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Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom
Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova
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Playability
73
Sound
82
Build
82
Value
64
Score
79
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Playability
73
Sound
78
Build
74
Value
70
Score
75
FIND IT ON:
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Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom vs Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova

Reasons to Get
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom over Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova

Country of Manufacturing
Japan vs Mexico
Built with higher quality standards
Decorative Top
Exotic Maple & Gold Resin vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Fret Material
Gold vs Nickel Silver
Almost as durable as stainless steel with an exotic look
Neck Profile
RG j.custom Wizard vs Angel Vivaldi Custom
Thin neck for playing fast
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Strap Lock
Yes vs None
Protects your guitar from dropping by locking the strap
Bridge
Edge vs Tremolo
Intense vibratos with more features than a Floyd Rose

Reasons to Get
Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova over Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom

Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 17"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile
Angel Vivaldi Custom vs RG j.custom Wizard
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Tremolo vs Edge
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Value Score
70 vs 64
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom vs Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova

Body Wood
Mahogany vs Basswood
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Wenge vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony vs Maple
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
6 vs R6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Locking vs Black Tusq XL
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom vs Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova

Bridge Pickup
DiMarzio The Tone Zone
Same Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
DiMarzio Air Norton
Same Neck Pickup
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Type of Frets
Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom is probably the better product overall with its final score of 79 compared to the Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova's 75 score, although not by a lot.

The Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom wins when it comes to sound, build quality. On the other hand, the Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova has the upper hand when it comes to value for the money.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova is the better choice.

The Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom meets only 3. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom Overview

  • From Ibanez's 2021 RG series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 17" Fretboard Radius
  • Exotic Maple & Gold Resin top
  • African Mahogany body
  • 3pc Wenge/Purpleheart neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: DiMarzio The Tone Zone (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: DiMarzio Air Norton (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Edge bridge
  • RG j.custom Wizard Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo Gold frets
  • Gotoh machine heads tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova Overview

  • From Charvel's 2021 Artist Signature series
  • Angel Vivaldi Signature
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Caramelized Maple neck
  • Caramelized Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: DiMarzio The Tone Zone (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: DiMarzio Air Norton (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Gotoh Custom 510 Tremolo bridge
  • Angel Vivaldi Custom Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Charvel-Branded Die-Cast Locking tuners
  • Weight between 7.1lbs (3.2kgs) and 7.5lbs (3.4kgs)
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in the Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom

Wenge wood pattern used for guitar building
Wenge
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

Wenge is a stiff wood that comes with straight and tight grains. Its color is dark brown and the tonality emphasizes the low and mid-ends (warm) frequencies, similar to Rosewood.

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Woods Used in the Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Basswood is a lightweight type of wood that isn't as expensive as other popular choices for guitar building. It gives more power to the mid-range frequencies. Its color can vary from pale white to light brown. Find out more about Basswood.

Winner: Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

You can purchase similar pickups to the Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom's and use them on any guitar:

We found the same or similar pickups to the Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova's online:

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Tie.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

The Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova gives you 5 switch options while the Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom gives you 3. This means that the Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Only the Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Split.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom's switch options
Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 79
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 82
Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 72
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 78

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom compares to the Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom is built in Japan while the Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova is made in Mexico.

Japan has a long history of high-quality guitar building. Little has changed in terms of their manufacturing and quality control over the years. Many guitars made in this country can be compared—and even beat—others made in the US.

Mexico has been for a long time where Fender has built their semi-premium series. If you don't want to overpay for a wellp-built instrument, a guitar built in this country by a good brand always offers good value for the money.

Winner: Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom has a Locking nut. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

On the other hand, the Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova comes with a Black Tusq XL nut. TUSQ nuts are usually the highest quality you can get. Black TUSQs are made from a special slippery material that helps the strings get back to its original position (one of the keys to tune stability).

Winner: Tie.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

In this comparison, the Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova is the only one that has stainless steel frets. These frets will basically last for the entire life of the guitar. They will never need polishing nor replacement. And not only that, but some people also notice that bending and vibratos are much easier to perform when they upgrade to stainless steel.

Winner: Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

The Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom's brige is a Edge. This is a double-locking tremolo system designed by Ibanez. It's a tremolo inspired by Floyd Roses but with its own design improvements, like a push-in arm, better-positioned fine-tuners for more right-hand comfortability, replaceable knife edges, and more mass for more sustain. These bridges offer tons of versatility, but they also require more work than simpler tremolos to set up.

On the other hand, the Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova's is a Tremolo. Tremolo bridges give you more versatility than fixed bridges. They let you perform the intense vibrato effects that would be impossible with a fixed bridge. However, since the bridge floats and there's less contact with the body, the strings lose sustain slightly faster. They can also be a bit harder to restring and set up correctly than fixed bridges.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom.

Tuners

The Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Nevertheless, the Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom has a locking nut, so it should have even better tune stability and doesn't need locking tuners.

Winner: Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom
  • Gold Frets
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Strap Lock
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
Strengths & Weaknesses
Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova
  • Locking Tuners
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in Mexico
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom
Quality of materials 65
Features 80
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 82
Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova
Quality of materials 61
Features 80
Quality Control 80
Build Quality 74

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom Nut Width
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom Nut Width
Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova Nut Width
Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 42.9mm (1.688''). This is a 0.1mm (0.0050000000000001'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom and Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom Neck Profile
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom's neck profile
Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova Neck Profile
Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom has a Wizard type of neck. This is thinner than most C-type necks. It won't get in your way if you want to play fast solos. It's not as slim as 'Super Wizard' necks, so it might fit you better if you don't like ultra-thin necks.

The Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova, on the other hand, has a C neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom Fingerboard Radius
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom's Fingerboard radius
Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova Fretboard Compound Radius
Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova's Compound Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova is the only one with a compound radius. This is a huge win because it will give you the best of both worlds: a more curved radius in the first few frets for chords, and flatter as you come closer to the body for soloing.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison favor small hands .

Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom and Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova Frets Size
Both have a similar Jumbo fret size

Both have a Jumbo fret size. This is one of the tallest frets you can get. You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings. It will give you the best sustain and all types of chords will be easier to play. However, you can end up changing the pitch of your notes if you press too hard, which is something people used to feeling the fretboard do when trying Jumbo frets for the first time.

Final Playability Scores

Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73
Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom vs Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova
General Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom Charvel Angel Vivaldi Signature Pro-Mod DK24-6 Nova
Brand: Ibanez Charvel
Year: 2021 2021
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Japan Mexico
Series: RG Artist Signature
Colors: Blue Blue
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: African Mahogany Basswood
Bridge: Edge Gotoh Custom 510 Tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Gotoh machine heads Charvel-Branded Die-Cast Locking
Fretboard: Ebony Caramelized Maple
Neck Material: 3pc Wenge/Purpleheart Caramelized Maple
Decoration: Blue Resin dot Cascading Black Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: RG j.custom Wizard Angel Vivaldi Custom
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.71'' (18mm) - 12th Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) 1st Fret: - 12th Fret:
Frets: 24 Jumbo Gold 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 17" 12" to 16"
Nut: Locking Black Tusq XL
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 42.9mm (1.688'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: DiMarzio The Tone Zone (Humbucker / Passive) DiMarzio The Tone Zone (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: DiMarzio Air Norton (Humbucker / Passive) DiMarzio Air Norton (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: Coil Split None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1