Ibanez GRG320FA-TBS

Ibanez GRG320FA-TBS review

The Ibanez GRG320FA-TBS is a GIO Series electric guitar with a double-locking tremolo, two humbuckers, and a 24-fret neck. Listed at a price of 325, it sits in Ibanez's entry-level range, yet the reported fit and finish have impressed several owners. One buyer said the guitar arrived set up and in tune, while another described it as light, well made, and satisfying as their third Ibanez.

Those impressions come from customer reports rather than a controlled comparison, so individual setup and inspection still matter. One owner noted a loose G string at the bridge and black marker traces near a sharp corner of the bridge pocket. They considered these minor flaws and remained positive overall, but they are worth checking when the guitar arrives.

Construction and finish

The body is made from poplar, with a basswood top shaped to give it a flamed-maple appearance. The neck is maple, attached with a bolt-on joint, and the purpleheart fingerboard has white sharktooth inlays and wood binding. The Transparent Blue Sunburst finish is listed as a high-gloss polyurethane finish. The product information also uses the shorter color description "Blue Burst," so buyers may see either wording in listings.

The neck has Ibanez's GRG profile and a matte polyurethane finish. Its 15.75-inch fingerboard radius, 43 mm nut width, and 648 mm (25.5-inch) scale give it the familiar proportions of a full-scale electric guitar. There are 24 medium frets, which provide access to higher notes without requiring an unusually short scale. The listed details describe the design, but they do not guarantee that every instrument will arrive with identical fret feel or setup.

Pickups and controls

Two passive Fireball humbuckers sit in the neck and bridge positions. The controls consist of separate volume and tone knobs, plus a five-way pickup selector. Owners describe the humbuckers as producing a strong, full sound and praise the guitar's overall output. That is useful feedback, though no pickup measurements or detailed tonal comparisons are provided.

The five-way switch gives players more than a simple neck-or-bridge choice. The available specifications do not identify the exact wiring combinations for each switch position, so buyers looking for a particular coil-split or parallel setting should confirm the wiring details with a retailer or Ibanez. The electronics are passive, and the supplied string gauges are.009,.011,.016,.024,.032, and.042.

Double-locking tremolo in use

The double-locking tremolo is a central part of the GRG320FA-TBS package. It uses a locking nut as well as a locking bridge, and owners report that it holds tuning through strong bends and more aggressive tremolo use. One buyer specifically praised its stability and said the arm allowed pronounced dive-bomb effects.

There is a setup tradeoff. A double-locking system can take more time to adjust than a standard fixed bridge, especially when changing string gauges or tuning. One owner cautioned that heavier strings, such as Power Slinky sets, may require stronger tremolo springs because the original springs felt too soft for the increased string tension. That is a buyer's report, not a universal requirement; spring needs depend on string gauge, tuning, and setup.

What to check before keeping it

• Inspect the strings and bridge. Confirm that each string is properly seated and secured, paying particular attention to the G string.
• Look over the bridge pocket. Check the finish around the tremolo, including the sharp body corner where one owner saw marker traces and exposed-looking paint.
• Test the tremolo and tuning. Use the arm, then check tuning stability. If changing to heavier strings, ask a technician whether spring adjustment or replacement is appropriate.
• Confirm what is included. The listed package includes neither a bag nor a case.

Verdict

The Ibanez GRG320FA-TBS offers a substantial feature set for its listed price: a full-scale maple neck, 24 frets, two humbuckers, and a double-locking tremolo. Owner feedback points to a lively sound, solid build quality, and useful tuning stability, with isolated reports of string and finish details that deserve an arrival inspection. It may suit players who want a tremolo-equipped guitar without stepping into a higher-priced range, provided they are comfortable with the setup demands of a locking system. Available since February 2024, it is sold as one guitar, with no case or gig bag included.