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NiCkMiLnE · 09-01-2007, 12:16 PM

I get asked a lot, "what does ibanez prestige mean?"
That important word, prestige. Does it mean "add £100+ to the price" or does it mean "prestige quality"?

By using a Prestige RG1527 and a non prestige, Korean Jem 555 (1999), i will try to show you some finer details that in my opinion, warrant the price jump.
i will not be comparing pickups due to them being swapped out almost always on prestige and non prestige models by the owners.

So most of the time you hear its the neck, its the fretwork or its the neck joint.
Which is the right answer? ALL!

Here are pics of the Jems fretwork, you will notice that the fret ends are slightly exposed with ibanez cutting through the whole fret length to install the frets.
This, in changing weather, can cause sharp fret ends that hurt your hands, or slight gaps where dirt builds up.
These pics pics show the latter with open fret ends.

Here are pics of the rg1527's fretwork. Its obvious that fret ends dont exist!
they have removed the tang from the fret and made it so that the fret ends are not open, like you would experience if a guitar had binding.

Next up, the necks!
Here is the Jem 555's neck joint, neck and headstock.
Its visible the neck is one piece, ibanez tuners and a close, flatter heel

The next pics show the RG's heel, heatstock and neck.
The neck is 5 piece which adds some stability aswell as being more environmentally friendly. The headstock features GOTOH tuners, great stable and accurate.
Gotoh is the same company who make the edge, edge pro, lo pro etc. bridges.
You can also see that the heel is slightly more shaped.

Finish?
Yes, thats slightl different!
Both were finished with a high gloss that shines up fantastic!

But both have thier flaws IMO.
the Prestige finish chips way way to easily, where as my korean jems finish hasnt chipped at all. Infact, here you can see rather large dings i put in the body but the finish has stayed!

Below is the RG chip that i have filled in, but you can see that the finish came off clean if you look around the edges

Bridges
Obviously there is a big difference here.
Prestige use the Edge pro or double Edge model which is favoured highly above the non prestige Lotrs, LotrsII, Edge III and Edge II.

Somthing extra!
Now this hasnt been mentioned before, but i think it needs an applause from Ibanez!
Upon looking at my electronics in the prestige, i noticed somthing...

Can you see it? the lip where the plate goes in isnt square...infact its sloped!
Uh oh...so how does the plate fit?!

The edge of the plate is sloped too!
So when you have taken screws out and your fiddling with your korean Ibanez trying to pry the plate off, the prestige user can SLIDE his off, yes..it jsut slides.

Here is a pic of the square fit that hte MIK jem has

So i hope i have cleared a few things up here..a few things that warrant that "Prestige" name in my honest opinion.

Thanks for reading!
Nick

09-01-2007, 12:16 PM	#1
NiCkMiLnE 7>6 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 889 Real Name: Nick Main Seven: Ibanez rg1527 Rig: Mesa Nomad Thanked: 11	Prestige vs non prestige I get asked a lot, "what does ibanez prestige mean?" That important word, prestige. Does it mean "add £100+ to the price" or does it mean "prestige quality"? By using a Prestige RG1527 and a non prestige, Korean Jem 555 (1999), i will try to show you some finer details that in my opinion, warrant the price jump. i will not be comparing pickups due to them being swapped out almost always on prestige and non prestige models by the owners. So most of the time you hear its the neck, its the fretwork or its the neck joint. Which is the right answer? ALL! Here are pics of the Jems fretwork, you will notice that the fret ends are slightly exposed with ibanez cutting through the whole fret length to install the frets. This, in changing weather, can cause sharp fret ends that hurt your hands, or slight gaps where dirt builds up. These pics pics show the latter with open fret ends. Here are pics of the rg1527's fretwork. Its obvious that fret ends dont exist! they have removed the tang from the fret and made it so that the fret ends are not open, like you would experience if a guitar had binding. Next up, the necks! Here is the Jem 555's neck joint, neck and headstock. Its visible the neck is one piece, ibanez tuners and a close, flatter heel The next pics show the RG's heel, heatstock and neck. The neck is 5 piece which adds some stability aswell as being more environmentally friendly. The headstock features GOTOH tuners, great stable and accurate. Gotoh is the same company who make the edge, edge pro, lo pro etc. bridges. You can also see that the heel is slightly more shaped. Finish? Yes, thats slightl different! Both were finished with a high gloss that shines up fantastic! But both have thier flaws IMO. the Prestige finish chips way way to easily, where as my korean jems finish hasnt chipped at all. Infact, here you can see rather large dings i put in the body but the finish has stayed! Below is the RG chip that i have filled in, but you can see that the finish came off clean if you look around the edges Bridges Obviously there is a big difference here. Prestige use the Edge pro or double Edge model which is favoured highly above the non prestige Lotrs, LotrsII, Edge III and Edge II. Somthing extra! Now this hasnt been mentioned before, but i think it needs an applause from Ibanez! Upon looking at my electronics in the prestige, i noticed somthing... Can you see it? the lip where the plate goes in isnt square...infact its sloped! Uh oh...so how does the plate fit?! The edge of the plate is sloped too! So when you have taken screws out and your fiddling with your korean Ibanez trying to pry the plate off, the prestige user can SLIDE his off, yes..it jsut slides. Here is a pic of the square fit that hte MIK jem has So i hope i have cleared a few things up here..a few things that warrant that "Prestige" name in my honest opinion. Thanks for reading! Nick laney aor series II mesa boogie nomad ^in stereo^ el34+ 6l6 = <3