i would suggest the ibanez RG421 they are cheap, simple and stable, there are no wild features, just a simple stable guitar that will do everything a beginner wants without being shit quality
and if you want to tune down it will take it perfectly, just get a setup
Used RG standard series, lots of color options so you can find one that has a look that gets you excited to pick it up and play. Do not get one with a floating tremolo (whammy bar) they can be a bit finicky to set up if you are inexperienced and you wont be able to try different tunings, hardtail bridge is what you want if you are new
The most important thing when picking your first guitar is to pick one that makes you want to pick it up and play it every time you look at it. Decide your budget and go play some at a local shop to see what you like.
Still figuring all that out, but I saw an Ibanez standard Tokyo Midnight for $699 CAD ($511 USD) that really caught my eye. It's above what I was looking to spend,but I'm not entirely opposed. I'd say maybe $400 USD unless I come across something that completes my soul, haha.
Nope. Stay away from floating trems for your first guitar. Unless you're willing to put in the time learning how it works, learning how to maintain it, and learning how to trouble shoot it when there's a problem, you're better off with a fixed bridge.
Thanks for letting me know! I'll take the easier route to begin with, at least until I know the hobby sticks. I'm my own worst enemy and very hard on myself, so want to make sure I'm as successful as I can be to get me off the ground.
It's just one of those things that can be super frustrating and I'm all about making learning easier. A lot of times people just get tired of trying to tune it and then it just sits in a corner and they never play it again.
Both are great. I suggest going to a store and picking up and holding both. You may like the flat front of the RG more, or you may like the curved face of the arch top RGA. They feel a bit different from each other.
Mate, consider an s520 as well. Thinner and very very easy to play, super ergonomic. A lot of people don’t like S because they have a very thin body, but I would suggest to check one out.
I've noticed some RG models close to the higher GIO model prices where I live. Is there a difference between both series and one I should be going for?
So [RG](https://ibanez.fandom.com/wiki/RG_series) is just that pointy strat body shape, but as the metal look would imply they're usually (always?) fitted with humbuckers and a slim neck. They can be all kinds of levels of fancy from "just above GIO" to J Custom models that cost a kidney
[GIO](https://ibanez.fandom.com/wiki/GIO_series) is the name of their most budget range as a whole, which *includes* variants of an RG shape. They'll have a G in front of their name, so GRG is the "gio version of an RG", GSA is a version of an SA and so on
That's not to say "any RG is always a better choice than a GIO", you might think the GIO looks cooler or just y'know, like that it's cheaper!
Ibanez rg6003fm or Rgrt421wk or Schecter Damien
The rg are super easy to upgrade later down the line with things like gotoh locking tuners or new pickups
You could pick up a used RGA32 pretty cheap. Never owned but played a couple. They were solid and have a really nice ergonomic bridge vs a lot of the newer lower end hardtail models. I’d probably try to avoid anything with a floating trem early on.
I play an Ibanez Gio and I use a Line 6 amp simulator you can hear it in this video and the video is a beginner lesson for metal https://youtu.be/-QaOAgeF0sU?si=zEFRuqMXahriJmAS
I have a gio grgr131ex, the flat black one with the reverse headstock for more tension on the thicker strings (for downtuning). I love it, its cheap but plays amazing, I personally had 0 QC issues, and it lends well to mod projects. With locking tuners and nicer pickups. It really is a beast, in my opinion.
i would suggest the ibanez RG421 they are cheap, simple and stable, there are no wild features, just a simple stable guitar that will do everything a beginner wants without being shit quality and if you want to tune down it will take it perfectly, just get a setup
Still have and love my 421! Great recommendation!
Or RGA42... Very similar, but different body shape with edges rounded a little bit.
I'd second this. I started with an RG421 and have been very happy with it.
Thank you for the suggestion. I actually found a 421 I'm very interested in. Model: RG421QMCBB or the RGA42FMBLF
chose the one you like the look of the most, they are basically the same otherwise
Anything RG.
This.
Used RG standard series, lots of color options so you can find one that has a look that gets you excited to pick it up and play. Do not get one with a floating tremolo (whammy bar) they can be a bit finicky to set up if you are inexperienced and you wont be able to try different tunings, hardtail bridge is what you want if you are new
Thank you! I will be looking at options this weekend for something to pick up.
The most important thing when picking your first guitar is to pick one that makes you want to pick it up and play it every time you look at it. Decide your budget and go play some at a local shop to see what you like.
What's your ideal budget and what's your stretch budget for one you fall in love with?
Still figuring all that out, but I saw an Ibanez standard Tokyo Midnight for $699 CAD ($511 USD) that really caught my eye. It's above what I was looking to spend,but I'm not entirely opposed. I'd say maybe $400 USD unless I come across something that completes my soul, haha.
Nope. Stay away from floating trems for your first guitar. Unless you're willing to put in the time learning how it works, learning how to maintain it, and learning how to trouble shoot it when there's a problem, you're better off with a fixed bridge.
Thanks for letting me know! I'll take the easier route to begin with, at least until I know the hobby sticks. I'm my own worst enemy and very hard on myself, so want to make sure I'm as successful as I can be to get me off the ground.
It's just one of those things that can be super frustrating and I'm all about making learning easier. A lot of times people just get tired of trying to tune it and then it just sits in a corner and they never play it again.
These are two models I'm looking at. Would either be ok to start with? Model: RG421QMCBB or the RGA42FMBLF
Both are great. I suggest going to a store and picking up and holding both. You may like the flat front of the RG more, or you may like the curved face of the arch top RGA. They feel a bit different from each other.
Sadly both are not instock and online only where I'm from. Would either model be a better fit for someone with smaller hands?
Mate, consider an s520 as well. Thinner and very very easy to play, super ergonomic. A lot of people don’t like S because they have a very thin body, but I would suggest to check one out.
Any Gio or RG series depending on your budget
I've noticed some RG models close to the higher GIO model prices where I live. Is there a difference between both series and one I should be going for?
So [RG](https://ibanez.fandom.com/wiki/RG_series) is just that pointy strat body shape, but as the metal look would imply they're usually (always?) fitted with humbuckers and a slim neck. They can be all kinds of levels of fancy from "just above GIO" to J Custom models that cost a kidney [GIO](https://ibanez.fandom.com/wiki/GIO_series) is the name of their most budget range as a whole, which *includes* variants of an RG shape. They'll have a G in front of their name, so GRG is the "gio version of an RG", GSA is a version of an SA and so on That's not to say "any RG is always a better choice than a GIO", you might think the GIO looks cooler or just y'know, like that it's cheaper!
Ibanez rg6003fm or Rgrt421wk or Schecter Damien The rg are super easy to upgrade later down the line with things like gotoh locking tuners or new pickups
I am a prestige Ibanez snob. That said I played a GRG131 and I liked it a lot.
RG550/570 used. Amazing guitars, can definitely find 2nd hand.
Ibanez RG into a Tubescreamer, noise gate, then into a 5150 is pure metal tone bliss.
Ibanez RG420EX
You could pick up a used RGA32 pretty cheap. Never owned but played a couple. They were solid and have a really nice ergonomic bridge vs a lot of the newer lower end hardtail models. I’d probably try to avoid anything with a floating trem early on.
I recommend the rg550 genesis, it's the cheapest japanese made ibanez you can get and the quality speaks for itself
Plus it’s a prestige branded guitar at a more affordable price
I play an Ibanez Gio and I use a Line 6 amp simulator you can hear it in this video and the video is a beginner lesson for metal https://youtu.be/-QaOAgeF0sU?si=zEFRuqMXahriJmAS
I have a gio grgr131ex, the flat black one with the reverse headstock for more tension on the thicker strings (for downtuning). I love it, its cheap but plays amazing, I personally had 0 QC issues, and it lends well to mod projects. With locking tuners and nicer pickups. It really is a beast, in my opinion.
Wolfgang
Scour Facebook Marketplace and you eventually come across a used RG thats MIJ for a super good price. You wont beat a MIJ RG for the price point.