Torn between Ibanez RG950QMZ or RG870QMZ. Anyone have experiences?

[Cam_H]

I've just finally paid off my credit card, so going to fork out for a new guitar (my custom is going to be made sometime next year).

Both guitars are virtually the exact same guitar, the only difference being that one has a scratchiplate and the other has pickups mounted into the body.

What I'm asking is: does having the scratch-plate affect the tone to a degree which is very noticeable? I like the look of the guitar without the scratch-plate, as well as it being cheaper. But I thought the guitar with the scratchplate may provide more versatility as I can have multiple pickguards loaded with different pickups. It would just be a matter of changing pickguards when changing strings, etc. But it is a tad more expensive.

I'm torn for choice, but unfamiliar with the Ibanez RG series that have a pickguard. Just after general advice for the time being.

Images below purely for the looks

[Telerocker]

I like the one wiith the scratchplate: classic twist on a modern guitar. I don't know if the plate does affect the tone, I think the fact that the pickups are mounted in the body have a bigger influence.

[JJretroTONEGOD]

Why not try a brazilian rosewood scratchplate v.s the cheapest plastic and see if there is any difference? I'm not sure if it's ever been done before.

[Cam_H]

I like the one wiith the scratchplate: classic twist on a modern guitar. I don't know if the plate does affect the tone, I think the fact that the pickups are mounted in the body have a bigger influence.

That's what I meant. Was just curious as to how much having pickups mounted into the wood would affect the tone. The one with the scratchplate is growing on me. It's just another £100 or so. But might save money in the long run if all I have to do is resolder the output jack, as to resolder the entire guitar. Also not very good at soldering, so I guess on the back of a scratchplate may provide better practice than inside a tight, tricky cavity.

[Philly Q]

I like the one wiith the scratchplate: classic twist on a modern guitar. I don't know if the plate does affect the tone, I think the fact that the pickups are mounted in the body have a bigger influence.

Agreed with that. 

I don't know about the body mounting vs scratchplate mounting thing; there's the argument that if the pickups are screwed directly to the body they vibrate/resonate with the body, but is that a good thing?  Others argue that it's better to suspend them from a scratchplate because it isolates them from the body's vibrations.  Is that a good thing?

Van Halen likes direct mounting, Vai likes a scratchplate....

Personally I think it looks much better with the scratchplate.  That'd do for me.

[Cam_H]

Ok well that's the Scratchplate one decided on then. I was actually warming up to that one more and more.

I think it also means, as I said before, I can buy multiple scratchplates and use whatever mood I feel I'm in :)

Do people think guitars with scratchplates make soldering/wiring the guitar much easier?

[Philly Q]

Do people think guitars with scratchplates make soldering/wiring the guitar much easier?

Yes.  There's also the very great advantage that you can do nearly all the work well away from the guitar itself, so you don't risk burning the finish with your soldering iron!

[Cam_H]

Well I'm going to try the Holy Diver/Emerald combo in this guitar then. I think they have this guitar in PMT near me, so going to give it a try out first to see the looks, as well as playability. I always know Ibanez will provide fantastic playability, but I guess the quilted maple could be hit or miss.

Just noticed they have the same guitar without the scratchplate for £539. So for a Premium for that price, it seems VERY good. Going to have to give this a very good think about. Just after I'd decided on the scratchplate as well haha.

Whichever one I decide on, I'll post a thread when I've got the BKP pickups in it :)