[Unknown Doodl3.2]

Originally Posted by technomancer

So shut up and don't buy them

+1

I've seen way worse from Ibanez. This year they've got more diversity and its getting better. The prices aren't bad if you compare to other companies which need not be named...

[Eric]

I'm all for Ibanez...

I must admit tho that with the new models I am disgruntled (with the exception of the 1527 and probably a few others that I am leaving out) about Prestiges moving to Korea. I know I'm going to get ripped on for this but, for me, part of "Prestige" entails being crafted in Japan, no matter how great the Korean craftsmanship is becoming. I love Ibanez guitars but if I drop the extra coin for it to have "Prestige" branded across the headstock, I don't think it's asking to much that it be made in Japan. Others may disagree here, but this is my own personal dissatisfaction.

I don't mind buying an Ibanez that was made in Korea, just save me the money and call it a "RG" and I will be perfectly happy with it.

Other than that.... Ibanez FTW!

[teelguitars]

Originally Posted by 7Strings

I'm all for Ibanez...

I must admit tho that with the new models I am disgruntled (with the exception of the 1527 and probably a few others that I am leaving out) about Prestiges moving to Korea. I know I'm going to get ripped on for this but, for me, part of "Prestige" entails being crafted in Japan, no matter how great the Korean craftsmanship is becoming. I love Ibanez guitars but if I drop the extra coin for it to have "Prestige" branded across the headstock, I don't think it's asking to much that it be made in Japan. Others may disagree here, but this is my own personal dissatisfaction.

I don't mind buying an Ibanez that was made in Korea, just save me the money and call it a "RG" and I will be perfectly happy with it.

Other than that.... Ibanez FTW!

Well said brother.

[Donnie]

The only Prestige guitars made in Korea are the S series. It's really not that big of a deal. It's not like the people in Korea are unable to be taught how to make a nice guitar.
People act like it's a country populated by retards or something.

[Alpo]

Originally Posted by teelguitars

RG1527-$900+ Made in Japan (with terrible pickups)

I may be alone here, but I actually like the pickups. No problems getting great sounds through good amps.

[jacksonplayer]

I've played a couple of S7320s and thought they were very nice. Pickups probably need to be changed, but that's going to be true in almost anything you buy under $1,000 these days.

I admit, though, that the Indonesian Ibanezes I've played haven't been so great.

[ZeroSignal]

I have NO idea what you're talking about mate...

Korea is the new Japan in guitar manufacturing. The Korean guitars I've played kicked ass. Nowhere near as much as my RG1527RB but still good. Well, better than OTHER Cort made guitars anyway.

With the RG1527 you're paying for a 5 piece neck (which not many axes have), an advanced trem system and did I mention the neck plays like sex?

Btw. I've played a US made Strat... It was indescribably bad... In every possible way...

If you don't like the price then don't buy it and stop whining.

[darren]

The other thing you have to realize is that the American dollar has been taking a beating for the last few years, and the Yen is strong, so just about any Japanese product (especially a hand-crafted one) is going to command a hefty price premium. Few people are going to spend $1500+ on a Japanese-made instrument, and Ibanez knows this. In order to keep their sales volume up, they need to move production to places with cheaper labour so they can produce a guitar that most people can afford (or are willing to buy).

I've played some amazing Korean-made guitars, and the guitars being made in China are getting really good, really fast.

[Dendroaspis]

This year the price on the 1527 actually went down on our system by about $150. Go figure. Ibanez's best bang for the buck in a 7, IMO.

[Karl Hungus]

Originally Posted by teelguitars

So it's like putting rims and a spoiler on a Hyundai.

Dude, that's just a terrible comparison.

I find that pickups make up a huge part of your sound, so it's a very personal thing, and most guitars I've got have had a pickup change.