Ibanez is welcoming the new year with the announcement of its 2019 lineup, which includes the brand-new Axion Label line of electrics, an acoustic with a fast, electric-style neck, a new medium-scale bass, and more.
Long-standing artist model lines like Steve Vai's JEM and Gary Willis' signature bass (which celebrates its 20th anniversary) are getting some new variants, while players like Marco Sfogli and Luke Hoskin are getting signature models for the first time.
Electric Guitars
According to Ibanez, the new Axion Label "is designed for metal, but offers exciting possibilities for any adventurous players after a next-level axe." It's similar to its metal-focused Iron Label line, and like those guitars, will be produced in Indonesia.
The line includes the RGA61AL, RGD71AL, and the S61AL-BML. The RGA61AL follows in the Super Start lineage of the company's RG series, featuring an Indigo Aurora Burst Flat finish with Bare Knuckle Aftermath pickups, a Gibraltar Standard II Bridge, Macassar Ebony fretboard, and Gotoh locking tuners. A coil-tap switch allows you to lower the output signal for a more vintage tone from the modern-voiced pickups.
The RGD71AL is a 7-string RG that's available with a multi-scale fretboard and a Black Aurora Burst finish, which features the Fishman Modern Humbucker pickups in place of the Bare Knuckle Aftermaths. It's also available with a standard fretboard in an Antique Brown Stained Burst finish.
The S61AL-BML, the only new S model and the third entrant in its Axiom Label, is another sleek new shredder, available in a Black Mirage Gradation Low Gloss finish. It features the Fishman Fluence humbuckers and Gibraltar Standard II Bridge.
Ibanez's Made-in-Japan Prestige models for 2019 now include a couple RG 5000 series guitars: the RG5120M and the RG5220M. The RG5120M features a bound birdseye maple fretboard with jumbo stainless-steel frets. IT has an African Mahogany body and an ash top, finished in Frozen Ocean. The RG5220M swaps the 5120's Fluence humbuckers for Bare Knuckle Brute Force pickups, and sports a Transparent Fluorescent Green finish.
Other new electrics include the Artcore Vibrante AS63—Ibanez's most stripped-down Artcore hollowbody model yet; a Premium JEM7VP Steve Vai signature (the first JEM7 to be available at this price-point); as well as the Luke Haskin and Marco Sfogli signature models mentioned above.
Acoustic Guitars
Ibanez's acoustic offerings also get a brand-new line with the Artwood "Unbound" Series. The AC150CE is a grand concert acoustic with a solid spruce top and Okoume back and sides.
It features an elbow contour on the body, an Ibanez T-bar pickup under the saddle, and a built-in AEQ-TP2 preamp. The AW150CE (and its 12-string version, the AW152CE) also feature spruce tops and Okoume back and sides, with a single-cutaway dreadnought body shape.
Two of its popular AEG acoustics get updated in the AEG19II and AEG20II, available in a wide range of flashy finishes, including Ocean Blue Burst, Purple Iris Burst, and Tiger Burst.
Meanwhile, the Altstar is a brand-new acoustic model that marries Ibanez's acoustic and electric guitar designs. It features a slim body, narrow string spacing, and a neck that meets that body at the 16th fret instead of the 12th. "Whether you're a new electric player looking to make an easy jump to acoustic, or an experienced musician who enjoys something a little different, this new Ibanez Altstar is what you're after," according to Ibanez.
Bass Guitars
Ibanez's SR bass guitars have been a popular low-end option for decades. This year, it's getting a few updates that will continue to make the series a versatile choice for bassists across genres.
The SR500E series—available in four-, five-, and six-string models, features Okoume bodies, active Bartolini neck pickups, an onboard three-band EQ, and a bridge with adjustable saddles for string spacing adjustments. The SR659E and SR655E are slight more expensive options, and feature an ash body and Nordstrand pickups, while the SR2400 and SR2405W are the company's new Premium SR bass models.
Also joining the lineup this year is the SRMD200—Ibanez's medium-scale "Mezzo" SR bass. With a 32" scale, it has a shorter reach and tighter fret spacing, making for "a very quick and agile instrument, while still preserving a high degree of the attack and low end of full-scale basses," according to Ibanez.
This year's signature basses include the 20th anniversary Gary Willis and the Adam Nitti ANB2015 Signature 5-String Bass. Be sure to check back soon for availability for these and other new models from Ibanez.