Prestige or Premium???

[rock90]

Hey!

I'm getting a new guitar and I can't decide between these two:

Electric Guitars - RG3521 | Ibanez guitars

Electric Guitars - RG821 | Ibanez guitars

Is the Prestige one really worth the extra cash? I can get the Premium for 525EUR + 200EUR = 725EUR for changing the pups. And the Prestige one would cost me 1123EUR (no pups change required).

So I know the Prestiges are supposed to have better hardware and are produced in Japan as for the Premium are Indonesian and have the same parts as the Korean ones. I've heard different opinions about the frets. Some say the difference is huge and some say the quality of the Premium fretwork is not far behind the Prestige. I feel comfortable with both necks.

I know this has been debated before, but I would like some more opinions.

And if someone has any other models they would wanna recommend I would be glad to hear it. I'm obviously looking for a fixed bridge Ibanez with two humbuckers. And I am willing to consider other brands in this price range too.
So please forum, share your wisdom with me.

Cheers

[espman]

The Premium's are pretty good, and yes the fretwork is not too far behind the Prestige. That said, overall, the Premium's are still behind the Prestige by a noticable amount. If you can, try both and decide if the Prestige is worth it to you.

[MikeH]

Used Prestige.

[ang3]

prestige for sure!

[jl-austin]

Straight up answer. I have owned several prestige models. However, I have only played a few premium models.

My answer would be this. If you own a prestige or some thing of similar quality, the premium might not do it for you.
If the premium is going to be the best guitar you own, go for the premium.

The difference in price is huge, like you have already noticed. However, in my opinion the Prestige models are now over priced, I do not feel they are the same quality as a real ESP M series. So for me, if I was going to shell out "prestige" money, I would just buy an ESP.
However, the premiums are priced nicely, and are VERY competitive in their price range.

Hope this helps.

[MatthewK]

I liked my Premium at first, a lot actually, but when I noticed the inlays were sticking out of the fretboard I was pretty disappointed to say the least. That's the last cheap guitar for me. IMO get the nicest you can manage and you'll be happier in the long run.

[Erazoender]

Say it with me folks.....



Carvin!

[rock90]

Originally Posted by MikeH

Used Prestige.

I really don't like used guitars. It's like having sex with girls that have done it before. I really don't see the point.

[rock90]

Originally Posted by Erazoender

Say it with me folks.....



Carvin!

Say it with me folks...



I live in EUROPE, where guitars are expensive and shipping overseas does not pay off!

I would love me some Carvin tho...

[K3V1N SHR3DZ]

Originally Posted by rock90

...It's like having sex with girls that have done it before. I really don't see the point.

Then you're doing it wrong.

[MJS]

Originally Posted by rock90

I really don't like used guitars. It's like having sex with girls that have done it before. I really don't see the point.

You'll probably change your opinion on that once you've touched your first vagina.

A more accurate comparison would be comparing it to a used car. Whether or not it's a good deal depends on the price and how well the previous owner took care of it. There are used cars that are as good as new (or better with upgrades) and some that are beat up piles of junk... same goes for guitars.

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

Originally Posted by rock90

I really don't see the point.

The point is you're getting a guitar for almost half the price of what it was new, and probably even being a higher-quality instrument.

[rock90]

Originally Posted by kgad0831

Then you're doing it wrong.

So it's not my finger in her ear???

[rock90]

Originally Posted by MJS

You'll probably change your opinion on that once you've touched your first vagina.

A more accurate comparison would be comparing it to a used car. Whether or not it's a good deal depends on the price and how well the previous owner took care of it. There are used cars that are as good as new (or better with upgrades) and some that are beat up piles of junk... same goes for guitars.

What's a vagina?

I guess you're right tho. In the second part I mean.

[rock90]

Originally Posted by HeHasTheJazzHands

The point is you're getting a guitar for almost half the price of what it was new, and probably even being a higher-quality instrument.

I get what you're saying. And I have heard that Ibanez Prestige guitars aren't what they used to be. But there are problems. What bothers me the most that there is no guarantee on a used guitar. And where I'm from (2milion people population) there aren't that many used guitars around. And if I buy from smb outside of Slovenia I can never know for shure what is it that i'm buying. Most of guys here are from US so that's not an option neither because of the shipping and other costs. (+plus I can't rally deal on SS because of my post count. . So either I get lucky that someone near me has the guitar i want is willing to sell it and has it in good shape or I pay some more and buy new.

PS:
If you know any models that are similar to what I'm looking for. Please speak up.

[MJS]

Originally Posted by rock90

... plus I can't rally deal on SS because of my post count ...

That 100 post minimum is for posting stuff for sale, so you can still buy something on here. That's more about keeping people from joining just to spam or make a quick sale.

[7stringDemon]

I love used gear

You can find yourself things that are absolutely AMAZING that will never be on the market again.

[MetalDaze]

Originally Posted by rock90

I really don't like used guitars. It's like having sex with girls that have done it before. I really don't see the point.

I would take a girl that has actually developed some skills over a virgin any day

[rock90]

It's funny how my thread about Ibanez has developed...

[Dayn]

I think the relation between 'Ibanez' and 'sex' is a perfectly natural progression, to be honest.

[bouVIP]

Originally Posted by Dayn

I think the relation between 'Ibanez' and 'sex' is a perfectly natural progression, to be honest.

and of course the S series are the skinny girls...man I can play an S series Ibanez all day...


but on topic

I've never played a prestige, but I've played a few Premiums and I chose an S series type guitar over it....so yeah it's just preference really. Though the premium did play really good, but I felt like it wasn't as worth it as other guitars in that price range.

[rock90]

I just found out that a store near me holds a 821 premium Ibanez so I'm definetly gonna take her for a ride to see if she has what it takes.

[7thstringofa7thstring]

Used Prestige.

I've heard the premiums are good. But not as good as their price tag, though I maybe in a completely different part of the world to yo and the pricings maybe different.

You're just going to have to try them both out for yourself and see what you think.

[devolutionary]

Originally Posted by bouVIP

and of course the S series are the skinny girls...man I can play an S series Ibanez all day...

Explains why I like the RGDs so much >.>


Anyway! If you can find a used Prestige, do it. Even better in my mind, if you can find a used pre-prestige Fujigen RG, do it. Something like an RG570, 550, etc. I ....ing love my RG570.

The Premiums seem cool, and they have some lovely finishes, but often the price difference between a Prestige and a Premium is only 30-40% new, and quite frankly it's worth the extra few weeks saving.

Still, RG570s, yo :P


Edit: Wow, just noticed the necromancy o_O ignore me.

[asilayamazing]

Originally Posted by 7stringDemon

I love used gear

You can find yourself things that are absolutely AMAZING that will never be on the market again.

Originally Posted by jl-austin

So for me, if I was going to shell out "prestige" money, I would just buy an ESP.
Hope this helps.