Ibanez A528-IPT
The Ibanez A528-IPT is a purpose-built eight-string guitar with active Fishman Fluence pickups, a multiscale fingerboard, and practical locking tuners. Its specialized layout and wide neck suit players seeking extended range more than guitarists wanting a familiar six-string feel.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 6 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Ibanez A528-IPT: an eight-string specification check
The Ibanez A528-IPT is an eight-string electric guitar with a multiscale fingerboard, active Fishman Fluence Modern pickups, and a bolt-on five-piece neck. Its listed price is 1858, with no currency specified in the supplied information. The model is listed as available since January 2026. There are no customer reviews available, so this assessment is based only on the published specifications.
Its defining layout is the 648 mm to 698 mm scale range, equivalent to 25.51 to 27.48 inches. The shorter scale is assigned to the treble side and the longer scale to the bass side by the multiscale format. That gives the lowest strings a longer speaking length than the highest strings, while avoiding a single scale length across the entire set. The listed nut width is 48 mm, and the fingerboard radius is 508 mm, or 20 inches.
Neck and playing layout
The five-piece neck combines maple and walnut and attaches to the body with a bolt-on joint. Ibanez specifies a Parallel Wizard AS neck profile, an ebony fingerboard, and 24 jumbo frets. The inlay pattern is described as Mother of Pearl Step Off-Set Dot. Together, those details outline a broad, flat fingerboard intended to accommodate eight strings, though the specifications alone cannot establish how the neck feels in the hand or how comfortable its dimensions will be for a particular player.
The nut is plastic, with a stated width of 48 mm. That measurement is useful when comparing the A528-IPT with other eight-string instruments, but it does not describe string spacing at the bridge or nut. Those figures are not supplied. The stated scale endpoints are clear, but the exact fret-by-fret fan layout is also not listed.
Pickups and controls
The pickup set consists of a Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic humbucker at the bridge and a Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico humbucker at the neck. Both are active pickups. The control layout includes one volume control, one tone control, a three-way pickup selector, and a Fishman Fluence voicing switch. The supplied information does not explain the available voicing options or provide a switching chart, so buyers should check the manufacturer's wiring details if they need to know precisely which sounds each setting produces.
This arrangement gives the guitar selectable bridge, neck, and combined pickup positions, with the voicing switch adding another specified control function. No battery type, battery access method, or battery life is provided. Those practical details are worth confirming before purchase, particularly for players who use active electronics regularly.
Body, bridge, and included items
The body is listed as basswood, with no separate top. The bridge is an Ibanez Mono-Rail G2, and the guitar has no tremolo or vibrato system. Individual bridge units are specified, but the supplied data does not state adjustment ranges or string spacing. Gotoh MG-T machine heads are fitted, and the listed strings are D'Addario EXL120-8.
The finish information is inconsistent: the general color field says Black, while the detailed specification names Iron Pewter. Both refer to the finish description in the supplied data, so it is sensible to confirm the actual color with the seller. The hardware is listed as black. A gig bag, multi-tool, and hex wrench are included. A hard case is not included.
What the specifications establish
- String count: Eight strings, with a 648 mm to 698 mm multiscale layout.
- Neck: Bolt-on five-piece maple and walnut construction, Parallel Wizard AS profile, ebony fingerboard, and 24 jumbo frets.
- Electronics: Active Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic bridge and Alnico neck humbuckers, with volume, tone, three-way selection, and a voicing switch.
- Hardware and accessories: Mono-Rail G2 bridge, Gotoh MG-T tuners, gig bag, multi-tool, and hex wrench.
Bottom line
The A528-IPT has a clearly defined eight-string setup, a substantial multiscale range, active Fishman pickups, and a specified set of practical accessories. The strongest comparison points are its 48 mm nut, 24-fret ebony board, five-piece maple and walnut neck, and fixed bridge. The available information leaves some purchase details unresolved, including the conflicting color labels, the exact voicing options, and measurements for string spacing. With no customer reviews available, there is no basis here for claims about comfort, tuning stability, sound quality, or build consistency. Buyers can use the stated specifications to compare the model, then confirm the unanswered details with Ibanez or the retailer.
Shipping and duties
The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.
Scores by area
Where it shines, where it stumbles
What convinced me
- Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers offer ceramic bridge and alnico neck options, with a voicing switch for additional tone choices.
- The multiscale design pairs a 25.51-inch treble-side scale with a 27.48-inch bass-side scale across eight strings.
- Includes a gig bag, Gotoh MG-T locking tuners, and a Mono-Rail G2 bridge.
What bugged me
- The 48 mm nut and eight-string layout may feel wide to players used to standard six-string guitars.
- No hard case is included, and the plastic nut is a modest choice at this price.
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
Ideal for players seeking an active eight-string guitar, multiscale string tension, and flexible pickup voicing. A strong fit for extended-range rock and metal playing.Look elsewhere if
Not for players who prefer a familiar six-string layout or a narrower neck. Also not ideal for buyers who require a hard case in the package.Suggested level: Intermediate
Specifications
- Color
- Black
- Body
- linden
- Top
- None
- Neck
- Maple, Walnut
- Fretboard
- ebony
- Frets
- 24
- Scale length
- 698 mm
- Pickup
- HH
- Tremolo
- No
- Including case
- No
- Incl. gigbag
- Yes
- Number of strings
- 8
- Style
- misc.
- Long scale
- 698 mm
Up close
Watch and listen
Before you decide
Questions players ask
Is the Ibanez A528-IPT an eight-string guitar?
Yes. It has eight strings and a multiscale length of 25.51 to 27.48 inches.
What pickups does it use?
It has active Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers, with a ceramic bridge pickup and an alnico neck pickup. A voicing switch adds another tone option.
Does it include a case?
It does not include a hard case, but a gig bag is included.
What is the neck profile and nut width?
The neck profile is Parallel Wizard AS, and the nut is 48 mm wide. The neck is a five-piece maple and walnut bolt-on design.
Is it suitable for someone moving up from a six-string guitar?
It can suit a player ready to learn an eight-string layout, but its 48 mm nut and extended-range setup will feel different from a standard six-string guitar.
The last word from the bench
The A528-IPT combines a five-piece maple and walnut neck, an ebony fingerboard, and 24 jumbo frets with a multiscale layout designed for its eight strings. Its Fishman Fluence Modern pickups provide two magnetic flavors and a voicing switch, while the Mono-Rail G2 bridge and Gotoh locking tuners round out the hardware. The included gig bag is useful, but a hard case is not supplied. At 1858, it makes the most sense for players who specifically need an active, extended-range instrument.
Hanging next to it
Ibanez A528-IPT
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.
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