MIJ Seven Strings?

Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 818 Location: Canada

Hey guys! I have been thinking about getting a MIJ Seven String for my next guitar. I got my Edwards Alexi Laiho Scythe up and running but the guy I bought it from is having sellers remorse so I may be selling it back to him this summer.

I am now wanting to go back to Sevens as I miss them dearly. Coming from the Japanese Edwards, I would definitely like to stick with MIJ guitars. Not saying there aren't any good Korean or Indonesia guitars out there but I have a thing for Japan and everything Japanese made Very Happy

And MIA is just way out of my price range as they are really expensive here in Canada.

Just wondering what my options are and what you guys would recommend for a MIJ Seven String. I'm quite open when it comes to specs, but a fixed bridge, passive pickups and ebony fretboard would be nice. Possibly a 26.5" scale but not a necessity.

So far my sights are set on:
Ibanez RG15271, RG7621, or RG7421

That's about all I have on my list so far... There must be some other nice ones out there I should be considering. Any nice MIJ Jacksons or ESPs?

I am looking to buy used with a budget around $300-$600 and I am in Canada. Seems hard to find anything in Canada for a decent price and I hate buying anything before I play it.

Oh and FYI, if anyone cares. I plan to move to Japan in about three years when I finish my degree in computer science and minor in Japanese studies. So you could definitely say I am biased towards MIJ guitars Very Happy

Joined: 08 Aug 2006 Posts: 797 Location: D.C. Metro

I've had a slew of 7621's and 7421's, all great guitars. For $600 you'll be able to get a nice 7621 on SevenString.org.

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

Come to Vancouver. I'll take you to L&M and help you find something. It's not hard to find good prices. I know you live on the island, which is quite different than here on the main land for guitar prices.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pml/msg/3549245100.html

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/msg/3571912649.html

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/msg/3565438057.html

http://nanaimo.en.craigslist.ca/msg/3587734265.html

Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 818 Location: Canada

@Das Brutalheimmer

Yeah I feel like I should be able to find a pretty decent one for $600. I may have to order it from USA though and I'm not sure if duties and brokerage fees are going to bite me in the ass or not. I'm not in too much of a hurry so I have lots of time to look around and maybe find something within Canada.

@Lanning

Hey thanks for doing some searches for me. However, only the 7621 you posted is MIJ. The other three are Indonesia. I also feel the RGD is way over priced. I can get a new RGD for $600 (free shipping) from LA Music. Yeah he says it's new, but that doesn't mean it is and will come with it's original one year warranty. Although strap and gigbag extras are nice. Someone looking to get one new may want to jump on his offer.

I offered the guy with the RG7321 $340 for it, but he isn't interested and neither am I for $430. I may be willing to meet him half way, but he never replied with a counter offer so forget him. Plus it's not MIJ so my interest isn't really there. I have played a few RG7321s, they are alright. I would like to get "better than alright".

The 7621 definitely interests me but I need to sell my two V guitars first or perhaps wait for my tax return money. Just trying to narrow down what I want and get familiar with the market and used prices before I actually do get the cash in hand.

Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 822

always wanted a 7421..

Joined: 15 Oct 2007 Posts: 366 Location: Delaware

Guitar Center used gear search just typr in Ibanez rg7 they all pop up and they have quite few I was looking at them tonight.

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

Just remember when you order from the states you're paying taxes too.

Joined: 08 Aug 2006 Posts: 797 Location: D.C. Metro

Just FYI, the RGD and the 7321 are Indo. made and (IMO) not great quality. For the same price you can find a used 7421, which is infinitely better.

Just to liven things up, here's my last RG7421. I regret selling it now, it was an absolute killer. It's been kicking around SS.org, so I'm hoping to get it back at some point.

Joined: 15 Oct 2007 Posts: 366 Location: Delaware

I do forget that you have to pay taxes and fees when moving wares from country to country... I am gonna sound totally like a dumbass with this question. But, do they have Guitar Center in Canada? If so he could have it shipped store to store it may save on some of the taxes and fees.. I am looking at having a guitar shipped from California to Delaware and was qouted by them that shipping would be like $15 to $20 dollars.. justa a thought..

Also why just limit yourself to Ibby 7's ? I have own a 7420MC and a 7620VK and I have owned an Agile Intercetor and I hate to say but the Agile slayed both in terms of build quality and sound... more food for thought..

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

Doomcreeper wrote:

I do forget that you have to pay taxes and fees when moving wares from country to country... I am gonna sound totally like a dumbass with this question. But, do they have Guitar Center in Canada? If so he could have it shipped store to store it may save on some of the taxes and fees.. I am looking at having a guitar shipped from California to Delaware and was qouted by them that shipping would be like $15 to $20 dollars.. justa a thought..

Also why just limit yourself to Ibby 7's ? I have own a 7420MC and a 7620VK and I have owned an Agile Intercetor and I hate to say but the Agile slayed both in terms of build quality and sound... more food for thought..

There is no Guitar Center in Canada.

Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 818 Location: Canada

Das Brutalheimmer wrote:

Just to liven things up, here's my last RG7421. I regret selling it now, it was an absolute killer. It's been kicking around SS.org, so I'm hoping to get it back at some point.

That is so sick!! Just what I am after! I love natural finished guitars and have always wanted one, but they always seem to be reserved for expensive guitars (probably due to the quality of wood grain).

What's the little switch for?

Doomcreeper wrote:

Also why just limit yourself to Ibby 7's ? I have own a 7420MC and a 7620VK and I have owned an Agile Intercetor and I hate to say but the Agile slayed both in terms of build quality and sound... more food for thought..

Mostly due to my insane bias I have towards MIJ guitars. I know it's a stupid bias to have since I apparently haven't even played a MIJ guitar (Some are saying Edwards are made in China, finished in Japan). I have just always wanted a Japanese guitar.

Also, I have been hearing that Agile quality is going down while the prices are going up. Isn't Agile quality kind of hit and miss? If I'm going to be buying a guitar without playing it first, I would like to know that it's going to be good qulity. I have yet to hear a bad thing about any RG7621 or RG7421. I will definitely consider an Agile if I see one for a good price though.

Question about the Natural Agiles. Do they have a glossy finish on the neck? One thing I'm liking about the Ibanez is the natural smooth necks.

This guy's review also scares me away from the Agiles. At 4:30 he talks about build quality. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5q0g1DP2ZU

And like I mentioned, I have yet to hear anything bad about the Japanese seven string Ibanez

Joined: 15 Oct 2007 Posts: 366 Location: Delaware

Build quality is kind of hit and miss with other companies as well.. If I could remember how to post pics I'd show you my Agile Interceptor 727 Pro..

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Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 818 Location: Canada

But based on what I have been reading I feel a Japanese Ibanez is more likely to be a hit rather than a miss when it comes to quality.

I am loving the specs on the Agile Septor Elite. I can't even think of one thing I would want to change (possibly Duncan Passives over actives). However, all the other guitars I have purchased purely based on specs have been pretty disappointing.

With this guitar purchase I want to pretty much ignore the specs and buy a seven string purely based off build quality. This is why I am very open about the specs. I prefer neck thru and ebony fretboard but would gladly give that up and get an Ibanez RG7 if I know the quality is going to be top notch.

If I was guaranteed to get an Agile of top build quality, I would order one brand new right away. If I get one I am unhappy with, shipping it back from Canada is going to be fairly expensive.

Joined: 08 Aug 2006 Posts: 797 Location: D.C. Metro

dan_plus_o wrote:

What's the little switch for?

It's a blow switch. Flip it on and no matter what position the pickups are in it switches you to the bridge at full blast. The tone knob is a push/pull coil tap, so you could be on the tapped neck with the volume rolled back for a jangly clean, flip the switch and be full blast chunking rhythm on the bridge. It essentially makes your guitar a 2 channel amp. Cool little mod a buddy of mine on the PRS Private Stock team added.

Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 818 Location: Canada

Das Brutalheimmer wrote:

dan_plus_o wrote:

What's the little switch for?

It's a blow switch. Flip it on and no matter what position the pickups are in it switches you to the bridge at full blast. The tone knob is a push/pull coil tap, so you could be on the tapped neck with the volume rolled back for a jangly clean, flip the switch and be full blast chunking rhythm on the bridge. It essentially makes your guitar a 2 channel amp. Cool little mod a buddy of mine on the PRS Private Stock team added.

That is a sick idea! I may have to steal that idea for my own guitars Razz