(Originally written by Revan#/translated from Audiofanzine FR)


UTILIZATION

Killer neck: slim, flat, comfortable... It's really fast.

Very comfortable body shape like all RG models... Perfectly ergonomic.

SOUNDS

I play mainly heavy metal... And this guitar was conceived for this music style!

The manufacturing quality (mahogany and body-through strings) is very good considering the guitar's price. The only limitation are... the pickups. They are not the best for heavy metal... I tune the guitar in drop D and the pickups sound a bit imprecise... The sound is very good with a standard tuning and also in drop D (I play with a second generation Peavey Bandit 112).

Although I only speak about the guitar's heavy metal capabilities it's also good for other music styles! In every other music style... And this versatility is due to the splittable pickups that allow you to switch between very fat metal riffs and blues!

I'm thinking about changing the pickups: I will get some pickups conceived for down tuning... I plan to buy Seymour Duncan SH-6 pickups.

EDIT: I installed an SH-6 on the bridge (when I have enough money I will also install an SH-2). It's almost as if I had a new guitar... Now the guitar really cuts through the mix thanks to its colored mids. The sound is clear and accurate even with extreme gain settings... with lots of overtones.

10/10

OVERALL OPINION

I get it now, Ibanez builds high-quality guitars but the electronics can be improved... But it's a killer guitar anyway!

I've owned it for over two years and I would buy it again.

EDIT: The value for money is excellent.