If you are looking for an electric guitar to start learning on or a higher-quality upgrade from your current one, then you might want to consider an Ibanez electric guitar. Read more below to find out more about the company, their guitars, what to look for, and more along with the 9 best ones that you can get today.

Buying Guide


How to choose the best Ibanez electric guitar.


Body type

There are three types of guitar bodies: solid, hollow, and semi-hollow. The most common ones are the solid Ibanez guitars, and these are the ones that are usually fully decorated or painted and more affordable.

Hollow-bodied Ibanez guitars produce a sound that slightly lingers and is smoother than a solid-bodied guitar. The last type, semi-hollow, is a cross between the two, producing a slight and smooth reverb and being idle for mixed-genre playing because of its capabilities.

Neck material

The wooden neck of a guitar can have a vast impact on how it sounds, and Ibanez uses several different types of woods including Basswood, Bubinga, Ebony, Mahogany, Maple, Rosewood, and Sonokeling.

Basswood, Sonokeling, and Rosewood provide warm tones and have a good feel for beginners. Bubinga and Maple are harder and heavier while sounding a somewhat lighter tone, and Ebony has a similar sound but is much lighter. Mahogany is favoured for its color and deeper sound.

Length

Long-necked guitars, around 34 inches, generally hold a note longer than short-necked guitars, around 25.5 inches. This does not really affect the quality of the sound, but it can be difficult for newer or younger players to handle a longer guitar.

If you are new to playing and started out on a smaller guitar, it is a good idea to get a slightly longer one as you advance or grow. While it will not necessarily sound better, it can help you improve your playing and finger positioning.

Number of frets

This is very similar to the neck length, but this factor does affect the sound. A short-necked guitar generally has fewer frets than a longer-necked guitar, and any guitar typically has around 20 to 24 frets. The higher frets are usually not used in most genres regularly except for rock and roll and heavy metal.

Weight

For beginners and children, the weight can be an important thing, especially if they are not used to 15 to 20 pounds either hanging around their neck or resting on their lap. Despite what many think, it can seem less important to adults, but keeping that much weight on your neck or leg for even as long as 20 minutes can cause soreness if you are a beginner.

Extras

Many guitars usually come with a few extra items like a case, a music stand, a tuner, amp cable, an extra set of string, and possibly more. Buying a package or set that comes with most or all of these can be very useful if you do not have any equipment, but if you already do have these tools, then it can save you money to just get the guitar alone.

Warranty

Ibanez is one of the oldest guitar brands that got extremely popular in the '70s and '80s due to their unique shape design. They are also one of the higher quality brands and are generally more affordable than some of the other high-end brands.

What are the advantages of an Ibanez electric guitar?

Ibanez is one of the oldest guitar brands that got extremely popular in the '70s and '80s due to their unique shape design. They are also one of the higher quality brands and are generally more affordable than some of the other high-end brands.

Things to look for that differentiate them.

Other than the previously mentioned traits, the color and shape are a unique factor. Some have extra curves while others are smooth, and some can be found in a solid color while others come in the craziest patterns. These are all a matter of your preference and go best with the genre you like to play.

What is the best way to use an Ibanez guitar?

Make sure you keep it clean and out of extra humid or dry areas since these can damage the guitar. You will also probably want to keep an extra set of strings nearby because it is pretty easy to break them when you are playing or tuning the guitar. You will also want to take lessons at a studio or watch online videos.

These can be especially helpful when it comes to cleaning and maintaining your guitar, and here is one from AxMax that shows how to keep an electric guitar clean.

Top 9 Ibanez electric guitars

#1

This guitar has a solid body that is a dark blue along the edges of the face with the center being a light turquoise colored-stain that still shows a nice accent of the wood grain and the head matches. The neck is made of a light Maple, making it stand out from the body and the head.

Unlike the traditional 6-string guitar, this one has 7 strings that go into a fixed bridge, also known as a hardtail bridge. Being one of the more expensive models, this one has one of the clearest sounds, but it is suited more for an experienced guitar player or even a professional.

Pros

  • Comes with a stand, tuner, and cable
  • Is one of the few 7-string guitars
  • Is one of the best deals/bundles/packages

Cons

  • Is one of the more expensive models
  • Few are kept in stock
#2

This one has one of the more unique designs and colors but is pretty similar to the last one. It comes with a case and a stand, it has a dark blue edged body with a more turquoise-green color in the center, it has a Maple neck, and it is more targeted for experienced guitar players.

The underwater texture in the center of the body, the number of strings (6), and the matching Maple sides of the guitar body are what make it different from the last one. The neck is also longer than many
other guitars, being 26.5 inches long, and it is also a bit heavier than most.

One of the reasons this is not for beginners is because there are no fret markers on this guitar, meaning either you would have to tape off marks if you need them or try and get better at memorizing them.

Pros

  • Comes with a stand and case
  • Has one of the most unique color designs
  • Is longer than the average guitar

Cons

  • Few are kept in stock
#3

This is another solid-bodied model that comes with a case, but this model has a few unique features. The edge of the body has a plumish-purple edge that fades into the natural wood in the center of the body, and the grain is shown throughout the entire body and matching head.

The neck is made of Walnut, has white shark-tooth fret markers, and has jumbo frets that make it easier for beginners to learn. This is one of the higher-quality, beginner-grade models, making it more popular and a little more expensive than the other ones. Still, between the other features and the fact that it is one of the lightest models, it is hard to go wrong with this one.

Pros

  • One of the newer models
  • Comes with a case and cleaning cloth
  • Case and neck are higher quality

Cons

  • Few are kept in stock
#4

This is one of the few brightly-colored models on and off this list; a slightly neon/bumblebee yellow. It is a solid-bodied model that comes with a case and a cleaning cloth, and it has a Jatoba neck/fretboard. This also has jumbo frets like one of the previous models.

The neck has one of the more unique fret markers that they call a 'tree of life' design. It also has a pretty unique design in the body, a handle hole that is used for carrying the guitar. Also, the pickups are a faded red/pale reddish-pink, making them stand out.

Pros

  • One of the newer models
  • Comes with a case and cleaning cloth
  • One of the more affordable models

Cons

  • Few are kept in stock
#5

This model is nearly identical to the last one except for a few differences. It is a little bit heavier and is an electric-pink color on the body and head. The pickups are also a similar pale, reddish-pink, but it matches the electric-pink color a little bit better than the yellow one did.

Like the last one, this model also has a double-locking bridge that helps give the guitar a clear and higher-quality sound, too. It also has the same jumbo frets that the last one has, making it great for beginners.

Pros

  • One of the newer models
  • Comes with a case and cleaning cloth
  • Sound sounds higher in quality

Cons

  • Few are kept in stock
#6

This is one of the few hollow-bodied guitars that made the list, and it is also one of the few models with a classic design between the body shape and the pickups. Similar to the last models, the edges of this one are slightly darker than the center, but the color is a natural brown that has vertical grains instead of horizontal ones.

The neck has a slight grey color due to the Mahogany/Rosewood neck. It is also one of the lighter models both on and off the list, being only 10 pounds, but it does not come with any extras like a case or cleaning cloth. On the bright side, it does have a guaranteed 45-day return policy.

Pros

  • Has a 45-day return policy
  • Is one of the more popular models
  • Is a great option for jazz music

Cons

  • Does not come with extra pieces
#7

The body of this guitar has a very similar shape to the last model, but this is a semi-hollow-bodied guitar. This is also one of the few guitars on and off this list that has a solid, non-neon color, mint blue, and it is the only 12-string guitar on this list, too.

Nearly all of the guitar is made of maple, but all of the body and the back of the neck are all painted minted blue, making the face of the neck and the interior of the body having a wood color. It is also one of the heaviest models, weighing nearly 22 pounds, and it does not come with any extras like a case or cleaning cloth.

Pros

  • Is one of the more popular models
  • Is a 12-string guitar
  • Is one of the newer models

Cons

  • The neck is thinner than most
  • Does not come with extra pieces
#8

This is another model that has a somewhat classic shape and design, but this one is actually available in different colors: transparent blue, which is not actually transparent, and aged whiskey burst. The transparent blue one also has an accenting cream trim along the edges of the body, too. Unlike the other guards, which were solid colors, this guard has a 'flame maple top' design that looks mostly dark brown with some light brown streaks.

It has a hollow body and a Maple/Mahogany neck, and white, rectangular fret markers. This is also one of the models that is lighter than the standard design, only weighing 10 pounds, but it also does not come with any extra pieces.

Pros

  • Is one of the more affordable models
  • Can come in two colors
  • Is a hollow-body model

Cons

  • Does not come with extra pieces
#9

​The last on this list, the sharp and curvy shape of this one has is similar to many of the first models mentioned before. It has a 'walnut sunburst' color that sits in the center of the body while the edges fade to black; you Metallica lovers will probably have that song in your head for the rest of this description. The bright neck has small, black fret markers which are typically the most common design. The guard on this model is a faded black with a chrome lining.

This is one of the most affordable models, regardless of brand, and it is because of this and the good sound quality. However, it may not be the best for children because it is one of the heaviest models, weighing 27 pounds, and it does not come with any extra supplies, too.

Pros

  • Is one of the most affordable models
  • Is one of the most popular models
  • Easy enough for beginners

Cons

  • Does not come with extra pieces

Conclusion

For the winner, we will not look at the body style or the neck material since this is more of preference with the style of sound/music you want to make. Instead, we will compare all of the guitar's neck length, weight, and extras to find the best for children/beginners and the best for adults.

For children/beginners, the best would have to be RGRT621DPB TPF Transparent Purple Burst since it is one of the lightest models, has jumbo frets, and has one of the most noticeable and stylish fret markers. It also comes with a case and cleaning cloth, too. The downside is that it is a pretty heavy model, but the quality and aids do make up for that.

For adults who are a little more advanced, the winner would have to be the Prestige Nebula Green Burst RG752AHMNGB RG. The 7-string model provides a little more challenge if you are more than used to a regular 6-string while providing a professional-quality sound and coming with several extra pieces of equipment.

About the Author Michele Zangrandi

Hi guys, If you share the same excitement for literally ANY new music device out there, then I would be honoured to call you brothers!

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