Hi there Gav.

I've tried a load of 7 stringers over the years and wanted a universe since 1996 after seeing an advert in guitar world.

Basically the universe is built , sounds and plays a hell of a lot better than all the other 7 stringers, a lot of which are badly made and sound poor.

If you like the rg, i'd advise an rg7620 or a universe if you can get it, but i've never liked the most popular universe (the uv777bk)

Currently Ibanez wise i've got 2 universes UV7BK and UV77MC (black with green dots and multicoloured) and an old rg550.

They have slightly thicker necks than the rg and obviously wider, but even though i've got small hands and very short fingers, i had no problems with the universe.