The Ibanez S Series, including the 570AH Electric Guitar, is a model of electric guitar manufactured by the Japanese company Ibanez. It is part of the S series, which is known for its slim, lightweight body and fast, comfortable neck.
The S570AH has several useful features for daily use. It has a mahogany body with a quilted maple top, a 3-piece maple/bubinga neck with a 24-fret bound jatoba fingerboard, and a double locking tremolo system. It also has three Ibanez Quantum pickups (one humbucker and two single-coils) and a five-way pickup selector switch, allowing for a variety of tonal options.
The guitar is available in several finishes, including my preferred, Black Mirage Gradation, also Blue Reef Gradation, and Sapphire Blue Flat. Overall, the Ibanez S570AH Standard 6-String Electric Guitar is a versatile instrument suitable for a range of playing styles, from metal to jazz to blues.
The Ibanez Brand
It is difficult to talk about this guitar without mentioning the Ibanez brand. It is a Japanese guitar and musical instrument company that was founded in 1908 as a sheet music store in Nagoya, Japan. Over the years, the company expanded its offerings to include guitars, basses, amplifiers, pedals, and other musical instruments and accessories.
Ibanez is known by musicians for its high-quality instruments, particularly in the field of electric guitars. The company has produced many popular guitar models over the years, including the RG, S, and JEM series. Ibanez guitars are often favored by rock and metal guitarists for their fast necks, comfortable bodies, and versatile sound.
Today, Ibanez is a well-respected brand in the musical instrument industry and is widely used by musicians around the world. The company continues to innovate and produce new models, while also maintaining its commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
Guitar Models In the S Series
Here are some guitars that are part of the Ibanez S Series:
- Ibanez S670QM: This model features a mahogany body with a quilted maple top, a Wizard III maple neck, and a 24-fret bound rosewood fingerboard. It is equipped with Ibanez Quantum pickups and a double-locking tremolo bridge.
- Ibanez S521: The S521 has a mahogany body, a Wizard III maple neck, and a 24-fret rosewood fingerboard. It comes with Ibanez Quantum pickups and a fixed bridge for improved tuning stability.
- Ibanez S570AH: The S570AH features a mahogany body, a Wizard III maple neck, and a 24-fret bound rosewood fingerboard. It is equipped with Ibanez Quantum pickups and a double-locking tremolo bridge.
- Ibanez S670PB: This model has a poplar burl top with a mahogany body, a Wizard III maple neck, and a 24-fret bound rosewood fingerboard. It comes with Ibanez Quantum pickups and a double-locking tremolo bridge.
- Ibanez S5570 Prestige: The S5570 is a high-end model featuring a mahogany body with a AAA flamed maple top, a Super Wizard HP 5-piece maple/walnut neck, and a 24-fret rosewood fingerboard. It is equipped with DiMarzio pickups and a double-locking tremolo bridge.
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Ibanez S Series
The Ibanez S570AH Guitar is part of the S Series, which is a popular line of electric guitars known for their sleek design, comfortable playability, and versatile sound. Here are some key features and characteristics of the Ibanez S Series of guitars:
- Slim and Lightweight Body: The S Series guitars feature a slim and contoured body design, making them comfortable to hold and play for extended periods. They are known for their lightweight construction, which enhances their playability and reduces strain on the player.
- Double Cutaway Design: The guitars in the S Series typically have a double cutaway body shape, providing easy access to the higher frets and allowing for smooth upper register playability.
- Quality Tonewoods: Ibanez utilizes a variety of tonewoods in the construction of the S Series guitars. Commonly used tonewoods include mahogany, basswood, and maple. These tonewoods contribute to the overall sound, resonance, and tonal characteristics of the instrument.
- Versatile Pickup Configurations: The S Series guitars come with a range of pickup configurations, including single-coil, humbucker, and HSH (humbucker-single-coil) setups. This allows for a wide range of tonal options, making the S Series suitable for various musical genres and playing styles.
- Tremolo Systems: Many S Series models feature Ibanez’s own tremolo systems, such as the ZR (Zero Resistance) or Edge-Zero II tremolo. These tremolo systems provide smooth and stable pitch manipulation, allowing for expressive dive bombs, subtle vibrato, and other tremolo techniques.
- Fast and Playable Neck: The S Series guitars typically feature a slim and fast-playing neck profile, making them ideal for players who prefer speedy and agile playing styles. The necks often have a smooth finish and are designed for easy access across the entire fretboard.
- Aesthetics: The S Series guitars often boast eye-catching aesthetics, with sleek finishes, stylish body contours, and minimalistic design elements. They are available in a variety of colors and finishes to suit individual preferences.
Quality
The Ibanez S570AH Guitar is generally regarded as a high-quality instrument suitable for a range of playing styles. The guitar’s slim, lightweight body and fast neck make it comfortable to play, while the mahogany body and quilted maple top provide a rich, resonant tone.
The guitar’s three Quantum pickups and five-way pickup selector switch allow for a range of tonal options, from bright and clear to warm and mellow. The double locking tremolo system also adds to the versatility of the guitar, allowing players to perform a range of techniques, such as dive bombs and vibrato.
Overall, the Ibanez S570AH is a well-made instrument that is suitable for a variety of musical genres, from rock and metal to jazz and blues. However, as with any instrument, individual preferences may vary, so it’s always a good idea to try the guitar out for yourself before making a purchase.
The Advantages of the Ibanez S570AH
My personal experience with the Ibanez S570AH is that it offers a comfortable playing experience, a versatile range of tones, and attractive design elements. It’s a popular choice for guitarists who value performance, aesthetics, and versatility in their instrument.
Here are some features that make the Ibanez S570AH special:
- Lightweight and ergonomic body: The S570AH features a sleek and slim double-cutaway body made from mahogany, providing a comfortable playing experience. The body is also relatively lightweight, making it ideal for musicians who prefer a lighter instrument.
- Maple neck with Wizard III profile: The guitar has a maple neck with a Wizard III profile, which is known for its slim and fast-playing characteristics. This makes it easier to navigate the fretboard, enabling quick and precise movements across the neck.
- HSH pickup configuration: The S570AH is equipped with a versatile pickup configuration consisting of two Quantum humbucking pickups in the neck and bridge positions, and a Quantum single-coil pickup in the middle position. This allows for a wide range of tonal options, from warm and fat humbucker tones to clear and articulate single-coil sounds.
- Edge-Zero II tremolo system: The guitar features an Edge-Zero II tremolo bridge, which offers excellent tuning stability and allows for smooth and precise tremolo use. It includes a built-in ZPS3Fe spring system for added stability and easy adjustment.
- Optional coil-tapping: The S570AH provides the option to coil-tap the humbucking pickups, which allows you to split the humbuckers into single-coil mode. This expands the tonal possibilities, providing access to brighter and more twangy tones.
- Premium aesthetic touches: The S570AH boasts attractive aesthetic features, such as a bound rosewood fretboard with offset white dot inlays, a stylish black hardware finish, and a choice of eye-catching finishes for the body, including Dragon Eye Burst and Sapphire Blue.
- Versatility for various music styles: With its combination of pickups, tremolo system, and coil-tapping capability, the S570AH is well-suited to a wide range of musical styles. It can handle everything from rock and metal to blues, pop, and more, making it a versatile instrument for different playing styles and genres.
Quantum Pickups
The Ibanez S570AH Standard 6-String Electric Guitar comes equipped with three Quantum pickups: one Quantum humbucker in the bridge position and two Quantum single-coil pickups in the neck and middle positions.
The Quantum pickups are designed by Ibanez and are known for their high output and clear, articulate sound. The humbucker pickup in the bridge position provides a thick, full sound with plenty of sustain, making it well-suited for heavier styles of music. The two single-coil pickups in the neck and middle positions offer a bright, clear tone with good note definition, making them suitable for a range of playing styles, including rock, blues, and jazz.
The Quantum pickups are also designed to minimize noise and interference, thanks to their ceramic magnets and advanced winding techniques. Overall, the Quantum pickups included in the Ibanez S570AH are high-quality, versatile pickups that can produce a range of tones and are suitable for a variety of playing styles.
Edge-Zero II tremolo system
Edge-Zero II tremolo system, found on certain Ibanez electric guitars, is a double-locking tremolo bridge that offers several notable features and benefits. Here’s an overview of the Edge-Zero II tremolo system:
- Tuning Stability: One of the primary advantages of the Edge-Zero II tremolo system is its ability to maintain tuning stability even with aggressive tremolo use. The bridge features a locking nut and locking saddles, which securely hold the strings in place and minimize the chance of them slipping out of tune, even when using the tremolo arm extensively.
- Zero-Point System (ZPS3Fe): The Edge-Zero II tremolo bridge includes a built-in Zero-Point System (ZPS3Fe). The ZPS3Fe utilizes springs that can be adjusted to balance the tension of the strings and counteract the effects of string bending or dive-bombing with the tremolo arm. This helps to maintain a balanced tension across all strings and keeps the guitar in tune.
- Smooth Operation: The Edge-Zero II tremolo system is designed for smooth and effortless operation. The bridge features low-friction knife edges that facilitate precise and smooth movement of the tremolo arm. This allows for subtle vibrato effects as well as more pronounced pitch bends and dive bombs, giving players expressive control over their playing.
- Backstop Function: The Edge-Zero II tremolo bridge also includes a backstop function. This feature allows you to block the tremolo system, essentially converting it into a fixed bridge. By inserting a specially designed tremolo stabilizer or tightening the tremolo arm, you can prevent the bridge from moving, enabling you to switch to a fixed bridge setup for alternate tunings or specific playing styles.
- Easy String Changes: The Edge-Zero II tremolo system is designed to facilitate quick and straightforward string changes. The strings can be loaded and locked at the bridge without the need for traditional string tying or multiple wraps. This saves time and makes string changes more efficient.
- Durable Construction: The Edge-Zero II tremolo system is constructed with durability in mind. It features sturdy materials and components that can withstand the demands of aggressive playing and frequent tremolo use.
Sound Quality
The Ibanez S Series Standard 6-String Electric Guitar is known for producing a high-quality sound that is well-suited for a variety of musical genres. The combination of the mahogany body, quilted maple top, and jatoba fingerboard provides a warm, rich tone with good sustain and note definition.
The three Quantum pickups (one humbucker and two single-coils) also contribute to the guitar’s sound, offering a range of tonal options that can be adjusted with the five-way pickup selector switch. The double locking tremolo system also allows for a range of techniques, such as dive bombs and vibrato, that can add character and depth to the guitar’s sound.
In summary, the sound produced by the Ibanez S570AH is considered to be high-quality, versatile, and suitable for a range of playing styles, from rock and metal to jazz and blues.