The Ibanez brand as we know it today was founded in 1957 in Japan. I started playing an electric guitar when I was given a Squier Strat for my birthday around 15 years ago. The rest of Ibanezs hardware is often well-made and highly durable, with many models featuring locking tuners from Gotoh. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. In my spare time, youll catch me writing songs, taking my greyhound, Simba, to the beach, or getting very nerdy about coffee. Thank you for signing up to The Pick. The first digit indicates the quality level. Ibanez offers plenty of guitars with fixed bridges for those who never use a tremolo arm, and Strat-style trems for those who like to use one within certain parameters. While there are six-string models in the RGD range, you can also find a few 7-string models like the one shown above. This was an homage to the Spanish luthier Salvador Ibez. The neck is a 3pc Maple set neck which adds to the impressive sustain this guitar creates, and like all Ibanez guitars, its slim, comfortable profile sets this guitar apart from other semi-hollow options at this price point. Some modernized changes over the classic Tele include 24 frets, a super-thin Nitro Wizard neck, high-output humbuckers, and aftermarket hardtail bridges. Ill go through some examples shortly to demonstrate. By They feature exceptionally high quality materials, impressive craftsmanship, and a higher level of finish overall making these guitars some of the best Japanese guitars on the market. Ibanez S Series S621QM: in this example, the S Series, and the S in the code, indicate the shape of the guitar. Granted, Ibanez does have some fancier models in the form of the Jem and PIA, but for straight up playability, versatility and reliability, the AZ2204 is the one for us. Ibanez solid body and semi-hollow/ hollow body guitars are arranged in different series. Prestige: these are some of the most premium guitars available and are made in Japan. SSS config not usually found on headless instruments, The V7 and V8 pickups are criminally underrated, Would expect something nicer than Basswood, Designed and set up for alternate tunings, The cool switching capabilities can be confusing, A signature model worth selling a kidney for, A fierce signature model for a fierce woman, Ibanez guitars don't get much cooler than this, Guitar World teams up with TrueFire to create the ultimate in guitar masterclasses, 1x Infinity humbucker (bridge), 2x Infinity single coil (middle & neck), Black Night, Metallic Light Green, Candy Apple Red, Metallic Light Blue, Transparent Gray Flat, Dragon Eye Burst Flat, Blue Lagoon Burst Flat, Satin Chrome Ibanez Mono Tune bridge, Ibanez Custom String Lock tuners, V7 humbucker (neck), S1 single-coil (middle), V8 humbucker (bridge), Desert Sun Yellow, Road Flare Red, Purple Neon, Wilkinson WV6-SB Tremolo, Gotoh MG-T locking tuners, Sustainiac Driver single-coil (neck), DiMarzio The Satchur8 humbucker (bridge), 2x DiMarzio Notorious single coils, 2x DiMarzio Notorious ceramic humbucker, Gotoh T1502 tremolo and MG-T locking tuners, Seymour Duncan Experion single coils and humbucker, Gotoh T1802 tremolo, Gotoh Magnum locking machine heads, Black, Hazy Rose Metallic, Ice Blue Metallic, 2x Seymour Duncan Lari Basilio single coils (Neck & Middle), Seymour Duncan Lari Basilio Humbucker, Gotoh Tremolo, Gotoh Magnum locking tuners, 2x DiMarzio UtoPIA humbuckers, 1x DiMarzio UtoPIA single coil, Gold Gotoh Tuners, Edge Tremolo with Ultralite arm, What is bubble harmonics? The HSH configuration offers some fairly impressive levels of tonal versatility, and with a mostly Maple neck and Basswood body supplying the bright sounding, punchy tone thatll catapult you through any mix, the RG550 Genesis could just be exactly what you need in your life. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Typically they are around $1800-$3000. link to Dog Ear vs Soapbar P90 Pickups: Is There a Difference? With each step up in price, you can expect an increase in the build quality, attention to detail and material quality. Custom is the top-tier sub-brand in terms of quality and price. By the end of this guide, youll understand the different quality-levels and ranges of Ibanez guitars. Although it can take a long time to recall a specific tone, once weve found what works, this extended tonal palette can only be a good thing. Ibanezs artist roster features some of the guitar worlds most intriguing and exciting new talent, and Ichika Nito seems to be the most intriguing and exciting of them all. Dog Ear vs Soapbar P90 Pickups: Is There a Difference? If youve been keeping up to date with modern guitar playing, youll know all about Yvette Young and her unique playing style. Normally you would expect this number to be 20, but on models with 4 digits, this often tends to be just the first digit without the 0. Ill go through the basics, then some different examples to highlight the exceptions, and finally sum up all the rules and caveats at the end. Modern blues icon Josh Smith has his FLATV signature an out and out blues machine and Yvette Youngs YY10 and YY20 signature models offer some of the sweetest clean tones around. An Alder body and roasted maple neck, much like the majority of Strat-style guitars, deliver that 'Stratty' snap that makes these types of guitars sit so will in any style of music or mix while the HSS-configured set of Seymour Duncan Hyperion pickups take care of the heavy lifting. Ibanez prides itself on having one of the coolest and most diverse artist rosters around, and Tim Henson has to be one of the most interesting of the bunch. This indicates the colour. A temptation with 8-strings is to tune them even lower than usual and Ibanez knows this so much so that theyve routed out a ferrule on the back of the guitar for a bass string. If you love the sound of a single-coil electric guitar pickup, then two humbuckers probably wont do it for you, and vice versa. There are also a few popular ones such as the Genesis, Axion Label and Iron Label to consider. The RG series offers models in the J.Custom, Prestige, Premium, Genesis Collection, Axion Label, Iron Label, Standard, and GIO sub-brands. The neck is specifically designed for Satch and his JS models, and being a titanium reinforced Maple/Bubinga 3-piece construction, youve no reason to worry about anything other than your playing. This is in the standard series, because it does not have any other distinguishers. Ibanez currently only offer the SA series outside of the main S range. a G at the start will indicate the GIO series, and the next 2-3 letter will indicate the shape. These pickups annunciate the high end clarity and sweetness that this guitar is capable of producing, while the bridge humbucker also shares its dark side. Heres a link to take you directly to Guitar Centers electric guitar range so you can see all the offers available at the moment. Welcome to our first signature model of the evening, everyone. The shape and design of the AR series was one of Ibanezs first original designs instead of them producing copies of other designs. The much lighter top and neck woods help to brighten up the tone of the instrument rather well, drawing the best from that pair of Quantum humbuckers. Artcore Expressionist: mid-range models ranging between around $650 and $800. The roasted Bird's Eye Maple neck and fingerboard not only looks stunning, but is also responsible for the punchy, Fender-esque response and resonance that comes from playing the LB1. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, The RGD series keeps the iconic RG shape but adds in some interesting contours to give the guitar a slightly better feeling while playing. The serial number starts with a letter followed by numbers. Premium guitars have been available since 2011 in most of Ibanezs guitar series. Ibanez's Prestige level of craftsmanship is impressive at the best of times, but these AZ models especially the AZ2204 are taking the Prestige nametag to a whole new level of quality. Lari Basilio is one of the most highly regarded guitarists around today, and her Japan-made signature model LB1 is the perfect instrument for any guitarist of her caliber. Ibanezs cheaper guitars dont usually feature locking tuners, but still hold up impressively against the competition. There are some Ibanez guitars that are better to Fender and some Fender guitars that are better than Ibanez. Unless youre dying to be the next John Scofield or Pat Metheny, wed suggest you go for something smaller itll be easier to play, and youll improve quicker. If youre just starting out and looking for a great beginner electric guitar, or just looking for a killer budget electric guitar, wed recommend the Ibanez AZES31 (opens in new tab). In this case, the guitar has a HSH pickup configuration, and does NOT have a pickguard. Not only is Slime Green Sparkle one of the coolest finishes weve seen in forever, but the Strat-style pickup configuration coupled with the 12 fingerboard radius is our idea of the perfect vintage/modern blend. The Iron Label sub-brand has been produced since 2013 and offers bare-bones styled guitars designed purely for metal guitarists. Guitar Gear Finder is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, or Amazon.de, Fender Squier Strat Review: Affinity, Bullet, Contemporary, Why Are There Dots on Guitar Fretboards? Ibanez have a very popular range of hollowbody and semi-hollowbody guitars including signature models from George Benson, Pat Metheny, John Scofield, and Eric Krasno. link to Gibson 498T vs 500T: Bridge Pickup Comparison, link to take you directly to Guitar Centers electric guitar range. Keep in mind that while some Ibanez guitars are cheap, they also have high-end guitars that are expensive. Here are some common examples: Unfortunately, the example we went through above, was pretty much as easy as it gets, despite having 8 digits to de-code! If you like the basic RG shape, youll definitely find a model suited to your tastes in one of these sub-brands. Available in some stunning colors, and with options for either SSS or HSS pickup configurations, this guitar is well worth a look. Its difficult to get the best out of an 8-string guitar at the best of times, so this material combination, along with the pair of Ceramic IBZ-8 humbuckers brings players loads of tonal opportunity, as well as lots of clarity in the lower registers where things can start to sound a bit muddy. The lower quality tremolos include the Edge Pro II, Lo-TRS, and Edge III. These models vary in pickup combinations and bridges while all offering a smooth and lightweight body shape. They cost around $1200-$1400. The RGA series takes the iconic RG shape and adds some contouring to the edges. Ibanez use several codes for this. Ibanez offers affordable guitars under the GIO brand by cutting down on production costs. There have been many different features available in S series guitars over the years from most of the sub-brands. The first digit (7) refers to the fact it is a 7 string model. The first 0 indicates that it is in the prestige series. Here are some examples of the main shapes. Ibanez is one of the most popular guitar brands and has been used by countless guitarists over the decades. Ibanez, whilst being mostly well known for their shred-friendly Superstrats, produce some gorgeous semi and fully hollow bodied guitars. From the model number alone, you can find out all the details about the guitar down to the finish used. A Basswood body and roasted Maple neck and fingerboard provide crisp and precise tonal clarity. All of the switching can get a bit confusing at times, but the tones are happily worth the effort. Ibanez usually fits one or two models from each range with a fixed bridge, and the Strat-style tremolo features heavily on their less extreme models such as the AZ and YY models, among many others. Im just as hooked as everybody else, and I have been since I was 5 or 6, Unrivalled access to the artists and gear you love, Exclusive lessons that will make you a better player. Your intonation will thank us later! These guitars offer a longer 26.5 scale length (learn all about guitar scale length here) to suit down-tuning and metal. You can easily identify a j.custom Ibanez from the headstock logo. In this article I'll compare everything you need to Hey, welcome Pro Sound HQ. The best Ibanez guitars come in all shapes, sizes, finishes and price points so whether youre after a budget-friendly shred machine, a well-priced hollowbody, or a high-end Superstrat, theres something for you in Ibanezs vast product catalog. The right guitar for you needs to have hardware suitable for your playing style. The Ibanez FR series guitars were introduced in 2008 and are clearly different in style compared to the other series such as RG and S. Its obvious that the FR series was inspired by the classic Telecaster shape. Please refresh the page and try again. Ibanez RG1121PB Premium: here you can identify the RG shape from the first two letters, and that it is in the premium series. Custom). The guitars are made in China and come in a range of shapes. Ibanez has a massive range of signature guitars from some iconic guitarists. Here is a quick summary of the different Ibanez Artcore series: The Artcore series has plenty of hardware variations and designs with a traditional look. Weve been through the start of the names, and how to identify the series and the shape. The Ibanez GIO GRX40 was my first guitar and you may notice in photos and videos that I still use it today. If youve seen a famous guitarist play an Ibanez, the chances are theyll have their own signature models available. AX: double cutaway, wide lower bout, with pickguard. The fingerboard radius 250mm or 9.8 is a middle-ground spec choice also, making this instrument super versatile and suitable for anything. Custom name tells you that these are custom models produced in Japan by their top luthiers. Ibanez offers loads of different pickup configurations on their guitars, including different amounts of pickups, sizes, output levels, brands and more. At the end of this guide is some expert buying advice, so if youd like to read more about the best Ibanez guitars, and what to know about when buying one, head to the bottom of the page now. Think of these sub-brands as quality levels or tiers. This should make it clear how many different features and styles youll find under the RG umbrella. Here are some of the most common. The A in RGA standards for the Arched top these guitars offer. Guitarists such as Andy Timmons, Martin Miller, Tim Henson, and Tom Quayle already have signature AZ models available. The Artcore series also has sub-brands such as the ARTSTAR, Artcore Expressionist, Artcore Vintage, and Artcore. For those who are unaware, Yvette Young plays guitar in instrumental math rock band Covet, and her next-level playing ability and eight-finger tapping has helped cement their place as one of the best in the genre. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Their GIO range offers impressive quality and playability, and this GRX40 is no exception to that rule. Equipped with heavy duty Gotoh hardware and Seymour Duncan pickups as stock, your only real limitation is your creativity when it comes to the AZ2204 or any of the AZ Prestige models, for that matter. Over time, expect to see models in other sub-brands as the series branches out to more budget-conscious guitarists. On some models, the final digit can give extra information about the guitar. Note: Ibanez has a long history and a ridiculous number of models too many to cover in one guide. Unveiling Donn Aaron's new guitar technique, YouTuber builds super-super thin electric guitar. For the professional players among us, wed recommend the AZ2204 Prestige (opens in new tab). The YY10 is essentially a Strat-style Ibanez Talman with the traditional SSS pickup configuration and Strat-style trem displaying why sometimes, theres no need to divert from the classics. Some notable series you may find secondhand include the Iceman, X series, the Destroyer series, and AX series. While you may struggle to find j.custom models, youll always see plenty of Prestige models available. Three R1 ceramic single coil pickups and an onboard alter switch offer a player 10 different tonal options, making this guitar one versatile beast. Most models have 2-3 letters at the start, 3-4 digits in the middle, and 2-3 letters on the end. The RGA42FM doesnt have the catchiest product name, but what it lacks in name, it entirely makes up for in its performance. While the RG series is clearly focused on rock and metal styles of music, the AZ aims for a broader range of styles. Guitars from different sub-brands, series, or years can have completely different numbering systems. RGA refers to the shape (curved, double cutaway). The AZ series takes a more traditional style with a thicker neck and a standard tremolo system. The above RGA model guitar should immediately tell you how different Axion Label models can be. I, along with help from the rest of the eCommerce team, write, maintain and update our buyers guides and keep you up to date with the latest and best deals on killer gear. Their switching setups are mostly traditional in nature, enabling you to focus primarily on your playing. They typically cost between $900-$1100. This is all well and good and so much fun but wed advise getting your guitar professionally set up every time you go wild with string gauges. This is a more complicated example of the AZ model: Some models will have the full code, and then a space followed by another 2-3 letters. The GRX40 GIO is a perfect beginner electric guitar for those on the smallest of budgets, with hardware and build quality beyond its price point, and added touches like the mono-unit output jack a one-piece output jack construction makes this guitar even easier to just get on and play. In this case, it is telling us two features: There are loads more of these suffixes to consider, way too many for this article, but you can check out most of them on the Ibanez.Fandom website. The Premium range of guitars are built in Ibanezs Indonesian premium factory to very high quality standards, and many would argue that this range competes with the Mexican or Korean-made electric guitars of other major manufacturers. They still offer higher quality materials and craftsmanship but at a lower cost. The RGA series started in 2005 with a Prestige-model fixed-bridge but gradually introduced other sub-brands. This construction enables Hensons own DiMarzio Notorious signature pickup set to flourish delivering wide-open sounding clean tones or gurn-inducing dirt when needed. While past models were available in the Prestige and Premium sub-brands, today the SA series focuses more on the more budget-focused Standard and Gio sub-brands. This makes the code a lot harder to work out, but there is still a system to it. The 1st number, indicates the quality level, the 2nd number identifies the pickup configuration, and if the 3rd number indicates additional features (if it is not 0). Because this series has been produced on and off for over 40 years, there are a lot of models out there. What complicates things, is that sometimes the suffix may be telling us more than one feature. This makes the pickup sound warmer and thicker in Gibson 498T vs 500T: Bridge Pickup Comparison. In 1935, Hoshino Gakki the musical instrument sales division of Japanese bookstore chain Hoshino Shoten started making Spanish-style nylon string guitars under the name Ibanez Salvador. His signature guitar model, based on the Ibanez Quest series of electric guitars, is an ultra-modern headless offering. Look for an AL in the model number on the back of the headstock if youre unsure whether a guitar is an Axion Label model or not. At the moment, Ibanez only produces AR models in the Standard sub-brand. The Prestige models can be identified by the clear Prestige logo on the headstock. The playability of a guitar is one criteria that must be met when buying a new model. If youre not able to try before you buy, then there are a few things to take into account. So far we have discussed two aspects of the Ibanez names: the series, and the shape. The combination of an Alder body and a bolt on Maple neck brings the Strat-esque snappiness we know and love, but to get that tone from a super-playable offset with a 12 fingerboard radius? You can clearly see the basic shape is a Les Paul with a symmetrical double cutout. Ibanez obviously thought so too, announcing her signature model, the YY10, in early 2020. The RG then tells you that it is an RG shape. The D in RGD stands for Drop-tuning, which is what this guitar was designed for (although you can play in standard tuning). The Ibanez AR or Artist series has been produced on and off since 1974. Once, weve been through the next section, Ill point out some examples to show this. Older models often use simple model numbers, but the number wont tell you anything about the woods used, number of strings, or guitar finish. Remove the variables of dodgy fretwork or sub-par hardware, and you've got yourself a guitar that will keep on giving back for years to come. So lets take a look at the Ibanez RG470AHM to start with. As you can see from the above list of sub-brands, there are quite a few options to choose from. The RG series has been produced since 1987 when it was offered as a budget alternative to Steve Vais signature JEM. The ICHI10 consists of a Nyatoh body, which is tonally similar to Mahogany, and a neck made from roasted Maple and Bubinga. In this case, there are three main series: Now lets take a look at the different shapes that Ibanez offer. Their Alnico 5 magnets deal a balanced and versatile hand making the AZ2204 truly sing. Custom guitars fit that description to a T. Ibanez says they are envisioned to be the finest Japanese-made guitar in history, and with some of Ibanezs most skilled luthiers on the case, that claim is bang on the money. There is a wide range of 6, 7 & 8 string models available in the RG range as well as multi-scale necks (learn about multiscale necks here). Axion Label- these are aimed at the heavy metal market with long scale lengths and sometimes 7 strings. The black finish, gold hardware and big block inlays are reminiscent of the Black Beauty Les Paul Custom, and while the looks are traditional, the guitar itself is the modern guitarist's dream. We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, New output jack design great for durability, Some setup work may be needed out of the box, Alter switch is cool, but maybe a bit much, Simple electronics help with playing focus. For a guitarist who's appeared on over 60 albums, you'd expect only the very best and that's exactly what has happened here with the PIA. bridge type. The AZ series was only introduced in 2018 and it has already grown in popularity so much that there are many signature models available. Most Iron Label guitars dont use fretboard dots or inlays but all models have side-dots. Prosoundhq.com is also a member of other affiliate programmes. Weve arranged 13 of what we think are the best Ibanez guitars in price order, lowest to highest, to make things a bit easier. For example, here is the serial number for my Ibanez GRX40: So this serial number tells me that the guitar was built in Indonesia (I) in the Cort Guitars factory in January 2001. Use the above guide to understand what these numbers mean. The HSS pickup configuration brings a balanced and versatile tonal palette thanks to three ceramic Infinity pickups. Before 1957, Hoshino Gakki manufactured guitars named after the Spanish luthier Salvador Ibez. There are a couple of ways these can be identified in the full name. The final 2-3 letter indicate extra information such as the finish, pickups or inlays. DISCLOSURE: articles may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, I receive a commission. The LB1 has a HSS pickup configuration consisting of three Seymour Duncan Lari Basilio signature pickups which all offer a medium to high output. The first letter G indicates that this model is in the GIO series. Like many higher-end Ibanez guitars, the LB1 is based on the AZ platform but has an Ash body as opposed to the Alder and Basswood bodies of similar models. They currently market over 300 models of electric guitar so you should manage to find at least one or two you fall in love with. RG: double cutaway, pointed horns, flat body, RGA: double cutaway, pointed horns, curved body, RGD: double cutaway, pointed horns, flat body, longer scale length, AZ: double cutaway, pointed horns, curved lower bout, S: double cutaway, curved horns, flat body, SGA: double cutaway, curved horns, curved body. The third digit (or fourth if the model has more than 6 strings) indicates additional information e.g. The higher end tremolos are the Edge, Lo-Pro Edge, Edge Pro, Edge Zero, and ZR tremolos. The main exception is when the series is also included e.g. BA1 1UA. This guitar has a five-piece Maple/Walnut neck, Meranti body and Jatoba fingerboard and its this combination of warmth from the body, top end brightness from the neck and a snappy response from the fingerboard material which makes the RG8 such a balanced instrument. The first thing to understand about Ibanez guitars is that each series (eg: RG series, S series) are split into sub-brands. The model number will be a combination of letters and numbers. There was a problem. Before working on Guitar World I was a guitar salesman at a local music store, so I know a thing or two about matching people with their perfect instruments. What a horrible mess! As we discussed earlier, the extra digit on the end indicates different features. However, sometimes it is actually depicted as a letter at the very start of the code. A lot of guitarists have their own signature Ibanez guitars. The pickup/ pickguard codes are as follows: Models in this range may still have any of the 2-3 letter suffixes that weve already talked about, however this example doesnt have one. Wed love to stay in touch, sign up for The Pick team to contact you with great news, content and offers. Similar to the GIO mentioned above, this AZ Essentials model also consists of a Poplar body, Maple neck and Jatoba fingerboard, offering up that bright, snappy tonality that so many players adore. Find out more about how we make our recommendations andhow we testeach of the products in our buyer's guides. Heres what it would mean if it was a different number: Now, all thats left to decipher is the three letter suffix. James Farmer I personally think of the FR as a modernized version of the Tele. Some artists only have one or two models, while other guitarists (eg: Steve Vai) have a wide range of models to choose from. The serial numbers can tell you where the guitar was built, who built it, and when it was built. Ibanez GRGM21G: in this example, the first G identifies that the model is in the GIO range. Guitar World is supported by its audience. published 26 January 22, Our pick of the best Ibanez guitars for beginner to pro players, along with useful buying advice. There are so many different Ibanez models, series, and labels available that it can quickly become confusing trying to understand your different options. After various factory closures and reshuffles over the following years, Ibanezs guitar production was taken to the FujiGen Gakki guitar factory, where most Ibanez guitars were built up until the mid-to-late 80s. Having guitars manufactured in Indonesia allows Ibanez to produce cheaper guitars. Dont focus too much on brand name as both brands can produce excellent quality guitars. The blend of these woods gives the ICHI10 a balanced tone, and theres plenty of scope for a punchy top end when you lay into it thanks to the bolt-on neck. This is a little shorter than a standard Fender-style scale length, so string bending is easier and overall string tension is a little lower making playability easier. Here are some more articles you might find useful: Hey, I'm Heather. A combination of a Poplar body, Jatoba fingerboard and a GRX Maple neck offers any player a heap of punchy brightness, perfect for carving a hole through any mix. Heres a bit more about them: So any time you see one of the series within the name above, the price should make more sense. The second two digits (70), refer to the pickups and the pickguard. The Prestige sub-brand is the highest quality Ibanez guitars you can buy (apart from J. As of writing (October 2020), there is only one model listed as in production on Ibanezs website. With jumbo stainless steel frets and Prestige fret-edge treatment, a bone nut and Gotoh hardware, this AZ2204 Prestige, like many other Ibanez guitars, is designed to be all about playing. Running around like a headless Ibanez? The $3.5k price tag feels a little outlandish, but you get one hell of a guitar for the money so if you can afford it, we'd suggest you just go for it.
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