How to choose an Ibanez Guitar
Buy Rickenbacker Guitars - Buying an Ibanez guitar could be a daunting process. You can find a large number of different Series to select from and lots of models contained within each Series. This article will try to shed some light on which guitar is right for you as well as your wallet. We'll just stick to solid body Ibanez guitars for now.
Signature Series
Buy Rickenbacker Guitars - These are the top grade models and therefore are endorsed by a few of the world's leading guitarists. They are Ibanez's flagship models with guitars from Joe Satriani (JS series), Steve Vai (JEM series) and Paul Gilbert (PGM series) and others. These guitars were purposely coded in conjunction with the artist and many guitars feature a signature DiMarzio pickup. Signature series guitars costs about $2000 - $3000.
RG Series
RG Prestige: The RG Prestige range is a high-end Super Strat bodied guitar. Our bodies is usually made out of basswood with either the thin 5 piece Wizard Prestige or Super Wizard neck. The superior Edge Pro or Edge Zero Tremolo Bridge is also included. Certain models such as the RG3550Z have DiMarzio pickups otherwise Ibanez IBZ or Vintage V series pickups are employed. Prestige models are mainly integrated Japan by Team J. Craft to not be confused with the Japanese only J. Custom series. You should buy an Ibanez Prestige guitar for about $999.
RG Tremolo: Just like the Prestige line, the Indonesian built RG Tremolo uses the harder affordable Edge III Bridge as well as the slightly thicker 3 piece Wizard II maple neck with jumbo frets and shark tooth inlays. They have a basswood body, apart from the RGT42 models which can be in mahogany. Pickups are factory Infinity INF or Vintage V series within an H-S-H configuration. Just about the most popular guitars within the Ibanez range may be the RG350DX ($399) and RG370DX ($399).
RG fixed: The RG Fixed features a non branded fixed bridge, Wizard II neck and is available mostly in basswood with either Ibanez INF or V series pickups. The RGT6EXFX uses EMG 85 and EMG 81 branded pickups. An RG321 costs $299.
GRG/GRX: This series is also called the Ibanez GIO and it is just about the most popular Ibanez models. They are the budget sort of the RG Tremolo characterized by an inexpensive poplar body, 1 piece maple neck, Fat 10 bridge and factory installed PSND pickups. You should buy a GRG170DX for $249.
MiKro: It is a baby RG with a fixed bridge and a 22.2 inch scale neck tuned to G instead of E. This guitar is principally designed for children and will sometimes be bought as a package with an IBZ1G 10-watt amplifier for $199. Playing the guitar on it's own is $129.
S Series
S Prestige: The S series (Saber) is notable because of its ultra thin contoured mahogany body. The design is much more aligned with a Stratocaster. The S Prestige's are made in Japan; some previous models were made in Korea. All use the 24 fret Wizard Prestige neck, EDGE ZR-2 tremolo and also the Hot Grinder HGD1 neck humbucker, Short Tracer ST2 middle single coil and HGD2 bridge pickup. A S5470F costs $1599.
SV Prestige: Similar to the S Prestige, the SV and retains the Wizard Prestige neck, but gets the additional advantage of the True Duo pickup system allowing for splitting the humbuckers to single coil mode using the push/pull volume knob. Basically this allows for 10 different pickup combinations. The SV Prestige also runs on the non locking SynchroniZR tremolo. A SV5470F will set you back $1399.
S: This is like the S Prestige but has got the 3 piece Wizard II neck, ZR bridge and Infinity INF pickups. An S570B is $599.
Ibanez guitars are some of the most popular on the planet. And with a lot of choices there's a model to suit everyone's budget. The GRX GIO series is a good economical starter guitar and some packages even have an amp. Upgrading the range the RG Tremolo and RG Fixed offers better hardware at reasonable prices. The Prestige models are prepared for the intermediate to advanced player. The Signature range is made for the demanding Pro player or any guitarist with deep pockets.