Common Ibanez Electric Guitar Mistakes to Avoid

Buying an Ibanez electric guitar is one thing. Buying the wrong one for your actual needs is another. Here are the mistakes I see repeatedly — and how to avoid them when you're shopping or playing.

Mistake 1: Choosing a Tremolo You'll Never Use

A floating tremolo looks impressive. It's got a certain appeal — all those moving parts, the engineering, the potential for dive-bombs and flutter effects. But here's what happens: you buy an Ibanez with a locking Edge tremolo, play it for six months, never use the tremolo once, and now you've got extra complexity and maintenance demands for no reason.

The mistake isn't buying a tremolo Ibanez. The mistake is assuming you *want* a tremolo just because it's there. If you're not actively using vibrato and pitch-bending effects, a fixed bridge saves money, eliminates setup headaches, and lets you change strings in three minutes instead of fifteen.

Ask yourself honestly: do you actually want to dive-bomb? If the answer is no, a fixed-bridge Ibanez does the job better.

Mistake 2: Assuming the Thinnest Neck is Always Better

Ibanez thin necks are genuinely fast and comfortable for many players. But they're not universally good. Some hands prefer substantial vintage-style neck profiles. A thin Wizard neck in the hands of someone who likes to grip the neck firmly can feel like trying to balance a pencil — uncomfortable and exhausting.

The error is buying based on Ibanez's reputation instead of actually trying the neck. Spend ten minutes playing an RG, an S, and an AZ back to back. Notice the difference. One of them will feel right; the others won't. Buy the one that feels right in your hands, not the one that sounds impressive when you're researching online.

Mistake 3: Ignoring the Frets

Entry-level Ibanez models (GIO, GRG) sometimes ship with frets that need dressing — levelling and crowning to sit evenly. A quick inspection when you first unbox the guitar can save headaches later. Look along the fretboard from the headstock: you shouldn't see light under a straightedge. Tap each fret lightly — listen for buzzing or deadness.

High frets and low frets create action problems: either uncomfortable high action or frustrating buzzing. At budget price points, this is sometimes a factory issue. A pro setup (which includes fret dressing if needed) costs £50–100 and transforms the experience. Skip this and you're blaming the guitar for a fixable setup problem.

Mistake 4: Buying Based on Brand Reputation Alone

Ibanez is famous for metal and shred. That reputation is earned, but it overshadows everything else the brand does. A mistake is buying an RG because it's famous for technical playing, when actually you play jazz. A mistake is assuming every Ibanez is inherently "fast" and "aggressive," when actually the Artcore line is warm and woody and the AZ is genuinely versatile.

Let your actual playing style and needs drive the purchase, not the series name or what's cool in your friend group. A beginner playing blues is better served by an AZS or Artcore than by an RG, even though the RG is more famous.

Mistake 5: Skipping Professional Setup

This is the single most common mistake. People buy a guitar, it's playable out of the box (barely), and they assume it's fine. It's not fine. It's acceptable. A professional setup costs £50–100 and involves: adjusting the truss rod for proper neck relief, setting action (string height) to a playable level, intonating the bridge so the notes play in tune up the neck, and adjusting pickup height for balanced output.

A setup transforms a budget Ibanez into an instrument that's actually pleasant to play. Skip it and you're spending hours fighting action issues and buzz, blaming the guitar instead of blaming the lack of setup.

Mistake 6: Choosing Pickups by Count Instead of Character

Two guitars with identical HSH configurations can sound completely different because the actual pickup models are different. A mistake is assuming that more pickups or a famous brand name automatically means better tone. A Seymour Duncan humbucker sounds different from an Ibanez Quantum, which sounds different from a DiMarzio.

Research the actual pickup model, not just the layout. Read reviews. Listen to demos. Ask players with the specific model what they think of the tone. The pickup is doing the actual work, and that matters more than how many there are.

Mistake 7: Overthinking the Bridge Choice

People agonise over bridge systems. Fixed, non-locking tremolo, Edge, Lo-Pro Edge — which is best? Answer: the one you'll actually use and maintain properly. A locking tremolo that you never adjust is a burden. A fixed bridge that suits your technique is perfect.

The mistake is thinking the bridge system defines the guitar's capability. It doesn't. A fixed-bridge AZ is genuinely versatile. A tremolo RG is genuinely playable even if you never use the tremolo. Choose based on your technique, not on the spec sheet.

Mistake 8: Buying Too Cheap or Too Expensive

Too cheap: a sub-£150 Ibanez is a false economy. Poor hardware, worse fret finishing, frustrating playability. Add setup costs and you're not saving money — you're spending on frustration.

Too expensive: a beginner doesn't need a £2,000 Prestige. You'll improve faster on a £500 Standard that you actually play than on an expensive guitar that intimidates you. Upgrade when your skill demands it, not when your wallet allows it.

The sweet spot for most players: £300–800. You get genuine quality, reliable construction and a guitar that won't be outgrown quickly.

Mistake 9: Ignoring Used Markets

A used Ibanez in good condition is a smart buy — lower price, still plenty of life left. The mistake is buying used without inspection. Check for: neck warping or cracks, fret wear (shine under a light — heavily worn frets are visible), tremolo blade condition (they wear and can become sloppy), locking nut hardware damage, and stripped screws.

A used Standard Ibanez that's been maintained is better value than a new GRG. Just inspect carefully before you commit.

Mistake 10: Not Playing the Actual Guitar Before Buying

Online shopping is convenient, but it's the biggest mistake. You can't know if a neck feels right, if the action is comfortable, or if the pickups' tone suits your ear until your hands are on the instrument. Differences between serial numbers, manufacturing tolerances and setup variations mean two "identical" guitars can feel and sound different.

If you can't play it first, at least buy from a retailer with a return policy. If you don't like it after a week, send it back.

Frequently Asked Questions