Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .

Average Price: $145

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

The Ibanez RG120 is a powerhouse for any guitarist seeking a fusion of speed and versatility. Designed with the modern musician in mind, this solid body electric guitar is a staple in the rock and metal genres. Its sleek, thin-profile RG neck allows for lightning-fast fretwork, ideal for shredding solos and intricate riffs. The rosewood fretboard paired with jumbo frets offers superior playability and comfort, ensuring that your fingers glide effortlessly over every note.

Built with an agathis body, the RG120 delivers a robust and resonant tone that punches through any mix. The Ibanez FAT10 tremolo system is an essential feature for those who crave expressive dive bombs and pitch shifts, enabling you to push the boundaries of your sound without compromising stability. Equipped with two potent humbuckers, this guitar promises a warm, full-bodied sound with the ability to kick into high gear when distortion is dialed up. Whether you're on stage or in the studio, the RG120 is built to inspire creativity and performance.

With its combination of high-quality components and thoughtful design, the Ibanez RG120 is perfect for both budding guitarists and seasoned players. This guitar doesn’t just meet expectations; it sets a new standard for playability and sonic excellence.

Key Features:

  • Thin, fast-playing RG neck
  • Rosewood fretboard with jumbo frets
  • Agathis body for enhanced resonance
  • Ibanez FAT10 tremolo system for dynamic whammy effects
  • Dual powerful humbucker pickups for versatile sound options

Product specs

Brand Ibanez
Model RG120
Finish Black, Candy Apple Red, Jewel Blue, Metallic Purple, White
Year 1998 - 2012
Made In Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Republic of
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape S-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Tremolo Bridge
Color Family Black, Blue, Purple, Red, White
Finish Features Matching Headstock
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Ibanez RG
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 24
Number of Strings 6-String
Nut Width 1.656"
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Series Ibanez Standard
Wood Top Style Opaque

FAQs

What type of pickups does the Ibanez RG120 have?

The Ibanez RG120 features dual open-coil humbucking pickups, providing a powerful and versatile sound suitable for various music genres, especially rock and metal.

How many frets does the Ibanez RG120 have?

The Ibanez RG120 is equipped with 24 jumbo frets, allowing for extended range and enhanced playability for both rhythm and lead guitar playing.

What is the body material of the Ibanez RG120?

The Ibanez RG120 has a solid body made of mahogany, known for its warm tone and sustain, making it ideal for heavier music styles.

Is the Ibanez RG120 suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Ibanez RG120 is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable neck profile, lightweight body, and versatile sound, making it easy to play and adaptable to different music styles.

What type of bridge does the Ibanez RG120 have?

The Ibanez RG120 features an Ibanez FAT10 tremolo bridge, which allows for smooth pitch modulation and expressive playing techniques.

Progressive Guitar Studio

Progressive Guitar Studio

Ibanez RG120 Review

Video thumbnail for Ibanez RG120 Review by Progressive Guitar Studio

Ibanez RG120 Review

Progressive Guitar Studio

Progressive Guitar Studio

Video thumbnail for Ibanez RG120 guitar Review by Artax

Ibanez RG120 guitar Review

Artax

Artax

Video thumbnail for Ibanez RG120 Guitar Review by GuitarBandits1

Ibanez RG120 Guitar Review

GuitarBandits1

GuitarBandits1

Video thumbnail for Ibanez RG120 Review! by BigJake Music

Ibanez RG120 Review!

BigJake Music

BigJake Music

Video thumbnail for Ibanez RG 120 *DEMO* by Kevin Samano

Ibanez RG 120 *DEMO*

Kevin Samano

Kevin Samano

Reviews

PROS

  • Thinner neck and flat radius make it easy to play

  • Stays in tune well with 2-point system

  • Wide range on volume and tone knobs

  • High durability; outlasts pricier models in tone sustain

  • 24 jumbo frets and thick rosewood fretboard enhance playability

  • Super affordable and sounds great with upgrades

  • Versatile for various music styles, especially Metal and Hard Rock

  • Good resonance and tone for its price range

  • High-quality construction with no visible flaws

  • Excellent choice for beginners and mod enthusiasts

CONS

  • Stock pickups and electronics are mediocre

  • Heavy weight around 7-8 pounds might not suit everyone

  • Bridge saddles can diminish sustain and tone transfer

  • Requires upgrades for optimal performance

  • Setting up can be challenging for beginners

  • Manufactured materials, like bridge alloy, may lack durability

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez RG120.

Setup and maintenance

  • Double locking trems, like on the RG270, require specific string gauges and tunings, adding complexity for beginners compared to hard tail bridges.

    Source
  • Owners report extremely low action on the RG120, allowing for unique playability or potential use as a percussion instrument with pickups.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Korean-made Ibanez models, like the RG270, typically have superior wood quality and finish compared to their Indonesian counterparts.

    Source
  • The RG120 lacks the Wizard II neck found in older RG models, affecting playability preferences for those familiar with late '90s and early 2000s versions.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • The RG270 may need a missing pressure pad and bolt replacement at the locking nut for optimal tremolo use.

    Source
  • A user successfully installed a Sustainiac pickup from a Schecter into the RG120, indicating potential for advanced modding.

    Source
  • Installing a Sustainiac may require cavity enlargement, suggesting careful planning for such modifications.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • RG120's Strat-style bridge is easier for beginners, while the RG270's floating trem offers more advanced playing techniques.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners often change strings every 100 hours or 3 months, with Ernie Ball Paradigm strings noted for longevity.

    Source

Critic Reviews

RG120 Review | Ibanez | Electric Guitars | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Ibanez RG120 shines as a budget-friendly entry into the world of metal and hard rock. Boasting 24 frets and a laminated top, it delivers a sound that's surprisingly versatile for punk and grunge as well. Enthusiasts love its reliability and ease of play, particularly for beginners or those with smaller hands. However, it’s not without its quirks; some users report issues with top strings binding at the nut, easily fixed by upgrading to a graphite nut. Overall, this guitar is a solid starting point for new players, offering reliability and functionality without breaking the bank.

positive
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 6 Reviews and 15 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
tsua
tsua

258

Perfect beginner guitar

This was my first ever guitar, and even for an 18 y/o guitar, it still plays like brand new! It’s perfect as an all-round guitar, that can both be fairly classy, and also reach those meaty lows.

trukmouth

My favorite to play out of my guitars

Super affordable and has a nice tone with a good amount of resonance, popped some super slinkies on it and it plays like butter now

polonavarro

A Horsework

The Ibanez RG120 is an excellent piece to experiment with. The size of the neck resists being lowered a little more (it is manufactured thin but we all know that data, I mean even a little more thinner than it comes from the stock). The humbuckers allow you to adapt a Split Coils Toggle and honestly the instrument in this case becomes another one with more rounded sound. By modifying the electronic circuit we can get a more dynamic improvement, i put a 50s Wiring on it and sound just great, keep the 250 pots (yes with those humbuckers) imitating the initiative of some Jazz Fusion guitarists. Nut function is acceptable ok but nothing like a nice custom-made piece of bone. The bridge is an exclusive Ibanez design, Fat20 seems to work well but little by little it gets ruined, this one it is not steel, it seems to be an alloy of some material that just does the job, so in this area the manufacturing material i most say lacks quality. Surprisingly it holds up the play. Even so, some day it will have to be changed.

theveiledcreature

Pretty standard electric guitar

I'm not much of a guitar player but this thing gets the job done when I need that sound. Inexpensive, and putting on higher quality strings goes a long way to making it sound pretty good.

joey_bell

Good Guitar

Mine is white looks very cool. Setting it up is a pain but it is a good guitar. Throw some heavy strings on it and you are ready to jam. Great for all kinds of music.

gabriel_almeida

Metal

Very heavy tone. Perfect for Metal and Hard Rock

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Mike Shinoda uses Ibanez RG120

Mike Shinoda

Singer, Guitarist

Linkin Park

...
Verified via The Guitars of Linkin Park

Mike Shinoda is seen using an Ibanez RG120, as documented on The Guitars of Linkin Park website.

See how Brecken Roach uses Ibanez RG120

Brecken Roach

Drummer, Composer

Separator

...
Verified via YouTube
Color/Finish: Old Candy Apple Red Year: 2001

Throughout this entire video, Brecken is using an Ibanez RG120, although the video is in black and white, in other videos on TikTok show the guitar is candy apple red colored.

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 RG120, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Gibson SG Standard
Gibson SG Standard Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Fender Telecaster
Fender Telecaster Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar
Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Gibson Les Paul Standard
Gibson Les Paul Standard Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Fender Classic Player '50s Stratocaster
Fender Classic Player '50s Stratocaster Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
PRS CE 24
PRS CE 24 Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
PRS Custom 24
PRS Custom 24 Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
PRS SC-250
PRS SC-250 Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Fender Road Worn '60s Stratocaster
Fender Road Worn '60s Stratocaster Solid Body Electric Guitars
1

More Ibanez Solid Body Electric Guitars

Accessories & Related Items

Community setups

Similar

Gear Guides