The ESP Guitar Company

He said you shouldn't come home if you bought the LTD? Wtf? If it's your money then you should be able to spend it on whatever you want. All the guitar specifics aside, that's a shitty situation.

However; to address your questions.
-Buzzing is probably a sign that you'll need a setup or you can try adjusting the saddle height yourself, but I wouldn't mess with the truss rod unless you do a good amount of research on it before turning anything. Strings are preference, but try and stay around the 10-46 gauge range since they're pretty versatile and practically every brand has a set in that range. I suggest Dean Markley Blue Steels but Ernie Ball Slinkys can do the job if you don't want to spend over $5 for a pack.
-I personally don't have experience wiht Duncan's beyond the SH6's, but from various reviews I've read online, the JB/59 combo is pretty popular. You could get the electronics swapped out to support the EMG's, that's obviously going to run you another $200+ total unless you go the eBay route or something like that.
-Cables are cables so I would suggest to a beginner to get something with a replacement warranty like Monster Cable or Livewire...but I use Planet Waves cables and I don't have problems with noise. Try to get around a 10-20' cable and you'll want to spend at least $15 since the budget no-name cables will crap out if you abuse them...technically any cable would if you abuse it but the cheap ones will die quicker.

Hope that helps.

Who's your dad? Steve Vai?
What an idiot. Atleast you're thankful, most people would throw a fit and hate everything and everyone.

Nothing wrong with starting with "crappy" gear, makes you applicate the good stuff when you move on to them.

Im half way to the good stuff btw :p

i know it sucks that you were forced to get the cheaper guitar... but Ibanez RG321's aren't all that bad. If its your first guitar I would have suggested getting something like that anyways..

it will work out moddy. glad you found the ibanez though. and Tee is right. getting all that stuff taken care of can happen in one trip to a good tech and shouldnt be a dime more than $150 even with the pickups. a good tech will recognize its your first guitar and cut you a break on labor.

actually it will come out to more than that if you get emgs however make sure you buy a new selector switch because you won't be able to use your emgs with the 5 way switch.

My dad dose not care what I do with my money. I plan on buying the TM-600 and a Randall amp stack.

I would have not gotten anything and just fronted the difference in money for the guitar when I could. Better late than lameness. You could have gotten a Micro Cube, you're not going to be playing that loudly first and anything under 50 watts is going to be insufficient for group play. Regardless, your tastes in gear will change throughout your tenure in guitar wanker, however long or short, but you have a workable setup, so slap a new nut and some aftermarket pickups on there and go to town...

cables are cables indeed but I dig the monster cables pretty well. expensive though.
Pickups you cant go wrong with duncan. The setup you suggested or SH-4 JB and SH-2n Jazz Model (dave mustaine) would be a good combo as well.

Get the guitar setup to stop the buzz
i use dean markely blue steel 9's damn good strings. What kind of music do you want to play that could help with the gauge of strings you want to use.
monster cables

All low end guitars are the same, these days. Don't sweat it, mate. Enjoy what you have.

Remember, all the old bluesmen who invented rock 'n' roll played on total crap instruments. It was their ability, dedication, and the lack of anything better that allowed them to make their instuments sing and cry.

Your dad's just looking out for you. If you start out on a $5,000 Warwick, you wouldn't have anyhting to look forward to.

~_^

You don't need a good guitar to be a good guitarist. Anyone can learn fundamental (and advanced) techniques on a low end guitar. The overall sound may not be optimal, but who cares?

One great guitarist on a crappy guitar with a crappy rig > (shitty guitarists with good gear)^1000

Dude, the 321 and the 400NT are in completely seperate price ranges. Maybe your dad didn't have the cash, get over it, and enjoy what you have.

Sorry to be harsh here, but lets be real.

EDIT: also, to they kid who said you need a good guitar to be a good guitarist:

false. I started out on a squire plywood starter guitar, and I'm not going to brag, but I think I'm pretty damn skilled. I'm not showing off, just saying there is no relation.

I've seen kids with gibsons and guitars that cost as much as a used car and they can't even play simple sabbath stuff..

If you can afford a high end guitar, no matter where you start from. Buy it. Its your money and your choice to buy high end gear when you are learning, it just means you are lucky enough. Anyway the 321 is actually a great guitar and alot of people buy them for their great versatility. You should some where along the line buy seymour duncan distortions or buy dimarzio tone zone/air norton. Great pups.

Are we pretending that this is the right forum to discuss the Ibanez you bought?

Personally not a fan of the SD JB for one. I have one in an H207, and it is totally destroyed by the EMG 81, hands down. Sure the guitar with the 81 has better woods and construction, but my buddies have Schecters with better woods and JB's that still cannot compare. I hear the EMG passives are pretty good .... no experience with them, though.