Ibanez GRX20ZBKN Electric Guitar: Full Review

The Ibanez GRX20ZBKN is an entry-level electric guitar with a classic style and versatile sound. Part of Ibanez's GIO series, it offers an affordable option for beginners and hobbyists looking for a reliable instrument.

This 6-string solid body guitar features a poplar body with a black night finish. It has a maple neck and rosewood fretboard for smooth playability. Other appointments include chrome hardware, standard tuners, and two Ibanez Powersound humbucking pickups.

Overall, the GRX20ZBKN provides a great bang for your buck if you're shopping for an electric guitar on a budget. While not loaded with premium features, it delivers classic rock tones and modern metal crunch at an accessible price point. Its comfortable body style and fast neck make it suitable for new players too.

Body & Neck

The Ibanez GRX20ZBKN features a classic solid body electric guitar design made of basswood, which helps produce a balanced tone across the tonal spectrum.

The neck is crafted from maple and has a slim, fast profile that makes it easy to play riffs and solos up and down the fretboard. It uses a 24-fret fingerboard made of rosewood, providing warmth and articulation.

The neck joint angles slightly into the body for better access to higher frets, and the fret edges are rolled for added comfort. Overall, the neck feels natural and smooth during fast lead playing while remaining stable for rhythmic chugging.

The basswood body with maple neck combination provides a responsive, resonant, and balanced playing experience suitable for various music genres and playing techniques. The classic tonewood combination results in an electric guitar that is versatile enough for rock, blues, jazz, country, pop and more.

With its solid and sleek body shape, the Ibanez GRX20ZBKN is built for hours of comfortable playing in practice sessions, on stage, and in the studio. The contoured edges and beveled cutaway provide a natural feel and allow easy access to the highest frets, enabling you to play complex solos with ease.

In addition, the GRX20ZBKN features chrome hardware including tuning machines, a Tune-O-Matic bridge, and a tailpiece to keep your guitar sounding its best. This hardware provides stable tuning stability and resonance for excellent tone and sustain.

For more control over your sound, the GRX20ZBKN has master volume and tone knobs that are easily accessible as you play. This allows you to dial in your perfect tone, from bright, crisp highs to deep rich lows.

With its versatile design and quality components, the Ibanez GRX20ZBKN is a reliable workhorse electric guitar suitable for beginners and experienced players alike. It delivers solid performance and classic style at an affordable price point.

If you're looking for a great entry-level guitar, be sure to check out the Fender 0374005500. This Squier by Fender Affinity Stratocaster also features a classic double cutaway shape for great playability and access to higher frets.

Like the Ibanez, it has a solid body made of poplar wood for balanced tone. However, it has the distinctive Strat-style triple single coil pickup configuration for a wide range of tones, from sparkling highs to thick lows. The two-point synchronized tremolo bridge also allows for expressive pitch effects.

This beginner electric guitar comes in several eye-catching finishes like Slick Silver, Candy Apple Red, and 2-Color Sunburst. It has a smooth modern "C"-shaped neck profile and narrow-tall frets for fast lead playing.

The Fender 0374005500 shares many similarities with the Ibanez GRX20ZBKN - both are affordable, well-constructed solid body electric guitars suitable for new players. However, the distinctive Fender shape and pickup layout give it a different look and sound.

So if you like the Stratocaster's iconic styling and versatile tonal palette, the Squier Affinity is another excellent choice worth considering. Whichever model you choose, you can be sure you're getting a quality instrument that will provide hours of playing enjoyment and musical inspiration.

Hardware

The Ibanez GRX20 features quality hardware that enhances its playability and sound. It has chrome components including the bridge, tuners, pickups, and knobs that give it a stylish look.

The guitar utilizes a GRX fixed bridge which provides solid intonation and tuning stability. This non-tremolo bridge allows for consistent and reliable tuning, important for both beginners learning chords and advanced players improvising solos.

The headstock contains closed-back tuners with a chrome finish that match the hardware aesthetic. These die-cast tuners allow for smooth and accurate tuning adjustments. Their quality build ensures the strings stay in tune even during rapid chord changes or aggressive strumming.

Overall, the hardware components on the Ibanez GRX20 are thoughtfully designed for optimal functionality, sound, and aesthetics. The combination of a fixed bridge and die-cast tuners provides reliable tuning and intonation, while the chrome appointments give it visual flair.

When comparing the Ibanez GRX20 to other entry-level electric guitars, it's important to also consider the hardware specs of models like the Fender CC-140SCE 0970253321. This is another affordable electric guitar with quality components and appointments. It features a chrome hardtail bridge for stable tuning and intonation. The Fender also utilizes enclosed tuning machines to keep the strings taut and in tune through changes in pitch and volume.

Both the Ibanez GRX20 and Fender CC-140SCE use chrome hardware not only for aesthetics, but for optimal functionality. Their bridges and tuners are designed for accuracy, stability and ease of use - important factors for new guitarists learning to play. While they differ in tonewoods and electronics, they both offer well-made hardware that enhances the playing experience without breaking the bank.

When shopping for a budget electric guitar, be sure to evaluate the bridge and tuner types. Models like the Ibanez GRX20 and Fender CC-140SCE recognize the importance of quality hardware. Their use of reliable bridges and tuners ensures beginners can learn without frustration over poor intonation or strings falling out of tune. While you want an affordable guitar, don't sacrifice on the hardware components vital to great playability.

Electronics

The Ibanez GRX20ZBKN features a flexible electronics setup with both humbucker and single coil pickups. This allows for a wide range of tones.

Specifically, it has a humbucker bridge pickup and two single coil pickups in the middle and neck positions. The 5-way pickup selector switch lets you choose from the bridge humbucker alone, the bridge and middle pickups together, the middle pickup alone, the middle and neck pickups together, or the neck pickup alone.

With two tone knobs and one volume knob, you can dial in your sound easily. The tone knobs control the neck and middle pickups, while the volume controls the overall output. This electronics configuration gives you the biting lead tones of a humbucker and the crisp, bright tones of single coils all in one guitar.

Sound & Playability

The Ibanez GRX20ZBKN produces a versatile range of tones thanks to its HSH pickup configuration, with a humbucker in the bridge position and two single coils in the middle and neck positions. This allows for everything from crunchy rock rhythms to singing lead tones.

The thin, fast maple neck is designed for speed and playability. It has a comfortable contour that fits nicely in the hand. The fretwork from the factory is very good, with no sharp edges to irritate the hands during long practice sessions. The neck has a slick satin finish that allows for fast runs up and down the full 24 frets.

Overall, the sound quality and playability of the Ibanez GRX20ZBKN exceed expectations for its price range. The versatile pickup configuration and smooth, thin neck make this a very playable and "gig-able" entry level guitar.

Pros

The Ibanez GRX20 is an excellent value for the money. It provides high quality hardware and electronics that punch above its low price point.

• Good value - For an entry-level guitar, the GRX20 provides exceptional value. The quality of the hardware, electronics, and overall construction rivals guitars costing much more. It's a great way for beginners to get started without breaking the bank.

• Quality hardware - The GRX20 doesn't cut corners on the hardware. It features sealed die-cast tuners that hold tuning well and a T102 tremolo bridge for added expression. The hardware performs well above other guitars in this price range.

• Nice finish - The GRG20 has an attractive quilted art grain maple finish in colors like Jewel Blue, Black Night, and Dark Brown Sunburst. The smooth finish resists chips and scratches. For a budget guitar, it looks fantastic.

Cons

Though the Ibanez GRX20ZBKN electric guitar offers a lot of value for the price, there are some drawbacks to be aware of.

• Cheaper components in some areas: To keep costs low, some guitar parts like the tremolo bridge, tuners, and pickups use cheaper components. This can affect staying in tune and tone quality. The pickups tend to be a bit muddy compared to higher-end models.

• Limited controls: There are no coil splits or tone knobs, just a basic volume and pickup selector. Those seeking more versatility from different pickup combinations and tones may find the options limited.

• Factory setup needs work: Many users report needing to do a setup on the guitar fresh out of the box to adjust things like string height and intonation. Paying for a pro setup adds to the overall cost.

• Strings may need replacing: The factory strings are just average quality, so upgrading to better strings can give it better sound and playability. Factor this into the overall price.

• Not the best for small hands: The neck width is 1.654” at the nut, making stretching for some chords challenging for those with smaller hands. Those more comfortable on slimmer necks may find this an issue.

Overall the guitar represents a solid value, but does cut some corners to hit the low price point. Upgrading some parts down the line can help improve the instrument over time.

Ideal For

The Ibanez GRX20ZBKN electric guitar is well-suited for beginner and intermediate players looking for an affordable, yet quality instrument to learn on. With its classic double cutaway style body, 22 medium frets, and slim fast maple neck, the GRX20 is designed for easy playability and comfort.

The two humbucker pickups and simple controls make it straightforward for novice players to achieve a decent rock/metal tone. The fixed bridge and lack of a tremolo or whammy bar add tuning stability, which is important for those still developing their ear and technique. Overall, the Ibanez hits a sweet spot between price and performance, catering to newbies not yet ready for a premium instrument, while still offering room to grow as skills progress.

Some more advanced guitarists even use the GRX20 as a backup guitar for gigs or as a reliable workhorse axe for composing riffs and demos. Its no-frills design and quality hardware make it a practical choice for an inexpensive gigging instrument. The dual humbuckers excel at high-gain tones, so the Ibanez remains relevant even after advancing beyond the beginner phase. For those into metal, hard rock, or heavy blues, the GRX20 lays a solid foundation for developing chops in those genres.

Alternatives

Epiphone, Squier, and Yamaha also offer quality electric guitars in the same price range as the Ibanez GRX20ZBKN.

The Epiphone Les Paul SPECIAL-II is a great choice if you're looking for that classic Les Paul design and sound. It has a mahogany body and neck for warm, rich tones. The dual humbucker pickups provide plenty of sustain and crunch. At around $200, it's comparable in price to the Ibanez model.

Fender's Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster delivers that unmistakable Strat tone and feel. It features an alder body, maple neck, and three single coil pickups for versatile tones. The slim neck profile makes it comfortable to play. It typically sells for $200-$250, putting it in the same ballpark.

For those who want a superstrat-style guitar, the Yamaha Pacifica is a top contender. It has an alder body with a maple neck for bright, crisp tone. The two single coil pickups and one humbucker allow a range of tones from glassy cleans to high gain distortion. It sells for around $200, giving you great specs and playability at this price point.

So whether you prefer the feel of a Les Paul, a Strat, or a superstrat, you can find an excellent guitar in this affordable price range from Epiphone, Squier or Yamaha. All provide quality construction, electronics and playability rivaling the Ibanez GRX20ZBKN.

Conclusion

The Ibanez GRX20ZBKN is an affordable entry-level solid body electric guitar. It features a mahogany body, maple neck, and rosewood fretboard. The electronic components consist of IBZ humbucking pickups, GRX plastic hardware knobs, and a GRG tailpiece with strings.

During testing, the GRX20ZBKN exhibited decent sustain and resonance while playing rock and metal genres. The pickups provide a warm, full sound with ample distortion capabilities. However, the plastic tuning machines can go out of tune easily. This is one area where spending a bit more can get higher quality hardware.

Overall, the Ibanez GRX20ZBKN offers incredible value at this price point. The tone is quite versatile, making this a great choice as a beginner's first electric guitar. More advanced players may want to eventually upgrade, but will still appreciate the playability of the fast, thin neck. For those on a tight budget looking to buy their first electric guitar, the GRX20ZBKN should be strongly considered.