Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $230

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

The Ibanez AX120 is a standout choice for musicians seeking a blend of classic style and modern versatility. Designed with the aspiring guitarist in mind, this solid body electric guitar offers both performance and playability. Its poplar body and maple neck combination provides a resonant and balanced tone, while the treated New Zealand pine fingerboard offers a smooth playing experience. The AX120 is equipped with Classic Elite humbucking pickups, known for their rich, warm tones and a distinct midrange bite, perfect for both rhythm and lead guitarists.

The double-cutaway design ensures easy access to the upper frets, inviting players to explore the full range of its sonic capabilities. The guitar's electronics include two volume controls, two tone controls, and a 3-way toggle switch, allowing for a wide array of tonal possibilities. With a Full Tune III bridge for excellent intonation and sustain, the Ibanez AX120 is as reliable as it is versatile. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, this guitar is a valuable addition to any collection, offering quality craftsmanship and sound at an accessible price.

Key Features:

  • Poplar body and maple neck for a balanced tone
  • Treated New Zealand pine fingerboard for smooth playability
  • Classic Elite humbucking pickups for warm, rich sound
  • Double-cutaway body for easy upper fret access
  • 2 volume, 2 tone control setup, and 3-way toggle switch for diverse tonal options
  • Full Tune III bridge for stellar intonation and sustain

Product specs

Brand Ibanez
Model AX120
Finish Antique Bronze, Baltic Blue Metallic, Black, Candy Apple, Copper Metallic, Gray Nickel, Metallic Forest, Metallic Light Blue, Weathered Black, Weathered Brown
Year 2000 - 2021
Made In China
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Basswood, Mahogany, Poplar
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Stop-Bar, String-Through
Color Family Black, Blue, Brown, Gold, Green, Grey, Red
Finish Style Gloss, Metallic
Fretboard Material Pine, Rosewood
Model Family Ibanez AX
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"
Wood Top Style Opaque, Plain

FAQs

What kind of music is the Ibanez AX120 best suited for?

The Ibanez AX120, with its HH pickup configuration and Classic Elite ceramic humbuckers, is versatile and well-suited for rock, metal, and blues genres, offering powerful tones with good clarity and sustain.

What is the neck profile of the Ibanez AX120 like?

The Ibanez AX120 features a maple neck with a 24.75" scale length and a 12"-radius treated New Zealand pine fretboard, providing a comfortable and familiar feel for players who prefer a classic, slightly rounded neck profile.

Is the Ibanez AX120 suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Ibanez AX120 is a great choice for beginners due to its affordable price, solid build quality, and versatile sound, making it easy to explore different musical styles.

What are the finish options available for the Ibanez AX120?

The Ibanez AX120 is available in a variety of finishes, including Antique Bronze, Baltic Blue Metallic, Black, Candy Apple, Copper Metallic, Gray Nickel, Metallic Forest, Metallic Light Blue, Weathered Black, and Weathered Brown.

Does the Ibanez AX120 have a bolt-on neck construction?

Yes, the Ibanez AX120 features a bolt-on neck construction, which contributes to its bright tone and makes neck adjustments or replacements easier.

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Tony Lee Glenn

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Tony Lee Glenn

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OH COME ON, Guitar Center! 🤑 [Ibanez AX120 Review & Demo]

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NO SHRED ZONE

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Joe Hart

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Ibanez AX120 Through Vox AC10c1 Amp with Cheap Behringer Gain Pedals

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Reviews

PROS

  • Great entry-level guitar for beginners learning the basics

  • Surprisingly good pickups for the price point

  • Holds tune well and can withstand rough handling

  • Retro design with a modern metal vibe

  • Comparable fretboard feel to higher-end models after setup

  • Simple and effective design that appeals to purists

  • Balance and sustain are excellent for a budget guitar

CONS

  • Requires significant setup out of the box for optimal playability

  • Fret sprout issues need addressing upon purchase

  • Bridge alignment issues on some units

  • Finish may have dings or blemishes

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez AX120.

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners suggest replacing stock pickups for improved performance, noting original pickups are considered "meh" by multiple users.

    Source
  • Several owners recommend upgrading to Wilkinson EZ-Lok tuners for improved tuning stability.

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  • Owners recommend using acrylic paints and a clear coat varnish for custom pickguard designs, offering a unique aesthetic upgrade for the AX120.

    Source
  • It's suggested to use the original pickguard as a template to craft a custom pickguard from new materials, adding a personal touch to the instrument.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Praised as an excellent "beater" guitar, ideal for experimentation without worry about damaging a high-value instrument.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Considered a great deal under $100, especially useful as a modding platform or for learning to solder.

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  • An owner found a nearly new AX120 at pawn shop prices, highlighting the potential for excellent deals when purchasing second-hand.

    Source

User experience

  • Multiple owners emphasize the importance of checking for any structural damage before purchase to ensure a solid investment.

    Source
  • A user with 3+ months of experience said the AX120 holds tuning well after initial setup adjustments.

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  • One player describes the guitar as highly enjoyable, noting significant improvement in playing skills while using the AX120.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • One player noted a factory neck relief setting of 0.012", which they adjusted to 0.008" for better playability.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The three-way pickup selector is described as a bit stiff, but reliable after frequent use.

    Source
  • The original pickguard's maroon tortoise shell color is criticized for clashing with the seafoam green finish, prompting aesthetic upgrades.

    Source

Build quality

  • Some report the strap buttons are small and suggest replacing them with larger ones for secure strap fit.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Compared to the Squier Bullet, the Ibanez AX120 reportedly has a thicker neck, which some players find more comfortable.

    Source

4.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
santiago_martiinez_devotto

A retro design metal guitar

Good entry guitar, 2 humbuckers, volume and tone controles, great neck, Tune-o-Matic bridge, its like a metal guitar with a retro design

From Gear Setup

Artist usage

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See how John 5 uses Ibanez AX120

John 5

Guitarist

Marilyn Manson

...
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John 5 used a custom Ibanez AX120 model during his endorsement period with Ibanez, as evidenced by a Google image search.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Ibanez AX120, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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santiago_martiinez_devotto

santiago_martiinez_devotto

Gear IQ 199

1 alternative for Ibanez AX120, curated by the Equipboard community.

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