Picking a New Guitar

[Kenneh]

Hey guys, I've been getting a new guitar and I've come to these 2 guitars, they have very similar features, and a pretty close price range too. I haven't tried out a lot of guitars, but you guys have pretty much more experience than me in guitar picking.

So I ask you, /explosm/, which guitar is better (I mostly play metal by the way)?

Jackson DXMG (http://www.jacksonguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=2910103544)

Body : Basswood
Neck : Maple
Fingerboard : Rosewood
Pick-ups : Passive EMG Hz
Tremolo : Jackson double locking licensed floyd rose

OR

Ibanez RGR320EX (http://www.ibanez.com/eg/guitar.aspx?m=RGR320EX) (note that the color only comes in black)

Body : Basswood
Neck : (unsure, but most likely maple)
Fingerboard : Rosewood
Pick-ups : Passive designed by EMG IBZ pickups
Tremolo : Edge III


The guitars are very similar but its just down to personal experience (which I don't have)


Which?

EDIT: I've been told that the passive EMG pickups sound like shit, but I don't really have the budget to get new pickups.

[TheHighwaySong]

Would you call yourself an intermediate player? Cause you say you don't know much, but that you do indeed play.

I've used both brands, but on basses, so this might come from another spectrum, but I've had better experience with Ibanez products. Always. Both of these guitars seem fairly similar though, but I myself would go with the Ibanez. When I purchase a guitar for myself, I will also go start with an Ibanez model.

[Kenneh]

Yes, I call myself an intermediate player, I can play Children of Bodom, In Flames, stuff.

[CheesePlease]

I'd definitely go with the Ibanez. I myself don't own one, but I know two people that both have an Ibanez and they say it plays really well.

Also you're right about the EMG pickups sucking, but that shouldn't really be a problem as long as you're not planning on rocking the stages any time soon.

By the way, what sort of budget are you on?

[Ziggy St. Valentine]

Ibanez for sure man, I know quite a few people who play Ibanez and they fucking love them. Both the guitarists in my old (metal) band used Ibanez and they sounded great.

[Kenneh]

Also you're right about the EMG pickups sucking, but that shouldn't really be a problem as long as you're not planning on rocking the stages any time soon.

By the way, what sort of budget are you on?

I play for my school concerts a couple of times, but that shouldn't really be a problem. I'm more of a shredder type.

My budget is enough just for the guitar though, I mean 400-500 dollars. I have a multieffects pedal though, and a shitty amp, so thats probably all the gear I need.

[Hickabod]

Definitely go for the Ibanez, their a superior make from what I've heard

[Kenneh]

Oh, on topic, does anyone know the difference between Ibanez INF1 and INF2 pickups and passive EMGs? Theres another model in the same price range that has those pickups.

[fabz]

Have you played the guitars yet?

Our opinions really don't matter when choosing an ax. If you like the way one plays over the other then get that one.

For instance when I got my SG I ordered it in a natural burst. The guy at the store said it looked like shit, but I really liked it. When I got it, I thought and the guy at the store thought it was gorgeous, and it played and sounded awesome. That's all that really matters.

I really like the Jackson.

[Android]

First of all, what are you planning on using the guitar for? What I mean there is what style of music do you plan on playing?

In all honesty, neither of those guitars you listed are really that great. Ibanez as a brand is alright, but you'd be much better off playing an Gibson or Epiphone. If you decide to go that route I'd highly recommend picking up an Explorer. The tone and "beef" of that guitar is gut wrenchingly awesome. If money is an issue, you can pick up the Epiphone version for relatively cheap.

Fabz is right though, when choosing an ax, you should really play them first and figure out which one is most fitting for you, because when it comes down to it, it's all about personal preference.

[southerndime]

well you say you play c,o,b and in flames i would go for the floyd rose jackson
but..... have you had experance with a floyd rose guitar? coz they can be tricky to tune and setting up is a git but when you get used to it you can do all kinds of cazy tricks ibanez as a brand is amazing probly the second best brand guitar i have played
on that note .. you should play lots of guitars and you will find the right one for you youll notice how well you can move on the fretboard the shape will please you and other stuff
good luck on your choice there both great guitars

USER WAS PUT IN TIMEOUT FOR THIS POST. (http://forums.explosm.net/bankamp/)
Reason: Capitalize, punctuate, spell words properly.

[Assassin]

I play a Jackson so I'd say go for that. They're both good brands tho.

Maybe this can help you better:

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/jackson/dxmg/
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/electric_guitars/ibanez/rgr320ex/index.html

[Zombie-Dave]

I play a Jackson Warrior WRMG series, and i can safely say I love it. However, you say that the one your looking at comes with passive EMG's? Mine has Active EMG's in it, and they were the ones it came with. It's exceptional for shredding, as the neck is very thin. If you're buying a Jackson though, be sure to go for at least the MG series, cos i bought the X series first, and instantly realised my mistake, and took it back and bought the MG series.

So i recommend the Jackson, but I am biased towards it.

My guitar. [Cost £500] (http://www.jacksonguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=2910105503)

[CaptainGod]

I played the DXMG and I was really surprised, I expected better from Jackson :P
One thing about, like all jackson guitars I played it is extremely comfortable.
Any way I wouldn't recommend the DXMG because I assume you can get a better guitar for the same price but than again I never played the Ibanez.

I always say - with guitars, it all comes down to self preference.

[Hickabod]

I'd never buy a Guitar before I've played it, and you shouldn't either. Track down a music store and go try a few out.

[EeK··]

I'd never buy a Guitar before I've played it, and you shouldn't either. Track down a music store and go try a few out.
+1

Definitely try them first. However, if there is absolutely no way you can, go with the Ibanez, I've heard countless good things about the RG series.

[Kenneh]

First of all, what are you planning on using the guitar for? What I mean there is what style of music do you plan on playing?

In all honesty, neither of those guitars you listed are really that great. Ibanez as a brand is alright, but you'd be much better off playing an Gibson or Epiphone.
The only reason why I don't like the Gibson or the Epiphone is because of its shape and stuff. I was looking at a metal shaped guitar for my needs because most of the things I do is dish out solos and most of the songs I play are metal.


Overall, I think I'm going for the Ibanez, they have a better reputation from what I've seen, and a thinner neck (1 mm difference but that probably wouldn't matter much), and they have a more metal shape, sharper horns and stuff.

Thanks guys. I'm going to try out the guitars before I actually buy them though, if I can.