In the pantheon of shred machines, few names resonate like Ibanez. From molten solos to technical wizardry, Ibanez guitars have powered generations of players. But while everyone knows about Steve Vai’s JEM or the prestige of the Prestige line, two workhorse series often fly under the radar in the history books: the RG and the EX.
Let’s crack open the cases and explore how these two models shaped the modern player’s toolkit — and why they’re still relevant today.
The RG Series: Where Shred Meets Precision
The Ibanez RG made its official debut in 1987, building upon the earlier Roadstar II series (1983–1986). The RG stood for “Roadstar Guitar,” but quickly took on its own identity — leaner, sharper, and unmistakably faster.
With its Super Wizard neck, 24 jumbo frets, and pointy double-cut body, the RG became the archetype for a modern metal guitar. The RG550, in particular, became a favorite among shredders thanks to its high-output pickups and floating Edge tremolo system — a Floyd Rose-inspired bridge designed in-house by Ibanez.
It wasn’t long before players like Paul Gilbert and Steve Vai were synonymous with the Ibanez sound, pushing these guitars into new territories of speed and complexity.
The EX Series: The Quiet Innovator
Enter the Ibanez EX series — launched in the early 1990s, during the golden era of budget-friendly, performance-oriented guitars. “EX” stood for EXperimental, although some argue it referred to Export — since these models were often manufactured in Korea by Cort for international markets.
While the EX never received the same marketing push as the RG, it shared several core elements:
- Slim bolt-on necks
- Basswood (USA) or alder bodies
- HSS or HSH pickup configurations
- Tremolo-equipped and hardtail variants
Where the EX stood out was accessibility. It gave younger or budget-conscious players a chance to experience that “Ibanez feel” without the flagship price. And surprisingly, some models (like the EX370) came with features you’d expect from higher-end instruments — including triple-pickup layouts and sculpted heel joints.
Though discontinued in the late ’90s, the EX remains a favorite among modders and collectors looking for quality builds at reasonable prices.
Design Evolution: A Forward-Thinking Approach
What unites the RG and EX series isn’t just shared parts or styling — They leaned into super-thin necks, deep cutaways, lightweight bodies, and ultra-modern aesthetics. This helped them resonate with a new generation of guitarists raised on metal, prog, and fusion — and who expected their gear to keep up.
As guitar historian Tony Bacon notes in Electric Guitars: The Illustrated Encyclopedia, Ibanez “had become one of the few companies truly innovating in electric guitar design during the 1980s and 1990s”.
Still Rocking — and Still Available
Whether you’re chasing the classic Ibanez speed-neck feel or looking for a solid mod platform, both the RG and EX models continue to deliver. And if you’re looking to get hands-on with this history, I’ve got one Ibanez RG and one EX model currently available in my shop. They’re cleaned, set up, and ready to scream.
👉 Browse the RG & EX models now
Sources
- Ibanez Wiki – RG Series History: https://ibanez.fandom.com/wiki/RG_series
- Ibanez RG550 Review and Specs: Guitar World Archives (1987–1990)
- Cort Manufacturing and Korean Production History: https://cortguitars.com/about/
- Ibanez EX Series Overview (GuitarSite.com Archive)
- Bacon, Tony. Electric Guitars: The Illustrated Encyclopedia. Backbeat Books, 2000.
Final Chord
In a world of reissues and boutique builds, the Ibanez RG and EX remain timeless reminders of what happens when design meets demand. Whether you’re chasing vintage tone, hot-rodded performance, or just a slice of guitar history — these axes are ready for battle.
🎸 Got questions about the models in stock? Contact me! — I’m always happy to talk gear.