Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $917

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$400

$1001+

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Description

Embrace the fusion of style and substance with the Ibanez S520, a guitar designed for musicians who demand speed, precision, and versatility. Its sleek Wizard III neck is not just a marvel of engineering but a gateway to fluid, fast-paced playing. The S520’s solid mahogany body, renowned for its lightweight comfort, is sculpted into a graceful 3-D shape, providing both ergonomic ease and the rich sustain that discerning guitarists crave.

Equipped with a pair of Quantum humbucking pickups, the Ibanez S520 delivers an expansive tonal range. From the roaring aggression of the bridge pickup to the warm, articulate leads from the neck pickup, this guitar is ready to tackle any genre with ease. The five-way pickup selector switch further extends your tonal palette, making it an ideal companion for both stage and studio.

But what truly sets the S520 apart is the Edge Zero II tremolo system. This proprietary feature offers exceptional tuning stability and responsiveness, allowing players to perform even the most extreme tremolo techniques with confidence. Whether you're executing intricate bends or flutter techniques, the Edge Zero II ensures your sound remains pitch-perfect.

Key Features:

  • Solidbody electric guitar with a sleek, 3-D mahogany body
  • Fast, comfortable Wizard III neck for effortless playability
  • Dual Quantum humbucking pickups with five-way switching for versatile tones
  • Edge Zero II tremolo bridge for reliable tuning stability and expressive playing
  • Jumbo frets on an Indian rosewood fingerboard for enhanced playability and sustain

Product specs

Brand Ibanez
Model S520 Standard
Finish Blackberry Sunburst, Deep Violet Flat, Light Violin Sunburst, Transparent Black Sunburst, Walnut Flat, Weathered Black
Year 2000 - 2025
Made In Indonesia, Japan
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Locking Tremolo Bridge
Color Family Black, Brown, Purple, Red
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss, Satin
Fretboard Material Jatoba, Rosewood
Model Family Ibanez S
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 24
Number of Strings 6-String
Nut Width 1.69"
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Series Ibanez Standard
Wood Top Style Opaque, Plain

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Ibanez S520?

The Ibanez S520 features a Wizard III maple neck, known for its slim and fast profile, making it ideal for fast playing and technical styles.

What kind of pickups does the Ibanez S520 use, and what tones can I expect?

The Ibanez S520 is equipped with Quantum humbucking pickups, which are passive and ceramic. They deliver a balanced tone with a strong midrange, suitable for a variety of genres from rock to metal.

Is the Ibanez S520 suitable for beginners or advanced players?

The Ibanez S520 is suitable for both beginners and advanced players due to its versatile tone, comfortable neck profile, and quality construction, making it a great choice for players looking to explore various musical styles.

Does the Ibanez S520 come with a case?

No, the Ibanez S520 does not come with a case. It is sold separately, so you may want to consider purchasing a case for protection and transport.

What type of bridge does the Ibanez S520 have?

The Ibanez S520 features an Edge-Zero II tremolo bridge, providing stable tuning and smooth tremolo action for expressive playing.

Ron P

Ron P

Ibanez s520

Video thumbnail for Ibanez s520 by Ron P

Ibanez s520

Ron P

Ron P

Video thumbnail for Ibanez S520 WK | Guitar Center PL by TVGuitarCenter

Ibanez S520 WK | Guitar Center PL

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TVGuitarCenter

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SweetWater review - New Guitar Day! Ibanez S520

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onevoiceinc

Video thumbnail for Ibanez S520 | ChoiGuitar Shop by ChoiGuitar SHOP

Ibanez S520 | ChoiGuitar Shop

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ChoiGuitar SHOP

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Groover - Guitarra Ibanez S520WK

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Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez S520.

Features and functionality

  • The ZR tremolo is praised for its stability but does not allow for trem flutters, which might be a consideration for those wanting to perform this technique.

    Source
  • Newer models (2014-2023) feature the Edge Zero II bridge, while earlier models have the Edge/Lo Pro Edge bridge, impacting setup and tuning stability.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners highlight the neck of the S520 as exceptionally comfortable, making other guitars feel awkward in comparison, like a "2x4" when switching from a Les Paul.

    Source
  • The lack of a single coil middle pickup is noted as a limitation for achieving certain tones, particularly for those transitioning from guitars with more versatile pickup configurations.

    Source
  • Owners report that Ibanez guitars tend to retain resale value better, making them a potentially wiser investment compared to Schecter.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • The built-in pickups are often described as flat, with potential owners considering future upgrades to improve tonal quality, although specific models were not mentioned in this discussion.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners emphasize the importance of blocking the tremolo with a block under the tail when removing strings to prevent the bridge from pulling forward.

    Source
  • For a standard setup, the tremolo arm tip should be about 2 inches from the guitar body when correctly adjusted.

    Source
  • It's crucial to unlock the two studs with a 1.5mm Allen key before adjusting the action to avoid damaging the guitar.

    Source
  • The neck curvature should ideally have a 0.3-0.5mm gap between the 7th fret and the bottom of the string for optimal performance.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Ibanez necks are noted for being thinner but not as thin as Schecter's ultra-thin C shape, offering a balanced feel between comfort and speed.

    Source
  • Some owners prefer Ibanez's medium jumbo frets over Schecter's extra jumbo frets, citing a more comfortable playing experience.

    Source

Build quality

  • The Ibanez S series has a notably thin body, which may not suit all players and is best tried in-store first.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings

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Artist usage

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See how Demonaz uses Ibanez S520

Demonaz

Guitarist

Immortal

...
Verified via Photo

Demonaz played the Ibanez S520 guitar during the 1990s, as evidenced by the photograph.

Genre Usage

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

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