A JEM vs. a 520QS....

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Author Message   Bobby E. Day Jr. Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:    You know, even thought Steve Vai is one of the most amazing players in the world, I still can't figure out why his signature line is so damn expensive. Yesterday at a local music shop, I played one of Steve's JEMs, the white one with the gold hardware and vine inlay. Man, for a list price of $2399 I was pleased with what it could do, but not for that much cash! (I think they said $1499 on sale!) So looking throught the RG's I found the new 520QS. Finally Ibanez has made a RG body out of mahogony which is what I have been waiting for for a long time. I must say the pickups weren't what I like personally, but the sound of the mahogony came through perfect. I was totally impressed with this guitar, (even though a Tone Zone or a FRED may need to be added later) for the list price of $899. The store had it on sale for $599! Well all I can say is, for what you get, I can't believe the price difference in the Ibanez line. I guess they have something for everyone. And no, I'm not knocking Mr. Vai's line of axes, I'm just wondering where all the money goes? Maybe I should start doing inlay work for a living!   The Tone Zone Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:    absolutely! i've been considering a 520 myself and did find the mohagany to make a huge difference, love it. i havent been able to find one as low as 599 though. mike   JohnS Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:    I saw one for auction on yahoo. I think the price was currently at $550. JohnS   Bobby E. Day Jr. Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:    Does anyone have an idea on where I can have a RG body made in Mahogony? Oh, I've already thought of Edroman and Warmoth.... Any ideas?   Scott Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:    Man, you guys love to bash the guitars you cant afford. Here's why the VWH is more than the 520QS. DiMarzio pickups, vine inlay, gold Lo-Pro Edge, Ebony fretboard, Alder body, more neck finishing, scalloped fretboard, monkey grip and lions claw trem cavity... There you go... Those options command a high list price. If your gonna pay over 1400 Bobby your high!!! I can get them for much cheaper. But, I don't know about you, but I can totally tell the difference between the Jems/UV's and the RG's... The RG's are nice guitars but if you spend any ammount of time with a Jem/UV, you'll never go back.... Trust me... They just play smoother, I can't put it into words. A RG set up just right and a Jem done up the same, the Jem will always come out on top as far as playability and visual impact goes... It's like compairing an Escort to an Audi TT.... Also, the QS top on the 520 is veneer... Just thought you should know that...   Scott Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:    Sorry about that first comment above. I should have reread it before I posted it. I had just got done watching game 7 of the Western Conference Finals and I'm a HUGE Portland fan so maybe you know the mindframe I was in. Sorry to be so sarcastic. But I do think the other points are valid though.   Bobby E. Day Jr. Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:    Being totally real, I already know about the features on the JEM and I understand the difference completely. (I also was being sarcastic) I just wanted to point out that I honestly believe that sometimes it's up to the player more than the axe. Everyone knows that when "the groove" happens it just happens, know matter if your playing a JEM or a Squire! (Not to bash Fender) Technical training and emotion have to work together to be a great player. I would never say anything bad about Ibanez and I know they have to cover all the markets. I'm sorry if the comparison was one sided. I just really dig the sound of a mahogony body in the shape of the RG. I guess it's time to talk to Edroman, because other than the RG520SQ, I don't believe Ibanez makes a mahogony RG. Damn! P.S. Sorry to hear about Portland. I'm not a big basketball fan, but my drummer is. Man, is he crushed.   Scott Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:    Bobby, Do NOT give Ed Roman any business. The man thrives on deception and lies. I would aviod him at all cost. The first time I talked to him I was calling for a UVMC and he quoted me a price of 3500!!! Can you believe that??? Totally outrageous... He also is trying to sell fake Donnies. Donnies are the Satriani models that Donnie Hunt painted. Nice guitars but his description of his are a bit misleading... I understand your love for mahogany. No need to apologise for your compairison, I'm the one that needed to apologise for my snottyness. The 520QS is a nice guitar, the nicest RG they make, save the prestige. I totally love mahogany. My J-Custom S3040PL has the mahog body with maple top. Nice sound, you just can't get that sound with basswood. I also agree that each guitar needs to be evaluated by themselves. I've seen Squires that play better than American Standards... I hate to say it but Ibanez is starting to get out of line with their prices. I was soooo waiting for another multicolor, they are releasing the Jem2kDNA... For a list price of 5K!!! No thanks...   The Tone Zone Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:    ibanez is getting a little high on their prices, and the only time they will get reasonable again is when steve vai, korn, or both leave. still, the fact is that there midline models play better than most of the american made competition. RG=real greedy mike   VWALL Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:    KUDOS TO ALL THE COMMENTS ABOUT IBANEZ... THEYRE ALL VALID. ITS TOO BAD THEY MAKE THE PRIMARY SHRED GUITARS.... BUT... THEY MAKE THE BEST!! PERSONALLY I WONT DROP A DIME ON A NEW GUITAR. ITS NOT WORTH IT. I POSTED THE AD FOR AMERICAN MASTERS AND THESE GUITARS BY IBANEZ ARE 2ND TO NONE!!! IF YOU EVER RUN ACROSS ONE SNATCH IT UP. YOULL WANT THE MA3 MODEL I BELIEVE. MAHOGANY BACK WITH QUILTED OR TIGER MAPLE TOP AND A BIRDSEYE NECK , N. THRU!! BUT IF YOU DONT FIND ONE TO SATISFY TRY THE SABRES, THEYRE THIN BODY SUX BUT ITS GOT GREAT TONE!!   Ron Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:04 am:    I recently purchased an RG520QS. I must say I am very happy I did. I looked at many guitars including the JEM7DBK. I was seriously considering the JEM until I tried the RG520. I couldn't justify the price difference to myself. I also loved the Mahogany body and the lack of a single coil p.u. in the center position. I grew up on a '81 DT450 Destroyer II. I found myself hitting the center p.u. with the pick a lot. I'm not knocking the JEMs in any way. I still think that the Floral pattern JEM is the coolest looking guitar ever.

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