I think, in regards to the very dark purple finish, that it's a reference to the very illusive and famous paintjob on the Nissan Skyline GTR commonly called Midnight Purple. The street racing scene in Japan back in the 90's were bonkers, and these Nissan's were among the most desirable and stupid fast cars back then. With Ibanez being some of the fastest guitars around, I find it very appropriate that they styled this guitar like it was plucked straight out of 1998. 😄
this was the first thing I thought when I saw the color too... But it seems to be just a regular flat fade in the middle instead of a full on dark purple metallic, which bummed me out :(
I think I know what Ibanez Marketing Dept is thinking: For many players looking for something better, for under $500, this model definitely meets their needs and respects their values. Thanks Henning for always providing an in depth and insightful review, plus great playing. My philosophy: Perfect is the enemy of Good Enough.
There is an argument that scarf joints offer stronger neck at end headstock end. It's to do with wood grain direction. I've a PRS with a scraf joint and I'm happy as it's flawlessly implemented.
Incidentally the color is close to what I was going for when I was recently doing a complete makeover of my old guitar. Unfortunately mine turned out more blue than purple, but the idea of "almost black, but slight hint of purple metallic under specific light" was definitely there. So I do like this guitar color-wise, though I would leave out the gradient.
I am looking to get this Ibanez RG470. I tried it at the guitar shop, compared it to other guitars and really liked it. Thanks for this review, it touches important points, and helps me with my decision to get it. Also trying different amps is great, that is something that you can’t do at the guitar store.
I mean, I agree, actually. I spent my fair share of years at a custom shop, spraying guitars, and fades in particular are not something I’m typically a big fan of. Usually that’s because the fade isn’t gradual enough IMO but, that is extremely difficult to actually accomplish. This guitar finish honestly feels better to me because it’s just a little bit of flare. Different strokes for different blokes.
it seems to me a welldone model, there is all of what one expects from this type of an Ibanez, at a good price, not so modern, but personally i like it so
I have been an Ibanez fan for many, many years. Granted, I love Gibson, Hamer, ESP, but Ibanez tends to provide a quality guitar at a reasonable price. BTW......PRS SE series are also a great non-American or Japanese made guitar that are totally amazing too.... To add......some Chinese made guitars, especially Hagstrom, are a guitar to be reckoned with.....great quality at an affordable price. So, if you aren't a guitar snob, there are so many quality choices out there that don't break the bank...
On my mid range RGA42 the Quantums were quite bright. Not super tight, but usable for rhythm. Especially if you Increased the distance on the bass side. Still changed them because I got a Pair of used Fusion edges for cheap. On my midrange RGRT421 (through neck) the quantums were really rounded and wooly. Though The guitar itself had a really dark tone acoustically as well. I sold it, but sometimes I miss the sustain.
I kinda like the paint transition, but I like subtle finishes. I probably won’t buy it that way… but I like it. There are lots of other colors I would prefer.
Maybe Toyko Midnight can only be fully appreciated under neon lights? Love the attention to detail that makes the rant timer the fade that the guitar should have been!
That's the whole point of the color, if you made it brighter then calling it midnight wouldnt make sense. I wanted a black RG but now that I see this I want it, because it's close. Its like black but with a twist. hence the word midnight. Putting a tone zone in it and possibly an air norton right off the bat. Itll be my first guitar Ive had since I was a teen forever ago. getting a DSL5CR or a 20CR.
You make a very valid point about the componentry. Ibanez are not the only big guitar brand that continue to use plastic nuts and non locking tuners in cheaper models. But they need to have confidence in the long term reliability of 'bought out' components. Harley Benton have no such qualms and will fit what appears to be higher spec components manufactured cheaply by using lower quality materials.
Henning, thanks for the review, yeah the pups on the Ibanez are subpar. I do love the Ibanez AZ Prestige models (viewers can find them used (mint) for around ($1,100 -$1200). Your comment on the overpriced PRS line was spot on - I fully consider the USA PRS line as - "fan boy" guitars. The best thing PRS ever put out is the current DGT SE, why? It's one of the best sounding and playing guitars on the market for under $900 (USD) - and I believe it's PRS's best selling guitar. The other offerings from PRS seem to just be overpriced, with sub par electronics, and they have more poly than a $150 Squier. Played for decades, owned them all (guitars/amps) and your honest opinion on the new gear is refreshing!
Ibanez pickups (so their own, not the dimarzios in the more expansive models) being crap is one of the great staples of the guitar world, has been for 30 years. These "quantum" PUs in here are actually considered a big step up compared with the utter trash they used for decades before.
At the price point of this guitar there are always shortcuts. Where the construction, fit and finish are superior in today''s offerings. Budget models still suffer somewhat from subpar electronics (pots, wiring, and switching). You can pick up MIK used Duncan Designed pup real cheap or actual used Duncans for around $50 (USD) each. Cheers@@ithemba
@@RA-ew8rv I got one of the previous generations of these rg 470, with ash body, it had the same PUs but I switched it for a set of Seymour Duncans (JB / SSL-5 / 59) that I had laying around. Now it sounds somewhat beefier than most supershredders would like but I like it precisely because of that.
I agree on the part with the locking tuners -- it just seems weird and like artificial market segmenting when we see Thomann and Gear4Music and whatnot put locking tuners on their cheap store brand guitars. I do love the colour of this guitar, though. :) (But then again, a _lot_ of the new Ibanez releases look stunning!)
I think they realized how much people just want really good looking mod platforms. I also feel like these last few years, companies have been cycling through new ideas and finishes. So we are gonna end up with an era of lots of similar models but, a variety of unique finishes so nothing looks super uniform like way back when.
Not bad. -) The only thing, if I’m not mistaken, the RG series has a Wizard III neck profile, which is too flat for my thin hands, but the sound is very good! ;)
Honestly I really like this finish a lot. It's subtle but also purple. And yeah, the Quantum pickups are pretty muddy when you drive them. They honestly just suck. For the price it's passable though.
The other colour has nice contrasts that makes the guitar stands out and noticeable but with a metal perspective ppl are preferring this colour which is a very camouflaged in nature... just an opinion as I'm comsodering this to buy but kind of divided between the colours.
Color complaints aside, I really wish they would do something different with the inlays. They are old and boring. It's really sad I suppose that I look at other guitars just to see different fretboard inlays for a change. It's made me consider going all Eddie and swapping out a few necks just so I don't have to look at the lightning farts on the fretboards anymore.
I’m not trying to start an all out war in the comments or anything but, I think it should be made clear that scarf joints do serve more of a practical purpose than just cost-cutting. Luthiers have long made arguments about carving a neck from one piece of wood, and one of the biggest downsides is the very short grain you end up with on a headstock. Hence why you have so many Gibson Les Pauls snap the way they do… scarf joints aren’t pretty but, it is significantly less wasteful than carving from one piece of wood, and there are potential strength gains to be had, in the headstock area specifically, if you were using tilt back for the brake angle. I don’t think you should let so much of your personal opinion influence what you say when it’s not the full story because other people will just believe it blindly due to your position. The scarf joint is a staple in guitar making for practical AND cost saving reasons…
I hope Ibanez takes your criticism to heart. Every single point you mentioned was valid: I would have bought this guitar if it was a bit more purple, had less wooly pickups and had locking tuners. You are an asset to these guitar companies because you understand their consumers.
Dude, chill with the locking tuner obsession, they aren’t always the best option. They are heavy, they can create a weak spot on the string and they can loosen in a gig bag.
Given the standard tuners that came on my Ibanez a few yrs ago couldn’t hold tune for about 5 minutes I swapped to a set of hipshot locking tuners and have never had a weak spot in a string bc of them they are a little heavier than standard tuners overall that doesn’t effect anything in my opinion
Dont bother.I did changed the pickups in RG 420 and RG 421 latest models 2023.The sound doesn t improved much.I think it has to do with the meranti wood wich is total garbage.Try the Genesis line.
I have known about Ibanez for ages but I am living in Fender/Gibson territory where only Schecter was in for an while and we do not talk Ibanez! But I happend to like them as I have played some and finaly that I mustered some balls to get me one Ibanez guitar and I love it. I wish that it should have happend earlier as I have discovered an new world. Ibanez got guitars for an lifetime to choose from. Hey the purple shows! It is you, you are so very colorful that you will outblend an wall full of graffiti.
I own a RG350DX and the only reason I don't play it all the time is that it exposes my sloppy playing technique, my neck diving SG model is more forgiving. So if I practice more with left hand discipline I have no complaints at all 😅
2:02 that white shirt needed red gummy bears all over it. I was disappointed to see just mere stains of red stuff. Next time you can do better. 😀 edit: That "woolly" sound sounds good on a bright high gain amp.
This is such an epic instrument with a great finish, but DAMN those quantum pickups sound like complete shit. I have an RG370DXz from 2012 and that has the Infinity pickups, they sound SO much better. There is clarity instead of pure mud. Now assuming the Wizard III neck hasn't changed then this would be worth buying and swapping the pickups out, otherwise pass.
Wtf? Let's be real- until you turn the gain on- it sucks. Now with the gain on- man, it comes alive and sounds amazing- but I don't think I can deal with those hairy HBs while playing clean- total deal breaker for me. Shit man- I want a guitar I can shred on when I want- but also one I can clean up and play funk, blues, classic rock. I don't think this is it.
Jatoba is such a ugly wood, too brown and it's so ugly when brand put it on guitar that are dark or with special color, it ruins the vibe. Good thing is that if you dont like that brown, you can turn it into a dark red by treating it with linseed oil and UV, no need for dye, just patience.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 83 วันนี้!! คู่เอก "พันฤทธิ์ vs ซุปเปอร์บอล วันของโอม MBK"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1b4pkKHa_Fk/mqdefault.jpg)
I think, in regards to the very dark purple finish, that it's a reference to the very illusive and famous paintjob on the Nissan Skyline GTR commonly called Midnight Purple. The street racing scene in Japan back in the 90's were bonkers, and these Nissan's were among the most desirable and stupid fast cars back then. With Ibanez being some of the fastest guitars around, I find it very appropriate that they styled this guitar like it was plucked straight out of 1998. 😄
Not to forget, Midnight Purple was offered as an option on the stock car, it wasn't even an exclusive mod! Maziora on the other hand....
this was the first thing I thought when I saw the color too... But it seems to be just a regular flat fade in the middle instead of a full on dark purple metallic, which bummed me out :(
I think I know what Ibanez Marketing Dept is thinking: For many players looking for something better, for under $500, this model definitely meets their needs and respects their values. Thanks Henning for always providing an in depth and insightful review, plus great playing. My philosophy: Perfect is the enemy of Good Enough.
If I visited Pauly, I'd be like "Oh wow, awesome studio and gear". Then I'd spend the rest of the day playing with the kittens. 🐈🐈🐈
There is an argument that scarf joints offer stronger neck at end headstock end. It's to do with wood grain direction. I've a PRS with a scraf joint and I'm happy as it's flawlessly implemented.
I like bits, a brighter purple would be great ...and a maple neck, not a roasted maple, just a bright RG550 style maple would be classy
Incidentally the color is close to what I was going for when I was recently doing a complete makeover of my old guitar. Unfortunately mine turned out more blue than purple, but the idea of "almost black, but slight hint of purple metallic under specific light" was definitely there. So I do like this guitar color-wise, though I would leave out the gradient.
I am looking to get this Ibanez RG470. I tried it at the guitar shop, compared it to other guitars and really liked it. Thanks for this review, it touches important points, and helps me with my decision to get it. Also trying different amps is great, that is something that you can’t do at the guitar store.
Beautiful looking Guitar can’t wait to see what else comes out I’m looking for a 70GSVF Fixed bridge.
Unlike the influencer, I find this guitar more than bright enough :)
Unlike WHO?
Ouch 🙈
Them fighting words boys 🤪🤪🤪🤪🎸🤘
I mean, I agree, actually. I spent my fair share of years at a custom shop, spraying guitars, and fades in particular are not something I’m typically a big fan of. Usually that’s because the fade isn’t gradual enough IMO but, that is extremely difficult to actually accomplish. This guitar finish honestly feels better to me because it’s just a little bit of flare. Different strokes for different blokes.
Im honestly surprised they didnt go with their full chameleon type finish. Would look glorious, the finish is fine though.
"In the middle nobody needs" - EXACTLY!
🎶Got to be some better than in the middle
Me and Cinderella
We put it all together
We can drive it home
With one…. Bridge humbucker…🎶
Just ordered this tonight. My favorite part of this is the lack of model number/name underneath the logo on the headstock. Great review.
I love those catchy model names 😜! Thanks for the review Henning!
Actually think the color is brilliant.
it seems to me a welldone model, there is all of what one expects from this type of an Ibanez, at a good price, not so modern, but personally i like it so
I have been an Ibanez fan for many, many years. Granted, I love Gibson, Hamer, ESP, but Ibanez tends to provide a quality guitar at a reasonable price. BTW......PRS SE series are also a great non-American or Japanese made guitar that are totally amazing too.... To add......some Chinese made guitars, especially Hagstrom, are a guitar to be reckoned with.....great quality at an affordable price. So, if you aren't a guitar snob, there are so many quality choices out there that don't break the bank...
On my mid range RGA42 the Quantums were quite bright. Not super tight, but usable for rhythm. Especially if you Increased the distance on the bass side. Still changed them because I got a Pair of used Fusion edges for cheap.
On my midrange RGRT421 (through neck) the quantums were really rounded and wooly. Though The guitar itself had a really dark tone acoustically as well. I sold it, but sometimes I miss the sustain.
I kinda like the paint transition, but I like subtle finishes. I probably won’t buy it that way… but I like it. There are lots of other colors I would prefer.
Maybe Toyko Midnight can only be fully appreciated under neon lights? Love the attention to detail that makes the rant timer the fade that the guitar should have been!
Oooh that ibbi and the Astro mmmm so satisfyingly saturated superbatude
21:25 😂
Nice RG in a good price range. I’m off to catch the next shuttle to jitoba
Would totally pick up one of these and give it some new pickups!
I do like the finish, I see it clearly enough on camera :)
Nice guitar, great video 🤘🎸🔥
I much prefer these pickups that are in the Ibanez. Finally good sound from an Ibanez.
That's the whole point of the color, if you made it brighter then calling it midnight wouldnt make sense.
I wanted a black RG but now that I see this I want it, because it's close. Its like black but with a twist. hence the word midnight.
Putting a tone zone in it and possibly an air norton right off the bat. Itll be my first guitar Ive had since I was a teen forever ago. getting a DSL5CR or a 20CR.
Die Farbe ist perfekt wie sie ist !!! Finde ich 🎉
New Ibanezezezezez season yaaaay! 🔥🤘
You make a very valid point about the componentry. Ibanez are not the only big guitar brand that continue to use plastic nuts and non locking tuners in cheaper models. But they need to have confidence in the long term reliability of 'bought out' components. Harley Benton have no such qualms and will fit what appears to be higher spec components manufactured cheaply by using lower quality materials.
This model has a double locking trem. system- locks at the nut and the bridge- I don't think you really need locking tuners as well.
Henning, thanks for the review, yeah the pups on the Ibanez are subpar. I do love the Ibanez AZ Prestige models (viewers can find them used (mint) for around ($1,100 -$1200). Your comment on the overpriced PRS line was spot on - I fully consider the USA PRS line as - "fan boy" guitars. The best thing PRS ever put out is the current DGT SE, why? It's one of the best sounding and playing guitars on the market for under $900 (USD) - and I believe it's PRS's best selling guitar. The other offerings from PRS seem to just be overpriced, with sub par electronics, and they have more poly than a $150 Squier. Played for decades, owned them all (guitars/amps) and your honest opinion on the new gear is refreshing!
Ibanez pickups (so their own, not the dimarzios in the more expansive models) being crap is one of the great staples of the guitar world, has been for 30 years. These "quantum" PUs in here are actually considered a big step up compared with the utter trash they used for decades before.
At the price point of this guitar there are always shortcuts. Where the construction, fit and finish are superior in today''s offerings. Budget models still suffer somewhat from subpar electronics (pots, wiring, and switching). You can pick up MIK used Duncan Designed pup real cheap or actual used Duncans for around $50 (USD) each. Cheers@@ithemba
@@RA-ew8rv I got one of the previous generations of these rg 470, with ash body, it had the same PUs but I switched it for a set of Seymour Duncans (JB / SSL-5 / 59) that I had laying around. Now it sounds somewhat beefier than most supershredders would like but I like it precisely because of that.
I agree on the part with the locking tuners -- it just seems weird and like artificial market segmenting when we see Thomann and Gear4Music and whatnot put locking tuners on their cheap store brand guitars. I do love the colour of this guitar, though. :) (But then again, a _lot_ of the new Ibanez releases look stunning!)
I think they realized how much people just want really good looking mod platforms. I also feel like these last few years, companies have been cycling through new ideas and finishes. So we are gonna end up with an era of lots of similar models but, a variety of unique finishes so nothing looks super uniform like way back when.
Sounds good and trem has good flutter..perhaps I'll buy one..
Not bad. -) The only thing, if I’m not mistaken, the RG series has a Wizard III neck profile, which is too flat for my thin hands, but the sound is very good! ;)
This seems much better than the white HB 7 string for more money, but the HB looked better. I think I’d spend more for a better model.
In your opinion, how heavy this guitar is? Light, Regular, or Heavy? thnx
Honestly I really like this finish a lot. It's subtle but also purple. And yeah, the Quantum pickups are pretty muddy when you drive them. They honestly just suck. For the price it's passable though.
Sweetwater did a demo on their channel and it was much brighter
17:30 Was it a microphonic effect?
A wild James Labrie appeared in the end, throw a pokeball
It looks ok to me!
great review
would have been awesome if the drummer was wearing jimmy choo's ! awesome again henning !
The other colour has nice contrasts that makes the guitar stands out and noticeable but with a metal perspective ppl are preferring this colour which is a very camouflaged in nature... just an opinion as I'm comsodering this to buy but kind of divided between the colours.
Wooliness means lack of treble or to much bass?
Did they sent you new Ibanez RGT1221PB-SWL also?
Cool red loooking new guitar. That is not looking exactly like piece of grandma furniture by Ibanez.
In Ibanez page there is no 2024 new prestige models. Any clue if they going to release anything? Thanks!
Way later in the year
Which is better then, this or the Jackson JS Series JS32Q DKA?
Same query. Anyone having the idea Kindly suggest 😊
Thanks for video,dont like wolly tones guitars,need cutting sharpness,seems tokyo midnight color doest help anymore...😁
They did put locking tuners on the new guitars with edge bridges, THEY LISTENED TO YOU! 😂
Color complaints aside, I really wish they would do something different with the inlays. They are old and boring. It's really sad I suppose that I look at other guitars just to see different fretboard inlays for a change. It's made me consider going all Eddie and swapping out a few necks just so I don't have to look at the lightning farts on the fretboards anymore.
Eh, my 2003 RG1527 Cosmic Blue is a dark metallic purple. The purple on this guitar is close, but not as good.
I’m not trying to start an all out war in the comments or anything but, I think it should be made clear that scarf joints do serve more of a practical purpose than just cost-cutting.
Luthiers have long made arguments about carving a neck from one piece of wood, and one of the biggest downsides is the very short grain you end up with on a headstock. Hence why you have so many Gibson Les Pauls snap the way they do… scarf joints aren’t pretty but, it is significantly less wasteful than carving from one piece of wood, and there are potential strength gains to be had, in the headstock area specifically, if you were using tilt back for the brake angle.
I don’t think you should let so much of your personal opinion influence what you say when it’s not the full story because other people will just believe it blindly due to your position. The scarf joint is a staple in guitar making for practical AND cost saving reasons…
I want fully purple guitar
Ibanez always has model numbers that sound like airplane engines or rocket parts.
I hope Ibanez takes your criticism to heart. Every single point you mentioned was valid: I would have bought this guitar if it was a bit more purple, had less wooly pickups and had locking tuners. You are an asset to these guitar companies because you understand their consumers.
She doesn't look black. She looks changing colors from purple to black.
Dude, chill with the locking tuner obsession, they aren’t always the best option. They are heavy, they can create a weak spot on the string and they can loosen in a gig bag.
Given the standard tuners that came on my Ibanez a few yrs ago couldn’t hold tune for about 5 minutes I swapped to a set of hipshot locking tuners and have never had a weak spot in a string bc of them they are a little heavier than standard tuners overall that doesn’t effect anything in my opinion
They for sure can create weak spots if you use them incorrectly, yes.
Loosen in the gig bag as opposed to non locking which just stay in tune. 😅
Definitely needs a DiMarzio tone zone and PAF pro, or Seymour Duncan JB and Jazz pickups.
Dont bother.I did changed the pickups in RG 420 and RG 421 latest models 2023.The sound doesn t improved much.I think it has to do with the meranti wood wich is total garbage.Try the Genesis line.
purple guitars are the best. there, I said it.
I have known about Ibanez for ages but I am living in Fender/Gibson territory where only Schecter was in for an while and we do not talk Ibanez! But I happend to like them as I have played some and finaly that I mustered some balls to get me one Ibanez guitar and I love it. I wish that it should have happend earlier as I have discovered an new world. Ibanez got guitars for an lifetime to choose from.
Hey the purple shows! It is you, you are so very colorful that you will outblend an wall full of graffiti.
Honestly it doesn't look black at all on video
Its purple fade to black... looks nice... you need your eyes tested🤣
The sound is... not great imo
Also I thought the color was a flip flop type thing instead of a gradient, that's a little disappointing
I own a RG350DX and the only reason I don't play it all the time is that it exposes my sloppy playing technique, my neck diving SG model is more forgiving.
So if I practice more with left hand discipline I have no complaints at all 😅
Hang on...is that Felix, Martin Miller's drummer??!??!??
Yes
@@EytschPi42 That guy is an awesome drummer.
Best Review ever, Henning!
When you have a Floyd Rose Tremolo and locking nut, you DO NOT NEED LOCKING TURNERS!!!! Really ?
you always need locking tuners
Give me a skyline r34 midnight purple ibanez I’ll buy it 3 times
2:02 that white shirt needed red gummy bears all over it. I was disappointed to see just mere stains of red stuff.
Next time you can do better. 😀
edit: That "woolly" sound sounds good on a bright high gain amp.
It’s like how much more black can it be and the answer is none, none more black.
This is such an epic instrument with a great finish, but DAMN those quantum pickups sound like complete shit. I have an RG370DXz from 2012 and that has the Infinity pickups, they sound SO much better. There is clarity instead of pure mud. Now assuming the Wizard III neck hasn't changed then this would be worth buying and swapping the pickups out, otherwise pass.
I have a feeling you can make those Quantums sound a LOT better. I felt like he didn't put too much effort into dialing in a decent tone.
purple and muddy sounding
Wtf? Let's be real- until you turn the gain on- it sucks. Now with the gain on- man, it comes alive and sounds amazing- but I don't think I can deal with those hairy HBs while playing clean- total deal breaker for me. Shit man- I want a guitar I can shred on when I want- but also one I can clean up and play funk, blues, classic rock. I don't think this is it.
sad they dont make new j customs it fking sucks!!!!
How do they hire this guy . All he does is read the specs. Doesnt even read them prior and try to know anything about the instrument..
And yet you keep watching! I win!
Jatoba is such a ugly wood, too brown and it's so ugly when brand put it on guitar that are dark or with special color, it ruins the vibe.
Good thing is that if you dont like that brown, you can turn it into a dark red by treating it with linseed oil and UV, no need for dye, just patience.
You really have no idea what you're talking about.
None!
I'm not a big fan of Ibanez..... but I can see the purple. I still love you.......
Mann, das ist glasklar dunkellila. :-)) Kauft euch alle neue Brillen.