That’s very interesting. May I ask what makes it better than the Strandbergs? I’ve been considering both as my next guitar although I’m already leaning towards the Ibanez.
Honestly l think it’s crazy that people are paying $1500+ for Korean and Indonesian guitars that were going for 5-600 less for the same models just a few years ago. Yes pandemic and all that but MIJ Prestige’s have adversely not inflated nearly as much. Most are pre-pandemic pricing or just 1-200 more and come with a case and accessories. If you look at it that way, then idk how people don’t realize they aren’t getting a good deal. I love my LTDs and Schecters that I proudly own but there’s no way I’m paying the current prices that they are asking that I got my full fat ESP standards for as recently as 2018(got my M-II for $1399 locally and my E-II Eclipse with case in mint used at GC for $900). They are supposed to be affordable instruments for the bedroom player and workhorses for working musicians but now they priced them out of reach for the market that got them where they are. Never paid a cent over $800 for a LTD or Schecter and I’ve got Hellraisers, Blackjacks and few LTD sigs like the Snakebyte and KH602. To each their own but it won’t get better if we keep paying these insane prices for these cnc cheap(er) labor instruments.
@@thisguy2973 I don’t know if you read my whole comment because I specifically mentioned Korean LTD and Japanese ESP as I own multiple of each, new(2023+ models) and old. I’ve since acquired a new USA ESP Eclipse to also compare. Again, while the MIK LTD are good, I am NOT surprised. They are the same great workhorse guitars they were 15 years ago, just double and triple the price. The Korean quality has always been there. I was lucky enough to get one of the new Kirk Hammett Vs that were being liquidated by guitar center for 50% off. It plays and sounds great and for the $899 I paid it’s a decent deal, but for $1800-1900? They are smoking something good lol.
Korean guitars are amazing. Where a guitar is made doesn’t matter at all. My ltd m1000 has better craftsmanship than my ibanez rg5120 prestige MIJ. But yes prices are crazy. In sweden my ibanez cost 2300€ and my ltd m1000 cost 1800€. Those ltd’s where about 1100€ a few years ago
Honestly for 1550, that's a solid deal for the guitar. No SS frets but what you get is high quality craftsmanship and in my opinion that's more valuable than SS frets. You can always get SS frets on them by a luthier.
@@EricMorettin well one of the guitar sites is definitely lying because it says SS frets lol Question. What gate strings did you put on? That doesn’t sound like it’s in standard and that low east string looks pretty thick. I like to play and drop C and B. You think this guitar will be all right with thicker gauge strings without the tuning wavering too much from sharp to flat since I need it for recording.
@feedthewolf6930 I use string source strings for my guitars. Drop set for anything in drop tuning. I like the Emerald set for medium tension in drop C or Ruby in B. A good setup and stretching strings will help with tuning stability.
@ I always get everything. PLEKD and set up when I get a guitar, but like you were saying, even though it’s got nickel fret I would almost rather have this than the multi scale Jackson. I was looking at. What would you recommend for drop B though? I’m trying to keep that tuning from wavering and I’ve never even heard of those strings before honestly. Here’s the other guitar which one would you go with out of these two provided you play multi scales? I mean, I don’t have an issue with them. I know it would definitely help provide some stability and lower tunings and from what I’ve heard the original pick ups that come in that guitar. Don’t do so well with clean tones And I’m not even gonna lie. The jack input has got me a little worried on the Ivan as honestly the reason I’m considering it is because it’s from Japan, and a flatter fretboard will also help with lower tunings, but I’m not really a shredder so that neck would literally just Help with lower tunings Also, thanks for the help www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MDKPPGBk--jackson-pro-plus-series-dk-modern-ms-ht6-gloss-black
Cool video man, I swear by the Ibanez prestiges for quit some time now. The 5000 series are my favourite with the SS frets, luminlay dots and Fishmans. The stock dimarzio, also came in a couple of my Ibanezens, never cared for them and always replaced them
@@EricMorettin its basically the prestiges models that start with a number 5. Those models have standard SS frets, luminlay dots and great selection of pickups. I have a video were I explain a bit about my Ibanez collection. You can check it out🤘😎
@@EricMorettinyou know, all the models like the RG 5120, 5320, 5440 etc. those are the current top tier of prestige before you get to J Custom, coming in at the ~$2000-2500 price point. The one in this video is at the entry level point of Prestige coming in ~$1400 so lacks some of the higher end features like stainless steel frets as mentioned above. Still a very good guitar though. Can’t beat the value of a MIJ Ibanez!
6:28 I have the same issue on an EBMM I have and it’s buried in a hole that is covered by the plate that conceals the saddles. Solution: long T-Handled Allen wrench set. I hate that I had to buy a set, but over time, I’ve had a lot of uses for the toolset.
I don't understand why Ibanez keeps making guitars with the tone knob installed. Many of us don't use it and like you prefer to delete it and move the volume knob away from the bridge so it doesn´t interfere with your playing hand. I personally am more interested in the 7-string model of this guitar. I'm also a sucker for reversed headstocks. I disagree on the intonation part. If I remember correctly Ibanez used to have screws on that bridge to adjust the intonation on other older models (Ibanez RGIX7FDLB-NLB made in Indonesia, not Prestige) but they wear out much faster imo than allen wrench screws. Also a screwdriver doesn't have good access because the bridge is positioned too low. So I think Ibanez made the right decision with this change. And I am very happy that Ibanez sticks to the nickel frets instead of stainless steel which many companies choose for their guitars. I really hate SS frets because they are too hard to work with and to my ears they make the guitar sound too metallic. I like metal but I don't like metallic, haha. Plus they break in the strings quicker at the spot where it touches the frets resulting that you have to change the strings more frequently. And yeah, I heard all these comparison videos/etc. but I can tell from own experience having had many guitars that nickel frets soften the tone. It feels better to play on and sounds pleasant to the ears.
Btw, this Prestige model has many similairities with the RGIX7FDLB-NLB except that that one comes in a cheaper price range. I wished the Prestige model would had the same pickup configuration as the RGIX7FDLB-NLB because that one has the coil split option and that sounds amazing. If you are not familiar with the RGIX7FDLB-NLB model please check it out. You can still buy them new in Asia as well as many other older Ibanez models.
@@6._d._.a._.n_.9 what about that Jack? I mean I’m no Luther, but what do you have to do to replace it? Is it going to affect what it sounds like when it’s recorded with that cheap jack?
I have the same exact guitar! Have been thinking about changing the pickups and removing the tone knob! So this video is perfect! Funny thing with the body wood. Mine is super light! So i was kinda suprised when you say the guitar was heavy!
Had one of these for a week. It's an awesome guitar and worth the price. Now i have a Jackson RRT MJ and it's cool but the Ibanez was better quality wise, also insane considering it is almost 1000 euros less here in europe. I impulsively bought it because i was bored and decided to return it because i was more into my LP at the time, but i lowkey regret it. P. S. The one think i prefer about the Jackson is the wider and thickers fretboard. The Ibanez feels a bit fragile.
Yeah these are pretty great for the price, and I really don't think you need to swap pickups. I'd suggest getting another if you can afford it, given you regret sending it back. Yeah this fretboard was narrower than the Jackson's I've played
I also wanted to put some of those new Nazgûl Seymour Duncan rail pick ups in it, but I’m no Luther and I mean they are passive pickups, but now that I see it’s gonna take quite a bit of modification What other pick ups could I put in it? They don’t have to be Duncan’s butI need to be able to still have good clean Sounds along with chunky heavy Sounds. The stuff I play is along the lines of like Breaking Benjamin Ish
Though stainless steel frets have no issues with wearing out, nickel frets are a little warmer toned, I'm guessing that's why Ibanez chose nickel frets especially on an ebony board.. I could be wrong though??
@@robphillips8351 honestly have no idea why Ibanez doesn't use stainless steel frets on all prestige and higher line guitars, but they clearly have a reason!
@@EricMorettin they probably should though, they have virtually zero wear. Just a little brighter, but more sustain which is another plus.. I changed all my bridge saddles to stainless, huge improvement in clarity and noticeable boost in sustain. I have yet to have a stainless steel fretted guitar, but am definitely considering doing maybe a Warmoth neck for a humbucking tele I have..
I bought two prestige's in 2024. A RG5120 in frozen ocean blue with active fishmans. And my fav a S6570Q in natural blue. I also got a RG550 in neon purple. I've only played one guitar that plays more effortlessly than my prestige Ibanez. A 5 grang PRS. And I got 3 amazing guitars for that price. And made in Japan. Sorry Paul r. Smith
Great stuff Eric, not a big ibanez fan myself, but this one looks defo sic!! Plus I love the dimarzio / sd pick up combination and just one volume knob makes this guitar cool as f**k. Could do with a fr tho. 😉
i still think prestige ibanez are still some of the best value on the used market, pickup swap and some TLC and you've got a solid guitar used to own this one as well, killer guitar, chips pretty easy unfortunately, but those are just battles scars 😄
@@EricMorettin totally, great modding platforms too , i had an evertune retrofitted to an RGD, which cost more than the actual guitar 😄 but totally worth it, i kept the fusion edge neck pickup too, it's slightly microphonic for some reason but sounds amazing, I'll do a video on it at some point
Allen key is far superior to philips imo. Carpenter by trade and philips is literally the worst modern driver design by a mile. Honestly id prefer flat head/slitted to philips its actually the worst i hate it passionately.
I am thinking of buying the polar lights as my first real guitar. and putting the tim hensons pickups on there, since he hasn't said shit abou t prestiege coming out forever. and i don't take care about the death inlay
@@EricMorettin RG5120M my bad haha, I am not sure about the pickup switch yet , but a lot of people complain about ths clean in the moderns. and its not the updated version which is sad.
@@supersavagegodgaming6888it also affects the tone by removing it from the circuit. Makes it a hair more aggressive since most tone knobs, even at 10 aren’t very transparent.
sounds very compressed, sandy and muffled, I don't understand why everyone's excited about this sound because for me it is a sound for $200, and that's not a complaint to the video/author, I watched 10+ videos and everywhere this guitar sounds terrible and other guitars in those youtube channels sound way better... why $1500... It's so better to buy a korean LTD or a top Epiphone than that...
Just got an rgr5221. Stainless on that one.
It absolutely rips. Blows my strandbergs right on to reverb
That’s very interesting. May I ask what makes it better than the Strandbergs? I’ve been considering both as my next guitar although I’m already leaning towards the Ibanez.
That beast is killer! I hate the position of the volume pot because your hand hits it while playing
This is why I moved it!
Paul Gilbert and Marty Friedman agree. Me too.
Nice explanation man. Loved the Sikth DOADD riffs!
Thanks! Love that album so much
Honestly l think it’s crazy that people are paying $1500+ for Korean and Indonesian guitars that were going for 5-600 less for the same models just a few years ago. Yes pandemic and all that but MIJ Prestige’s have adversely not inflated nearly as much. Most are pre-pandemic pricing or just 1-200 more and come with a case and accessories. If you look at it that way, then idk how people don’t realize they aren’t getting a good deal. I love my LTDs and Schecters that I proudly own but there’s no way I’m paying the current prices that they are asking that I got my full fat ESP standards for as recently as 2018(got my M-II for $1399 locally and my E-II Eclipse with case in mint used at GC for $900). They are supposed to be affordable instruments for the bedroom player and workhorses for working musicians but now they priced them out of reach for the market that got them where they are. Never paid a cent over $800 for a LTD or Schecter and I’ve got Hellraisers, Blackjacks and few LTD sigs like the Snakebyte and KH602. To each their own but it won’t get better if we keep paying these insane prices for these cnc cheap(er) labor instruments.
While agree overall, the quality of Korean guitars has gone through the roof. Just compare a Korean LTD to a Japanese E-II. You’d be surprised.
@@thisguy2973 I don’t know if you read my whole comment because I specifically mentioned Korean LTD and Japanese ESP as I own multiple of each, new(2023+ models) and old. I’ve since acquired a new USA ESP Eclipse to also compare. Again, while the MIK LTD are good, I am NOT surprised. They are the same great workhorse guitars they were 15 years ago, just double and triple the price. The Korean quality has always been there. I was lucky enough to get one of the new Kirk Hammett Vs that were being liquidated by guitar center for 50% off. It plays and sounds great and for the $899 I paid it’s a decent deal, but for $1800-1900? They are smoking something good lol.
Korean guitars are amazing. Where a guitar is made doesn’t matter at all. My ltd m1000 has better craftsmanship than my ibanez rg5120 prestige MIJ. But yes prices are crazy. In sweden my ibanez cost 2300€ and my ltd m1000 cost 1800€. Those ltd’s where about 1100€ a few years ago
Honestly for 1550, that's a solid deal for the guitar. No SS frets but what you get is high quality craftsmanship and in my opinion that's more valuable than SS frets. You can always get SS frets on them by a luthier.
Yeah exactly. You can play the daylights out of the guitar then have it refretted when the time comes with stainless steel frets.
@@EricMorettin well one of the guitar sites is definitely lying because it says SS frets lol
Question. What gate strings did you put on? That doesn’t sound like it’s in standard and that low east string looks pretty thick.
I like to play and drop C and B. You think this guitar will be all right with thicker gauge strings without the tuning wavering too much from sharp to flat since I need it for recording.
@feedthewolf6930 I use string source strings for my guitars. Drop set for anything in drop tuning. I like the Emerald set for medium tension in drop C or Ruby in B. A good setup and stretching strings will help with tuning stability.
@ I always get everything. PLEKD and set up when I get a guitar, but like you were saying, even though it’s got nickel fret I would almost rather have this than the multi scale Jackson. I was looking at.
What would you recommend for drop B though? I’m trying to keep that tuning from wavering and I’ve never even heard of those strings before honestly.
Here’s the other guitar which one would you go with out of these two provided you play multi scales? I mean, I don’t have an issue with them. I know it would definitely help provide some stability and lower tunings and from what I’ve heard the original pick ups that come in that guitar. Don’t do so well with clean tones
And I’m not even gonna lie. The jack input has got me a little worried on the Ivan as honestly the reason I’m considering it is because it’s from Japan, and a flatter fretboard will also help with lower tunings, but I’m not really a shredder so that neck would literally just Help with lower tunings
Also, thanks for the help
www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MDKPPGBk--jackson-pro-plus-series-dk-modern-ms-ht6-gloss-black
@@TYLERtheMAGGOT1 agreed
Cool video man, I swear by the Ibanez prestiges for quit some time now. The 5000 series are my favourite with the SS frets, luminlay dots and Fishmans. The stock dimarzio, also came in a couple of my Ibanezens, never cared for them and always replaced them
Thanks! What are the 5000 series? I'm unfamiliar with them.
@@EricMorettin its basically the prestiges models that start with a number 5. Those models have standard SS frets, luminlay dots and great selection of pickups. I have a video were I explain a bit about my Ibanez collection. You can check it out🤘😎
@@EricMorettinyou know, all the models like the RG 5120, 5320, 5440 etc. those are the current top tier of prestige before you get to J Custom, coming in at the ~$2000-2500 price point. The one in this video is at the entry level point of Prestige coming in ~$1400 so lacks some of the higher end features like stainless steel frets as mentioned above. Still a very good guitar though. Can’t beat the value of a MIJ Ibanez!
6:28 I have the same issue on an EBMM I have and it’s buried in a hole that is covered by the plate that conceals the saddles. Solution: long T-Handled Allen wrench set. I hate that I had to buy a set, but over time, I’ve had a lot of uses for the toolset.
man that tone is NASTY sounds excellent
I literally just bought one of these. Dude from Currents made me want to try it out
@@snop6176 thank you! It's a great guitar and is great for various styles outside of metal
@@EricMorettinhave you done a Ibanez mikro video
@@SD-N534 no I haven't
I don't understand why Ibanez keeps making guitars with the tone knob installed. Many of us don't use it and like you prefer to delete it and move the volume knob away from the bridge so it doesn´t interfere with your playing hand.
I personally am more interested in the 7-string model of this guitar. I'm also a sucker for reversed headstocks.
I disagree on the intonation part. If I remember correctly Ibanez used to have screws on that bridge to adjust the intonation on other older models (Ibanez RGIX7FDLB-NLB made in Indonesia, not Prestige) but they wear out much faster imo than allen wrench screws. Also a screwdriver doesn't have good access because the bridge is positioned too low. So I think Ibanez made the right decision with this change.
And I am very happy that Ibanez sticks to the nickel frets instead of stainless steel which many companies choose for their guitars. I really hate SS frets because they are too hard to work with and to my ears they make the guitar sound too metallic. I like metal but I don't like metallic, haha. Plus they break in the strings quicker at the spot where it touches the frets resulting that you have to change the strings more frequently. And yeah, I heard all these comparison videos/etc. but I can tell from own experience having had many guitars that nickel frets soften the tone. It feels better to play on and sounds pleasant to the ears.
Btw, this Prestige model has many similairities with the RGIX7FDLB-NLB except that that one comes in a cheaper price range. I wished the Prestige model would had the same pickup configuration as the RGIX7FDLB-NLB because that one has the coil split option and that sounds amazing. If you are not familiar with the RGIX7FDLB-NLB model please check it out. You can still buy them new in Asia as well as many other older Ibanez models.
I use the tone knob, volume placement is fine
@@6._d._.a._.n_.9 what about that Jack? I mean I’m no Luther, but what do you have to do to replace it? Is it going to affect what it sounds like when it’s recorded with that cheap jack?
About SS frets. The RG prestiges with 4 digits have them, the 3 digits haven't.
Noted thanks
Is this only true for the newest models? Because my RG2027XL-DTB Prestige has nickel frets, I believe.
Remove the tone and install vol pot for the neck pickup. Or put an on off switch in the tone hole to hooked up to Vol to bypass for full power.
We installed a plug after this video
I have the same exact guitar! Have been thinking about changing the pickups and removing the tone knob! So this video is perfect! Funny thing with the body wood. Mine is super light! So i was kinda suprised when you say the guitar was heavy!
Oh yeah ash changes from cut to cut in terms of weight and grain! Hopefully you got some insight to how the mods are done!
Ibanez is a no nonsense manufacturer. Even the budget gio series performs admirably well out of the factory, without any modification or adjustments
@@vasileseicaru8740 agreed
Had one of these for a week. It's an awesome guitar and worth the price. Now i have a Jackson RRT MJ and it's cool but the Ibanez was better quality wise, also insane considering it is almost 1000 euros less here in europe.
I impulsively bought it because i was bored and decided to return it because i was more into my LP at the time, but i lowkey regret it.
P. S. The one think i prefer about the Jackson is the wider and thickers fretboard. The Ibanez feels a bit fragile.
Yeah these are pretty great for the price, and I really don't think you need to swap pickups. I'd suggest getting another if you can afford it, given you regret sending it back. Yeah this fretboard was narrower than the Jackson's I've played
Ibanez Prestige is really worth it🥰
Agreed 👍
That “Heaven beside you” tone was so good! What chorus are you using?
Edit - was that a part from Good Charlotte’s “Girls & Boys”?
All amp tones are from neural DSP John Petrucci! Yes to the good Charlotte question!
Sub , loved your attitude , stay humble man👍
Cheers 🤘
I've been looking at this exact guitar and putting Jupiters on it if I get it too. the thing is damn SLICK. Great vid brother!
Thanks! You'll have to route the pickup cavities for those pickups though
I also wanted to put some of those new Nazgûl Seymour Duncan rail pick ups in it, but I’m no Luther and I mean they are passive pickups, but now that I see it’s gonna take quite a bit of modification
What other pick ups could I put in it? They don’t have to be Duncan’s butI need to be able to still have good clean Sounds along with chunky heavy Sounds.
The stuff I play is along the lines of like Breaking Benjamin Ish
@@feedthewolf6930 DiMarzio D-Activators would be good
@ did you see my comment on that other reply? It was important.
Though stainless steel frets have no issues with wearing out, nickel frets are a little warmer toned, I'm guessing that's why Ibanez chose nickel frets especially on an ebony board.. I could be wrong though??
@@robphillips8351 honestly have no idea why Ibanez doesn't use stainless steel frets on all prestige and higher line guitars, but they clearly have a reason!
@@EricMorettin they probably should though, they have virtually zero wear. Just a little brighter, but more sustain which is another plus.. I changed all my bridge saddles to stainless, huge improvement in clarity and noticeable boost in sustain. I have yet to have a stainless steel fretted guitar, but am definitely considering doing maybe a Warmoth neck for a humbucking tele I have..
Hipshot has a replacement bridge for the Gibraltar that looks sooooooooo much easier to deal with than the stock piece.
@@nicholastotoro7721 hipshot ibby is a cool bridge
may i ask why did you put foam in the HH socket?
@@DoppioD to help with the pickup height, keeping the pickups sitting straight, and to help reduce any other noise
@@EricMorettin tnx a lot
@@DoppioD you're welcome!
@@DoppioD you're welcome
I have one the only thing I might change is installing an evertune. Otherwise, I love it!
That's a big mod! I'd suggest getting another guitar that has one installed from factory
Lil heaven besides you!
Good ear!
I bought two prestige's in 2024. A RG5120 in frozen ocean blue with active fishmans. And my fav a S6570Q in natural blue. I also got a RG550 in neon purple. I've only played one guitar that plays more effortlessly than my prestige Ibanez. A 5 grang PRS. And I got 3 amazing guitars for that price. And made in Japan. Sorry Paul r. Smith
@@HarryBall-fw7pv sounds like a great collection!!
Great stuff Eric, not a big ibanez fan myself, but this one looks defo sic!! Plus I love the dimarzio / sd pick up combination and just one volume knob makes this guitar cool as f**k. Could do with a fr tho. 😉
Thanks! Yeah it would be awesome to see this model with a trem! Hopefully one day
what can choose string gauge for drop B or C?
String Source drop sets
@@EricMorettin thanks
I have a Premium AZ224f and it is beyond incredible in every way. Better than my old core PRS SAS. Ibanez rules!
Hi. How much does it weigh?
This one felt like it was 8-10lbs
i still think prestige ibanez are still some of the best value on the used market, pickup swap and some TLC and you've got a solid guitar
used to own this one as well, killer guitar, chips pretty easy unfortunately, but those are just battles scars 😄
Yeah there's not a lot of paint or gloss to prevent damage, but I guess it adds character haha. Can't go wrong with a used prestige!
@@EricMorettin totally, great modding platforms too , i had an evertune retrofitted to an RGD, which cost more than the actual guitar 😄 but totally worth it, i kept the fusion edge neck pickup too, it's slightly microphonic for some reason but sounds amazing, I'll do a video on it at some point
Beautiful guitar! but at that price point, it should have Stainless Steel frets, hipshot ibby hardtail and a better option of pickups
I found the pickups to be great imo. I do agree with you on the addition of stainless steel frets tho
Allen key is far superior to philips imo. Carpenter by trade and philips is literally the worst modern driver design by a mile. Honestly id prefer flat head/slitted to philips its actually the worst i hate it passionately.
Fair enough!
I am thinking of buying the polar lights as my first real guitar. and putting the tim hensons pickups on there,
since he hasn't said shit abou t prestiege coming out forever. and i don't take care about the death inlay
What's the polar lights?
@@EricMorettin RG5120M my bad haha, I am not sure about the pickup switch yet , but a lot of people complain about ths clean in the moderns. and its not the updated version which is sad.
why take the tune knob out?
Lots of guitarists who play metal don't use the tone knob, so they remove it.
So it like a preference it doesn't do much to the guitar
@@supersavagegodgaming6888 yes
@@supersavagegodgaming6888it also affects the tone by removing it from the circuit. Makes it a hair more aggressive since most tone knobs, even at 10 aren’t very transparent.
@solidus317 oh okay
I'd buy one right now if it wasn't reverse head stock. HATE reverse head stock!
You must really dislike them if you're saying Hate!
@@EricMorettin I love this guitar but I absolutely HATE reverse head stocks.
I sold all my ibanezes in 2023
So I pay a lot of money for a prestige and getting trash???? That's my resume after watching your video.
@@fearlesstrooper8536 Not sure where you picked that up. Pretty sure I only disliked the lack of stainless steel frets.
Why buy a prestige if you are going to mod it this much
You buy them for the build quality and the neck. Not my guitar though.
Wait were you playing good charlotte? Boys and girls?
A variant of it!
They never were
sounds very compressed, sandy and muffled, I don't understand why everyone's excited about this sound because for me it is a sound for $200, and that's not a complaint to the video/author, I watched 10+ videos and everywhere this guitar sounds terrible and other guitars in those youtube channels sound way better... why $1500... It's so better to buy a korean LTD or a top Epiphone than that...
Ironlabels are cheaper...
Their quality control has been inconsistent between every model I've played.
The Iron Label model isn't made in Japan. The quality difference is huge
nope, cuz esp ltd is the king
Why are they the king for you?
nickel frets? FAIL
@@Steve_Rotter 🤷♂️🤷♂️