Ibanez Electric Guitar Series Overview

The Ibanez catalog is intimidatingly large and most series have their own sub-series. We would like to give you an overview to help you find a starting point of exploring the part of the Ibanez line-up that is most interesting to you.

We also link to the series in our web store. If you are interested in an instrument that we currently do not stock please feel free to contact us. We can order it in for you.

Electric Guitars

AZ

Taking adaptability to new extremes, the AZ series has established itself and carved out a place that spans everything from the warmest blues licks, to the most intense, shred-heavy metal riffs. Carrying this ethos forward, the AZ line embodies time-tested Ibanez innovation and player-focused features like a smooth, oval neck grip, a well-balanced asymmetrical body shape, and the neck heel allowing for unrivaled playability.

AZES

Welcoming yet another expansion to the highly successful AZ series, Ibanez is proud to introduce the AZES or AZ Essentials line. The philosophy behind this series is to bring the tone, versatility and, playability of this celebrated lineup to a wider array of beginner and intermediate players. However, AZ Essentials are also equipped with series-specific features such as a Mono-unit output jack, a 250mm fingerboard radius, and Comfort round bridge saddles, all designed to make the beginner’s learning process a streamlined, enjoyable and fun experience.

AZS

Building off of the highly successful AZ series, the AZS takes some of the most popular elements of the AZ and combines them with a modernized take on a classic single-cut design. Fans of the original AZ will immediately appreciate the neck, which maintains the same oval c shape and 12” radius, delivering smooth ergonomic comfort and quick, agile playability. Consistency of tone is another critical aspect of the AZS. Within the series are tremolo and hardtail designs, but unlike other tremolo versions in this body style, both AZS models utilize a metal mounting plate for the bridge pickup preserving the quintessential clear, fat, and twangy tones for which this type of guitar is known.

RG

The RG is the most recognizable and distinctive guitar in the Ibanez line. Three decades of metal have forged this high-performance machine, honing it for both speed and strength. Whether you favor a hardtail (fixed) bridge or our industry-leading locking tremolo system, the RG is a precision instrument.

RGA

Nothing breathes inspiration into your playing like the feel of a precision made instrument, capable of interpreting your every move with power and accuracy. Enter the Ibanez RGA— a solid body specifically built to handle the heaviest, most physically demanding music you can conjure up. The RGA's unique, sleekly sculpted top offers unrestricted playability for full-throttle power chording or heavy riffing without fear of digging into the body.

RGD

The RGD is Ibanez's ultimate metal machine. The demands of down-tuning require a specifically designed responsiveness not found in "normal" guitars. To optimize for the rich, desirable thickness of tone that down-tuning produces, we extended the neck by one inch to a 26.5” scale. Longer-than standard yet not overly long. The neck is still considered a "fast" neck for speed soloing. Extra-deep cutaways grant comfortable access to the necks highest notes.

Q

With new developments in instrument technology, the prominence of more technical playing styles, and players’ desire for lighter, more portable instruments, today’s headless guitars are pushing far beyond designs of the past. However, even with all these advancements, Ibanez still saw an exciting opportunity in this space. The Q or Quest series is an entirely new concept for Ibanez. The “Quest” in this case was to not just to adapt an existing instrument into a headless design, but to develop an entirely new guitar from the ground up. This range features a number of unique elements intended to maximize tone, performance, and playing comfort. These include, custom designed R1 single coil and Q58 humbucker pickups, a new Mono-Tune bridge, and a proprietary custom string locking mechanism. The QX subseries is also equipped with innovative 8-degree inward slanted frets, uniquely tailoring their ergonomics to the benefit of highly technical players. Ultimately, this series offers a diverse and versatile enough feature set to attract not only the modern, technical guitarist, but also players who may have never even considered a headless guitar before. Regardless of genre, Q (Quest) allows guitarists of every background to question the full scope of their creative possibilities.

S

The cutting edge of Ibanez design, the S series continues to be a marvel of form and function. Its signature body shape - sculpted, lightweight, and mahogany - is stronger and more musically responsive than guitars weighing twice as much. The S series is still a rock 'n' roll version of a quick, graceful, and potentially lethal weapon.

X

The Iron Label line was originally developed with metal and nothing but metal in mind. We modded and tweaked until we got to the heaviest-hitting metal axes we’ve ever built. They’re purposefully spartan, and you won’t find a feature here that doesn't contribute directly to a bone rattling, earth shattering tones these guitars pump out. Carrying forward that same philosophy, the next generation of Iron Label guitars take this raw metal energy to a completely new level. They sport totally blacked out looks, and their supercharged electronics amounting to some of the heaviest-swinging metal axes we’ve ever produced.

ALPHA

As its very name, ALPHA, signifies a beginning, this Ibanez series is no exception. The Ibanez Alpha is forged for the modern, cutting-edge guitar player, boasting an array of truly unique and contemporary features. Its ergonomically designed body silhouette and contours deliver an unprecedented, immersive playing experience. The Ibanez Alpha won't just change how you approach playing; it will open completely new horizons for your music.

Iceman

With perhaps the exception of the RG and several legendary signature models, there are few guitars more integral to the identity of Ibanez than the Iceman. With its sweeping lines and dramatic appearance, this model was first unveiled to the world in 1977 and later adopted the Iceman name in 1978. Notable models include the IC100, IC300, ICT700, and signature offshoots like the PS10 and Fireman. With its storied history and iconic status, the Iceman remains a fixture in countless guitar collections, inspiring artistic creativity around the world.

AR

The AR is a classic among Ibanez guitars. It was one of the first original designs the company produced and continues to be a sought after instrument today. The AR series continues that legacy with pride.

miKro

GRG miKro puts out sound way beyond its size. Perfect for young rockers on the way up or seasoned road warriors on the tour bus.

Hollowbodies Of The Highest Order

AS Artstar

The AS is a semi-acoustic guitar built to tackle just about any genre of music you throw at it. The pickups are mounted directly to the center block for increased sustain and feedback elimination. The parallel histories of Jazz music and the hollow-body electric guitar are inextricably linked and manifest in the professional-grade Artstar series. The influences of these legendary instruments are immediately apparent with a bone nut, ebony fretboard, and Ibanez's signature Super 58 custom pickups. The critical eye will appreciate the attention to detail poured into these instruments like the smoothness of the fretboard and the skill applied to the fretwork, generally found on instruments costing twice as much. The Artstar embodies the pure jazz-box and the continual evolution the genre represents.

AF Artstar

The AF is the most traditional design within the Artcore series. The full-hollow body construction means there are no sound blocks in the body. This construction method produces a rich, complex tone, expressed with a pure voice and full body, the tonal characteristics most highly desired among the discerning Jazz player. The parallel histories of Jazz music and the hollow-body electric guitar are inextricably linked and manifest in the professional-grade Artstar series. The influences of these legendary instruments are immediately apparent with a bone nut, ebony fretboard, and Ibanez's signature Super 58 custom pickups. The critical eye will appreciate the attention to detail poured into these instruments like the smoothness of the fretboard and the skill applied to the fretwork, generally found on instruments costing twice as much. The Artstar embodies the pure jazz-box and the continual evolution the genre represents.

AG Artcore Expressionist

The AG features a slightly smaller body width than the more traditional AF dimensions. However, the same depth and true full-hollow body construction make for a big, warm, and powerful sound. Over a long period, Ibanez has continued to energize the hollow-body market with wide range of designs including everything from rockin' semi-hollow hybrids to straight-up traditional jazz-boxes. The Artcore Expressionist line established yet another chapter in the Artcore story. The Expressionist difference? Jazz fans will recognize the Ibanez original Super 58, the preferred pickup of George Benson, Pat Metheny and John Scofield on their own Signature models. A favorite among jazz players, but also has been proven to perform well in a variety of situations. Warmth, balanced articulation, and excellent response are defining characteristics of the Super 58 pickups.

AM Artstar

The AM was released by Ibanez for the first time in the early '80s. Though smaller in size than other hollow bodies, this guitar provides warm, punchy tone and abundant sustain. It offers the added benefit being compact enough that players more accustomed to a solid body electric will feel right at home on this popular Artcore model. The parallel histories of Jazz music and the hollow-body electric guitar are inextricably linked and manifest in the professional-grade Artstar series. The influences of these legendary instruments are immediately apparent with a bone nut, ebony fretboard, and Ibanez's signature Super 58 custom pickups. The critical eye will appreciate the attention to detail poured into these instruments like the smoothness of the fretboard and the skill applied to the fretwork, generally found on instruments costing twice as much. The Artstar embodies the pure jazz-box and the continual evolution the genre represents.