Ibanez GIO GAX 30 BKN

AX and GAX guitars have everything you need (and nothing you don’t)  for heavy-duty modern rhythm and lead playing: 2 hum buckers, a 3-way switch, and a crystal cut body of Mahogany or Agathis. Ibanez’ GAX guitars started out as the best selling inexpensive Ibanez guitars in their history — now they’re one of the best selling guitars of any kind in the world.

Raw simplicity and power in a crystal cut body of Mahogany or Agathis. AX available in 6-string, 7-string and set-in neck models. D-tuner models in AX and GAX offer the simple solution for achieving alternate tunings.

Features of GAX30
GAX neck – Lovely slim maple neck with that “dry-sanded” feel to it. This is one crucial feature that Ibanez have got right on all their guitars that I’ve tried. With the limitations that the price would normally impose I’m surprised to find a neck of such quality on this instrument.This bolt on 24.75 in. Neck is designed for strong rhythm playing as well as leads. The Ibanez GAX30 has features which are normally found on much higher priced guitars.

Headstock – This is a nice tidy design, what an interior designer might call “contemporary classic”. Three a side configuration.

Nut – Black plastic, neat and accurate. The top slopes back at the same angle as the strings towards the splayed headstock.

Fretboard – Dark rosewood, smoothly finished with traditional dot markers.

Frets – Medium large with rounded profile.

Action – Good action straight from the box which in conjunction with the excellent neck make this a very playable guitar.

Body – Agathis body in a kind of fat-bottomed SG shape. Although I do like the SG body a lot, I’m old enough to appreciate a fatter bottom. A nicely contoured edge and through-body stringing complete the picture.

Bridge – Nice, simple plate bridge with an individual saddle for each string with two keys for height adjustment and one key for intonation.

Pickups – Two open-coil humbuckers in black.

Controls - Single volume and single tone, each sporting those sexy Gibson-type knobs. One three-way position selector. 

Pickguard – Obviously SG-inspired but with a more angular shape. Made from two-ply plastic, black on white.

Strap-buttons – Good and secure.

Output Jack – On lower edge set in oval plate.

Finish – The translucent red finish on this model is really lovely, bringing more echoes of the SG. But, if you want to break that spell, it’s also available in black or white.

The tone switch a volume knob and tone knobs are good, good for beginner. Has a nice set of pitch and pickups with a switch but the tuners an unbranded type that are covered rather than sealed . Generous knobs with a smooth and accurate action. If you get better your go need more. But the material is so light weight, which makes it very comfortable to play sitting or standing. Amp is ordinary in the starter package. Needs a Whammy bar apart from that it’s a pretty basic guitar.

Quality
The Ibanez GAX30 is a very well made guitar with a finish which is normally found on much higher priced guitars. The bridge is well made and easily adjusted. The fret board is easily played all the way up past the active fret. This product is made very well, didn’t pay for any shipping (which was awesome) and there is nothing wrong with it. very sturdy, you could probably through it at the wall a few times and it would be fine. And capable use it on the road.