Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $430
Standard/Professional
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Ibanez S521-MOL". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Ibanez S521-MOL is a sleek and modern instrument, designed for guitarists who crave both style and substance. With its ultra-thin body and comfortable contours, this guitar offers an unrivaled playing experience for both beginners and seasoned musicians alike. Crafted from high-quality materials, the S521-MOL is as durable as it is beautiful, making it a reliable choice for any performance setting.
At the heart of the S521-MOL is its Wizard III neck, renowned for providing exceptional speed and comfort. This innovative neck design allows for effortless playability, whether you're shredding solos or laying down complex chord progressions. The guitar features a pair of Quantum pickups, delivering versatile tonal options that can handle everything from smooth jazz to heavy metal riffs with ease. Its fixed bridge offers precise intonation and stability, ensuring your sound stays in tune through the most intense performances.
The understated elegance of the S521-MOL is complemented by its impeccable craftsmanship, making it not just a musical instrument but a work of art. Whether you're rocking out on stage or jamming in your bedroom, this guitar's distinctive voice will inspire your creativity and elevate your musical journey.
Key Features:
- Solid body electric guitar
- Wizard III neck for enhanced playability
- Quantum pickups for versatile tonal range
- Fixed bridge for stable tuning
- Lightweight design with sleek contours
Product specs
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Type | Solidbody |
| Body Shape | S521 Standard |
| Body Material | Meranti |
| Body Finish | Gloss Polyurethane |
| Neck Material | 3-Piece Maple |
| Neck Shape | Wizard III |
| Neck Joint | Bolt-on |
| Radius | 15.75" |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Offset White Dots |
| Number of Frets | 24, Jumbo |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
| Nut Width | 1.692" |
| Nut Material | Plastic |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | F106 Bridge with Individual Saddles |
| Tuners | Ibanez Closed Gear |
| Neck Pickup | Quantum Humbucker |
| Bridge Pickup | Quantum Humbucker |
| Controls | 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone |
| Switching | 5-way blade pickup switch |
| Strings | D'Addario, .009-.042 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Sold Separately |
FAQs
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What is the neck profile like on the Ibanez S521-MOL?
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The Ibanez S521-MOL features a Wizard III neck profile, which is known for its slim and fast shape, making it ideal for players who prefer quick movements and technical playing styles.
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What kind of tones can I expect from the Ibanez S521-MOL's pickups?
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The Ibanez S521-MOL is equipped with Quantum humbuckers, which deliver a range of tones from warm and full to bright and articulate, suitable for various music genres including rock and metal.
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Is the Ibanez S521-MOL suitable for beginner guitarists?
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Yes, the Ibanez S521-MOL is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable body shape, easy playability, and versatile tonal options, making it a great choice for those starting their guitar journey.
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Does the Ibanez S521-MOL come with a case or gig bag?
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No, the Ibanez S521-MOL does not include a case or gig bag; these must be purchased separately to ensure proper protection during transport.
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How does the Ibanez S521-MOL handle different playing styles?
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The Ibanez S521-MOL, with its 5-way pickup switch and fast neck, accommodates a variety of playing styles from rhythm to lead, making it versatile for genres like rock, metal, and blues.
Videos
session
IBANEZ S521 MOL
IBANEZ S521 MOL
session
Ibanez S521 MOL setup
Sam Deeks
Ibanez S521 MOL (JTC Oct 2023)
Brandon Murga
Soloing on a Ibanez S521 MOL
Brandon Murga
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez S521-MOL.
Build quality
Comparisons
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The S521 is lighter than many models, including the S520 (~3 kg) and some heavier Ibanez ash body guitars like the S570AH.
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The Ibanez S series is often cited as among the lightest solid body guitars compared to brands like ESP, Fender, and Schecter.
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Transitioning from a JEM with a Floyd Rose Tremolo, users find the S521 requires far less maintenance, making it a more convenient option for regular use.
Source
User experience
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Some users mention slight neck dive when seated without a strap, though it's generally not noticeable when playing.
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Owners appreciate the inviting nature of the S521's body shape, which encourages extended play sessions due to its comfortable feel.
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Despite owning a $1000 Washburn Parallaxe, one owner frequently chooses the $300 Ibanez S521 for its superior feel.
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Owners describe the S521 as a "workhorse" guitar, emphasizing its reliability and ease of use over extended periods.
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Mods and upgrades
Setup and maintenance
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The mahogany finish can appear dry; applying lemon oil during string changes enhances its appearance and prevents brittleness.
Source
Features and functionality
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Owners appreciate the five-way switch on the S521-MOL, allowing a broad range of tones despite only having two double-coil pickups.
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Use cases and applications
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Users report the S521 performs well across a range of music styles, from Red Hot Chili Peppers to Pantera, highlighting its versatility.
Source
4.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 7 Ratings
796
Great Value for the money, but expect a visit to a luthier to fix some details
It's a nice guitar, bought a second hand as a backup/alternate tuning and is has a nice tone, kinda brighter than my PRS, sits differently in the mix. It has a more "open" frequency spectrum but since it has a Mahogany (meranti) body, it has a particular voicing. Pickups aren't the greatest, but they work, although i would like to change them i can survive them. What i didn't like was the the tuners. If you can, change them! They don't hold tune and make the guitar a bit unreliable. The neck had a weird thing going on with the tension, had to tighten it and improve the playing action. But i guess this is because the previous owner had the guitar stored for a long time. The Wizard 3 neck is nice to play fast, it's a bit strange at first, specially the width, but is easy to get used to it. Long story short, the best is the body and the neck (once you figure out how it's working), pickups are ok-meh, they need to be raised to get the right balance. The hardware is the worst, save some to change specially the tuners. All else it's actually fine.
10745
Great Construction, but Swap Out the Pickups!
So after years of using a Fender Jaguar HH back in my high school years to the point where its frets started to wear out, I've figured it was time to step up the game and buy myself an Ibanez S521 Mol. First impressions? The guitar was fabulous to play. The neck and fretboard of the guitar was so much more comfortable to play on. My fingers flew on it. The mahogany body is nice too - you don't get the 'heavy' feel on S-type Ibanez bodies as compared to Gibson and Epiphone guitars. That is pretty awesome. However, when it came to the sound, the stock pickups weren't that great. The tones that came out of the INF humbuckers were somewhat bland. Not a big deal for high-gain tones but if you're more of a clean tone player, the INF humbuckers might not be the first choice for you when it comes to that application. The guitar by its own stock was not gig-worthy. At one point back in one of the concerts I played back in my first year of university, the guitar's gain suddenly dropped without warning. I checked and re-checked the connections and my multi-effect processors, but those were fine at the time. Turns out the guitar's wiring crapped out. Not a huge deal, but when you're playing metal most of the time, that particular bullshit is painful as hell. However, as I've seen several other YouTube videos where other guitarists used the same guitar without any problems, I'd have to say that this was an isolated case. Since then, the pickups have been swapped out for Seymour Duncan pickups (JB SH-4 in the bridge and Jazz SH-2N in the neck), and the tone pot has been bypassed. The tones were a huge improvement, as the Seymour Duncan pickups helped to provide a more defined mid-range sound as well as the 'crunch' that helps to cut through the mix. The tuners were also swapped out with Grover locking tuners. This was a huge improvement on the tuning stability and setup as it saved me a huge grief when it came to changing guitar strings. If you're looking for a metal guitar that is easily customizable to your own personal specs without having to shell out thousands of dollars for a custom shop, then the S521 Mol is a great guitar to start on. However, if you're looking for something that is gig-worthy even with the original stock material, then this guitar may not be the best guitar for you. As it stands, I have used the modded S521 Mol to this day, and the guitar is much more reliable and it sounds great. I personally love to use this guitar for live shows as well as for lead tracking.
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 S521-MOL, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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