I'm a huge Ibanez RG-style fan from the late 80s and I own several.I bought this instrument from the desire to own an Ibanez RG with a natural Southern Ash finish, string-through-body hard-tail bridge, and H/S/H electronics. I love that it has the Wizard III neck which has the same dimensions as my JEM neck, which I consider my favorite neck in my guitar collection.I knew before I ordered this that I was going to replace all the electronics (with a pair of DiMarzio EJ Custom Humbuckers and a True Velvet single-coil, with push/pull pots for series/parallel switching on the humbuckers). (This is important): I was already resigned to the probability that it would need some fretwork. It's rare to get an instrument at just about any price range these days with perfect fretwork.The guitar came, it was beautiful and light and acoustically sound. On that criteria, I decided it was a keeper.On examination, though, I discovered that It needed fret leveling and dressing from about the 14th fret up (it had a rise so bad that all notes at the 17th fret choked and died) but my luthier handled that and now it plays like a dream. I installed all the new electronics and it sounds fantastic.Overall I spent $400 for the instrument and another $270 in pickups, pickup covers, and fret leveling/dressing, and now it sounds and plays like an instrument that would cost much much more. I'm absolutely in love with it and don't regret a penny I spent. You might find that odd, but it's one way to get what… read more you want without paying for something custom-built from a custom shop or boutique. Even better if you can design and install your own electronics and know a good luthier who charges reasonable prices (or can do that work yourself as well).All that said, if you were planning to buy this instrument as-is and not change anything, beware the fretwork. A buddy of mine bought this same instrument and it had the same poor fret-leveling above the 15th fret, and his too needed a luthier's attention. As I said before, it's pretty common these days for new guitars to need some attention to the frets; but both instruments had the same problem areas where the fretwork was not level and the polishing was not finished.The stock pickups are fine but nothing to write home about.Acoustically, the instrument is loud and sustains well, and I think it's gorgeous.

Sound
With stock electronics you would find it versatile thanks to Ibanez's 5-way H/S/H wiring. Acoustically (not plugged into an amp) it sounds loud and bright, although be careful with the truss-rod adjustment as mine will rattle in its channel unless you tweak it a little.

Features
I love the heavy string-thru-body hard-tail bridge, the Wizard III neck, bound rosewood fretboard w/sharkstooth inlays, tilt-back headstock, all-access neck joint, and the clever truss rod cover that allows you to adjust the rod without removing the cover.

Ease of Use
Stock Ibanez pickups are just ok. They usually lack definition and character.Out of the box, the neck needed shimming and then it played very well, until I discovered the low 18th fret and other fret problems.

Quality
Cosmetically it's beautiful. Acoustically it sounds great. Beware the neck fret leveling.

Value
It is definitely as good or better than anything else you'll find in this price range for this application.

Manufacturer Support
N/A

The Wow Factor
New in the box it was gorgeous. I love the cozmo black hardware and dome knobs. With my replacement nickle-covered humbuckers and a chromed single coil cover, it looks simply amazing.My ratings reflect the fact that the guitar will probably need some additional attention to reach its full potential.

Musical Background:
24 years playing guitar and bass. Some recording and engineering work. Some gigging.

Musical Style:
Guitar-oriented: Hard rock, Metal, Progressive, Blues, Blues/Jazz Fusion. read less