Best Ibanez Alternative Design Guitars 2025

Premium Ibanez alternative design guitars - legendary tone and craftsmanship

Last updated: October 22, 2025 • Next update: October 29, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For Modern Design For Unique Style For Progressive Music For Contemporary Players For Innovation For Distinctive Look

BRANDS: Fender Harley Benton Danelectro Reverend Squier Epiphone Rickenbacker Ibanez Evh Traveler Guitar Larry Carlton Duesenberg Suhr Guild Höfner Sterling by Music Man Steinberger Guitars DAngelico

Ibanez Q52PB-COL - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (11 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Ibanez Q52PB-COL

by Ibanez

Distinctive Look Modern Design Progressive Music

Key Feature:

• Contemporary aesthetics

✓ PROS

• Conversation starter
• Contemporary aesthetics

✗ CONS

• May not suit traditional players
• May sacrifice traditional tone

Ibanez Q52PB-COLElectric GuitarBody: Nyatoh3-Piece bolt-on neck: roasted maple / bubingaFingerboard: Roasted birdseye...

⭐ 4.5/5 (11 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 604069

$1,319

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez IC420-ABM - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (10 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Ibanez IC420-ABM

by Ibanez

Contemporary Players Distinctive Look Unique Style

Key Feature:

• Conversation starter

✓ PROS

• Innovative and modern design
• Unique visual appeal

✗ CONS

• Higher cost for unique design
• Limited mainstream appeal

Ibanez IC420-ABM6-String Electric GuitarIC SeriesBody: OkoumeGlued 3-piece neck: OkoumeFingerboard: Bound jatobaNeck...

⭐ 4.6/5 (10 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 576908

$721

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez QX54QM-BSM - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Ibanez QX54QM-BSM

by Ibanez

Contemporary Players Distinctive Look Unique Style

Key Feature:

• Conversation starter

✓ PROS

• Innovative and modern design
• Conversation starter

✗ CONS

• Limited mainstream appeal
• Resale value uncertainty

Ibanez QX54QM-BSMElectric GuitarQ SeriesBody: NyatohTop: Quilted mapleBolt-on 3-piece neck: Roasted...

⭐ 4.5/5 (4 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 523678

$1,099

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez Q54W-CMM - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Ibanez Q54W-CMM

by Ibanez

Distinctive Look Progressive Music Innovation

Key Feature:

• Contemporary aesthetics

✓ PROS

• Contemporary aesthetics
• Often improved ergonomics

✗ CONS

• Limited mainstream appeal
• Resale value uncertainty

Ibanez Q54W-CMMElectric GuitarQ SeriesBody: NyatohBolt-on 3-piece neck: Roasted maple / bubingaFingerboard: Roasted...

⭐ 4.8/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 597470

$1,154

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez IC420-AAB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Ibanez IC420-AAB

by Ibanez

Modern Design Unique Style Contemporary Players

Key Feature:

• Contemporary aesthetics

✓ PROS

• Conversation starter
• Often improved ergonomics

✗ CONS

• Resale value uncertainty
• May sacrifice traditional tone

Ibanez IC420-AABElectric GuitarIC SeriesBody: Okoume3-Piece set-in neck: OkoumeFingerboard: JatobaFingerboard...

⭐ 4.7/5 (27 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 602021

$747

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez Q547PB-COL - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.8/5 (51 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Ibanez Q547PB-COL

by Ibanez

Innovation Distinctive Look Unique Style

Key Feature:

• Often improved ergonomics

✓ PROS

• Unique visual appeal
• Contemporary aesthetics

✗ CONS

• May not suit traditional players
• May sacrifice traditional tone

Ibanez Q547PB-COL7-String Electric GuitarQ SeriesBody: NyatohBolt-on 3-piece neck: Roasted maple / bubingaFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (51 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 597471

$1,344

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez ICHI10-VWM - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.4/5 (51 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Ibanez ICHI10-VWM

by Ibanez

Distinctive Look Progressive Music Modern Design

Key Feature:

• Innovative and modern design

✓ PROS

• Contemporary aesthetics
• Unique visual appeal

✗ CONS

• Higher cost for unique design
• May not suit traditional players

Ibanez ICHI10-VWMElectric GuitarIchika Nito Signature ModelBody: NyatohBolt-on 3-piece neck: roasted...

⭐ 4.4/5 (51 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 523689

$1,088

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez QX52-BKF - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (21 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

Ibanez QX52-BKF

by Ibanez

Modern Design Distinctive Look Progressive Music

Key Feature:

• Innovative and modern design

✓ PROS

• Contemporary aesthetics
• Conversation starter

✗ CONS

• May not suit traditional players
• Resale value uncertainty

Ibanez QX52-BKFElectric GuitarQ SeriesBody: NyatohTop: quilted mapleBolt-on 3-piece neck: roasted...

⭐ 4.7/5 (21 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 523690

$1,044

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez Q52PB-ABS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Ibanez Q52PB-ABS

by Ibanez

Distinctive Look Innovation Progressive Music

Key Feature:

• Unique visual appeal

✓ PROS

• Innovative and modern design
• Conversation starter

✗ CONS

• Resale value uncertainty
• May sacrifice traditional tone

Ibanez Q52PB-ABSElectric GuitarQ SeriesBody: Nyatoh3-Piece bolt-on neck: roasted maple / bubingaFingerboard: roasted...

⭐ 4.5/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 557635

$1,283

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez ICHI00-VWH - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.5/5 (38 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Ibanez ICHI00-VWH

by Ibanez

Innovation Modern Design Progressive Music

Key Feature:

• Conversation starter

✓ PROS

• Often improved ergonomics
• Innovative and modern design

✗ CONS

• Higher cost for unique design
• Resale value uncertainty

Ibanez ICHI00-VWHElectric GuitarIchika Nito Signature ModelBody: NyatohBolt-on three-piece neck: roasted mapleNeck...

⭐ 4.5/5 (38 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 565011

$704

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez IC420FM-VLS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.9/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Ibanez IC420FM-VLS

by Ibanez

Innovation Progressive Music Distinctive Look

Key Feature:

• Often improved ergonomics

✓ PROS

• Conversation starter
• Contemporary aesthetics

✗ CONS

• Higher cost for unique design
• Resale value uncertainty

Ibanez IC420FM-VLS6-String Electric GuitarIC SeriesBody: OkoumeTop: Flamed mapleGlued 3-piece neck: OkoumeFingerboard:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (37 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 576911

$758

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez IC420FM-CRS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.5/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

Ibanez IC420FM-CRS

by Ibanez

Contemporary Players Distinctive Look Modern Design

Key Feature:

• Innovative and modern design

✓ PROS

• Contemporary aesthetics
• Often improved ergonomics

✗ CONS

• Resale value uncertainty
• Higher cost for unique design

Ibanez IC420FM-CRSElectric GuitarBody: OkoumeTop: Flamed mapleSet-in 3-piece neck: OkoumeFingerboard: Bound jatobaNeck...

⭐ 4.5/5 (22 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

6/10

Art. 619562

$824

Buy at Thomann View Details

Ibanez Q54-BKF - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.7/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Ibanez Q54-BKF

by Ibanez

Progressive Music Modern Design Innovation

Key Feature:

• Conversation starter

✓ PROS

• Innovative and modern design
• Conversation starter

✗ CONS

• Resale value uncertainty
• Higher cost for unique design

Ibanez PGM54-BKElectric GuitarQ SeriesBody: NyatohBolt-on 3-piece neck: roasted maple/bubingaFingerboard: roasted...

⭐ 4.7/5 (31 reviews)

Sound:

10/10

Build:

10/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 523708

$1,099

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Alternative Design Guitars

Budget Planning

• Under $200: Entry-level
• $200-$500: Intermediate
• $500-$1000: Advanced
• $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

• Sound clarity & tone
• Build materials & finish
• Hardware durability
• Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

• Your musical style
• Skill level match
• Intended use case
• Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.

Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.

Higher-priced alternative design guitars typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.

Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.

Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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TOP

Best Ibanez Alternative Design Guitars 2025

Ibanez Q52PB-COL

Ibanez IC420-ABM

Ibanez QX54QM-BSM

Ibanez Q54W-CMM

Ibanez IC420-AAB

Ibanez Q547PB-COL

Ibanez ICHI10-VWM

Ibanez QX52-BKF

Ibanez Q52PB-ABS

Ibanez ICHI00-VWH

Ibanez IC420FM-VLS

Ibanez IC420FM-CRS

Ibanez Q54-BKF

How to Choose the Best Alternative Design Guitars

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying alternative design guitars?

How much should I spend on alternative design guitars?

Are expensive alternative design guitars worth the investment?

What are the best brands for alternative design guitars?

Should I buy alternative design guitars online or in-store?

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