RGA is simply explained as an RG with an arched top, and it is precisely the arched top that the A stands for.
The sculpted top gives the guitar a slightly more luxurious and sophisticated look, but the difference is not just aesthetic. The top also gives a slightly different playing feel, above all because you get a slightly different angle on the plectrum hand. Even the back of the lower horn is heavily chamfered for total access to the highest frets. The model is equipped with Ibanez Quantum pickups.
The RGA42FM is an RGA in the Ibanez Standard series with a Mercanti body with a beautiful flamed maple top, lightly shaded in a gray matte finish. The body is, as said, by Mercanti, and sonically goes in the slightly warmer and mellow direction. The treble is a little softly rounded, but without losing clarity and separation. It has a pleasant hump in the middle register which makes the sound during melody/solo playing fat and singing with long sustain. The guitar has a Wizard III neck, a slightly thicker version of the popular Wizard profile, also a slightly rounder and softer profile. It also has a radius of 400mm instead of the Wizard neck's 430mm. A very nice neck for those who want a little more wood in their hand without the neck being thick and stiff. A fast and very easy-to-play neck equipped with 24 well-ground jumbo frets.
- Wizard III 3pc Maple neck.
- Flamed Maple top/Mercanti body.
- Jatoba fretboard w/Off-set white dot inlay.
- Jumbo frets.
- F106 Fixed bridge.
- Quantum (H) neck pu.
- Quantum (H) bridge pu.
- Black hardware.
The neck:
- Scale: 648mm/25.5".
- Width at Nut: 43mm.
- Width at Last Fret: 58mm.
- Thickness at 1st: 19mm.
- Thickness at 12th: 21mm.
- Radius: 400mmR.
The pickups are connected to a 3-position switch with a common volume control and tone control. The modes you can access on the switch are:
- Stable mic
- Stable + neck
- Necklace