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Average Price: $544

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$400

$1001+

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Description

Discover the perfect blend of style, versatility, and performance with the Ibanez SA160QM, a solid body electric guitar that effortlessly bridges the gap between affordability and professional-grade sound. Crafted for musicians who crave both power and finesse, this guitar is your gateway to a world of musical exploration, whether you're a blues enthusiast or a hard rock aficionado.

At the heart of the SA160QM lies the Quantum HSS pickup set, offering dynamic tonal versatility. With its 5-way switching, you can seamlessly transition from soulful single-coil sounds to roaring humbucker-driven tones, all while maintaining clarity and depth. Whether you're playing intricate blues solos or driving metal riffs, the SA160QM's sound capabilities will keep you hooked.

Built with a mahogany body topped with quilted maple, this guitar not only sounds impressive but also boasts a stunning aesthetic. The 3-piece maple neck ensures stability and speed, while the rosewood fretboard with jumbo frets offers a rich, full-bodied sound. The Sat Pro II floating tremolo bridge adds to the guitar’s allure, providing smooth pitch modulation without compromising tuning stability.

Perfect for both beginners and seasoned players, the Ibanez SA160QM is a reliable companion for any musical journey, offering a unique blend of classic design and modern innovation.

Key Features:

  • Quantum HSS pickup set with 5-way switching for diverse tonal options
  • Mahogany body with a quilted maple top for rich sound and aesthetic appeal
  • 3-piece maple neck and rosewood fretboard with jumbo frets for a fast, comfortable playing experience
  • Sat Pro II floating tremolo bridge for smooth pitch modulation and stable tuning
  • Suitable for a wide range of music genres including blues, classic rock, and high-gain metal

Product specs

Brand Ibanez
Model SA160QM-SPB Standard with Pine Fretboard, SA160QM-SPB Standard with Rosewood Fretboard
Finish Sapphire Blue
Year 2016 - 2018
Made In China
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape S-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Tremolo Bridge
Color Family Blue
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Pine, Rosewood
Model Family Ibanez S
Model Sub-Family Ibanez SA
Neck Construction Bolt-On
Neck Material Maple
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Nut Width 1.69"
Offset Body Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HSS
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 25.5"
Series Ibanez Standard
Top Material Maple
Wood Top Style Quilted

FAQs

What kind of tone can I expect from the Ibanez SA160QM's pickups?

The Ibanez SA160QM features an HSS pickup configuration, offering a versatile tonal range. The humbucker provides a powerful and warm tone ideal for rock and metal, while the single-coil pickups deliver bright and clear sounds suitable for blues and pop.

Is the Ibanez SA160QM suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Ibanez SA160QM is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable neck profile and versatile sound. Its lightweight body and easy playability make it an excellent choice for those just starting to learn electric guitar.

What is the neck profile like on the Ibanez SA160QM?

The Ibanez SA160QM features a slim, comfortable neck profile, making it easy to play fast and complex passages. This design is ideal for players who prefer a sleek and modern feel.

Does the Ibanez SA160QM have a tremolo bridge?

Yes, the Ibanez SA160QM is equipped with a tremolo bridge, allowing for expressive pitch modulation and vibrato effects. This feature enhances its versatility for various musical styles.

What materials are used in the construction of the Ibanez SA160QM?

The Ibanez SA160QM is constructed with a mahogany body and a quilted maple top, providing a rich and resonant sound. The neck is made of maple, and the fretboard is available in either pine or rosewood, contributing to its overall tonal character.

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Ibanez SA160

Video thumbnail for Ibanez SA160 by DeadmeatDarkdaylight

Ibanez SA160

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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 SA160QM.

Comparisons

  • The Ibanez SA160QM is favored over the Squier for its higher quality pickups, specifically ceramic, enhancing genres from alt rock to punk with its HSS configuration.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The guitar's HSS setup allows versatility, with humbucker suited for heavier rock and single coils for styles akin to Frusciante and Hendrix.

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  • The SA160QM is often used for rhythm in drop-B or drop A tuning for metal bands like Slipknot and Machine Head.

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User experience

  • It's reported that Ibanez offers a more consistent build quality compared to the often hit-or-miss quality assurance of Squier.

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  • The SA160QM's neck is praised for its thin profile and fast playability, offering a comfortable experience without sharp fret ends, uncommon in its price range.

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  • Owners appreciate the guitar's lightweight build, which makes it ideal for long practice sessions compared to heavier models like the Les Paul.

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Features and functionality

  • The guitar delivers a vintage, Strat-like tone when played clean, appealing to those seeking classic sounds with modern playability.

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  • The guitar’s lightweight build and paint job are frequently praised, especially as it was often the first "serious" guitar for many players.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Owners suggest using a boost pedal like the Demon FX Precision Drive for improved heavy distortion tones, rather than swapping pickups.

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  • An EQ pedal, placed before the amp, is recommended for significant tone shaping over pickup swaps in high-gain contexts.

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Setup and maintenance

  • It's noted that using both a boost and EQ pedal can effectively enhance the guitar’s performance with distortion.

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 9 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
seddrinith

Sounds good

Got it for a gift was my favorite guitar for a while until i got my Jackson JS32 King V, played it a lot felt good sounded good only problem i had was with the bridge.

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jordan_falcor_mcbalthazar

8.5/10

beautiful guitar but the jack can be a bit nit-picky

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Erkin Koray uses Ibanez SA160QM

Erkin Koray

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

Erkin Koray used the Ibanez SA160QM guitar primarily for this performance. At the 1:56 mark in the video, you can see that the 5-way switch has been modified, and the single neck and middle pickups have been replaced with Hot-rails. This particular guitar model was manufactured between 2001 and 2005, according to the Ibanez wiki.

Genre Usage

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

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