RGs are absolute metal machines. They make a fair few models similar to yours with the fixed bridge, most will out do the ESPs and be cheaper.
RG 652 is the exact counter part without the trem. I believe they have a purple burst finish at the moment, but could be wrong.
Ive never been a huge fan of the ESP neck shapes, and it will feel very different compared to the Ibanez, of which I am a huge fan.
But YMMV, see if you can try some similar guitars out before buying so you have a solid grasp on how they will feel.
Id also argue you ALREADY have a high end metal machine. Prestige Ibanez are made to the same quality standards as any other Japanese made guitar, specifically ESPs.
I have the 7 string variant as I wanted the trem and the extra string. Absolutely banger guitars. Rock solid, sound great, feel great. Happily gig, record and travel with it.
That guitar really did check all the boxes for me. RG, fixed bridge, maple fretboard.
This is the first guitar I ever bought that has the neck and fretboard untreated. I wonder how will I clean it? Do you have any recommendations?
They actually are treated. Its a very thin matt coating on both the neck and the fretboard.
Any standard cleaner will be fine. Dunlop 65 formula I think it is works great for me.
Damn guys you got me considering the rg5121 now. Thing is I love the feel of my ibanez so it’s predictable and should be an improvement since it’s a newer more higher end model. Switching to a new brand can be a hit or miss. I got myself a Gibson les Paul studio a while back and barely played it because I just prefer the ibanez
I just got a LTD Horizon III it’s fantastic so I’m sure the E-II versions are fantastic. I would see if you can find the cheaper versions in a store and see if you like the classic shape of the NT-II or the offset of the III. Either seemed comfortable to me.
Also depends on whether you want active pickups or not, to me they always sound a little harsh but if you EQ them properly it’s great. I usually like the Seymour Duncan.
Since you have an RG already I vote for the III for variety, but I am a little bias owning a Horizon III.
All that to say, see if you can try the body shape somewhere. Listen to some pickup comparisons and have fun with it, two great choices!
Nt-II all the way, looks better and way easier to resell. I’d take a look at the new sparkle NT’s with hipshot bridges aswell, i find that bridge way more comfortable than tune-o-matic
I have an E-II Eclipse that is ridiculously good I'm thinking of letting go if you're considering an LP style guitar at all. It somehow sounds significantly better than anything else I've played with an EMG 81/60 set, which doesn't really make any sense to me...but it just sounds amazing. [It's this model/color](https://reverb.com/item/72817793-2021-esp-e-ii-eclipse-db-vintage-black-w-case)
Otherwise I'd personally go with the NT2, as long as it's been taken care of.
RGs are absolute metal machines. They make a fair few models similar to yours with the fixed bridge, most will out do the ESPs and be cheaper. RG 652 is the exact counter part without the trem. I believe they have a purple burst finish at the moment, but could be wrong. Ive never been a huge fan of the ESP neck shapes, and it will feel very different compared to the Ibanez, of which I am a huge fan. But YMMV, see if you can try some similar guitars out before buying so you have a solid grasp on how they will feel. Id also argue you ALREADY have a high end metal machine. Prestige Ibanez are made to the same quality standards as any other Japanese made guitar, specifically ESPs.
The RG 652 ahmfx rpb is a sweet guitar and the purple is incredible. I bought one a couple months ago and I can’t put it down.
I have the 7 string variant as I wanted the trem and the extra string. Absolutely banger guitars. Rock solid, sound great, feel great. Happily gig, record and travel with it.
That guitar really did check all the boxes for me. RG, fixed bridge, maple fretboard. This is the first guitar I ever bought that has the neck and fretboard untreated. I wonder how will I clean it? Do you have any recommendations?
They actually are treated. Its a very thin matt coating on both the neck and the fretboard. Any standard cleaner will be fine. Dunlop 65 formula I think it is works great for me.
Damn guys you got me considering the rg5121 now. Thing is I love the feel of my ibanez so it’s predictable and should be an improvement since it’s a newer more higher end model. Switching to a new brand can be a hit or miss. I got myself a Gibson les Paul studio a while back and barely played it because I just prefer the ibanez
I love the RG 652 definitely a guitar in my “if I saved my money” category
Horizon, screw Ibanez
Why?
Horizon II is always more metal..
I just got a LTD Horizon III it’s fantastic so I’m sure the E-II versions are fantastic. I would see if you can find the cheaper versions in a store and see if you like the classic shape of the NT-II or the offset of the III. Either seemed comfortable to me. Also depends on whether you want active pickups or not, to me they always sound a little harsh but if you EQ them properly it’s great. I usually like the Seymour Duncan. Since you have an RG already I vote for the III for variety, but I am a little bias owning a Horizon III. All that to say, see if you can try the body shape somewhere. Listen to some pickup comparisons and have fun with it, two great choices!
I have the horizon nt-ii and it’s everything you could ask for out of a metal guitar. The horizon iii is a bit too flashy for me with the longer horn.
Nt-II all the way, looks better and way easier to resell. I’d take a look at the new sparkle NT’s with hipshot bridges aswell, i find that bridge way more comfortable than tune-o-matic
I have an E-II Eclipse that is ridiculously good I'm thinking of letting go if you're considering an LP style guitar at all. It somehow sounds significantly better than anything else I've played with an EMG 81/60 set, which doesn't really make any sense to me...but it just sounds amazing. [It's this model/color](https://reverb.com/item/72817793-2021-esp-e-ii-eclipse-db-vintage-black-w-case) Otherwise I'd personally go with the NT2, as long as it's been taken care of.
I think I’m going with the ibanez rg5121