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Ibanez RGA742FM
Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster
VS
Playability
75
Sound
66
Build
53
Value
75
Score
65
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Playability
75
Sound
76
Build
60
Value
75
Score
70
FIND IT ON:
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Ibanez RGA742FM vs Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster

Reasons to Get
Ibanez RGA742FM over Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster

Decorative Top
Flamed Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Release Year
2021 vs 2020
From a more recent year
Neck Profile
Wizard II-7 vs Speed
Thin neck for playing fast
Strings
7 vs 6
Allows you to play lower notes
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.75'' (19.1mm) vs 0.775'' (19.7mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.83'' (21.1mm) vs 0.835'' (21.2mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.89'' (48mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle

Reasons to Get
Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster over Ibanez RGA742FM

Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 16"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile
Speed vs Wizard II-7
Thin and flat neck for playing fast
Pickups Brand
DiMarzio vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Strings
6 vs 7
Narrower neck and fewer strings to change
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.775'' (19.7mm) vs 0.75'' (19.1mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.835'' (21.2mm) vs 0.83'' (21.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.89'' (48mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes

Other Key Differences
Ibanez RGA742FM vs Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster

Bridge Pickup
Quantum-7 vs DiMarzio Rob Caggiano Signature
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Quantum-7 vs DiMarzio Air Norton
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Meranti vs Mahogany
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Jatoba vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
7 vs 3-3
Different Headstock

Shared Features
Ibanez RGA742FM vs Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Nut Material
Plastic
Same Nut Material
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
5
Same pickups versatility
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
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
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 Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Nut
  • High-Quality Frets
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster is probably the better product overall with its final score of 70 compared to the Ibanez RGA742FM's 65 score, although not by a lot.

The Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster wins when it comes to sound, build quality. On the other hand, the Ibanez RGA742FM has the upper hand when it comes to.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster is the better choice.

The Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster meets 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Ibanez RGA742FM meets only 4. 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 RGA742FM
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • 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 RGA742FM Overview

  • From Ibanez's 2021 RGA series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 7 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Flamed Maple top
  • Meranti body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Jatoba fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Quantum-7 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Quantum-7 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • F107 bridge
  • Wizard II-7 Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Ibanez tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster Overview

  • From Jackson's 2020 Artist Signature series
  • Rob Caggiano Signature
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: DiMarzio Rob Caggiano Signature (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: DiMarzio Air Norton (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Jackson TOM-Style Adjustable with Anchored Tailpiece bridge
  • Speed Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast Locking 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

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 RGA742FM

Jatoba wood pattern used for guitar building
Jatoba
Meranti wood pattern used for guitar building
Meranti

Jatoba is a hard and dense wood that emphasizes the mid-lows, giving a fuller, more round sound than, for example, Mahogany. However, it also has a lot of clarity in the top end. Find out more about Jatoba.

Meranti is an affordable wood used mainly for affordable electric guitars. It's generally lighter and softer than Mahogany. Find out more about Meranti.

Woods Used in the Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster

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.

Winner: Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster.

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

The Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster pickups from a more specialized brand than the Ibanez RGA742FM. Its pickups should give you a fuller, richer sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Hard Rock and similar genres.

We found the same or similar pickups to the Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster'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: Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster.

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

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

Ibanez RGA742FM pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Ibanez RGA742FM's switch options
Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster'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: Tie.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Ibanez RGA742FM
Pickups 55
Sustain 80
Versatility 62
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 66
Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 62
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 76

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 RGA742FM compares to the Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Ibanez RGA742FM is built in Indonesia while the Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster is made in Mexico.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

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: 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 Plastic nuts. This is a low-quality nut that you might want to consider upgrading soon. Bone and TUSQ nuts are the best for guitars with a fixed or simple tremolo bridge.

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.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

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.

Both come with a similar bridge: Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

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

The Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster 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.

Winner: Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster.

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 RGA742FM
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in Mexico
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Ibanez RGA742FM
Quality of materials 45
Features 50
Quality Control 65
Build Quality 53
Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster
Quality of materials 41
Features 70
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 60

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 RGA742FM Nut Width
Ibanez RGA742FM Nut Width
Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster Nut Width
Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Ibanez RGA742FM has the wider nut with 48mm (1.89'') vs 42.9mm (1.688''). This is a 5.1mm (0.202'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Ibanez RGA742FM, 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 RGA742FM and Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster'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 RGA742FM Neck Profile
Ibanez RGA742FM's neck profile
Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster Neck Profile
Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster'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 RGA742FM 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 Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster, on the other hand, has a D neck. This is a thin and flat neck that is made for playing fast. If you prefer a neck that doesn't get in your way when soloing, this is the shape you should use. Guitarists that prefer to have a bit more grip won't like this type of neck.

Fretboard Radius

Ibanez RGA742FM Fingerboard Radius
Ibanez RGA742FM's Fingerboard radius
Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster Fretboard Compound Radius
Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster'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 Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster 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.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Ibanez RGA742FM favors large hands more than the Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster.

Ibanez RGA742FM:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Ibanez RGA742FM and Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster 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 RGA742FM
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 75
Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 90
Playability 75

Specs Side-by-Side

Ibanez RGA742FM vs Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster
General Ibanez RGA742FM Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster
Brand: Ibanez Jackson
Year: 2021 2020
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 7 6
Made in: Indonesia Mexico
Series: RGA Artist Signature
Colors: Black Purple
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Meranti Mahogany
Bridge: F107 Jackson TOM-Style Adjustable with Anchored Tailpiece
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Ibanez Jackson Sealed Die-Cast Locking
Fretboard: Jatoba Ebony
Neck Material: 3pc Maple Maple
Decoration: Off-set white dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Wizard II-7 Speed
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.75'' (19.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.83'' (21.1mm) 1st Fret: 0.775'' (19.7mm) - 12th Fret: 0.835'' (21.2mm)
Frets: 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 16" 12" to 16"
Nut: Plastic Plastic
Nut Width: 48mm (1.89'') 42.9mm (1.688'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Quantum-7 (Humbucker / Passive) DiMarzio Rob Caggiano Signature (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Quantum-7 (Humbucker / Passive) DiMarzio Air Norton (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1