Best Ibanez Guitars of 2023
Which Ibanez guitar would be the best for you if you were looking for a new instrument? You are in the proper location.
One of the most reliable brands is Ibanez guitars. They were among the first Japanese musical instrument companies to establish themselves in the US, having been founded in 1957. In the 1980s, Ibanez found its footing by launching a new line of cutting-edge and distinctive guitar designs. The company presently maintains numerous production locations in Asia as well as the United States and produces a wide range of electric and acoustic guitars as well as effects pedals.
But selecting the ideal Ibanez for you can be overwhelming with so many variations available. The greatest Ibanez guitars are available in a wide range of styles, sizes, price ranges, and finishes, so whether you’re looking for a high-end Superstrat, an affordable hollow body, or a budget-friendly shred machine, Ibanez guitar has something for you.
But selecting the ideal Ibanez guitar for you can be overwhelming with so many variations available. The greatest Ibanez guitars are available in a wide range of styles, sizes, price ranges, and finishes, so whether you’re looking for a high-end Superstrat, an affordable hollow body, or a budget-friendly shred machine, Ibanez has something for you. While the virtuoso guitarist’s Steve Vai and Joe Satriani’s signature Ibanez guitars may be the brand’s most well-known products, there are many other possibilities available.
products review: Best ibanez guitars
1. Ibanez RG550 RG Genesis
features
- Super Wizard 5pc Maple/Walnut Neck: The Super Wizard 5pc Maple/Walnut neck provides extra-smooth playing
- V7 / S1 / V8 Pickups: The RG can dial in any tone, from crystal clear to searing and nasty, thanks to its V7 neck pickup, S1 middle pickup, and V8 bridge pickup combination
- Maple Fretboard: The Maple fretboard provides crisp, bright highs and strong upper mids
- Edge Tremolo Bridge: The masterpiece Edge bridge offers exceptional tuning stability, precise intonation adjustment, and playing comfort
specification
| Brand | Ibanez |
| Color | Purple Neon |
| Top Material Type | Maple Wood |
| Body Material | Basswood |
| Back Material Type | Basswood |
| Neck Material Type | Maple |
| Fretboard Material Type | Maple |
| Guitar Pickup Configuration | S |
| Hand Orientation | Right |
| Guitar Bridge System | Tremolo |
A timeless style, the RG550 made its debut in 1987. The Genesis Collection keeps the feel of the original while incorporating some contemporary elements. Basswood makes the RG550’s body, which is ideal for warm tones with biting mids. It is a very comfortable instrument to play because the body’s form fits your body and forearm.
The ultra-fast Wizard Neck of the RG550 is one of its coolest features. There was only one piece of maple in the first Wizard Neck. The reissue’s materials have been upgraded to a 5-piece combo of maple and walnut. The RG550’s pickups use the now-iconic HSH configuration, which features two humbuckers encircling a single coil in the centre position. The humbuckers are contemporary V7 and V8 models, and the middle S1 pickup offers more conventional single-coil tones. While capable of handling any genre, these high-output pickups are ideal for hard rock and metal.
The RG550 has premium electronics as well as solid black hardware, including a Gotoh locking machine head and an Edge locking tremolo.
2. Ibanez High Performance RG421HPFM
features
- 2 Humbucking Pickups – Blue Reef Gradation
- Solidbody Electric Guitar
- Roasted Maple Neck
- with Nyatoh Body
- Jatoba Fretboard
specification
| Brand | Ibanez |
| Color | Blue Reef Gradation |
| Top Material Type | Maple Wood |
| Body Material | Maple |
| Back Material Type | Maple Wood |
| Neck Material Type | Maple |
| Fretboard Material Type | Jatoba |
| Guitar Pickup Configuration | H |
| Guitar Bridge System | Hardtail Bridge |
| Scale Length | 25.5 Inches |
The RGA42FM doesn’t have the most memorable brand name, but it more than makes up for it with its performance. This RGA model features the supposedly “normal” Maple neck and Jatoba fingerboard, but the body is built of Meranti rather than Poplar. The cherry on top of this RGA’s aesthetic cake is its flamed Maple top, which is stunning in any of the available finishes.
The RGA42FM offers exceptional sustain due to Meranti’s deeper tone and colour, which is similar to Mahogany. The top and neck woods, which are significantly lighter, do a good job of brightening up the instrument’s tone and bringing out the best in that set of Quantum humbuckers. Although a 5-way selector switch provides a great range of tonal options, we wish the bridge pickup could be used simultaneously.
3. Ibanez RG470DX RG
features
- Solidbody Electric Guitar with Meranti Body
- Locking Tremolo – Black Planet Matte
- 1 Single-coil Pickup
- 2 Humbucking Pickups
- Jatoba Fingerboard
specification
| Brand | Ibanez |
| Color | Black Planet |
| Top Material Type | Meranti |
| Body Material | Meranti |
| Back Material Type | Meranti |
| Neck Material Type | Maple |
| Fretboard Material Type | Maple |
| Guitar Pickup Configuration | Magnetic-Quantum H-S-H |
| String Material Type | Nickel |
| Hand Orientation | Right |
The Ibanez RG450 might be the best choice for guitarists who have been playing for a few years and are prepared to advance. Ibanez’s iconic RG design, which gained popularity in the 1980s, includes the RG450. It has a three-piece maple Wizard III neck with 24 jumbo frets and a Jatoba fretboard for quick playing. Another excellent addition is the sharktooth inlaid rosewood fingerboard.
The narrow body form maintains true to the RG style that many guitarists have grown to adore, and the mahogany body is perfectly balanced and sonorous. Higher frets are simple to reach thanks to a good cutaway. It’s difficult to go wrong with the Ibanez RG450 if you’re looking for a reliable Ibanez electric guitar with tonnes of versatility for under $500. It belongs to Ibanez’s venerable RG series but is more reasonably priced. This is the guitar to buy if you want a cheap one that doesn’t compromise on quality.
4. Ibanez Steve Vai Signature
features
- DiMarzio Evolution Pickups: The Steve Vai’s Signature features DiMarzio Evolution humbuckers in the bridge and neck positions and a DiMarzio Evolution single loop in the middle position for a wide array of rock tones
- Edge Tremolo Bridge: The JEM7VP will let you scream or moan with the Edge bridge and groundbreaking Lion’s Claw tremolo cavity, allowing pitches to be radically raised or lowered without obstruction
- Steve Vai Signature 6-String Electric Guitar: The Ibanez Steve Vai Signature 6-String Electric Guitar with Bag features an Ebony fretboard features quick response and great articulation
- Fret Edge Treatment: The premium Fret Edge Treatment offers super smooth and comfortable performance
- Usage: This guitar is suitable for right-hand usage
specification
| Brand | Ibanez |
| Color | White |
| Top Material Type | Basswood |
| Body Material | Alder |
| Back Material Type | Alder |
| Neck Material Type | Maple |
| Fretboard Material Type | Ebony |
| Guitar Pickup Configuration | H |
| Hand Orientation | Right |
| Guitar Bridge System | Tremolo |
The JEMJR has a stunning appearance, which will catch your attention right away. The distinctive “monkey grip” handle that enables musicians to take up the instrument one-handed like a case and Vai’s famous acrylic Tree of Life inlay are both present and accounted for. This guitar has a Meranti sturdy body, despite the monkey grip. It has 24 jumbo frets on Ibanez guitar vintage Wizard III maple neck with a Jatoba fingerboard.
Any Steve Vai album will feature the kind of fast-paced shredding that The Wizard’s necks are renowned for. You simply cannot match the Ibanez’s neck in terms of playability. They are swift, comfortable, and incredibly thin.The JEMJR was designed with Steve Vai’s tone in mind, yet it is a high-quality, extremely adaptable guitar with a fantastic aesthetic for guitarists of all genres. Particularly for progressive and hard rock genres, it would be ideal. It is unbeatable at the pricing point as well.
5. Ibanez JIVA10 Nita Strauss Signature
features
- Solidbody Electric Guitar with Nyatoh Body
- Edge Zero II Tremolo – Deep Space Blonde
- Maple/Purpleheart Neck
- 2 Humbucking Pickups
- 1 Single-coil Pickup
specification
| Brand | Ibanez |
| Color | Deep Space Blonde |
| Top Material Type | Maple Wood |
| Body Material | Nyatoh |
| Back Material Type | Mahogany |
| Neck Material Type | Maple |
| Fretboard Material Type | Maple |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
Looking for a fierce, ultra-unique Ibanez narrow body electric guitar? Look at the Nita Strauss JIVA10 Signature from Ibanez. Strauss is undoubtedly one of the best professional guitarists, and her signature Ibanez guitar is a top-notch guitar. This instrument has a number of high-quality tonewoods, including an ebony fretboard and a neck made of maple and purpleheart. Nyatoh and quilted maple are used to construct the body.
The JIVA10’s hardware includes an Edge-Zero tremolo system with vibrato and a stud lock function for flawless tuning stability. It also offers precise bends. Without having to worry about losing your tune, you can shred for hours. The JIVA10 might be for you if you want a really cool-looking guitar with a tonne of interesting tone possibilities or are just a fan of Nita Strauss. A guitar at this price point becomes a killer value when genuine DiMarzio pickups are added.
6. Ibanez RG Prestige Series RG652AHM
features
- 5-piece maple/walnut “Super Wizard High Performance” neck
- Ash body, bound birdseye maple fingerboard
- Black dot inlay
- Jumbo frets with Prestige fret edge treatment
- DiMarzio Air Norton neck pickup
specification
| Brand | Ibanez |
| Color | Nebula Green Burst |
| Top Material Type | Wood |
| Body Material | Solid |
| Back Material Type | Solid wood |
| Neck Material Type | Maple |
| Hand Orientation | Right |
| Guitar Bridge System | Adjustable |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
Love the way Ibanez guitars look and feel, but don’t want a floating bridge? You may want the Prestige RG652AHMFX. The Gibraltar Standard II fixed bridge, sometimes referred to as a “hardtail,” is present on the Prestige. These bridges provide outstanding string clarity, sustain, and tuning stability. Also convenient for palm muting.
The RG652AHMFX has Gotoh magnum locking tuners and a GraphTech nut for added tuning stability. This is one axe that won’t lose its pitch! Additionally, the RG652AHMFX has a stunning ash body with a distinctive natural tonality that stands out in a busy mix.
The DiMarzio Air Norton and Tone Zone humbuckers that come standard on the Prestige provide a vintage tone. You have access to more tones with a 5-way switch in the Strat design than you would ordinarily find in a 2-pickup guitar. This guitar is capable of handling a wide range of musical styles, but it is a perfect example of the metal guitars for which Ibanez is renowned
7. Ibanez RGMS7 RG
features
- 7-string Multi-scale Solidbody Electric Guitar with Nyatoh Body
- 2 Humbucking Pickups – Black
- 5-pc Maple/Walnut Neck
- Jatoba Fretboard
specification
| Brand | Ibanez |
| Color | Black |
| Top Material Type | Maple Wood |
| Body Material | Nyatoh |
| Back Material Type | Maple Wood |
| Neck Material Type | Walnut Wood |
| Fretboard Material Type | Jatoba |
| Guitar Pickup Configuration | H |
| Hand Orientation | Right |
| Number of Strings | 7 |
The Axion is a very striking guitar at first glance. The entire fretboard can be reached with ease because to its distinctive design, and the Nyatoh body’s Satin polyurethane finish is very attractive. The Fishman Fluence Modern humbucker pickups on this instrument are arguably its most distinctive feature. You get tight bass and clear highs from one voice, much like an active pickup of today. The other voice is a beast with a high output designed for greater gain. You can choose from a wide range of tones using a 3-way switch and push/pull pot.
Additionally, the RGD71ALMS has multi-scaled frets made for playing that is down-tuned and more complex. This allows for greater intonation over all 24 jumbo frets because the lowest strings have a longer scale than the higher strings. The Ibanez Axion Label RGD71ALMS is the 7-string guitar you’ve been looking for if you want something with a distinctive appearance and lots of tonal options. These guitars are excellent for fans of traditional 7-string bands like Korn and the Deftones as well as downtuned hard rock. These guitars, however, can be played in any style.
8. Ibanez AS73FM Artcore
features
- Semi-hollowbody Electric Guitar with Flame Maple Top
- 2 Humbucking Pickups – Azure Blue Gradation
- Bound Laurel Fingerboard
- Walnut Fingerboard
- Nyatoh Neck
specification
| Brand | Ibanez |
| Color | Azure Blue Gradiation |
| Top Material Type | Maple, Walnut |
| Body Material | Basswood |
| Back Material Type | Maple, Walnut |
| Neck Material Type | Maple |
| Fretboard Material Type | Walnut Wood |
| Guitar Pickup Configuration | H |
| Scale Length | 24.7 Inches |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
The Artcore is a semi-hollow guitar, which are well recognised for its resonance. All-linden laminate was used to construct the body of the guitar, giving it the jangle and crispness you’d expect from a top-notch semi-hollow guitar. Early semi-hollow body designs had issues with 60-cycle hum, but the Artcore AS73 doesn’t have that problem. Ibanez uses Classic Elite humbuckers, which maintain the bite of the instrument while yet having a distinctive sound of their own
A 3-way switch and separate volume and tone controls for each pickup give you more control. The Ibanez guitar Artcore AS73 is an excellent option if you’re seeking for a high-quality semi-hollow guitar but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars. For someone who like early country and rockabilly as well as blues and jazz, these guitars would be ideal. If you want to go there, go ahead even though they probably aren’t the best for metal. Personally, I believe that the Artcore AS73 is Ibanez guitar top jazz guitar.
9. Ibanez V70CE
features
- Select spruce top
- Chrome tuners
- Mahogany neck, back, and sides
- Rosewood bridge and fretboard
- Dreadnought body
specification
| Brand | Ibanez |
| Color | Blue |
| Top Material Type | Rose Wood, Engineered Wood, Mahogany, Spruce |
| Body Material | Spruce;Mahogany |
| Back Material Type | Rosewood, Mahogany Wood |
| Neck Material Type | Mahogany |
| Fretboard Material Type | Rosewood |
| Guitar Pickup Configuration | Piezoelectric |
| Hand Orientation | Right |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
Even while Ibanez might not come to mind when you think of an acoustic guitar, they do offer some good choices. The Ibanez V70CE is a fantastic option if you’re looking for an excellent acoustic-electric guitar on a tight budget. The back, sides, and top of this Ibanez acoustic guitar are made entirely of mahogany. A gentle cutaway on the dreadnought body makes it simpler to reach the highest frets.
Additionally composed of mahogany, the neck has a rosewood fingerboard. The 20-fret V70CE includes a rosewood bridge, chrome die-cast tuning pegs, and 20 frets. You can’t go wrong with the Ibanez V70CE if you’re a beginning or intermediate musician searching for a reliable cheap acoustic guitar. Even if you haven’t started playing live shows yet, having the right electronics will be helpful when you do show up for your first Open Mic. When you start playing solos, the soft cutaway should be more accommodating and useful. Just keep in mind that this guitar doesn’t come with a case, so be sure to buy a gig bag!
how to pick the ideal Ibanez instrument for you
hardware
Many guitars are available with Ibanez’s own ‘Edge’ locking tremolo system, allowing you to access some wacky trem-based effects à la Steve Vai and Joe Satriani, for those who want to take full use of Ibanez guitar’s more “extreme” history.
The rest of the Ibanez guitar’s hardware is frequently strong and long-lasting, and many models come with locking tuners made by Gotoh. These firmly grip your strings, preventing string slip and keeping tuning troubles to a minimum. Even though Ibanez’s less expensive guitars frequently lack locking tuners, they outperform their rivals in performance.
Electronics
It’s crucial to confirm that the Ibanez guitar of your dreams has electronics that work for you, just like with any other instrument search. Two humbuckers probably won’t work for you if you prefer the sound of a single-coil electric guitar pickup, and vice versa. Although pickups, switching, and other electronics can be changed, it’s better if your guitar comes equipped with everything you require right out of the box.
On their guitars, Ibanez offers a wide range of pickup configurations, including various numbers of pickups, sizes, output levels, brands, and more. Their switching setups are typically conventional, allowing you to concentrate mainly on your playing.
playability
Putting something on a strap over your shoulder and holding it in your hands while playing it is the simplest way to determine whether it is playable. There are a few considerations to make if you are unable to try an item before you buy it.
Once more, larger and chunkier neck shapes may not be ideal for you if you have small hands. When reading about a guitar’s neck shape, look for the adjective “slim” because these are likely to be your most comfortable choices.
