NGD: Ibanez RGA32, mmm!

Fred · 03-02-2010, 01:28 PM

Finally got this today - it should have come last Tuesday, but DV247 were shit (for the first time in my experience, it has to be said) and it took 3 phone calls from me for them to actually get off their arses and call the warehouse to get this sent out. No apology, no explanation... I've ordered shitloads from them before but will avoid doing so from now on. Anyway, whinge out of the way, onto the pics!

A box. On a bed.

Contents of said box.

Ooo! A shitty lead and some allen keys, yay.

Oo. Even better looking than I thought it was going to be.

Absolutely loving the Gibraltar bridge so far - very comfortable, and attractive to boot. Have yet to set it up, so no idea how easy to intonate it will be, but it looks straightforward enough!

I like shiny things.

Again. Shiny.

The action's quite nice out of the box, could be a touch lower though.

Absolutely love the grain on this and the oil finish.

The body's actually a 3-piece, but it's all but impossible to tell from looking at the front of the guitar - you can just make out one of the joints here.

Initial impressions are very good indeed - first time I hit a chord on this whilst unplugged, I actually found myself making audible noises of delectation, haha. Everyone seems to say it in NGD threads, but the sustain on this is just ridiculous! It's not something I've ever experienced before when playing a guitar for the first time, and this rings out for days on end.

Pickups, as expected, are pretty cack. The clean tones are fairly horrendous, the distorted tones passable but only just. I've recorded some quick comparison clips for those who might be interested:

http://www.crepusculum.co.uk/ibz-lz-heavy.mp3
http://www.crepusculum.co.uk/tonezone-heavy.mp3
http://www.crepusculum.co.uk/ibz-lz-cleanlead.mp3
http://www.crepusculum.co.uk/hotrails-cleanlead.mp3

#1 is the RGA32 in bridge position.
#2 is exactly the same piece and settings, but with the Dimarzio Tone Zone in the bridge of my Kramer Nightswan II.
#3 is the RGA32 in neck position.
#4 is exactly the same piece and settings, but with the Dimarzio Hot Rails in the neck of my Kramer Nightswan II.

Both guitars are mahogany-bodied and maple-necked, so it should be a reasonably fair comparison! I was expecting not to like the pickups, and at the price I got it for I'm not too disappointed, because I'm planning to swap them out for some Dimarzios or BKPs when I can afford to.

For an Indo guitar, the fretwork's pretty damn good - a few slightly sharp edges, but nothing I can't sort out.

All in all, exceedingly happy with this purchase! I needed a backup guitar with a fixed bridge for live use, and once I've swapped the pups out this will be an extremely competent beast. Now if you'll excuse me I shall return to playing it.

nicholas7 · 03-02-2010, 01:40 PM

That is one nice guitar.
That bridge is massive too.

Scar Symmetry · 03-02-2010, 01:42 PM

Awesome, can't be beat for the money

mlp187 · 03-02-2010, 01:42 PM

Sexy.

jl-austin · 03-02-2010, 02:05 PM

I have played the black, they are KILLER values. Awesome guitar man!!!

MF_Kitten · 03-02-2010, 02:25 PM

hahah, holy crap! i did not expect that! it looks great!

i love RGAs

Apophis · 03-02-2010, 02:50 PM

looks great, I really like the color and the look of the wood

Defsan · 03-02-2010, 03:04 PM

That guitar is absolutely beautiful; I'm in love it. In fact, because of this thread I'm seriously pondering about getting one for myself. Thanks for making me want to spend money

Dan · 03-02-2010, 03:19 PM

I own one of these too and i have to say for the price it is incredible! Congratulations dude \M/

metal_sam14 · 03-02-2010, 03:48 PM

I have the regular RG version of this guitar, i might consider getting one of these to have the pair of mahogony beasts

RideFour15 · 03-02-2010, 04:03 PM

Looks nice.

So you're the one behind Crepusculum? I found a folder of mp3s in my downloads folder that I listened to the other day and was wondering how the hell I got it. It's good stuff!

Customisbetter · 03-02-2010, 04:29 PM

epic. i didn't know they made these in RGA form. :

sounds pretty good too.

george galatis · 03-02-2010, 04:31 PM

that bridge works when you play fast????

vampiregenocide · 03-02-2010, 04:59 PM

Awesome guitars for the price, certainly would get one as my next 6er.

Fred · 03-02-2010, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RideFour15

Looks nice.

So you're the one behind Crepusculum? I found a folder of mp3s in my downloads folder that I listened to the other day and was wondering how the hell I got it. It's good stuff!

Thanks man! Yeah, I am indeed.

Thanks to everyone else too - been playing this all night, and apart from the fact that my Nightswan has pretty much made me realise I've found the perfect neck profile for my tastes, I'm absolutely stunned at quite how much it offers for the price. Cannot wait to get some better pickups installed to properly do it justice!

soliloquy · 03-02-2010, 07:55 PM

for a sec i thought that that was an RG321mh

i've tried a few RGA32s and i gotta say, all 5 of them were back breakingly heavy!
how heavy is this?

the RGA32s i tried had flamed veneer on top.

hypermagic · 03-02-2010, 08:02 PM

:< kinda sucks that the oil finished RGA32s are only available in the UK.

I need to replace my RG321MH and this looks like a prime candidate, but i'd have to settle for the icky flat silver or black.

soliloquy · 03-02-2010, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hypermagic

:< kinda sucks that the oil finished RGA32s are only available in the UK.

I need to replace my RG321MH and this looks like a prime candidate, but i'd have to settle for the icky flat silver or black.

why not order a body from ebay?

hypermagic · 03-02-2010, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soliloquy

why not order a body from ebay?

Didn't think of that

*brofist*

Mattmc74 · 03-02-2010, 10:25 PM

Congrats!

zindrome · 03-02-2010, 11:30 PM

Nice!
Congrats Fred!
I hope u post some vids with this when u get the time.
Great job wit the picstory and soundclips

Fred · 03-03-2010, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soliloquy

i've tried a few RGA32s and i gotta say, all 5 of them were back breakingly heavy!
how heavy is this?

Couldn't give you any sort of figure, but it's definitely not back-breaking! First thing I noticed when I picked up the box from the post office was how light it was, haha. I'd say it's about the same as my Kramer, or possibly slightly less.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zindrome

Nice!
Congrats Fred!
I hope u post some vids with this when u get the time.
Great job wit the picstory and soundclips

Thanks Avi! Definitely will do a vid at some point - only thing is I've yet to admit to the folks that I bought this, haha. I sense some unamused expressions when I go home for easter...

TimothyLeary · 03-03-2010, 06:32 AM

...... i think i need one. i presume the neck is comfortable and fast?

NeglectedField · 03-03-2010, 10:53 AM

The Ibanez logo on your case looks like it soiled itself.

Nice guitar though!

Shawn · 03-03-2010, 11:06 AM

Very nice.

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03-02-2010, 02:25 PM	#6
MF_Kitten Fully Ramblomatic Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stavanger, Norway Posts: 9,044 Thanked: 299 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	hahah, holy crap! i did not expect that! it looks great! i love RGAs -------------------------------------- What will metal be doing in ten years? What ever Meshuggah will be doing in two. -Anthony

03-02-2010, 03:19 PM	#9
Dan Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Newcastle, UK Posts: 2,106 Thanked: 93 Feedback Score: 11 reviews	I own one of these too and i have to say for the price it is incredible! Congratulations dude \M/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Check my bands début music video 'solaris' HERE

03-02-2010, 04:31 PM	#13
george galatis ss.org Regular Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cyprus (the summer island) Posts: 685 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Feedback Score: 0 reviews	that bridge works when you play fast???? http://www.myspace.com/giomilko Θρήνος βαρύς επέφτει

03-02-2010, 04:59 PM	#14
vampiregenocide A Chap Called Ross Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Hertfordshire, England Posts: 15,061 Thanked: 273 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Awesome guitars for the price, certainly would get one as my next 6er. My Photography Myspace - http://www.myspace.com/rosswildishphotography Dissonant Media - The news source for new alternate/progressive music! Check us out: http://de-de.facebook.com/pages/Sawbridgeworth-United-Kingdom/Dissonant-Media/126448677394107 http://www.youtube.com/user/DissonantMedia#p/a http://dissonantmedia.tumblr.com/

03-02-2010, 01:28 PM	#1
Fred SS.org Regular Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: London or Bristol, UK. Posts: 2,078 Thanked: 62 $Fred is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Fred is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Fred is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Fred is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Fred is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Fred is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $Fred is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ Feedback Score: 6 reviews	NGD: Ibanez RGA32, mmm! Finally got this today - it should have come last Tuesday, but DV247 were shit (for the first time in my experience, it has to be said) and it took 3 phone calls from me for them to actually get off their arses and call the warehouse to get this sent out. No apology, no explanation... I've ordered shitloads from them before but will avoid doing so from now on. Anyway, whinge out of the way, onto the pics! A box. On a bed. Contents of said box. Ooo! A shitty lead and some allen keys, yay. Oo. Even better looking than I thought it was going to be. Absolutely loving the Gibraltar bridge so far - very comfortable, and attractive to boot. Have yet to set it up, so no idea how easy to intonate it will be, but it looks straightforward enough! I like shiny things. Again. Shiny. The action's quite nice out of the box, could be a touch lower though. Absolutely love the grain on this and the oil finish. The body's actually a 3-piece, but it's all but impossible to tell from looking at the front of the guitar - you can just make out one of the joints here. Initial impressions are very good indeed - first time I hit a chord on this whilst unplugged, I actually found myself making audible noises of delectation, haha. Everyone seems to say it in NGD threads, but the sustain on this is just ridiculous! It's not something I've ever experienced before when playing a guitar for the first time, and this rings out for days on end. Pickups, as expected, are pretty cack. The clean tones are fairly horrendous, the distorted tones passable but only just. I've recorded some quick comparison clips for those who might be interested: http://www.crepusculum.co.uk/ibz-lz-heavy.mp3 http://www.crepusculum.co.uk/tonezone-heavy.mp3 http://www.crepusculum.co.uk/ibz-lz-cleanlead.mp3 http://www.crepusculum.co.uk/hotrails-cleanlead.mp3 #1 is the RGA32 in bridge position. #2 is exactly the same piece and settings, but with the Dimarzio Tone Zone in the bridge of my Kramer Nightswan II. #3 is the RGA32 in neck position. #4 is exactly the same piece and settings, but with the Dimarzio Hot Rails in the neck of my Kramer Nightswan II. Both guitars are mahogany-bodied and maple-necked, so it should be a reasonably fair comparison! I was expecting not to like the pickups, and at the price I got it for I'm not too disappointed, because I'm planning to swap them out for some Dimarzios or BKPs when I can afford to. For an Indo guitar, the fretwork's pretty damn good - a few slightly sharp edges, but nothing I can't sort out. All in all, exceedingly happy with this purchase! I needed a backup guitar with a fixed bridge for live use, and once I've swapped the pups out this will be an extremely competent beast. Now if you'll excuse me I shall return to playing it.

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03-02-2010, 01:40 PM	#2
nicholas7 SS.org Regular Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: bowling green, ky Posts: 110 Thanked: 4 Feedback Score: 5 reviews	That is one nice guitar. That bridge is massive too.

03-02-2010, 01:42 PM	#3
Scar Symmetry Ex Whiny Bitch Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 15,670 Thanked: 377 Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Awesome, can't be beat for the money What happened to Jeff? Funny how he dropped off the radar now that the entire Western world disagrees with his right wing bullshit.

03-02-2010, 01:42 PM	#4
mlp187 Burrito Master Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Carlsbad, Kalifornia Posts: 705 Thanked: 9 Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Sexy.

03-02-2010, 02:05 PM	#5
jl-austin SS.org Regular Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: austin Posts: 1,189 Thanked: 8 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have played the black, they are KILLER values. Awesome guitar man!!!

03-02-2010, 02:50 PM	#7
Apophis Banned Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Poland Posts: 18,279 Thanked: 71 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	looks great, I really like the color and the look of the wood

03-02-2010, 03:04 PM	#8
Defsan SS.org Regular Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Portugal Posts: 256 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Feedback Score: 1 reviews	That guitar is absolutely beautiful; I'm in love it. In fact, because of this thread I'm seriously pondering about getting one for myself. Thanks for making me want to spend money

03-02-2010, 03:48 PM	#10
metal_sam14 Tard Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Launceston, Tasmania Posts: 3,107 Thanked: 48 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	I have the regular RG version of this guitar, i might consider getting one of these to have the pair of mahogony beasts

03-02-2010, 04:03 PM	#11
RideFour15 SS.org Regular Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: East Taunton, MA Posts: 126 Thanked: 2 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Looks nice. So you're the one behind Crepusculum? I found a folder of mp3s in my downloads folder that I listened to the other day and was wondering how the hell I got it. It's good stuff!

03-02-2010, 04:29 PM	#12
Customisbetter WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 8,462 Thanked: 76 Feedback Score: 8 reviews	epic. i didn't know they made these in RGA form. : sounds pretty good too.

03-02-2010, 07:55 PM	#16
soliloquy SS.org Regular Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: toronto, canada Posts: 3,591 Thanked: 217 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	for a sec i thought that that was an RG321mh i've tried a few RGA32s and i gotta say, all 5 of them were back breakingly heavy! how heavy is this? the RGA32s i tried had flamed veneer on top. looking for a dean soltero...PM me my name is Hadi Khan, and I'm not a terrorist.

03-02-2010, 08:02 PM	#17
hypermagic Fusion Neophyte Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 899 Thanked: 10 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	:< kinda sucks that the oil finished RGA32s are only available in the UK. I need to replace my RG321MH and this looks like a prime candidate, but i'd have to settle for the icky flat silver or black.

03-02-2010, 10:25 PM	#20
Mattmc74 SS Contributor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bay City, Michigan Posts: 13,939 Thanked: 325 Feedback Score: 14 reviews	Congrats!

03-02-2010, 11:30 PM	#21
zindrome part time ninja Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 537 Thanked: 6 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Nice! Congrats Fred! I hope u post some vids with this when u get the time. Great job wit the picstory and soundclips - www.avijoshi.com -

03-03-2010, 06:32 AM	#23
TimothyLeary Tune in, Drop out Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Portugal Posts: 701 Thanked: 9 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	...... i think i need one. i presume the neck is comfortable and fast?

03-03-2010, 10:53 AM	#24
NeglectedField SS.org Regular Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 321 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The Ibanez logo on your case looks like it soiled itself. Nice guitar though!

03-03-2010, 11:06 AM	#25
Shawn Ibanez 7s Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Southern Maine Posts: 24,517 Thanked: 146 Feedback Score: 15 reviews	Very nice. My Guitar Videos

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