Ibanez Models Explained

With this article we'd like to give you an overview and help you understand what to look for in the model numbers. We won't go into all of the exceptions like Japanese exclusive dealer models or certain collector's series.

Every Ibanez model code is made up from 3 parts: Series code, Model code, and up to two suffixes.

The Series Code

The series code may start with an optional prefix indicating a certain line of products:

• G = entry level Gio line (e.g. GRG121)
• JC = hand-crafted in Japan Custom line (e.g. JCRG2011Z)
• US = USA custom line (e.g. USRG30)

Then we have 1-3 letters indicating the series. The most famous Ibanez guitar series would be the RG series for example.

After the series we may find an optional suffix before the number portion of the model begins. These characters represent following model attributes:

• B = body binding (e.g. RGB570M)
• M = member of the miKro series of short-scale intruments (e.g. GRGM21)
• R = Reversed headstock (e.g. RGR321EX)
• S = Set-in neck construction (e.g. SAS36FM)
• T = neck-Thru construction (e.g. RGT6EXFX)

A model may have more than one of these.

The Model Code

We usually find 3-4 digits dedicated to the actual model number. There are a lot of exceptions to these rules and going into all of them would definitely exceed the scope of this article.

As a rule of thumb the first digit usually represents the quality (and price) of the instrument:

• e.g. 100 and 200 products are generally produced with cheaper components in low-wage countries. Most of them are now part of the GIO line.
• Four digit codes are part of the higher quality Prestige range (generally made in Japan)
• A very common exception to this rule is if the first digit is a 7, that usually represents a 7 string guitar

The second to last digit commonly denotes the pick-up configuration:

• 1x: Single humbucker (H) PU config. (e.g. RG2610E)
• 2x: HH PU config. (e.g. RG1520A)
• 3x: SSS PU config. w/ pickguard (e.g. SA130FM) or HH PU config. w/ pickguard (e.g. RG331M)
• 4x: HSS PU config w/ pickguard (e.g. RT140)
• 5x: HSH PU config w/ pickguard (e.g. RG1550)
• 6x: HSS PU config w/o pickguard (e.g. RG560)
• 7x: HSH PU config w/o pickguard (e.g. RG1570)
• 8x: HSH w/ direct-mount humbuckers (e.g. RG380)

The last digit represents following attributes:

• x0: standard configuration of the series; e.g. RGs usually have a tremolo
• x1: fixed bridge (e.g. RG1521)
• x2: 12-string (e.g. RG1512, RT452)
• x5: D-Tuner equipped or missing a middle single coil (e.g. RG565)
• x7: Seven-string guitar (e.g. RG1527)
• x8: Eight-string guitar (e.g. RG2228)
• x9: Nine-string guitar (e.g. RG9QM)

Model Number Suffix

Common codes following the number code are: DX (deluxe), E (EMG pickups), FM (flamed maple), QM (quilted maple), Z (Edge Zero tremolo). Comprehensive list of model number suffixes

AZ & AZS Series Exceptions

The AZ & AZS series differs from the norm. The first numbers declare the number of frets (22 or 24). Prestige models then have a 0 as a third digit. The last digit refers to the pickup configuration:

• 0: SH PU config w/o pickguard
• 2: HH PU config
• 3: SSS PU config
• 4: HSS PU config w/ pickguard
• 6: HSS PU config w/o pickguard
• 7: HSH PU config w/o pickguard
• 9: SH PU config w/ pickguard

Colour & Finish Codes

Oftentimes you'll see the colour codes separated by a space from the actual model number. There are a lot of colour and finish codes that are out of the scope of this article. Take a look at the Comprehensive list of colour/finish codes.

Signature Models at Janzen Brothers
Basses at Janzen Brothers
Ibanez Pedals at Janzen Brothers

Special thanks to the Ibanez Fandom Wiki.