Ibanez GRX70QA review

The GRX70QA is the beginner pick for players who already know they want rock and metal. Ibanez lists an HSH layout of passive ceramic Infinity pickups: Infinity R humbuckers at neck and bridge and an Infinity RS single coil in the middle. In the in-between switch positions, the selector pairs the middle pickup with one coil of the nearest humbucker, so you still get lighter, single-coil style sounds. The GRX maple neck is 19.5 mm thick at the first fret, slimmer than the Pacifica, with a jatoba fretboard, 305 mm radius and 22 medium frets. The T106 tremolo has six independent saddles for height and intonation adjustment, and Ibanez uses a one-piece output jack designed to avoid loosening. The quilted look comes from a maple art grain finish over a basswood top on a poplar body. Ibanez USA's page lists no price, so we marked it pending and scored value conservatively. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not test it.

Who it is for

Beginners drawn to rock and metal who want two humbuckers and a flat, fast neck.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Infinity R humbuckers at neck and bridge plus Infinity RS single coil (HSH)
• GRX maple neck with jatoba fretboard and 305 mm radius
• 22 medium frets
• T106 tremolo bridge with 6 independent saddles
• Quilted maple art grain top on a poplar body

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Two humbuckers suit rock and metal
• Strength: Flat radius and thin neck profile
• Strength: Switching blends coils in the in-between positions
• Weakness: Ceramic pickups
• Weakness: Quilted top is a printed art grain finish, not a maple veneer
• Weakness: Ibanez USA lists no price

Key facts

• Pickups: Infinity R (H), Infinity RS (S), Infinity R (H), ceramic
• Body: Poplar with quilted maple art grain top
• Neck: GRX maple, jatoba fretboard, 22 frets
• Neck thickness: 19.5 mm at 1st fret, 21.5 mm at 12th
• Bridge: T106 tremolo, 6 independent saddles

Where it ranks

Ibanez GRX70QA is No. 9 in our Best Beginner Electric Guitars verdict.