Mga idol just wanna ask which has the better sound of these two axes the ibanez rg7321 or the rga7? planning to get 1, just want to have an idea which is which.. thank you!
Cliche as this may sound, but it all boils down to your own preference for tone. The RG7321's equipped with stock (they say sucky) pickups with basswood body, maple neck and rosewood fretboard. The RGA7's equipped with Ibanez's own active pickups (which they say lacks dynamics), mahogany arched-top body, maple neck and rw fretboard. If you ask me, I like the aesthetics of the RGA7 better, mostly because of the body bindings (which the 7321 doesn't have). But be wary though, the RGA7's stock pickups are EMG-sized (and thus the body is EMG-routed), so replacing these with passive pickups (like Dimarzio's) without negative consequences on the aesthetics would be quite a challenge. Also, I've read that the stock active pickups of the RGA7 lack dynamics; I think this is largely due to the fact that these pickups operate on 3 volts (2 AA batteries) -- not much headroom there really.
I've tried the RG7321 (I actually have one), and all I can say is that the pickups do lack some sort of character; they sound somewhat "generic", but with right compressor and EQ settings it can get the job done. And no, I haven't changed the pups in mine. I haven't tried the RGA7 though. But I think both would be good platforms for (pickup) upgrades. Peace out!
@shredmaestrobri: may I ask, what pickups do you have there in your 7321? And btw, your rig is awesome.
