Unlike the Fender and Squire relationship, Ibanez didn’t invent the different sub-brand for their models. Instead, they provided a simple prefix Gio so that you can tell for sure these models are for sure entry-level.
Where Are Ibanez Gio Guitars Made?
All Gio Guitars are made in Ibanez facilities in China.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Ibanez Gio Guitars
- OUR TOP PICK: Ibanez GRX70QA
- RUNNER-UP: Ibanez GRG131DX
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Ibanez GRX20
Table of Contents
- What Are The Components of an Ibanez Gio Guitar?
- Comparison of the Best Ibanez Gio Guitars
- Review of the Best Ibanez Gio Guitars
- What Types of Music Are Ibanez Gio Guitars Best For?
- What Ages and Skill Levels Are Ibanez Gio Guitars Suitable For?
- What Makes Ibanez Gio Guitars Stand Out From the Competition?
- Types of Ibanez Gio Guitars
- Comparison Overview
- Conclusion
- People Also Ask
What Are The Components of an Ibanez Gio Guitar?
Most of the time Ibanez Gio guitars tonewood is solid body Mahogany or Poplar with a 1-piece Maple neck. The pickguard is not a mandatory part of the instrument.
Frets are either in a set of 22 or 24 and they may come in medium or jumbo size. Inlays are mostly simple white dots, but some models come with Sharktooth design, too.
Ibanez GRX70QA
In regards to pickups, Ibanez Infinity R is equipped on most models but based on the specific model it may come in HSH, HSS, or HH configuration. Anyway, despite the pickup differences all models made after 2018 come with the 5-way pickup switch selector
What Gauge Strings on Ibanez Gio?
Based on the specific model, Ibanez Gio may come with either a .009 or .010 string gauge set. Also, in the case of 7-string models, the string gauge set is .009 with an additional low B 7th string.
What Size Pots Come on an Ibanez Gio Guitar?
Ibanez Gio Guitars share a typical pot size of 6mm for both volume and tone control. So, beware, buying a ¼ inch pot may not fit perfectly as 6mm is smaller than 0.25 inch - 0.236 inch to be precise.
Comparison of the Best Ibanez Gio Guitars
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Review of the Best Ibanez Gio Guitars
Here’s the overview of the best available Ibanez Gio Guitar models at the moment:
Best Overall:
Ibanez GRX70QA
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PROS
CONS
Ibanez GRX70QA Specs
Type of Guitar: Electric Guitar
Body Size and Type: Double cutaway solid body
Number of Strings: 6-string model
Tonewood: Poplar with quilted Maple art grain top
Orientation: Available in right and left hand model (GRX70QAL)
Neck Profile: 1-piece Maple GRX neck shape with 42mm Nut width
Fretboard: Purpleheart fretboard with 22 Medium frets
Scale Length: 25.5 inches
Bridge: Tremolo bridge T106 system
Color: Transparent Blue Burst (TBB), Transparent Black Sunburst (TKS) and Transparent Red Burst (TRB)
Pickup Type: HSH Ibanez Infinity R pickup configuration
Weight: 7.5 lbs
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are very pleased with the value they are getting for this price and they report that the tuning stability is absolutely perfect with a more than decent build quality so you won’t find sharp edges and other low-budget flaws.
The only drawback is that the quality control is a bit poor so you may get a faulty product on arrival.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Ibanez GRX70QA is a great example that Ibanez knows how to make an affordable and yet stunningly gorgeous model. And best of all, there are five different color finishes at the moment to select from and we can’t pick our favorite at all!
The 2020 model comes with an upgraded T106 tremolo bridge system and purpleheart fretboard on a GRX 1-piece Maple neck.
The sound will be more than decent for beginners and thanks to HSH pickup configuration you will have a typical 5-position switch to fine-tune your sound if needed and it’s available for left-handed players as well.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a modern, great looking starter all-around electric guitar this is our favorite looking model and as close to RG series as it’s possible. It’s true eye candy that may motivate your practicing for those days where you need such a boost.
Runner-up:
Ibanez GRG131DX
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PROS
CONS
Ibanez GRG131DX Specs
Type of Guitar: Electric Guitar
Body Size and Type: Double cutaway solid body
Number of Strings: 6-string model
Tonewood: Poplar solid body with red pickguard
Orientation: Right Hand only
Neck Profile: 1-piece Maple GRG neck shape with 42mm Nut width
Fretboard: Purpleheart fretboard with 24 Jumbo frets with Red sharktooth inlays
Scale Length: 25.5 inches
Bridge: Fixed bridge F106 system
Color: Black Flat (BKF) and White (WH)
Pickup Type: HH Ibanez Infinity R pickup configuration
Weight: 8.59 lbs
What Recent Buyers Report
They loved its appearance and lightweight format at first and they also report that the quality control has been improved compared to the prior models. When you look at it you’re 100% sure this is a heavy metal guitar and users say it handles those riffs perfectly and keeps the intonation even when tuned in alternative setups.
Why it Stands Out to Us
GRG131DX is the latest model in the Gio series from 2018 and it’s mostly an upgraded version of the GRG121DX model with an installed pickguard and Infinity R pickups available in black or white base color while the pickguard and frets remain red.
It comes jumbo frets and it inherits the shark-tooth markers and F106 tremolo bridge system. This combination works pretty well for modern metal music and fixed bridges provide a bit more definition in the low end when compared to floating tremolo models. Jumbo frets will provide more precision while playing and allow extra grip that will generate a better overall tone.
Bottom Line
Gio guitars are evolving every year so if you don’t have any particular need for tremolo or single-coil pickup, perhaps GX131DX could be an even better choice for you than our favorite pick for playing all kinds of metal.
Best for the Money:
Ibanez GRX20
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PROS
CONS
Ibanez GRX20 Specs
Type of Guitar: Electric Guitar
Body Size and Type: Double cutaway solid body
Number of Strings: 6-string model, also available as 7-string guitar (GRX720)
Tonewood: Poplar solid body
Orientation: Available in right and left hand model (GRX20L)
Neck Profile: 1-piece Maple GRX neck shape with 42mm Nut width
Fretboard: Jatoba fretboard with 22 Medium frets with Red sharktooth inlays
Scale Length: 25.5 inches
Bridge: Floating tremolo T106 system
Color: Black Night (BKN) and Jewel Blue (JB)
Pickup Type: HH Ibanez Infinity R pickup configuration
Weight: 8.58 lbs
What Recent Buyers Report
Reports say that the finish is quite decent and that hardware seems to be alright except for the really cheap tuners. They are very pleased with the action and the tone and feel it’s almost a no-brainer at this price.
But they did wonder why Ibanez didn’t include the white on black and black on white pickguard selection though.
Why it Stands Out to Us
GRX20 is made for those people who are really tight on a budget and don’t care too much about the look as it is currently either plain black or white guitar with a corresponding pickguard in the same color. Both share the same specifications, so the color choice is up to you.
It’s a perfect starter guitar equipped with everything you may need 5-way HH pickup configuration so you can have a bit of compensation for the lack of the split coil, two-point synchronized T106 tremolo bridge system, and typical Ibanez fretboard ideal for fast playing.
Bottom Line
If you would like to buy the cheapest electric guitar that works properly, GRX20 is your pick. It will be probably impossible to go any below this price without compromising some of the key features along that road.
Best Ibanez Gio Electric Guitar:
Ibanez GRG121DX
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PROS
CONS
Ibanez GRG121DX Specs
Type of Guitar: Electric Guitar
Body Size and Type: Double cutaway solid body
Number of Strings: 6-string model, also available as 7-string guitar (GRX720)
Tonewood: Poplar solid body
Orientation: Right hand model available only
Neck Profile: 1-piece Maple GRG neck shape with 42mm Nut width
Fretboard: Purpleheart fretboard with 24 Jumbo frets with Sharktooth inlays
Scale Length: 25.5 inches
Bridge: Fixed bridge F106 system
Color: Black Flat (BKF), Metallic Gray Sunburst (MGS), Walnut Flat (WNF), Black with Cheetah pickguard (GRG121SP)
Pickup Type: HH Ibanez Infinity R pickup configuration
Weight: 7.71 lbs
What Recent Buyers Report
Another Gio model that sounds much better than its price says. There are guys that are especially in love with this plain dark design and Matte finish. They find it more than acceptable for the first guitar.
However, quality control may appear as a problem as some users reported sharp edges, so better watch out before you play it for the first time.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The latest models come with a different solid body material so based on the finish you may get Mahogany, Basswood, Poplar, or Okoume. This way you may get minor tone differences that may suit your music better.
GRG121DX provides you with HH pickup configuration and standard F106 bridge fixed system which makes it ideal for heavy-oriented playing while the fretboard has been recently upgraded to the Purpleheart.
And while being a bit more aggressive than a regular Ibanez, it preserved a bit of tone versatility Ibanez is known for by upgrading the pickup switch selector from 3-way into 5-way.
Bottom Line
If you don’t care about GRG131DX fancy design and pickguard and your music is yet aggressive and metal-like, GRG121DX might be a decent balance between the features you may need and the price you’re willing to pay.
Best Ibanez Gio 7-String Guitar:
Ibanez GRG7221
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Ibanez GRG7221 Specs
Type of Guitar: Electric Guitar
Body Size and Type: Double cutaway solid body
Number of Strings: 7-string model
Tonewood: Poplar solid body
Orientation: Right hand model only
Neck Profile: 1-piece Maple GRG 7 neck shape with 45mm Nut width
Fretboard: Purpleheart fretboard with 24 Jumbo frets
Scale Length: 25.5 inches
Bridge: Fixed bridge F107 system
Color: White (WH), also available in two quilted maple top art models (GRG7221QA) - Transparent Black Sunburst (TKS) and Transparent Blue Burst (TBB)
Pickup Type: HH Ibanez Infinity R pickup configuration
Weight: 8.81 lbs
What Recent Buyers Report
This guitar simply outpaced the expectations of most buyers. Paint job is reported to be flawless and the fretboard action spot-on. Pickups are also praised to deliver an excellent sound when used with distortion.
Tuners appear to be cheap, however. But, when you check the price it comes with, they feel it might be worth upgrading
Why it Stands Out to Us
While 7-string models are not so rare in general, we have to pay respect to Ibanez for providing such a model in this tier as well.
HH pickup configuration is not the most usual Ibanez setup you’ll see, but it seems to be quite a logical solution for this guitar. Such configuration is ideal for heavy rhythm playing and has fans of such music especially in mind.
Modern metal players love jumbo frets as it provides more grip and better control when you need to squeeze those strings a bit more while the upgraded purpleheart fretboard seems to work as good as Rosewood did before.
Bottom Line
If you’re into modern metal music, but you’re either very short on a budget or just starting out to play a guitar, we feel there are no better all-around models on the market than Ibanez GRG7221 for you.
Best Ibanez for Kids:
Ibanez GRGM21
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Ibanez Ibanez GRGM21 Specs
Type of Guitar: Electric Guitar
Body Size and Type: Double cutaway solid body
Number of Strings: 6-string model
Tonewood: Basswood solid body
Orientation: Available in right and left hand model (GRGM21L)
Neck Profile: 1-piece Maple GRGM neck shape with 41mm Nut width
Fretboard: Jatoba fretboard with 24 Medium frets with Sharktooth inlays
Scale Length: 22.2 inches
Bridge: Fixed Bridge F106 system
Color: Black Night (BKN) and White (WH)
Pickup Type: HH Ibanez Infinity R pickup configuration
Weight: 6.2 lbs
What Recent Buyers Report
Users are delighted to find that this model is only short in length while the nut appears to be full size. They find it inexpensive and definitely worth investing in upgrades. It may look like a toy, but it definitely doesn’t sound like one.
However, bear in mind that it might be hit or miss for kids younger than 8 years, though.
Why it Stands Out to Us
GRGM21 is a part of the Ibanez miKro series and it’s a unique guitar that comes with a shorter scale of 22.2 inches and 24 medium frets. It is equipped with the standard F106 fixed bridge system. It actually represents a mini version of the RG model.
It’s not so often that we see an HH pickup configuration is equipped with the 5-way selector especially not at this price. This way you can select a single or dual split-coil performance, so it might be a decent compensation for the lack of the single-coil pickup in the middle.
Bottom Line
There are not so many decent guitars designed for children on the market and that’s what makes Ibanez GRGM21 an ideal present. It’s a model that will have more than a decent sound as your kid evolves.
Best Ibanez Gio Bass:
Ibanez GSR205
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Ibanez GSR205 Specs
Type of Guitar: Electric Bass Guitar
Body Size and Type: Double cutaway solid body
Number of Strings: 5-string model, also available as 4-string (GSR200) and 6-string model (GSR206)
Tonewood: Poplar solid body
Orientation: Available in right and left hand model (GSR205L)
Neck Profile: 1-piece Maple GSR5 neck shape with 45mm Nut width
Fretboard: Jatoba fretboard with 24 Medium frets
Scale Length: 34 inches
Color: Black (BK), Deep Violet Metallic (DVM) and Roadster Orange Metallic (ROM)
Pickup Type: HH Ibanez Dynamix passive pickup configuration with Phat II EQ pot
Weight: 7.34 lbs
What Recent Buyers Report
Just like with all other Gio models, they are simply stunned with the value they are getting at this price range. That’s why this bass guitar model was mostly purchased by people who were starting out with playing bass.
However, those more experienced are not pleased with the separate controls for both P and J pickups and would love a simple switch or single balance pot instead.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Soundgear is considered to be an ideal bass guitar for all guitar players because of its thin neck profile. The Gio model follows the same concept but at a more affordable price which makes it almost a no-brainer for any bedroom studio producer. It comes with both P and J pickups so you can have the best of both bass sound profiles.
While there are also a four-string and six-string models available for this series (GSR200 and GSR 206), we find a five-string ideal middle ground for any metal musician as you can get that much wanted lower end with the low B string.
Bottom Line
We would strongly recommend this model to any musician out there. Whether it’s a bass player looking for an affordable spare or a guitar or keyboard player interested in learning how to play a new instrument, GSR205 will be a terrific choice.
What Types of Music Are Ibanez Gio Guitars Best For?
Ibanez is a company that made its name back in the ‘80s on hard rock and heavy metal sound. That being said, they are still very oriented towards such music, especially to those people who are interested in becoming technically skilled players.
Most Ibanez guitars come with the single pickup at least in the Mid position, so they can be a great all-around instrument that can fit most genres, but, if you need that specific edge like Strat can give you for clean sounds or Les Paul for the crunch rhythm parts, it may not be enough.
What Ages and Skill Levels Are Ibanez Gio Guitars Suitable For?
Ibanez Gio guitars are not meant to deliver you premium sound. They are very affordable, but plain starter models so they will mostly work for younger players and amateurs. Speaking of skills, the Ibanez fretboard is very suitable for fast playing so it can be a decent instrument to practice your skills further.
The neck is also a bit thinner than usual so it will suit those players with smaller hands better. And we must say if you need a cheap spare instrument, once you upgrade pickups, the Ibanez Gio series might be a nice backup instrument even for semi-pro players.
What Makes Ibanez Gio Guitars Stand Out From the Competition?
These are not the best sounding guitars on the market, but when you look at the price it’s incredible how much you’re getting. Same goes for design - some models are so gorgeous that you will have an instant GAS (gear acquiring syndrome) while you’ll have enough models to pick the right configuration for you. Some models will work great for lead sounds, while others will be much better for rhythm.
And best of all, if you’re a rock or metal fan, you probably already know how Ibanez works for you - the Gio series is no different.
Types of Ibanez Gio Guitars
Most Gio guitars are actually budget versions of other Ibanez models and if you remove the G prefix, you can easily tell what series they actually belong to.
GRG Series
GRG guitars represent budget RG models and they are equipped with 24 frets, HSH pickup configuration, and shark inlay. DX suffix models come with Fat 10 single-locking floating tremolo bridge while non-DX models have a standard Ibanez floating bridge and dot fretboard inlay instead.
Likewise, the GRGA model is a stripped-down version of the Ibanez RGA series.
Ibanez GRX70QA
GSA Series
Ibanez SA models come with a 22-fret neck profile and SAT-10 bridge and so do GSA models. But, based on the pickup configuration it may offer a full locking system for HSH layout or standard floating tremolo for HSS and HH setup.
GSZ Series
Just like Ibanez SZ models, GSZ also shares the SZ neck 22-fret neck profile and uses the Full Tune II bridge and Quik Change tailpiece. The only difference is that they come with bolt-on instead of set-neck construction.
GAX Series
Ibanez AX guitars have a hard-tail bridge and a dual humbucker and so does GAX guitars, but with a bit fewer pots for sound control
GRX Series
These models are budget versions of RX guitars coming with 22 frets and provide you with the various hardware and pickup configurations.
Ibanez GRX70QA
GRGM Series
These guitars are made for kids and people with smaller hands. They are made upon RG series and come with a 22-inch scale length and 24 frets. The latest models even come with the mini amplifier installed onboard.
GSR and GSRM Bass models
Apart from guitars, there are Gio bass guitars as well available in GSR and GSRM models and provide you with a different scale length. They both represent the Soundgear series (SR) except for the fact that GSRM models have the shortest neck length on the market of only 28.6 inches.
Ibanez Gio Electric Guitar Fret Types
Gio Guitars come with either Medium or Jumbo frets.
While Medium frets and considered as a standard guitar frets, Jumbo frets are thicker and they may provide you with a bit more sustain, but, for budget lines like Gio, there is no significant difference. It’s all based on personal preference, but, if you have played before on a Jumbo frets, a good thing to know is that there are Gio guitars with such frets.
For people with big hands, Jumbo frets might be a better solution, though.
Comparison Overview
Let’s see how Gio guitars stand against other models on the market:
Ibanez Gio vs. Squier Strat
Squiers are Fender’s entry-level guitars so they are a perfect contender for Gio series. Price is about the same and they both are faithful to their more expensive counterparts regarding build and setup.
Therefore, there is no clear winner here. It’s all a matter of personal taste and what music you’re about to play. For modern sound, Ibanez may seem a better choice. It will work marvelously in all metal genres, while Squire may be a much better choice for vintage or indie rock music but we can’t say that Ibanez can’t find its way there, just like Fender can find its way in softer versions of metal music such as 80’s inspired heavy metal and hard rock.
However, for blues, jazz, funk, or pop music, we find Fender a clear winner.
Fender Player Stratocaster vs. Ibanez Gio
Fender Player series are a step above Squier models and you can tell that by the price difference, build quality, quality control level, and generally speaking hotter gain output.
Soundwise, it follows the same path as Squire Stratocaster so most of what we already said remains. But, due to the fact that the pickups are a bit upgraded, Fender can fill in the role in heavy metal music a bit better than a Squire, especially if you go towards Super Strat HSH models. Those models can match the vibe of the Ibanez guitars completely.
Ibanez Gio vs. Ibanez RG
Ibanez RG series has been on the market since the 1980s. Many semi-pro musicians have performed on them and made their career rolling. They were considered budget models back in those days.
They still sound the same and remain as an upgrade from the Gio line. Therefore the higher price as everything about them is better.
But, if you’re tight on a budget or you plan to save some money, Gio guitars will be a decent solution so you can leap over the RG series when the time for an upgrade comes.
Peavey Rockmaster vs. Ibanez Gio
Peavey Rockmaster guitars are made for absolute beginners and kids and they are definitely a line beneath Ibanez Gio. They are more affordable, but unless you really need a guitar so bad and you’re really tight on a budget, we would recommend you to skip it.
Conclusion
It’s such a wonderful time to become a guitarist. There are so many beautiful and affordable models available to pick up and start your career that it’s almost impossible to go wrong with any choice.
Ibanez GSR205
People Also Ask
Now that we have covered most of the Gio models, let’s answer typical trivia questions about it
Is the Ibanez Gio a Good Guitar?
The Ibanez Gio series are more than decent models for beginners. They may not be good for professionals, but they were not designed for such a tier. It’s one of the most affordable lines on the market at the moment and it’s one of the best ways to make a nice head start.
Is Fender Better Than Ibanez?
It depends on the music you’re about to perform. Fender is generally speaking a bit more vintage oriented while Ibanez leans towards modern rock and metal music.
We might dare to say that Ibanez tends to give you a bit more bang for the buck than Fender.
How to Replace Ibanez Gio Pickups
It is quite possible to replace Ibanez Gio Pickups on your own, but it will require some soldering skills to do it properly. If you’re not prone to such operations, go to any music shop and they should be able to provide you with the assistance.
What Truss Cover Fits Ibanez Gio?
The Ibanez Gio Truss Rod part can be found under the part serial number 4PT3XA0001.
In case it doesn’t look like the one you remember, double-check this website to see what part you need to look for.
What Are the Control Knobs on an Ibanez Gio?
Ibanez Gio has a pretty basic set of controls - a plain volume and tone pot along with a 3-way or 5-way pickup switch selector.
However, Ibanez Gio bass guitars come with additional controls such as individual volume control for both pickups or a Phat II EQ additional control.
What Does an HSH, HSS, and HH Pickup Configuration Mean?
It simply explains the pickup position used on specific guitars. HSH configuration is made of humbucker pickup on the bridge and the neck with a single-coil pickup in the middle, while HH is consisted of dual humbuckers. HSS means that the guitar has a humbucker on the bridge position and dual single-coil pickups on the neck and middle position.
Ibanez GRG121DX
What Capacitor For an Ibanez Gio?
While it might be different based on your specific model, most usually it’s 0.022uF, 50V, film Capacitor. You can find this model under number 3CP1J223
Check this specific website and see the right parts by browsing the model first.
How to Setup an Ibanez Gio
There is no strict one way to set up any electric guitar. Playing guitar is a matter of personal preference so there is no general advice. But, if you’re about to play fast, consider low action as the possible right setup for you in general.
Which Direction to Turn Truss on Ibanez Gio to Give More Bow?
To add more bow to the neck, you’ll have to either loosen the truss rod or turn the truss rod nut counter-clockwise. However, please remember to do such changes in small increments. We wouldn’t advise you to turn more than ¼ of a circle per turn.
Ibanez GRG131DX
Where is an Ibanez Gio Serial Number?
Serial Number is located on the back of the headstock. It starts with the GS prefix and provides you with the year and month when the guitar was built.
We highly recommend you to use this particular website to find more info about your guitar in specific.
What Size Nut Do I Need For My Ibanez Gio?
For most 6-string models, the spare part number is 4N4364601R-PBK and you may look at it under W43 T6 R400 specifications.
However, we recommend you to check this website once again and find all the info about your guitar parts in specific.
