Ibanez GAX70

This is very much like a gibson Les Paul DC. Two Tone, Two Volume, Pickup Selector isn't very good. doesn't take much to knock it back to the middle. 22 Frets. Made in Indionisia. Black No Pickguard. This is very simple looking but it is possibly the nicest looking guitar ive owned. It has a stop-bar tail peice, non locking tuners, very thin neck, but makes it easy to play.

This has a pretty bright sound. But if you roll the tone down it fixes it. Pickups squeal if you have the action set too low. Works VERY well with distortion but if you like jazz/blues you might want to consider a stratocaster or something

This was set up like a $1000 guitar. nothing wrong with it. action was a little bit high but i like it that way. no problem.

Haven't played live with this guitar yet, but im sure that if i had to it would play beautifully. The strap buttons are awkwardly placed so the top one falls off, just get a locking strap and you'll be fine.

never had to deal with them
1 yr warrenty

Ive been playing for 3 years. I have owned a Barracuda SG580, and a Yamaha Pacifica. Both of which I smashed onstage at one point. And i have my Gibson Les Paul which has been my favorite guitar for more than 2 years since i got it from my uncle. this makes an amazing backup for an experienced player or for beginner/intermediate it is amazing. If it were stolen i would be upset but id get a new one because of the price. The only thing i dont like is the strap button and the pickup selector. but that can be fixed quite easily.

It was made in Indonesia:
22 frets, double Powersound humbuckers, 2 volume/2 tone, 3-way switch, I think the body is agathis, maple neck, nice transparent red finish, tune-o-matic bridge... You've already read all this stuff from other reviews. It doesn't have anything extraneous, just the basic features plus a pretty finish and a decent selection of tone controls.

My clean stuff is mostly Collective Soul, Carbon Leaf, and Flogging Molly-type music (all hail the kings of Irish punk!!!); as for distorted I'm all about Metallica, System of a Down, Deftones, Tool, and a lot of more mellow bands, plus of course what I write myself. The GAX70 works well for pretty much everything I play, but it's built for hard rockin' so if you always want a clean crisp tone it's not bad but you could definitely do better. I run it through a DOD Extreme Distortion (don't remember model number), a DOD chorus (ditto), and an Ibanez DE7 delay/echo, into either a Crate MX15R or a used Fender Princeton 112. It sounds great through both amps, the sound is a little more clear through the Crate but unfortunately it's just not loud enough so the Princeton suits it fine. It's not too noisy, in my opinion much better than any single-coil guitar for that exact reason. The bridge pickup is way too twangy on clean, great for distorted leads. The neck pickup is good if you want a really mellow or muddy sound. I use both pickups and just tweak the tone/volume knobs until I get the right sound, and switch to just the bridge for cutting solos. This is a more versatile sound than you'll get from most low-end guitars. And it sounds EARGASMIC with DOD chorus or distortion or both. I just wish it didn't twang and buzz as much on clean.

Set up pretty well, I've had to mess with the action and pickup positioning a bit but it's all right. The bridge and tuners are almost perfect, I only have to tune it every week or less... No flaws that I've noticed in a year and a half, and it was the floor model! That's not bad folks. One thing: the strap button at the butt has ripped up the threading in the wood and it's slipping out now. But that shouldn't be too bad if I can just get the right glue and fill 'er up. And as I mentioned, it's a beautiful finish!

It's a pretty tough guitar, although I don't get too rough with it when I play. A few days ago though, I was driving back from practice when my Princeton (about 30-35 pounds) tipped over in the trunk and fell on it. It was in its gig bag but it got two strings knocked loose and the pickup switch is damaged. The strings are okay, I retuned them and they seem to be holding. The switch still works but it's wobbly and moves in directions it shouldn't move in. But considering how big my amp is I'm surprised it didn't sustain worse damage. A pretty strong guitar in my opinion, with the exception of the strap button ripping the wooden threading after 18 months. It's my only electric so I guess I'd gig without a backup wouldn't I?

Don't know

Been playing 4 years, have owned two acoustics. I'm glad I bought this guitar, although I'll probably be getting a higher-end one in a year or two. All I can say is if you're cheap you can't really go wrong with it.

Read the others. Same features. I was at the MF Clearance center just to buy a cheap guitar to play at the office.

I play all types of music, but seems to be better when heavily distorted. The moment I got it home, I put on a set of .010's and set it up. Plugged it into a HRDx and was I suprised. Not bad at all. A little on the bright side.

Set up was marginal, but I always adjust everything. I never expect the factory setup to be any good anyway. It was marked as a blem, but I couldn't find anything except for some discoloration on the fretboard. Used some lemon oil on it, seems to look ok after a couple of days. Tuners were loose, but tightened them up, no rattles.

Wouldn't use this for a gig, unless I had to. Seems durable enough.

No need for Customer Support. It's basically a throw away if I can't fix it.

For the money, this is an unbelievable guitar. I own a Gibson LP Standard, an AM Std Tele, an AM Std Strat and a PRS McCarty. Even if it were $200, you couldn't go wrong. If it were stolen, I would buy another.

2002 Korean made Ibanez with 22 frets. Two volume and two tone knobs, one for each humbucker. Comes with stock Powersound humbuckers. Comes with a Tune-O-Matic bridge and a thin neck. I decdided to go with the two volume and tone controls on this guitar istead of going for one tone, one volume, and tremolo bar offered on other guitars at this price range since all the low end trems suck anyways.

Pickups are okay, but you'll definately want to replace them with some new ones. I'm personally looking at getting a Bill Lawrence L500XL in the bridge. The pickups are noice when I'm not playing and I get way to much feedback no matter where I stand in relation to my amp. The pickups would be my only complaint.

Guitar was perfectly set up when I got it. Action was just right, no damage or anything.

I'm sure that this guitar could definately withstand a gig. I've had it for a month now with the same set of strings, and none have broken. Of course you normally would want to change strings about every 2-4 weeks to keep a bright tone. It holds tune very well and the finish is amazing. I've got the grey metallic finish, and I can just wipe any fingerprints right off. I would not however use this guitar during a gig without a backup. I actually never would recommend not having a backup guitar at gig, anything and everything can and will go wrong.

I've never had to deal with Ibanez, but their web site has a lot more to offer in the way of support than other manufacturers.

I've been playing for three years. If it were stolen, I'd probably go for an ESP LTD EC-100. The only differences are that it has only one tone knob, but it also has 24 frets and cooler body + headstock look. The ESP is also $20 less at Musician's Friend.

I really like the double humbuckers on this axe. For the price, the features are great. 3 way selector. Double cutaway (SG style). Volume and tone knobs for both pickups. (les paul style)

This guitar does have a bit of a bright sound, nothing that the tone knobs can't fix however. I am running this through a solid state Fender Deluxe 85 amp. I'm still trying to get a perfect sound with that amp. I ran it through a Marshall PCM-80 tube amp and I was really impressed with the sound. Just watch using the bridge pickup, if the tone is turned up too high, you can really do a number on the eardrums.

This is the only downside to this guitar. When I got it, the action wasn't too bad, but it's not where I want it. I tried doing some adjustments to the bridge and truss rod, and now I'm having a problem where the low E string is buzzing out on the first fret. It almost looks like the neck isn't installed into the guitar correctly, kinda looks bent up. I noticed that when I'm ripping out some good leads, the high E string actually slips off the fretboard and gets stuck under some of the fret wires at the high end of the fretboard. I also had to resolder the wiring inside, this was due to the volume and tone knobs not being tight enough. I had to tighten all of the knobs, and I am having problems with the jack coming loose as well. I plan on taking it to a repair shop soon.

The guitar does great with live playing, no complaints here on that. As far as the hardware goes, after repairs I'm sure it will last awhile, I've only had the guitar for a year so we'll see. I mostly play at home but I plan on playing out more. The finish on this guitar is great, looks like its built to last. Strap buttons are very solid and built very well. I feel I can depend on this guitar, but I am saving up for a Gibson Les Paul so once I get one, this will be one of those "other tuning" guitars. I feel I can use this guitar on a gig without a backup.

Have never dealth with Ibanez

I have been playing guitar for two years but I am very well established. I have been playing for 4 to 6 hours every day since I started. I own a Fender Deluxe 85 solid state amp. I own an Alvarez acoustic guitar also. I asked all of the questions needed before purchasing this guitar. I was really smart about choosing it. For the money, you can't beat it in my opinion. I would buy this again if it were stolen. Hopefully that will never happen because this has sentimental value as my first electric guitar. I am satisfied with the sound with this guitar. I don't like how poorly the electrical work was installed however. I had compared this guitar with many others in this price range and this guitar is the best value by far.

I'll skip this part cos most of the features have already been mentioned in the previous reviews anyhow. It has no trem, which can either be an upside or a downside depending on your preference; personally I hate trem because the guitar gets out of tune so easily, the only trem I would use would be the U-bar on the K7 model.
Great body, but otherwise nothing extra-special.

In my opinion it's pretty decent; although I would probably prefer something with a bit higher output, but with the setup I have at the moment it doesn't make a difference anyway I just run it through my zoom gfx-7 pedal and it sounds fucking sweet. This guitar has little to no problem with noise, and I have no problem playing the styles that I do on it: punk/metal/blues/classical/jazz. Nice rich sound.

The action on this guitar was perfect from the very beginning, pickups were fine, however I did encounter a problem with the jack; after reading the reviews it seems I'm not the only one, because it really does need tightening. The neck was a bit bent also, which I repaired, but probably the most serious of problems was that I needed to resolder the wiring inside because at one stage the guitar didn't work at all. Overall, a little disappointing, but I feel maybe some of the problems could've been my fault. Then again, they could've not been.

This guitar is fairly durable to my knowledge, as long as you don't smash the shit out of it (why?the jack comes loose). This guitar withstands live playing very well, I've had absolutely no problems with it for playing gigs. For people who keep snapping the strings, learn to not play as goddamn hard.I play a LOT of lead guitar and solos so I use thin strings, but I also play a lot of heavy riff shit and I haven't had any problems with the strings snapping. You wanna play like a dickhead buy thicker strings problem solved, or just turn your amp up louder.

No idea I have fuck all experience with Ibanez customer support, but from what I've read they're really shit.

I've been playing for 4 years, and this is the second guitar I've bought which I've had for about a year now, my previous one seriously did get stolen (it was also an Ibanez but it was cheaper).
If my gax70 did get stolen, I'd prolly buy a different one cos I'm already saving up to get another guitar (RG470 probably), but I'd be extremely depressed for a while. I would hate to part with this guitar because its design is perfect, and for this sort of money its features heavily outweigh the price, it is a very decent guitar I must say. I choose this guitar against the RG170 because its body is magnificent, and I'm quite pleased with its sound.
Even though the factory may have fucked it a bit, I'll still give it a 10 for the simple fact that it really is fantastic value.

2 humbucker double cutaway, mix between a Les Paul and a SG, volume and tone knobs for each pu, stays in tune through a jam session, nothin real fancy, but i dont want a trem anyway, at this price level they suck and do nothing but detune the guitar. Beautiful finish, i fell in love with the body style the first time i saw it.

The pu's are the weakest part, the neck is too muddy, I use it for chording in church that's about it, the bridge is way too bright clean, it'll shatter your eardrums,but it distorts all right. I can pull off a decent lead tone with the selector in the middle, but it's built for crunch and that's about it. I'll be upgrading the pu's soon,

Ibanez has great QC, this guitar beats the crap out of all of my friends Strat copies, which are all falling apart. The finish is great, came set up great

Ibanez builds their guitars to go through the hell of 15 year olds playing in their garage bands, and this one has survived for almost a year now

George's Music is great, never had to deal with Ibanez directly

This is the best value in the price range that I've seen. I've been playing for almost a year now and played lots of other cheap guitars, this one beats them all, and it isnt a knockoff of anything else too. Sounds all right with stock pu's through a 15 watt Peavey, it'll sound great with good pu's throgh a real amp

90 other reviewers list the features. You either like lots of features or you don't. Don't get on here and say that it didn't have enough knobs- why did you buy it then? Volume and tone for each h/bucker is fine. Nice paint (transluscent red). 1 complaint: because the body is so light, every time you let go of the neck it falls straight. Gets really annoying! I guess the solution is to have a thick, leather strap.

Very ordinary pickups - has been well discussed here - but above what I expected for the price. Neck p/up is far too bassy. No noise at all from selector or pickups or anywhere else.

Everything was fine. Bought 2nd hand but paint perfect and no scars at all. Needed setup but what 2nd hand guitar doesn't?

I have gigged with it without a backup. But you should always bring a spare. I learned the hard way. I've actually just sold it because I want to upgrade but I'm good friends with the guy I sold it to and he raves about it.

N/A

I have been playing for 13 years and use an Ibanez CT strat (the ultimate cheap gem!), a Godin Radiator, generic (but excellent) Tele, Ibanez Roadstar II, Ibanez DML10 modulating delay, Boss OS-2 combination dist/o'drive, Boss ME-30, JEN Wah and Peavey Studio Pro amp. W#e play light/alternate (Coldplay, Something for Kate etc) and it suited me fine. It's no Godin but a great, cheap guitar.

Purchased this for my son as a Christmas gift 2 (?) years ago, paid wayyy to much but then again it was a newer model, now I see the guitar for about $150 new, for what I paid ($289) this is an ok guitar, for you you could pick one up for now... its a lot of guitar for the money... Raed the previous reviews for the lowdown on all the features.

The pup's on this guitar are useless to me, they sound like mudd, no definition, without doubt my least favorite sounding guitar we own. For my 14 year old however, they sound pretty damm good, the difference is the music we play, me: blues, classic rock, rockabilly, and some really queer mellow stuff... him: Korn, Metallica, Ozzy, Blink 182, Linkin Park... I play through a Vox Cambridge 15, and a fender Champ 12, he plays through a 65 watt Marshall Valvestate (The original VS series in case you are wondering why its a 65 watter) When you crank the distortion, they sound Nu-Metal Good... Ibanez knows what 14 year olds want... Hot, brash, High Gain pups. Fot this type of music its a great guitar stock, for real music change the pup's!

Again, for what I paid, I would expect some decent workmanship, for what you can get this guitar for now... It's very good, alot of others dont seem to agree based on what I've read in this forum... I dont understand why, The frets are fine, no sharpies, well finished, the hardware is fine, especially the tuners which are precise feeling, the setup out of the box was fine, low without any fret buzz, the nut is well cut, the body finish is glossy amd rich looking without any overt flaws. The fret board was cut a bit ragged however. This one is "Butterscotch" My son put crome covers over the PUP's, which didnt to my ears improve or degrade the pups, and he replaced the plastic speed knobs with Chrome Dome Knurled Knobs. Very pretty looking guitar. I have noticed that some of the others I have seen in this color have very obvious "splotches" of dark grain on the body, this one is perfectly uniform, the others I have seen are, IMHO ruined by these color variations. For the new lower price I give this puppy a 10, for the price I paid I wouldnt have any complaints either, I mean I know $298 is not alot for a guitar, but production quality on these Korean models are getting brtter and better, so I would expect nothing less!

This guitar is used alot, it travels daily to and from school with my son in a soft gig bag. He plays in the chapel band at school and at church on some sundays, he also "gigs" with his buddies in a garage. so far I have only had to resolder the 1\4 inch jack connection, no big deal, The finish has held up well, and the rest of the hardware is perfect.

Dont know...

For $150 a tremendous value, even with the crappy pup's, the kind of guitar that would be worth upgrading with better sounding pup's. I wouldnt buy it again, unless the kid wanted another one, He does LOVE this guitar and of the two others in the house (a Tele and a p-90 equipped cheapo Gretsch) this is the one he almost always reahes for, although at church and school, he is beginning to develop an ear for tone, and nu metal style pup's dont cut it, so he brings the tele alot more often.

I like most of the features on this guitar. The dual volume and tone knobs, it is convenient when switching from bridge to neck or neck to bridge becaws you don't have to change settings.the thing I don't like is when using both pickups both volumes work as masters, it is gay becaws if both aren't maxed it will mess up your sustain.
The strings set kinda high off the body and I like that. the bridge is kinda hard to adgust, but nothing majour. it has a suprisingly good neck for its price. this guitar is worth buying depending on the person, I would seggest it for home jammers.

This guitar has a pretty good warm clear sound. I now have 60 and 85 EMGs in it. Segjestion, don't get EMGs, unless maby for neck they do ok.my EMG set costed more than the guitar and the guitar sounded better with its stock pickups! It makes me mad!!!!

This guitar wasnt too hard to get above average action on. The tuning pegs are a little loose but its ok, once its stringed they dont viberate.The pickups are a little krooked to the strings, but i think i need new springs. The wood is my main problem, screws strip through it too easily, but nothing a little wood glue wont fix.

The GAX70 is a tank of a guitar, I've droped my Crate GFX212 (about 70 pounds) on it before and it didnt even break the necks alignment! Electroically and physicly its very dependable, it could make a twenty year guitar. Its bridge makes strings break quickly so I don't know about playing a show with it without a backup.

Overall it's a good to just have fun with and practice with.