{"id":5492,"date":"2022-02-18T13:56:04","date_gmt":"2022-02-18T13:56:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gear4musicblog.kinsta.cloud\/?p=5492"},"modified":"2022-10-03T11:19:28","modified_gmt":"2022-10-03T10:19:28","slug":"ibanezs-rg-vs-s-series-which-is-right-for-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/ibanezs-rg-vs-s-series-which-is-right-for-me\/","title":{"rendered":"Ibanez&#8217;s RG vs S Series &#8211; Which is Right For Me?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/ibanezs-rg-vs-s-series-which-is-right-for-me\/#Whats_the_story\" >What&#8217;s the story?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/ibanezs-rg-vs-s-series-which-is-right-for-me\/#The_body\" >The body<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/ibanezs-rg-vs-s-series-which-is-right-for-me\/#S_Series\" >S Series<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/ibanezs-rg-vs-s-series-which-is-right-for-me\/#RG_Series\" >RG Series<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/ibanezs-rg-vs-s-series-which-is-right-for-me\/#The_pickups\" >The pickups<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/ibanezs-rg-vs-s-series-which-is-right-for-me\/#S_Series-2\" >S Series<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/ibanezs-rg-vs-s-series-which-is-right-for-me\/#RG_Series-2\" >RG Series<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/ibanezs-rg-vs-s-series-which-is-right-for-me\/#The_neck\" >The neck<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/ibanezs-rg-vs-s-series-which-is-right-for-me\/#S_Series-3\" >S Series<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/ibanezs-rg-vs-s-series-which-is-right-for-me\/#RG_series\" >RG series<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/ibanezs-rg-vs-s-series-which-is-right-for-me\/#Which_is_right_for_me\" >Which is right for me?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/blog\/ibanezs-rg-vs-s-series-which-is-right-for-me\/#Find_out_more\" >Find out more<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Intro&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>The coveted Ibanez. A name that needs no introduction to any guitarist. It&#8217;s no secret that most of their slick, streamlined instruments are built with one thing in mind: rock and metal.<\/p>\n<p>Ibanez rose to prominence with their legendary RG. However, since then, many more series have been released by the legendary guitar makers, and today we&#8217;ll be looking at two powerhouses: the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Ibanez\/RG-Series-Guitar.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RG<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Ibanez\/S-Series-Guitar.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">S Series<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Naturally, both these series are geared toward rock and metal, but there are plenty of subtle differences which make them stand apart. Prepare to dive deep into the inner workings of these guitars, and find out what really makes them tick.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;72b2aac8-2a26-4106-af58-67527d130293&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;What&#8217;s the story?&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_the_story\"><\/span>What&#8217;s the story?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5781 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/6bdaab58-022a2735-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Ibanez Headstock \" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/>First, let&#8217;s take a look at how and when both these legendary series came about. After all, who doesn&#8217;t love a little history lesson?<\/p>\n<p>The RG series has long been Ibanez&#8217;s flagship range, and undoubtedly contains the instruments they&#8217;re most famed for. RG is considered to mean &#8216;Roadstar Guitar&#8217; with the first model being released in 1987, named the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Ibanez-RG550-Genesis-Desert-Sun-Yellow\/28PY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RG550<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Blossoming during the rising shred movement in the &#8217;80s, it was incredibly popular amongst musicians looking to play hard, fast, and furiously.<\/p>\n<p>The silky necks and powerful pickups lend themselves incredibly well to fleet-fingered technical musicians, with artists like Steve Vai regularly donning the guitars onstage.<\/p>\n<p>It has also been suggested that the RG550 was largely based on Vai&#8217;s legendary <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Ibanez-JEM77P-Steve-Vai-Premium-Blue-Floral\/29YU\">JEM777<\/a> <\/strong>signature.<\/p>\n<p>The S Series could easily be called a close cousin of the RG. Initially standing for Saber (this was shortened to S to avoid conflict with another manufacturer), the first guitar of this family was also released in 1987.<\/p>\n<p>It was renowned for its now-famous Wizard neck design &#8211; which was much slimmer than anything else around at the time &#8211; as well as the sleek offset body. This meant that it, too, was great for fast-paced playing and electrifying riffs. But what separates each of these esteemed models?<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;72b2aac8-2a26-4106-af58-67527d130293&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;The body&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_body\"><\/span>The body<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>One of the key differences between the RG and S is the styling of the bodies. The first thing you&#8217;ll notice is the sharper shape of the RG in contrast to the more rounded points of the S, which makes for two very unique aesthetics.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"S_Series\"><\/span>S Series<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5795 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/7052098e-ibanez-sa460-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Ibanez SA460\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/7052098e-ibanez-sa460-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/7052098e-ibanez-sa460-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/7052098e-ibanez-sa460-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/7052098e-ibanez-sa460-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/7052098e-ibanez-sa460-1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/7052098e-ibanez-sa460-980x980.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/7052098e-ibanez-sa460-480x480.jpg 480w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/7052098e-ibanez-sa460.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Delve a little deeper and you&#8217;ll find that the tonewood used for most of the S Series guitars is mahogany.<\/p>\n<p>However, you&#8217;ll find some that utilise nyatoh and okoume for the body&#8217;s construction. This adds a touch of warmth to their resonance and helps notes sound rich and full.<\/p>\n<p>S Series guitars also have very sleek, lightweight bodies, making them perfect for swinging around the stage like a maniac.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, they have a contoured top and back for an incredibly comfortable hold &#8211; they don&#8217;t dig into your body.<\/p>\n<p>In essence, they\u2019re great for those who like to move and groove on stage.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"RG_Series\"><\/span>RG Series<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5805 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/b8bfa924-022a2731-1-300x272.jpg\" alt=\"Ibanez RG Body Showroom\" width=\"300\" height=\"272\" \/>In contrast to S series guitars, RGs tend to be chunkier.<\/p>\n<p>This isn&#8217;t a bad thing. In fact, it makes them feel powerful, like you&#8217;ve got some heavy artillery in your hands.<\/p>\n<p>Similar to the S Series guitars, these also feature a double cutaway design for easy access to the upper frets.<\/p>\n<p>Since the RG series is so large, there are a plethora of tonewoods used for the bodies.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;72b2aac8-2a26-4106-af58-67527d130293&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;The pickups&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_pickups\"><\/span>The pickups<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>On to one of the most important features &#8211; the pickups.<\/p>\n<p>Ahh yes, the humble pickup, which makes guitar tone go &#8217;round. As you&#8217;d expect, both S and RGs have powerful pickups at their disposal. However, there are some slight differences that may suit different types of players.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"S_Series-2\"><\/span>S Series<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5800 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/401b0d05-ibanez-sew761-body-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Ibanez SEW761 Body\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/401b0d05-ibanez-sew761-body-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/401b0d05-ibanez-sew761-body-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/401b0d05-ibanez-sew761-body-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/401b0d05-ibanez-sew761-body-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/401b0d05-ibanez-sew761-body-1080x1080.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/401b0d05-ibanez-sew761-body-980x980.jpg 980w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/401b0d05-ibanez-sew761-body-480x480.jpg 480w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/401b0d05-ibanez-sew761-body.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>Generally, you&#8217;ll find lots of S guitars feature a HSS pickup configuration (like the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Ibanez-SEW761FM-Natural-Flat\/3N6Z\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SEW761FM<\/a><\/strong>), which means they have one humbucker and two single-coils.<\/p>\n<p>This kind of combination gives you the option to mix up your tone and access that bright, twangy single-coil sound at a pinch. You&#8217;ll also have the heaving power of a humbucker behind you to really drive those riffs forward with a high output.<\/p>\n<p>Like RGs, they&#8217;re great for rock and metal, but can also be geared towards more bluesy sounds and lighter genres in general.<\/p>\n<p>In terms of pickup brands, you&#8217;ll find lots of DiMarzio Tone Zone humbuckers and True Velvet single coils in the higher-end models, and Ibanez&#8217;s own Quantum pickups and Resolutions in the midrange and lower-spec guitars.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"RG_Series-2\"><\/span>RG Series<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5802 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/b60b9883-022a2732-1-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Ibanez RG Pickups Showroom\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/>Given that RGs are loved by metalheads, they tend to feature dual humbucker designs (the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Ibanez-RG1121PB-Premium-Charcoal-Black-Burst\/39VY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RG1121PB Premium<\/a><\/strong> is a good example) for full sonic firepower and limitless crunch.<\/p>\n<p>There are also plenty of HSH configurations too, and with such guitars, you&#8217;ll be able to get that twangy single-coil sound when needed &#8211; perfect for ambient clean sections.<\/p>\n<p>The humbuckers tend to have a high output, helping to drive the amp&#8217;s tone and deliver real strength and volume.<\/p>\n<p>You&#8217;ll find that these guitars are built for one thing and one thing only: blowing your audience&#8217;s heads off\u2026 in a sonic way, of course. They can be used for other genres, but they really shine in the realms of high gain.<\/p>\n<p>Again, given that the RG series is fairly expansive, you&#8217;ll find all sorts of pickup brands are used.<\/p>\n<p>Some of the higher-end models, like the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Ibanez-RG5120M-Prestige-Polar-Lights\/4K87\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RG5120M Prestige<\/a><\/strong>, have world-class <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Fishman-Fluence-Custom-Matt-Heafy-6-String-Humbucker-Set\/4KKN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fishman Fluence<\/a><\/strong> pickups, which can switch between active and passive voicings. You&#8217;ll also come across plenty of Seymour Duncans, DiMarzios, and even legendary<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Bare-Knuckle-Pickups-Aftermath-Humbucker-Set-Black\/1NTV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Bare Knuckles<\/a><\/strong> installed in these beauties.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;72b2aac8-2a26-4106-af58-67527d130293&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;The neck&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_neck\"><\/span>The neck<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It may come as no surprise that most Ibanez necks are famed for their sleekness and outstanding playability.<\/p>\n<p>Both series adhere to Ibanez&#8217;s general philosophy of providing an effortless playing experience.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"S_Series-3\"><\/span>S Series<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-5796 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/47b9f838-ibanez-sew761-neck-e1645192524172-300x215.jpg\" alt=\"Ibanez SEW761 Neck\" width=\"300\" height=\"215\" \/>Many of these guitars sport Ibanez&#8217;s legendary Wizard neck design.<\/p>\n<p>Super thin, comfortable to grasp, and satisfying to fret &#8211; these necks are made for lightning-fast playing.<\/p>\n<p>You&#8217;ll see the Nitro Wizard on the higher end guitars, which is also ultra-smooth, allowing your hand to fly up and down the back of the neck with precision.<\/p>\n<p>In terms of woods, ebony and rosewood are often used for the fretboards. Whilst the necks themselves can consist of anything from panga panga and walnut to roasted maple.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"RG_series\"><\/span>RG series<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-5799 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/91987243-022a2765-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Ibanez RG Necks Showroom\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/>These bad boys take no prisoners.<\/p>\n<p>High-end Prestige models often sport Super Wizard neck designs, which are really, <em>really<\/em> thin. This makes them incredibly easy to handle, and shredding feels like a dream.<\/p>\n<p>The midrange models are likely to also have a Wizard design of some sort, too. Although, they&#8217;ll probably be slightly chunkier &#8211; but still super playable.<\/p>\n<p>The tonewoods used are similar to those of the S Series, with the use of a few jatoba fretboards on lower-spec models.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;72b2aac8-2a26-4106-af58-67527d130293&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Which is right for me?&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_is_right_for_me\"><\/span>Which is right for me?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Well, you have to remember that these <em>are <\/em>two Ibanez series, so they&#8217;re in the same ballpark. However, you could easily argue that it&#8217;s the small details that really make a difference when playing an instrument.<\/p>\n<p>Whether it&#8217;s the rounder shape of the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Ibanez\/S-Series-Guitar.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">S Series<\/a><\/strong> or the slightly higher output in the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Ibanez\/RG-Series-Guitar.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RG models<\/a><\/strong>&#8216; pickups &#8211; these small differences all add up to make them stand apart from each other.<\/p>\n<p>Generally, the RG guitars are built for rock and metal, with powerful humbuckers and shred-friendly necks. The S Series is more of an all-rounder, but its HSS pickup configuration opens it up to softer genres like blues, rock, and even pop (at a push).<\/p>\n<p>So, if you&#8217;re a fearsome metalhead who really wants to put their foot on the gas, then the RG Series is perfect, but if you want to slow down a little and take in the sonic view, then the S series may be for you. But beauty is in the ear of the beholder when it comes to music, and only you can decide which sounds better!<\/p>\n<p>Whilst these are two of the most popular series, it&#8217;s well worth looking at the rest of the Ibanez collection for shred-loads of quality!<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;72b2aac8-2a26-4106-af58-67527d130293&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Find out more&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Find_out_more\"><\/span>Find out more<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/a-fR0kvTRuw\" width=\"600\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_3,1_3,1_3&#8243; 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A name that needs no introduction to any guitarist. It&#8217;s no secret that most of their slick, streamlined instruments are built with one thing in mind: rock and metal. Ibanez rose to prominence with their legendary RG. However, since then, many more series have been released by the legendary guitar makers, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":5780,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<p>The coveted Ibanez. A name that needs no introduction to any guitarist. It's no secret that most of their slick, streamlined instruments are built with one thing in mind: rock and metal.<\/p><p>Ibanez rose to prominence with their legendary RG. However, since then, many more series have been released by the legendary guitar makers, and today we'll be looking at two powerhouses: The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Ibanez\/RG-Series-Guitar.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RG<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Ibanez\/S-Series-Guitar.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">S Series<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p><p>Naturally, both these series are geared toward rock and metal, but there are plenty of subtle differences which make them stand apart. Prepare to dive deep into the inner workings of these guitars, and find out what really makes them tick.<\/p><hr \/><h3>What's the Story?<\/h3><p>First, let's take a look at how and when both these legendary series came about. After all, who doesn't love a little history lesson?<\/p><p>The RG series has long been Ibanez's flagship range, and undoubtedly contains the instruments they're most famed for. RG is considered to mean 'Roadstar Guitar' with the first model being released in 1987, named the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Ibanez-RG550-Genesis-Desert-Sun-Yellow\/28PY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RG550<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p><p><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5781 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/6bdaab58-022a2735-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Ibanez Headstock \" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/p><p>Blossoming during the rising shred movement in the '80s, it was incredibly popular amongst musicians lookng to play hard, fast, and furiously.<\/p><p>The silky necks and powerful pickups lend themselves incredibly well to fleet-fingered technical musicians, with artists like Steve Vai regularly donning the guitars onstage. It has also been suggested that the RG550 was largely based on Vai's legendary <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Ibanez-JEM77P-Steve-Vai-Premium-Blue-Floral\/29YU\">JEM777<\/a> <\/strong>signature.<\/p><p>The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Ibanez\/S-Series-Guitar.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">S Series<\/a><\/strong> could easily be called a close cousin of the RG. Initially standing for Saber (this was shortened to S to avoid conflict with another manufacturer), the first guitar of this family was also released in 1987.<\/p><p>It was renowned for its now-famous Wizard neck design, which was much slimmer than anything else around at the time, as well as the sleek offset body. This meant that it, too, was great for fast-paced playing and electrifying riffs. But what separates each of these esteemed models?<\/p><hr \/><h3>The Body<\/h3><p>One of the key differences between the RG and S is the styling of the bodies. The first thing you'll notice is the sharper shape of the RG in contrast to the more rounded points of the S, which makes for two very unique aesthetics.<\/p><h4>S Series<\/h4><p><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5795 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/7052098e-ibanez-sa460-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Ibanez SA460\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/p><p>Delve a little deeper and you'll find that the tonewood used for most of the S Series guitars is mahogany. Although, you'll find some that utilise nyatoh and okoume in the construction of the body. This adds a touch of warmth to their resonance and helps notes to sound rich and full.<\/p><p>S Series guitars also have very sleek, lightweight bodies, making them perfect for swinging around the stage like a maniac. They also have a contoured top and back for an incredibly comfortable hold, as they don't dig into your body. In essence, they\u2019re great for those who like to move and groove on stage.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><hr \/><h4>RG Series<\/h4><p><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5805 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/b8bfa924-022a2731-1-300x272.jpg\" alt=\"Ibanez RG Body Showroom\" width=\"300\" height=\"272\" \/><\/p><p>In contrast to S series guitars, RGs tend to be chunkier - but this is not a bad thing. In fact, it makes them feel powerful, like you've got some heavy artillery in your hands.<\/p><p>Like the S Series guitars, these also feature a double cutaway design for easy access to the upper frets. Since the RG series is so large, there are a plethora of tonewoods used for the bodies.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><hr \/><h3>The Pickups<\/h3><p>On to one of the most important features - the pickups.<\/p><p>Ahh yes, the humble pickup, which makes guitar tone go 'round. As you'd expect, both S and RGs have powerful pickups at their disposal. However, there are some slight differences that may suit different types of players.<\/p><h4>S Series<\/h4><p><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5800 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/401b0d05-ibanez-sew761-body-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Ibanez SEW761 Body\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/p><p>Generally, you'll find lots of S guitars feature a HSS pickup configuration (like the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Ibanez-SEW761FM-Natural-Flat\/3N6Z\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SEW761FM<\/a><\/strong>), which means they have one humbucker and two single-coils. This gives you the option to mix up your tone and access that bright, twangy single-coil sound at a pinch. You'll also have the heaving power of a humbucker behind you to really drive those riffs forward with a high output.<\/p><p>Like RGs, they are great for rock and metal, but can also be geared towards more bluesy sounds and lighter genres in general.<\/p><p>In terms of pickup brands, you'll find lots of DiMarzio Tone Zone humbuckers and True Velvet single coils in the higher-end models, and Ibanez's own Quantum pickups and Resolutions in the midrange and lower-spec guitars.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><hr \/><h4>RG Series<\/h4><p>Given that RGs are loved by metalheads, you'll find they tend to feature dual humbucker designs (the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Ibanez-RG1121PB-Premium-Charcoal-Black-Burst\/39VY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RG1121PB Premium<\/a><\/strong> is a good example) for full sonic firepower and limitless crunch. There are also plenty of HSH configurations too, and with such guitars, you'll be able to get that twangy single-coil sound when needed - perfect for ambient clean sections.<\/p><p><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5802 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/b60b9883-022a2732-1-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Ibanez RG Pickups Showroom\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/p><p>The humbuckers tend to have a high output, helping to drive the amp's tone and deliver real strength and volume.<\/p><p>You'll find that these guitars are built for one thing and one thing only: blowing your audience's heads off\u2026 in a sonic way, of course. They can be used for other genres, but where they really shine is in the realms of high gain.<\/p><p>Again, given that the RG series is fairly expansive, you'll find all sorts of pickup brands are used. Some of the higher-end models, like the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Ibanez-RG5120M-Prestige-Polar-Lights\/4K87\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RG5120M Prestige<\/a><\/strong>, have world-class <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Fishman-Fluence-Custom-Matt-Heafy-6-String-Humbucker-Set\/4KKN\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fishman Fluence<\/a><\/strong> pickups, which can switch between active and passive voicings. You'll also find plenty of Seymour Duncans, DiMarzios, and even legendary<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Guitar-and-Bass\/Bare-Knuckle-Pickups-Aftermath-Humbucker-Set-Black\/1NTV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> Bare Knuckles<\/a><\/strong> installed in these beauties.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><hr \/><h3>The Neck<\/h3><p>It may come as no surprise that most Ibanez necks are famed for their sleekness and outstanding playability. Both series adhere to Ibanez's general philosophy of providing an effortless playing experience.<\/p><h4>S Series<\/h4><p><img class=\"alignleft wp-image-5796 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/47b9f838-ibanez-sew761-neck-e1645192524172-300x215.jpg\" alt=\"Ibanez SEW761 Neck\" width=\"300\" height=\"215\" \/><\/p><p>Many of these guitars sport Ibanez's legendary Wizard neck design. Super thin, comfortable to grasp, and satisfying to fret - these necks are made for lightning-fast playing. You'll see the Nitro Wizard on the higher end guitars, which is also ultra-smooth, allowing your hand to fly up and down the back of the neck with precision.<\/p><p>In terms of woods, ebony and rosewood are often used for the fretboards. Whilst the necks themselves can consist of anything from panga panga and walnut to roasted maple.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><hr \/><h4>RG series<\/h4><p><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-5799 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/stateless-blog-g4m-co-uk\/2022\/02\/91987243-022a2765-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Ibanez RG Necks Showroom\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/p><p>These bad boys take no prisoners. High-end Prestige models often sport Super Wizard neck designs, which are really, <em>really<\/em> thin. This makes them incredibly easy to handle, and shredding feels like a dream.<\/p><p>The midrange models are likely to also have a Wizard design of some sort, too. Although, they will probably be slightly chunkier - but still super playable. The tonewoods used are similar to those of the S Series, with the use of a few jatoba fretboards on lower-spec models.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><hr \/><h3>Which is Right for Me?<\/h3><p>Well, you have to remember that these <em>are <\/em>two Ibanez series, so they are in the same ballpark. However, you could easily argue that it's the small details that really make a difference when playing an instrument.<\/p><p>Whether it's the rounder shape of the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Ibanez\/S-Series-Guitar.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">S Series<\/a><\/strong>, or the slightly higher output in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Ibanez\/RG-Series-Guitar.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">RG models<\/a><\/strong>' pickups - these small differences all add up to make them stand apart from each other.<\/p><p>Generally, the RG guitars are built for rock and metal, with powerful humbuckers and shred-friendly necks. The S Series is more of an all-rounder, but its HSS pickup configuration opens it up to softer genres like blues, rock, and even pop (at a push).<\/p><p>So, if you're a fearsome metalhead who really wants to put their foot on the gas, then the RG Series is perfect, but if you want to slow down a little and take in the sonic view, then the S series may be for you. But beauty is in the ear of the beholder when it comes to music, and only you can decide which sounds better!<\/p><hr \/><h3>Find Out More<\/h3><p>Whilst these are two of the most popular series, it's well worth looking at the rest of the Ibanez collection for shred-loads of quality!<\/p><p>Shop now |<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Ibanez\/Signature-Guitar.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ibanez Signature Guitars<\/a><\/strong><\/p><p>Shop now | <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Ibanez\/Q-series-guitar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ibanez Q Guitars<\/a><\/strong><\/p><p>Shop now | <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gear4music.com\/Ibanez\/AZ-Series\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ibanez AZ Guitars<\/a><\/strong><\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[105,262],"tags":[107,164],"class_list":["post-5492","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guitars-bass","category-guitar-reviews","tag-guitars","tag-ibanez"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Ibanez&#039;s RG vs S Series - Which is Right For Me?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Ibanez RG and S series guitars are both powerhouses of the rock and metal genre. 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