ShortScale.org

A lot of the newer RG models are not up to much. If you can pick up an older MIJ version you will get a much better guitar.
One of my friends is selling an old EX series Ibanez for about £120, the trem is incredible on it and it sounds good, but the downside is the body is plywood (if that matters). He also has a new white RG model for sale (£200) but it is complete gash at the side of the EX.

Buying a Shredder is similar to being in the Fender market; the MIJ stuff is generally the best unless you can afford USA, followed by the Korean stuff. The new Chinese stuff is improving.

This level of RG (2xx, 3xx or even 4xx) like Fran mentioned is constructed in China, Korea and Indonesia, some are ok others are gash. For £200 you are better off sitting on ebay for a few weeks and getting a less "desirable" MIJ 80s model RG like the 560 which will have the proper Wizard neck on it not the hateful Wizard II and the awesome original Edge trem. I had a RG350M in white, loved the colour but the rest was shit. No way was it a replacement for my 550s.

Any 80s Charvel/Charvette, Kramer or Ibanez etc. will be better than the stuff they are making now in a price war, superstrats are still cheap, the Westones and Aria's even cheaper. Just avoid Marlin

You should be able to find mij RGs or S models for 200-300. Ideally get something with an original edge trem. The made in indonesia and korean guitars are decent. As with all far eastern guitars (except japan), it's the pick ups and hardware that are compromised. They'll still be a good introduction to shred guitars though

Right, thanks for the heads up. I decided not to go for that one in the meantime.

So it's mij Ibanez I'm looking for. I will probably vet them through you guys then.

Is this MIJ or not? the seller thinks it Korea, the ibanez wiki says its an MIJ,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ibanez-RG470- ... 3a7bb7994c

http://ibanez.wikia.com/wiki/RG470

I also love this one...

Probably going to end up too expensive though

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... ink:top:en

So how are Charvettes then? They seem to get pretty bad reviews and a lot of disinformation.

Apparently "toothpaste logos" mean shitty.

TL;DR - I am in the office on my own today so am ebaying 80s as fuck metal guitars.

Okay, this is the one. I'm going to bid on it so dibs dibs dibs...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271099163901? ... 1423.l2649

It's missing the top off the locking nut. Will that be easy to replace?

That bridge is weird as hell on that Aria.

Good reviews on Harmony http://www.harmonycentral.com/products/83600

Yeah, should be easy enough to pick up some bits for the locking nut. Bear in mind with a floating trem, it'll be pretty unpayable without them (just to avoid first day dissapointment). Active pickups too? Guess you can get all 80s compressed to death tones, and grow your hair like a lion's mane.

Looks top, and a nice slice of 80s Jap guitar goodness. The 80s Arias have a great rep.

That's reassuring. I think the pickups are just covered, not active sadly. Trouble is I'm not sure if it's Korean or Japanese. Hard to find dating on this particular iteration (dots and angled pickups but signs may point to Korean).

Just digging around the old catalogues now.

eBay wrote:People who bought this item also bought

What sense does that make on an auction? The stuff they illustrate is still for sale. What, are they psychic? "The person who buys this item will also buy..."
Grumpy Old Man comment left on their feedbac form.

NickS wrote:

eBay wrote:People who bought this item also bought

What sense does that make on an auction? The stuff they illustrate is still for sale. What, are they psychic? "The person who buys this item will also buy..."
Grumpy Old Man comment left on their feedbac form.

Nick, you're a man of sense. Care to weigh in on this Aria?

Don't know if this helps

http://www.matsumoku.org/models/serial_no.html

Stolen from a forum

"Six digit serial numbers date from the 70s, covering '71 through '80. Seven digit serial numbers date from the 80s, covering the period '81 through '90. The first digit gives the year. Yours is a seven digit, starting 7, making it a 1987.

There weren't many models in the XRB series, but what ones were manufactured appeared between '87 and '89. To the best of my knowledge these were manufactured in Japan, although Aria did move a large portion of its production to Korean at this time, '87 onwards."

I guess this might mean the one you're watching is a 1988 guitar (8090820). This could mean it is Korean. Best thing would be to ask the seller if it has any markings on it to say where it was made.

Even if it is Korean, seems like a cool guitar at a good price.

Yeah I asked him for the serial lol. Just saw that page as well and it does indicate MIK. It's tricky really, I've just seen MIJ Jacksons and Ibanez shredders go for like £200 so do I stump up a bit more or just go for this knowing it'll probably need mods? Hmm...

This is ace:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/90s-Jackson-P ... 19d6b5ca19

This could be worth a watch:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jackson-Dinky ... 4abe51c985

Another:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jackson-Perfo ... 25778a472a

Also don't discount new-er brands like Schecter Diamond Series:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Schecter-Omen ... 27ccd5c8db
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Schecter-Omen ... 2324fb5e63

Yeah, those Dinkys look really good to me. Proper Floyds, smaller body, MIJ and 24 frets. I might pass on the Aria for now and reassess my budget. I just know I'll regret passing up that neon yellow finish though.

BC Rich did some single-humbucker shredders which came in offensive colours including neon yellow. Have a look for them, not sure how much they were.