There definitely is a difference for sure. Ive owned a premium and tried a good amount of prestiges. Both are good but prestige is worth the extra money for the QC and playability. Great video my friend!
@@nikaxeguitar my ibanez btb bass cost me 2350 dollar when it was new soo yeah that was more expensive than the prestige back then before the dollar dropped
RG has been my main guitar for 15 years. A few years ago I got a prestige used in great condition. It’s perfect, there’s no flaw to that instrument to me. I don’t actively play with a band anymore, but if I was to go on the road, I would absolutely buy a premium or standard RG to take with me to spare my prestige the dangers of vans, spilled drinks and other shenanigans.
I own both models, Premium models and Prestige models, plus one Iron Label. My Premiums are 2021 models with active EMGs - HSS configuration. I have been waiting for this configuration on a nice RG from Ibanez forever! My Prestige models are all over the place in year models. All have been fantastic. And the Premium line is definitely competition for the Prestige line. I have noticed that over the last two years, the Premium line is now priced at the previous Prestige price range and the Prestige has gone way up in price. I have truly enjoyed both lines tremendously and have had no QC issues with either one. The line that I play the most is the Premium line models that I have.
Great vid! You touched on one of the main reasons I was attracted to the Genesis RG 550. Not only because I wanted a 550 for a long time , made and controlled in Japan! Truly the most Prestige model without the inflated price point,imo
Hey Jacey. Thanks for stopping by! I agree with you. I’m really interested in the Ibanez Genesis Rg565 (I think that’s the model #). That seems like a screaming deal!
There are differences though. The Genesis for example do not receive the fret end dressing treatment because they are maple. No maple Prestiges received this treatment either. Only non maple Prestige guitars receive and its done by a machine, not by hand. Ironically, the Genesis DX which has non maple fretboard does receive this treatment which is why is a bit more expensive than Genesis maple. I think the Prestiges come with titanium trussrod, may be wrong. They come with nicer colors, nicer maple woods, etc. They come with the case and Dimarzio pups. I personally dont like the look of any of the Prestige. Boring colors. The Jem 30th Anniversary is the only maple that receives fret end treatment by machine. Only the Jem premium and J custom receive manual fret end treatment. Jem Premiums do because labor is cheaper in Indonesia. J customs are the best Ibanez produces from Japan. Though a Genesis is good, unless you do your own fret end dressing and replace pickups which I did both on mine, wont be like a Prestige. Once you do that is basically like RG655 Prestige that was discontinued before. The heart of RG550 lived through these models throughout the years before it was reissued. RG550 is true to the original, as such it was not added to the Prestige line. The RG565 came out last year which I bought too for $850 new, but its been discontinued already lol they kept the rg550 genesis but who knows how long is possible this is the last year for it. Its always out of stock everywhere. I think theyll come out with a different line similar to Genesis that will be around $1000
@@naegleriafowleri2230 Some valid points for sure. To my fortune, I picked up my Genesis as a second owner. The original owner had the fretboard gone over by a luthier( fret dress, level check, high polish etc.) He also had the pickups swapped out for DiMarzios. It also came in a form fit Ibanez hardshell case along with all the factory docs and accessories. The price I got it for barely reflected any of the additional service or parts that it came with. Couldn't pass it up. It's mint and some of the shortcomings you mentioned have already been dealt with. Thanks for sharing the info, appreciate it)
@@nikaxeguitar No doubt! Yeah the 565s are sick for sure. Hard to come by from my bit of research though. Thanks for the content. Keep the vids coming)
have owned 8 Ibanez guitars , from a gio to a Jem, none of them made in Japan, all were damn good. I just got my JS2410 MIJ, and it is so much better than all the others! Yes it was a lot more expensive, but WOW like you said, out of the box it was literately perfect in every way. worth it to me and i am looking forward to buying another MIJ in the future.
I had a js2000. Was stolen somewhere somehow. The edge lo pro is what I liked the most about it. Those bridges really do just work better a step above literally anything else including hipshots kiesel trems original floyd rose and certainly better than any licensed floyds. The edge lo pro is what has kept me playi g ibanez forever. Even though I wish ibanez would make a shorter scale like a 24.75 like kiesel and gibson makes. Which makes shredding easier in a lot of ways. Enjoy your js. I miss mine so very very much.
for the experienced Ibanez serious collector that uses 90's top notch golden era Ibanezes, the Premium is okay but far far away form Japan stuff, like night and day. deal with dat.
People can't understand until they feel a Team J Craft in person. It's a different level. I hope you're enjoying your day, Friend. Wealth and Happiness to you and yours.
Brilliant, thanks for explaining that. I have a genesis 550 which is excellent and ive had for about 8 months , but I'm losing sleep over fret wear. I'll be upgrading to a prestige very soon. 👍
I have a Prestige RG5320 and a Premium RGT1220PB. Both are well made and feel similar when playing. The Prestige is still the king. Comes with a case and holds value for decades. But if budget doesn't allow, get the Premium as they are pretty good too.
I just tested a RG 652 Prestige and a RGT1220 and the RGT sounded way better in my ears and the fret board was like build for my hands. But I’m now not sure which one to grab since they have the same price and one is prestige and the other not hmmm
I have an Indonesian 920qm it’s build quality is on par with any of the Japanese Ibanez I’ve played , but I think the genesis line is hard to beat as far as value in a super strat . I also have a 95 rg550 LTD that has been my number 1 since I’ve had it . I prefer it to my 920 probably only because I’ve had it for over 20 years and it’s well played in . With all that said without doing some fretwork or neck shimming on my Indonesian example you aren’t going to be able to lay the strings on the frets but Ibanez spec is 4mm at the 24th and I can get it down to 2.5 if I use a lighter pick attack . The Indonesian Ibanez seem to hold their value almost as well as the Japanese ones . I got my 920qm premium for a steal at 400 dollars on CL , I didn’t know what they were bringing I just knew it looked good mine is liquid inferno . I typically get buyers remorse after any big purchase. 400 might not seem like a big purchase to some people. I felt like maybe I paid a little too much for a used 7 year old Indonesian built Ibby and then I finally looked and saw they were going for 600 to 1000 depending on condition and if a case was included . I think the newer Indonesian Ibanez are probably a little better than mine because they went back to the original style edge trems. Mine has the zero point edge ii or whatever and it’s fine better than most licensed floyds but it’s not an original edge or edge low pro like my 95 . I’d say that the Indonesian Ibanez are just as good if not a little better than the mid 90s made in Japan Jackson guitars. You couldn’t go wrong with a premium but if you want the most value for dollar the genesis is probably going to be tough to beat .
There is also J. CRAFT CUSTOM, which is the top of the line. I have owned mostly Mij Jems and RGs, then I bought two Indonesian models. I found that the Indo models were dead, lifeless, and had tuning instability. I'm sure that if I had torn down the industry then I would have found flaws unseen on mij models, but I think there are plenty of those videos out there. If you want something that is inspiring to play then go MIJ!
I just ordered the rgt 1220pb (the one with the gold trim). I have owned both premiums/prestige’s. All have been good but the ones that were great were all prestige’s. One of the main reasons I think I felt this way was the bridge. The prestige’s all had real edge trems and the premiums all had edge 2 trems. These new ones have the real Ibanez gotoh edge!!! The edge 2 functions like it’s supposed to but I really feel like they suck tone compared to a real edge?! Almost like they don’t resonate well?! The original edge is also easier to set up and looks (subjective) cooler. The other thing I really like about these new ones is the neck through design. I sure hope she plays as well as she looks
You explained it very well. I'm not a guitar snob exactly, so it's not like I made a point of buying only prestige, but that QC was an issue on a couple of my premiums over the years, along with...general feel of the guitar, i suppose. Don't get me wrong, they all sounded great -in the end. Sometimes it took a bit of either home work or an actual luthier to "convince" these guitars to play like they should. So yeah, prestige is expensive. I've just bought an AZ prestige and it's probably cup noodles for the rest of the month, but I've never had a prestige guitar that had any issues or wasn't a pleasure to play.
I used to have the Premium RG 920. Also have the RG 2550 prestige, a Jem7V, both with the Edge Pro, and a Jem 777 Anni with an Original Edge. I found that I actually prefer the neck profile and board radius of the premium over the prestige. What I didn't like so much was the Edge Zero II trem, but mostly for the unreasonably stiff fine tuners. It's more stable out of the box than the Edge Pro because they put the locking studs back. I replaced the studs in my Edge Pro models though. I didn't hate the stock pickups in the 920, but probably would have replaced them if I had kept it. The Jem neck profile is better for me than the super wizard of the prestige, and OG Edge bridge beats all else. So on paper, the newer premiums having an OG Edge, stock Dimarzios and stainless steel frets should make for absolutely wonderful instruments.
I have just ordered the new RGT1220PB. Should arrive next week. I also have a 2019 RG1070FM. It is a workhorse of a guitar and I have no issues with it whatsoever. The quality on it is fantastic. That one has Dimarzio pickups and and Original Edge bridge So all high quality parts. I have never owned or played a prestige so unfortunately I can’t compare. I have owned Japanese made Ibanez in the past and they have always been a top quality product. This will be my third RG in this time around. My previous guitars were an RG350DX, an original MIJ RG 7string and a JS100 and also a MIJ Destroyer. I loved all those guitars. Sadly I had to sell them all a few years ago. Just building my collection up. To date, I have no complaints on the Premium rage.
Great video the RG 550 genesis Made in Japan is one hell of a guitar for the price the fit and finish and fretwork is as good or better than the prestige in my opinion I own a RG 550 Genesis I’d put it up against any of my other guitars Gibson or Fender custom shop.
Tried out an Indonesian made RGD because i got it for basically half the price, send it back because i wasn't happy. Then got the RG550, probably the most bang for your buck you will get on the guitar market right now. I'm never buying a guitar out of these poor countries aigan.
11 месяцев назад
Ibanez has no factories and builds no guitars except for the USA custom shop. They only design them and source the builds, even the Japanese made prestige guitars.
Recent RG550 genesis guitars are the best right now in the market. Premium Indonesian made guitars have neck through construction but I suspect their QC and their price are higher than genesis models.
I have a Prestige and an Axion Label. The Axion Label I would still consider a mid tier for sure. Both are absolutely fantastic guitars. The prestige is buttery smooth and the Axion is honestly not far behind it despite it being 1k less! Love them both!
I own the Premium RG870QMZ, I love it. The first time I saw one was in the Marco Sfogli video "Sunset Lights" 11 years ago, 6 months later after watching that video and saving some hard earned cash I went out and bought one from my local music store who happened to have one in stock for the price of $1,600 NZD, a little pricy for a guitar I think. The overall feel of the neck, the hardware, the sound, the aesthetics solidified my decision to buy it. I play it more than I do my JS1000. I added my own little personal touch by replacing the factory knobs with two toned transparent acrylic speed knobs (black with white lettering) which really looks the part. The RG870QMZ finish is becoming a rarity now so I'm happy to still have mine.
From personal experience of owning GIO, standard and premium Ibanez guitars - that twilight version of the RGT in the video, I say you're better off getting a standard, or even a GIO. The premium price you're paying for isn't really worth it. I had areas on the guitar that weren't sanded correctly, leading to rough surfaces and sharp edges (almost feeling like unfinished wood). The tone and volume knobs were installed at a wonky angle, so they actually scratch the top of the guitar when you turn them. The frets were scratchy when I tried to bend strings, and the finish colour was pretty inconsistent across the guitar body. These are just QC things that should be standard and routine, yet they've missed the mark on them. My standard and GIO versions, while not as pretty, do not have these issues. The only issue my GIO has is that the satin finish on the neck was a bit inconsistent in 1 spot. As for my standard one, the bolt on screws are slightly off centre, and the pickups are angled a bit. Other than that, it's perfect. Out of the 3, my standard one has the fewest QC problems. This is just from personal experience though, and with a very limited sample size. So take it as you will.
This is a little frustrating; quality control is not a feature - it is part of the production process. SO what are the features or characteristics of the guitars that have lower QC that make them worse? There seems to be some implication that the setup is worse - but that is not QC, it may be that the premium line simply does not go through a setup process whereas the prestige guitars may have a complete setup process.
First of all. Great video. You really explain the differences well. Second of all: I own a prestige Ibanez Guitar. I thouhgt of selling it, but honestly. I love it too much. I might buy a second Prestige in a seven string. Same guitar, extra string. I've got the RGR652AHBF Worn black. I really love it so much, locking tuners, Ash body, it's perfect. The neck feels like something straight out of a dream.
Premium finishes are definetly better and quality is good. I'm not sure if the $700 extra is really worth the 10% quality increase of the prestige ones.
Oh but it is my friend. It is. Unless you own a Prestige, you may never understand. I saved up for one and I assure you. It's the kind of instrument that is crafted with the utmost care and a lifetime joy to own and play.
I had an RGA in the blue lagoon, the fit and finish for stuff like the frets sucked but I recently got an RDG axion label and its one of the best guitars Ive played. Feels so good, buttery to play. Same with the ESP EC1000 I had before, it was awesome but matte black sucks to maintain. Traded the ESP EC1000 for the Ibanez RDG mtr axion and I'm way happier with the quality and fishman fluence pickups over the EMGs the ESP had.
I have a premium, a prestige, a JEM7V and a Genesis RG550. The JEM, prestige and RG550 are all noticeable higher quality than the premium but my premium is still awesome. Premiums were a great value when they were still under $1000 but at current prices I'd rather just stretch for the prestige. If you want the old premium value with prestige quality the RG550 is definitely the top pick, but the stock pickups sound pretty weak.
Ibanez Prestige were made by the FGN factory in Japan, FGN also sells their own branded guitars. Same for the Schecter Japan, this particular line was outsourced to ESP factory in Japan.
I have a Premium RG1XXV (25th anniversary RG), my most expensive guitar (I believe they were around $1000 when they released in 2012, but I paid less for a used one), also my nicest guitar. Great fretwork, awesome flourescent yellow paint, good tremolo (Edge Zero 2?)... but I also love my cheaper RGs, one I got for $299, the Premium just feels a little... I dunno, they just seem to put more attention to details. I love Ibanez all around.
I have 2 7620s one original stock and one rebuild ,and a premium rg827z and I definitely think the lopro is superior on the 7620 but the neck on the premium is a little nicer. Picked up the premium for about 378$ a few years back no flashy paint but it gets the job done both ate great. I need a prestige to fill out my collection
there is no difference, some people say there is, but the 300 dollar difference between them is mostly in the extra eye candy. there's alot of art on Ibanez, particularly the Prestige range, but it's essentially a premium without the extra art. pickups are the same, just get the premium you won't be disappointed, unless you like the extra bling. nothing wrong with that.
It’s not just about the specs or the finish. The craftsmanship and qc on my prestige is unreal, the neck feels perfect in my hands and my fingers just glide up and down it effortlessly. It’s difficult to describe but it just feels damn near flawless and didn’t even require a setup, it was ready to go out of the box.
Just purchased an Ibanez RGT1221PB the mono bridge in deep twilight flat and when I first opened the box the first things I saw was the Ibanez multi-tool and a trem arm? Thought they sent me the wrong guitar but nope it was the correct model they just threw in the arm LOL! As far as fit and finish the guitar was excellent in every respect BUT the setup was for a lack of a better word was shit! The neck had way too much relief and the intonation was way out as well and all the saddles needed to be lowered as the action was high as hell but about a hour spent this was all sorted. I do not really ding a guitar for setup as I enjoy doing it myself anyways. The frets were also very well done and did not need to touch them at all. It is a very well made guitar. I also own a ESP/LTD EC 1000 deluxe from Indonesia and that guitar was perfect in every respect even the setup was well done and I did not even have to touch it. I will admit when the price gets over 1k or more like 1.3K (The Ibanez} I was a little uncomfortable with that for a Indonesian made guitar but I am glad I made the purchase. I think we all need to get over this misconception that a Indonesian made guitar (myself included) is not as well built as something out of Korea or Japan and even the USA for that matter as in my little experience it's just not true.
look is subjective...sonic is also subjective..playability is not negotiable but literally if you have an average playable guitar but with very good amp, you will beat an high end plugged in average amp.
I had a 7 string RG Prestige years ago but ended up selling it (and regretting doing so). The biggest downside (other than setting up a 7 string Floyd Rose guitar) was the pickups. They were stock Ibanez pickups and for the price of the guitar, they were pretty weak. If I still owned it, I definitely would have swapped out the pickups, as other than that, it was a great guitar.
Ok first thing and im,just being an ass for everyone to know to front it's an ibanez video and he is playing a Dean guitar in the intro 2 the main difference is the prestige come with a case where the premiums may come,with a gig bag you have nothing to worry about on the quality control from ibanez from any of these lines you are going to get a very useabke playable well,set up guitar right out of the box 3 as far as pick ups go you are wrong there are several non prestige guitars that come,with a wide variety of pick ups to include fishman bare knuckle dimarzio sustainiac and evertune bridges so as far as apointments go on yeah step locks so at the end of the day the premium has a better variety and the prestige have a unbeatable attention to detail that is unmatched in the guitar world
Good video. The differences in neck profiles should be mentioned, too. The Prestige line usually comes with an even flatter neck compared to the Premium line guitars. To me personally, the Genesis line is the best Ibanez produces. I like the oldschool neckjoint more than the AANJ and the classic Edge vibrato is just the best.
Hey Rent. I didn’t know that about the neck profiles. That’s good to know. I totally agree with you on the genesis. I love mine. The Edge is truly something special. I like it a little bit more than some of the Floyd’s I have. Thanks for stopping in my dude!
They are named the same nitro wizard 3 5 idk all the necks but I have a hard time believing that a neck with the same,name,just like a pick up with the same name,blah blah cut frim,a,cnc machine is,going,to,produce a different neck profile
@@JethroBoDean They are not the same necks. Wizard III (Premium) is a different neck profile than Super Wizard (Prestige). They often even have a different fretboard radius: Wizard III: *400mmR* Super Wizard: *430mmR* The Super Wizard neck is thinner compared to the Wizard III. Super Wizard thickness at the 12th fret: *19mm* Wizard 3 thickness at the 12th fret: *21mm*
@@lokarrsboots9337 yes those are different necks,with different names thats not what I said I said the same,neck with the same,name,is,not,going,to,differ being cut,from,a cnc machine and not,all,prestige necks,are as you stated I dont think,there are any prestige with wizard 3 necks but there are with nitro and what is it 5 anyway there are a few necks some,prestige and premiums share
@@lokarrsboots9337 I won't argue with you that the prestige line is a better instrument all around but a premium is going to be on the high end of as good of a guitar you need to use in any setting anything more is just a if you got it and you want it get it the apointments in the premium modles are all there and very high quality
A mi me han encantado las premiun desde el principio, me encantaba su sonido en los vídeos de youtube y al final me he comprado la 1220 después de compararla con guitarras mucho más caras como la js o la genesis.
ok, so here's what i read around. At i certain point Ibanez has set a facility (dont remember if they rent or bought half a factory) where the workers are direct emplyee from ibanez, they are trained from japanese luthiers that alternate in indonesia. Some endorser also talk about a premium factory (i remember an interview from nita strauss). There are also rumors that since the facility has more production power than what is need for the prestige line, some standard model is made there. The one's with cool tops like the SA460MBW-SUB. Obviously they are low specced compared to the premium model but they are better quality compared to other standard models. @the axe, keep the good job!!!
i have an AZ prestige and an s pbz 1070 premum and theres no difference, in fact the premium is probably better built, this guitar is a work of art anyway and is higher specced than the s prestige, it has stainless steel frets while the s prestige does not, this makes no sense to me which is why i went for the premium in the first place, where they did cut corners was with the case, it also has the small pots but they work the same way as the large pots in my az prestige
Premium had Prestige luthiers train them from Japan in the beginning. Prestige wood and neck carves a noticeably better. A Genesis is a no brainer. Ibanez makes money of them because they make tons of the same 4 genesis color guitars with the same spec over and over .
The Prestige line is also outsourced for fabrication in the Fujigen factory. And the Genesis line is made in the same factory right next to the Prestige models. It's just marketing.
I've owned a Prestige. I found the build quality amazing but not worth the extra $$$. The well oiled Korean and Indo guitars are almost the same if not better and more versatile. But if you were to resell a Premium, expect people to not give you even close to what you'd get for your Prestige. Its all in the name. Even Ibanez website has "Made in Japan" plastered on top of the pictures of Japanese made guitars. The apex30 Ibanez costs 3000 aud while its made in Indonesia. It costs more than the Japanese prestige models. Ibanez has done this to themselves by pricing guitars based on popularity and not features.
@@nikaxeguitar Yes exactly! Companies like Schecter have my respect as all their products are imports and their USA custom shop is affordable and isn't left to be desired. They don't discriminate in what they build like Ibanez and Esp. Love your page. Im a subscriber.
As far is I know the Ibanez Preimium Factory is completly run and controlled by Ibanez just not owned, so there are no other brand guitars made at that facility. The QC is completely up to Ibanez. On the other side Ibanez Presiges are made by Fujigen. they also do the FGN guitars and Japan Jacksons and yes, they have a very good reputation. I own a Ibanez AZ premium and the fret Edges are way nicer than on my older RG Prestige. Much more rounded. The Fishman fluence pickups don't have anything to do with Premiumn or Prestige. It's juster way more RG Prestige models currently avaiable (I think there are two with fishman) and only 3 RG Premium models.
In general the Prestige is pretty consistent as you note while Premium is hit or miss but still great quality most of the time just not as well setup. However almost all Premium are made at the Premium factory which were trained by the luthiers from JP when the shop opened back about 13 years ago. One thing you get with the Premium is a fret end treatment you don't even get on many of the Prestige models. It's worth noting though that some of the premium fret end treatment can be hit or miss as well. You are missing the J Custom made in Japan as well, these are flawless, at least the ones I have played and the one I own. These are hand built by an elite team but the others are all production line. I have a Genesis 570 in Jewel Blue, a Premium JEMs, but owned multiple Prestige and Premium over the years then currently have a J Custom 8570Z. All are amazing instruments but I would put the J Custom up against anything quality wise.
I’m trying to decide between a JEM blue floral (premium Indonesia made) vs prestige rg 752fx in subterranean purple (made in Japan). I’m leaning towards the Japanese prestige for the reason you mentioned even though I really would like to get a JEM. As far as 7 strings, probably wouldn’t get much better than a prestige model
im looking at the Prestige RG652AHM-AWD right now myself. Years ago I bought a JS1000 in White, i really wish I had realized how rare it was back then lol
@@BillyBlaze7 I could only find 2 RG 752 fx guitars for price comparison and the one I’m looking at is subterranean purple with upgraded Dimarzio D Activator pickups so it definitely seems like the way to go especially with what some of the JEM blue florals have been going for used
@@nikaxeguitar Thanks because i did try some old Premium models recently and i felt the necks as compared to the Prestige were thicker in comparison.I have no idea about the new line of guitars from the Premium model series as shown in this video.
the part about the pickups is confusing. you make it sound like the prestiges usually come with fishman fluence, which is misleading a bit. otherwise great stuff as always!!
There wasn't too much of a difference at the time when the 1st AZs came out. I got a 2018 AZ242F. Holy crap was it amazing. I took it to my luthier(lol a real luthier who does work for guitarists we know and his guitars go for $7,000+) and he was legit astonished. Everything from the QC, the fretwork, the top, everything about the electronics and its cavity, the dyna-mix system, all top of the line hardware(accept the bridge could be slightly better if built with better materials, but its still gotoh and works Fn fantastically). You can find blindfold tests online where ppl legit prefer the premium...and the premiums got WAY better tops for whatever reason. They discontinued those AZs and replaced them with the AZ42P1s...im sure they're still great guitars, but the specs have been dumbed down a LOT. Im sure they'res a clear difference in playability/QC between the new premium/prestige Ibbys... My only gripe with it was the neck profile being a little too thick, and I also love wizard/wide-thin necks. I was reluctant to sell/trade because i assumed i most likely wouldn't be able to end up with something equivalent in quality. I got super lucky... I found a girl who wanted to trade an Ibanez prestige 655(in galaxy black) which would have been an alright trade, but definitely better for her. The morning of the day we were supposed to meet some guy offered 1100 for it. He was so happy with it He ended up giving me everything he had which was 1130... I told myself to take my time and find a good deal. I was really wanting a kiesel(and still do) but a deal for a mint Ibanez rg5320 prestige(in cosmic shadow) for 1300 popped up. I got him down to 1100 and used the remaining 30 for gas(im in SD and dude was in Irvine). The PUs were also switched out for SDs(JB/jazz) and that was an ironic plus. Lol aways thought the JB was a muddier not so hot classic rock/blues PU. Its the opposite and i love it! I really want to try Mustain's SD bridge PU which a slightly modified JB. lol sorry about the rant...
Premium models also come with Edge terms, same as Prestige. I don't have any experience with Iron Label or Axion series. But have not have any tuning issues with Premium or Prestiges.
I just tested a RG 652 Prestige and a RGT1220 and the RGT sounded way better in my ears and the fret board was like build for my hands. But I’m now not sure which one to grab since they have the same price and one is prestige and the other not hmmm
This was a great informative video, I just started playing a few months ago and I really like my gio. I've been going around RU-vid looking for more info on Ibanez guitars and this was helpful.
You will need a better guitar in the future. As a gio will really only get you so far before you realize how hard it is to play in comparison to japanese prestige models. I wouldnt be able to do jack on a gio tbh. I suggest to you firstly an S prestige as it is very light and easy to handle,use,play. Just set up the action low like 1.5mm from the frets. Secondly id suggest a prestige JS. Joe satrianis prestige it is what I learned on mostly. Some pros and cons and its a lot more $ but you cant go wrong with a prestige JS made in japan. Lastly id suggest really any of the prestige RG with an edge Lo pro. If you go to ibanez website check out any of these models are sick af a little heavier and bulky and not my favorite body but the necks should all be very stable and buttery smooth and quick. Rg5320. Rg652a. I prefer ebony fretboard as i just play faster and cleaner on ebony. Its super hard and flat makes it nice to slam those hammerons and pulloffs with ease. But the white fretboards(maple) may be the superior for a sicker sounding vibrato and easier bends with more control as its for sure the more slippery and slick fretboard. So thats why for me i cant play as accurate and fast on it but i do like the huge pinch harmonic vrbratos that come out of it. Also sounds a bit more punchy or crispy imo. Rosewood is kinda meh middle of the road imo but it does both bending/control/vibrato and speed playing fairly well but not as fast/accurate as ebony and not as good bends vibrato as maple. Avoid those fishman fluence pickups at all cost unless all you want to do is rhythem djent as they are not as forgiving as many pickups youd want for lead playing. I always suggest people trying to learn guitar, to do it on a prestige or a superior neck. People who try to learn on shitter guitars, develope very rigid and stiff shitty playing because the quality and ease of playing ability just isnt there. You can watch professionals and even monsters like yngwie and marshal harrison absolutely suck on a cheaply built lower quality guitars. This information you will never find on forums or youtube comments or videos but it is accurate intel I have figured out on my own. A lot of misinfo to be aware of in the guitar community. Gl.
@@monitorlizard9971 I think that's some really good advice because as much as I like the gio being cheap and better than a lot of other entry guitars, I've seen just how crazy better quality a prestige is and saving for a better guitar is a better idea, and that's just what I'm doing.
I believe in Korean imports and love them for what they are worth.... but not at $1400 that Ibanez is charging for them. The Cheapest Prestige is $1500, just %100 more, and it is Japanese made top of the line factory production level. Korean is great, but doesn't hold a candle to Japan. Better woods, better craftsman, better materials, better tools, better facilities, well... better everything.
Im going to get some hate for this....but I think a CnC machine will cut just as good in Indonesia or Korea as it would in Japan. I think the finishes and neck through design of those premiums look great! You can always take that extra $500 that you save and buy some fishmans to swap them out too.
Attention to detail is higher in Japan and this is well known everywhere it also carries a “prestige” factor to get something made in Japan, USA, etc which is why many prefer that.
@@naegleriafowleri2230 Yeah I understand that. However a computer cutting machine has an even higher level of detail no matter where the human was born. Its all I was saying. At the end of assembly and inspection of the parts is where people who get a living wage make a difference, but I'm not sure how much of a difference that makes when a robot cut out the laser precision to begin with. Everything is subjective at the end.
@@robashley2860 prestige’s aren’t just run through a cnc though, there’s a lot more work by hand done to them, especially the necks. Also the quality of wood and other materials are hand selected and held to a higher standard as well. Premiums are mostly good but I’ve personally seen a few that had issues with tuning stability/finish issues that slipped by QC whereas I’ve never seen/heard of a prestige having any issues like that.
@@johnroy7781 while I agree with some of what you say they do hand pick the woods that get used but also agree with the other guy it is cut from a laser precision cnc machine which will not differ from,country to country and there is a bit more hand work well finish work done in jaoan on the other hand the Indonesian workers are quite skilled and at times get just as good as Japan
Really? Why does the internet repeat itself: Prestige: Made in Fujigen..it's a RENTAL factory for guitars which are made in Japan, they also have their own brand and work with many brands, been in business for many many decades. Premium: Made in Indonesia, which has had a solid economic boom in the past 30 years or so, cheaper labor. I believe the factory there is Cort, which ALSO makes guitars for almost every major brand out there. They're solid factory too. If you want an Ibanez made by Ibanez, you gotta go J-Custom.
How does Iron Label fit into this? Also I miss the days of cheap ass prestiges lol they stopped that when Premiums came out. I think ESP and Ibanez are both guilty of making a middle tier line that they use to justify even further pricegating their main lines
I just got my first prestige, the quality is fantastic way better than the premiums, l can definitely see the difference. Prestige = Quality Premium = Hit n Miss, run of the mill, basically a cheap some what nasty version aimed demographically at the markets affordability, intermediate, hobby guitarist etc.
Playability out of the box is the fantasy of people who cannot do set-ups. I have several Standard Ibanez which I made just as playable as anything else. I have cheap Harley Benton guitars that I made as playable as any Japanese Ibanez.
If you love their best guitars but are lefty, save the aggravation and go find a company that gives a shit about you. If you doubt me, call them up and try to custom order something like a JS and get ready to feel the love. Makes you appreciate Fender, Kiesel and PRS.
My Team J Craft is up there in quality with my Mayones Regis Custom. I'd take the Mayones but would definitely cheat with the Ibanez from time to time. I hope everyone is enjoying their day. Wealth and Happiness.
The prestige is not at the top. Its more like, Gio, RG200s, RG450s and the like, RG Premiums, Genesis line, Prestige line, Japanese Jem (discontinued), Japanese PIA line, J custom line. The J custom is the best Ibanez produces from Japan. Priced at $3500. Ironically, this is the same price for the Ibanez PIA but the J custom is higher quality imo as with PIA is a signature and lot of the money is paying for the Steve Vai name
If you can earn that 1000 usd extra working in McDonald for a month it’s worth it and end of discussion lol it’s a one time purchase for decades of not life