I Did Some Research! About the Grades of Ibanez

Ibanez guitars and basses are labeled with a grade name such as “Premium” or “Standard” after the model name. However, to be honest, I didn't really understand the difference between them, so I did some thorough research. If you're considering buying an Ibanez guitar, please refer to this article.

Standard

Ibanez / RG420EX-BKF 6-string Electric Guitar

First, let's introduce the Standard series. As the name suggests, the Standard series is attached to the most basic specification guitars of that model. Most of the models from Ibanez have a Standard series. There are many options, such as color variations and differences in detailed specifications, and it is probably the most popular series.

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Prestige

Ibanez / Prestige AZ2204 ICM

Prestige is the top-of-the-range Ibanez guitar made in Japan. Under strict quality control, cutting-edge manufacturing technology and Japanese craftsmanship are combined to create guitars that are sought after by guitarists all over the world. The lineup includes four models: RG, RGD, AZ and AZS.

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Premium

Ibanez / S1070PBZ-CLB Electric Guitar

This is a grade that has been produced overseas to keep costs down, while still incorporating the technology and know-how cultivated in the upper series of Prestige and J.custom. Many of the models use exotic woods such as quilted maple and sported maple for the top, and this is a lineup that wood grain lovers will love.

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j.custom

Ibanez / RG8570-RBS

The “J.custom” was born in 1996 and is still the highest grade of Ibanez guitars. Due to the rising cost of metals and wood, as well as production costs, production of the J.custom was once discontinued, but it has now been revived as a limited edition of Ibanez's standard model “RG”. The fretboard is decorated with a gorgeous and beautiful inlay called “Tree of Life”. This is a high-end guitar that is completed by using carefully selected wood and assembled by a master builder.

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J-Line

Ibanez / TM730-BK

'A standard made in Japan with originality and authenticity'
J-Line is a unique grade that retains the reliability of Japanese manufacturing while adding a touch of originality for fun. Talman is a unique product that is fun just to look at! RGHSHFX is a model that has been unified in all-black, and it is a model that has achieved a specification that was not thought to be possible with J-Line.

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Axe Design Lab

Ibanez / RG9PB-TGF

The Axe Design Lab is a challenging series from Ibanez that aims to provide gear to help guitarists of all levels overcome the obstacles they encounter. It incorporates specifications that seem to open up new paths, such as multi-string guitars with 8 or 9 strings, and models with slanted frets. The lineup includes four models: the RG, RGA, RGD, and S.

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Axion label

Ibanez / S671ALB-BCM

The Axion Label is a series that targets metal players, but is also made for modern and challenging players. The basic body and neck shapes are the same as those of the Standard and other models. However, the detailed specifications are more modern, with features such as Gotoh locking tuners, side position markers made of a luminescent material, and Schaller locking pins for the strap pin, making it a convenient guitar for all kinds of situations, not just metal.

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IronLabel

Ibanez / ICTB721-BKF

The theme is “Just for Metal Music.” This is a guitar made by Ibanez, a company that has supported metal music, and is designed specifically for metal music. Its most striking feature is its jet-black exterior. All the parts are black, and even the logo is black. The shape is also in the lineup of “Iceman” and “X” models, which have the look of metal music.

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Extra

About the SPOT model

Sometimes Ibanez products are produced in “SPOT” production runs. These are not part of a specific series, but rather relatively small-run models that are not listed in the catalog. However, they are not limited edition products, and there is a possibility that they will be produced and arrive at the store after that.

In this article, I have introduced the different grades of Ibanez guitars. Incidentally, all of the grades I have introduced here are available in the RG lineup, and there are a total of 60 different RG models. There are also different color variations within each of these, so there are a huge number of different RG models available. Please refer to this when purchasing an Ibanez product.