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Average Price: $336

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

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High-end

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Description

The Ibanez GRG 170 DX is a solid choice for any guitarist looking to merge style and performance with affordability. This solid body electric guitar is perfect for both beginners and seasoned players who want a reliable instrument without breaking the bank. The GRG 170 DX is part of Ibanez's renowned GIO series, which means it offers quality and craftsmanship that often surprises players at this price point. Featuring a sleek body shape and smooth neck profile, this guitar is designed to ensure comfortable playability during long sessions.

Equipped with a versatile set of pickups, the GRG 170 DX is ready to handle a variety of music genres, from rock and blues to metal and beyond. The HSH pickup configuration—featuring two humbuckers and a single-coil pickup—provides a wide tonal range, allowing players to experiment with different sounds and styles effortlessly. The five-way pickup selector switch offers even more flexibility, making it easy to switch between tones on the fly.

The guitar also features a double-locking tremolo bridge, offering stability and tuning accuracy even during aggressive playing. This is complemented by a sleek fingerboard with 24 frets, giving players ample room to explore their creativity across the entire neck.

Key Features:

  • Solid body electric guitar
  • HSH pickup configuration for versatile tone
  • Double-locking tremolo bridge for tuning stability
  • 24-fret fingerboard for extensive range
  • Part of the Ibanez GIO series, known for quality and affordability

Product specs

Brand Ibanez
Model GRG170DX Gio
Finish Black, Black Night, Candy Apple, Jewel Blue, Metallic Blue Sunburst, Metallic Khaki, Metallic Red Sunburst, Metallic Silver Sunburst, Red, Silver, Sparkling Lime, Tri-Fade Burst, White
Year 2004 - 2025
Made In China
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Shape S-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Tremolo Bridge
Color Family Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Red, Silver, Tan, White
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Model Family Ibanez RG
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 24
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HSH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Series Ibanez Gio
Wood Top Style Opaque

FAQs

What kind of pickups does the Ibanez GRG170DX have?

The Ibanez GRG170DX features an HSH pickup configuration, which includes two humbuckers and one single-coil pickup, offering versatile tonal options suitable for a variety of music genres.

Is the Ibanez GRG170DX suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Ibanez GRG170DX is part of the Gio series, designed as an entry-level guitar with user-friendly features and affordability, making it a great choice for beginners.

What is the neck profile of the Ibanez GRG170DX like?

The Ibanez GRG170DX has a comfortable maple neck with a bolt-on construction and a 24-fret rosewood fingerboard, providing smooth playability ideal for fast playing styles.

Does the Ibanez GRG170DX have a tremolo bridge?

Yes, the Ibanez GRG170DX is equipped with a tremolo bridge, allowing players to perform vibrato effects and pitch bends.

What is the scale length of the Ibanez GRG170DX?

The Ibanez GRG170DX has a scale length of 25.5 inches, which is standard for many electric guitars and offers a balanced tension and playability.

Artyom Reborn

Artyom Reborn

IBANEZ GRG170DX BKN - Demo Guitar

Video thumbnail for IBANEZ GRG170DX BKN  - Demo Guitar by Artyom Reborn

IBANEZ GRG170DX BKN - Demo Guitar

Artyom Reborn

Artyom Reborn

Video thumbnail for Ibanez Gio grg170dx by JetFretz

Ibanez Gio grg170dx

JetFretz

JetFretz

Video thumbnail for Unboxing and testing my new Ibanez GRG170DX by TheGuitarGuy691

Unboxing and testing my new Ibanez GRG170DX

TheGuitarGuy691

TheGuitarGuy691

Video thumbnail for Ibanez GRG170DX Gio Full review: a cheap budget Ibanez Guitar by Joost Nusselder

Ibanez GRG170DX Gio Full review: a cheap budget Ibanez Guitar

Joost Nusselder

Joost Nusselder

Video thumbnail for Ibanez GRG170DX review by Ibanez Review

Ibanez GRG170DX review

Ibanez Review

Ibanez Review

Video thumbnail for Ibanez GRG170DX BK - Test Odası (Bi Kuple) by MyDukkan

Ibanez GRG170DX BK - Test Odası (Bi Kuple)

MyDukkan

MyDukkan

Video thumbnail for Ibanez Gio GRG170DX by WelcomeGuitars

Ibanez Gio GRG170DX

WelcomeGuitars

WelcomeGuitars

Video thumbnail for Ibanez GRG170DX BKN by Damian Gitaromania

Ibanez GRG170DX BKN

Damian Gitaromania

Damian Gitaromania

Reviews

PROS

  • Excellent value for money, suitable for beginners and hobbyists

  • Versatile sound suitable for rock, metal, and more

  • Smooth, durable neck for easy playability

  • Solid pickups for aggressive metal riffs

  • Low action and already setup out of the box

  • Thin neck enhances fast playability and soloing

  • Reliable tuning with proper setup, especially for heavy genres

  • HSH pickup configuration offers tonal versatility

CONS

  • Tremolo bar lacks stability and tends to go out of tune

  • Stock pickups often require upgrading for better sound quality

  • Frequent maintenance needed for tuning stability

  • Fret buzz issues, requires professional adjustments

  • Output jack prone to becoming loose

  • Gloss black body difficult to keep clean

  • Clean tones not as satisfying as other guitars

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez Grg 170 dx.

Features and functionality

  • The GRG170DX is known for having a floating tremolo, which can complicate alternative tunings due to the lack of locking nuts.

    Source
  • The GRG121SP is praised for its roasted maple neck, which offers improved stability, making it preferable for beginners who might struggle with frequent tuning adjustments.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Some users recommend blocking the tremolo with a wood piece to stabilize tuning, especially if the whammy bar is not frequently used.

    Source
  • Some owners have upgraded to locking tuners for improved tuning stability, although changes to the bridge were deemed unnecessary by those who made the switch.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners report that the matte finish on the GRG series can quickly become polished with use, altering its appearance over time.

    Source
  • Several users fondly remember the GRG170DX as their first guitar, emphasizing its role in their musical development despite subsequent gear upgrades.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The GRG170DX and GRGR131EX reportedly have similar pickups despite a 17-year release gap, indicating minimal hardware evolution in this aspect.

    Source
  • A user compared the GRG170DX to a Schecter Damien with EMG pickups, noting that while the Schecter is excellent, it’s not significantly better than the Ibanez in playability.

    Source
  • The GRG121DX offers a 5-way blade switch and HSH configuration, enabling a wider range of tones, which can be beneficial for beginners exploring different sounds.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • For genres not heavily reliant on tremolo, like rock or hard rock, a hardtail model like the GRG121SP may be more suitable.

    Source
  • One owner successfully downtuned to A standard, highlighting the guitar's adaptability with proper setup, despite initial challenges with the tremolo system.

    Source
  • For beginners interested in rock and hard rock, the GRG121SP's hardtail design is favored due to its simplicity and ease of changing tunings compared to the GRG170DX's floating tremolo.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Players report needing a full setup upon purchase, as new setups often have high action, making playing uncomfortable until adjusted.

    Source
  • It's recommended to use nut lube or a pencil to smooth the nut for improved tuning stability when not using the tremolo extensively on the GRG170DX.

    Source

Critic Reviews

GRG170DX Review | Ibanez | Electric Guitars | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Ibanez GRG170DX is a budget-friendly guitar that appeals to beginner and intermediate players alike with its impressive versatility across genres. While its aesthetics and playability earn praise, concerns arise regarding the subpar tremolo system, which many feel should be hard-tailed for better performance. Users report enjoying its sound quality, particularly for rock and metal styles, but issues like heavy weight and buzzing strings detract from its overall appeal. It's a solid choice for those starting out, but seasoned players might find it lacking in refinement.

Ibanez GRG170DX Review

guitarmasterclass.net

While the Ibanez GRG170DX boasts appealing aesthetics and a comfortable neck for playability, it stumbles significantly with tuning stability due to its tremolo system. The sound quality is decent for the price, yet lacks the sustain and clarity needed for serious players. The pickups deliver mixed results, with the middle single coil feeling particularly redundant. Overall, this guitar may work for beginners attracted to its metal styling, but the persistent tuning issues and mediocre sound render it a less reliable choice for anyone looking to perform consistently.

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3.5 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 4 Ratings

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1 star
B

shit

It's better to play on hippo's balls than on this shit.

It makes noise, it farts, you can’t adjust the bridge normally, you can stick the tremola lever in your anus and twist it there. The guitar doesn’t work at all on the high frets, even if you dance the fuck with the anchor, it won’t help. This guitar is a special facility that would take hell to make. The tone knob doesn’t work at all, it’s there just to give the appearance, the pickup switch is always in position 1 because in the others it’s so shitty that it’s just crap.

S

Amazing for beginners

This is an amazing guitar for most beginner rock and metal players, however it does other genres quite well too. A few problems I had were: Pickups aren't the best, a few rough fret edges and the tuning stability is really bad. Overall, a very fun guitar to start on, for any genre. The HSH combined with the tone pot gives you a lot of versatility.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

Best pickup for rhythm metal and rock: Neck humbucker Best pickup for lead metal and rock: Bridge humbucker Position 4 (Neck humbucker and Single coil) with tone and volume pots rolled off a little can emulate an acoustic really well with a clean channel.

david23

good electric for a beginner

this was my first electric guitar , i got it for 200$ when i was 12 or 13 , the action isnt too high , i recomend it if you want to start playing some songs with distorsion but you dont want to spend too much

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