Are you looking for the best Ibanez Prestige electric guitars?
The Ibanez Prestige line of electric guitars and basses are some of Ibanez’s best guitars.
They fit right under Ibanez’s flagship J.Custom line.
Ibanez began producing Prestige models in 1996, and they are all built in Japan.
They are readily available, and produced to exacting standards, so they are some of Ibanez’s highest quality, best playing instruments.
At present, Ibanez produces Prestige lines for their AZ, AZS, RG, RGD, and S models of electric guitars and their Talman and SR models of electric basses.
The Best Ibanez Prestige Electric Guitars: Best Overall
Ibanez Prestige AZ2204
If you’ve been waiting for the right Ibanez Prestige electric guitar, you don’t have to wait any longer.
The Ibanez Prestige AZ2204 is designed to cross genres, and playing styles, and appeal to a wide range of guitar players.
It has an alder body in the AZ shape with very ergonomic body contours so it fits you more naturally and is comfortable to play whether you’re standing or sitting.
The neck shape is the AZ Oval “C” shape and is made of S-Tech Wood roasted maple and has a 12″ radius. As a result you’ll enjoy increased stability, durability, and water resistance as well as a neck that feels natural and comfortable.
The fretboard is also S-Tech Wood roasted maple with black dot inlays, 22 jumbo stainless steel frets and Ibanez’s Prestige fret edge treatment.
The S-Tech Wood treatment provides a well balanced tone, better sustain, and you’ll also enjoy the ease of play the fret edge treatment brings.
With Seymour Duncan Hyperion single coil pickups in the neck and middle position and a Seymour Duncan Hyperion humbucker in the bridge position you’ll be able to play a very wide variety of tones.
Hyperion pickups have a moderate output ensuring clarity when playing distorted tones. Also, they’re balanced, and evenly adjusted to work well with pedal effects.
A 5-way pickup selector, master volume, master tone and a dyna-MIX9 switching system with Alter Switch gives you 9 sound variations. The single coil pickups can be played in series, and the humbuckers can be split coiled giving you an even greater range of sounds.
Finally the Gotoh T1802 tremolo with machined titanium saddles and a machined steel tremolo block will give you quick response, thick lows and rich highs. Also the Gotoh MAGNUM LOCK machine heads with height adjustable posts allow you to adjust the height to find the right string tension.
Pros
- Available in 2 Colors
- Oil Impregnated Bone Nut for Superior Tuning Stability
- Includes Hardshell Case
Cons
- Only 22 Frets?!
The Ibanez Prestige AZ2204 is a very versatile guitar that’ll let you play exactly the sound you’re looking for. You can get yours by clicking here.
The Best Ibanez Prestige Electric Guitars: Best Budget
Ibanez Prestige RGR652AHBF
Believe it or not the Ibanez Prestige RGR652AHBF is an incredibly playable electric guitar built for speed and strength.
It has an ash body and a bolt-on neck which makes it resonant, and responsive with a great tone.
The neck is composed of 5 pieces of maple and walnut in Super Wizard HP shape with a radius of 16.9″ so you’ll have a very smooth playing experience and an easy time playing fast.
The fretboard is bound macassar ebony with 24 jumbo frets and white dot inlays giving you tight lows, and mids, as well as rich sustain.
Additionally the DiMarzio Fusion Edge humbuckers in the bridge and neck positions produce crisp highs, clear mids and tight lows, while also eliminating any muddiness in your tone.
Master volume, master tone and a 5-way pickup selector let you craft your sound, while allowing you to set the neck humbucker in parallel, and splitting the coils. As a result you’ll enjoy an array of tones suitable for many styles of playing.
Finally the Gibraltar Standard II bridge, TUSQ nut, and Gotoh MG-T locking tuners will provide high-performance tuning stability, and unrivaled sustain.
Pros
- Prestige Fret Edge Treatment
- GraphTech Black TUSQ XL Nut
- Includes Hardshell Case
Cons
The Ibanez Prestige RGR652AHBF plays super easily, and feels wonderful in your hands, as well as looks impressive.
Click here to get yours, you’ll be glad you did.
The Best Ibanez Prestige Electric Guitars: Best Runner-Up
Ibanez Prestige RGR5221
Tired of the same old tone? Then try the Ibanez Prestige RGR5221.
It has a body made of African mahogany with an ash top so it has vibrant looks and a resonant, vibrant tone.
The neck is a 5-piece maple and wenge construction in the Super Wizard HP shape with a radius of 16.9″ so it’s easily one of the stablest, easy to play necks on the market.
With 24 jumbo stainless steel frets and Ibanez’s Prestige fret treatment, the bound macassar ebony fretboard delivers a tonal punch and playing experience that’s tough to match.
The Bare Knuckle Brute Force pickups in the neck and bridge positions provide a deep, saturated tone with plenty of clarity and character. Additionally there’s a coil tap switch so you can play even more tones by splitting the humbuckers.
Finally the Gibraltar Standard II bridge provides better tuning stability and superior transfer of string vibration giving you a superior tone.
Pros
- GraphTech Black TUSQ XL Nut
- Includes Hardshell Case
- Gotoh MG-T Locking Tuners
Cons
You can see for yourself that the Ibanez Prestige RGR5221 is a masterpiece of design and innovation.
Rather than simply reading about it, why don’t you click here to find out more?
The Best Ibanez Prestige Electric Guitars: Best for Shredding
Ibanez Prestige RG5170G
Tired of the same old shred guitars? Then try the Ibanez Prestige RG5170G.
The body is basswood with comfort cutouts, so it’s lightweight, resonant and easy to play.
The neck is made of 5-pieces of maple and wenge wood in Ibanez’s Super Wizard HP shape, with a radius of 16.9″ so it’s comfortable, stable, and perfect for playing fast leads comfortably.
With a bound macassar ebony fretboard with 24 jumbo stainless steel frets and off-set mother of pearl dot inlays you’ll get a great tone, an easy to play surface, and dynamic looks.
The Fishman Fluence Modern pickups in the neck and bridge position will give you an aggressive tone, and a powerful attack while the Fluence Single Width pickup in the middle will give you a warm, clear tone.
Additionally the Fishman Fluence Voicing switch allows you to switch from an active high output sound to a clean and fluid sound.
Finally the Lo-Pro Edge tremolo with locking nut provides superior tuning stability as well as recessed fine tuners, so it’ll keep out of your way.
Pros
- Includes Hardshell Case
- Gotoh Tuners
Cons
The Ibanez Prestige RG5170G is an incredible shred machine that incorporates time-tested design with innovative Fishman Fluence pickups.
Check it out by clicking here.
The Best Ibanez Prestige Electric Guitars: Best 7-String
Ibanez Prestige RGDR4327
In today’s competitive marketplace the Ibanez Prestige RGDR4327 stands out as a 7-string electric guitar designed for playing down-tuned metal.
It has an African mahogany body with a Richlite top giving you a clear tone, and a tight sound.
5-pieces of maple and wenge wood make up the neck which is in the Wizard-7 shape and has a radius of 16.9″ so it is stable, very playable, and perfect for shredding.
Additionally the fretboard is bound macassar ebony and has off-set Luminlay dots and 24 jumbo frets. As a result, you get tight lows, and mids with great sustain.
Notably the 2 DiMarzio Fusion Edge 7 humbucker pickups provide a crisp high end, a tight low end and clear mids, so your tone will never be muddy.
Finally the Lo-Pro Edge 7 tremolo has recessed fine tuners and locking studs which provide excellent tuning stability.
Pros
- Includes Hardshell Case
- Gotoh Tuners
- Luminlay Side Dots so You can See Your Frets on a Dark Stage
- Prestige Fret Edge Treatment
- KTS Titanium Rods in Neck Provide Even More Stability
Cons
- No Tone Control
The Ibanez Prestige RGDR4327 is quite probably the best 7-string guitar Ibanez has ever produced.
From its awesome looks, to its indomitable tone, this guitar means business. You can click here to get yours, and you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.
The Best Ibanez Prestige Electric Guitars: FAQ
- Are Ibanez Prestige Electric Guitars Worth It?
- Yes! Absolutely. If you like the looks, and sounds of these guitars, it’s definitely worth picking one up. You won’t be disappointed.
- Is Ibanez better than Fender?
- That depends on what you mean by better.
- If you’re looking for a “Super-Strat” or something with exotic wood or upgraded pickups, an Ibanez is definitely better than a Fender.
- If you’re into shredding, or want a fast neck, then yes, Ibanez is better.
- But, if you’re after an old school or playing experience, or you just want a traditional electric guitar, you’ll probably be better off with a Fender.
- Having said all that, it’s really up to you. Play both and choose for yourself!
- What does RG stand for?
- There has been a lot of discussion as to what, exactly, RG stands for. It’s generally agreed that RG stands for “Roadstar Guitar” since it was originally part of Ibanez’s Roadstart series of guitars.
- Why are Ibanez guitars cheap?
- Ibanez produces a lot of their guitars in China and Indonesia. Only their higher end models, (like the Prestige models) are made in Japan. This keeps costs low, and production quality high.
JT currently resides in Southern California and has been playing the guitar since he was 13. He enjoys baking French pastries, drinking loose-leaf tea, and running Slackware Linux.
