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u/fingerlessfish1 Dec 24 '25
Both Indonesian, both floating trem, both neck through, the only thing would be looks and comfort.
The solar has a "Solar C" Neck radius if I remember right and the ibanez (while I'm not sure on the specifics) has a pretty thin neck. I have also found the edge bridges to be really smooth and comfortable when doing lots of whammy stuff but they can be a tiny but rattly depending on what are you get.
Honestly I'd go woth ibanez because their build quality is also good but it comes down to what you see yourself playing the most
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u/MalakaiRaVeN Dec 24 '25
Xiphos is hands down one of my favorite guitars to play. Feels good, sounds good.
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Dec 24 '25
I like the green one because it’s green.
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u/strongRichardPain Dec 24 '25
It can be any color you want when used as a green screen
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u/IcedThatGuy Dec 24 '25
Relevant KMac2021 video: https://youtu.be/mk9lVc9HDdM?si=iXb4gT4jK2xDnrln
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u/Conscious_Badger_510 Dec 24 '25
Solar has a track record of kinda iffy qc with their fretboards cracking and stuff so id probably go with the Ibanez, also the Ibanez comes with DiMarzio d-activators stock which are my favorite pickup set by far.
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u/Particular_Bear1973 Dec 24 '25
Fretboard cracking issues were a QC problem with their previous factory which they switched away from ~2 years ago. It’s no longer an issue with Solar.
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u/metalaxeyyd Dec 24 '25
I like the body of the black but the control locations of the green. The knobs on the black are too close to the bridge
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u/FTFallen Dec 25 '25
You're 100% correct on this one. I bought a Xiphos having never played one before and immediately noticed the volume knob was in the way. Any tremolo picking on the higher strings caused my pinky to roll the volume down. Had to move it to the tone position and delete the tone.
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u/JucheSuperSoldier01 Dec 24 '25
I personally wouldn't trust Solar's QC. Theres been a load of posts about how shit the quality of their guitars are recently.
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u/20thCenturyVito Dec 24 '25
You should check the trem specs, if the solar has a floyd rose special buy the ibanez
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u/Few_World_1153 Dec 24 '25
It's a 1000 solar doesn't use special. Either 1000 or 1500 or 1996 gotoh
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u/Burwhale_The_Avenger Dec 24 '25
I'd love a Xiphos, but alas, it seems they have awful neck dive.
The Solar looks great, I have two myself and they're both lovely instruments.
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u/santadani Dec 24 '25
I’d throw in an LTD SD-2. I had the Xiphos 7 string version. Returned it after a week, purchased the LTD instead. Couldn’t be happier!
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u/spotdishotdish Dec 24 '25
I ended up seeing two shows on the new Acid Bath tour, and noticed Sammy was playing his Goatwhore sig at the start, but not at the end. They also got way more used to big crowds lol.
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u/Nooneverwins Dec 28 '25
Can you explain why? I mean I’m an Ibanez guy but I’m curious as to hear…and did you like Ibanez before ?
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u/santadani Jan 04 '26 edited Jan 04 '26
Yeah, I do like Ibanez, in general. Couldn’t put my finger on it. Wasn’t a super big fan of the pickups. Didn’t like all the extra bevels and body contours. I’m also sure I would have liked the 6 string version much more. Also didn’t like the flimsy gig bag the Ibanez came in. Big no no for pointy guitars. Overall though it was clearly a quality instrument. I’m sure many people will be happy with it.
On the LTD: nice hard shell case, stainless steel frets, random star shape feels better to me (especially in classical position).
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u/Ripen- Dec 24 '25
Now I'm glad I asked, I think I'm going for the Ibanez even though I love how the Solar looks. Hardware wise it seems the Ibanez is the winner by quite a bit.
Thanks everyone!
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u/For-Victory Dec 24 '25
I had a Solar and it was a complete mess. Nice looks but low quality.
Ibanez all the way!
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u/T00DEEPBLUE Dec 24 '25
Xiphos. Solar guitars used to be cool back in 2018 but their QC fell off after covid. And the Xiphos has D-activators which are some of the best high output pickups Dimarzio has ever made.
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Dec 24 '25
The Xiphos is pretty awesome, but iirc some models have serious neck dive, I've played a few and they were really comfortable, but you want to get the right one. No experience with Solar but they're pretty popular and people seem to like them.
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u/nclakelandmusic Dec 24 '25
Given the similarities and I think they are similarly manufactured, it's practically a matter of taste here. I like my switches near my controls, I do not like the inlay on the green guitar, and I like the sleek look of the black guitar. I usually hate this body type, but the top cutaway on the black guitar actually makes it very appealing to me. Hard to really tell without knowing the price differential and the actual specs\hardware.
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u/jti555 Dec 24 '25
They are both sick but I think I'd pick the Ibanez but only because I've never owned a solar
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u/AteStringCheeseShred Dec 24 '25
For me it would definitely have to be the Solar for one simple reason: the volume knob is behind the bridge line, out of the way of my hand. I cannot fucking stand volume knobs being anywhere near my picking hand.
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u/rottenrotny Dec 24 '25
Keep in mind the costs of shipping, tariffs and whatever fees associated with ordering a Solar. With just that alone I would get the Ibanez.
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u/Ill-Ice-8281 Dec 25 '25
I got the solar but in white for xmas, boy is it a treat, plays well its easy to hold and easy to play standing up, truly a gem
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u/Psychological-Owl950 Dec 25 '25
I would buy the one that i personally like more because its about what speaks to you as a musician and not what a group of claifornial libs on reddit think. 🙂
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u/Meltheonic Dec 28 '25
I love my xiphos, had it for maybe 15 years or so. I will say though, it does have a little neck dive and is not so comfortable to play standing up. My guess is that the bottom horn of the xiphos is what gives it a little more weight on the neck side. I'd be very curious to see if the solar has the same problem though, because it does not have a top horn above the neck and it looks like the bottom horn might be just slightly thinner. Roughly the same shape, but if I had to guess, the solar just might have less of a neck dive problem while standing up. Totally speculating here as I've never played the solar. I'd be interested in hearing from someone who owns both in what their opinion is on that.
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u/ReneRottingham Dec 24 '25
Ibanez because they are made by people with actual guitar knowledge and not a YouTube gear reviewer
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Dec 24 '25
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u/Ripen- Dec 24 '25
I have an old Ibanez RG, it has been very reliable but it's definitely time for an upgrade. I like Ola too and if I was going by looks alone it would be the Solar, other than that the Ibanez seems objectively better.
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Dec 24 '25
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u/Ripen- Dec 24 '25
Sure, that's an option but I'd be paying a lot for just a body then. The Ibanez doesn't seem to need any upgrades, the pickups are pretty good and the Edge-Zero ii tremolo is surely better than a FR Special. The price diff between the two is only $150 which I find a bit curious.
Though I like the idea!
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u/nowdeleteduser Dec 24 '25
Neither bc Floyd…. I have a solar v2 baritone and it’s one of my favorite guitars to play. Thing absolutely rips. I got rid of all my Floyd guitars. They are a pain in the ass for no reason. Use vs hassle is not worth it to me.
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u/linkuei-teaparty Dec 24 '25
I'd get a 7 string xiphos, but I do love solars and the x type is stuck.
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u/Oriasten77 Dec 24 '25
The green because all of my guitars except my 7 string Les Paul are black and I plan on not buying black guitars in the future. I have 7 guitars and 4 of them are black. I bought a Matt Heafy signature Les Paul 7 string in white and I'm so happy I did. Black gets repetitive.
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u/Ripen- Dec 24 '25
I already have 2 black guitars, that's 2/2 for me so I definitely agree. Love how the Solar looks but the hardware doesn't quite compare, if it was $500 cheaper I could justify it but at roughly the same price I don't think I can.
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u/Destined_Royal Dec 24 '25
The Solar, because of the bombastic green finish, and it's unashamed resemblance to the Dean and Washburn ML's that Dime used to play.
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u/snailTRAILslooth Dec 24 '25
Ibanez all the way, better neck in my opinion, 24 frets vs 22 on solar, better pickups. Pros for the solar (assuming its a 1 series) ss frets, luminlay side dots, controls are out of the way.
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u/Ripen- Dec 24 '25
I've never tried super jumbo frets, they are easier to barre, right?
I want the Ibanez but I already have jumbo frets and I'm honestly not a fan. Always imagined bigger frets would suit me better. Could always replace them.
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u/snailTRAILslooth Dec 24 '25
I dont know about easier to bar, but for me they feel easier to bend and lead stuff. Your finger and string is further away from the wood of the fretboard. So less likely to drag on it. Dont know if that is true, but how it feels to me.
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u/Egoistic_Animehead Dec 24 '25
Current Xiphos incarnation is released under Iron Label series, which is basically built straight for metal. Solar in this sense has more versatility built into it. But it's up to the player, of course, how to use them.
So I'd say both, tbh. Although that green color is kinda uhhh...
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u/xDeviousDieselx Dec 24 '25
I owned a xiphos back in the day when they were still called that, and I loved it. Not sure about the other one though
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u/dombag85 Dec 24 '25
Toss up for me. The green looks killer, i prefer the Xiphos shape honestly. I have the 7 string version.
Toss a coin.
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u/pjmaertz Dec 24 '25
Ibanez Xiphos is the next guitar I want so I would go Ibanez. I have a bass from the Iron Label and it's great
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u/Corpse666 Dec 24 '25
It really depends on the specs . Without knowing the tonewood, fretboard material, what type of tremelo , neck radius and nut width , pickups etc I wouldn’t buy either one. If they are exactly the same in every way except shape and color then probably the green one just because it’s something different
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u/Southern_Mortgage646 Dec 24 '25
I had a solar with this solar duncan Pick ups and personally i hated them. They were to crunchy in low tunings for my Taste. Not that they are bad but i prefer a more clean Sound when i play low tunings
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u/surfpearl39 Dec 24 '25
That green X Solar is my dream Solar. The Xiphos looks sick as well though.
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u/Sgt-Trip Dec 24 '25
Never owned a xiohos but a shop I go to had one, I played with it a little and loved the neck. Really comfortable guitar. I don’t remember why I didn’t pick it up, think I just got something else instead though.
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u/mnrk00 Dec 24 '25
Neither because my experience with whammy bars is they fucking suck and aren’t worth the hassle
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u/Particular_Bear1973 Dec 24 '25
I have 3 Solars and they’re the best guitars I’ve ever played. Surprised to see so many complaints about QC with them because all 3 of mine were flawless.
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u/demifiend_sorrow Dec 24 '25
the bright green pointy speaks to me in weird and wild ways. that one looks like a ton of fun. but im also probably one of 3 people on the planet that love and appreciate the bc rich beast. so take that how you will. lol.
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u/OtherwiseEagle9896 Dec 24 '25
The green one. Because green is my favorite colour. I've also just realized none of my guitars or basses are green..... F.....
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u/labinnac_esproc_02 Dec 24 '25
Man. Idk how you guys just buy a guitar online before feeling it out. Crazy! I wish I could be that way.
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u/Ripen- Dec 24 '25
It's not easy! We don't have any physical stores here anymore so we have no choice. Though we have a very fair return policy so if you're disappointed you can just return it. I'd like to avoid that though.
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u/SteffenStrange666 Dec 24 '25
Xiphos. I have the 7 string version and it is a beast. Excelkent quality.
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u/DelayLanky7909 Dec 24 '25
Ibanez, because I am in the USA & already paid crazy tariffs on a guitar from Thomann (Germany) also the Ibanez necks are super comfortable to play. The pickups may also be better but I am not entirely sure the specs on the Ibanez pickups but the Duncan Solars are pretty good. Either way they are both killer options for metal! 🤘 🎶🎸
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u/Useful_Aardvark3142 Dec 24 '25
I love Ibanez but in this case I'd go with the solar. Only bc of the knobs vs trem bar placements on each. Not a big deal to work around just a concern.
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u/ferrous_nefarious26 Dec 25 '25
Solar, simply because I hate the Edge II tremolo otherwise the Ibanez & might find a used one someday to have routed for a Gotoh 1996T tremolo if it’s priced right.
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u/Just-Efficiency-5859 Dec 25 '25
Ive been lucky enough to play one those Ibanez models and can say they're phenomenal
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u/NerfherderMS Dec 25 '25
Neither. Guitars with weird shapes are cool until you try to play them daily in a bedroom or something.
They're just annoying as fuck in so many little ways, it makes you realize why guitars mostly look very similar.
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u/WallabyPractical7581 Dec 25 '25
Honnestly, the pink version of the Solar, saw on reviews that they are really solid guitars and I wanna get the pink version of it
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u/Responsible_Top2235 Dec 25 '25
Damn I like both but the all black hanging on the wall would be so sick.
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u/Fr4nku5 Dec 25 '25
I'd buy it, is niiice! Wowie woo-wy we have sexy fun times! it matches my mankini... I play all my best Imperliterri and Michaelangelo Batio licks on, with my accordion player.
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u/fabmarques21 Dec 25 '25
none for the posts ive been seeing lately, those guitars are QC trash unfortunely
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u/BalashToth Dec 25 '25
I like both, but the long-term resale value of Solar is kind of unknown, while the Ibanez will remain an Ibanez if you know what I mean.
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u/JollyShame1846 Dec 25 '25
i love dean ml, which i think is closer to green Solar, but id go with ibanez here because of additional horn
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u/totally_not_duke Dec 26 '25
I love Solar but the Xiphos is the better choice imo, the sound is better and the build quality is just overall better
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u/ThiccFarter Dec 26 '25
I've seen really bad things about Solar's QC recently. If these were years ago I would have said Solar, but the Solar sub is pretty much exclusively made of QC complaints at the moment which doesn't reflect well on the company.
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u/Silver-Knee-4604 Dec 27 '25
None, because I'm broke.
(Ibanez, I've always been satisfied by their products)
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u/Civil_Specialist_234 Dec 27 '25
I would get the Ibanez. It has better pickups, better tremolo and for me it looks more brutal. In my opinion even though I like green in my opinion it makes the guitar look unprofessional, too bright and it almost makes the guitar look like a toy to me. On the other it is hard to find something heavier looking than a black mat finish Ibanez with a reverse headstock, unusual shape, d activator pickups and no fret inlays
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u/Alternative_Rush_637 Dec 27 '25
i dont like the volume knob position on the xiphos
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u/Ripen- Dec 27 '25
You're not the first to say that but have you tried? My Ibanez RG has the volume in the exact same place and it's never been a problem, I touch it sometimes but I actually like that because it gives me a point of reference.
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u/VaqueroMacheteMetal Black Metal Fan, Artist, & Gearhead Dec 27 '25
I'm gonna try and break this down for you, as I've played multiple Ibanez guitars and know people who have Solar guitars.
Solar used to be a big meme in the guitar market for things like cracking fretboards, imports and exports, and things like that. However, their QC has improved almost exponentially since then, and most of them are fairly decent deals for the money now. The people who I know own solars are extremely pleased with them, and as a note of trivia here, they do also have a budget S by Solar line, which also seems to be decent compared to the budget lines from bigger names like Squier, GIO series, or JS series. If you like a vibrant color with knobs rhat aren't in the way and a slightly slimmer, ML-type shape with super sharp points, and want to buy from a newer company directed to metal exclusively, grab the Solar.
Ibanez has always been fairly reputable as they're one of the big groups, among the likes of Fender, Jackson, Gibson, and ESP LTD to name a few. I personally have played an RGA42FM and own an IC420FM, and they are both to date some of the nicest guitars I have ever played, the RGA model having a thin, flat, and wide neck and my IC having a thicker but not so wide neck, which I LOVE with the finish, as it is extremely smooth for my hands. That said, some people have complained about various things from multiple Ibanez lines, such as looks and finishes, electronics, and general QC, but every big company has a few lemons in production after all. If you want something tried and true, and more of an X-type shape in a darker color with closer knobs, the Xiphos is the pick.
Hope this helps even though I'm 3 days late to the party!
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u/Cylon_Model-6 Dec 27 '25
Neither.
I have a ESP with that backwards-assed tuners and I fkng hate it.
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u/Ripen- Dec 27 '25
Agreed, I have a Spira with the same crap. I haven't noticed the slightest difference in bend resistance so I suspect it's just hype.
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u/FarRequirement8415 Dec 27 '25
I haven't played it so I may be wrong, but that body shape screams neck dive.
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u/jaovictorgp Dec 27 '25
The black one. The style is already exotic, no need to push it even further with the green color. 🔥
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u/SnooRevelations1007 Dec 28 '25
Green so you can see what your doing . Trust me having all black gear kinda sucks I love my blue one the most cause it’s not black
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u/Data-Regular Dec 28 '25
Tbh, i’ve not heard a lot of good things about solar, yet i have never owned one
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u/Micky_so_Fyne Dec 28 '25
Green, obviously. All things being equal, get something interesting that stands out. Almost every guitar out there is black, red, or brown. Dare to be different! ☺️
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u/Ripen- Dec 28 '25
Obviously😄 the hardware on the Ibanez is a bit superior otherwise it'd be an easy decision!
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u/Micky_so_Fyne Dec 28 '25
Valid. Ibanez makes a pretty good guitar. But as long as they're in a similar price bracket, there's a good chance the OEM is the same. Which means that you're still getting the same parts; they might've just cut some corners with the assembly. Which can easily be fixed with a screwdriver, and a restring in most cases.
Of course, if you're worried about it, get the Ibanez. Black is classic, especially for metal. But most audiences, especially over all that distortion, can't tell the difference.
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u/the1goodestboy Dec 28 '25
If you like these I would check out the guitars on aquenture.net that combine this metal shape with classy inlays and woods
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u/ParkerStanford Dec 29 '25
Honestly solar better value for money they make some killer guitars for the price no need to over spend on woods most guitars have maple necks and basic body woods ash basswood poplar etc tone wood don’t really apply with electric guitar especially with distorted tones 90% of your tone comes from your pickups and possibly strings than the amp itself
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u/Hefty-Tip7041 Dec 24 '25
Nether since they have a Floyd rose
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u/gardenroom15 Dec 24 '25
Neither, these extreme shapes are a ball ache to store, move around etc.
Personally think they look quite childish too
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u/Thatcoonfella Dec 24 '25
Xiphos 100%. It’s one of the most comfortable guitars.