopefully Ibanez has in fact made that change because it makes a great guitar even better!
They had no push/pull vol poti in the production year 2020/12-2021/10.
Since 2021/12 they should have one.
Do you still like this guitar? And is it still good? And is it good fore metal like metallica songs?
Yes, yes, and yes.
Like the Ibanez tone but never got used to it’s looks
Awesome review and guitar. Thanks Jason. I'm starting to learn guitar and I'm in between with this model and genesis rg550. Which one would you prefer? Thanks.
Both are nice…guess it comes down to whether or not you want the tremolo or not, and the maple fretboard. I personally like the pickups in this one over the 550. Money aside, both would be great!
You are not alone with the plastic being a bitch to get off. I still haven’t got the residue off. Really my only complaint about that guitar.
I'm heading out to the highway ...
Hi :) Do you also have a very typical neck pocket crack? I have a little one from 6th string side..
No, nothing yet.
@@EJBGuitar I see, thanks, another ibanez goes back to the shop :D
Curious what riffs were you playing?
Heading Out To The Highway, Almost Human, Looks That Kill, Hysteria, Square Hammer, Shock Me, and some of my original music.
@@EJBGuitar Kiss - Beth as well
is it in standard tuning?
E-flat
a Floyd rose would have been better on this guitar