Your First Real Ibanez
The GRX70QA is where a lot of players start their journey with Ibanez, and for good reason. This isn't a toy guitar—it's a real Ibanez, built with the same design philosophy and setup standards as the company's flagship models, just without the boutique price tag. You get that signature RG-style double-cutaway body shape, a fast-playing GRX neck profile that won't slow you down, and a quilted maple art grain top that catches the light in all the right ways. The Transparent Blue Burst finish shows off that figured top beautifully, giving this guitar a look that punches way above its weight class.
Under the hood, you'll find an HSH pickup configuration—two Infinity R humbuckers flanking an Infinity RS single-coil in the middle. That means you've got plenty of tonal range to work with, from chunky, saturated rhythm tones to brighter, articulate lead sounds. The five-way selector offers some interesting split-coil options in positions two and four, giving you more variety than a standard three-pickup setup. Throw in a T106 tremolo bridge for smooth pitch bends and dive bombs, and you've got a versatile instrument that can handle rock, metal, blues, or anything in between.
Whether you're just starting out or looking for a lightweight backup guitar that won't break the bank, the GRX70QA delivers real playability and genuine Ibanez DNA. It's the kind of guitar that'll get you through your first gigs, your bedroom practice sessions, and maybe even a few tours before you feel the need to upgrade.
Fast Neck, Comfortable Playing
The GRX neck profile is where Ibanez's shredder heritage really shows up in their entry-level guitars. It's a slim, fast-playing maple neck with a thin front-to-back profile—20mm at the first fret and 22mm at the twelfth. That's noticeably thinner than a traditional C-shaped neck, which means less wood in your palm and easier movement up and down the fretboard. If you're into fast single-note runs or quick position changes, you'll appreciate how little effort it takes to get around.
The jatoba fretboard gives you 22 medium frets on a 12-inch radius, which sits right in the middle ground between vintage and modern specs. It's flat enough for comfortable bending and lead work, but curved enough that chord shapes feel natural. The nut width is 42mm—on the narrow side—which keeps string spacing tight and makes big stretches a little easier, especially if you have smaller hands. The 25.5-inch scale length is standard Fender spec, so string tension feels familiar if you've played Strats or Teles before.
One thing players consistently mention about the GRX series is how smooth and playable these necks feel right out of the box. Ibanez applies the same setup care to these guitars as they do to their high-end models, so you're not fighting high action or rough fret edges. It's a neck built for players who want to focus on playing, not wrestling with their instrument.
Versatile HSH Pickup Layout
The Infinity R humbuckers in the neck and bridge positions are passive ceramic pickups designed to deliver punch and clarity without a lot of noise. They're not boutique pickups, but they do the job—tight lows, present mids, and enough output to drive an amp into overdrive without getting mushy. The middle single-coil (Infinity RS) adds snap and brightness when you need it, giving you access to that glassy, bell-like tone that humbuckers can't quite reach on their own.
What makes this setup interesting is the way the five-way selector is wired. Position one gives you the neck humbucker. Position two splits the neck humbucker and combines half of it with the middle single-coil—giving you a pseudo-Strat neck/middle sound with a bit more beef. Position three is the middle pickup solo. Position four does the same split trick with the bridge humbucker and middle pickup. Position five is the full bridge humbucker. That coil-splitting in positions two and four opens up some sonic territory you don't usually get with an HSH layout, and it's a nice touch at this price point.
You've got a single volume knob and a single tone knob, so controls are dead simple. No fuss, no complexity—just plug in and play. The chrome hardware and T106 tremolo round out the package, giving you smooth tuning stability and the ability to add vibrato or dive-bomb effects without the guitar going completely out of tune.
Product Features:
- Body: Poplar with quilted maple art grain top in Transparent Blue Burst finish
- Neck: Bolt-on maple GRX profile, 25.5-inch scale, 22 medium frets
- Fretboard: Jatoba with 12-inch (400mm) radius and white dot inlays
- Nut: 42mm width, plastic material
- Pickups: HSH configuration with Infinity R humbuckers (neck/bridge) and Infinity RS single-coil (middle)
- Controls: Five-way selector with coil-splitting in positions 2 and 4, master volume, master tone
- Bridge: T106 tremolo with six independent saddles for precise intonation
- Hardware: Chrome tuners and bridge components
- Neck dimensions: 20mm thick at 1st fret, 22mm at 12th fret, 56mm width at 22nd fret
- Part of Ibanez's GIO series—affordable guitars with the same setup standards as premium models
Brand: Ibanez
Model: GRX70QA
SKU: GRX70QATBB
Condition: New
Since 1872, C.A. House Music has been helping musicians across the Ohio Valley find the right gear -- with real advice from a team that actually plays. We're your authorized dealer of all the big names in guitars, keyboards, band instruments, drums, pro audio, and more. With four family-owned and operated locations in Ohio and West Virginia (plus a full online store), you don't have to go far for instruments, lessons, rentals, and repairs. No matter your musical needs, our team of musicians wants to help you Play Music for Life.
