I have been playing on a beginer guitar for a long time know and whant to get a new one; im looking for an Ibanez preferably with EMG pickups and a trem locking system but that could be one of hundreds of models. I just need it for playing kick ass death metal and need an opinion on what model to get.

not a lot of Ibanez guitars actually have EMGs. You'd be better looking at ESPs for those, particularly the 400 series and up.

Also, do you have a price guideline? It would help for me to help you find something so I don't offer up something too expensive.

That could actually be one of about three or four models. Have you actually checked the Ibanez website?

looking for something in the $850 range.

The RGT6EX has a locking trem. Nowhere near as good as a floyd but it's got EMGs in it. There's a fixed-bridge version too. Both have thru-neck construction.

Also there is the option of putting EMGs in one of the trem models but manufacturers only pay wholesale price so a guitar with them fitted as standard may be cheaper. Have a good nose through the market, mate.

Questions I would ask before advising:

1 - Any particular reason you want EMGs? I've had guitars with and without, and while everyone says the EMG's are great for metal, I found that they were actually pretty lifeless and dull. To the point of muddiness in fact. Part of this has to do with the fact they run on 9V, but actually perform to their potential when using 18V circuits.

I'd recommend looking at a number of different guitars with different pickups to find a set that suit you best. SD have released their blackouts which are direct competitors to EMGs (And are designed to run at max headroom in a 9V circuit, so they're not as compressed as EMGs are at that voltage)

Not to mention theres a surprisingly small number of bands using EMGs, with the exceptions of the UBER METHUL crowd. Chuck Schuldiner used an X2N, Michael Romeo switched to an X2N after using EMGs for years. Megadeth have used a JB/Jazz set for years until dave got his signature set (Which are the same, but on steroids) etc.

2 - while I love Ibanez, and own several, don't limit yourself to them. The best neck profile I've ever played was an Alexi 200. the best distorted sound I've ever heard was a jackson, the best blues tone was an epiphone etc. Everyone will tell you how great the ibanez necks are, and they're right, but the esp MH neck carves and alexi carves are great too. not to mention the elliptical necks on every EVH model ever.

3 - Tremolo systems aren't created equal. Be very careful what system you get, because they can be nightmares if you get a substandard one. See here for a comparison of almost all commercially available systems (I have experience of every system listed, though there are other high quality ones available from certain specific places)

http://www.musicbanter.com/members-jour ... post507645

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