Should You Buy an Ibanez Prestige in 2024?

[@jessewest2109]

Just got an rgr5221. Stainless on that one. It absolutely rips. Blows my strandbergs right on to reverb

[@6695John13]

That’s very interesting. May I ask what makes it better than the Strandbergs? I’ve been considering both as my next guitar although I’m already leaning towards the Ibanez.

[@solidus317]

Honestly l think it’s crazy that people are paying $1500+ for Korean and Indonesian guitars that were going for 5-600 less for the same models just a few years ago. Yes pandemic and all that but MIJ Prestige’s have adversely not inflated nearly as much. Most are pre-pandemic pricing or just 1-200 more and come with a case and accessories. If you look at it that way, then idk how people don’t realize they aren’t getting a good deal. I love my LTDs and Schecters that I proudly own but there’s no way I’m paying the current prices that they are asking that I got my full fat ESP standards for as recently as 2018(got my M-II for $1399 locally and my E-II Eclipse with case in mint used at GC for $900). They are supposed to be affordable instruments for the bedroom player and workhorses for working musicians but now they priced them out of reach for the market that got them where they are. Never paid a cent over $800 for a LTD or Schecter and I’ve got Hellraisers, Blackjacks and few LTD sigs like the Snakebyte and KH602. To each their own but it won’t get better if we keep paying these insane prices for these cnc cheap(er) labor instruments.

[@thisguy2973]

While agree overall, the quality of Korean guitars has gone through the roof. Just compare a Korean LTD to a Japanese E-II. You’d be surprised.

[@solidus317]

@@thisguy2973 I don’t know if you read my whole comment because I specifically mentioned Korean LTD and Japanese ESP as I own multiple of each, new(2023+ models) and old. I’ve since acquired a new USA ESP Eclipse to also compare. Again, while the MIK LTD are good, I am NOT surprised. They are the same great workhorse guitars they were 15 years ago, just double and triple the price. The Korean quality has always been there. I was lucky enough to get one of the new Kirk Hammett Vs that were being liquidated by guitar center for 50% off. It plays and sounds great and for the $899 I paid it’s a decent deal, but for $1800-1900? They are smoking something good lol.

[@TYLERtheMAGGOT1]

Honestly for 1550, that's a solid deal for the guitar. No SS frets but what you get is high quality craftsmanship and in my opinion that's more valuable than SS frets. You can always get SS frets on them by a luthier.

[@EricMorettin]

Yeah exactly. You can play the daylights out of the guitar then have it refretted when the time comes with stainless steel frets.

[@gearhead2017]

That beast is killer! I hate the position of the volume pot because your hand hits it while playing

[@EricMorettin]

This is why I moved it!

[@chocolatecookie8571]

Paul Gilbert and Marty Friedman agree. Me too.

[@chocolatecookie8571]

I don't understand why Ibanez keeps making guitars with the tone knob installed. Many of us don't use it and like you prefer to delete it and move the volume knob away from the bridge so it doesn´t interfere with your playing hand. I personally am more interested in the 7-string model of this guitar. I'm also a sucker for reversed headstocks. I disagree on the intonation part. If I remember correctly Ibanez used to have screws on that bridge to adjust the intonation on other older models (Ibanez RGIX7FDLB-NLB made in Indonesia, not Prestige) but they wear out much faster imo than allen wrench screws. Also a screwdriver doesn't have good access because the bridge is positioned too low. So I think Ibanez made the right decision with this change. And I am very happy that Ibanez sticks to the nickel frets instead of stainless steel which many companies choose for their guitars. I really hate SS frets because they are too hard to work with and to my ears they make the guitar sound too metallic. I like metal but I don't like metallic, haha. Plus they break in the strings quicker at the spot where it touches the frets resulting that you have to change the strings more frequently. And yeah, I heard all these comparison videos/etc. but I can tell from own experience having had many guitars that nickel frets soften the tone. It feels better to play on and sounds pleasant to the ears.

[@chocolatecookie8571]

Btw, this Prestige model has many similairities with the RGIX7FDLB-NLB except that that one comes in a cheaper price range. I wished the Prestige model would had the same pickup configuration as the RGIX7FDLB-NLB because that one has the coil split option and that sounds amazing. If you are not familiar with the RGIX7FDLB-NLB model please check it out. You can still buy them new in Asia as well as many other older Ibanez models.

[@6._d._.a._.n_.9]

I use the tone knob, volume placement is fine

[@andrewlarke3889]

Nice explanation man. Loved the Sikth DOADD riffs!

[@EricMorettin]

Thanks! Love that album so much

[@johnnysguitarcorner5510]

Cool video man, I swear by the Ibanez prestiges for quit some time now. The 5000 series are my favourite with the SS frets, luminlay dots and Fishmans. The stock dimarzio, also came in a couple of my Ibanezens, never cared for them and always replaced them

[@EricMorettin]

Thanks! What are the 5000 series? I'm unfamiliar with them.

[@johnnysguitarcorner5510]

@@EricMorettin its basically the prestiges models that start with a number 5. Those models have standard SS frets, luminlay dots and great selection of pickups. I have a video were I explain a bit about my Ibanez collection. You can check it out🤘😎

[@solidus317]

@@EricMorettinyou know, all the models like the RG 5120, 5320, 5440 etc. those are the current top tier of prestige before you get to J Custom, coming in at the ~$2000-2500 price point. The one in this video is at the entry level point of Prestige coming in ~$1400 so lacks some of the higher end features like stainless steel frets as mentioned above. Still a very good guitar though. Can’t beat the value of a MIJ Ibanez!

[@snop6176]

man that tone is NASTY sounds excellent I literally just bought one of these. Dude from Currents made me want to try it out

[@EricMorettin]

@@snop6176 thank you! It's a great guitar and is great for various styles outside of metal

[@SD-N534]

@@EricMorettinhave you done a Ibanez mikro video

[@EricMorettin]

@@SD-N534 no I haven't

[@davessparetime83]

Remove the tone and install vol pot for the neck pickup. Or put an on off switch in the tone hole to hooked up to Vol to bypass for full power.

[@EricMorettin]

We installed a plug after this video

[@PhreakOvicH]

I have the same exact guitar! Have been thinking about changing the pickups and removing the tone knob! So this video is perfect! Funny thing with the body wood. Mine is super light! So i was kinda suprised when you say the guitar was heavy!

[@EricMorettin]

Oh yeah ash changes from cut to cut in terms of weight and grain! Hopefully you got some insight to how the mods are done!

[@biohazard8295]

Had one of these for a week. It's an awesome guitar and worth the price. Now i have a Jackson RRT MJ and it's cool but the Ibanez was better quality wise, also insane considering it is almost 1000 euros less here in europe. I impulsively bought it because i was bored and decided to return it because i was more into my LP at the time, but i lowkey regret it. P. S. The one think i prefer about the Jackson is the wider and thickers fretboard. The Ibanez feels a bit fragile.

[@EricMorettin]

Yeah these are pretty great for the price, and I really don't think you need to swap pickups. I'd suggest getting another if you can afford it, given you regret sending it back. Yeah this fretboard was narrower than the Jackson's I've played

[@uffe.damgaard.pedersen]

About SS frets. The RG prestiges with 4 digits have them, the 3 digits haven't.

[@EricMorettin]

Noted thanks

[@tornoutlaw]

Is this only true for the newest models? Because my RG2027XL-DTB Prestige has nickel frets, I believe.

[@bluntforc3studios198]

Sub , loved your attitude , stay humble man👍

[@EricMorettin]

Cheers 🤘

[@thisguy2973]

6:28 I have the same issue on an EBMM I have and it’s buried in a hole that is covered by the plate that conceals the saddles. Solution: long T-Handled Allen wrench set. I hate that I had to buy a set, but over time, I’ve had a lot of uses for the toolset.

[@adityap8746]

That “Heaven beside you” tone was so good! What chorus are you using? Edit - was that a part from Good Charlotte’s “Girls & Boys”?

[@EricMorettin]

All amp tones are from neural DSP John Petrucci! Yes to the good Charlotte question!

[@QuadsAPaloma]

I've been looking at this exact guitar and putting Jupiters on it if I get it too. the thing is damn SLICK. Great vid brother!

[@EricMorettin]

Thanks! You'll have to route the pickup cavities for those pickups though

[@vasileseicaru8740]

Ibanez is a no nonsense manufacturer. Even the budget gio series performs admirably well out of the factory, without any modification or adjustments

[@EricMorettin]

@@vasileseicaru8740 agreed

[@robphillips8351]

Though stainless steel frets have no issues with wearing out, nickel frets are a little warmer toned, I'm guessing that's why Ibanez chose nickel frets especially on an ebony board.. I could be wrong though??

[@EricMorettin]

@@robphillips8351 honestly have no idea why Ibanez doesn't use stainless steel frets on all prestige and higher line guitars, but they clearly have a reason!

[@robphillips8351]

@@EricMorettin they probably should though, they have virtually zero wear. Just a little brighter, but more sustain which is another plus.. I changed all my bridge saddles to stainless, huge improvement in clarity and noticeable boost in sustain. I have yet to have a stainless steel fretted guitar, but am definitely considering doing maybe a Warmoth neck for a humbucking tele I have..

[@paulbradshawguitar]

i still think prestige ibanez are still some of the best value on the used market, pickup swap and some TLC and you've got a solid guitar used to own this one as well, killer guitar, chips pretty easy unfortunately, but those are just battles scars 😄

[@EricMorettin]

Yeah there's not a lot of paint or gloss to prevent damage, but I guess it adds character haha. Can't go wrong with a used prestige!

[@paulbradshawguitar]

@@EricMorettin totally, great modding platforms too , i had an evertune retrofitted to an RGD, which cost more than the actual guitar 😄 but totally worth it, i kept the fusion edge neck pickup too, it's slightly microphonic for some reason but sounds amazing, I'll do a video on it at some point

[@nicholastotoro7721]

Hipshot has a replacement bridge for the Gibraltar that looks sooooooooo much easier to deal with than the stock piece.

[@EricMorettin]

@@nicholastotoro7721 hipshot ibby is a cool bridge

[@pistolpaul1]

Great stuff Eric, not a big ibanez fan myself, but this one looks defo sic!! Plus I love the dimarzio / sd pick up combination and just one volume knob makes this guitar cool as f**k. Could do with a fr tho. 😉

[@EricMorettin]

Thanks! Yeah it would be awesome to see this model with a trem! Hopefully one day

[@weedian710]

I have a Premium AZ224f and it is beyond incredible in every way. Better than my old core PRS SAS. Ibanez rules!

[@overlordprime6270]

Ibanez Prestige is really worth it🥰

[@EricMorettin]

Agreed 👍

[@themearkat]

I have one the only thing I might change is installing an evertune. Otherwise, I love it!

[@EricMorettin]

That's a big mod! I'd suggest getting another guitar that has one installed from factory

[@robertoccantocanul2509]

Beautiful guitar! but at that price point, it should have Stainless Steel frets, hipshot ibby hardtail and a better option of pickups

[@EricMorettin]

I found the pickups to be great imo. I do agree with you on the addition of stainless steel frets tho

[@danielediana6511]

may i ask why did you put foam in the HH socket?

[@EricMorettin]

@@danielediana6511 to help with the pickup height, keeping the pickups sitting straight, and to help reduce any other noise

[@danielediana6511]

@@EricMorettin tnx a lot

[@EricMorettin]

@@danielediana6511 you're welcome!

[@EricMorettin]

@@danielediana6511 you're welcome

[@jww732]

Lil heaven besides you!

[@EricMorettin]

Good ear!

[@Ian-qf5ny]

Allen key is far superior to philips imo. Carpenter by trade and philips is literally the worst modern driver design by a mile. Honestly id prefer flat head/slitted to philips its actually the worst i hate it passionately.

[@EricMorettin]

Fair enough!

[@amp8374]

Hi. How much does it weigh?

[@EricMorettin]

This one felt like it was 8-10lbs

[@MrKyilwin]

what can choose string gauge for drop B or C?

[@EricMorettin]

String Source drop sets

[@MrKyilwin]

@@EricMorettin thanks

[@Phaseish]

I am thinking of buying the polar lights as my first real guitar. and putting the tim hensons pickups on there, since he hasn't said shit abou t prestiege coming out forever. and i don't take care about the death inlay

[@EricMorettin]

What's the polar lights?

[@Phaseish]

@@EricMorettin RG5120M my bad haha, I am not sure about the pickup switch yet , but a lot of people complain about ths clean in the moderns. and its not the updated version which is sad.

[@supersavagegodgaming6888]

why take the tune knob out?

[@EricMorettin]

Lots of guitarists who play metal don't use the tone knob, so they remove it.

[@supersavagegodgaming6888]

So it like a preference it doesn't do much to the guitar

[@EricMorettin]

@@supersavagegodgaming6888 yes

[@solidus317]

@@supersavagegodgaming6888it also affects the tone by removing it from the circuit. Makes it a hair more aggressive since most tone knobs, even at 10 aren’t very transparent.

[@supersavagegodgaming6888]

@solidus317 oh okay

[@charlesswicegood3759]

I'd buy one right now if it wasn't reverse head stock. HATE reverse head stock!

[@EricMorettin]

You must really dislike them if you're saying Hate!

[@charlesswicegood3759]

@@EricMorettin I love this guitar but I absolutely HATE reverse head stocks.

[@superrookie-1]

Why buy a prestige if you are going to mod it this much

[@EricMorettin]

You buy them for the build quality and the neck. Not my guitar though.

[@Ottophil]

I sold all my ibanezes in 2023

[@jonsierra723]

Wait were you playing good charlotte? Boys and girls?

[@EricMorettin]

A variant of it!

[@milfordschimmel7950]

sounds very compressed, sandy and muffled, I don't understand why everyone's excited about this sound because for me it is a sound for $200, and that's not a complaint to the video/author, I watched 10+ videos and everywhere this guitar sounds terrible and other guitars in those youtube channels sound way better... why $1500... It's so better to buy a korean LTD or a top Epiphone than that...

[@lusario2650]

They never were

[@iskoy7861]

nope, cuz esp ltd is the king

[@EricMorettin]

Why are they the king for you?

[@crock2434]

Ironlabels are cheaper...

[@EricMorettin]

Their quality control has been inconsistent between every model I've played.

[@therham]

The Iron Label model isn't made in Japan. The quality difference is huge

[@Steve_Rotter]

nickel frets? FAIL

[@EricMorettin]

@@Steve_Rotter 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️