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Average Price: $299

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$400

$1001+

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Description

Discover your sonic potential with the Ibanez RG5EX1, a solid body electric guitar that stands as a testament to versatility and precision. Crafted for the modern musician, this guitar merges cutting-edge design with traditional Ibanez craftsmanship, making it a staple for both stage and studio. Its sleek basswood body offers a balanced tonal profile, offering a rich combination of highs and lows, while remaining lightweight for those marathon jam sessions.

The Edge III tremolo bridge ensures that your dive-bombs are tight and your tuning stable, a must for any guitarist who demands precision. Its 24 jumbo frets are perfectly suited for intricate solos and power chords alike, providing a smooth and fast playing experience. The RG5EX1 is armed with a trio of Ibanez Infinity pickups—Infinity 4 bridge humbucker, Infinity 3 neck humbucker, and Infinity Single3 single-coil—each selected for their ability to deliver everything from warm, harmonic tones to dynamic, high-output sounds. The 5-way pickup switch offers endless tonal possibilities, making this guitar adaptable across genres.

Whether you're shredding metal riffs or crafting melodic rock solos, the Ibanez RG5EX1 is your ultimate ally in musical exploration.

Key Features:

  • Solid basswood body for lightweight comfort
  • 24 jumbo frets for easy playability
  • Edge III tremolo bridge for stable tuning
  • Ibanez Infinity 4 bridge humbucker, Infinity 3 neck humbucker, and Infinity Single3 single-coil pickups
  • 5-way pickup switching for versatile tonal options

Product specs

Brand Ibanez
Model RG5EX1
Finish Black Flat, Grey Pewter
Year 2006 - 2010
Made In Indonesia
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Basswood
Body Shape S-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Locking Tremolo Bridge
Color Family Black, Grey
Finish Features Matching Headstock
Finish Style Satin
Fretboard Material Rosewood
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 Standard
Wood Top Style Opaque

FAQs

What type of neck profile does the Ibanez RG5EX1 have?

The Ibanez RG5EX1 features a Wizard II neck profile, known for its slim and fast-playing characteristics, making it ideal for shredding and complex fingerwork.

What kind of pickups are used in the Ibanez RG5EX1, and what tones can they produce?

The Ibanez RG5EX1 is equipped with an HSH pickup configuration, featuring INF3 and INF4 humbuckers and an INFS3 single-coil. This setup provides versatile tones suitable for rock, metal, and clean sounds.

Is the Ibanez RG5EX1 suitable for beginner guitarists?

While the Ibanez RG5EX1 is more tailored for intermediate to advanced players due to its features like the locking tremolo bridge and fast neck, beginners who are committed to learning might find it a rewarding choice.

Does the Ibanez RG5EX1 have a locking tremolo system?

Yes, the Ibanez RG5EX1 is equipped with an Edge III locking tremolo bridge, which offers stable tuning and allows for expressive pitch modulation.

What is the body material of the Ibanez RG5EX1, and how does it affect the sound?

The Ibanez RG5EX1 has a basswood body, which provides a balanced tone with a pronounced midrange, making it versatile for various music styles.

DR. GUITAR

DR. GUITAR

IBANEZ RG5EX1

Video thumbnail for IBANEZ RG5EX1 by DR. GUITAR

IBANEZ RG5EX1

DR. GUITAR

DR. GUITAR

Video thumbnail for My Ibanez RG5EX1 by Mountain Man Music

My Ibanez RG5EX1

Mountain Man Music

Mountain Man Music

Video thumbnail for Ibanez RG5EX1(Guitar Review) by Jacob Sage

Ibanez RG5EX1(Guitar Review)

Jacob Sage

Jacob Sage

Video thumbnail for Ibanez rg5ex1 review by Adam's guitars

Ibanez rg5ex1 review

Adam's guitars

Adam's guitars

Video thumbnail for Ibanez RG5EX1 Actual DEMO by Jay Panganiban

Ibanez RG5EX1 Actual DEMO

Jay Panganiban

Jay Panganiban

Video thumbnail for Review & Demo: @IbanezOfficial RG5EX1!! My dream RG... living up to it!! by Beers N Gears

Review & Demo: @IbanezOfficial RG5EX1!! My dream RG... living up to it!!

Beers N Gears

Beers N Gears

Reviews

PROS

  • Provides a satisfying acoustic sound even when unplugged

  • Affordable option with a Floyd Rose tremolo system

  • Suitable for modifications with aftermarket pickups

CONS

  • Factory pickups considered muddy by some users

  • Hardware quality may not meet all expectations

  • Edge III tremolo may require adjustments or blocking for stability

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez RG5EX1.

Features and functionality

  • The stock pickups produce tight tones and high output, making pinch harmonics ring out prominently, which is ideal for metal genres.

    Source
  • The guitar includes a reversed headstock and inlays that are particularly appealing to owners.

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Mods and upgrades

  • The Edge III tremolo can be improved by filing the knife edges and lubricating the posts with beeswax or chapstick for better performance.

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  • Owners have successfully blocked the Floyd Rose system, effectively converting it into a fixed bridge for enhanced tuning stability.

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  • Gotoh Cosmo Black knobs are recommended as replacements for the original volume knobs due to fading issues.

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  • It's suggested to replace the Edge III tremolo with a Gotoh GE1996T for better performance, though fitting may require adjustments.

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User experience

  • The guitar feels heavy for an Ibanez, but the build quality is appreciated by owners who prefer not to modify it as it might become collectible.

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  • Owners report that the RG5EX1 is heavier compared to other RG models, including some 7-string versions.

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  • Owners describe the neck as chunkier compared to other RG models with Wizard III profiles, impacting playability preferences.

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  • Some players find restringing and retuning floating tremolos more cumbersome, though not specifically problematic with this model.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Some owners report successful tuning stability with properly set up Edge III trems, comparable to original 87 Edge and Edge Pro models.

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  • Swapping out the stock springs for higher-quality ones has helped maintain tuning stability.

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Build quality

  • The RG5EX1 features a graphite hardware finish, noted to flake over time with use.

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Comparisons

  • The RG5EX1 is compared favorably to the RG5SP2, with similar specifications unless comparing specific 2010 models with Wizard III necks.

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Value and pricing

  • The resale price has dropped significantly, making it a more affordable option for those interested in modifying or experimenting.

    Source

Critic Reviews

The Ibanez RG5EX1 Electric Guitar Review | The Guitar Blog

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The Ibanez RG5EX1 offers impressive versatility with its fast, low-action neck and a diverse pickup configuration that delivers both aggressive and mellow tones. The Floyd Rose-style tremolo is perfect for those seeking dive-bombing whammy bar effects without detuning issues, although the tuning setup might require some patience. Priced at a steal for its features, it caters well to rock enthusiasts, especially with its reliable tuning stability and the array of sounds it produces. While the middle single-coil pickup might not satisfy everyone, the overall performance and feel of the guitar make it a worthy contender in its price range.

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4.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 5 Ratings

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decessa

With some work, can be great.

When I first tried the guitar out in the store, I played it without plugging in first and fell in love with its acoustic sound. Upon plugging it in, I was disappointed with the pickups. After testing others in the same price range, I found myself constantly returning to it and wound up purchasing it. Ripped out the Ibanez humbuckers (left the single coil in), and swapped them for Dimarzio Crunch Lab (B) and Air Norton (N). While the cheap hardware is bad enough to take a star off, this guitar quickly replaced my Dime-o-flame as my primary.

C

Good

I like that it’s a cheaper Ibanez with a Floyd rose, but the factory pickups are a little muddy.

evanjames

Gifted guitar with a tricky Edge III setup

The first of two free Ibanezes given to me by a friend of mine. Didn't use them anymore, but they both needed work and he wasn't planning on fixing them! I only had to reinstall the Edge III (which was not fun, so I blocked it. I like Drop D and bending okay?) and string it.

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