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Widely regarded as a go-to purveyor of high-performance guitars for hard rock and metal, Ibanez produces a variety of instruments with sharp lines, fast necks, hot humbuckers and striking looks. The best Ibanez guitars for metal merge premium playability with searing sonics, giving guitarists the tools they need to reach the pinnacle of precision technique. Depending on your individual style, Ibanez offers everything from an ’80s-inspired Superstrat (RG550) to a multi-scale 7-string (RGD71ALMS), and plenty more in between. If you’re searching for the missing piece of metal in your guitar collection, be sure to check out the options presented here.
Left to Right: Ibanez JEMJR Headstock, Ibanez RGD71ALMS Headstock, Ibanez RG470PB Headstock
Table of Contents
On Ibanez's Prominence in Metal
Comparing the Best Ibanez Guitars for Metal
The Best Ibanez Guitars for Metal
Conclusion
On Ibanez's Prominence in Metal
Ibanez began rising to the top of the hard rock, metal and shred scenes in 1987 with the release of their flagship, Superstrat-inspired Roadstar Guitar (RG)—the RG550. That same year also saw the release of Steve Vai’s signature JEM, boasting the iconic Monkey Grip handle and Tree of Life fretboard inlay. The RG and JEM belong to a small club of massively successful guitar designs not born in the 1950s, and they helped establish Ibanez’s reputation as a performance-focused innovator for technically ambitious players.
Pictured: Ibanez JEMJR Steve Vai Signature JEM Series Electric Guitar in White
Ibanez is also credited as the first brand to mass produce 7- and 8-string guitars, beginning with another Steve Vai signature—the Universe—in 1990. The Ibanez Universe 7-string brought extended-range instruments into the mainstream, leading Korn guitarists Head and Munky to each purchase one prior to recording their self-titled debut in 1994. Nu metal stormed onto the scene, and artists were suddenly reaching for 7-string guitars to bring their sound to life.
Continuing in that vein, Ibanez launched the first mass-produced 8-string—the RG2228—in 2007. Over the years, Ibanez has also accumulated an impressive roster of headbangers with signature instruments, including Periphery’s Jake Bowen; Meshuggah’s Fredrik Thordendal and Mårten Hagström; Between the Buried and Me’s Paul Waggoner; and Polyphia’s Tim Henson and Scott LePage.
Pictured: Ibanez RGD71ALMS Axion Label Multi-Scale 7-String Electric Guitar in Black Aurora Burst
For almost 40 years, Ibanez has been unafraid to break tradition and cater to players on the bleeding edge of musical expression through guitar. Today, many of the best metal guitars are, in fact, still made by Ibanez. Let’s have a look at top favorites currently in production.
Comparing the Best Ibanez Guitars for Metal
|
Model |
Body |
Neck |
Fingerboard |
Pickups |
Bridge |
Tuners |
|
Alder |
Roasted maple |
Roasted maple |
Seymour Duncan Hyperion HH |
Gotoh T1802 tremolo |
Gotoh Magnum locking |
|
|
Okoume with ash top |
5-piece panga and walnut |
Ebony |
DiMarzio Fusion Edge HH |
Gibraltar Standard III |
Gotoh MG-T locking |
|
|
Meranti |
Maple |
Jatoba |
Quantum HSH |
Ibanez double-locking tremolo |
Ibanez nonlocking |
|
|
Basswood |
5-piece maple and walnut |
Maple |
DiMarzio Gravity Storm and Evolution HSH |
Edge-Zero II tremolo |
Ibanez nonlocking |
|
|
Basswood |
5-piece maple and walnut |
Ebony |
Fishman Fluence Modern alnico/ceramic HH |
Mono-rail G2 |
Gotoh MG-T locking |
|
|
Nyatoh |
5-piece panga and walnut |
Ebony |
Fishman Fluence Modern HH |
Mono-rail fixed |
Gotoh locking |
|
|
Basswood |
5-piece maple and walnut |
Maple |
V8 (H), S1 (S), V7 (H) |
Edge tremolo |
Gotoh nonlocking |
|
|
Meranti with poplar burl top |
Maple |
Jatoba |
Quantum HSH |
Edge-Zero II tremolo |
Ibanez nonlocking |
|
|
Mahogany with oak top |
5-piece maple and walnut |
Rosewood |
DiMarzio Tone Zone, True Velvet, Air Norton HSH |
Lo-Pro Edge tremolo |
Gotoh nonlocking |
|
|
Meranti |
Maple |
Ebony |
Quantum HSH |
Edge-Zero II tremolo |
Ibanez nonlocking |
|
|
Poplar |
Roasted maple |
Jatoba |
Classic Elite HH |
F106 fixed |
Ibanez nonlocking |
|
|
Basswood with poplar burl top |
7-piece maple and walnut |
Ebony |
DiMarzio Tone Zone and Air Norton HH |
Mono-rail fixed |
Gotoh locking |
|
|
Basswood |
Roasted maple |
Ebony |
Fishman Fluence Tim Henson Signature Series HH |
Gotoh T1502 tremolo |
Gotoh locking |
|
|
Okoume |
5-piece maple and walnut |
Rosewood |
Quantum HH |
Edge-Zero II tremolo |
Ibanez nonlocking |
The Best Ibanez Guitars for Metal
Pictured: Ibanez RGD71ALMS Axion Label Multi-Scale 7-String Electric Guitar Neck
Ibanez AZ Prestige AZ2402
Why We Picked It: The AZ Prestige AZ2402 qualifies as a Superstrat, and while it’s fantastic for metal, it excels at a whole bunch of other stuff, too.
Key Features:
- AZ Oval C neck profile
- Jumbo stainless steel frets with Prestige edge treatment
- Made in Japan
Shop Now: Ibanez AZ Prestige AZ2402 in Roadster Orange Metallic
“Versatile” can be an overused word from the guitar player’s lexicon (guilty), but when it comes to the Ibanez AZ2402, the term genuinely applies. That sonic flexibility stems from a pair of Seymour Duncan Hyperion humbuckers with a medium-hot output. While they lean more traditional in terms of overall voicing and dynamic feel, they can easily be adapted to high-gain metal given the right amp and/or pedals. And, in addition to the AZ2402’s 5-way blade selector, this guitar features the dyna-MIX10 Alter switch that flips the pickups into dedicated single-coil mode for an entirely different quintet of sounds.
Ibanez RGD621AH
Why We Picked It: With a 26.5" scale length, this 6-string retains adequate string tension when tuned down low.
Key Features:
- Hybrid passive/ceramic pickups
- Coil-tap switch for additional tones
- Luminescent side dots
Shop Now: Ibanez RGD621AH in Midnight Shade Flat
Ibanez teamed up with DiMarzio to design special Fusion Edge humbuckers for the RGD621AH. They’re ideally voiced for contemporary high-gain tones—such as those heard in today’s progressive metal and djent—with articulate top end and punchy, compressed lows. The pickups’ tonal performance is complemented in playability by an ultrathin Wizard III neck, offering a proper launchpad for your most nimble riffs. Important to know, the Ibanez RGD621AH comes set up one whole step down (D standard) from the factory.
Ibanez JEMJR Steve Vai Signature JEM Series Electric Guitar
Why We Picked It: If there was ever a Flex-Able guitar for progressive, fusion, rock and metal, the Ibanez JEMJR Steve Vai signature checks all the boxes.
Key Features:
- Iconic Tree of Life fretboard inlay and Monkey Grip handle
- Floating tremolo system for dive bombs and flutters
- Stylish, timeless aesthetic for hard rockers
Shop Now: Ibanez JEMJR Steve Vai Signature JEM Series Electric Guitar in White
Ibanez’s JEMJR Steve Vai signature provides affordable access to the virtuoso’s prized design, instantly recognizable in rock, metal and shred circles as his guitar. Outfitted with a double-locking, floating Ibanez tremolo system and HSH pickups, there isn’t much you can’t do with the JEMJR. This made-in-Indonesia electric is fully optimized for technical expression, but given its tonal versatility, you can chill out on laidback blues licks or go full throttle into the shred zone. One of our most-reviewed, top-rated models, the JEMJR’s distinct Monkey Grip handle and Tree of Life inlay give this high-performing Superstrat a distinguished look popular among metal players.
If you want to get the fully story behind the Ibanez JEM, be sure to check out A Guide to the Ibanez JEM.
Ibanez JEM77P Steve Vai Signature JEM Premium Series Electric Guitar
Why We Picked It: Steve Vai’s signature JEM77P parts the sea of all-black Superstrats with a sweet floral-patterned paint job.
Key Features:
- Flexible DiMarzio HSH pickup configuration
- Thin, flat Wizard neck with jumbo frets offers speed in spades
- Blue plastics and a see-through pickguard complete the vibe
Shop Now: Ibanez JEM77P Steve Vai Signature JEM Premium Series Electric Guitar in Blue Floral Pattern
The JEM77P is produced in Indonesia as part of the Ibanez Premium line, offering top-notch components and build quality. Its striking blue floral finish is sure to turn heads, but discerning metal guitarists stay for the American basswood body, titanium-reinforced maple/walnut neck, DiMarzio pickups and comfortable, expressive Edge-Zero II tremolo system. With a JEM in your hands, it’s almost impossible not to unleash passion and warfare.
Ibanez Alpha A527 Multi-Scale 7-String
Why We Picked It: Forward-thinking design takes precedence with the Alpha A527, demonstrating that Ibanez isn’t afraid to push boundaries in the name of elite playability and sonic integrity.
Key Features:
- Asymmetric Parallel Wizard neck carve
- Tonally diverse Fishman Fluence Modern pickups
- Ergonomic elbow and rear body contours
Shop Now: Ibanez Alpha A527 Multi-Scale 7-String in Nebula Shift
The visionaries over at Ibanez conceived an all-new platform in the Alpha series, and the A527 is its flagship model. At face value, you immediately get the prototypical, ahem, “modern” guitar, defined by a totally non-traditional shape and style—its various curves and contours accentuating lightning-fast playability for the most intrepid technicians. What’s really going to open some eyes here is the Parallel Wizard AS-7 neck, which goes from rounded to more flat as your fingers work vertically, bass to treble side. This unique shape facilitates techniques like sweep picking and string skipping, where comfort and control go hand in hand, so you can push the accelerator and test the limits of your skill in a vehicle that ultimately stays out of your way.
Ibanez RGD71ALMS Axion Label Multi-Scale 7-String Electric Guitar
Why We Picked It: The Ibanez RGD71ALMS’ extended range and bold aesthetic appeals to players in progressive metal (djent), technical death metal and beyond.
Key Features:
- Luminescent side dot inlays guide the way under dim stage lights
- Push/pull volume control switches Fishman Fluence voicings
- Schaller S-Locks included
Shop Now: Ibanez RGD71ALMS Axion Label Multi-Scale 7-String Electric Guitar in Black Aurora Burst
Sporting a Nitro Wizard-7 neck, 25.5–27" scale length and Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers, the Ibanez RGD71ALMS takes extended-range tone and playability to the extreme. The RGD body—where “D” stands for down tuning—is deeply contoured, sharply pointed and everything you’d want in a contemporary guitar for metal. While there’s generally a bit of an adjustment period going from six strings to seven, this guitar eases the transition with a speedy, multi-scale neck, providing the tension and bendability you’re used to up top. The control layout simply consists of a three-way toggle and push/pull tone knob, though the sonic range of Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers is impressive. Customers are thrilled with the RGD71ALMS, rating it 4.79 stars out of five—92% of the group would also recommend it to a headbanging friend.
Ibanez RG550 Genesis Collection Electric Guitar
Why We Picked It: The Ibanez Genesis Collection RG550 is a callback to the original 1987 Roadstar guitar, featuring elite shredability and a flashy neon finish.
Key Features:
- Flat 16.9" (430 mm) fretboard radius
- Slinky Super Wizard neck profile
- Alnico bridge and middle pickups; ceramic neck pickup
Shop Now: Ibanez RG550 Genesis Collection Electric Guitar in Electric Blue
In the Superstrat realm, the Ibanez RG550 may be one of the most iconic silhouettes ever produced, inviting adventurous guitarists to take their fretboard acrobatics to new heights. Boasting an ultrafast Super Wizard neck, floating tremolo system and a trio of pickups for tonal variation, the Genesis Collection RG550 is a throwback that continues to feel like it’s on the cutting edge. Built in Japan, the flagship RG550 is still one of the best guitars for metal nearly 40 years into its lifecycle. Many customers agree, certifying its popularity by rating the Genesis Collection RG 4.5 stars.
Ibanez RG470PB Standard Electric Guitar
Why We Picked It: Punching well above its weight, the RG470PB looks and sounds like a high-end guitar at an accessible price.
Key Features:
- One-piece output jack is immune to loosening over time
- Low-profile Edge-Zero II bridge feels comfy under your hand
- Quantum HSH pickups provide balanced, metal-oriented tone
Shop Now: Ibanez RG470PB Standard Electric Guitar in Red Eclipse Burst
The Ibanez RG470PB prominently features a poplar burl top stained in an attention-grabbing Red Eclipse Burst. A contemporary Superstrat through and through, the RG470PB includes all the trappings of a shredder. Its Wizard III neck is a slim 0.8" thick at the 12th fret with a 15.7" radius, so it excels at rapid-fire single-note runs, octave-spanning riffs and complex chord shapes (especially those with a hint of “evil” dissonance). If you’re looking for classic RG playability and a cool, natural wood top, the Ibanez RG470PB should be high on your list. As one reviewer put, “The photos don’t even do it justice. This is such an amazing guitar in person.”
Ibanez S Prestige S6670SK
Why We Picked It: The Ibanez Saber Prestige—hewn to lightweight, ergonomic perfection—slices through intricate musical stylings with player-friendly ease.
Key Features:
- Made in Japan with top-tier craftsmanship
- Designed for comfort, control and breakneck speed
- DiMarzio pickup trio (HSH) covers metal, rock, jazz and beyond
Shop Now: Ibanez S Prestige S6670SK in Ultramarine
The Ibanez S Prestige S6670SK simply does everything: You can explore a massive array of sounds with its pickup configuration, dive and flutter on its proprietary floating vibrato system, and reap the tangible benefits of a thin, flat Super Wizard HP neck. Everything—right down to bolt-on construction, which gives the S6670SK a snappy, responsive attack—is conducive to expressivity. And given how light and trim this guitar is, it can be comfortably worn for hours of rehearsal and gigs without feeling like an anchor on your shoulder. The S Prestige may just be the epitome of Ibanez—the brand identity personified.
Ibanez Nita Straus JIVAJR Signature Electric Guitar
Why We Picked It: Nita Strauss’ signature JIVAJR Ibanez exudes style in a player-friendly package.
Key Features:
- Quilted maple top finished in Deep Sea Blonde
- Ebony fretboard with custom Beaten Path inlay
- Wizard III maple neck offers signature Ibanez speed
Shop Now: Ibanez Nita Strauss JIVAJR Signature Electric Guitar in Deep Sea Blonde
Hurricane Nita became the first female guitarist to earn an Ibanez signature with the top-reviewed JIVA10 in 2018, and the JIVAJR distills its essence into a more accessible option for metal guitarists at any place in their musical journey. The Ibanez S series body incorporates softer features into its contoured, ergonomic frame, but there’s nothing subtle about the JIVAJR. Capturing Nita Strauss’ characteristic style, her signature guitar is built for speed and ready to storm the stage, featuring a unique, multi-color burst on a quilted maple top, a custom Beaten Path inlay and heaps of tone from a Quantum HSH pickup configuration.
Ibanez GIO GRG121SP Electric Guitar
Why We Picked It: The Gio GRG121SP combines high-quality components and construction, offering beginners and veterans alike the legendary Ibanez experience at an unbeatable price.
Key Features:
- Rock-solid roasted maple neck contributes to stability
- Fixed F106 bridge is easier to maintain than a floating tremolo system
- Blue Metal Chameleon finish shimmers and sparkles
Shop Now: Ibanez GIO GRG121SP Electric Guitar in Blue Metal Chameleon
The Gio series delivers the coveted fluidity and aggression of the Ibanez RG to aspiring metal players at the start of their expedition. With a hardtail bridge, roasted maple neck and no-nonsense HH pickup layout, the Ibanez GRG121SP is both easy to play and maintain. In the looks department, it spares nothing, bearing a daring, color-changing finish. Don’t be fooled by the cost—the GRG121SP is a highly rated player’s guitar, earning 4.88 stars from our customers and a flawless 100% recommendation rate.
Ibanez RG Premium RGT1221PB Electric Guitar
Why We Picked It: “Designed to Inspire” is the Premium series motto, and the RG Premium pairs top-notch tonewoods, electronics and hardware for metal enthusiasts who demand the most from their instrument.
Key Features:
- Jumbo stainless steel frets with Premium fret edge treatment
- Acrylic and abalone block inlays lend a splash of vintage-style appeal
- Neck-thru construction enhances resonance and sustain
Shop Now: Ibanez RG Premiums RGT1221PB Electric Guitar in Stained Wine Red Low Gloss
The Ibanez RG Premium RGT1221PB favors bold, intrepid metal guitarists craving unrivaled playability and unhindered sonic flexibility. This RG Premium sports a DiMarzio Tone Zone in the bridge and an Air Norton in the neck, wired to a 5-way blade and Ibanez’s proprietary dyna-MIX10 alter switch for 10 distinct voicings. Jumbo stainless steel frets provide a platform for effortless bends and seamless movement, aided by the unparalleled quickness of a Wizard III neck with thru-body construction. Between a hardtail Mono-rail bridge and Gotoh MG-T locking tuners, the Ibanez RG Premium is incredibly stable, tonally versatile and ready to rock.
Ibanez TOD10 Tim Henson Signature Electric Guitar
Why We Picked It: Based on the inspiring adaptability of the AZ series, Tim Henson’s signature Ibanez TOD10 covers everything from palm-muted staccato chugs to bell-like, split-coil cleans.
Key Features:
- AZ Oval C-shaped neck with rounder 12" radius
- Ebony fretboard features custom Tree of Death inlay
- Graph Tech nut and locking Gotoh MG-T tuners
Shop Now: Ibanez TOD10 Tim Henson Signature Electric Guitar
Tim Henson emerged as a sensational shredder with Polyphia in 2010, developing a unique voice and approach to melodic riff writing that’s already left an influential mark on the world of instrumental progressive rock/metal. The Ibanez TOD10 is Henson’s versatile signature axe built upon an AZ foundation, including an ergonomic asymmetrical body, a comfortable roasted maple neck and a pair of Fishman Fluence Tim Henson Signature Series active humbuckers. The latter especially contribute to the TOD10’s ability to pull off the entire palette of sound Henson uses, from crushing high gain to jangly, edge-of-breakup tones. Overall, the TOD10’s refined aesthetic belies its capability to perform at Henson’s exceptionally high level.
Ibanez X Standard Xiphos XPT420DX
Why We Picked It: The Ibanez Xiphos is at the extreme end of the metal guitar spectrum, sporting a shape that is absolutely destined for death metal.
Key Features:
- Painted neck is relatively uncommon for Ibanez
- Included gig bag ensures protection for the unconventional shape
- Reverse sharktooth inlays help the fretboard match the body’s energy
Shop Now: Ibanez X Standard Xiphos XPT420DX in Rose Gold Chameleon
Influential tech death titan Muhammed Suiçmez of Necrophagist was an early adopter of Ibanez Xiphos models when they were first released in 2007, as was All That Remains’ Oli Herbert. That tells you a lot about the type of guitarists who’d be attracted to the X Standard Xiphos XPT420DX—it’s a radical, polarizing axe that pretty much tells you how and what to play. Even the simplified 3-way pickup selector suggests you should go for full-on humbucking fury with none of those in-between, split-position sounds (that Ibanez happens to do very well elsewhere). When you pick up a Xiphos, you check your cutesy licks and cowboy chords at the door: It demands sonic destruction.
Conclusion
Pictured: Ibanez RG470PB Standard Electric Guitar in Red Eclipse Burst
The best Ibanez guitars for metal share similar characteristics, such as thin, flat necks, deeply contoured bodies and high-output pickups. From floating tremolos to fixed bridges and six strings to nine, the complete Ibanez lineup has something for every subgenre of metal. We’d encourage you to connect with a Gear Adviser if you have any questions on finding the ideal Ibanez for you, and it’s always a great idea to stop by your local Guitar Center for a test drive. Your next metal monster is right around the corner.
Looking to expand your metal rig even further? Be sure to check out The Best Metal Guitars and The Best Amps for Metal.