Pricing and availability

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Description

The Ibanez S540 is a sleek and versatile solid body electric guitar crafted for guitarists who demand both style and performance. Known for its lightweight and highly contoured body, the S540 is designed to offer maximum comfort while delivering a rich sound palette. The guitar’s Wizard neck, a hallmark of Ibanez design, provides a fast and smooth playing experience, perfect for intricate solos and complex chord progressions.

The S540’s body is carved from mahogany, offering a warm, resonant tone with excellent sustain. It’s equipped with HSH pickup configuration, combining two humbuckers and a single coil to cover a wide range of musical genres, from gritty rock to smooth jazz. The Floyd Rose-style locking tremolo system ensures precise tuning stability, even with aggressive use of the whammy bar. This guitar also features a rosewood fretboard, which adds to the overall tonal warmth and clarity.

Whether you're shredding on stage or laying down tracks in the studio, the Ibanez S540 is engineered for exceptional performance and playability, making it a reliable choice for both aspiring and seasoned musicians.

Key Features:

  • Mahogany body for rich, resonant tones
  • Wizard neck for fast and smooth playability
  • HSH pickup configuration for versatile sound options
  • Floyd Rose-style locking tremolo system for stable tuning
  • Rosewood fretboard for warm tonal quality
  • Sleek and contoured body design for comfortable playing
rmp5s

rmp5s

1994 Ibanez S540LTD - How Much Did it Cost When New?

Video thumbnail for 1994 Ibanez S540LTD - How Much Did it Cost When New? by rmp5s

1994 Ibanez S540LTD - How Much Did it Cost When New?

rmp5s

rmp5s

Video thumbnail for 1991 Ibanez S540 LTD Custom Saber guitar Fuji Gen Brass tone block momentary switch ☮ by Harry T

1991 Ibanez S540 LTD Custom Saber guitar Fuji Gen Brass tone block momentary switch ☮

Harry T

Harry T

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez S540.

Comparisons

  • The S540's OG wizard neck is preferred over new models for its thinness, with some owners stating it outperforms modern equivalents like the Prestige series.

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  • The S540 is seen as addressing issues found in other guitars like the neck-heaviness of SGs and the bulkiness of PRS necks, making it a preferred choice.

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  • An owner chose the S Series due to its body style, inspired by bands like BTBAM, over other models like the S470DX ABM.

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  • An owner prefers the S540FM over a Prestige model, indicating a strong personal preference for its playability and sound.

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Build quality

  • Older S540 models have been noted for superior lumber quality compared to modern guitars, contributing to their desirability among players.

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  • The fretboard binding on some S540s may appear sharper, but owners report that it doesn't affect the comfort or playability.

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  • The turquoise S540FM with black hardware is noted for aesthetic appeal, differing from models with gold hardware.

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User experience

  • Owners of pre-1998 MIJ S540s find them to be the best solid body guitars for modern playing, often outperforming more expensive vintage models in terms of sound and playability.

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  • It's noted that the older S540s have a distinct build quality due to stricter QC processes in the past, leading to fewer defects compared to newer mass-produced models.

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  • A 1994 S540 owner finds it superior to brands like PRS and Music Man, citing its smooth playability and exceptional sound.

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  • A recovered S540, cherished for years, highlights the model's enduring appeal and sentimental value among long-term owners.

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  • The S540's appeal is linked to its connection with popular artists like Bradley from Sublime, increasing its desirability among fans.

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  • Some owners find the S540FM stays in tune exceptionally well, even with extensive tremolo use, outperforming other Floyd Rose-equipped guitars.

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Value and pricing

  • S540FMs can be found under $1,000, though prices may vary significantly, especially for models in popular colors like Bradley Nowell's.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Concerns are raised about purchasing from Japan due to repeated listings with identical photos, suggesting caution with international sellers.

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Critic Reviews

S540 Review: I love everything in this guitar except the tremolo push in... | Ibanez | Electric Guitars | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Ibanez S540 receives high praise for its impressive sound and versatility, capable of handling genres from metal to jazz. With a 5-way switch allowing clean tones and thick distortion, it maintains excellent resonance and sustain. Despite being nearly two decades old, its build quality is likened to a tank, with robust strap buttons and a stable Lo Pro Edge tremolo. While the guitar shows signs of aging, such as minor dings and a finicky tremolo bar, these are minor blemishes on an otherwise stellar instrument. The review highlights the guitar's exceptional value, noting it was purchased at a bargain price. Overall, the Ibanez S540 is celebrated as a fantastic guitar with a few quirks, but its sound and build quality make it a worthy investment.

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 4 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Bill Steer uses Ibanez S540

Bill Steer

Guitarist

Napalm Death

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Verified via Photo

During the 1990s, Bill Steer used an Ibanez S540 guitar while performing with Carcass, as shown in the referenced photo.

E

Ethan Matthews

Guitarist

Echo Us

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Verified via YouTube

Ethan has owned multiple Ibanez S-series guitars, one of them is featured in this music video from 2018.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Ibanez S540, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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