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Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom
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Playability
73
Sound
81
Build
73
Value
61
Score
76
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Playability
73
Sound
82
Build
82
Value
64
Score
79
FIND IT ON:
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Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom vs JCRG2103 j.custom

Reasons to Get
Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom over JCRG2103 j.custom

Neck Profile
Super Wizard vs RG j.custom Wizard
Thinnest neck you can get for shredding
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Pickups
HSH vs HH
High output, round sound with a single-coil for cleans
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.67'' (17mm) vs 0.71'' (18mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.75'' (19.1mm) vs 0.79'' (20.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Bridge
Edge Zero vs Edge
Intense vibratos like Floyd Rose but easier to setup

Reasons to Get
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom over RG8570Z j.custom

Fret Material
Gold vs Nickel Silver
Almost as durable as stainless steel with an exotic look
Release Year
2021 vs 2017
From a more recent year
Retainer Bar
Yes vs None
Assists you so tuning doesn't change when locking the nut
Neck Profile
RG j.custom Wizard vs Super Wizard
Thin neck for playing fast
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Pickups
HH vs HSH
High output without hum
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.71'' (18mm) vs 0.67'' (17mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.79'' (20.1mm) vs 0.75'' (19.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Bridge
Edge vs Edge Zero
Intense vibratos with more features than a Floyd Rose
Value Score
64 vs 61
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom vs JCRG2103 j.custom

Neck Wood
Maple vs Wenge
Different Neck Wood

Shared Features
Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom vs JCRG2103 j.custom

Bridge Pickup
DiMarzio The Tone Zone
Same Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
DiMarzio Air Norton
Same Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Mahogany
Same Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Nut Material
Locking
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Number of Frets
24
Same maximum octave
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Fretboard Radius
17'' (431.8mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Decorative Top
AAA Flamed Maple (4mm) vs Exotic Maple & Gold Resin
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
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
  • High-Quality Frets
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Strap Lock
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

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

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom Prices

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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 Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom's 76 score, although not by a lot.

The Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom wins when it comes to sound, build quality, value for the money. On the other hand, the Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom has the upper hand when it comes to.

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?

Both meet 3 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. 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. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

New Player Friendliness

Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

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

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 RG8570Z j.custom Overview

  • From Ibanez's 2017 RG series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 17" Fretboard Radius
  • AAA Flamed Maple (4mm) top
  • African Mahogany body
  • Maple/Wenge neck
  • Bound Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: DiMarzio The Tone Zone (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: DiMarzio True Velvet (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: DiMarzio Air Norton (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Edge-Zero tremolo w/ZPS3 bridge
  • Super Wizard Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh machine heads tuners
  • Compare Specs >

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 >

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 Both

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

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 Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple

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.

Woods Used in the Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom

Wenge wood pattern used for guitar building
Wenge

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.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

The Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom has an HSH configuration while the Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom has HH pickups.

HSH is a versatile pickup configuration that will give you the high output, full tone, and quiet sound of humbucker pickups, but with the possibility of using a single coil for cleaner tones. The disadvantage is that the middle single-coil pickup will have a noticeable lower volume, so you might want to adjust the height of the pickups. Another problem is that if you set the middle pickup too high, it might interfere with your picking hand.

On the other hand, 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 RG8570Z j.custom's and use them on any guitar:

We found the same or similar pickups to the Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom'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 Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom gives you 5 switch options while the Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom gives you 3. This means that the Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom 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 RG8570Z j.custom pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom's switch options
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom'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 RG8570Z j.custom
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 75
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 81
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 79
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 82

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 RG8570Z j.custom compares to the Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in Japan.

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.

Winner: Tie

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.

In this case, both have Locking nuts. 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.

However, only the Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom has a retainer bar for the locking nut, which is a helpful addition. Without it, the Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom's strings will change pitch once you lock down the nut, so you'll have to make more micro-adjustments at the bridge to tune it correctly.

Winner: Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom.

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 Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom 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: Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom.

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 RG8570Z j.custom's brige is a Edge Zero. This is a different version of Ibanez's Edge bridges. It comes with locking stud bolts that lock down into the body and provide better stabilization, and with easier adjustment of the springs without having to remove the backplate thanks to a thumb-screw .

Edge Zeros that come with ZPS3 Zero Point system come with two extra springs that help return the tremolo to the neutral position quicker, helping with tune stability. These bridges offer tons of versatility, but they also require more work than simpler tremolos to set up.

On the other hand, the Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom's 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.

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: Tie.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. Both come with Gotoh machine heads.

Winner: Tie.

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 RG8570Z j.custom
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
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

Final Build Quality Scores

Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom
Quality of materials 55
Features 65
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 73
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom
Quality of materials 65
Features 80
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 82

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 RG8570Z j.custom Nut Width
Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 43mm (1.693'').

This is within the most common range of nut widths for a 6-string guitar. It offers a good balance of string separation at the nut. It's the size that most guitarists prefer as it gives them just enough space to play open chords without muting the strings, but without spreading the strings too wide and making bar chords difficult to perform.

Scale Length

Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom and Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom'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 RG8570Z j.custom Neck Profile
Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom's neck profile
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom Neck Profile
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom'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 RG8570Z j.custom has a Super Wizard type of neck. Ibanez is famous for this neck shape. They're similar to C-shaped necks, but they're even thinner. Some people like it because it gives them all the free room they need to play fast single notes (shredding). But some people prefer a thicker type of neck they can grab and rest their hands more comfortably.

The Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom, on the other hand, has a Wizard 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.

Fretboard Radius

Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom Fingerboard Radius
Both Guitars Have The Same 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.

Both the Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom and the Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom have the same fretboard radius of 17". This fretboard is one of the flatter ones you can find. It's 5 inches flatter than a Les Paul, and 7.5 inches when compared to a Stratocaster. It's a fingerboard made specifically for playing single notes fast on the fretboard (shredding).

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 RG8570Z j.custom:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom and Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom 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 RG8570Z j.custom
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom vs JCRG2103 j.custom
General Ibanez RG8570Z j.custom JCRG2103 j.custom
Brand: Ibanez Ibanez
Year: 2017 2021
Configuration: HSH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Japan Japan
Series: RG RG
Colors: Black, Blue, Brown Blue
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: African Mahogany African Mahogany
Bridge: Edge-Zero tremolo w/ZPS3 Edge
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Gotoh machine heads Gotoh machine heads
Fretboard: Bound Macassar Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: Maple/Wenge 3pc Wenge/Purpleheart
Decoration: Tree of Life Blue Resin dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Super Wizard RG j.custom Wizard
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.67'' (17mm) - 12th Fret: 0.75'' (19.1mm) 1st Fret: 0.71'' (18mm) - 12th Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm)
Frets: 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 Jumbo Gold
Fretboard Radius: 17" 17"
Nut: Locking Locking
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: DiMarzio The Tone Zone (Humbucker / Passive) DiMarzio The Tone Zone (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: DiMarzio True Velvet (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: DiMarzio Air Norton (Humbucker / Passive) DiMarzio Air Norton (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None Coil Split
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1