While preparing for NAMM 2024, legendary guitar brand Ibanez has announced a number of new releases. On January 9, they officially revealed some of the new releases for the year. Interestingly enough, there are a bunch of different things here, anything from entry-level stuff up to pro-tier shred machines.
We’ll sort these new releases one by one and discuss who these new instruments are intended for. If you want to know more, feel free to visit the Ibanez website here.
AU Series Ukuleles
Although not entirely new for Ibanez, seeing ukuleles in their inventory is interesting. But the new AU series models are a bit more interesting than usual. These new models are
- AUC14
- AUT10
- AUC10E
- AUP10N
As the press release reveals, “the bodies are actually made from a single piece of hollowed out wood affording added volume, articulation, and dynamic range.” They’re not just sturdy but also ergonomic to play. There’s the Edgeless Comfort Armres as well as the Edgeless Comfort heel. All of the models also come with a Stereo Sound Port System.
Overall, these ukuleles aren’t your usual super-cheap stock models that absolute beginners take most of the time. Designed with playability in mind, these are for more seasoned performers.
RG GIO Models with Double Locking Tremolos
Seeing affordable electric guitars with some advanced features is always a good thing. Ibanez starts off this year with two new electric guitars within the cheap GIO line, GRG320FA and GRGR330EX. And both of these instruments come with double-locking tremolo systems.
We’re looking at your usual Super-Strat-style 6-strings, featuring two humbuckers, poplar bodies, and “shark tooth” inlays in the fretboard. The 320 model has five finish options, and the 330 comes with a black finish only. However, the black 330 also has all-black inlays, as well as black hardware and a pickguard.
New Basses, Including a Semi-Hollow Fretless
And it seems like they’re really putting an accent on basses this year. There are three new releases for all the bottom-end dwellers, and these are:
- BTB Light Multi-Scale Basses
- SRD900F & SRD905F Semi-Hollow Fretless Basses
- SRMS720 & 725 Basses
There are three BTB light multi-scale basses — BTB705LM, BTB605MLM, and BTB7MS. These are your fan-fretted 5-string basses, featuring a 34-inch scale at the high G string and 35-inch scales at the bottom B string.
But at the same time, they’re designed to be “appealing to bassists who are used to playing traditional, single scale basses.” Prices range from about $1150 to $1400 so these are your semi-pro models.
AAM Acoustic Series Guitars
As far as acoustic guitars go, Ibanez has a total of eight new models ready for this year’s NAMM. “These new models mark the series’ first venture into auditorium-style guitars,” the press release reads.
Ranging from $249 to $899, these instruments have some exciting features, including X-M bracing and a slight change in the waist design on the body. But what we’re mostly excited for is the Acoustic Information Response port, or simply the soundhole aimed at the player, right on the side of the body in the upper bout.
These acoustic guitars are for anyone, really. But the features could set these within the intermediate to pro-tier players who are gigging and playing frequently.
AE Performer Model Acoustic Guitars
Something more for acoustic guitar lovers, the AE line is now stronger for two additional models, AE340 and AE390. Once again, we have the A.I.R. ports and XM bracing. However, the build is more advanced, even featuring an Okoume top on the 340 model.
There’s also an accent on playability and ergonomic features. There’s a comfort round grip on their maple necks and even jumbo frets. All of these features put them one tier higher, with prices of $799 and $829.
Updated AZ Premium Model Guitars
For pro-tier players, Ibanez has prepared some upgrades for three AZ models. The changes are mostly aesthetic, featuring new finishes. However, there’s also an additional version here, AZ24P1QM, that comes with an HSS pickup configuration by Seymour Duncan.
Other than that, we have the usual shared traits, like the dyna-MIX 9 switching system and Gotoh hardware. The prices here are more towards the higher end, going from $1,299 to $1,499.
Updated RG & S Premium Model Guitars
As far as other updates go, Ibanez has also done some work on their famous RG and S series. Once again, bringing some pro-tier instruments, we have serious shred machines costing from $1,399 to $1,499.
These come with multi-piece Wizard III necks, Gotoh hardware, DiMarzio pickups, and, in the case of S1070PBZ, Edge-Zero II tremolo bridges. The main upgrades with the RG models are mostly about the neck-through design, while the aforementioned S model still keeps its usual unchanged bolt-on construction.
Revamped RG Standard Model Guitars
And finally, we have seven revamped RG Standard models. These are lower-to-mid-priced guitars but with traits that would satisfy even some of the most seasoned guitar players. The guitars in question are:
- RG470DX
- RG470PB
- RG421QM
- RG421S
- RG421EX
- RG421
- RG7420EX
There’s obviously a lot to choose from here, with guitars going from $350 to $700. Depending on models, they have Wizard II or Wizard III necks. But other than that, these all come with Ibanez’s standard Quantum humbucker pickups. Two models, RG470DX and RG470DX, also have a single-coil in the middle. And RG7420EX, which is the most expensive one, is a 7-string. They all have Edge-Zero II or fixed F106 bridges.
These sit in between the cheapest GIO guitars and the higher-end stuff we mentioned. With this in mind, we’d classify these as semi-pro electric guitars. They could also be a great platform for upgrades, particularly with pickups.
Photos: Ibanez
