Here's a weird one for you - Levinson Blade or Ibanez Prestige needing frets stoning?

[evilmags]

The Blade delux looks like the best bet of the two. Basically a more modern Strat with a compound radius boards. Old and buggered RGs can have neck issues (mine did by the time I got rid of it) and if the trem has been used a lot it may need replaced.

[cacofonix]

The Blade delux looks like the best bet of the two. Basically a more modern Strat with a compound radius boards. Old and buggered RGs can have neck issues (mine did by the time I got rid of it) and if the trem has been used a lot it may need replaced.

Well, went to have a look at the Blade. Immaculate? Not quite. Major clonk on the back, and (super thin) frets worn again after having already been stoned once. Well looked after, sort of, but played, a lot.

The quality of workmanship on the thing was great. However, it's like the lower end Ibanez' to me - Superb build, but the price point is met using cheaper materials for the frets et al. The neck was glorious.

I agree with all the Blade fans - great guitar for its money - had it in fact been immaculate, I'd probably have bought it, despite reservations about the preamp, but I want heavier frets and something that doesn't need work doing, at £450.

[ICBM]

Well, went to have a look at the Blade. Immaculate? Not quite. Major clonk on the back, and (super thin) frets worn again after having already been stoned once. Well looked after, sort of, but played, a lot.

The quality of workmanship on the thing was great. However, it's like the lower end Ibanez' to me - Superb build, but the price point is met using cheaper materials for the frets et al. The neck was glorious.

I agree with all the Blade fans - great guitar for its money - had it in fact been immaculate, I'd probably have bought it, despite reservations about the preamp, but I want heavier frets and something that doesn't need work doing, at £450.

Too right. That isn't "superb nick" by any definition. That's something that really pisses me off about sellers - exaggerated condition descriptions. "Mint" seems to mean "in tolerably good condition for its age" to some people, as well.

[p90fool]

"Mint" seems to mean "in tolerably good condition for its age" to some people, as well.

I always read that as "has a hole in it"

[cacofonix]

hour andahaf round trip . Annoying.

The word used, several times, was "immaculate". I think the technical definition of that is "untouched", but his definition was a bit more biblical, as in it hasn't gone all the way, but it certainly hasn't been hidden in a closet.

[axisus]

Well at least you weren't buying a mail order bride.

[joesa]

Alternatively, you could buy my minty Ibanez RG3270M Prestige for £650 and save £100 on the banged up old Prestige you've been looking at!