Thanks for responses. Here are my findings and personal contradictions. I should have mentioned that earlier but just want to hear some feedbacks and don’t want to make a long post first.
To answer a question, “why not MI J prestige?” I already have top of the line very beautiful Prestige RG, so I don’t want to buy another similar one. I want to get something different. I have a budget about 1.5 K but can be stretched to 2K if necessary. I play wide range of music, so guitar doesn’t have to be versatile. The idea is I will choose a guitar based on songs that I play.
Having said that, when I saw Ibanez RGT6EX, I love it again because it’s RG body, neck thru construction, familiar RG neck, Edge II and EMG 81/85 actives. Like I said, I don’t use whammy that much, so as long as tuning stability is there I am fine with it. Too bad, it’s only for Japan market at the moment, so the only way is I have to make some arrangement to get it without any testing and reviews. (No review on harmony central or any other guitar sites that I know of). So most likely it’s out of the question now.
LTD EC-2005: ESP 30 Anniversary EC model. Made in Korea. LP shape but 24 frets with EMG 60/81. Looks like this axe meant for metal. I played it once, very short period, and I like it. There is a slight problem, price tag. S$ 1350 is a bit higher than usual price. If it is 1K, I am pretty much into it.
Epiphone Ltd Ed Midnight LP Custom: I called Swee Lee and check for the availability. No stock at the moment and they advised me to call back early next year. That’s fine I can wait.
JEM 555: okay, I can’t ask this question to people from JemSite since it is not a real JEM. But I can ask here. Thank you guys. Needless to say JEM 555 with 1800 S$ is over price. I can get a far more decent MIJ prestige with that price. But if I can catch a sale and get a 555 with less than 1.5K, what will you say? It’s now directly competing with EC-2005. Both are MIK and price tag could be same. I don’t mind pickups are EMG or Evolution. So indecisive.
Second hand JEM: Lovely fine beautiful axes. I wish Ibanez produced JEM without Steve. So there is no Vai influence or Vainish things, if I can use that word, and price could be lower. Anyway, that will be another discussion about it is merely a signature model or Ibanez top of the line rock guitar.
I am interested in 7VWH, 77FP, 77GMC, 7DBK and it is almost impossible to get them with 1.5K. Sigh…. Save up more and get a new one? Let’s see 2006 models.
