Some of the most beautiful instruments are the Ibanez S series guitars. Great for rhythm and lead, which makes them very versatile. I recently tried out several for an afternoon and took some notes on what I think makes them great guitars. The 1980s saw a lot of Ibanez guitars hitting the market and this particular lineup hit the stage in 1987.
An Ibanez S series review will help you choose the right model and teach you about which features to look for as well as a few tricks for modifications down the road. It helps to not go in blind when purchasing a new guitar and the Ibanez S series guitar is no different.
The bodies on these models are made from a select grade of solid mahogany. A lot of Ibanez guitars are made from basswood but the Ibanez s-series wood bodies are known for the top grade mahogany. One key feature about the body is the fact that it is a little thinner than a lot of other mahogany bodies and this makes for a much lighter guitar. The choice in select grades of wood make for the huge, warm tone that you get out of the Ibanez S series guitar that is normally only achieved with having a thicker body. Some select models also come with a flamed maple top that adds a little brightness as well as visually pleasing maple grain, while others come with a poplar burl cap. The carved, archtop body makes for a very comfortable experience of extended sessions of playing.
The wizard neck is a true innovative masterpiece that Ibanez has created and maintained over the years. Ibanez series S guitars are equipped with this brilliant wizard 24 fret neck, complete with 25.5” scale. These necks come in 3 and 5 piece construction and consist of maple and usually walnut. What makes this neck so special is the thin, flat and lightning fast design. You will have no problems reaching the 23rd and 24th frets and the design will leave your fingers and wrist feeling a lot less fatigued than many other necks on the market.
Ibanez makes some very high quality pickups these days and their choice for the Ibanez s series is the perfect match for the style of music this guitar is intended for. Depending on the model, you will be equipped with Ibanez-made Inf1, Infs1 and Inf2 pickups. The Infs1 is a single coil pickup with tonal capabilities similar to strat pickups, while the humbuckers give a warm and rich, punchy tone that suits the wood overtones perfectly.
If you like tremolo equipped guitars, the Ibanez s series comes standard with a ZR locking bridge setup that is comparable to top quality Floyd Rose setups. My evaluation of this tremolo system is a 10/10 because of its capability to stay in tune under some heavy usage.
There you have it, a quick review of a fantastic model from a company that makes stellar guitar instruments. The Ibanez S series should cost you between $500 - $700 for a few different models. One of my favorite models, and one I currently own, is the Ibanez S470. It is a 3 pickup model with loads of tone and has been a very reliable guitar for me.