Ibanez RG
The Ibanez RG is the best known and most successful series of electric guitars from the Japanese manufacturer Ibanez . The Ibanez RG was initially developed as a modification of the Ibanez JEM electric guitar model ( signature model for the American guitarist Steve Vai ) and came onto the market in 1987. The RG series has been in continuous production since 1987 and is one of the classics of heavy metal guitars today .
origin
The RG series came on the market in 1987 as a modification of the Ibanez JEM. The abbreviation RG stands for "Roadstar Guitar" . The first guitar from this series was the RG 570 model, which was equipped with a Floyd Rose tremolo . It became one of Ibanez's most famous guitars and made the model name RG known worldwide. While professional musicians prefer the RG Prestige models, beginners are more likely to orientate themselves towards the cheaper RG tremolo models. The RG type guitars are manufactured in different factories: While the high-quality Prestige RGs are manufactured by Fujigen in Japan, the RG premium models in the middle price segment come from Indonesia, the cheaper RGs from Korea and the entry-level models from China. The first prototypes of the guitar model presented at the American music fair NAMM Show had an original Floyd Rose tremolo, later models such as the RG550, 560, 565, 570, 750, 760 and 770 have the Edge tremolo system developed by Ibanez . This was followed in 2003 by the Edge-Pro and in 2008 by the Edge-Zero with Zero Point System. Ibanez developed together with Steve Vai the Ibanez Universe, a seven-string electric guitar that is also based on the RG.
features
Are typical of the RG series are very thin and easy to record on "Wizard" - necks of maple , with the body bolted or through it continuously, the pointed, narrow body-horns and the large cutaways , which the game's gripping hand make it easier in high pitches. The RGs have fingerboards made of rosewood or maple wood with 24 frets. The body is usually made of linden wood or mahogany , less often of other wood such as ash or maple wood. The instruments are usually with two twin- electromagnetic pickups (English: Humbucker ) and a Einzelspuler ( single coil ) fitted, but other configurations are possible. A volume control, a tone control and a five-way toggle switch for selecting the pickups are always standard.
Variations
There are the following variations of the RG series:
- USA Custom : Top series (1989–1996) in 6 model series: UCMA (American Master), UCGR (Graphic), UCMD (Metal Design), UCEW (Exotic Wood), UCMA 2 (American Master) and USRG.
- J.-Custom : Has been Ibanez's highest quality series since 1997 and is made in Japan by the best skilled workers with the highest quality materials. The J.-Custom-RGs are not, as the custom suggests, made to customer order, but are small series in small numbers. J. Custom RGs are available as 6-, 7-, and 8-string guitars.
- RG Prestige : Is a very high quality series, which is manufactured exclusively in Japan at Fujigen. Only the best materials are used here, such as the Edge Pro and Edge Zero tremolo and brand pickups from DiMarzio , Seymour Duncan , EMG or the in-house V7 / V8 pickups. The mechanics are from hardware specialist Gotoh. The RG Prestige series contains models of the type RG, RGA, RGD and RGT, whereby the distinguishing feature to the normal models of these series is the name affix Prestige on the headstock. The RG Prestige are offered as 6-, 7-, and 8-string guitars.
- RG Premium : Compared to the standard RGs, it is a higher quality series, which is manufactured exclusively on Java Timur in Indonesia. The RG Premium are offered either with fixed bridges or with the Edge Zero II tremolos. DiMarzio / IBZ in HH or HSH combination are installed as pickups. The RG Premium is also available as a 6- or 7-string guitar and the Premium lettering is located in the headstock above the Ibanez logo .
- RGR : Made in Japan, Korea or Indonesia and has a reversed headstock, i. H. an upturned headstock, as a feature.
- RG Tremolo : Made in Korea, China or Indonesia. These models are more affordable and come with an Edge II, Edge III, or Edge Zero II tremolo. The standard RGs are offered as 6-, 7-, and 8-string guitars. With the RG550XH there is also a 6-string guitar with 30 frets within the series.
- RGT : Has a continuous neck, also called neck-thru .
- RGA : Has a vaulted ceiling. The A stands for "arched" (German: arched) and is made in Korea or Indonesia. Since the production of six-string RGAs has been discontinued, there are now only 7- and 8-string guitars with in-house active pickups within this series.
- RGD : Has an extended scale length (672 mm instead of the usual 648 mm), which is why the guitar is suitable for lower tunings.
- RG Fixed : Like the RG tremolo, it comes from Korea, China or Indonesia and is equipped with a fixed bridge.
- GRG : entry-level series
Ibanez RG player
Steve Vai , Paul Gilbert , Terry Balsamo ( Evanescence ), Mushroomhead , Morbid Angel, Linkin Park , Bryan "Dexter" Holland (The Offspring), Pur, James Shaffer (Korn), Brian Welch (Korn).
Web links
- www.ibanez.com
- Ibanez catalogs 2005-2008
- www.ibanezrules.com
- www.jemsite.com