Ibanez RG vs S Series Shootout!- The Differences & Which Is Best For YOU - History & Review

[@flashlightknife]

I bought an emerald green 565 four months back, I still can’t get over how great the guitar feels in my hands, and the tuning stability is amazing.

[@toddmerriott6901]

Had the same experience with a genesis rg550, amazing set up out of the box! I abuse the whammy bar and it just won’t go out of tune

[@karengayle9331]

I agree with you on feel. I have a very used RG from the 90's , it feels and plays great and 20+ years ago I paid 100 dollars for it and I will never get rid of it.

[@clintwilson6380]

I bet you almost fell over when they said $100.

[@karengayle9331]

@@clintwilson6380 I could not get the money out fast enough, very very good shape, bought for their son who played it about 6 times with a case!

[@johnsguitarmusicanddemos]

Nice! This has become one of my favorite channels for demos!

[@johnsonsjams3439]

I have an S series “fancy made in Japan model” and I absolutely love it. I’ve got an older RG5ex1 which is great for speed bc the action is so low but there’s something about the S that’s just so silky

[@MomeikutoRides]

still waiting for my GIO to arrive, been over 2 weeks, good video as always 🤘

[@lmavisl]

The real difference between the two series is the number of options. I feel as though the S series is overlooked because there are simply more RGs to choose from. I love both but it feels very limited for the S series unless you want to shell out Premium or Prestige money

[@DontStayMusic]

I think you're right, currently looking for an S series, but the decent ones are so expensive now. 10 years ago, I bought a new s570dxqm for around £500, which was a killer deal compared to what's available now.

[@lmavisl]

​ @DontStay65 I owned a SEW761FM for about a year. Gold hardware and DiMarzio pups for 800 USD. That guitar was one of my favorites that I've had from Ibanez, I sold it when I got a Premium AZ but I do miss it. Anyways I definitely think that model is one of the better options in the S series right now and for sure the best affordable one.

[@DontStayMusic]

@@lmavisl That SEW761 sure does look nice. Yeah, I'm drawn to S series still, really would like one with HSH configuration, 24 fret neck and possibly a zero point tremolo. Which doesn't leave me with many options.

[@chrisgoblin4857]

My two favourite guitars. My first Ibanez was an S520EX back when they were only 22 fret with the ZR bridge. Sounds a lot thicker than the body lets on. Later picked up an RG770DX reissue to experience both sides. I also have a Apex2 Korn signature which is a Mahogany bodied, 7 String, Tune-o-matic bridge RG beast. I do have an 80s Japanese Fender in my collection but everything else has to be Ibanez haha.

[@viziobehringer3633]

Nice! Do you still have the s520? I recently got one and love it? The floyd rose is intimidating to me tho

[@chrisgoblin4857]

@@viziobehringer3633 Sorry for the late reply. I do still have it. I find with the adjustment wheel at the back it's pretty hard to go wrong with it. It will come over time.

[@nOpOrOpMoP]

I have been playing Ibanez guitars since the early 90s and i own 3 rg and 3 s series. I cannot really make up my mind which I like better, both types of guitars are phenomenal in my humble opinion. I'm really partial to the prestige models because the neck feels amazing on them. But I have a premium model of both and they are awesome as well. My favorite guitar of all time out of all of the instruments that I have is my rg5170 prestige.

[@TimMugherini]

Thanks for the review - bought my fist RG Standard in 85 after playing tele and strats first few years. But the love affair started in 87 my junior year of HS when I saved up my $ and traded the standard for a RG420 deluxe - that was the first year with the low pro edge trem. Combine that with the dual humbuckers and Rosewood frets and I never looked back. They were all made in Japan back then and they just exploded in popularity in 87. Just picked up guitar again after a long break and I’ll be picking a RG or S series up really soon.

[@manguejoe]

What did you end up getting?

[@TimMugherini]

@@manguejoe wifey got me a PRS SE Custom 24 for Xmas last year which is a heck of a lot of guitar for the money. I did pick up the Ibanez Prestige S6570SK last month and I’m in love. Playing both on a Marshall DSL40CR 🤘

[@duanetones]

I got the S320 model and it is a pretty solid guitar! Plays good, always stays on tune, Bought it used just for $100 😊

[@metallsnubben]

I get why these are the two shapes that kept being made out of the roadstar series, but man I wish the R (Radius, like how this was S for Saber) survived beyond the Joe Satriani signature guitars. So damn comfortable and cool looking, almost like the thinness of the S on top but "rounded strat" on the bottom in a really clever asymmetric way

[@CPilkey]

Fun to think back on Steve Vai's influence on the SuperStrat genre - he also sanded out the lower horn on one of his older guitars (I think it was a Kramer but I'm not certain) from the flex-able/Zappa years to give better access to the 24th fret. That extra sharp lower horn is so designed to evoke the same concept that he incorporated into his Jem guitars, and it spread across the line.

[@martinclayton7260]

I want both of them, but if I had to choose, I'd take the S series.

[@brandonjackson5865]

Man I’ve always wanted a 565 ever since I first found out they made such a thing I met a guy that had an original one I believe it was white or something an odd color from the factory it wasn’t blue or red . Anyway always dug the 565 and found out about the RG410 a few weeks ago and would love one of those too , but I guess my 95 550 will have to do , it’s done for nearly 30 years so far.

[@MrNight-iw9md]

Used to have a S Series. Miss that guitar! Also, I’ll be that guy- the “tone wood” doesn’t matter in electric guitars 😂

[@jaredjohnson4207]

Many years ago I had a 7 string RG and my younger brother had the cheapest "RG" available. Around 175$ or something like that. I decided to buy a Tone Zone pickup for mine. It's the Vai pickup. My brother bought the same for his because his guitar played nice but the sound was a little lacking. So we tried them both out through my old Blue Voodoo half stack. (Very underrated amp imo.) Obviously I heard a nice improvement in my 7, but his sub 200$ guitar sounded so much better that we couldn't believe it! At any rate, I'm a bassist but always enjoy playing around with 6 or 7 string guitar and swear by Ibanez. SR basses always but if I were a guitarist, I'd personally go with an S over the RG. More versatile imo.

[@rowanmurphy5239]

1:36 = mad editing skills

[@TheMrInfantaria]

I have the brown one to his right, that he picked up . The S521 MOL. absolutely incredible feeling playing that guitar

[@Ten80pete]

I've come to realize that basing my decision to buy a particular guitar/amp/pedal on a Dagan video is a bit like deciding to buy clothing based on a model photoshoot. I'm not entirely convinced that he couldn't make a First Act through a Honeytone sound like an SLQ2 through a 5150. Prove me wrong! (I'm sure if I go back far enough, he's had to have done something like that)

[@thetacticalape8852]

I've got both an S and an RG. I typically find myself playing the RG more frequently because I can use my BOSS wireless system with it rather than be tethered to my amp. Both are amazing though.

[@philgraves4998]

Yeah the inset jack on the s series! Could you use an extension then plug into the wireless hang it on the guitar strap? Maybe that's awkward or you'd look like an 80s guitarist haha

[@saxman2023]

perfect timing, when I try to find the difference the answer is right here.

[@gibsonguitarplayer]

I have both. The RG is iconic, just feels like you are playing right along with your famous guitar hero’s. My S, is super light, comfortable but seems like a toy.

[@LuisRdzG10]

Hi! Can I ask which type of wall mounts are those you have there? That functionality is pretty neat.

[@Styre69]

As I loathe the RG's shape and currently own 2 S's I have to say the S is the one for me.

[@Barbarapape]

As an Ibanez fan, I have one of most of their models, for me the SA give the perfect balance of size of weight, the S are just too thin, they lack the feel of a guitar the is part of the pleasure of playing one.

[@briantate692]

Hi dagan kidda great video again, why do some of these guitars have a plate on the back of the neck joint ,and some just bolt thru? Always wondered why

[@PunchLine-Studio]

Dagan, which would you choose… this Ibanez S prestige or PRS McCarty S2 I only ask because they’re close in terms of price?

[@balgus82]

I have a gio which is based on a RG, and a JivaJr which is based on a S. I'm kinda a big guy, so the Jiva is so much more comfortable to play to me with how thin it is.

[@daryllmroberts7958]

have owned an ibanez RG450dxwh for 25 yrs,,,has a sb6 in rear,,great guitar,,

[@justcallmedomi5334]

the intro is amazing , do more like this

[@wayneq776]

I have both an S series and RG and I love them both of course one is better than the other in some ways but that's my number 1 and 2 for sure

[@keypubg8311]

Which to buy.. Ibanez rga42ex or rg370ahmz

[@thatrandomguy4237]

If you're a beginner and really aren't into using the floyd rose system (you should definitely do your research on floyd roses if you dont know what its about) on the rg370ahmz much, you should avoid it, though floyd roses are hella fun and if you think you won't get frustrated over it and learn how to maintain and play them then definitely go for it. Rga42 is a bit cheaper compared to rg370ahmz, it has a hardtail so it's easier to maintain compared to a floyd rose. Both of these guitars are killer and if you've found a rg370ahmz at the price of an rga42 definitely go for it as it has a beautiful finish too. Also take the guitar you got to a good guitar shop for a full setup because it makes a lot of difference. And pro tip, even if u got a floyd rose u should really learn how to maintain it (changing strings, etc.) Because taking it to shop each time is gonna be pricey.

[@thatrandomguy4237]

Ah right i forgot to mention, RGA is basically an RG but with an arched top so there is really no difference aside from the floyd rose and the middle pickup between them

[@keypubg8311]

@@thatrandomguy4237 I like to shred.. really I played something like Andy James, John petrucci some kind like that now.. just I have a very cheap guitar and I need one for my third one at mid range price.. 🤣

[@keypubg8311]

@@thatrandomguy4237 thanks you for information

[@thatrandomguy4237]

@@keypubg8311 oh if you're a shredder DEFINITELY Rg370ahmz, edge zero 2 trem (floyd rose) is actually amazing at its price range, the necks on both are unbelievable and well the finish is just top notch. So as a shredder that small-ish increase in price on the 370 is worth it.

[@SGuy715]

I wish they'd bring back an RGA Predtige with a hardtail

[@julianlopez85]

what song is he playing at 14:11? sounds so familiar but i can't put my finger on it

[@shannexthedestroyer4037]

I spent about 700$ on an S and its my favorite guitar. Something about it is just silky smooth, the thing practically plays its self.

[@chocolatecookie8571]

The biggest advantage of the S-series is not the weight or the thinness but the location of the output jack. It would be cool if the RG had the same output jack location.

[@PhillipGolden-t3o]

I got a gio rg over a year ago for $250 new and still have not had a problem with it

[@che2335]

Fk yeah! I lost an 88 RG to pawn in 95 but got a Prestige S later on in 98 and never let it go. That thin mahog body w quilted bubinga top just does it for me.

[@DreidMusicalX]

I would love to have that RG you got there. I'm actually going to get one with a HSS if I can find one. I have the HSH of a "2000" model right now.

[@HarryBall-fw7pv]

When I was looking at an Ibanez it was either a S6570Q Natural blue. Or RG5120 frozen ocean blue. I couldn't make up my mind so I got both. If you only can get one, get the RG

[@edh2524]

I had a roadstar 2. Was my first guitar my uncle gave me. Been ibanez ever since

[@jamiemetz3019]

I've got 6 Ibanez's and i love them all ....they all kind of feel different from one another but they all feel amazing and give me everything i need and more ❤I own 13 guitars total but 6 are Ibanez....🤟🤟🤟🎸🎸🎸😝😝😝😝😝

[@malthus101]

which would be the best Ibanez for 80s pop music vibe?

[@faridzayish]

my fav RG is definitely the 565

[@groovyman5513]

Would like to see a re-issue of the nice roadcore series,

[@ZappaSheik]

Have a couple of them. A 540S from 87, 3 RG550 original 87, 2 j Custom RG, Herman Li sig, RG570 and a couple more plus a complete set of PIA guitars and a original JEM777 GREEN that have lived a really hard life. And I'm not an Ibanez guy.

[@rudiyantohalim736]

RG Genesis neon yellow, JEM, JS, AZ are my fav

[@Dethfield]

I personally prefer the RG but i feel like the S Series is unfairly overlooked by most players. Very thin, lightweight and often have some unique features you dont find on the RG's.

[@dantecervantes217]

Ambas son muy buenas guitarras ...toque años lp's y strats ...pero regrese a Ibanez son excelentes Instrumentos . Y uso ambas , son geniales !!!!

[@michaelgallegos8811]

I still have my 1991 RG565 candy red i bought new off the rack in 1992 very mint guitar made in fugijen factory Japan no neck joint cracks no cracks any where.

[@absurdityabounds757]

S series for life. I have 7 and they’re all I play

[@TheHeadhunter85]

I love both, but Ibanez need to get rid of that horrible pickup rings in their S series. At least in their entry, mid priced models...

[@lmavisl]

agreed, i have the SEW761FM (i think $799 USD) which doesnt have the pickup rings and it just looks so much cleaner and all that much thinner lol

[@balgus82]

No pickup rings on Jivas.

[@TheHeadhunter85]

@@balgus82 I'm saying in all the S series, not only artist models.

[@Barbarapape]

They look unfinished without the pickup rimgs

[@Masssshysteria]

Hell yeah !! Hate those on the rig’s as well, they make the guitar look so cheap🎃

[@worhed3722]

s series no question

[@krumple4skin548]

I prefer my s classic over my rg 550

[@MarkSmith-vy3tq]

Being an owner of both an Ibanez RG and S, I have to give my vote convincingly to the RG. Not that the S is a bad guitar at all. But I love the the sharp edges of the RG. And it's razor thin neck with 2 octaves? There's no beating that! The whammy is not to be defeated by Floyd (and it floats evenly better than the Rose). Then you custom out with Duncan (and Carvin, R.I.P.) pickups and...kicking a** awaits...

[@RonnieLe-m4o]

what’s the song he was playing in the intro

[@im_anirav]

Please make a review video for Jackson kelly JS32

[@jonathanlego4930]

I have an RG470 with Floyd tremolo, and a gio.

[@legionniy]

which one is lighter ?

[@NotAnotherSatchFan]

RG550 would be the best use for comparison. Also I haven't found an S series that I'm really interested in.

[@mirabal1238]

I used to own an S series. Once I played an RG I realized that I preferred the sound from an RG more so

[@mikethompson5766]

I have a S670QM and i love it

[@H43N]

i watched this because im thinking of getting the same in blue

[@jesterraj]

Damm that black star sounds good ....do a demo on that!!

[@gabibonza]

Excellent review, man... One suggestion: take the ring off your finger, because every time it hit the guitar, it gave me a twinge in the chest 😆

[@CountOrlok1994]

Have you reviewed a snakebyte yet

[@neegee82]

What about that Jack coming out off the front right under the tremolo?? If you play the S series casually seated, without the strap, wouldn't the cable get in the way?? Any S Series players here who can comment about this??

[@colboysigmax]

Ha ha ha! My 1st guitar was a '79 ROADSTER! Not a Roadstar! Got nicked in about '86 but I got another recently :) Like a strat.

[@fredrickriffel5845]

As a working guitarist we really need a guitar that is will work with different styles of music. I hate carrying instruments round to gigs.

[@diegogarcinuno891]

I have a 94 s540 ltd and is an fantastic guitar

[@Lougie2u]

Whats the difference between an S vs an AZ?

[@joegrazulis2810]

The correct answer is to get at least one of each. That's what I did.

[@JD-vj4go]

Are the 565s getting a rerelease?

[@solidus317]

The one in the video already rereleased in 2020/2021(I bought the same Emerald Green color shown here). Laser blue and Vampire Kiss(kind of a deep reddish) will be available this fall/spring with places like Thomann having them available for preorder. I'd jump on them when they are available because the first run sold quick and was hard to get ahold of after. I had to wait like 3 months for mine.

[@skylineXpert]

I wont trade the thumbwheel on my s570b as It prevents me from stripping screws and the patience and finish will suffer.

[@Andyw1228]

I always wanted to buy an Ibanez, but there are way too many models available and I never could decide. So I went with ESP again. Maybe next time, but I think I will end to buy another ESP or a nice Schecter 😂

[@cgrant26]

Even Mart McFly plays Ibanez. As for RG vs S, why not both?

[@ronnie2378]

anyone know the name of the intro song?

[@FURDOG1961]

4:30 Steve Vai influence on this tremolo.

[@thegreatleapforward]

amazing!

[@warpath6666]

As long as I have my tone polish, I'm content with either one 😄🤣😝🤪

[@canyonproductions7683]

Heck YES

[@ACURAOCULTA]

Very nice

[@Logan24855]

Last year I bought my first electric guitar….a Epiphone Classic Worn Cherry Sunburst. But I’ve had my eye on some Ibanez guitars, these look pretty fancy to my eye for sure. Is this Asian made or American?

[@mattblack156]

Ibanez is a Japanese brand and the Premium range is made there. The lower ranges are made all over Asia.

[@balgus82]

The Gios are usually made in China, and most of their other guitars are made in Indonesia. Some older models are Korean, but I don't think any are made there anymore. The highest end guitars they have are Japanese.

[@malthus101]

Why do the S series all have 2 or 3 pickups? What about an S series with just one slinky sexy little pickup?

[@fabieneldridge3414]

I love the S series !

[@jhonathanramirez569]

Ibanez RG Series or Ibanez RG Standard?

[@KaosII1968]

Ibanez has eased up on the S series a lot in the last 5 years .... 2-3 models with a locking trem. Ibanez 2005-2015 had the nice 3 piece neck on pretty much all guitars ...... then decided to go cheap on everything ....back to the scarf joint necks on almost everything under 900.... Edge trems only on genesis and top tier line. S line rocked from 2007 till 2015 now it's all but completely gone.

[@boddumblues]

I'm still waiting for a 565 CAR with rosewood fretboard with a "normal" headstock ;-) Come on Ibanez, you can do it 😁

[@yahbella----23]

D was feeling that Ibanez a series’s

[@wagonet]

Thx

[@Gruppe_11]

i love my j-custom. For me it rule´s the shred universe

[@aussieas6655]

I wish they would move the volume knob! It's too close to everything. Might be fine for kids but as an adult my hand is always knocking it.

[@venomjoe]

good rocker...nice play

[@countzero5150]

I've honestly never given Ibanez a fair shake but the models that speak to me the most they haven't made for decades. If they brought back the DT stars and explorers... might make a hypocrite out of me.

[@rangerdoc1029]

Wish the S-Series had maple fretboards

[@ryant3600]

I have both, well sort of I have lots of Rg's and a Jiva 10 and I've played a lot of S series guitars as well, RG just has the perfect feel and fit for me, although I do like the weight of the Jiva, but the feel of the RG just inspires me to play more. not sure if it's just cause most of my guitar heroe's played Rg's back in the day or what. It's "right". Although, one complaint. I wish Ibanez would quit putting out the same lame colored Rg's they've done for the past few years. One thing that made Rg's so popular was all the great colors they used to come in. And i never saw a Rg 565 in stock when they were out for what a minute last year or 2020?

[@karsteinmartinsen489]

RG has stainless frets.the S model has not..Derfor i have a Ibanez RG 5320 CSW Prestige

[@dejja7376]

its worth mentioning, that exact S series costs double or more than that RG.

[@DaganWilkin]

Yeah, I mention that it’s the fancy Prestige model. 👍 It doesn’t really matter though, I don’t go in depth with specs on these specific guitars - just what differentiates the models, wether it be that Prestige all the way to the more affordable ones!

[@dejja7376]

@@DaganWilkin yeah, my bad i didn't hear you say that in the video Btw dagan you are awesome!

[@DaganWilkin]

@@dejja7376 Thanks! ⚡️🤘

[@BatEatsMoth]

The S series are prettier. But I'll never get one because I'm BUDGET MAN!!! (flex, cape). I'm stuck on Gios.

[@psulux]

RG is what I got had it since 87 Is wicked and will always be wicked😎 Not sure about your Australian accent tho✌️

[@iankeel7914]

I have a 1985 Ibanez Roadstar ii RS-440 Deluxe, with a Ibanez ProRocker double locking trem, which goes up and down, without the need to route the body, so if Steve siad that, he's talking crap.

[@jonper993]

The problem with the S series is no stainless frets 😢