The ideal purple RG - Ibanez RG652AHMFX-RPB Review

[@saarangnarayan123]

For those confused by the name: RG652AHMFX-RPB is RG (series) 6 (mid-level MIJ) 52(5-way selector for 2 humbucking pickups) AHM (Ash body Maple fretboard) FX (fixed bridge) RPB (Royal Plum Burst)

[@altmaster3288]

Actually, for these post-2014 models, 6 is the number of strings and 5 is the quality class.

[@saarangnarayan123]

@@altmaster3288 I’d say that’s only partially true tho. The MIJ Genesis line still holds on to the 5xx class. I’d imagine that the 6xx is representative of class AND number of strings here. What’s more is that the Indonesian line has only 1xx, 2xx, 3xx, and 4xx, and then the premium line jumps straight up to either 7xx, 9xx, 10xx, and 11xx. So it can be slightly confusing that way and so I think it is both class and number of strings with the Japanese guitars.

[@altmaster3288]

@@saarangnarayan123 That was my mistake for not making the comment clear enough: I should have said post-2014 RG Prestige models. There's no consistent system across the Ibanez range as a whole.

[@saarangnarayan123]

@@altmaster3288 you’re not wrong. But it started in 2003 with the introduction of the Prestige line. Until 2002 there was the three number (5xx, etc.) system. But with the introduction of the Prestige name, they added another number BEFORE the three numbers to signify class within the system. Hence there was the 1550, 1570, and later the 2550, 2570, etc. Of course there was the 3xxx and 2xxx lines earlier on, too which further complicates the matter. But I think the current system 65x and 75x are erstwhile 5xx guitars with the added string numbers. It so happens that said string numbers are also used to denote class to a certain extent considering that the indos have 1xx-12xx barring 6xx and 7xx.

[@chartreuse1356]

@@saarangnarayan123 What about the RG5121?

[@cincho822]

The model name can also be used as a very secure password (if you can remember it).

[@federicomanuti9742]

By the time i finished reading that model name, the video was over

[@BeforeTheDarkAge]

You gotta sound it out.

[@nomadenview]

Lol

[@RJRonquillo]

Why do you keep saying my name??

[@EytschPi42]

G...not J.... you doodoohead

[@sassycat]

It's purple. It's quality. It's pleasing. Get one.

[@dtfreak]

Everything on the long model name means something. Let me break it down for you: RG652AHMFX-RPB RG=Body Type 6=Prestige 6th series (it also doubles as how many strings, 7 strings start with a 7, 8 strings with 8, ect.) 52= The 2 means two humbuckers AH= Ash body M= Maple fretboard FX= Fixed Bridge RPB = Royal Plum Burst

[@LiesThatBind]

5 = 5 way switch

[@RMosack]

Thanks for posting. Had no idea!

[@luisnunes2010]

Thx!

[@IbanezFan550]

@@LiesThatBind Nope, that's not what that means. Pretty much every Ibanez RG has a 5 way switch. Selector switch has never influenced model nomenclature

[@lokarrsboots9337]

I love this model just as I love the nebula green version of it. My only gripe with it is the fact that it doesn't come with stainless steel frets. It's a 1.500 EUR guitar, it deserves stainless steel frets, Ibanez.

[@Dubble_Bubble40]

Awe, such a bummer! I was very close to buying this guitar, but I really want SS frets. Thanks for the heads-up.

[@maxs.5163]

@@Dubble_Bubble40 this guitar doesnt need SS frets, these make sound like a cream, PRS has at all no ss frets

[@Dubble_Bubble40]

@Max Sabotage thanks for the feedback, and that is good to know. I ended up going with the Schecter Keith Merrow 6 string, and I have been loving it. I'm hoping to learn to shred some day, because this thing is fast!

[@tashsquad7054]

You just blew my mind!! I was so sure to finally buy this guitar in nebula green as I thought this was one of the greatest guitars at this price point with ss frets but now I’m left so speechless… I can see that the RG550 Genesis Made in Japan comes with Nickel Frets for ~950€ but the RG PRESTIGE for 500€ bucks more, made in the same factory (I think) and it doesn’t even come with stainless steel frets… wow

[@itm72]

I have had an Ibanez Prestige RG Hardtail for a few years... Always reliable and sounds superb... The split/in between position on the neck pick-up is my go to for cleans

[@pazelyacobcaplin9763]

I'm a professional performer composer and in my opinion this is best gear review on youtube. I've bought 3 pieces because of your reviews and will buy the Ibanez RG652AHMFX in a couple of weeks. Thanks for your honesty and knowledge. Great playing by the way.

[@jeanluc1313]

Yeah. Prove it Mr. Pro-Fessional!

[@PooNinja]

Undulating in this tiny room so close they could no longer contain it and his Royal Plum Burst into action with explosive flurry of legato. Languishing in a lush deep sea of tubular saturation, as a wash of satisfying warbles flowed over them crescendoing to a high gain squeal of fast pinch harmonics and heavily palm muted sweeping finally exploding with a glorious (Knock, knock, knock)😮 oh god somebody’s in here! Sir your not allowed to take the merchandise into the restroom!!!

[@OUTTATIMEMTL]

Engl and the RG= WOW sweetness!!!!

[@nohalo7]

Multi Pass!🤣🍑

[@HainGuitar]

Do you think it's versatile enough to cover stuff from Gary Moore's Corridors of Power album through Black Sabbath and all the 80s rock-metal to Joe Bonamassa and Black Country Communion, The Winery dogs etc? I need super versatile shred machine since I can't buy strat, tele, LP and some super shred machine at once. In fact I may never be ;)

[@EytschPi42]

It will do all that... not perfectly, not exactly, but you can get away with it

[@300WINMAG360]

I can't decide between this guitar and the RG 5121. Can anyone suggest one over the other??

[@nethbt]

ESP LTD is killing the game atm...almost every release in 2021 comes with STAINLESS STEEL FRETS with the cheapest probably at $999 ( Proper Duncans, Hipshot bridge and Roasted maple neck. Made in KOREA )...I would personally choose KOREA over INDONESIA anyday due to their better craftsmanship and stricter QC I'm still waiting for that non AZ STAINLESS STEEL budget range from Ibanez, maybe a barebones RG with stainless frets on the sub $800 or $700 range.....ESP LTD drew first blood here...STAINLESS STEEL FRETS is definitely future

[@Masterfighterx]

Schecter went out with SS frets before ESP did, even Ibanez did. Worst thing is, ESP doesn't offer it on the E-II or Japanese customs... I'm not sure about how ESP runs things anymore, lots of stuff even points towards the Original Standard line and E-II are made in China and finished in Japan (big turnoff) LTD 1000 series has been moved to mainly be made in Indonesia. I have seen some of the newer ones being made in Korea, I dunno if it's a 50/50 or 25/75 etc etc

[@eriong.7446]

But this is Japanese, and I would choose Japanese over Korean anytime. Also that 17mm thick Prestige Wizard neck is more than enough to make me limit my options to Ibanez only. :(

[@InfiniteDesign91]

But muh Ibanez neck! Seriously. I have a cheap LTD, a mid 7string Ibanez, an old Cort MIK, and Ibanez neck is the most comfortable by far.

[@rileyioacura]

They should of just called it RG Purple Fuck Yeah

[@DEZZA12]

Lol

[@eiou12345]

Does it have nickel frets or stainless steel frets?

[@prefacciprian7728]

Nickel.Dont worry you ll change it before tear down those frets.

[@brutalslam8443]

I was looking at this model when it first came out with the Nebula Green finish but never bought one. Walked into my local guitar store recently to pick up some strings and there was the 2021 Plum Burst model like it was waiting for me. Bought it. Flawless guitar. And for the price - I think you would usually have to pay about $1000 more to get the same level of quality in other brands. The only guitar I own that is absolutely flawless. Great review!

[@SaintFredrocks]

I have the Nebula Green with the Edge trem. It is an amazing guitar. I also own or have owned boutique guitars that cost between 4 to 10 grand US. I am not bragging, but I'm just saying I actually have something to base my opinion on. This guitar keeps up with them in all areas except gaudy bling(Parrots in the Jungle fingerboard inlay on one.) Bling doesn't effect the tone, playability or fit and finish though, and it still looks fantastic anyway IMHO.

[@theeobeastone5068]

I wish the 6 string version of this color came with a trem, sure there is a 7 string but I want it in 6 string :(

[@ShakeYourNoobs]

10:04 the guitar cable touching the couch just bothers me

[@RobKingRC]

I love my white RG 550 Genesis, it has a floating trem and is always in tune...

[@ithemba]

The Ibanez Floyd style trems, even the cheaper ones, are crazy good. Way above and beyond the Floyd rose 1000

[@sebrura]

Yeah, he talks nonsense about trems.

[@toxicgarden3163]

This is stunning. I hope they don't stop making this after one year, it's gonna take me a few years to save for this! Hopefully it will still be selling as the green nebula version is.

[@triceratopsamericana2477]

The Multi-Tool! Lol 🤣 The way you said that, was that a throwback reference joke to the Hollywood blockbuster film the Fifth Element starring Bruce Willis and Mila Jovovich? At the airport scene when she says "Multi- Pass"? ... I think it was. If I am wrong then the world is not what I thought it was. Lol 😂

[@jbognap]

Thanks for taking the time to demo the clean sounds in every position. That's not always the case for other demos. 👍

[@thegaindane]

Loved the "Some noodling" part of the video. Very melodic soloing and great time.👍 It's beautiful. Very understandable you won't part with it.

[@gabejo7366]

Got the green sevenstring recently, and I freakin' love it. And just when I settled with the thought that I'm gonna get an HSS AZ and be done with it, they release this thing. Why are you doing this to my wallet, Ibanez?

[@thebonebox488]

Fret board 430mm=16.9" or in English, pretty flat and shredy ;)

[@abcrx32j]

7:00 Leslie representing the whole guitar community in less than 10 seconds

[@MatthewFant]

I think I still like the old green one better. Great color though.

[@alandunn4459]

I have owned the nebula green version for 3 years. During that time it has been well used and trouble free. Build quality is better than my korean Schecter sun Valley Shredder but nowhere near as good as my Schecter USA Sunset II.

[@El-Scorcho]

So you don't get a caramelized/baked maple on a $1500 guitar from Ibanez, but you do from a $1200 guitar from Ibanez? Makes no sense to me

[@Leo_ofRedKeep]

AHMFX: AH Ash body, M Maple fingerboard, FX fixed bridge.

[@pault8697]

Love the noodling sounds so good I want to buy this guitar or the RG 1070 premium , love the look of the 1070 neck and top which would you suggest? This guitar sounds so good to me.

[@MB_Guitar]

Treated myself to one of these a few months ago. This was one of the reviews I watched in making a decision! I was previously using an old RG550EX, but wanted something with a fixed bridge and decided to push the boat out for this Prestige model. Quite expensive, but for me it has been well worth it. It's a high quality instrument, a joy to play, and I look forward to picking it up every day! Cheers :)

[@djbneozen]

Why did you decide to go against a tremolo bridge on your next guitar?

[@MB_Guitar]

​@@djbneozen A few reasons. 1) I rarely found a use for the whammy bar, so I was basically putting up with the downsides of a floating bridge for no reason, 2) it was a hassle to change tuning (even to drop D or Eb) and not something you can be spontaneous with really, 3) tuning stability was not good on my RG550 and I was looking for something that shouldn't have that problem, 4) restringing is so much quicker and less hassle with a fixed bridge, 5) on the RG550 various parts on the bridge needed replacing through wear & tear and it was not always easy to source new parts, but with the fixed bridge this should hopefully be less of a problem.

[@SaintFredrocks]

I would not say this guitar is quite expensive when you compare it to guitars of similar quality.

[@gregwienholt9864]

I've been looking at the older version of these guitars in the Nebula Green Burst. Same guitar as far as I can tell. Your review has been the most thorough and thoughtful. I think you covered all o the bases. Thank You.

[@areallyboredguy5825]

Really just depends on random fretboard. My Qx standard has 30 something eyes on its roasted maple fret and looks awesome

[@JB-ke9ov]

13:00 to 13:06 - Please make a video out of that : "How to change your guitar strings in 6 seconds!!!"

[@guitardave]

The ultimate RG is the new Reb Beach inspired Koa model - RG6PKAG. Hope you’ve got one to review!

[@mickenilsson]

Korben Dallas... Multipass 😁

[@magneto9210]

Love the color but man I just can't get behind glossy finish guitars. The smudges and fingerprints are visible for miles around. Just recently got myself an RG7421 and went for the Flat Walnut finish and I love it, it's a simple wood yet lovely guitar that looks almost green tinted in the right light and you can't see any of my dirty ass fingerprints anywhere on it. Glossy guitars look great on display but they just wind up looking dirty the more you use them.

[@riffraff6585]

Maybe the binding is glow in the dark.

[@boomerbassmeme]

Leslie and the RG-OMGWTF8675309-RPB are definitely both keepers!

[@PooNinja]

Isn’t that Jenny’s signature guitar??

[@boomerbassmeme]

@@PooNinja Now popularized by Henning Tutone!

[@ericnelson966]

I never would have dreamed Ibanez shred stuff would sound so good in clean and mildly over driven playing. I think you just sold a guitar for them!

[@TheCrappyGuitarist]

You have a ton of amazing guitars however that one really looks like you... Love my RG you recommended to me, amazing video as always 💜

[@cappuccino4366]

Why, why they dont have 6 string with floyd rose?????

[@EytschPi42]

they do... standard RGs... tons of them

[@cappuccino4366]

@@EytschPi42 I know. I mean this exact model, with purple color.

[@Metalbass10000]

THREE whole bird's eyes?!? TWO pieces of Walnut VENEER in the neck?!? I appreciate your willingness to call out stuff like that.

[@Masterfighterx]

Well, it's not that it's a new thing, but it doesn't take all that much to add strength, so the walunt stripes do what they're supposed to. 17:06 shows a good bit more than 3 bird eyes.

[@szymonhoubowski4448]

I will buy nebula green :) I think good value for money

[@OliverAmberg]

And what's the name of the guitar???

[@walterppk1989]

great looking guitar.

[@larsheuker]

That ENGL is really good, works well

[@Blakzale]

Like for the string change sounds!:D

[@guitarz]

Nice these are fantastic guitars and my old ass back appreciates it

[@mixodorians12]

I love low pro and pro edge trem systems, they are about 500 times better than Wilkinson trems. The massive mass of metal give the guitar lots of sustain too. A RG without one should be about 300 quid.

[@randyeppyt]

Have you played a Gibraltar II? I love my original edge, but the Gibraltar II and the Hipshot High-Mass are both great hardtail bridges.

[@rileyioacura]

The guitar is so beautiful!! The colour is to die for!! I wish they would put this colour on a premium AZ

[@kc.88]

Hey Henning! Actually like your new set! Pretty nice! 👍

[@L.Scott_Music]

RG Ibanez = Name her Regi. (Regina)

[@eriong.7446]

Just a word of warning, this may be the only prestige line ibanez that doesn't have the prestige edge treatment. (Actually in the present line this one and the RG5120M are the only ones that don't have it). Probably not that big a deal and you can always get it done, but it's a pretty bad feeling having to take my brand new japanese ibanez to a shop to have them round the fret ends.... (And these pickups are very meh imho).

[@remarkablehairdo3110]

It does get them, did they forget on yours or something ?

[@metal1mark73]

Just got the same guitar in Green nebula burst!!!

[@zishere48]

Wrong. This ibenez is not the rg-18384647. It the rg 183939384748.... deep breath... 17374646. >[Enter the Matrix screen engaged.]

[@rileyioacura]

7 minutes after upload and already people with the thumbs down!! What the fuck people!! If you don’t like the content then don’t fucking click on the fucking video!! Henning and Lesley put so much effort into these videos with the production and live editing, not to mention all the behind the scenes stuff with the business side of things because YES this is a business!! Henning’s lively hood is doing this not to mention all the time he puts into supporting other channels!! I have watched this channel for a long time and just understand why people can’t comprehend that Henning gives us this for free to watch!! He even supports animal shelters giving new life to animals!! End of the day Henning is a great guy who is dedicated to music and helping all living beings and he does it all for fucking free!! Yes he gets paid for some videos but for fuck sake he has to eat and so does Lesley and the animals.. so please support Henning, even if you have no sense of humour and don’t understand the jokes and sarcasm then just like the video and if you aren’t already then subscribe and click that notification bell!! Rant over!! Sorry Henning for ranting

[@EytschPi42]

much love to you Riley!

[@BriarBeats]

God Bless you In Jesus Name, thank you for this video, looking to get one soon ❤

[@EytschPi42]

Jesus who?

[@1337million]

The awful naming convention is something I love to try to decode every year lol. Usually they do make sense when you look at the spec sheet and try to match letter to feature, but this one I'm a little unsure about! RG, duh. 652, 6 for six-string and 52 to probably to separate it from all the other 6 string RGs. A, might be for Ash body H, is either for humbuckers or for the "Super Wizard HP" neck, but you would have to know the specific neck name to get that from an H! M, for Maple neck and/or fretboard FX, I cannot fathom what this is supposed to be. RPB is the color, that's usually last.

[@Stigz86]

FX is fixed bridge, H is humbucker

[@1337million]

@@Stigz86 Awesome, thank you!

[@albertwong4516]

5:00 ... and it was at this moment, he realized he F***ed up. LOL... 😅Amazing playing bro.

[@f33fifofum]

I need one of these Ibanezs in my life

[@MatthewFant]

Only thing I’d change is the knobs. Back to a fender style, or a plastic speed knob. Never been a fan of the metal ones. Thanks for getting dressed up in your Pajamas for the review too. Waiting for Santa to bring you the rest of those Ibanez guitars are ya? 😉

[@saarangnarayan123]

Spot on with the critique of the Air Norton! While the combination works in whammy-equipped guitars that have a pickguard or mounting rings, body mounting really muddies both the Air Norton and the Tone Zone.

[@zerotoguitarhero5023]

Why?

[@saarangnarayan123]

@@zerotoguitarhero5023 TZ in particular is probably the bassiest pickup that Dimarzio make. Although it makes up for the lower frequencies that are lost in whammy-equipped guitars, with a fixed bridge, it basically adds mud. At least in my experience with the TZ in 4 guitars.

[@shredd5705]

That is one beautiful guitar. I didn't like the other 2021 color, nebula green. Otherwise a dream guitar. Floyd Rose is so much pain in the ass, after all these years I finally understand I want a hardtail guitar. Good video but a bit of criticism, wearing a dark plain shirt might have highlighted the guitar better

[@adriennerose1841]

The ahmfx is my first electric guitar, got it bc I played my buddy’s green 7 string and NEEDED the brute force pup tone. Was astonished how much I disliked the stock sound when I got it out the box!

[@wild291]

The guys at Ibanez should start smoking good stuff maybe they would finally find some cool names for their guitars. Wtf!

[@RMosack]

Given that color scheme, the binding needed to be black. Maybe white, I guess. But cream makes no sense. Still a very cool guitar.

[@Broccoli_Highkicks]

Royal plum burst sounds like how you get princes and princesses. Just saying, Ibanez. Such a shame the 7-string version (which I'm in the market for) *does* have a wiggle stick (which I don't want). Fortunately, there are other options in Axion Label 7-strings coming out from Ibanez as well. Hope to see those on the channel at some point...

[@StephenCameron]

Nah, not ideal. Ideal was the (unfortunately discontinued) RG8670 which used to come in a purple, iirc, though the blue was (imho) nicer looking.

[@StephenCameron]

Here's a purple one: www.jemsite.com/forums/f18/ngd-j-custom-rg8670-tb-jcrg8670-tv-113827.html#post1112016

[@Robbie28]

I really do want one of these. Looks very comfortable to play and sounds great.

[@ludovicboully3643]

The 2021 Ibanez models marathon review can begin...

[@servicecatchers3190]

I love this guy's melodic playing❤❤❤

I do agree with you on the pickup positions lol (neck is no 1). Pretty sweet guitar, but I prefer the AZ line myself.

[@steel_horse7570]

Im getting one of these but lead time in UK is May or June. That sucks.

[@DasOrakelspricht]

Happy new year! I like this PPST a lot. For me, thats a countable improvement. And the small studio as well! I like the "cuddly" environment. At least, the light from the back gives you a slight gloriole. 😜 Big thank you!!

[@saltygh0st124]

Pissy greenish yellow, yeah... that's making me want one.

[@riccardocuoghi2071]

Hope to see a Lefty version of this

[@gr8tnowwhat]

...and not in black. Lol.

[@iloveitall]

I really would appreciate a AR520h review. Great review btw.

[@VilmosTarcza]

You "sold" me the secound RG. :)

[@broncoxy]

What a beauty... I really want the 7... If they'd only do that without a trem aswell, but guess I'll have to lock it then, its just too minor of an inconvenience to not fall in love with it ^^

[@stevenblues4170]

Just bought one of these from Sweetwater , can't wait to play it, I'm an traditional 7.25 strat player, the 16.9 kinda worries me ,lol

[@rosskrause3926]

Nope thats a great fretboard radius..try a compound radius 12"-16" and see how you like that..play great but if the guitar has a Floyd Rose style locking tremelo they can be a pain sometimes..luckily I have learned over the years how to adjust them if needed..that helps a lot to learn how to adjust your guitar(s)...the Gibraltar 2 bridge fixed bridge that comes on some of these are really good.

[@massttrshrdrharmonicminor2002]

Have the green, want to put a paf pro in the neck, dont love the tone zone for Riffs. Any good alternatives to the Tonezone ?

[@strumminronin]

SOLD!! Holy smokes I want that guitar, and it is already in my Thomann wish list.

[@starbuckita]

love this shirt today Henning! fun cool! :) super, got my coffee!

[@bradylasserre9320]

I actually really like that binding color. Gives it a cool funky vibe.

[@dipayanbiswas930]

Can u pls make a review on Ibanez rg 421 ahm

[@che2335]

May i suggest a TS9 into the front of your Engl Fireball25 to tighten the attack and melt our faces with.

[@EytschPi42]

there is no need for that at all. you only need that for amps that have flabby low end and the engl is already really tight.

[@Soloist1983]

Very cool color, would kill to see it on an RG5320 with a maple cap.

[@andrewmorgan1640]

Love that one Henning, agree the neck is a little hot. Can’t get over how nice that maple pops with the plum burst sweet

[@MrRafaztar]

I like the blue and green one they already make so thank you for reviewing this one

[@richszmal1653]

Beutiful finish and i always love the Gibraltar bridge

[@AkiraSpectrum]

Major want. Love the purple front with natural ash back.

[@KnaGGelMan]

If the controls were better positioned I would buy one.

[@michaelmendillo7513]

A few brain farts in there, but otherwise pure genius !!!! 😜👍💕

[@wilnishi10]

Beautiful guitar as always from Ibanez! What’s the backing track title?

[@EytschPi42]

no clue... something from Elevated Jam Tracks

[@kms5656]

why do they not have the 6 string version with a floating trem

[@zmb5501]

boring guitar for the price