The Ibanez AX120MFT is an affordably priced electric guitar featuring high performance for the money. It sports a sleek metallic forest green finish, a double cutaway basswood body, and a fast Maple Wizard III neck for excellent playability and smooth shredding.
With two high output Ibanez Quantum pickups, this is a versatile guitar geared toward rock, metal, and hard rock genres, while retaining clarity during clean passages. The AX120MFT's hardware is designed for stability and accuracy, while the sculpted body contours provide playing comfort.
This Ibanez delivers professional level tone and functionality that punches above its class. The AX120MFT is a great choice as a performance workhorse or a step-up guitar for developing players looking to upgrade.
The AX120MFT is constructed with quality woods and hardware that result in a solidly-built instrument for the price range.
The body is made of mahogany, which is a popular tonewood used in many electric guitars—even expensive models. Mahogany produces a balanced tone with good low-mid response and resonance. The body has beautiful arched maple top, giving it an elegant look and enhanced tone. The AX120MFT has a double cutaway body style for easy access to upper frets. The body shape is designed for playing comfort.
The guitar has a thin, fast maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard. The maple neck contributes brightness while the rosewood fingerboard brings out rich overtones in the sound. The neck has 24 frets and a modern C-shaped profile that is comfortable for both lead and rhythm playing. The neck and fingerboard are nicely finished and rolled for a smooth feel.
The neck joint is a bolt-on design which provides good sustain and makes production easier and more affordable. The hardware includes quality die-cast tuners to keep the guitar in tune, along with a fixed bridge for focused midrange tones. Overall the Ibanez AX120MFT is solidly built with quality components at this price point. Another quality electric guitar option to consider in this price range is the Ovation AB24CII-CED. The Ovation AB24CII-CED features a solid spruce top with Lyrachord back and sides, giving it a balanced and articulate tone. The mid-cut EQ controls allow you to shape the guitar's tone to suit your playing style and musical needs. The slim neck profile provides comfort and playability. Ovation is known for their innovative electric-acoustic guitar designs, and the AB24CII-CED incorporates their iconic roundback bowl shape for improved projection. While the Ibanez AX120MFT and Ovation AB24CII-CED have different construction methods and body shapes, they are both quality options in the mid-range price tier for players looking for versatile electric guitars.
The Ibanez AX120MFT electric guitar features two Ibanez Quantum humbucker pickups that provide a balanced and versatile tone. The neck pickup produces warm, round lows and singing highs perfect for blues and rock. The bridge pickup packs a punchy midrange and crisp treble for aggressive metal tones.
Coil-tapping on both pickups via a push-pull control knob gives you the option to split the humbuckers into single-coils. This significantly expands the tonal palette available from the AX120MFT. You can go from thick, saturated leads to twangy, strat-like tones at the flip of a switch.
Other controls include master volume and tone knobs, as well as a 5-way pickup selector switch. This gives you access to bridge pickup, bridge + neck pickups, neck pickup, and coil-tapped variations of both pickups.
The electronics are well-shielded in the AX120MFT's double-cutaway mahogany body, preventing excess noise and interference. The output jack feels solid and secure when plugging in your guitar cable.
If you're looking for a versatile electric guitar that can cover a wide range of musical genres, the Ibanez AX120MFT is an excellent choice. The dual Quantum humbuckers offer everything from warm, rounded cleans to blistering distortion. And the coil-tapping feature lets you get glassy single-coil tones at the flip of a switch.
Another versatile electric guitar option to consider is the Cordoba C9 GUCLCOR-05274. This nylon-string guitar has a full-sized body for rich, resonant tones. It comes equipped with a 3-band EQ and built-in tuner for dialing in your optimal sound.
The Cordoba C9 GUCLCOR-05274 features savarez tension nylon strings made in France. These strings provide excellent tonal clarity and response. The neck is made from mahogany with a rosewood fretboard for smooth playability.
This nylon-string electric guitar has a beautiful esthetic with a high-gloss finish. It comes in an attractive Mosaic Black color option. The body binding and rosette add an elegant artistic touch.
Another benefit of the Cordoba C9 is its lightweight construction. At just over 7 pounds, this guitar is comfortable to play whether seated or standing. The ergonomic body shape enables you to play for long periods without fatigue.
The built-in Fishman Presys Blend pickup and preamp system offers natural amplified tone and feedback resistance. You get clear notes without excessive buzzing or humming. And the guitar reproduces the warm, bright characteristics of a traditional nylon-string instrument.
If you prefer nylon strings over steel and want the flexibility of electric guitar tones, check out the Cordoba C9 GUCLCOR-05274. It provides the rich resonance of a Spanish guitar with stage- and studio-ready amplified sound. Pair it with your favorite amp or PA system to fill venues of any size with lush nylon-string tone.
The Ibanez AX120MFT produces a rich, warm sound with good note definition and sustain. The mahogany body contributes to a balanced tone profile with emphasis on the low mids and smooth highs.
The two Infinity R pickups provide a versatile range of tones. The neck pickup produces a rounded, jazz-like voice while the bridge pickup has increased output and bite for rock and metal styles. There's also a 5-way switch to blend the pickups.
When playing clean, the AX120MFT has a refined, vintage-inspired voice. There's enough brightness to cut through a mix without getting harsh. Distorted tones are muscular yet articulate. Palm muting has a tight chug while power chords ring with body and richness.
Sustain is impressive thanks to the fixed bridge and quality hardware. Notes bloom nicely and decay slowly. Chords won't get lost even when playing fast riffs and lead lines. The guitar provides excellent tonal feedback while keeping noise to a minimum.
Overall, the Ibanez AX120MFT is tonally versatile for various genres while retaining a signature warm, mid-focused character. It excels at vintage and modern rock tones but also handles jazz, blues, and metal with aplomb.
The Ibanez AX120MFT has a fast, slim neck profile that allows for easy riffing and shredding. The neck is made of maple and has a satin finish, giving it a very smooth and slick feel that facilitates quick lead playing.
The fretwork on this guitar is excellent, with nicely dressed medium frets that don't have any sharp edges. The fret ends are smoothly rolled for a seamless feel when moving up and down the neck. The action on this guitar is also set up very well from the factory, with low action that doesn't buzz.
In terms of balance, the AX120MFT feels comfortable whether seated or standing. The double cutaway body shape allows easy access to the upper frets, while the lightweight agathis body and contoured back make this a nicely balanced guitar on a strap. Overall, this is a very playable and comfortable guitar right out of the box.
The Ibanez AX120MFT electric guitar offers impressive versatility that allows it to handle a wide range of musical genres and techniques.
With its dual humbucker pickups and 5-way selector switch, this guitar can produce tones suitable for rock, metal, blues, jazz, and country. The bridge humbucker delivers a thick, heavy crunch that's great for high-gain rock and metal riffing. Meanwhile, the neck humbucker has a smooth, mellow tone perfect for blues and jazz solos. The mixed switch positions allow blending the pickups for even more tonal options.
The AX120MFT's slender, fast maple neck and jumbo frets also make it a great choice for shredding and lead guitar styles. It's very comfortable and playable when running up and down the neck at high speeds. The tremolo bridge expands the guitar's sonic range and allows guitarists to add expressive whammy effects.
Overall, the versatile design of the Ibanez AX120MFT allows it to adapt well to a multitude of music genres and playing techniques. It's a solid workhorse electric that can handle just about anything an intermediate guitarist might throw at it.
The Ibanez AX120MFT electric guitar offers excellent quality and playability at an affordable price point. This makes it a great choice for beginners and intermediate players.
The guitar features a basswood body and maple neck which provides a balanced tone across the frequency range. The neck is comfortable and easy to play.
It comes equipped with two Ibanez Quantum humbucking pickups that deliver a thick, rich sound perfect for rock and metal genres. The 5-way pickup selector switch offers tonal variety.
This model includes several beginner-friendly features like a whammy bar, spotted black headstock, and sharktooth inlay on the rosewood fretboard adding to its stylish looks.
The fixed bridge and die-cast tuners keep the guitar in tune well. The guitar stays resonant and rings out nicely.
Overall, the Ibanez AX120MFT exceeds expectations for a guitar in this price range, making it a smart choice for new players.
As an affordable model, it may not satisfy the needs of professional and advanced level players who require premium build materials, electronics and hardware.
The tonewoods like basswood and cheaper hardware like sealed tuners may be considered as a downgrade by some.
The fretwork and setup out of the box may require professional adjustment and tuning for optimal playability.
It lacks some features like coil-splitting for the humbuckers that add tonal versatility in higher end models.
The tremolo bridge is basic and doesn't allow for extreme whammy techniques or fine tuning compared to better tremolos.
Overall, this is a budget friendly model aimed at beginners. Intermediate and pro players may want to consider upgrading.
When it comes to entry-level electric guitars in the under $200 price range, the Ibanez AX120 is far from the only option. Here are some other great guitars that are comparable in terms of quality, price, and features:
Like the Ibanez, the Squier Bullet Strat features a basswood body, maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard. It has a simple double-cutaway shape with three single coil Strat-style pickups. The tone is bright, clear, and versatile. The neck has a C-shaped profile that's comfortable for beginners. Overall, it's an excellent choice for playing rock, blues, country, and more.
For players who want that classic Les Paul look and sound, the Epiphone Les Paul Special II is a top contender. It has a mahogany body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, and a pair of open-coil humbucker pickups. The tone is thick and chunky, great for hard rock, metal, and blues. The neck is chunkier than the Ibanez which some players prefer.
This superstrat style guitar features an okoume body, maple neck with scarf joint, and dual Jackson humbuckers. It's known for fast playability thanks to its thinner, contoured neck. The tone is tight and aggressive, ideal for metal and shredding. Players who want a "hot rodded" guitar will appreciate the Jackson JS11.
Lastly, the Yamaha Pacifica 012 shouldn't be overlooked. It provides incredible quality and versatility for the money. With an alder body, maple neck, and HSS pickup configuration, this guitar covers a huge range of tones. The vintage-style vibrato is also a nice feature. Overall, it's an excellent all-around guitar.
The Ibanez AX120MFT is a versatile starter guitar that works well for a range of musical styles and playing scenarios. Its dual humbucker pickups and slightly larger body size make it a great choice for rock, hard rock, and metal. The guitar's slim neck and fast playability also allow it to handle lead guitar duties and soloing.
For aspiring rock guitarists, the Ibanez AX120MFT provides the aggressive tone and fast playability needed for genres like classic rock, punk, hardcore, and heavy metal. The beefy tone is also suitable for nu-metal, grunge, and similar modern genres. With a darker voice, this Ibanez can cover Black Sabbath to Slipknot and everything in between.
Despite its rock leanings, the AX120MFT's versatile pickup configuration allows everything from clean rhythm tones to high-gain leads. This makes the guitar flexible enough for country, blues, jazz, and classic rock. The AX120MFT works well as a first electric for new players interested in learning barre chords and lead techniques across different types of music.
The AX120MFT's playability, flexible electronics, and striking cosmetics also make it a top choice for rocking small venues and clubs. Many praise its reliability and durability for regular gigging. Overall, the Ibanez AX120MFT electric guitar provides an affordable option with great tone and playability to handle an array of lead, rhythm, practice, and performance applications.
The Ibanez AX120MFT Electric Guitar is a solid, mid-level electric guitar for players looking to upgrade a beginner’s starter instrument. It delivers good-quality playability, hardware, electronics, and sound at a very reasonable price point in the sub-$300 range. The guitar sports a basswood body with a very stylish metallic forest finish. It features a maple neck with a rosewood fretboard, 22 frets, dual Ibanez Quantum humbucker pickups, and a fixed Tune-O-Matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece. Overall, the Ibanez AX120MFT offers great value and performance for the money. It's a versatile, well-made instrument suitable for rock, metal, blues, jazz, and country playing styles. While not a professional-level guitar, it provides a satisfying playing experience and quality tone for intermediate players ready to move beyond their entry-level gear. The Ibanez AX120MFT is a recommended choice in this price bracket for electric guitarists seeking a handsome, well-rounded instrument that delivers pleasing sound and easy playability.
Features of Ibanez AX 6 String Solid-Body Electric Guitar, Right, Metallic Forest, Full (AX120MFT) | |
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Price | $229.99 |
Body Material | Basswood |
Color Name | Metallic Forest |
Fretboard Material | Maple Wood |
Guitar Bridge System | Stop Tail |
Guitar Pickup Configuration | H |
Item Model Number | AX120MFT |
Item Weight | 9.5 pounds |
Number of Strings | 6 |
Product Dimensions | 13 x 15 x 41 inches |
String Material | Nickel |
Neck Material Type | Maple |
String Gauge | Light |
Brand | Ibanez |
Color | Metallic Forest |
Hand Orientation | Right |
Model | Donner DST-100S | Donner DST152-W | Best Choice Products SKY1032 | Donner EC1277 DLP-124B | Pyle PEGKT99BK.X9 | Fender 0378002505 |
Body Material | Poplar | Poplar | Wood | Poplar | Solid Paulownia Wood with Decal Paper | Poplar |
Color Name | Sunburst | Polar White | Jet Black | Black | A) Black | Olympic White |
Fretboard Material | Purpleheart | Laurel Wood | Rosewood | Perilla | Maple Wood | Maple Wood |
Guitar Bridge System | Guitar Single Swing Bridge | Tremolo | Tremolo | Fixed Saddle Bridge | Adjustable | Tremolo |
Guitar Pickup Configuration | H-S-S | H-S-S | H | H-H | H-H | S-S-S |
Item Model Number | DST-100S | DST152-W | SKY1032 | EC1277 | PEGKT99BK.X9 | 0378002505 |
Item Weight | 13.02 pounds | 12.72 pounds | 5.5 pounds | 12.67 pounds | 15.62 pounds | 1 pounds |
Product Dimensions | 4.92 x 17.13 x 40.75 inches | - | 39 x 10.5 x 2 inches | 40.75 x 16.93 x 4.72 inches | - | 44 x 15 x 4 inches |
String Material | Nickel Plated | Nickel Plated | Nylon | Nickel Plated | Steel Alloy | Nickel |
Neck Material Type | Maple | Maple | Maple | Okoume Wood | Maple | Maple |
Brand | Donner | Donner | Best Choice Products | Donner | Pyle | Fender |
Color | Sunburst | Polar White | Jet Black | Black | A) Black | Olympic White |
Hand Orientation | Right | Right | Right | Right | Right | Right |
Price | $179.99 | $199.99 | $149.99 | $149.99 | $169.99 | $249.99 |