Ibanez FRM350-BK Paul Gilbert

Ibanez FRM350-BK Paul Gilbert review

The Ibanez FRM350-BK is Paul Gilbert's signature model in the company's FRM style. Its black finish and distinctive body shape give it a clear visual identity, while the specification centers on an okoume body, a set-in maple and okoume neck, an ebony fingerboard, and a pair of DiMarzio humbuckers. It has a 628 mm scale, 22 frets, a fixed Gibraltar Performer bridge, and no tremolo.

Initial owner feedback is notably positive about the finish and factory setup. One buyer describes the guitar as striking in person, with excellent workmanship and comfortable action straight out of the box. That is useful context for players considering a mail-order purchase, though it reflects an individual experience rather than a guarantee that every instrument will arrive with identical setup.

Build, finish, and neck feel

The body is made from okoume, with no separate top listed. The set-in neck combines okoume and maple, and its profile is identified as FRM. The published thickness is 22 mm at the first fret and 24 mm at the twelfth. Those measurements give a more specific picture than the model name alone, but they cannot fully predict how the neck will feel in your hand. One reviewer liked the guitar's construction and design but found the neck did not suit them. That is a reminder to try it in person when possible.

The ebony fingerboard has a 305 mm radius, acrylic and abalone block inlays, and 22 narrow-tall frets. The nut is 43 mm wide and made by Graph Tech. These details describe a fairly precise playing surface, but feel remains personal: fret shape, neck profile, and overall hand position can matter more than a spec sheet suggests. The supplied feedback also points to the setup being comfortable on arrival, a welcome starting point for assessing the instrument.

The black finish is paired with gold hardware. The buyer comments describe the appearance as especially appealing and the workmanship as exceptionally clean. Those observations support the impression of a carefully finished instrument, though they are not a substitute for inspecting the individual guitar for finish flaws or checking the setup yourself.

Pickups and controls

The FRM350-BK uses a DiMarzio DP190F humbucker at the bridge and a DiMarzio DP191F humbucker at the neck. The pickups are passive. Controls consist of a volume knob, a tone knob, and a three-way selector. There are no supplied sound measurements or detailed descriptions of the pickups' output, so it would be premature to assign them a particular tonal character based on these specifications alone.

One owner was not taken with the pickup sound, despite praising the build and design. That is the most direct sound-related impression available, and it makes trying the guitar with your own amplifier and playing style particularly worthwhile. Pickup preference can vary considerably between players. The two humbuckers and simple control layout provide a clear starting point, but the available feedback does not establish whether the voice will suit a particular genre or setup.

Scale, bridge, and included accessories

At 628 mm, or 24.72 inches, the scale is shorter than many standard electric-guitar scales. Players who already know they prefer this scale length can use that figure to judge the model against instruments they own. The Gibraltar Performer bridge is fixed, and the listed specification confirms there is no tremolo. The guitar ships with a bag, but no case is included.

One buyer specifically noted the difficulty of finding the official hard case in Europe. Since a bag is included and a hard case is not, buyers who need rigid protection should check availability and fit before ordering. Do not assume that a case sold for another FRM-style instrument will necessarily fit without confirming its dimensions and compatibility.

Who should consider it?

The Ibanez FRM350-BK makes the strongest case for players drawn to Paul Gilbert's FRM design who value its black-and-gold appearance, set-in neck construction, ebony fingerboard, and fixed bridge. The specifications are detailed enough to compare neck measurements, scale, nut width, and pickup models before purchase. Its first-owner feedback is encouraging on finish quality and out-of-box action.

There are two important caveats. First, at least one player found both the neck feel and pickup sound unsuitable, even while rating the build and design highly. Second, the included bag is not a hard case, and the official case may take extra effort to source in some regions. Neither point makes the guitar a poor choice, but both affect the buying decision.

The listed price is 1,139, with no currency specified in the supplied product information. The model has been available since October 2024. Overall, the FRM350-BK appears to be a well-finished signature guitar with a distinctive shape and clearly documented hardware. The best next step is to play one if you can, paying close attention to the FRM neck profile and the DiMarzio pickup response. For this model, personal fit matters more than the enthusiastic first impression alone.