It boggles my mind how Ibanez is able to build such an amazing guitar in their GIO line. Of course inflation means that GIO now costs what the standard used to cost a decade ago, but this surely ups the ante! This is an anti-inflation guitar if there ever was one.
Absolutely love the look of this guitar. At this, honestly very low price point, I think it's great that they went with a hardtail, not a big fan of floyd type bridges, especially at the budget price point. Have to admit it's also probably my fav colour. Cheers for showing this Andy
I returned my Gibson Adam Jones Standard today because of finish defects. As I was walking throug the shop I was checking PRS, Mayones and some other Gibsons guitars but once I tried this one I fell in love with how it feels. So yeah I exchanged 3000 euro Gibson for 300 euro Ibanez and I couldn't be more happier
Got this model a few days ago to start my guitar journey, local shop had it for $250 "used" in mint condition--as far as I could tell, brand new besides being used as an in store demo for not long. Feel like I got a great deal and it looks beautiful which is helpful working through the finger pain and learning.
I bought an S521 from Ibanez just 3 months ago and I can tell that was a really good choice. Sounds good, is comfortable, is stunning looking and just for 400€. If someone would ask me to buy another Ibanez, I'd say yes instantly. And the color scheme of that GIO is impressive.
I'm waiting to see more actual photos of the ibanez grg220pa gio that's the one l'm interested in as the demo model going around and the photos on there site the burst looks completely different its much thicker than the very few actual photo's online that i could find.
I bought an Ibanez RG about a month ago with a Wizard 3 neck and I loved it but the finish (and $50 cheaper tag) drew me to one of these and I have to say, the neck feels more like the neck of my PRS SE and the Classic Elite pickups sound a bit better to me than the Quantum pickups in my RG so now I'm conflicted AF! -___-
I will always have a fond place in my heart for the gio series as my first guitar was a GIO which I still have and love 🖤 great as a first guitar for sure 🤘🏼 IBANEZ
Love your vids, Andy! And i ended up buying that ibanez Q series guitar that you reviewed.... and love it! .......sadly i can't buy everything.....hahahaha
Hello, How was the tuning stability and overall speed of neck shape? I’m really interested in this guitar as think it’s a solid all rounder. Really enjoy your reviews and the fact you show the internal workings of the guitar. It’s super hard to find these in store or for easy order currently.
Gios are great. I love mine, and see me owning another one at some point. I bought mine used and modded for what my model cost new at the time. I'm a little spoiled as mine was already tricked out with new full size pots with orange caps, coil tap in the tone control, and slightly better pickups.
I bought this guitar for my virlfriend for valentines day and the pickups were really microphonic.. but at the local guitar shop they waxed it and its now good! No problems anymore :) I replaced The black switch knob for a chrome one, the guitar looks more expensive with just that tiny detail. Sorry for my english ( i am dutch)
The pickups sound horrendous in those guitars but they look amazing. I am poor as hell but they have a killer guitar that is like $2500.00. The RGD3121 is just an amazing looking guitar and the specks make me drool. I mention it because this looks like a cheap version of that. Ibanez are my favorite guitars.
I’m getting this soon 🎉😊 I can’t wait to start learning. Other than the specs someone said if it “speaks to you” get it and I can’t focus on any other guitar bro 😂💯😍
Purely personal preference but I'd lean towards the GRX70QA which probably costs the same but is HSH and has a floating bridge. Though I'm not sure how I feel about the bridge on the modern GIOs. I have a GRX70JB from the early 2000s with a two-point bridge that looks a lot more solid compared to the modern Fender strat style six point ones. Though modern GRX70s probably have even nicer necks and thicker-sounding pickups.
@@TheGuitarGeek I’m really digging your channel. I’m so sorry I just discovered it. I LOVE your product reviews. The reviews on all the different Boss Katanas was awesome! Keep up the great work 👍
Love that you showed that the pickups are a a little microphonic. Finish is pretty good, the electronics and switches and knobs do not look so hot. But 299, sounds and looks great for that, usually you have to pick one.
Would you say Ibanez and Harley benton are on the same level? I want to buy my first e guitar but honestly I have no clue from wich brand I should buy it. Would be cool if you could help me with that. ✌️
Ibanez guitars are so under-rated, especially the Gio guitars. I bought one a while back, just out of curiosity, and it played and sounded as good as any 1,000 dollar Fender. Fenders are SO over-priced.
Flip flop finish Flip flop finish Flip flop finish Flip flop finish Flip flop finish Flip flop finish Flip flop finish Flip flop finish Flip flop finish Flip flop finish You'll just have to take my word for it that I also said it out loud. Was there a prize for this challenge? I should have inquired before participating.... lol. Great video as always! There wasn't an end of the video club phrase, so I guess I'll just listen to steve vai :D
this is a test showing the catastrophic microphonic pick ups on this guitar : ruclips.net/video/S9VDW3BhyA8/видео.html If you don't play 100% of the time on a computer, or on a very small amp at very low volume, avoid buying this guitar online. Try it in a real store..to check it by yourself.
Hey! Both are fantastic guitars. In build quality and tone they are fairly similar. I think the GRG121SP just tops the two because of the roasted maple neck
@@TheGuitarGeek Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. I consider myself a beginner guitar player, favourite genre of music is heavy (ie: Lamb of God, Dragonforce and other lesser known metalcore / deathmetal bands). I am leaning toward the 121SP so it's helpful to have a guitar player such as yourself confirm my thoughts. I'm from Canada and the 121SP is only $27 more than the 221PA
@@TheGuitarGeek Well, it was your playing that inspired me to ask that exact question. 🤦♂️😂. Rather it’s cheap guitars or expensive guitars, the rudimentary novice technique, or advanced wizardry, will always remain regardless.
@@stinky_lizard Generic* (Autocorrect strike again) I type in “gen” even “genitalia” comes up as an option too. At least it didn’t autocorrect to, “does one even need an expensive guitar if they are just going to play genitalia, third rate power chords, etc.?” 🤪😂
how can someone ever be able to get behind the science of all those weird model descriptions from ibanez 🤣🤦♂️ i play mostly metal and have collected a hughe amount of guitars over the past decades but i was never interested in ibanez or jackson brands, they always seemed a bit of just mass production oriented and "soulless" to me, don`t know how to describe it better sorry.. i` was always happy with schecter and LTD for example, much more charakter IMO, cheers 🎸
Are you serious? It's a plastic output jack with very little metal on the inside - Philip McKnight showed it to us. You can't even replace it with a standard one because the hole is too small. Philip McKnight also actually reviewed the guitar to show us there was a little uneven frets, that the action was a bit high. It would be nice if all the youtube reviewers also gave us objective information so we can get an idea of what we are getting when we purchase a guitar. And my god, I see that you said the GIO RG for $250 was also great. Do you always say every guitar is great? And how can you do that without some objective criteria?
@@renatokun9318 Be quite what? Quite right? Maybe you want to be lied to but I don't and I don't want to waste my time what I am searching for videos about the products that I'm trying to consider buying with people who lie and mislead you.
I've wanted this guitar since I first heard of it, but I cannot understand why Ibanez thought it was a good idea to put microphonic pickups in it. What is the benefit of a guitar with microphonic pickups?
It boggles my mind how Ibanez is able to build such an amazing guitar in their GIO line. Of course inflation means that GIO now costs what the standard used to cost a decade ago, but this surely ups the ante! This is an anti-inflation guitar if there ever was one.
lmao comment ofthe year
Absolutely love the look of this guitar. At this, honestly very low price point, I think it's great that they went with a hardtail, not a big fan of floyd type bridges, especially at the budget price point. Have to admit it's also probably my fav colour. Cheers for showing this Andy
Hey Dylan! You’re welcome. Yea, I agree that they made the right choice here
The royal purple one also looks amazing
That was probably the best way you could’ve described the neck, I just got this guitar yesterday and I love it
I returned my Gibson Adam Jones Standard today because of finish defects. As I was walking throug the shop I was checking PRS, Mayones and some other Gibsons guitars but once I tried this one I fell in love with how it feels. So yeah I exchanged 3000 euro Gibson for 300 euro Ibanez and I couldn't be more happier
I have an exciting new obsession with Ibanez RGs. I love Ibanez necks so, so much.
I love Ibanezezez. They have made really good guitars as far back as I can remember. This looks and sounds like another one.
Got this model a few days ago to start my guitar journey, local shop had it for $250 "used" in mint condition--as far as I could tell, brand new besides being used as an in store demo for not long. Feel like I got a great deal and it looks beautiful which is helpful working through the finger pain and learning.
ibanez budget guitars are genuinly so good, you got a great deal bro! did you get yours from long and mcquade
@@shay3514 Nope, a local shop in Minnesota
LOVE LOVE LOVE mine!! Had it for about a month and fall in love with it more every day!
I like that colour changing finish.
hmmm I think if Ibanez send one over I can see the finish up close even more! Cheers! Joking apart, looks lovely!
I bought an S521 from Ibanez just 3 months ago and I can tell that was a really good choice. Sounds good, is comfortable, is stunning looking and just for 400€.
If someone would ask me to buy another Ibanez, I'd say yes instantly.
And the color scheme of that GIO is impressive.
I'm waiting to see more actual photos of the ibanez grg220pa gio that's the one l'm interested in as the demo model going around and the photos on there site the burst looks completely different its much thicker than the very few actual photo's online that i could find.
Thats an awesome guitar, especially for a beginner with the stoptail…no messing with a trem!!!
Totally agree!
I bought an Ibanez RG about a month ago with a Wizard 3 neck and I loved it but the finish (and $50 cheaper tag) drew me to one of these and I have to say, the neck feels more like the neck of my PRS SE and the Classic Elite pickups sound a bit better to me than the Quantum pickups in my RG so now I'm conflicted AF! -___-
I will always have a fond place in my heart for the gio series as my first guitar was a GIO which I still have and love 🖤 great as a first guitar for sure 🤘🏼 IBANEZ
thank you for the awesome review, Napoleon Dynamite! I got me this thing and I'm not disappointed.
Awww dang it! I missed the premiere! I was unboxing some new picks... this thing looks delicious tho! LOVE the colours of the pickup wiring.
Hi there, is Drino here!
That finish is simply astonishing!
Greatings from Italy ❤️🇮🇹🎶🔥🔥🔥🤟🎸👌
That really is a great colour! Ibanez should make a prestige RG550 in that colour!
YES!!!!
Thanks for the review! That was cool!
This guitar is massively tempting.
That colour!!!
I want one!!!
These new Gio’s and sub $500 Ibanez are just brilliant.
Love your vids, Andy! And i ended up buying that ibanez Q series guitar that you reviewed.... and love it! .......sadly i can't buy everything.....hahahaha
between this and a AZES40, which one is better in terms of playability and quality construction?
Hello, How was the tuning stability and overall speed of neck shape? I’m really interested in this guitar as think it’s a solid all rounder. Really enjoy your reviews and the fact you show the internal workings of the guitar. It’s super hard to find these in store or for easy order currently.
Gios are great. I love mine, and see me owning another one at some point. I bought mine used and modded for what my model cost new at the time. I'm a little spoiled as mine was already tricked out with new full size pots with orange caps, coil tap in the tone control, and slightly better pickups.
This guitar looks like so much fun! Like the hot-rodded version of the AZES guitars (which are excellent). Want!
Love love the finish. Good guitar to strip and upgrade.
It could be turned into something VERY cool
I bought this guitar for my virlfriend for valentines day and the pickups were really microphonic.. but at the local guitar shop they waxed it and its now good! No problems anymore :)
I replaced The black switch knob for a chrome one, the guitar looks more expensive with just that tiny detail.
Sorry for my english ( i am dutch)
Feels like Ibanez are totally on their game at the moment.
Oooh that paint, it’s more mesmerizing than Hypnotoad 🐸😵💫😀
Would you recommend a thin thickness neck or thin width neck for arthritic fingers?
The pickups sound horrendous in those guitars but they look amazing. I am poor as hell but they have a killer guitar that is like $2500.00. The RGD3121 is just an amazing looking guitar and the specks make me drool. I mention it because this looks like a cheap version of that. Ibanez are my favorite guitars.
Definitely gunning for Harley Benton with this.
I’m getting this soon 🎉😊 I can’t wait to start learning. Other than the specs someone said if it “speaks to you” get it and I can’t focus on any other guitar bro 😂💯😍
Not a fan of those Elite pickups with high gain, but man, the Gio line has some gorgeous guitars as of late. I love the coil split Ibanez switches.
The pickups could be better but these are more than fine for a newcomer.
@@TheGuitarGeek Absolutely! Gio's have come a long way.
few people mentioned microphonic pickups, is this what you are talking about?
@@pedrovictor9088 Yes, they can be. A lot of feedback with high gain.
The finish does look cool, but when it comes to necks, I also love a fat neck, I have long E.T., fingers, so really thin necks feel awkward to me
Purely personal preference but I'd lean towards the GRX70QA which probably costs the same but is HSH and has a floating bridge. Though I'm not sure how I feel about the bridge on the modern GIOs. I have a GRX70JB from the early 2000s with a two-point bridge that looks a lot more solid compared to the modern Fender strat style six point ones. Though modern GRX70s probably have even nicer necks and thicker-sounding pickups.
I dig it. Amazing price. Wow. I wonder if it’s available with black hardware?
😍👍👏👏👏👏
Cool video.
Thanks! It’s not available with black hardware but that would be a cool and easy mod
@@TheGuitarGeek
I’m really digging your channel. I’m so sorry I just discovered it.
I LOVE your product reviews. The reviews on all the different Boss Katanas was awesome!
Keep up the great work 👍
Thanks man! That really means a lot.
Love that you showed that the pickups are a a little microphonic. Finish is pretty good, the electronics and switches and knobs do not look so hot. But 299, sounds and looks great for that, usually you have to pick one.
I'm new to guitars in general even though I play electric. So can you put a whammy bar on this one, or how does that work lol.
Technically, yes, but for the same price you can have this beauty from Ibanez, with a whammy factory installed: GRG220PA1BKB
The big companies are being crushed on sales by the lesser priced online off brands that offer you solid playing guitars with all sorts of features.
What evidence do you have to support this?
@@TheGuitarGeek Donald Trump told me :)
Would the gio line of guitars be good for not rock n roll like some chill vibey music?
Could you please do a comparison this guitar with the violet prestige behind?
Would you say Ibanez and Harley benton are on the same level?
I want to buy my first e guitar but honestly I have no clue from wich brand I should buy it. Would be cool if you could help me with that.
✌️
Hey, I was looking for guitar reviews and found you. You've also reviewed GRG221PA. What would you choose between GRG221PA and GRG121SP?
Really eye catching and great value. Sadly out of stock, but I need something with p90s anyway
What's the benefits of the Fender Master Tone Deluxe Reverb Blond over the standard Black version?
Deciding between this one and GRGR221PA-AQB, what would you recommend? I love power ballads so I need distortion and great cleans as well
Ibanez guitars are so under-rated, especially the Gio guitars.
I bought one a while back, just out of curiosity, and it played and sounded as good as any 1,000 dollar Fender.
Fenders are SO over-priced.
You could say that about a lot of brands!!!!
The entry level Fender guitars are pure trash.
Does the pickup selector get in the way like a normal strat?
If only they would build something of this quality with a fatter, wider neck. I just can't deal with wizard necks.
I hear you!!!
Entre la Ibanez grg121sp y la Grg220 pa cual me conviene mas ?
That looks like a fantastic guitar for the money!
Flip flop finish. Flip flop finish. Flip flop finish. Flip flop finish. Flip flop finish. Flip flop finish. Flip flop finish. Flip flop finish. Flip flop finish. Flurp flüp Spanish - ahh, almost got it!
Oh man! So close 😂
That looks goooorrrrrrrrgeous
Is this a full size guitar, or a 7/8? I’m about to buy a Mikro for my 6 year old son, and I’d really prefer something with a bit more quality.
I think it's a regular size guitar the scale length is pretty much the same with the RG's.
I would take out all the electrics and put in 1 volume pot and a dimarzio. Dp 100.then you've got a very good rock machine.
Flip flop finish
Flip flop finish
Flip flop finish
Flip flop finish
Flip flop finish
Flip flop finish
Flip flop finish
Flip flop finish
Flip flop finish
Flip flop finish
You'll just have to take my word for it that I also said it out loud. Was there a prize for this challenge? I should have inquired before participating.... lol. Great video as always!
There wasn't an end of the video club phrase, so I guess I'll just listen to steve vai :D
The prize is knowing that I REALLY appreciate the effort you put in to this.
@@TheGuitarGeek And the friends I made along the way :) ...which was 0. So I'll take the appreciation!
I just bought it today g c 299$ with tax 320$ love it
this is a test showing the catastrophic microphonic pick ups on this guitar : ruclips.net/video/S9VDW3BhyA8/видео.html
If you don't play 100% of the time on a computer, or on a very small amp at very low volume, avoid buying this guitar online. Try it in a real store..to check it by yourself.
Anyone here tried running this guitar through a matching (budget-wise) amp?
3:14 all I need to know
I want to get an Ibanez Gio. Do I get the GRG121SP or the GRGR221PA? They are within $30 of each other. Recommendations welcome
Hey! Both are fantastic guitars. In build quality and tone they are fairly similar. I think the GRG121SP just tops the two because of the roasted maple neck
@@TheGuitarGeek Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. I consider myself a beginner guitar player, favourite genre of music is heavy (ie: Lamb of God, Dragonforce and other lesser known metalcore / deathmetal bands). I am leaning toward the 121SP so it's helpful to have a guitar player such as yourself confirm my thoughts. I'm from Canada and the 121SP is only $27 more than the 221PA
Wait! This has coil-split?
yes, position 2 and 4
if it came with a floating trem it would have been great!!1
I think this guitar looms like D Mixolydian.
Sooo sparkly...
No wanmy bar?
you can get rg for this price LOLZ
Flip flop finish, flip flop finish, flip flop finish, flip flop finish, flip flop finish, flip flop finish, flip flop finish, flip flop finish, flip flop finish, flip flop finish.
😂😂😂🤘😂
Rawk and roll.
Does one even need an expensive guitar if they are just going to play genetic, third rate power chords, etc.?
Only you can decide that.
@@TheGuitarGeek Well, it was your playing that inspired me to ask that exact question. 🤦♂️😂. Rather it’s cheap guitars or expensive guitars, the rudimentary novice technique, or advanced wizardry, will always remain regardless.
@@automatoncollectives7237 you’re welcome!
Genetic chords? They're in your DNA, brother
@@stinky_lizard Generic* (Autocorrect strike again) I type in “gen” even “genitalia” comes up as an option too. At least it didn’t autocorrect to, “does one even need an expensive guitar if they are just going to play genitalia, third rate power chords, etc.?” 🤪😂
how can someone ever be able to get behind the science of all those weird model descriptions from ibanez 🤣🤦♂️ i play mostly metal and have collected a hughe amount of guitars over the past decades but i was never interested in ibanez or jackson brands, they always seemed a bit of just mass production oriented and "soulless" to me, don`t know how to describe it better sorry.. i` was always happy with schecter and LTD for example, much more charakter IMO, cheers 🎸
Are you serious? It's a plastic output jack with very little metal on the inside - Philip McKnight showed it to us. You can't even replace it with a standard one because the hole is too small.
Philip McKnight also actually reviewed the guitar to show us there was a little uneven frets, that the action was a bit high. It would be nice if all the youtube reviewers also gave us objective information so we can get an idea of what we are getting when we purchase a guitar.
And my god, I see that you said the GIO RG for $250 was also great. Do you always say every guitar is great? And how can you do that without some objective criteria?
Be quite
@@renatokun9318
Be quite what?
Quite right?
Maybe you want to be lied to but I don't and I don't want to waste my time what I am searching for videos about the products that I'm trying to consider buying with people who lie and mislead you.
6:30 “Jem wiring”? Talk about a stooge.
I've wanted this guitar since I first heard of it, but I cannot understand why Ibanez thought it was a good idea to put microphonic pickups in it.
What is the benefit of a guitar with microphonic pickups?