Charvel VS Ibanez | San Dimas VS. Genesis RG550 | Which Is Better?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 มี.ค. 2018
- Anthony Couch pits these two giants of the Superstrat world together! Which guitar is better?! Watch the video and decide for yourself.
Ibanez VS Charvel
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Ibanez RG 550 Genesis Best Guitar ever played.
Ibanez Rg 550 hands down. You can't beat MIJ Ibanez Rg's, and the original edge is incredible. and it's 24 frets.
Yes I'd second that
🌟
Obviously, it's the more overall advanced design as it was back in the day.
Very enjoyable video, nice playing and plenty of good info on both guitars!!. Glad i found you channel.
Both sound killer in your hands Anthony! Great work :)
Cameron Cooper thanks Cameron! It's great to see your channel really taking off. I had it pegged since I first saw one of your vids! Congrats!!
Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks
Adam Fiedorczuk no problem, hope it helps out! And let me know what you decide! :-)
Anthony Couch i decided to go the 550 route. I can get a desert yellow for about 1k euro but I was wondering if you played an original? I can also buy an original one but I am worried about the neck being straight and no warranty. Plus it is not as cool in black ;)
Ps I played a purple one today and it felt great in my hands. I really want a DY one though.
I ordered a DY genesis model ;)
RG550 Genesis are addicting to play. Amazing guitars.
Couldn't agree more!! I use mine way more than any of my others now!!
I've not chuckled at a video so much in ages! Thanks for a great comparison. I'd take the Ibanez any day. In fact, I've just put my money where my mouth is and bought a used RG655 to go with my 350DX!
That bar on the headstock is called a string retainer, or a string limiter ;) Just ordered an RG 550 in white - can’t wait for it to arrive!
Stephen Piccolo thanks so much, I knew I could count on someone to help me out with that one!
Stephen Piccolo I am also getting the RG 550 in white about mid july. Sweetwater will be getting in new stock of the RG's. The first of july. Birthday present for myself.
I've still got the rg550 I got in '88
Swapped a prs ce22 to get it lol
I've customised mine,it was black it's now olive green and tge grain of the wood is gorgeous. It has a green plexiglass scratch plate like those old glowing looking rulers from school.
It has a Bill Lawrence humbucker at tge Bridge a dimarzio single coil out of a Steve Vai model and a Dimarzio Fred in the neck position I also scalloped the last 4 frets .That guitar has lasted all these years and is still killing it!
Enjoyed the vid. I agree with the trem arm comments on the FR, it's something that is really bad on the cheaper models. The solution I found was to use a rubber washer to stabilize the arm more without having the play in it when doing whammy stuff.
Kardula thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video! That's a really good tip about the washer, I'll have to give it a go!
@Kardula . Maybe change the arm tremolo to the old 1984.
good video brotha... I have battled with a lot of the same issues myself?...lol -just curious...how well does your RG hold tune?....do u have to mess with it much? -I have been thinking about getting one?... also?..do they all feel 'loose' I mean like tension wise?...I tried one out a while back, and the trem was really 'loose' or I don't want to say flimsy?...but it was really easy to move, and I could tell I would have to make adjustments, if I was going to get used to it? btw, have you ever played an original Floyd? ..I've had one for a few years now, and I'm liking it better than those 1000's or 'special' ones?...heh -Pisses my off, that you have to pay a small fortune to get a gtr that has a real one! lol -Anyway, you sound good man!... In my opinion, you sound better playing that Charvel bro?... the tone of those things?...god -been trying to decide between both of those brands? ha
RG has also dark red colour; close to Fender’s candy apple red. It looks cool too, with rosewood fingerboard.
Hey Anthony, i have a jackson dinky with a licensed trem and had the same problem as you with your san dimas floyd rose, but i found that by putting a very small piece of very soft foam, the problem solved and the arm got a lot better :3
hi, i have this guitar and i can not find the Alan Bricks behind the bridge for adjusting the tremolo are :-/ where is it exactly ?
For the money,the Charvel is unbeatable.Korean OFR,which is good,Seymour Duncan pickups with coil-split,compound radious neck,great for shredding and rythm/chord stuff and you get a gig bag.Also,they're made in Fender's Mexican factory and we all know,their QC is top.
The Ibanez on the other hand,costs more,doesn't have proper DiMarzios but those crappy Ibanez stock humbuckers(the Japanese make amazing guitars but don't know how to wound pickups),the Wizard neck is great for shredding but for rythm and chord stuff,it's way too thin for my taste and they don't even give you a gig bag,just a carton box!
Also,the Charvel is the OG-Superstrat,all the legendary shredders in the 80's played them,George Lynch's OG ''Tigerstripe'' and VH's ''Frankenstrat'' were build with parts from Charvel,Gary Moore,Jake E.Lee and Criss Oliva played Charvel San Dimas custom shop models and even Satriani and Vai,before they signed with Ibanez.(Vai's main guitar was a modded,green Charvel with H-S-H configuration,before he designed the JEM.)
A Charvel with a S.Duncan JB,runned through a Tubescreamer,with some chorus/delay and into a Marshall Plexi,that's the classic 80's rock/metal tone,you can't beat this.
greekfreak1980 that's some serious good points for the Charvel! 👍👍 You could even change my mind... 😊 Thanks for stopping by
Nothing against the Ibanez RG,the Prestige models are build like tanks,for that price these ''Genesis'' models are really lacking in features.Hell,you could actually get an older,used MIJ Ibanez for that money,with DiMarzios.
You have great points about the “History” of Charvel (I’ve had 2 USA Charvels), but if you’re talking about the “Present” Charvel MIM (I have a Black So-Cal & Snow White San Dimas HT) I would pick the Ibanez Prestige guitars. Edit: Once you’ve used the Ibanez Edge-Zero with ZPS3, you will not like the Floyd Rose anymore 😕 I grew up playing American guitars with Floyd Roses!
Comment Highlighted . I think for a fair comparison. You should analysis ZPS and non recessed float tremolo situation.
For a recessed way. Edge and Lo pro edge are the best floating tremolos for Ibanez guitars. These are a result between Ibanez and Gotoh long relationship.
The FR is awesome, in my opinion the 1984 has the best arm system.
The edge arm is great too, but after some time the bushes has to be replaced. But it’s inexpensive. ;)
I come from a strat. For years i’’m playing a traditional strat shape. And the compound radius that charvel/evh/jackson nowadays made.
Ibanez common uses 17 or 16 radius. Sometimes, for me it’s like a very straight board, perfect for fast links and solos, but no much for chords.
So true about the narrow neck of charvel. But it is comfortable for me perhap of my short fingers. And the "bendability" is a spot on, ibanez does allow bend easier. Maybe it has to do with the springs or the trem system?
IBANEZ definitely command a greater audience as a super strat.
The only issue i had with ibanez...way too much series and its hard to choose from..way too much....i think its fair to say get anything above RG 550 to have a decent quality guitar?
Ibanez RG550 everytime.
Nice choice. I have to agree! What guitars do you own?
I have an old worn in black rg 550. It's from the 10th anniversary reissue from 97. got it brand new back then for graduating high school. I love it! the trem is great, it stays in tune like nobodies business. I learned on an epiphone and a gibson so it took a long time to get used to the wizard neck, but now 20 years later, I thinks it's a wonderful feeling neck. The flatter radius and the jumbo frets totally spoiled me, now I just bought an evh Wolfgang standard after searching for a back up for my 550 because it has a compound radius and jumbo frets. i really prefer my rg 550 to my gibson 335 solid body which was my main axe for years. such an awesome guitar! what frets come on the San dimas?
I have both....prefer the Genesis. Use the single coil all the time for funk country and Blues. Something about alder bodies and jb/59 Duncan's just doesn't have the nice harmonic sustain.
Very nice playing. I've always played charvels the Japanese ones being my favorite. I have a few of those plus a recent Mexican one. And I finally got around to buying an rg550 genesis in purple neon. I'm very impressed with the quality and playability of that guitar. It's fantastic. The only thing is I'm not crazy about the pickups. I really only use the bridge and it's not quite what I like. It's not bad at all but I'm going to try to find something more familiar. Oh and I usually upgrade to gotoh Floyd's when it's time to replace. The edge is nice!
The width of the Ibanez neck is great and how thin it is...easy to play ..but I Love the feel/touch of a Charvel Roasted Maple on the back of the neck....
does anybody know how width is the neck at 22 fret at charvel pro mod sd1? thanks
Ibanez has this unique sound I can’t describe -_- when you hit harmonic notes . Love em
Great comparison and l totally agree l hate the Floyd rose trems so annoying creaky and rattly and l had to add a trem stop on mine plus remove the old block for a brass big block on my frankenstein evh,, which l love the Wolfgang pup is great but now I've regretted selling my jem 7vw so l purchased a lbanez DY Rg550 so will get this on the weekend, you have made me happy with this vid comparison. Ibanez hands down perfect weapon
Brilliant Vid, Thanks Mate. I have a Rocket Red San Dimas and Love it, but I did have to add a tiny bit of fine grit sand paper in the slot to keep the Trem Bar from flopping and it isn't perfect now, but way better than it was. If it wasn't for the wide neck on the Ibanez, I would really want one. By the way, do you think I would do better on my Squier Strat to put a Locking top nut on it or LSR Rolling nut to keep it tune when using the Tremolo please? I have Locking tuners on it now, but it still goes out of tune a bit, even with Tusq top nut and Tusq Trees and everything is lubed from top to bottom.
Both sound kool ❤️🤘 cheers
very usefull video. Thank you.
I'd say it's not really a choice, both are great, each in its own way. I'd honestly rather go for a hard tail san dimas AND an edge-equipped ibby. the swamp ash prestige ones are killer solo / fusion / prog guitars.
The Ibanez rg550 sounded better in the intro, I guess the body wood matters more than the pickups. The build quality and trem is better on the Ibanez. The only reason to choose the Charvel would be neck preference. Not coming with a case is kinda lame though, the 2007 rg550 reissues did.
yeah WTF is up with guitars that cost over $500 not even coming with a gig bag at least? You would think that throwing in a cheap $20 gig bag would be included in a $500+ guitar.
@@GuitarsAndSynths That would make it $595 though (cost + markup for Ibanez and for your guitar store - at least).
I recently spent $2,500 AUD on two guitars - 1×fender S, 1×gibson LP - and got one gigbag between the two! So I do know the feeling well. Incredulous. Thats how you feel. Like, "really?!" But in their defense, we expect sooo much as consumers. More than we could/would provide if we were the ones producing them.
We are in THE golden age of gear right now. Has never been better. Will never get better. Most likely will get much worse as the next generation's disinterest of guitar driven music galvinizes. Fender will survive. But you'll pay for a strat then. And you'll pay extra for the cardboard box too!
(At least fender threw that in with my mexi-strat! 🤣)
Good vid mate. You're hilarious, probably because you're from Lancashire!
I thought he’s from Sheffield
I've had two high end Charvel superstrats, and my head was turned when a friend loaned me his stock Ibanez RG350.. bought an RG the following day
Thinking of either buying a rg350 new or a charvel almost new for 850 cad. Great deal on the charvel for sure as it retails for 1379 cad
Good video! I just got a San Dimas and im already planning for the possibility of getting an Original Floyd Rose to replace the 1000. Since the guitar is so affordable I am not concerned about spending a little more to replace the 1000 with the best Rose out there. Keep up the videos!
cosmictravo that would make the guitar into a complete shred machine! You'll have to let me know how it goes!
Don't do it mate, it's not worth it :) the 1000 is REALLY GOOD, don't be fooled that it is MIK, but there is not much improvement to be made. Just play it out and when (if) the knife edge starts to deteriorate, then you replace it, but otherwise i wouldn't do it. OFR is just too expensive and even if you have that kind of money, spend it on an amp or pedals or something you need more as a guitar player. If you are really somehow not satisfied with the 1000, chances are you just don't know how to set it up. Plus, there are some cheaper alternatives to OFR that are of the same (or better) quality, like Schaller lockmeister (OFR is made by schaller!!!) or GOTOH 1996 floyd (MIJ) and they are drop in replacements as far as i know. Definitely set up the 1000 properly first, if you don't know how to do it, take your guitar to a local guitar tech. My 2 cents :)
Forgot to add. The trem arm is a curse on all ofr style trems, but it is manageable to some extent. There are some DIY fixes that keep the screw nice and tight, I used a small rubber band underneath the screw to keep mine in place and it kinda worked, not perfect but better. Off course, if this is a big problem for you, you CAN change the whole trem arm system for something more similar to an ibanez push in style. Btw, Gotoh 1996 has a cool push in trem arm just like ibanez if you'd still wanna replace the trem.
@@JakaMoriHey hi 👋. Looking for some advice here. I am going to buy a Charvel San Dimas HH with Floyd Rose. That comes stock with a Floyd Rose 1000 series bridge. As you have already stated here the 1000 series bridge works perfectly, unless it wears out completely. Should I just replace the stock Trem block with a Brass Trem block? OR go for a Gotoh 1996T trem system? Quite confused. Appreciate your help and support 🙏. Best regards
"You're a Wizard, neck!" lmao
Great video! I like both...but you should better do a comparison between the ibanez and the charvel so cal (which is equipped with duncan sh6s and therefore more agressive)...san dimas is more traditional sounding (JB + Jazz)... I own an original RG550 (1994) and a 2016 Charvel Pro-mod So cal and I couldn´t tell you which one I love more!
That's a brilliant idea! I'll do it! Just buy me a Charvel So Cal and I'll film it ASAP! :-P
Hey man I've always wondered about these RG550s how's the neck I mean is it like super thin giving you hand cramps or like thin but still comfortable? Wondering how the neck compares to an ESP MII. Cheers mate!
Hi Mark, I'm not sure about the ESP, but yes this neck is super thin. I really love it though. I often joke it feels like I'm playing just a fretboard without a neck!
@@ACMusic haha oh so it's that thin, I might give it a try. Cheers man!
If a bought a San Dimas. I replace this arm to a old style arm (1984). It’s a easy and inexpensive way to upgrade the o1000 FR that comes with it.
With all due respect, I don’t think any guitar can be considered a Strat type guitar without a middle pickup, allowing the “strat” sounds of the #2 and #4 positions.
Just because it has a strat shape doesn’t make it a strat style guitar, it needs some specifically strat-like features.
That's interesting. I'd be interested to know your thoughts on H H fender strats.
@@ACMusic they’re just Strat bodies trying be a les Paul or other typically HH guitar, these didn’t exist at the beginning of the Strat (HH strats)
Get them both!
I prefer the Ibanez by far. Affordable made in Japan, great colors, thin, fast neck and rock solid hardware like Gotoh tuners and Edge tremolo bridge.
Yes much better guitars Imo
The edge trem is amazing
@@James-hh1lq never ever charvels are fkn nice guitars.
Dude I’ve been trying to find a review of Charvels that keyed in on what my experience has been, it’s a love hate relationship for me. I’ve got two Charvel So Cal Hot rods and have had three in my life. I love them but feel like they just are fighting me too much and a super strat shouldn’t be so hard to play. Think I need to take an Ibanez for a test run, life is too short.
Did you eventually try out an Ibanez??
What pedals are you using?
superstrat=strat style double cut (can be more carved or flat curves, and most likely a more carved lower horn for upper fret access, and recently modded neck joint for confort), flatter fretboard radius, medium jumbo/jumbo and/or scalloped (at least partially) frets, humbucker(s) and/or locking tremolo (most likelly both, but you can have some hard tails, as in the schecter line, or single coils as the newer jackson slx4)
gabriel saboya thanks Gabriel, that clears things up!
Antony Couch you're welcome mate! LOL
great video btw!
How is the difference in neck profile ?
I wish Charvel did C shape necks. it would be the perfect guitar. it's a tone machine.
You mean Ibanez
You have a very handsome face, and a nice, Northern accent. lol BTW, I have an original RG550 from 2002, and it DOESN'T have a chipped body. lol It's been up and down the country with me too.
Great review! That amp do you use?
Thanks!! It's the Boss Katana. Love it!!
Muito bom amigo excelente trabalho
It's not just a neck.. It's a Super Wizard Neck!!!
The Seymour Duncan’s piss all over the V8s but still I agree this is a weigh in I’ve never been able to resolve. I love both guitars.
Those Seymour Duncans will never be swapped from my San Dimas. I love them so much. They just scream!
Very good two guitars .but i love kramer haha
all guitars very good sound on your hand
I have a Ibanez rg1527 prestige and Charvel san dimas. Right now I prefer Ibanez the sound neck is a fucking machine, I can play everything on that thing. I like the charvel but is too rocky and bright sound for me.
Get both !!!
U R a Happy Stroker!😆
Ps. ....of the pugilist picture that keeps slideshowing behind you... Which one do you relate to....the one delivering the KO...or the one nobly receiving it? I just wonder. Cos its quite obvious what an avid boxer you are. Of course.😋
I’m sorry if I missed this in the video but is the Charvel a Mexican made guitar?
WOOLgum The older ones in 80s 90s were Japan made. Now I think it’s Mexico
Well, two years later, having both a 2008 USA San Dimas Style 2 (tele shape) and a 2008 Prestige RG3520z, I can say I have an educated opinion:
1. Truss rod access: the 2008 USA SD2 requires you to take the neck off to adjust the truss rod; it isn't bad and you don't really need to do it often, but combined with having to also block the floating floyd it's quite a pain in the arse versus. The RG, however, has the headstock oriented truss rod adjustment, which is almost as effortless as the pin wheel on the MIM Charvels.
2. Bridge: Edge Zero can simply do more and has a much slicker feel to it, as well as precision; gets less in the way and you can even do precision adjustment of intonation without a lot of hassle thanks to its desing and the ZPS system; also, the ZPS stabilization on its tough setting allows for in tune double stops while in general with floating trems you have to compensate for the correct pitch by pressing your hand against the trem when bending. While it's true they use Korean OFR's on the Charvel, I didn't feel it's of any significant lower quality versus the German, Schaller-made OFR units except for the connection between the plate and the arm; it's just an excellent but inherently dated design with certain drawbacks compared to what Ibanez put out. Also, true for the FR tremolo arm. Unfortunately, also the case with the German OFR made by Schaller. Not the case with an actual 80's manufactured OFR, which had, well, the screw-in type of arm.
3. Upper fret access: nevermind the RG has 24 frets, it also has better access to all of them compared to the 22 on the Charvel SD2.
4. Fit and finish: RG, with its nice silky satin finished neck and nice bound body with figured maple top is simply a joy to hold and classy; clearly a step or three above the Charvel USA, which does have very good materials and a very attractive finish (both the quartersawn oiled neck and the paint job of the body) but a little rough around the edges in terms of fret dressing.
5. Neck: Compared to the RG, the Charvel USA is a baseball bat, literally; I don't feel it as being faster or more precise; it's a bit narrower, however significantly less friendly due to the increased even thickness and shoulders, despite the edge rolloff. For some reason, a vintage Soft-V spec strat feels more comfy to me than the charvel neck profile. Can't deny the nice raw feel of its neck though. On the Ibby, there's a lot of attention to the fret ends and very slight but effective rounding of the rosewood fretboard edges.
6. Tone: Now, here it's apples and oranges. To be fair, Charvel is very well positioned with its 59/JB combo despite not having split coil options out of the box). Sounds phenomenal and has tons of sustain especially for a floating double locking trem axe. RG does also have lots of sustain but an entirely different and much more modern character in both cleans and overdrive. By default however, I feel the Dimarzio/IBZ (which, contrary to some opinions, are real USA Dimarzios, similar to Super2/SuperDistortion) can do a lot more stuff, although they really do excel with hard rock/metal and cleans and a little less on the in-betweens. Here, it's a clear tie and a matter of preference / use with the Ibby also offering parallel neck and inner coils together as noiseless "split" options.
7. Given their MSRP, I feel you do get what you pay for. The RG used to be around 2500 USD while the Charvel did retail originally for just under a grand. Now, on the used market, they retail for about the same and, if anything, it's much easier to find an RG in good shape for much less than a slightly beat up Charvel. On this account, compared to 2008/2009, Ibanez has a much better price/quality ratio now, while back in 2008, I think overall you got much more bang for your buck getting the Charvel.
8. Feelz: Well the rougher hillbilly style axes to come across as having more feeling (or you tend to beat them up as they enjoy it), which is a more in your face and connected kind of charm, while the Ibanez has a more laid back and brainy feeling. So it all comes down to what you're trying to play. They are both very connected playing experiences, but in wildly different ways. Charvel being more visceral, Ibanez more cerebral.
Both great axes but very different; it's unlikely that many would collect and like both, as they couldn't be further apart in tone, feel and usability.
For 2021, to be fair, the Charvel is more of a collectible piece with an undeniable charm and addictive roughness and a very sturdy classic rock / hair metal centered axe, while the Ibanez is really much more versatile and does a quick job of Charvel's specialty area as well. If I could only own one, it would clearly be the Ibanez, even with its stock pickups.
In general, an upscale Prestige or used J-Custom should feel light-years ahead versus any 80's throwback tribute design. However, nostalgia doesn't like light years ahead so YMMV ;)
* MIM Charvels do have smaller necks than older USA models and are also flat sawn, so they will be less rigid feeling and a wee bit closer to the ibanez in terms of grasp; also, truss rod access issue does not apply to those, as they come with the heel wheel :)
* MIJ Pro-Mods post-2008 will probably have much comfier neck carve and better finish, same as the newer MJ models
** USA Select do have German OFR bridges and split coil options, but are also much much less value for money compared to the current prestiges than their 2008/9 or 2010+ MJ counterparts used to be.
*** I have a rather small average-small stature (5 foot 10) and smallish hands so that might affect how I feel about each neck - mostly applies to full chording as lead is a breeze on either. FWIW, any SG neck is what I'd call home.
This is an amazing comment. Thatnks for taking the time to make such interesting points!
@@ACMusic Thank you for taking a whole lot more time to do this enjoyable video. Take care!
Damn man you just be passionate about this stuff. Wrote a small book about it on here
i like the look of ibanez more and the tone more in your face kind of maybe more edge.. charvel good also with more options . ibanez all the way for me.
Your volume pot is an easy fix. Just spray it with some contact spray cleaner (NOT WD40) and it's good to go :)
Morzox that's a really good tip!! I use servisol which gets the job done but only temporarily really until it dries. Do you have any brand recommendations?
Hmmm... I live in Slovenia so I don't know if that would be of any help :) I use this: Dinitrol MS - 40 , that's what it says on the can, I bought it in a local store, it's basically a contact spray, so I guess any should do :) But this one works very good for me and doesn't dry out quickly. It fixes any scratchy pot that isn't already damaged or worn out.
Have you bought one from the new Genesis ibanez models?. I bought one of the AZ line. The best guitar I have. Better than my Jem.
Nevigo yes this rg in this video is one of the Genesis models. I did have a look at the az models but what can I say? I'm a traditionalist rg fan!😊
yeah I like the Ibanez Genesis probably my favorite model of Ibbies along with the far more expensive JS models.
Ordered the Ibanez Genesis 550 in “purple”yesterday. Ive played my 87’ RG570 since being a teen and never found that feel and sound I loved with the RG 550 so I sprung a grand for the new Genesis!#Ibanez❤️🎸🤘🏻
Charvel, a Strat with 2 HB and a 1954 heel. urgh. RG please (i own 3 Strats too)
I prefer the shape of the Charvel neck.
But they are all great guitars. Cadillac or Lincoln.
I must admit, it's nice to switch to the Charvel neck once in a while when I get too used to the flatness of the Ibanez necks!!
@@ACMusic I have a pretty nice guitar collection...and it's nice to change up the feel every now and again. For some reason I can't gel with those fat Gibson necks. Cheers from Ohio
@@ACMusic I have had 3 Charvels in the last year. Two had issues. One bad the low E slipping off the neck...the other Floyd Rose issues.
I know have a Japanese made Charvel and I am on live with it...haha
Japanese take pride in thier workmanship. Mine in Ferarri Red with stock Dimarzios.
change the trem arm assembly to on OFR or a red Bishop, $15.00 fix, the arm on the RG will get lose over time. the Floyd 1000 trem arm assemblies are junk. it feels easier to bend on the Ibby because it has a much flatter fret board radius. I play both , each has it's place
Even though I think the Ibanez RG550 is a better-built guitar, I like the sound of the Charvel San Dimas more.
Really honest!
That's all I can do!! :-) Thanks!
Charvel for me, they offer much more for the price than ibanez but both are very good guitars. I own an Ibanez rg standard, they are ok if you give them a proper setup.
theo1540 that's a good point Theo. The Charvel is the less expensive of the two yet easily stands side by side with the RG!
theo1540 what's the difference between a standard and a prestige? Pickups and neck profile? Cuz I want a prestige but only have 500$ I'll wait another year to save up
standards are made in indonesia while presige series are made in japan. differences : neck thickness, pickups, frets are polished, floyds are made of a better material, time to make one :) and wood(but i don;t care what wood it is, wood is wood). If i were you i would buy a rg 350dx and change the floyd and the bridge pickup(dimarzio PAF pro). I have rg421 ex, if you give it a good setup it's killer. it's your decision in the end
theo1540 i totally understand your reasoning for that, however a decent Floyd trem will go for about 120$ bux, 2 dimarzio humbuckers will go for about 89 EACH, installation of pickups, floydtrem that's another fee add that to the ibanez rg350dx 349 or 399 price tag.... why not just spend 650 -800 on a used or 1k on a brand new rg prestige model?
edge2991 i wouldn't buy a guitar over 1k, i think charverls are just perfect. They are around 750 euros, they have sey. dunc. pickups, really good floyd(good for dive bombs), 6 pack of sound, they look good. I don't own one but my next guitar will be a charvel, even though i would like a prestige or rg550:)))
You need to get yourself a DK24 and an AZ
Have both.. Charvel san dimas usa..and Ibanez jem 7dbk and dna.. Charvel neck rought weak sustain..ibanez neck thinkness really confortable poor sustain.. D
Forme carvin kiessel.. Musicman betters superstrats
Charvel all the way🎸🔥🤘!!!
My hero rg550 all the way
Rg550 for all
After 30 years I still can't play worth a splattered crap. They are both winners in my book. Maybe I should just give up :/
I like charvel better. It's just my opinion ^___^
Jamong U cool! It's certainly an amazing guitar, glad you prefer it. Is it a San Dimas?
Anthony Couch mine is hardtail san dimas haha :D
I’d take a charvel so cal over either. You can get better clean sounds which is the most important part of a guitar to me. I already have a 24 fret guitar and I rarely use those last two. Also I have never liked the look of Ibanez. It looks like a pure metal shred machine. I’d rather take a charvel so cal that has that traditional more versatile look
tuve la charvel pero americana, que es superior a la japonesa, y el mastil es sumamente incomodo, muy buen floyd no tiene mucho sustain,. la ibanez el mastil es una delicia es muy comoda tiene buen sonido aunq le falta sustain, en superstratos creo que musicman esta peldaño mas arriba y kiessel guitars, segun lo que he probado, aa y una godin con floydrose que vale la mitad de esas y tambien es muy buena
Ibanez never die
I love when my guitars get dinged up. Makes it yours
The Charvel has a more organic and harmonic tone imo.
Brandon Boe thanks for stopping by Brandon. Do you think the pickups account for that or the body?
@@ACMusic I think it's the body wood. The Ibanez are basswood...or am I wrong about that.
Ibanez no question. MIJ, edge trem which is probably the best trem ever made (and the edge lo pro) super comfy neck and I don't get why the charvel doesn't have 24 frets, to all the people saying the pickups are crappy, just switch them if you don't like them.
Is this guy a younger Paul Gilbert? Total look a like
It sounds like you just need to gut all the electronics out of the Charvel and swap them into the RG. Yeah, you'll have a hole in the middle of your pick guard from the single coil, but when you sell the San Dimas as parts you can drop a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder or Hot Rails in there plus have money for a case. Outside of paint chips, you'll be happy as a clam!
Why not jus have both?? I do....
The 550 all day long. It's the most versatile guitar out there I think. And let's be honest, there's a reason why everyone played one back in the day when they came out.. Sure they don't have after market pups, but the pups they come w/ are pretty good but it's also an easy swap for something better. And the Korean Floyd, isn't a Edge trem. That's for sure. And 24 frets will always be better than 22 frets. And the 550 just looks like a superstrat. The charvel just looks like a Fender w/ a floyd..
Who is everyone. More people rocked Charvels...even Gilmour had a charvel neck on one of his strats.
@@thorpenator9148 wow ok.. when I said "everyone" that was quite loosely sheesh.. But a lot of guitarists played ibanez in the late 80s early 90's even artists who were endorsed by other brands, they still used them live and in the studio.
@@ryant3600 I still want one...lol
Ibanez is more like a Charvel Dinky. I think the Dinky was first then Ibanez copied them and made a RG model. I would go with the Ibanez all day.
Bricklinsv1970 cool thanks for the info! I've heard of Jackson Dinky's but not Charvel. Maybe I should check them out. Yeah the Ibanez is an insanely good guitar for the price!
Oh Yes Ive had a few Ibanez guitars! Jem 555, RG 350 and now have a Ibanez S470 with a Seymour Invader on the Bridge and it just shreds!!! Alex Skolnick is my God :)
Bricklinsv1970 cool. I've always fancied an s series. I did a couple of Skolnik solo covers on my channel. Also I see Testament next Friday night with Annihilator supporting!!
Oh nice! Your in for a extraordinary show there!! Skolnick live is a experience you will never forget! Hes a Wizard!
Hmm i dont know. RG is based off steve vais design of the jem. So not sure if the company copies anything
the charvel is a strat. the RG is modern
Ive
Neither- get a Jackson USA Kelly with OFR or perhaps ESP M-II with Floyd Rose. But more expensive.
Opposite.. after owning many ibanez's... i find charvels to be better built. Even the super wizard HP necks that made a come back is not as nice as the charvel IMO. To each their own...
ken masters thanks for stopping by! That's fair enough. I do really, really like the Charvel!
Some prestige level ibanez are very nice.. and I hear the AZ is pretty sweet. I have the mexican charvel, like yours i think, and it plays very well... I don't have the same trem problem as you though. They use cheaper korean floyds for the mexican and perhaps there is some quality control issues.
Have you tried the AZ model ? its closer to the charvel than your typical RG.
The Mexican Charvels as well!
Charvel all the way
Ibanez are easier to play
The 550 has the edge tremolo wich is litteraly the trem steve vai uses
@@HiddeSipkerodenburgand satriani uses it
@@James-hh1lq yeah ibanez for sure, also the ibanez has gotoh tuner
@@HiddeSipkerodenburg thinner faster necks on the 550 its just a perfect guitar
I wanted help to know which of these to buy. 0/10 Crap review. :(
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