NGD - Ibanez RG652AHM in Nebula Green Burst

[tbonesullivan]

This will be my last NGD for a good long while, as I honestly can't think of any guitars I want to own that I do not already own, and I own a good number that I need to move on to people who will actually play them. I had picked up the hardtail version of this guitar in Royal Purple Burst, and loved the pickup combinations and feel so much, I had to get the version with the Edge Tremolo. Sweetwater got some in, and one really looked great with the grain, so I took the plunge. At 8lbs 12oz it's about a pound heavier than the hard tail, which is to be expected due to the bridge and associated hardware. The only thing annoying about these is getting locking strap buttons that match the hardware, but Philadelphia luthier supply has the "cosmo black" Gotoh locking straps, and I think gotoh makes all the hardware for ibanez anyway, so it'll match. Now to just learn to use the floyd. Like really use it.

The adjustment system that Ibanez uses for the trem bar feel is two teflon sleeves / washers that fit into slots on the trem arm. You can leave both out for a freely swinging arm, or put in one or two depending on how much you want it to stay in place. With 2 it's pretty much immobile, and until the washers "break in" it can be a pain in the ass to get the bar in. I believe the case however is designed so that you can leave the arm in if desired.

It came with .009 strings on it, but I may eventually move up to .0095 for a bit more resistance. I haven't had any issue with intonation yet, but the jumbo frets can be treacherous at times, especially if I have been playing a lot of bass guitar. Anyway, here's the eye candy.

 

[scottcald]

To me, the Edge is better than the Floyd.  the posts lock in place and I think that's helpful.  When I had an RG550, it never went out of tune unless I hadn't really stretched the strings.  I've had some Floyds be less stable with tuning.  

That finish looks great with the natural wood on the back. 

Edited September 10, 2024 by scottcald

[tbonesullivan]

10 minutes ago, scottcald said:

To me, the Edge is better than the Floyd.  the posts lock in place and I think that's helpful.  When I had an RG550, it never went out of tune unless I hadn't really stretched the strings.  I've had some Floyds be less stable with tuning.  

That finish looks great with the natural wood on the back. 

I really dig the look. It's just a solid swamp ash body with binding on the top, but it really looks sharp. It's the "cheap" prestige model, but honestly fits my needs better than any of the more pricey models. I also love the necks on these. I wish I loved the neck on my EBMM Luke III as much, which is why that one will have to go.

[scottcald]

2 hours ago, tbonesullivan said:

I really dig the look. It's just a solid swamp ash body with binding on the top, but it really looks sharp. It's the "cheap" prestige model, but honestly fits my needs better than any of the more pricey models. I also love the necks on these. I wish I loved the neck on my EBMM Luke III as much, which is why that one will have to go.

Oh, what's the EBMM neck issue? Weird shape or just too big?

[LucSulla]

3 hours ago, tbonesullivan said:

This will be my last NGD for a good long while, as I honestly can't think of any guitars I want to own that I do not already own, and I own a good number that I need to move on to people who will actually play them.

Man, if I had a nickel for every time I said that, I'd have at least two more superfluous Les Pauls. 

[Brooks]

Nice!!

[tbonesullivan]

2 hours ago, scottcald said:

Oh, what's the EBMM neck issue? Weird shape or just too big?

Too small and it's a "soft V" shape. It also comes with low profile frets standard. It's basically the way that Lukather loves his necks, but the Soft V just doesn't work for me. I've got an EBMM Axis and an EBMM Steve Morse, and I LOVE their necks. It just doesn't work for me, and of course it's also the coveted All Rosewood neck too. So I'm almost kicking myself for not liking it.

[tbonesullivan]

2 hours ago, LucSulla said:

Man, if I had a nickel for every time I said that, I'd have at least two more superfluous Les Pauls. 

I still have another NAD I haven't gotten the time to put up, but I am currently fixated on a Rickenbacker 4003S in Fireglo and a Fender Jazz Bass. I'm basically going to use the Fender Mod shop and recreate an early 2000s American Standard Jazz Bass in Lake Placid Blue. So, yes, no NGDS, but there will be NBDs and NADs.

Also when the JEL-50 drops.....

Edited September 10, 2024 by tbonesullivan

[scottcald]

17 hours ago, tbonesullivan said:

Too small and it's a "soft V" shape. It also comes with low profile frets standard. It's basically the way that Lukather loves his necks, but the Soft V just doesn't work for me. I've got an EBMM Axis and an EBMM Steve Morse, and I LOVE their necks. It just doesn't work for me, and of course it's also the coveted All Rosewood neck too. So I'm almost kicking myself for not liking it.

Isn't that based on his old LP neck?

[tbonesullivan]

1 hour ago, scottcald said:

Isn't that based on his old LP neck?

If it was, it must have been a modified one. I haven't really heard of any Les Paul guitars having a V profile neck. I have heard that the original EVH guitars had a neck based on one that Lukather gave to Eddie. There's so much mystique out there surrounding the Luke and the EVH / Axis guitars.

I'm gonna give it maybe another week now that I have had the output jack replaced, but It just seems to want to fight me. I don't have time for a guitar I have to force myself to love, when I have plenty that I don't even notice the neck on.