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Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom
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Playability
75
Sound
76
Build
60
Value
75
Score
70
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Playability
73
Sound
82
Build
82
Value
64
Score
79
FIND IT ON:
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Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster vs Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom

Reasons to Get
Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster over Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom

Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 17"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile
Speed vs RG j.custom Wizard
Thin and flat neck for playing fast
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.775'' (19.7mm) vs 0.71'' (18mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.835'' (21.2mm) vs 0.79'' (20.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Fixed vs Edge
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Value Score
75 vs 64
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom over Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster

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
Release Year
2021 vs 2020
From a more recent year
Neck Profile
RG j.custom Wizard vs Speed
Thin neck for playing fast
Nut Material
Locking vs Plastic
Best tuning stability for intense tremolo usage
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.71'' (18mm) vs 0.775'' (19.7mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.79'' (20.1mm) vs 0.835'' (21.2mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Strap Lock
Yes vs None
Protects your guitar from dropping by locking the strap
Bridge
Edge vs Fixed
Intense vibratos with more features than a Floyd Rose

Other Key Differences
Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster vs Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom

Bridge Pickup
DiMarzio Rob Caggiano Signature vs DiMarzio The Tone Zone
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Wood
Maple vs Wenge
Different Neck Wood
Headstock
3-3 vs 6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Plastic vs Locking
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster vs Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom

Neck Pickup
DiMarzio Air Norton
Same Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Mahogany
Same Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
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 Frets
  • 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

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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 Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster's 70 score, although not by a lot.

The Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom wins when it comes to sound, build quality. On the other hand, the Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster has the upper hand when it comes to playability, 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 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 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

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

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.

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 >

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 Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster

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

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 Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster'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 Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster gives you 5 switch options while the Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom gives you 3. This means that the Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster 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.

Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster'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

Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 62
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 76
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 Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster compares to the Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster is built in Mexico while the Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom is made in Japan.

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.

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: 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 Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster has a Plastic nut. 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.

On the other hand, the Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom comes with 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.

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 Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster's brige is a 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.

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: Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom.

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.

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: 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
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
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

Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster
Quality of materials 41
Features 70
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 60
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

Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster Nut Width
Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster Nut Width
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom Nut Width
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom 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

Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster 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

Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster Neck Profile
Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster'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 Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster has a D type of 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.

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

Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster Fretboard Compound Radius
Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster's Compound Fretboard Radius
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom Fingerboard Radius
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom's Fingerboard 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.

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 .

Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster 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

Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 90
Playability 75
Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster vs Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom
General Jackson Pro Series Signature Rob Caggiano Shadowcaster Ibanez JCRG2103 j.custom
Brand: Jackson Ibanez
Year: 2020 2021
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Mexico Japan
Series: Artist Signature RG
Colors: Purple Blue
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany African Mahogany
Bridge: Jackson TOM-Style Adjustable with Anchored Tailpiece Edge
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Jackson Sealed Die-Cast Locking Gotoh machine heads
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: Maple 3pc Wenge/Purpleheart
Decoration: Blue Resin dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Speed RG j.custom Wizard
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.775'' (19.7mm) - 12th Fret: 0.835'' (21.2mm) 1st Fret: 0.71'' (18mm) - 12th Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm)
Frets: 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 Jumbo Gold
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" 17"
Nut: Plastic Locking
Nut Width: 42.9mm (1.688'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: DiMarzio Rob Caggiano Signature (Humbucker / Passive) DiMarzio The Tone Zone (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
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