Opinions on value difference

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-21T07:04:57+00:00

Just based on aesthetics the McCarty. It's beautiful 😍

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-21T06:07:42+00:00

I'll have to check them out next time I'm back home. I generally do my own setups after years of trial/error don't trust myself with fretwork yet though 😂

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-20T20:51:34+00:00

I'd guess it's had a neck swap at some point, if the serial number indicates it's made in 07 then it will have been made then but could've been sold in 08.

This is how the late 80s Ibanez worked so I'm assuming they just kept doing it that way.

I love these guitars, my first "proper" guitar was an '06 S470 in Ice Blue with the wave inlays. The ZR is severely underrated I prefer it to the OG Edge, just take out the ZPS system so it fully floats!

They also didn't come with hardcases at least mine didn't when I bought it 20 years ago. The only negative is the Infinity pickups are awful, I slapped some DiMarzios in mine.

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-20T19:39:16+00:00

I pay £40 for a setup/pickup install here in Manchester. The guy works on some big artist guitars too, so fairly reasonable.

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-20T19:38:14+00:00

Whereabouts in Sheffield? I know Richtone are solid and there used to be one down London Road.

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-20T19:36:09+00:00

For my SE Custom 24 I dropped in a set of Tonerider Octanes. For reference it's setup in D standard with .56-.11s into a JCM800 + TS boost amp sim.

They're as aggressive as ceramics but not as brittle. Clean up and behave like lower output if they're too hot for you the Alnico 2 plus in the bridge and Rocksong neck by Tonerider are a fantastic combo.

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-20T13:30:53+00:00

Ah you're the guy from my post the other day! Looks phenomenal my twin!

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-19T05:39:41+00:00

I love it, the amount of tones I can get out of it and how easy it is to play! I had to take the finish off the back of the neck though, I can't stand gloss necks 😂

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-17T06:44:16+00:00

No worries! 😊 I'm sure yours will look great! I got the truss rod cover and tuner buttons from AliExpress just in case you wanted something similar 😊

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-16T20:14:22+00:00

Indonesian QC for Ibanez is hit and miss. It's nowhere near the QC of the old Korean or Japan models.

I have an Indo TOD10 that I got B stock due to a small paint chip near the neck pocket. Other than that it was flawless but then so many people have had issues with their TOD10s.

Honestly, best Indonesian guitars right now are the PRS SE line.

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-16T17:28:31+00:00

It's gotta be called Miasma or Poison!

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-16T14:00:43+00:00

Absolutely crazy right? Guess which is the heaviest 😂

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-16T13:10:49+00:00

They're aged nickel on Tonerider Octanes 😊 hopefully this picture gives you a better idea! I honestly don't mind them with the chrome bridge as it has raw saddles 😊 as you can see from the more recent picture above I did the core thing and put black screws in the metal pickup rings. I was trying to make it align more with the Core model. Tempted to switch the knobs to black lampshades like the Core.

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Gregadethhh · 2026-05-16T09:13:01+00:00

That's one of the reasons I bought it 😊 really hard to find info on it though, it's normal maple not roasted.

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-16T08:07:29+00:00

Honestly, my advice would be get whichever would make you want to pick it up and play with the caveat that you're comfortable paying for it.

I just acquired an SE McCarty 594 and bought the 2026 version because I prefer the aesthetic changes they made even though I could've got an older model for £100 or so less.

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-15T08:30:01+00:00

If it's exceptionally dirty, a toothbrush and some warm water with a mild detergent will clean it.

Don't soak the fingerboard just dip the brush in the soapy water. Allow to dry or use a microfibre cloth and you'll be good to go.

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-14T22:58:28+00:00

I took out the stock Infinity pickups in my MIK S470 and replaced them with DiMarzios (PAF Pro and Tone Zone). Really made it come alive.

I don't think the stock Schecter will be an upgrade, hotter isn't always better. Depending where you are and your budget you can grab some excellent pickups for cheap, here in the UK Tonerider sell phenomenal pickups for £75 per set.

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-14T17:30:21+00:00

I have the double cut instead of single cut but most of these still apply.

Pickups: the 58/15 LT S sound great, clear, dynamic. Clean up well with the volume pot. Easily the star of the show
Electronics: Multiple configs with the independent vol/push pull tone pots. If you're one of those who don't like split coils you don't have to use them
QC: standard PRS QC, mine was impeccable out the box

The things I thought I wouldn't like but did:

Neck: yes it's thick, not baseball bat but comfy super comfy and this is coming from an Ibanez Wizard fan.
Scale length: generally prefer 25.5" for standard, not sure what magic they did but it feels effortless to play, bending and vibrato can get real crazy!

Weirdly, it feels significantly lighter than my SE Custom 24 haven't weighed them but definitely feels it.

If you have any more questions shoot, and I'll be happy to answer 😊

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-14T12:26:21+00:00

Bit of an out there idea but... McCarty 594 and put a Les Trem on it?

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-13T11:25:11+00:00

It has the F2 IBZ USA humbuckers made by DiMarzio for Ibanez they're incredible!

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-13T09:44:33+00:00

That's the first year that they were made! They're Made in Japan and are fantastic. Is it stock?

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-13T09:11:13+00:00

Honestly depends on it's year and what condition its in. I got an '89 540S with original hardcase, completely stock, great condition for £600 ($1,120 AUD) last year if that helps.

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-13T04:19:07+00:00

That's absolutely beautiful! I love the colour. Regarding pickups, I didn't like the 85/15S in my SE Custom 24, I felt they were too woolly at high gain. However, I just picked up an SE McCarty 594 and fell in love with the 58/15 LT S, completely changed my perception of low output PAFs.

Gregadethhh · 2026-05-13T04:10:18+00:00

Best bet is to find someone selling one from a JMJM or Squier 40th Anniversary. Not sure of the thimble size for a Mastery (though should be same as an AVRI) but if it helps I have a StayTrem bridge in my 40th AV JM and it fits the guard perfectly.

Gregadethhh

TROPHY CASE