Ibanez RGA72QM

This is probably the most expensive and elegant out of the three RGAs that I'm currently reviewing. It has a quilted maple top that really makes it stand out compared to the others. The guitar has a mahogany arch top body with a quilted maple top, a maple neck with a rosewood fretboard, 24 jumbo frets, dot inlays, an Edge Zero tremolo, two active humbuckers, one volume, one special shaping knob and a three way switch.

UTILIZATION

The first thing you notice is that the quilted top on this is very nice. However, it's not quite as 3D and pretty looking as some of the J-Customs that I've grown to love. Given the price, it's solid, but I wish it would have looked better. I think I'm spoiled.... The guitar has the new Edge Zero on this, and it's a pretty solid trem. There are a few things I'd change about the bridge, but overall, once you disable the ZPS system, I find it to be a very solid alternative to the other Edge series. The fretwork on this was solid, and the edges weren't cutting your hand up when you move up and down the fretboard.

SOUNDS

The guitar had the new Ibanez active pickups in it, and they're decent. The bridge is similar to an EMG 81 at times, if you adjust the active EQ in the right position. It can get some nice bite and clarity, but I don't find it to be quite there, if you know what I mean. The neck is very similar in that it's not quite what I'm looking for. I'd much rather have some real EMGs put in this thing. The worst part is that I'm constantly fiddling with the EQ knob on this, and I hate EQ/tone knobs. They're always something I disable in my guitars, and because this only has one, I'm constantly adjusting it depending on which pickup I'm using.

OVERALL OPINION

The guitar looks great. In fact, it looks the best out of the entire RGA series. The new Edge Zero bridge is solid, the guitar resonates nicely and feels great. I'd replace the pickups with some real EMGs, but aside from that, it's a pretty solid guitar that's worth looking into.