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Non ADA Gear => Guitars => Topic started by: Iperfungus on March 04, 2017, 04:32:13 PM

Title: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Iperfungus on March 04, 2017, 04:32:13 PM
I told you, guys: I was in love!  :lol:

I sold one of my Traverso Silky to a friend and I bought a brand new Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM (Subterranean Purple Metallic).
It seems black, but its true color is a dark metallic purple... :whoohoo!:

I simply love this guitar: Super Wizard neck profile, 24-frets maple fingerboard, Edge tremolo, DiMarzio pickups...and perfect for rack stuff!  :headbanger:

2017 Ibanez Catalog:

http://www.ibanez.com/products/u_eg_detail17.php?year=2017&cat_id=1&series_id=1&data_id=180&color=CL01 (http://www.ibanez.com/products/u_eg_detail17.php?year=2017&cat_id=1&series_id=1&data_id=180&color=CL01)

The SPM is out of production and can only be found on 2015 and 2016 USA Catalogs:

http://www.ibanez.com/anniversary/expansion.php?cat_id=415&now=7
 (http://www.ibanez.com/anniversary/expansion.php?cat_id=415&now=7)

I've got it brand new in the shop for 950 euros, Ibanez HSC included.
The average price is 1350 euros...so this seems a very good deal!  :lol:

I took some pictures, but they are....crappy!  :facepalm:
I will retry with better light...

Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Rawk777 on March 04, 2017, 05:13:54 PM
Nice one :)

I love MIJ Ibanez, Edge trem and Dimarzio :)

I think I prefer S Series, but RG are kick ass too!
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Systematic Chaos on March 04, 2017, 06:46:14 PM
AWESOME!! Welcome to my world ;)))
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: rnolan on March 05, 2017, 03:40:16 AM
Max has got GAS LoL  :thumb-up: :wave: , looks great my friend,  :whoohoo!: .
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Iperfungus on March 05, 2017, 03:38:46 PM
AWESOME!! Welcome to my world ;)))

That guitar is actually YOUR fault!  :lol: :lol: :lol:

I started looking back to RGs after I saw yours...  :facepalm:

 :banana-rock:

I owned a JPM P4 years ago and I remember friends having RG 550, 570 or 620...and I've to say that, after 20 years, Ibanez improved Japan production a lot.
This RG655 is really close to a Jem and I do not love Evolution pickups that much, while I like a lot Tone Zone and Air Norton.
I had Steve's Special and Norton Lite on the JPM, no middle pickup...well, I've to say I like my RG's pickups more.
The neck...well....no more scarf joint, angled headstock, ultra-thin profile, awesome shape.
I think you cannot ask more than this...  :lol: :thumb-up:
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Iperfungus on March 13, 2017, 05:45:48 PM
A couple of pictures where the true color can be better seen...
I love it!

Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: rnolan on March 14, 2017, 04:12:12 AM
Hmm I smell GAS lol, maybe a MP2 and another 2x12 cab, something to get Purple with... >:D
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Iperfungus on March 14, 2017, 04:42:14 AM
Hmm I smell GAS lol, maybe a MP2 and another 2x12 cab, something to get Purple with... >:D

Yes.
And then I'll play out of the window...  :wave: :facepalm:

 :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: GuitarBuilder on March 14, 2017, 12:31:47 PM
HNGD!

Looks gorgeous!   :headbanger:
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Harley Hexxe on March 14, 2017, 01:27:25 PM
That's a great looking guitar Max,

    Personally speaking, I would have preferred it with a rosewood fretboard. But I have to admit, Ibanez has come a long way from it's cheesy beginnings. I still have my old Silver Series Strat copy which I've used for many years, and it still gets a lot of 'wows' from people who see it up close.

  Harley 8)
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Iperfungus on March 14, 2017, 02:33:35 PM
That's a great looking guitar Max,

    Personally speaking, I would have preferred it with a rosewood fretboard.

Eheheheh....I have 7 more guitars (and another incoming one...) with a rosewood fretboard (one is brazilian...)...I was missing some maple...and I've to say she looks f**king cool under a natural light...
There are few of these guitars around...with this color and a maple fretboard...

Japanese luthiers built the best Strats and Les Pauls of the 80s!
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Iperfungus on March 14, 2017, 02:34:35 PM
HNGD!

Looks gorgeous!   :headbanger:

SHIT YEAH!  :metal:
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Harley Hexxe on March 14, 2017, 05:04:39 PM
Japanese luthiers built the best Strats and Les Pauls of the 80s!

 Now, I wouldn't go that far...

    My favorite Strat of all was built in the 80's, and they are going for ridiculous prices today.
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Iperfungus on March 15, 2017, 03:37:34 AM
Japanese luthiers built the best Strats and Les Pauls of the 80s!

 Now, I wouldn't go that far...

    My favorite Strat of all was built in the 80's, and they are going for ridiculous prices today.

I know...
I recently restored a Fernandes The Revival SuperStrat from the '80s....it just needed new pickups to scream!

And I owned a couple of MIJ Burny/Fernandes Les Paul guitars from the same years: awesome guitars!
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Harley Hexxe on March 15, 2017, 08:14:52 AM
I have a couple of them here.

    One is a 1980 Fender "STRAT" in Candy Apple Red, which is a great guitar, and very versatile, but heavier than Dante's car.

    Another is a 1983 Stratocaster '57 Reissue, which has the fastest neck I've ever felt on a Fender.

    I had two other guitars from 1983, both were Fender Elite Stratocasters, equipped with FTLN's and they were some of the most versatile guitars I ever owned. I've regretted selling them ever since I did it. I may buy another one someday.

    Harley 8)
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Iperfungus on March 15, 2017, 03:16:20 PM

    One is a 1980 Fender "STRAT" in Candy Apple Red, which is a great guitar, and very versatile, but heavier than Dante's car.


 :lol: :lol: :lol:
I know that guitar: nice looking and sounding, but heavy as hell! It also has a lot of brass parts (bridge, pots caps,...).



    Another is a 1983 Stratocaster '57 Reissue, which has the fastest neck I've ever felt on a Fender.


A Fullerton?
They are highly valued guitars.
A friend o' mine owned one, a 100% original sunburst '57 RI with one piece maple neck and fretboard: some of the best single coil pickups I ever heard and a killer neck.

    I had two other guitars from 1983, both were Fender Elite Stratocasters, equipped with FTLN's and they were some of the most versatile guitars I ever owned. I've regretted selling them ever since I did it. I may buy another one someday.

Oh yes, the Elite...another great Strat.

Don't get me wrong about Fender and Japanese Strats, Harley.
I love Fender since I was a kid...
Dan Smith was a genius and recovered the factory from CBS disasters, starting the Custom Shop in some way (and his son Jason is a Masterbuilder...I owned a Todd Krause's Masterbuilt Strat for some years and it was a KILLER Strat...he also asked Abby Ybarra to build a custom non RW/RP middle relic Fat '50 pickup for me (the only one in the planet...I gave it with the guitar when I exchanged it for the 1987 PRS Custom)...and he asked NO MONEY for that...what a guy...have a look to the attachments...)
I can say thanks a lot! to Dan Smith for my Strat Plus.

But japanese guys made it very hard for Fender and Gibson in the lawsuit era...and if they, at the end, asked those guys to build Squier and Epiphone guitars...
I think you know how a JV Squier Strat looks and sounds...  :headbanger:
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Iperfungus on March 15, 2017, 03:31:10 PM
...but I'd die for this one...  :facepalm:

(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g126/Stratman12/2007-11-0118-17-44_0013candrnice.jpg)
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Harley Hexxe on March 15, 2017, 05:32:09 PM
Hi Max,

    All three of my American Fenders are Fullerton guitars. I know that the '57 RI from that period is going for a ridiculous amount of money these days. I saw one on evil bay going for $7000.00 once! :crazy:
   Mine doesn't have the original pickups in it anymore, I have a set of 1961 Strat pickups in it, and they are fatter sounding. The originals were a bit too twangy for my taste.
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: rnolan on March 16, 2017, 04:41:34 AM
"...but I'd die for this one...  (http://adadepot.com/Smileys/default/facepalm.gif)"
Or what the Schecter morphed into when Tom A went his own way.. :dunno: ,
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Iperfungus on March 16, 2017, 05:41:55 PM
Hi Max,

    All three of my American Fenders are Fullerton guitars. I know that the '57 RI from that period is going for a ridiculous amount of money these days. I saw one on evil bay going for $7000.00 once! :crazy:
   Mine doesn't have the original pickups in it anymore, I have a set of 1961 Strat pickups in it, and they are fatter sounding. The originals were a bit too twangy for my taste.

Eh...Fullerton RI Strats are quoted around 2500-3500 euros...depending from their conditions and originality.
But they are lovely Strats and I remember I loved the twang of original single coils there...  :lol:
Are yours original 1961 Fender single coil pickups or some reissues?

You can find some nice pieces around...

http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_fender-stratocaster-1982-dan-smith-fullerton-era_id5043291.html (http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_fender-stratocaster-1982-dan-smith-fullerton-era_id5043291.html)
http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_fender-stratocaster-fullerton-era-57_id4963313.html (http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_fender-stratocaster-fullerton-era-57_id4963313.html)
http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_fender-stratocaster-vintage-62-fullerton-original-1983-black-bottom_id4953097.html (http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_fender-stratocaster-vintage-62-fullerton-original-1983-black-bottom_id4953097.html)
http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_fullerton-fender-stratocaster-reissue-57-1982-black-red-bottom_id3254716.html (http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_fullerton-fender-stratocaster-reissue-57-1982-black-red-bottom_id3254716.html)
http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_fender-stratocaster-fullerton-reissue-62-del-1983-sunburst_id5115578.html (http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_fender-stratocaster-fullerton-reissue-62-del-1983-sunburst_id5115578.html)
http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_fender-stratocaster-1983-fullerton-reissue-62_id4175465.html
 (http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_fender-stratocaster-1983-fullerton-reissue-62_id4175465.html)
I love this Dan Smith:

http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_fender-stratocaster-fullerton-usa-1982-dan-smith-vedi-altro-nella-mia-pagina_id4489650.html (http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_fender-stratocaster-fullerton-usa-1982-dan-smith-vedi-altro-nella-mia-pagina_id4489650.html)

I took some lesson from a guy here who has one of those Strats...he's a great guitar and bass player...
Hear this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnvnGSrxAw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnvnGSrxAw)




Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Iperfungus on March 16, 2017, 05:43:20 PM
"...but I'd die for this one...  (http://adadepot.com/Smileys/default/facepalm.gif)"
Or what the Schecter morphed into when Tom A went his own way.. :dunno: ,

Well, that's a different Beast...
Tom Anderson builds great guitars, but the Schecter Dream Machine used by Mark Knopfler was an awesome, incredible Strat.
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Harley Hexxe on March 16, 2017, 06:55:38 PM
That's an excellent Jazz selection. I always loved Weather Repot :thumb-up:

   They are original 1961 pickups. I'm not too fond of twang. it ain't my thang.

   Harley 8)
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Iperfungus on March 17, 2017, 02:56:45 AM
That's an excellent Jazz selection. I always loved Weather Repot :thumb-up:

Those guys play like crazies!  :thumb-up:

   They are original 1961 pickups.

Lucky guy!   :lol:
How much did you pay for the complete set?
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Harley Hexxe on March 17, 2017, 05:15:35 AM
You have no idea how lucky...I paid $100 for all three pickups. The guy I bought them from wanted to put DiMarzio's in his Stratocaster, so...who was I to argue with him? :lol:
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Iperfungus on March 17, 2017, 06:18:00 AM
You have no idea how lucky...I paid $100 for all three pickups. The guy I bought them from wanted to put DiMarzio's in his Stratocaster, so...who was I to argue with him? :lol:

 :o

I hope that Strat wasn't an original 1961...  :facepalm:

 :poop: :poop: :poop:

Well, I've a friend who bought a used 6-screws vintage Fender Strat tremolo on EBay for 100 euros...and it could be a pre-Cbs original unit...  :facepalm:
We never know that for sure, but anyway...



Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Harley Hexxe on March 17, 2017, 06:47:44 AM
I think it was the original Strat, but it wasn't my guitar, and I would have known better.

   Still I think I did pretty well.

   You have a set of Peter Florance ST-60's in your Strat, and I've tried those. They sound identical to the ones I have. IMHO, I think Florance nailed those pickups dead on, and no one does it better.
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Iperfungus on March 17, 2017, 07:11:10 AM
I think it was the original Strat, but it wasn't my guitar, and I would have known better.

I like DiMarzios...but on a '61 Strat... :facepalm:


Still I think I did pretty well.


Yes, indeed.  :banana-upsidedown:


   You have a set of Peter Florance ST-60's in your Strat, and I've tried those. They sound identical to the ones I have. IMHO, I think Florance nailed those pickups dead on, and no one does it better.

I love those pickups.
I've been lucky enough to find a set with middle non-RW/RP pickup.
They have some true magic inside.
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Harley Hexxe on March 17, 2017, 04:33:56 PM
I totally agree Max,

   Florance definitely has some serious mojo in his pickups.
Title: Re: NGD: 2016 Ibanez Prestige RG655M SPM
Post by: Iperfungus on March 17, 2017, 05:00:38 PM
I totally agree Max,

   Florance definitely has some serious mojo in his pickups.

He's also a nice man.
I bought my set used from an italian guy.
When pickups arrived, having no labels or other indication on their plastic boxes, I measured them to find bridge, middle and neck.
I easily found bridge pickup, the one with shortest wires and higher impedance, the other two being very similar.
How to identify middle and neck for sure?
So I wrote an email to Peter to ask his opinion and he answered in very short times, explaining me that my set can have been assembled with twin middle and neck pickups (he made some, earlier models) and this matches with the middle one being non RW/RP.
Anyway, their impedances had a slight difference and I've put the one with higher value in the middle position, according to Peter's suggestions: it worked out fine, awesome Strat tones.