Ibanez is no stranger in the Metal world and the Ibanez 2021 lineup has just been made available to the public. We have a lot to look forward to, as there are some very cool new models, and even some old ones!
The Ibanez 2021 Lineup: It’s all Virtual This Year…
Due to Covid 19, it seems like we are all going to be getting our usual NAAM information from articles just like the one your are currently reading. It’s not possible to hold the usual Winter trade show this year, but that doesn’t mean that companies like Ibanez are not making some great new guitars!
Ibanez is almost synonymous with Metal guitar players, and they frequently make our own “best of” lists.
Ibanez always has an interesting approach to Winter NAAM, usually dumping tons of new models. This year is no different, and we have some real contenders in every price tier!
Lets take a look at the new Ibanez 2021 Lineup!
Signature Series: Paul Gilbert
This year we get not one, but two new Paul Gilbert models! However, they are not so much “new” as they are slightly re-worked. These are definitely models that we are familiar with, but with brand new finishes.
The PGM-11 model is the classic Paul Gilbert signature, and is a reissue from the original model from the 90’s. This is an affordable version of the classic Gilbert model.
The FRM300 is the legendary “Fireman” signature guitar. This is a fully spec’d out Paul Gilbert model that features:
- Ebony Fretboard
- Okoume Body Wood
- Custom Dimarzio Pickups
- Graph-Tech Nut
- Gibraltar Bridge
- Cream Binding
- 5 Way Super Switch
- Narrow/Tall Frets
The Fireman has always stood out as being a rare bird for Ibanez. It is built to Paul’s specs and has all premium materials. The Custom Dimarzio pickups are Paul Gilbert’s newest design, and can be coil split or pushed out of phase.
The Fireman neck carve has been slightly altered as well, as it is slimmer and features narrow/Tall frets over the usual jumbo frets. But this is just the tip of the iceberg for the Ibanez 2021 lineup!
Signature Series: Martin Miller 7 String
Martin Miller is a solo artist, new to the Ibanez Signature series. He has played with everyone in the industry at this point, and having his own signature guitar was way overdue. The MM7 features:
- AZ7 Oval CS-TECH WOOD 1pc Roasted Maple neck
- Okoume body
- Bound Ebony fretboardWhite dot inlay
- Jumbo Stainless Steel fretsPrestige fret edge treatment
- Gotoh® T1872S bridge
- Seymour Duncan® Hyperion™7 Pickups
- Graph Tech® BLACK TUSQ XL® nut
This Made In Japan beauty comes with all the bells and whistles. The goth bridge and locking tuners will be great for tuning stability, even with big dives.
The Alter Switch is a new feature, and it basically puts the pickups into a coil split/out of phase mode. Usually this is done with a knob that has a push/pull feature. But Ibanez has made it much easier with the flick of a switch.
This is my personal favorite from the Ibanez 2021 Lineup, at least… so far.
Signature Series: Paul Waggoner
The PWM20 is Paul Waggoner’s main axe this year. The guitar virtuoso from the popular Metal band Between The Buried And Me takes the Ibanez “S” shape and adds some of his own personal touches.
The PWM20 comes with a set of Mojotone Hornet pickups, Jumbo frets, and an Edge Zero II bridge. The model currently only comes in a see through white finish.
You can check out all of the signature series specs at The Official Ibanez website.
Ibanez 2021 Lineup: The RG Series
The RG 5107 is the top of the line Prestige Series guitar. This is the most expensive on the list of the Ibanez 2021 lineup, and it has the features to show it:
- Super Wizard HP5pc Maple/ Wenge neck
- Basswood body
- Bound Macassar Ebony fretboard/ Off-set Mother of Pearl dot inlay
- Gibraltar Performer bridge/ Lo-Pro Edge bridge
- Fishman Fluence Modern Humbuckers
- Fishman Fluence Single Coil (Middle)
- Gold Hardware
- Jumbo Stainless Steel frets/ Prestige fret edge treatment
Fishman Fluence Modern pickups have really taken off over the past year, so it’s no surprise to see Ibanez jumping on the bandwagon. This Top of the line model came with EMG pickups at one time.
This is a beautiful addition to the Ibanez 2021 lineup, and is the symbol of quality that the Japanese factory can produce.
RG 752/652
Next up, we have the RG752 and RG652 that are both a part of the Prestige Series. These are Made In Japan beauties that have top of the line specs.
- Wizard maple/ Wenge Neck
- Ash Body
- Bound Birdseye Maple/Black dot inlay
- LO-Pro Edge/ Gibraltar bridges
- Dimarzio PAF pickups
On top of the already impressive features, these two models come in new finishes that we have yet to see ( I only have the Purple Fade pics). They also have the prestige rolled fretboard edges, and the made in Japan quality.
But the lower priced, more affordable models have some neat upgrades as well!
RG565
We are going to list it here, but we have already discussed the RG565 is full, and you can find that article here.
RG631: AXION
The new RG631 is the newest addition to the popular AXION label of guitars. The AXION is built for speed, and comes with lots of upgrades that would usually be after-market, like strap locks.
- Nitro Wizard5pc Panga Panga/ Walnut neck
- Nyatoh body
- Macassar Ebony fretboard/ White Step off-set dot inlay
- Sub Zero Treated Frets
- Chameleon finish
- Gibraltar Standard II bridge
- Fishman Fluence Modern Pickups
The new Ibanez 2021 lineup is stepping up it’s game with finishes and wood choices. The AXION may be built for Metal, but it is also very tasteful and reserved in design. This is a great addition to the RG Series!
RG80F
This is the latest 8 string model from Ibanez, who just happen to be the people that made the first production 8 string! Like all of the Ibanez 2021 Lineup, it has tons of upgraded features:
- Wizard II-85pc Maple/Walnut neck
- Meranti body
- Rosewood fretboard/ White dot inlay
- Fishman Fluence Modern Pickups
- F108 bridge
- Gold Hardware
Gone are the days of buying the standard RG8 model and trying to mod it to perfection. This 8 string comes with all the bells and whistles right out of the box!
RG421MSP: A New Addition To The Standard Line
Since we are in the standard line now, these are bare bones instruments that come with stock Ibanez hardware. But I had to list the RG421MSP because of the pink sparkle finish! It looks great!
You can still get all of the RG421 Standard line in the regular finishes, with Rosewood fretboards.
The New RGA Series
The new RGA Series kicks off with the RGA61ALN, a the newest member of the AXION series. This metal machine comes with some crazy features that make the AXION gig-ready the day you unbox it.
- Nitro Wizard 5pc Panga Panga/ Walnut neck
- Nyatoh body
- Macassar Ebony fretboard/ White Step off-set dot inlay
- Jumbo Sub Zero treated frets
- Gibraltar Standard II bridge
- DiMarzio® Fusion Edge Pickups
- Luminlay Side Dots
- Schaller Strap Locks
Since we have seen it on the RG series, lets talk about the “Sub Zero Fret Treatment”. This is a practice started by Gibson guitars, and it looks like the AXION label has taken it up as their own.
These are cryogenically treated frets. So while they are still your standard Nickle fretwire, it lasts 30% longer. This is great to see on the more affordable models of the Ibanez 2021 Lineup.
RGA42HPTQM
Both of these models sport a gorgeous Quilted maple top, with a color gradient fade. These are “middle of the road” models from what I can tell from the few specs that I have available.
But both models come with Dimarzio Fusion Edge pickups, and Jatoba fretboards with Jumbo frets. These would be a great introduction to the RGA series if you have never played one before.
RGA742 7 String
This is the last of the RGA Series in the new Ibanez 2021 Lineup. It’s another basic model RGA, but it would be a great platform for modding, if that is your thing. Out of the box, it is still a great guitar.
Out of the box it has standard Ibanez hardware, and a Flame maple cap with cream binding. I have to say, I am a little disappointed that this is the only RGA 7 string.
The New RGD Series
First up, we have the newest Prestige Series RGD, the RGD4427FX. I think we are all familiar with the attention to detail, and overall quality of the Prestige series and I am happy to see an RGD model finally joining the ranks.
- Wizard-75pc Maple/ Wenge neck w/ KTS™ TITANIUM rods
- Richlite top/ Ash body
- Bound Macassar Ebony fretboard/Off-set Luminlay dot inlay
- Jumbo frets/ Prestige fret edge treatment
- Mono-rail bridge
- Dimarzio Fusion Edge Pickups
It’s nice to see a 7 string RGD being produced by the legendary Prestige Factory for the Ibanez 2021 lineup. The Richlite top is an interesting choice, and the features speak for themselves.
RGD61ALA: AXION
Another addition to the popular AXION series, the RGD61ALA has all of the features that come with the Ibanez 2021 Lineup. It has the lightweight Ash body, Mono Rail bridge, and Fishman Fluence Modern Pickups.
Last year, I felt like the AXION label was just an afterthought. This year, they are coming in full force! Check out that rainbow fade cutaway!
It also comes in 2 7 string versions, one with Dimarzio pickups and a Low pro Edge bridge. The cutaway is Neon Green for this model! Once again, all Axion Label guitars come with strap locks as well.
The fixed bridge 7 string AXION label comes with bare Knuckle Aftermath pickups, and a Poplar Burl Top. This is an all-out Metal guitar that is ready for the stage.
RGD7521: Return Of A Classic
The 7521/7421 series was a popular base model of 7 string guitars that launched almost two decades ago. This year it gets a makeover in the RGD series, with all new features:
- Wizard II-7/ Roasted Maple neck
- Poplar Burl top/ Nyatoh body
- Jatoba fretboard/ White dot inlay
- Gibraltar Standard II-7 bridge
- Dimarzio PAF Pickups
- Graph Tech® nut
I am absolutely delighted to see so many RGD 7 string models in the Ibanez 2021 lineup, so far. Especially this one! The 7521 is a classic model being given a second chance at life, and I think it is well deserved.
The S Series: A Staple Of Ibanez Guitars
The S Series is one of the staples of the Ibanez 2021 Lineup. From what I can tell though, there are not so many “new” models as there are new finishes, as seen above.
This is a little disappointing, as the “Sabre” was one of the first original Ibanez Models. But if there is one trick up the sleeve of Ibanez this year…
Ibanez 2021 Lineup: These Guitars Are packed With Features!
Ibanez has been getting a bit of flack the past two years, for lack of new designs and features. This year, they changed it up with exotic woods on affordable models, and lots of pickup options.
Ibanez has finally started adding stainless steel frets, and many other features that companies like ESP and Schecter have already had in their lineups for years. It’s nice to see Ibanez coming around.
But the year isn’t over yet! We still have the summer collection to look forward to, and I hope to see more Signature Guitar Variations. Not To mention so more variants of the classic RG line.
And please, Ibanez.. MORE 7 STRINGS!
When does the Ibanez 2021 Lineup start to ship?
The new lineup will ship in the first quarter of the year.
Do the Ibanez 2021 Prestige Guitars still come with a case?
yes. The prestige Series comes with an ABS case.
Will there be more guitars added to the Ibanez 2021 Lineup?
Hopefully we will see more models in the Summer, usually around July.
Can I order any of the 2021 Ibanez guitars now?
Many websites are currently taking pre-orders.
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