Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $260

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Ibanez GIO GRG170GX". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 7, 2026.

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Description

Looking for a guitar that strikes the perfect balance between performance and affordability? The Ibanez GIO GRG170GX is designed to elevate your playing experience without breaking the bank. Crafted with a sleek poplar body and a bolt-on maple neck, this guitar offers both durability and comfort for players of all levels. The fingerboard, made of purpleheart, is adorned with striking white Sharkteeth inlays, adding a unique visual flair.

Equipped with a versatile pickup configuration, the GRG170GX features two Infinity R humbuckers at the neck and bridge positions, and an Infinity RS single coil in the middle. This trio of pickups, paired with a 5-way switch, gives you a wide range of tonal possibilities, from warm, rich sounds to sharp, cutting tones. The T102 tremolo adds to the expressive potential, allowing you to dive into your solos with confidence.

Whether you're shredding on stage or practicing at home, the 24 jumbo frets provide ample room for intricate fingerwork. The synthetic nut and Ibanez machine heads ensure stable tuning and reliable performance every time you play. With its chrome hardware and precise construction, the Ibanez GIO GRG170GX promises a robust and stylish addition to your musical arsenal.

Key Features:

  • Body: Poplar
  • Bolt-on neck: Maple
  • Fingerboard: Purpleheart with Sharkteeth inlays
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Pickups: 2 Infinity R humbuckers, 1 Infinity RS single coil
  • 5-Way switch for tonal versatility
  • T102 tremolo bridge
  • Ibanez machine heads
  • Chrome hardware

Product specs

Available since September 2023
Colour Silver
Body Poplar
Top None
Neck Maple
Fretboard Purple Heart
Frets 24
Scale 648 mm
Pickups HSH
Tremolo Ibanez T1502
incl. Bag No
incl. Case No

FAQs

Is the Ibanez GIO GRG170GX suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Ibanez GIO GRG170GX is designed as an entry-level guitar, making it suitable for beginners. It offers easy playability and a comfortable neck profile, ideal for new players.

What kind of pickups does the Ibanez GIO GRG170GX have?

The Ibanez GIO GRG170GX features an HSH pickup configuration, which includes two humbuckers and one single-coil, providing a versatile range of tones for various music genres.

Does the Ibanez GIO GRG170GX come with a case or gig bag?

No, the Ibanez GIO GRG170GX does not include a case or gig bag. You may need to purchase one separately to protect the guitar during transport.

What is the neck profile of the Ibanez GIO GRG170GX?

The Ibanez GIO GRG170GX features a maple neck with a comfortable, slim profile, making it easy for players to navigate the fretboard and execute fast playing techniques.

How many frets does the Ibanez GIO GRG170GX have?

The Ibanez GIO GRG170GX is equipped with 24 frets, allowing for a wide range of notes and extended soloing capabilities.

Reviews

PROS

  • Great for 80's Hair Metal sounds with excellent clean tones

  • Slick neck design enhances playability

  • Affordable yet offers features of more expensive guitars

  • Lightweight body, easy to handle during long sessions

  • Versatile sound possibilities for various music styles

  • Excellent choice for beginners, casual players, and professionals

  • Solid build quality for its price range

  • Distinct neck art adds visual appeal

  • Good for gigging, reliable performance

  • Smooth playing experience with great sound

CONS

  • Electronics may lack quality

  • Pickups could be improved for richer sound

  • Distortion from pickups might not suit all preferences

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez GIO GRG170GX.

Setup and maintenance

  • Often requires a full setup, including string height adjustment, as initial setups can be suboptimal with high action.

    Source
  • Blocking a floating tremolo on the GRG170DX is recommended for stability, using a wood block rather than tightening the trem claw screws entirely, which can affect playability.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners have swapped the bridge and tuners, finding locking tuners beneficial for stability, although not strictly necessary.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The guitar features a non-floating tremolo, which simplifies downtuning compared to floating tremolo systems.

    Source
  • The GRG170DX has a T102 bridge, which can be set up as a semi-floating tremolo, allowing dive-only or limited upward range, depending on setup.

    Source
  • The GRG170DX from 2004 features a FAT-10 non-locking floating tremolo, which requires specific setup considerations for tuning stability.

    Source
  • The T102 bridge in newer GRG170DX models is still a floating type, maintaining the design from earlier versions.

    Source

User experience

  • Known to be a solid entry-level guitar, but many suggest it's more suited for beginners or intermediate players after a proper setup.

    Source
  • Users with the GRG121DX appreciate its five-way blade switch and HSH pickup configuration, offering more tonal versatility, especially for beginners exploring different sounds.

    Source
  • One owner reported stable tuning with an older GRG170DX despite concerns about tremolo systems affecting tuning stability.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Some users find the GRG170DX comparable to higher-end models like the Schecter Damien Diamond Series in terms of playability despite its lower price point.

    Source
  • The GRG170DX is often compared to the Yamaha Pacifica and Squier Affinity, with some preferring the Yamaha's older models for their build quality.

    Source
  • The GRG170DX and GRGR131EX share the same pickup models despite being from different years, highlighting the longevity of guitar technology in budget models.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Owners suggest that for alternative tunings, a hardtail bridge like that on the GRG121SP is more practical due to ease of tuning adjustments.

    Source
Add

4.0 out of 5

Based on 16 Reviews and 66 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
kinggrey

Nice for the price.

Despite how cheap the entire Gio series is, you can actually nail a lot of the 80's Hair Metal sounds on this thing. The Single Coil in the middle gives you extraordinary clean tones in positions two and four. A set of locking tuners would go a long way, but other than that, it's a very good guitar for what it's priced at.

panta

Ibanez specs for a decent price!

My second electric guitar. Back from the day I was actively playing guitar, until digital workstations became a thing.

I don't play it anymore. It turned into a memorable cosmetic for my studio. It played great. Slick neck. I even remember buying it for the neck art. ( Besides being an Ibanez )

The pick up lacks sounds, but c'mon! This was a great affordable metal guitar. Had lots of fun!

patrick_gaffney

My "Standard Tuning / Drop D" Guitar

I love this instrument. It's perfect for beginners, casuals, and professionals alike. It's got the looks, sound, and build quality that you could find in a guitar around $200 more.

jonas_n

A reliable first guitar choice

The first guitar I ever had. Did its job pretty well and sometimes it still does.

From Gear Setup
htunerz

Useful guitar

I like the sound , but the electronic is not so good

deathringer98

This guitar is very universal The hum bucker and the two single coil’s are great it’s a very bright sounding guitar

The very light body guitar But play’s really good

ralpo320

Sounds and plays great

It sounds extremely well for its price and feels great to play, well made and a great first guitar or gig guitar.

sica
sica

188

Great guitar

I use this guitar for all my work, it is perfect!

santiagodevotto

A powerful guitar

I have used this guitar a few times, it has several possibilities in terms of sound, very versatile

matty0211

Good

Very good guitar for beginners and cheaper than most Ibanez guitars

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Marcos Pintor uses Ibanez GIO GRG170GX

Marcos Pintor

Singer, Guitarist

The Bends

...
Verified via YouTube

In a YouTube video titled "Helicopter - Bloc Party Full Band Cover," Marcos Pintor plays an Ibanez GIO GRG170GX, utilizing it for drop tunings.

See how Leo Davidson uses Ibanez GIO GRG170GX

Leo Davidson

Guitarist, Keyboardist

...
Verified via Photo

You can see Leo's Ibanez GIO GRG170GX in this photo.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Ibanez GIO GRG170GX, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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jonas_n

jonas_n

Gear IQ 247

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