The RGA Shape, the Wizard Neck, and an Ash Top That Earns Its Look
The Ibanez RGA42AH is the kind of guitar that doesn't need to explain itself. The arched body, the deep cutaways, the black hardware against that Black Stained finish — it's clearly built with one purpose in mind. But there's more going on under the hood than just aesthetics. The Meranti body with an Ash top gives this guitar a tighter, more focused character than a plain Meranti build, and the Wizard III neck makes the whole instrument feel like it disappears in your hands the moment you start playing.
If you've been after a hardtail RGA-style guitar that delivers real playability without a lot of extras to get in the way, the RGA42AH lands in a genuinely useful spot. Fast neck, solid bridge, dual humbuckers, and a finish that lets the natural Ash grain speak — all at a price that makes sense.
This item is a B-Stock guitar sourced directly from the manufacturer. It is new and has never been previously owned. The photos shown are of the exact instrument you will receive. Before shipment, our licensed technician will inspect and professionally set up the guitar to ensure it is playing its best. During our inspection, we noticed Headstock finish flaw and finish spot at horn. (see pictures) Please note, these may not be the only cosmetic imperfections. As a B-Stock instrument, there may be additional minor blemishes that are small in nature and do not affect playability or performance.
A Neck That Gets Out of Your Way
The Wizard III is one of Ibanez's most recognized neck profiles for good reason. It's slim and flat — the kind of neck that makes your fretting hand work less and play more. Whether you're covering ground on fast passages, holding wide chord voicings, or bending strings up at the high frets, that thin profile keeps fatigue out of the equation.
The Jatoba fretboard pairs well with it. It has a warm reddish-brown look and a tight, crisp response. Combined with 24 jumbo frets and a 15.7" radius, you get a fretboard that's equally comfortable for rhythm work and lead playing. The 25.5" scale length keeps the string tension feeling familiar and predictable.
Ash Top, Meranti Body, and What That Actually Means
The body of the RGA42AH is Meranti — a tonewood that tends to sit back a bit in the midrange and lets the pickups and top wood shape the voice more actively. The sculpted Ash top adds some clarity and edge definition on top of that, and it also gives the Black Stained finish something genuinely interesting to work with. This isn't a flat, opaque look — the grain comes through, and the finish shows it off.
The arched, sculpted top does practical work too. That contour where your picking arm rests makes extended playing sessions more comfortable, and the deep cutaways give you clean, unobstructed access all the way up to the 24th fret.
Hardware and Electronics Built for Reliability
Both pickups are Ibanez's Quantum humbuckers — passive, ceramic-magnet designs that cover a wide range of high-gain territory without getting muddy. The 5-way switch gives you five pickup selection options beyond just neck and bridge, including coil-tapped parallel combinations that open up some additional tonal flexibility. Controls are kept simple: one master volume, one master tone.
The F106 hardtail bridge keeps things stable and straightforward. No floating trem to set up or manage — just solid intonation and reliable tuning. Black hardware throughout ties the whole look together cleanly against the Black Stained finish.
Product Features:
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Body: Meranti solid body with sculpted Ash top
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Neck: Maple, Wizard III profile, bolt-on construction
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Fretboard: Jatoba with offset white dot inlays, 15.7" radius
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Frets: 24 jumbo frets, 25.5" scale length
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Nut: Plastic, 43mm width
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Pickups: 2x Ibanez Quantum Humbucker (HH), passive/ceramic
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Controls: 1 Master Volume, 1 Master Tone, 5-way pickup switch
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Bridge: F106 hardtail fixed bridge
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Hardware: Black
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Finish: Black Stained (satin)
Brand: Ibanez
Model: RGA42AH Black Stained
SKU: RGA42AHBKS-2ND|I250704606
Condition: B-Stock
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.
