NGD: RGD2127z – not the most special-NGD

[joe-tofu]

Hey guys!

Today I got my RGD - yay! It's my first 7-string and I mainly bought it to double-check, if I should order a custom-6 or -7.

It's also my first Tremolo-guitar and to tell you the truth ... I had a hard time setting it up (it came tuned to Bb standard and I play in Drop-A). I still have to check intonation, but so far it's pretty cool. I still have to check the intonation and the low A-string buzzed a bit too much for my taste. The seller told me, that the Edge Zero-system will hold the trem centered and intonated, when a string breaks and even if you loosen all the strings at once - that true?

I haven't had a lot of time to play yet, but I have the feeling that I'll adapt pretty fast - although the wide neck feels really odd.

The guitar itself is cool ... no more, no less. I have to admit, that it didn't blow my mind, when I opened the case. To me, "It's an Ibanez". To tell you the truth, I was kinda shocked, that the body feels plasticy. I don't know wether it's the basswood-body or the satin-finish, but somehow it doesn't feel like a wooden instrument.

It's a used guitar and it came with a BKP Painkiller in the bridge-position ... in creme-white
I mean, that finish is called "Invisible Shadow", right? It's like putting a pink spoiler on a tank. (If you read this Hannes, no worry, it's just a random rant )

If I'll keep it, I either switch both pickups to a DiMarzio CL/LF-combo or I'll try to get a pair of camo or black BKPs. The Painkiller sounds pretty good, crunchy and powerful, but a bit squeeky. I suppose, Aftermath's would sound a bit better.

And another "if I'll keep it": I think, I'd try to find someone capable to refinish the guitar. Why?
First: I think, the satin-black looks and feels kinda cheap (the vintage black LTD EC-1000 that I once had, felt totally different) and
Second: the refinished mystic dream- and white-RGD's on here look so much better.

Okay, now the pics. I really didn't give my best at photographing it - everyone knows, how it looks like, right?

[edrowley]

Congrats Man... I actually kinda like the flat black look but you're right, some of the other refinishes around here have been awesome!

[prashanthan]

Agreed, it'd look much nicer with the mystic dream or white finish (and I'm sure there are a number of others that'd work well too), but still a sweet guitar. If you do decide to let it go, I'll be all over that Happy NGD!

[ikarus]

Happy NGD!!

At first I didn't like the RGD shape, but the more I look at them, the more I am gasing for one. haha

[Michael T]

Congrats sir

[thealexkelley]

hey if you dont like it theres many people here who will buy it from you! otherwise, HNGD dude!

[Wings of Obsidian]

Nice!!!!

[joe-tofu]

Originally Posted by edrowley

Congrats Man... I actually kinda like the flat black look but you're right, some of the other refinishes around here have been awesome!

At first I really liked flat-black guitars, but nowadays it just bores me. A somewhat dark purple-burst would look rad I guess.

Originally Posted by prashanthan

Agreed, it'd look much nicer with the mystic dream or white finish (and I'm sure there are a number of others that'd work well too), but still a sweet guitar. If you do decide to let it go, I'll be all over that Happy NGD!

I hope I'll think of you, if I decide to sell it, man!

Thanks anyway @all of you

[CYBERSYN]

Yeah the RGD is growing on me.

Congrats on a quality instrument regardless of finish.

[Syriel]

Good to see more RGD love in this forums. Me loves mine so badly. i'm actually thinking of refinishing mine as well. I hope you decide to keep it because these guitars are just quality instruments.

HNGD man!

[GSingleton]

You may not like it immensely...but some of us have always wanted one since they started producing it....enjoy it.

[broj15]

I'm thinking of refinishing my RGD as well. The one is mystic dream is killer, but I've always wanted some kind of bright color. Either way it looks like you got a nice score. hHappy NGD.

[Chris O]

I have a couple RGDs in CSM, and I don't mind that finish, but I'm with you on the flat black...not a favorite. Very cool guitar though, and I think you'll find it very playable. I love mine.

[joe-tofu]

Originally Posted by Chris O

I have a couple RGDs in CSM, and I don't mind that finish, but I'm with you on the flat black...not a favorite. Very cool guitar though, and I think you'll find it very playable. I love mine.

I gotta say, that I don't like the CSM-version either
It's typical Ibanez … either it's black, neon or some weird blotchy finish. But that's of course only my opinion! *haha*
What count's is playability and sound, right?

When I have a few minutes, I'll try to mockup a version with an emerald-burst-finish.

By the way: @all What pickups do you have in your RGD's?

[littledoc]

I think the lack of appointments on the Prestiges is a price-point thing. If you had Japanese-made guitars with flamed maple tops, binding, and fancy inlays like they do on the Korean and Indo guitars it would probably bump the price up a fair bit. After all, the Yen is a helluva lot stronger than the Rupiah and the Won. I've just noticed that about most Prestige guitars. The only one I can think of that has a more exotic finish is the RGA Prestige and the nicer S Prestiges, and those are expensive axes.

Anyballs... I dig the black satin... it's metal. Only thing I don't like about it is that there's a weird blotchy glossy spot where I anchor my right hand below the bridge pickup. And FYI, if you just popped another white BKP in the neck position, it would look pretty damn sweet (someone around here has a 2127Z with white pickups... it's cool looking.

Overall though, in terms of design, I think this is bar none the best 7 on the market. The thin neck make wide stretches a breeze. The cutaway makes wide stretches and upper fret access effortless. The bridge is infinitely more comfortable and easier to use than a Floyd (the intonation tool and tension dial on the back are godsends). And the quality is first-rate: resonate body, rock-solid neck, smoother tuners, the works.

About the ZPS3 btw... I actually took mine out. It does make it easier to get the guitar in tune, and it won't totally bork if you break a string on stage, but it'll still go out of tune. But the thing is, as with any trem, more stability = more stiffness. So you have to really "dig in" to do much with it. You can't flutter or do subtle trem effects nearly as easily. But take out the counter spring and you'll have the smoothest damn trem you've ever played.

[joe-tofu]

Originally Posted by littledoc

Overall though, in terms of design, I think this is bar none the best 7 on the market. The thin neck make wide stretches a breeze. The cutaway makes wide stretches and upper fret access effortless. The bridge is infinitely more comfortable and easier to use than a Floyd (the intonation tool and tension dial on the back are godsends). And the quality is first-rate: resonate body, rock-solid neck, smoother tuners, the works.

You're right. I haven't really commented on the overall quality. That beeing said, it's flawless! I've had quiet a few guitars in my life and this one is one of the finest for sure. Totally comparable to the quality of my Fender USA Stratocaster.

And HELL NO! In a perfect world one just should not put white pickups in a black guitar *just kidding*

[loktide]

congrats

i can trade you a crunchlab for that painkiller if you're interested

[joe-tofu]

Originally Posted by loktide

congrats

i can trade you a crunchlab for that painkiller if you're interested

PM'd

[loktide]

a Crunchlab will be heading your way very soon, good sir

[Chris O]

Originally Posted by JoeTFUL

I gotta say, that I don't like the CSM-version either

What count's is playability and sound, right?

By the way: @all What pickups do you have in your RGD's?

I agree - but I still would take it over flat black. It doesn't show chips, get little shiny spots, and so on. Ideally - Pearl White!

It is about playability for sure - otherwise I wouldn't have bought a second one.

I have stock pickups in one, and Crunch Lab/Liquifire in the other. I like the CL quite a bit, but stock is certainly usable.

BTW - mine are both 2120z's. Had a 7321, but got rid of it after I had picked up a pair of K7's.

[Edika]

I actually like the cream BKP. It makes the flat black finish look better. A refinish though would certainly improve things.

[joe-tofu]

Originally Posted by Chris O

Ideally - Pearl White!

Yeah man! The more I look at AngelVivaldi's RGD, the more I think, pearl white is the ideal color for that guitar.

And no matter if I'll keep it or sell it, I'm definitly going to ebonize the fretboard. I wanted to try that for a while now.

[vancouvermetalguitarguy]

That pickup makes the guitar looks gross lol but i love this guitar... I wish i can own one :p

[broj15]

Originally Posted by JoeTFUL

By the way: @all What pickups do you have in your RGD's?

I have a dimarzio d activator in the bridge and a dimarzio liquifire in the neck. The lf is great for sweeps and atmospheric, low gain, and clean stuff and the d activator is very tight and has plenty of attack. I've had them in there for a while now and I'm still really pleased with them.

[joe-tofu]

Originally Posted by broj15

I have a dimarzio d activator in the bridge and a dimarzio liquifire in the neck. The lf is great for sweeps and atmospheric, low gain, and clean stuff and the d activator is very tight and has plenty of attack. I've had them in there for a while now and I'm still really pleased with them.

I'm really looking forward to the Crunchlab. I bet it sounds killer in the RGD and I always loved the look of it. The D-Activator is pretty interesting, too.