Overall User Ratings (based on 287 ratings)
Submitted December 25, 2021 by David H in Lafayette, LA
"My first and still one of my favorites"
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
I purchased my Ibanez GAX70 in Transparent Butterscotch back in 1999 when i was in 11th grade. It was technically my second guitar, but the first i purchased with my own money. 22 years later it is still the most comfortable guitar I’ve ever played. You can’t find a better guitar to learn on. Straight out of the box it just sounds great and feels great in your hands. In the 22 years since then I’ve played on everything from Fenders to Gibsons, PRS to Rickenbacker, Trusarts to Taylor’s, vintage to new and everything in between. I’ve had the pleasure of getting my hands on lots of quality instruments. And while they have all been amazing (for the most part), the GAX still feels like home.The pickups might not have the same sparkle as a Les Paul, and they may not have the personality of a set of Fender Customer Shop 69’s, but they sound good with minimal effort. Whereas some guitars force you to fight the tone knobs to find the sweet spot, the GAX70 is pretty much plug and play!
Sound
My guitar produces a nice warm/round tone, perfect for rhythm guitar but with plenty of sustain and perfect action for shredding away on lead!
Features
The most useful feature is how easy it is to get a pleasant time out of it. I’ve always had a love for the rosewood fretboard and the tail stop piece makes it quick and easy to change strings and reset intonation.
Ease of Use
Like i said, this guitar is plug and play. I always loved the bridge pickup with the time knob rolled all the way to its brightest. But you really can’t go wrong with any of the pickup/time combinations.
Quality
I’ve had this guitar for 22 years and never had to replace a part. The timing knobs are still smooth as butter and don’t get knocked out of tune easily. Even after being stored for over a decade, i never had to adjust the neck and never had any problem with the electronics or aesthetics deteriorating over the year.
Value
I don’t think you can find a less expensive guitar, much less one that sounds this good.
Manufacturer Support
I never had to deal with any sort of warranty issues. But Ibanez has been around long enough to establish their reputation as a quality guitar maker.
The Wow Factor
Maybe it’s the nostalgia, but I’ll always have a special place in my heart for this guitar. I’ve used it in the studio for Rhythm tracks often choosing it over more expensive bigger name guitars. Nothing against those guitars, but the GAX70 just sounds great and works without hassle!
Musical Background:
Started band in middle school and gigged extensively through college.
Musical Style:
Grew up in concert band, played metal in high school, then grew into funk and blues in my college days. Now I’m mostly into Pop
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Submitted April 26, 2005 by a customer from tjadbn.co.za
"YOU WANT THIS"
Give it a custom inlay and one or two trim features and you have a world class guit right there.
Sound
I love the sound of it. I put on some gibson 11 gauge and it turned it up a huge notch. even the standard humbuckers kick the dimarzio v8 I put in my squire strat.
I play worhsip and alternative numetally stuff, and it rocks.
Features
What I can say is that it is perfect for rock and it gets an amazing clean tone too. The volume and tone knobs for each humbucker are great for a "budget" axe. For a standard it is great.
Quality
finish is excellent, again as a standard entry level type it kicks down. Best guitar I ever owned.
That is out of a Squire strat, and a court les paul.
Value
Best value for money guitar out there, for sure that I know of.
veryone I know loves it and wants to get an ibanez now.
Manufacturer Support
Havnt had to consult anyone as yet, it is rough and tough.
The Wow Factor
Everyone I know who has played it, now wants an Ibanez.
Musical Background:
Hobby and Active Musician
Musical Style:
Alternative Rocki, Nu-metal, worship
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Submitted February 7, 2006 by a customer from yahoo.com
"Excellently well-made."
I have played on my crappy Kent, my friend's '59 reissue Gibson-Les Paul, his Dean (Dimbag Darrell I think), his Jackson, my other friend's new Epiphone Les-Paul, and the GAX70 tops all of them, except for the gibson-les paul...but I prefer mine over his.
Sound
This guitar really produces amazing sound, anywhere from nasty to beautiful. It's like a bad-ass angel's voice.
Features
With the guitar I received a chord, belt, and tool, along with the info tags and booklet. The free belt was a compliment the store threw in.
Quality
I bought the guitar only three days ago, but I have spent atleast 6-7 hrs on it, and so far it seems to be made quite well. The bridge is very well made to align the strings nicely across the fingerboard to the nut, pickups are excellent, tuning knobs all work correctly, as well as the pickup switch...I will use this guitar for a number of years and have already become quite attached to it.
Value
I have not seen a better deal on a guitar since the deal I got with my acoustic from a music store that was going out of business. $209 is an amazing deal for this good of a guitar. I am very impressed (even the music store employees were shocked when they heard it play).
Manufacturer Support
Hahaha it's only been three days, and I wouldn't contact Ibanez for support either since I have quick contact with a guitar tech.
The Wow Factor
Mine is in transparent red......."VERY sexy" according to some lady friends. In my opinion, it is very sexy with it's color, it's agathis body, very smooth neck and fingerboard, it's tuning knobs, bridge, nut, frets.....all very, very nice looking. The body is the best looking part for it's color, it's agathis shape/style, and it's size. Until I picked this up and played it, I didn't expect to buy a guitar that day, expecially since I only had about $220, $100 of which I left and got out of the bank to make sure I had enough to pay, and then went back to the store. Like I said today, "It never felt so good to be broke!"
Musical Background:
Lover of the guitar.
Musical Style:
CLASSIC ROCK, Blues, Texas Shuffle, Acoustic, some Modern Rock
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Submitted October 20, 2003 by a customer from hotmail.com
"GAX 70"
Verified Customer
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As I said, this guitar has never let me down before. I've played this beast in at least three "major" venues, taken it on the road, beat it up and thrown it around, and it still comes through for me everytime. Two things you need to be wary of however: the perpetually loose input jack, and the fact that THIS IS A BEGINNING GUITAR. If you want to take your performing to the next level, you will either have to tweak this guitar fairly substantially, or buy a while new axe altogether. However, if you are just looking to buy your first guitar and learn the basics, yet still have a pretty decent axe to work with, this is the guitar you want. Ideal for that first step of the guitar world.
Sound
The stock pickups just dont cut it on the guitar, They are decent, but just not up to snuff with "what could have been." If you're really serious about making this guitar sound good, drop a Duncan Invader or a Dimuarzzo High Output in the bridge, and it will do wonders for it, you'll have a professional level guitar. However, that's going to get a little pricy, you could just buy the next step higher guitar.
Features
A semi-decent humbucker is always going to sound better than a semi-decent single coil, and the GAX 70 has the buckers, so I'll give it credit there. Also, simplicity at its best is evident with the easy to use three setting pickup selector. I dropped its score a bit in tihs category though, because the input jack has never ceased to come loose on me in the middle of a show. You have to buy either a new input assembly or a different nut to help solve this problem.
Quality
This beast is like a rock. I've beat my poor baby up through the years, and it's held up like new. Hardly a scratch or dent in it, and it still stays in tune with ease. Built for giggin and rough handling.
Value
Under 200 dollars, there is no guitar that will compare with this one.
Manufacturer Support
Never had to deal with them, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.
The Wow Factor
Its not the hottest looking piece of equipment I've ever seen, and the big curves kinda make it look awkward to hold. However, it is lgith and easy to use, sounds decent, is built like a rock, and won't let you down.
Musical Style:
Ska, Rock, Classic Rock, I even through some praise and worship in there
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Submitted July 19, 2006 by a customer from hotmail.com
"GREAT ALL AROUND GUITAR!! good for beginners and intermediates"
I expect this axe will keep me satisfied until I can buy a LesPaul or a Es-1275
Sound
I have had it for 2 years and it still sounds great, the neck pickup is a little too crunchy but it is still nice
Ease of Use
good fret board, easy to slide up and down, the frets arent too big
Quality
IT hasnt had any problems except the jack came a little loose once, but that was my fault, and i just tightened it with a wrench, and once the bridge volume knob started to jiggle when you used it
Value
good sound, and good everything
Manufacturer Support
I cant say
The Wow Factor
Some of my friends say it is a very smooth looking guitar and can make anyone look like a rockstar
Musical Style:
Classic Rock/Classic Metal (Motley Crue, Judas Priest, Led Zepplin)
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Submitted April 20, 2005 by a customer from bellsouth.net
"A combination of my Les Paul Standard and Standard Stratacaster, only more playable!"
Least expensive guitar I own and the most playable by far for the money!
Quality
Excellent and very precise stock tuners, much better than either set that came on my LP or Stratacaster. Stays in tune very well for long periods.
Musical Background:
active musician
Musical Style:
Rock
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Submitted December 30, 2005 by a customer from yahoo.com
"Easy playing, great finish, Great value"
I know that starter guitars have come a long way than when I started. (I'm now 60) but this guitar has amazed me. and made me a believer for Ibanez.
Sound
In my opinion, this guitar is comparable to my Les Paul. Of course, a lot depends on the Amp your running. (I use a Peavey) I can get most any sound I want. Although I play mostly Blues and classic rock.
Features
I especially like the tun-O-matic bridge. It makes it easy for my to adjust my string height as I play with a light touch,
Quality
Beautiful finish. I've owned mine for about 6 mos now and have had no problems with it.
Value
Best $299 bucks I've ever spent.
The Wow Factor
I would have given it a 10 if it had had a little more chrome or inlay. But I'm extremely satisfied with this guitar. If I wasn't I would never have rated it.
Musical Background:
Rock band in early days . Now, just a hobbyist
Musical Style:
Blues Early Rock
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Submitted October 16, 2004 by a customer from optonline.net
"A great buy. Les Paul sound."
Verified Customer
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Sound
This guitar sounds almost as good as my Les Paul Standard. It's got a heavy metal sound.
Features
No case.
Quality
Had a problem where the cord attaches to the guitar. Have to tighten up frequently.
Value
great price, great sound
Manufacturer Support
Get the warranty from guitar center.
Musical Background:
Hobbyist
Musical Style:
Rock
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Submitted May 30, 2003 by a customer from msn.com
"Playability!"
This is my second guitar. I am way more impressed with it than my first. The sheer ease of play and the awesome style of this guitar makes me not want to put it down. I'm sure I'll satisfied with this for years to come.
Sound
Sound quality is great. From power chords to blazing licks, this guitar rocks.
Quality
Guitar looks excellent. There was 1 screw that did not sit flush, but it was easy to correct.
Value
The best quality and playability for the money. Period.
Manufacturer Support
Have not needed anything.
The Wow Factor
I like this guitar even more than my V copy. I have the transparent red color, and it looks sweet.
Musical Style:
Big Hair Rock
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Submitted March 4, 2004 by a customer from yahoo.com
"good guitar"
this guitar is fun and good to play. it is very easly to play and it is comfortable
Sound
This guitar has a very nice sound for hummerbuckers. The guitar sound excellent with fine distortion and effects. Although in clean it sometimes sounds a little out of wack.
Features
I think that the bridge could have been designed a little better. There is one extra volume knob which I believe is no useful.
Quality
Overall the guitar is well built. Although on the neck some of the wood on my guitar is eroding away.
Musical Style:
metal
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Submitted January 20, 2006 by a customer from yahoo.com
"the next lespal"
i will keep this guitar untill i die
Sound
one of the greatest rithem guitars on the market this will be the next lespal in the next few years. this guitar has a great chunky sound that is completly organal, i've never heard a guitar with a simular sound. and to top it of this guitar has a great recorded sound. this is ms favortite gutar i own to play
Features
great feturs ibanze just needs to put dimarzoioes on it so it can shrad too
but the mechanics are great the swithes could be more decrative but thats nothig $20 and a good music store cant change
Quality
it is 100% solid it has a great and lasting paint and a graet fret board
Value
buyit now befor it sells for 15,000.00 causeit is amazing ant it will be worth way more once people find this guitar
Manufacturer Support
ibanze is the only company's guitars i play
The Wow Factor
the clothes just fly of with this guitar my girl freind cant leave her cloths on when i play it
oh ya and it looks hot
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Submitted January 3, 2006 by a customer from yahoo.com
"good guitar for a cheap price nice sound"
Verified Customer
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Sound
i like the sound of this guitar it is very good for the blues,rock,and with the right setting finger picking songs its a great guitar
Quality
i like the feel of this guitar its just so wonderful
Musical Background:
active musican
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Submitted February 9, 2006 by a customer from aol.com
"great product for beginers easy to play a little heavy though but I would choose another guitar like a Ibanez destroyer it's lik"
I am stisfied with the product I donot plan in selling it hovever i am looking to buy a nother guitar because this one does not have a tremolo and I wish it had two more frets and came with better humbuckers I wish i knew that before i bought it.
Sound
good beginer guitar a little on he heavy side though.
Features
no features
Quality
nice paint job I bought mines one year ago and it looks like if I just bought it
Value
it is definately worth the price you get more than what you pay for
Manufacturer Support
I change one of the humbuckers beacause it started to hum alot but the neck one still works.
The Wow Factor
people say wow what a nice guitar the color is so vivid (I got it in transparent red) did you just wax it.
Musical Background:
guitarist
Musical Style:
Rock, Metal
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by a customer from htmail.com
"what all guitar players should own."
i collect guitars so im always looking but this will be one of my main guitars fo along time to come.
Sound
It has an incrediable all-around sound and can be manipulated to do many things. As a player i would recommended it to a beginer or intermidiate but could definitly be played for proffesional use.
Quality
i have only had it or about a year but it sounds and feels the same way it did when i bought it.
Value
it is an excellent guitar for the price.
Musical Style:
Mostly Jewish, but some jazz and rock
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Submitted June 19, 2004 by a customer from netscape.net
"This guitar is a pretty ho."
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Sound
Pickups were weak and muddy. They needd changing badly so I changed them.
Features
Separate volume and tone knobs good. Bolt on neck and agathis body are weak and hurt tone. Worst thing are the pickups.
Quality
Fit and finish are good. The neck joint is weak and cracked. Best thing is it looks pretty. Worst thing is the sound quality or lack of sound quality. Plug jack always getting loose.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't fooled with them
The Wow Factor
Looks good acts bad. It must be a prostitute.
Musical Style:
rock, country rock folk, rock, pop
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Submitted October 1, 2006 by a customer from comcast.net
"this guitar is part of my life, play it learn on it love it. it will be priceless to you before long."
i am adicted to the style
Sound
this guitar, i have been playing on for 12 years. it has sentimental value to me and my children. the best starter guitar ever produced. it helps begginers sounds really pay off for them and makes them wanting to learn more.the body of the guitar offers clearence for sitting down while you play.all around a great instrument.
Features
great for the price
Ease of Use
i have changed my humbuckers to my taste
Quality
a very rugged guitar ask my kids
Manufacturer Support
i have never had to reach the company. no problems at all
Musical Background:
hobbyist
Musical Style:
rock,metal
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Submitted September 21, 2008
"this is by far the best guitar i ever played"
i think il be using this for years
Sound
this guitar sounds really good i tried it in my little 10 watt amp sounds the best
Features
not many features comes with gigbag
Ease of Use
it good to get rock metal whatever u want it to soud like
Quality
ibanez is by fair a good company you will not need to call them of any products cause they make there guitars really good
Value
i think this guitar is better than a average 500 dollar guitar
The Wow Factor
this thing is veryyyyy sexy
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Submitted September 30, 2006
"The amazing ibanez gax 70!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
This was my first guitar and i say it will keep me 5 or 6 years which is a long time.It is a great guitar you or your wife or children will enjoy it.
Sound
This guitar has a great sound.Ibanez really out did them selves.The ibanez gax 70 is a fantastic guitar.It sounds good on any amp especially fender amps.The gax 70 has a good sound on a recording studio too.I love this guitar and you should too.It sounds good when you play punk rock, metal, and classic rock
Features
The ibanez gax 70 has good features.It has double humbuckers which is nice.You have the switch to turn on the humbuckers. It doesn't have too many features but the ones that it has are great.
Ease of Use
This guitar has no luring curve really.Just flick on your amp and try playing a metal song punk rock song or classic rock.You just need to experiment with your amp and the humbucer switch.
Quality
There is one very annoying part about this guitar though.When you pull the wire out of the guitar you have to do it softly.If you dont pull the plug softly and you always pull hard the outside part of the plug will get loose.you will have to get someone to repair it.but thats it.
Value
This product is made for playing and it plays nice
Manufacturer Support
I only needed one repair and i just went to the guitar center and they got it fixxed.
The Wow Factor
It is a fine ibanez it looks cool and it has a nice curve on your lrg thats all I can say.
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Submitted December 9, 2005
"great sound quality"
everything was nice except for the fact that it broke
Sound
I loved the way the pickups sounded... Me and My friends agree that the sound quality was nice
Features
the neck was easy to use, and you could slide your hand down swiftly and smoothly
Quality
well... For such a great guitar... It didnt last very long... I had it for about 2 years, and it broke. the input got screwed up a bit, but I can still fix it, I think...
Value
Maybe mine was a defect... But the price was Great for the sound quality
Manufacturer Support
never had to deal with them, but ummm I prolly should because its not working
The Wow Factor
if it didnt break on me... I would buy it again
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Submitted January 25, 2005
Ibanez GAX70 Guitar Customer Review
I bought it as a back up, but it's become sort of more important- some of the band's songs sound better on the GAX. Highly recommended for novice players, or as a cheap back-up metal guitar.
Sound
Sound is great for the money. It's a bare bones rock guitar. Nothing extraordinarily great or horrible.
Features
4 knobs is always nice. I had an iceman before this, and the hardware is all exactly the same, for a lot cheaper.
Quality
This is a great 200 dollar guitar. For its price, the quality is great. In general, it is a 200 dollar guitar, and it's built like one. I had no problems with general use, but if you're in a band and you're gigging, expect to do a little more truss rod tweaking than you would have to with a classier guitar.
Value
don't know.
The Wow Factor
It looks kind of like an SG that needs some viagra or something. I do like the headstock and general symmetry. I think it looks best in black.
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Submitted December 21, 2004
"Pretty Rockin"
Awesome deal for this little axe
Sound
I can't give it a 10 cause it's still a starter guitar but it sounds just as good as my buddy's les paul custom. The pick ups seem to be pretty rockin
Features
2 volume 2 tone and a p/u selecter is pretty freakin awesome at this price
Quality
I have an Ibanez bass also and I can't say enough good things about Ibanez products. Built like a brick sh*thouse
Value
I shelled out a whopping 272$ canadian at my guitar shop for this baby and haven't looked back
Manufacturer Support
dont know
The Wow Factor
Hello cherry red guitar? Can you say hot?
Musical Background:
Active musician
Musical Style:
Punk/Alternative/Ska/Jazz
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Submitted December 6, 2004
"goood for beginners"
ok for begginers
Sound
i gave it a six because its to crunchy to the point it sounds terrible,the sound sounds like your lightly pressing on the strings and its all buzzy.More on the metal side
Features
thiner neck but not the thinest
Quality
product is made well had it for 2 years bumped it into about everything no chips a little dent here and there but not bad
Value
its worth the price pretty much it is a good begginner guitar but it not that great
Manufacturer Support
didnt buy it offfline
The Wow Factor
looks are preety cool
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Submitted October 12, 2004
Ibanez GAX70 Guitar Customer Review
sounds better humbpuckers give up
Sound
not a clean sound thicker neck pretty compfortable
Value
no
The Wow Factor
looks ok
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Submitted March 5, 2004
"Good Guitar, Better Price"
I give it a 9 overall for its price range. For how little it costs, it sure has a big sound, and is easy to get used to.
Sound
For a guitar under $200, the pickups are pretty decent. They sound good clean, and have a pretty high output for higher volumes.
Features
24 frets. Great feeling neck, and the 3-way pickup selector is a great addition.
Quality
It is built well, and as i have said, feels very nice. The tuners are not the best, and the pickups, for being cheap, are pretty good. If i were to modify it, the pickups and tuners would have to be changed. It sounds great though.
Value
For under $200, this is worth every penny. Probably the best sound and feel for the price.
Manufacturer Support
Good support from the company.
The Wow Factor
I like the look and design of this axe.
Musical Style:
Metal, Blues, Jazz, Rock
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Submitted December 30, 2003
"Guitar info"
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too many questions
Sound
The sound is exactly what I need. The neck pickup sounds very smooth and the bridge pickup sounds twangy. It is good for rock, but not so much for heavy metal or blues. I'm using a 10-watt crate amp and it is destroying my guitar's sound. The distortion is dying. When I got a pedal it started to sound better.
Features
The most useful feature is the 3-way pickup switch. It really changes the sound.
Quality
The product is made really well. Unless it goes through a lot of wear and tear it won't break easily. You cannot see scratches on it.
Value
Yes
Manufacturer Support
.......
The Wow Factor
It is really shiny and has a nice finish.
Musical Style:
alternative rock
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