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Ibanez RG350DX
List: $850
WEF 2005, the RG3XX series are Ibanez`s only midrange offerings after the 2XX & 1XX models are settled into the Gio range of entry-level units. Unlike the hallowed RG5XX models, the RG3XX units are Korean, equipped with a rather meaty neck; the Wizard II- yes, it`s not that thin…
Construction/ Fit/ Finish
If you require a sub-standard Korean Ibanez guitar for verbal bashing, you need to travel back in time to acquire one. The RG350DX has a solid build & fit, no blemishes or tell-tale errant gaps in sight. However, both the volume & tone knobs on this audition model are rather stiff. That aside, this guitar is difficult to fault.
Playability/ Tone
RG aficionados would render the Wizard II neck an outright reject- how can one shred with such bulk in the way? The Wizard II is 21mm thick at the 12th fret, only 1mm thicker than the Wizard (currently Ibanez`s thinnest neck) at that same register, but it`s substantial in feel. To those of us who are critical to how a Wizard profile should be, it's best you handle this guitar personally to feel how prominent a 1mm diff would make (if any at all).
The INF3 (neck) & INF4 (bridge) pickups are midrange rich, a plus if you demand single note clarity especially when soloing in the neck humbucker. However, if you want chunky, sludgy, low-end, ala Les Paul, it`s not available here. The INF pickups churn out a thermal low-midrange, think Duncan`s Screamin` Demon, but with a bit more poke. The INFS3 middle single coil here is not a strat emulator albeit being very good per se. It does give you a tonal variation but doesn`t sparkle in isolated use.
The Edge III floating vibrato bridge is Ibanez`s latest interpretation to the Floyd Rose unit. What I like about it is the preservation of the rounded surface, an inheritance from the Edge Pro make. However, the pivot contact still needs refinement as whammy bar applications feel rather stiff, but return to pitch is still superior to the dreaded TRS models, which are thankfully discontinued (WEF 2003).
Last say
The RG350DX is a fitting model to perpetuate the mid-price functionality & sensibility of the RG series. It is a wonderful performer for the asking price, displaying an above average capacity but nothing excellent tone-wise. It`s inevitable that a guitar of this specification would be exclusively associated to all things shred but with a more appropriate set of replacement pickups, the RG350DX would be a versatile workhorse.
Rating: 80%
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