The GIO range has come a long way since 2007 when I last checked one out. It was a piece of firewood back then, nowadays they are serious options for beginners or people that want to dabble into this style of guitar without losing a kidney.
I have a 2011 model which is quite different (basswood body, rosewood fretboard, and the blocky neck joint) but it is a great versatile guitar and easy to pick up as a first guitar. Ibanez is one of those few guitar brands that nails it in every price point they compete.
just bought candy red one at a pawn shop for 70 bucks to learn guitar. thank you for going through the pickups quickly and identically. every review of guitars ive seen they play different things in each setting and i cant tell the differences cuz of that.
I have several Ibanez GIO guitars and I'm very happy with them. I also have several Ibanez RG and SA guitars (including a JS) and I love them all...but the GIO guitars actually have better quality at various price points. My 350 - 500 Euro RGs had sloppy, sharp-edged fretwork that I need to fix myself. In fact, my observation is that any Ibanez guitar under 450 Euro you should expect to have to do a few fixes to the neck/frets in some way. But I've never once had to do anything with the necks on my GIO guitars other than adjusting the truss rod on one of them, that's it. I've said many times to my friends over the last few years that "the crew in China making the GIO Ibanez guitars are doing a better job than the crew in Indonesia making the regular Ibanez guitars". I'd recommend GIO Ibanez to anybody, any day.
The Gio range are excellent guitars with some upgrades and a setup. The plastic nut and iffy tuners are the main weakspot, plus i don't like bright ceramic pickups, so some Alnico ones are a must. I have three of them and enjoy playing them as much as my RG550.
I have a J Custom, a Genesis and multiple Prestige models but never owned a GIO until 2 weeks ago. I found one of the satin black GRGBR131EX models and the fretwork and neck were simply fantastic, much better than most of the Indonesian models. I'm not a fan of the INF pickups but already swapped them out and loving it! Great review, Ibanez has really upped the GIO line the past couple of years!
You had fun playing it. That was clear to me :) I had one of these but luthier told me that it had bad neck (far from straight) and I returned it. I was really dissapointed and luthier check cost like 1/10 of the proce of guitar so I didnt take another one. Just ended with HB TE-20 bought from different luthier after setup. I noticed just that Ibanez neck felt more comfortable. If I wouldnt be so irritated (at the same time I had to send back Ibanez acoustic as it had also construction problems) I would give a chance to another piece.
I wanna buy my first electric guitar and I've been debating between the Ibanez GIO series, Squier Affinity and Yahama Pacific. After watching a few of your videos it seems that Yahama 112V would be the best choice. Thanks for the great videos.
One tip when demoing the whammy bar: try bending a whole step on every string and observe if that corrects tuning. A great guitar will stay in tune without resorting to this trick. A good guitar will get back in tune with this trick. An average guitar will stay out of tune regardless.
Was interested at GSA60S as it's a HSS configuration pickup. Later tried this GRX40 & found that this way much better tones than GSA60S. And now this already in my guitar collections...
@@firdauszainudin7118 it's up to individual. I prefer a HSS SSS & HH pick up configuration. Most of my guitar collection is in this configuration. While 70Q is HSH in which I don't really like.
Much better than a bullet strat. Whammy bar was a huge surprise its was fairly out, not totally out I would say. Contoured heel joint was also a surprise in the price. Pickups are good for the price
I played one of these, coming from a Strat background, neck felt too flat. Pickups weren't sounding very nice either, quite dull. I guess for the price though, can't complain. If you like flatter necks and can afford to change the bridge pickup: it's not a bad mod platform.
I have one of these and I love it. Sounds pretty good, it´s comfortable and stays in tune (if you don´t go crazy with the whammy). Love your channel. I would like to see a test of the orange crush 60. Saludos desde Argentina =)
All of these guitars with these types of tremolos will never stay in tune when dive bombing. You've got three friction points. 1)string saddle 2)nut and 3)tuners. Only the floyd rose will stay in tune because it eliminates all the friction points. The best you can do is slight tremolo action and that's all. The strat was never meant to do full dive bombing. Having said that, these ibanez guitars are great, imo. I think they also have a thicker neck compared to their wizard necks and I like that they come with a sculpted neck heel. The next up is the RG series and I have the 350myz and it's a fantastic guitar. The frets are level so you can have really low string action. I also have squier bullet ht strat that has lots of sustain and sounds really good. Fender finally put good tuners on the bullets and the pickups are awesome. They finally have a full guitar that doesn't need any upgrades. Even the nut is cut and shaped great.
Worth watching for "Black like the soul of my mother" line let alone the rest of the review haha 😂 Great Job as always! Curious about how the consistency of the build quality is for these
although I'm not a fan of how the neck bolts on I do appreciate you fingerpicking over using a pick,but I will keep my eyes out for one to add to my collection hopefully there's a larger cutout in the center for another humbucker
So I got a 1998 indonesian one, my first guitar , I bought some second hand DiMarzios , put .9 strings , did a good set up and even though I have more expensive guitars , I play this a lot . It's comfortable, it's fast , looks nice (mine is midnight blue ) . Still has the original nut , original tuners , it is just a fantastic guitar . And as a plus, is inexpensive.
I actually think you should check the Ibanez AZES31 AZ Essential, student model strat they make. I love mine, and its been the noodling around the house favourite ever since i got it.. Shortscale strat. I love it.
There is an Ibanez out on the market that no one has really dared to do a review on; and I was wondering if I got you the model number; if you could do a review on it? Thanks so much…love your demos.
Ibanez SEW761CW-National Flat it’s a killer looking guitar on Sweetwater pro sound music website going for $799.99 I believe… it’s a 6 string instrument with dark natural wood and demarzio pickups. It’s gorgeous and I can’t believe that not too many videos exist on it. I sure would appreciate if you could get someone out there to let you demonstrate it?! Thanks so much..and love your videos.
@@jessereyna7408 Thank you. I might at some point, although not sure as it's a bit more expensive than what I normally check out. Also, I have a ton of stuff already in the works.
I like my grx40 because the tone is simpelt and standard tone perfekt for hardrock and the gitar go true à mix Very good. I use my grx40 Evert day. Best gitar i have, nice playing you test the gitar Very good
Yeah...most people just seem to have "Hang Ups" concerning G strings, no? Especially if they get jammed up around certain drier nuts too as that can be very annoying in public.
Thanks! I play in a couple, but the only one that's really active at the moment is something called Metalli Inc. which you can find on the streaming services. I also have 5 solo albums.
@@simonshreddy3219 Poplar is actually alder. Same density, etc. I never liked the yamaha body and headstock shape, too much Japanese style of look. I'm sure rest of the guitar is great.
Don't know about GRX40 .... But GRG140 is a seriously good beginner guitar. When I will have 225$ extra to spend, I'm getting GRG140. xD ( After I buy other stuff ). But yeah, GRG 140 was in my " narrower choice " to buy, good guitar.
I've had both Harley Bentons and Ibanez in that price range. My experience was that the Harley Bentons were better. Small samples size. I've had about 5 HB's vs 3 Ibani (yes, that is the plural of Ibanez :P ) in that price range, but that is what I found. Make sure you buy it from a store with a good return policy, because either can be hit or miss. Good luck ! /edit if you can spend a bit more, I would get a Yamaha Pacifica 112. You can have those with several pickup combinations and they are great guitars.
@@MrPolevaulter I’m a beginner so I thought it would be better to put the money I save buying the Harley Benton on a good amp instead of this guitar. What do you think?
@@MrPolevaulter thank you very much sir, my musician friends help me they recommend me the jackson js22 dinky cause the price of the js22 match to my max budget around 300$, thank you.
Hi..Mr. E,love your whammy bar test,do those all the time, please!!!! I need a beer now,like whammy bar with no plastic tip,I agree good base to do a full rebuild, patina it, scratch it, make it your own so to speak, byeeee,as you say
Your reviews are very good but because you have to buy it the options of guitars you review are limited. There is no shame in getting gear from the manufacturers and you can still remain honest. Others do the same.
Check out more guitar reviews: ruclips.net/p/PLNaLwTdlpQNGXHK9wPm1kYNDwFvMLQ7ES
Or some of my music: ruclips.net/p/PLNaLwTdlpQNHKlg8ALZfM3AINC20WMp8s
The GIO range has come a long way since 2007 when I last checked one out. It was a piece of firewood back then, nowadays they are serious options for beginners or people that want to dabble into this style of guitar without losing a kidney.
If you haven't sacrificed a kidney, you're not really metal, bro!
@@ericdpeerik3928 😁😁😆😆
I bought a 2008 mode, is it bad then? I can’t tell. New to eguitars
I have a 2011 model which is quite different (basswood body, rosewood fretboard, and the blocky neck joint) but it is a great versatile guitar and easy to pick up as a first guitar.
Ibanez is one of those few guitar brands that nails it in every price point they compete.
just bought candy red one at a pawn shop for 70 bucks to learn guitar. thank you for going through the pickups quickly and identically. every review of guitars ive seen they play different things in each setting and i cant tell the differences cuz of that.
I am choosing between that red one or the JET JS-400 guitar. Hard choice =(
I have several Ibanez GIO guitars and I'm very happy with them.
I also have several Ibanez RG and SA guitars (including a JS) and I love them all...but the GIO guitars actually have better quality at various price points. My 350 - 500 Euro RGs had sloppy, sharp-edged fretwork that I need to fix myself. In fact, my observation is that any Ibanez guitar under 450 Euro you should expect to have to do a few fixes to the neck/frets in some way. But I've never once had to do anything with the necks on my GIO guitars other than adjusting the truss rod on one of them, that's it. I've said many times to my friends over the last few years that "the crew in China making the GIO Ibanez guitars are doing a better job than the crew in Indonesia making the regular Ibanez guitars".
I'd recommend GIO Ibanez to anybody, any day.
The Gio range are excellent guitars with some upgrades and a setup.
The plastic nut and iffy tuners are the main weakspot, plus i don't like
bright ceramic pickups, so some Alnico ones are a must.
I have three of them and enjoy playing them as much as my RG550.
Caught that kiss lick it up riff in there. Nice!
Your playing is amazing as always. Keep up the good work .
Cheers!
I have a J Custom, a Genesis and multiple Prestige models but never owned a GIO until 2 weeks ago. I found one of the satin black GRGBR131EX models and the fretwork and neck were simply fantastic, much better than most of the Indonesian models. I'm not a fan of the INF pickups but already swapped them out and loving it! Great review, Ibanez has really upped the GIO line the past couple of years!
You had fun playing it. That was clear to me :) I had one of these but luthier told me that it had bad neck (far from straight) and I returned it. I was really dissapointed and luthier check cost like 1/10 of the proce of guitar so I didnt take another one. Just ended with HB TE-20 bought from different luthier after setup. I noticed just that Ibanez neck felt more comfortable. If I wouldnt be so irritated (at the same time I had to send back Ibanez acoustic as it had also construction problems) I would give a chance to another piece.
I wanna buy my first electric guitar and I've been debating between the Ibanez GIO series, Squier Affinity and Yahama Pacific. After watching a few of your videos it seems that Yahama 112V would be the best choice. Thanks for the great videos.
Cheers!
Ive played 40 years and Im quite happy with my 5 Yamaha Pacifica 112Vs!😎👍
I have to say, I love the way that guitar speaks and screams.
You should make a comparison video between this and yamaha pacifica 012
One tip when demoing the whammy bar: try bending a whole step on every string and observe if that corrects tuning.
A great guitar will stay in tune without resorting to this trick.
A good guitar will get back in tune with this trick.
An average guitar will stay out of tune regardless.
I got this for my daughter's first electric. Her grandfather spoiled her with her two acoustics.
Was interested at GSA60S as it's a HSS configuration pickup. Later tried this GRX40 & found that this way much better tones than GSA60S. And now this already in my guitar collections...
Cool!
What about GRX40 vs GRX70QA since the price is quite the same?
@@firdauszainudin7118 it's up to individual. I prefer a HSS SSS & HH pick up configuration. Most of my guitar collection is in this configuration. While 70Q is HSH in which I don't really like.
Much better than a bullet strat. Whammy bar was a huge surprise its was fairly out, not totally out I would say. Contoured heel joint was also a surprise in the price. Pickups are good for the price
I'd agree with that.
Awesome test. Great chain sound. Full professional. Say hello from Poland 🤘
Thanks!
Bought a lightly used one for $40 and I've been impressed with it
For that money it's gold!
I played one of these, coming from a Strat background, neck felt too flat.
Pickups weren't sounding very nice either, quite dull.
I guess for the price though, can't complain.
If you like flatter necks and can afford to change the bridge pickup: it's not a bad mod platform.
I got one these as a give away and was totally blow...this thing rocks
Deep Purple. Yeah, I saw Steve Morse with Deep Purple in 2002. Black Knight, such a great track.
I have one of these and I love it. Sounds pretty good, it´s comfortable and stays in tune (if you don´t go crazy with the whammy).
Love your channel. I would like to see a test of the orange crush 60.
Saludos desde Argentina =)
All of these guitars with these types of tremolos will never stay in tune when dive bombing. You've got three friction points. 1)string saddle 2)nut and 3)tuners. Only the floyd rose will stay in tune because it eliminates all the friction points. The best you can do is slight tremolo action and that's all. The strat was never meant to do full dive bombing. Having said that, these ibanez guitars are great, imo. I think they also have a thicker neck compared to their wizard necks and I like that they come with a sculpted neck heel. The next up is the RG series and I have the 350myz and it's a fantastic guitar. The frets are level so you can have really low string action. I also have squier bullet ht strat that has lots of sustain and sounds really good. Fender finally put good tuners on the bullets and the pickups are awesome. They finally have a full guitar that doesn't need any upgrades. Even the nut is cut and shaped great.
Sure they will. Mine do if I've done maintenance right.
Worth watching for "Black like the soul of my mother" line let alone the rest of the review haha 😂 Great Job as always! Curious about how the consistency of the build quality is for these
Thanks! I'm curious about that consistency thing as well.
Looks like I have the same GI Joe, neck & mid p/u @ 4.94 K OHMS & bridge bucker whopping 7.84 K OHMS.
Affordable guitars are better than ever these days. Excellent review.
Cheers!
although I'm not a fan of how the neck bolts on I do appreciate you fingerpicking over using a pick,but I will keep my eyes out for one to add to my collection hopefully there's a larger cutout in the center for another humbucker
So I got a 1998 indonesian one, my first guitar , I bought some second hand DiMarzios , put .9 strings , did a good set up and even though I have more expensive guitars , I play this a lot . It's comfortable, it's fast , looks nice (mine is midnight blue ) . Still has the original nut , original tuners , it is just a fantastic guitar . And as a plus, is inexpensive.
i made something similar on my ex series koren
killing it
@@spunkytheozinho Iam on the hunt for one of those. The original late 80's ones were made in Japan!
fantastic Ibanez GRX40
I actually think you should check the Ibanez AZES31 AZ Essential, student model strat they make. I love mine, and its been the noodling around the house favourite ever since i got it.. Shortscale strat. I love it.
Check out the Kramer focus. I've heard good things about that. That thing also has a mahogany body.
Didn't like it much.
Just bought this guitar second-hand for 40 euro's pretty solid guitar.
Fantastic Elmo...Great review and you really make it funny to...with the black heart/duck comments...😆 regards Mick UK
Cheers :)
You would have been a great actor in the Game of Thrones or something. Quite a character.
Haha :D
The Whammy test always cracks me up!
damn that is some serious skill you have on the guitar, unbelievable!
Thank you 😊
Mr. Coba review ibanez grx20
Hi "That Guy", we truly are iving in a golden age of quality affordable budget friendly guitar's. None More Black.
True.
I have one grx40 and I just found that guitar doesn't suck, My playing sucks 😞
Sorry to hear. You'll get better though if you keep going.
There is an Ibanez out on the market that no one has really dared to do a review on; and I was wondering if I got you the model number; if you could do a review on it? Thanks so much…love your demos.
I'll think about it at least.
Ibanez SEW761CW-National Flat it’s a killer looking guitar on Sweetwater pro sound music website going for $799.99 I believe… it’s a 6 string instrument with dark natural wood and demarzio pickups. It’s gorgeous and I can’t believe that not too many videos exist on it. I sure would appreciate if you could get someone out there to let you demonstrate it?! Thanks so much..and love your videos.
@@jessereyna7408 Thank you. I might at some point, although not sure as it's a bit more expensive than what I normally check out. Also, I have a ton of stuff already in the works.
I like my grx40 because the tone is simpelt and standard tone perfekt for hardrock and the gitar go true à mix Very good. I use my grx40 Evert day. Best gitar i have, nice playing you test the gitar Very good
Gracias por este video maestro, I'll buy this guitar!🤘🎸
Get your hands on one of the new AZE's if you can they are basically budget AZ series guitars that are meant to be good!
Yeah...most people just seem to have "Hang Ups" concerning G strings, no? Especially if they get jammed up around certain drier nuts too as that can be very annoying in public.
:D
I have one from the 1990s and love it but its not for heavy metal at all.
This or the Azes40?
Thanks for the review 🙏
Not sure
Maybe tryout the new budget Az's?!
Maybe at some point. So much gear, so little time.
This model was my first guitar around the year 2000. It was hot garbage but I loved it. Haha.
You are awesome guitarist. Have you any band ? :)
Thanks! I play in a couple, but the only one that's really active at the moment is something called Metalli Inc. which you can find on the streaming services. I also have 5 solo albums.
Now she costs 210 euro-;) great playing!!
how does it compares with Ibanez AZES40?
I love my gio
Hello friend.... Ibanez GRG140 or LTD LXMT 130? Thanks
Haven't tried the LTD.
5:59 Tender Surrender
What is the song of 9:57? Pleaseeee
Holy Widow's Peak!
Vegeta want's to know your location
“splancknocranium” sound in all position
This guitar is a good competition to the yamaha pacifica , love the vid
The yamaha has a solid alder body like an actual fender strat!
@@simonshreddy3219 Poplar is actually alder. Same density, etc. I never liked the yamaha body and headstock shape, too much Japanese style of look. I'm sure rest of the guitar is great.
Don't know about GRX40 .... But GRG140 is a seriously good beginner guitar. When I will have 225$ extra to spend, I'm getting GRG140. xD ( After I buy other stuff ). But yeah, GRG 140 was in my " narrower choice " to buy, good guitar.
hi, i wanna buy my first electric guitar , should i go with the grx40 or the Harley benton st 62 for 150 e ? wich one has the build quality ?
I've had both Harley Bentons and Ibanez in that price range. My experience was that the Harley Bentons were better.
Small samples size. I've had about 5 HB's vs 3 Ibani (yes, that is the plural of Ibanez :P ) in that price range, but that is what I found.
Make sure you buy it from a store with a good return policy, because either can be hit or miss.
Good luck !
/edit if you can spend a bit more, I would get a Yamaha Pacifica 112. You can have those with several pickup combinations and they are great guitars.
Can't really say. But what I can say is try before you buy, or be sure you can send it back if buying online.
I can't decide between the harley benton Harley Benton ST-20HSS SBK Standard Series and this guitar (Ibanez GRX40-CA)
From my experience, this.
@@MrPolevaulter I’m a beginner so I thought it would be better to put the money I save buying the Harley Benton on a good amp instead of this guitar. What do you think?
New subscriber here 👍
Love your vdos😁✌️
Thanks and welcome :)
This guitar or Harley Benton ST-62MN???
Haven't tried that HB.
This one or cort g110? Which one is better for beginners?
Cort imo.
Im planning to buy my first ever guitar i cant decide what i will get my choices is pacifica, squirer, ibanez gio grx40 anyone please help me😌😅
Not sure, but try before you buy.
@@MrPolevaulter thank you very much sir, my musician friends help me they recommend me the jackson js22 dinky cause the price of the js22 match to my max budget around 300$, thank you.
some of the gios are good most well thats another story
Thanks a lot Elmo. Which guitar would you recommend: the Ibanez GRX40 or Donner St400 ? thx
Probably the Ibanez. The Donner DST-400 I bought (which is yet to be reviewed) has some issues.
Could you please try out the grg140? I've been eyeing that one for a while now and I really like your reviews so it would be much appreciated 👍
Maybe at some point, but not in the near future I fear. Sorry :(
Hai, do you prefer this or yamaha pasifica 112vm? The pasifica with maple neck....
The Pacifica I think, but it's more expensive.
This or a Cort G110?
Is the strings are soft😅
You make any guitar sound GOOD EJK!👍👍🎸🎶🎵😎✌️☮️
Thanks man :)
Hello, I have a question. Is the Gio the same size as the RG Standard or is it smaller?.
Not sure.
6:40 JUICY
Cheers!
Hi..Mr. E,love your whammy bar test,do those all the time, please!!!! I need a beer now,like whammy bar with no plastic tip,I agree good base to do a full rebuild, patina it, scratch it, make it your own so to speak, byeeee,as you say
Yeah, those are fun to do :)
Should I get this or a Pacifica 112j?
Dunno. Try before you buy.
ibanez GIO for sure
Hi men thanks ..
Please check out jackson dinky js 11
Please
Or if u won't do that tell me please
Please
I might at some point. Just so much gear, and so little time.
Or the Jackson JS20 :-)
Hmmm... the wammy test got me thinking of Jimi Hendrix Star Spangled Banner. You have heard it?
Yeah. Great stuff :)
what pick do u use?? great playing
1,5 mm Dunlop delrin. Thanks!
Ibanez grx40 or yamaha pacifica 112j ?
GRX.
@@MrPolevaulter Thanks Buddy✌️
Is it a problem that the body of the guitar is poplar?
No
Nut Sauce Hmmm
Is this one made in Indonesia or China?
Can't remember.
China
@@megalodonsky666 🤮
fantastic dive bomb
Would you suggest this over the Yamaha pac112j?
Hi Terry, check out the Ibanez azes 40/31 for about 330€.
The Ibanez Jem Junior is really tempting , at 450 euros ruclips.net/video/VY2dwlSTYVw/видео.html
I would choose the Ibanez just for the All Access Neck Joint (much easier to reach the upper frets) but the Pacifica is a great alternative
The yamaha has an alder body for a more 'Fender' sound where as the Ibanez has a baswood body offering light weight and slightly diferrent tones!
@@WaurufEx Me too. Pacifica body and headstock shape is not great, imo.
I wish my wife was a dirty as your clean tone! Good review though, thanks Elmo 🙂
🤣
Haha :D
Your reviews are very good but because you have to buy it the options of guitars you review are limited. There is no shame in getting gear from the manufacturers and you can still remain honest. Others do the same.
Hmm this or the GRG121
Yo gio!!!!
12:06 Knock yourself out Elmo 🤣
:D
Someone spiked Elmo's tea before this review.
:D
Gibanez, very funny!
:)
I hate you I don't want to play no more once I heard you. WOWWWWWWWWWWWWWW.
Haha :D Thanks!
have the exact same guitar but can't play jackshit, idk man
👌🎸
Yeh! About $180 in US with free shipping. I think better value than my kit guitar. You got some good old time rock'n' roll sounds out of it.
Do you think this guitar is worth buying?
Sure
very very worth