Ibanez RG470AHM-BMT

Ibanez RG470AHM-BMT review

The Ibanez RG470AHM-BMT is a 24-fret electric guitar in the RG series, listed at $499. Its specifications are appealing for players looking for a floating tremolo and locking nut at a relatively accessible price. The instrument combines an ash body, a maple neck and fingerboard, and an H-S-H pickup arrangement. A Blue Moon Burst finish and black hardware complete the look.

Reports from owners vary considerably on setup and quality control. Several describe a good-looking guitar with comfortable playability and useful sounds once adjusted. Others report rusty strings, sharp fret edges, a loose fret, a stripped screw, or difficulty getting the tremolo and tuning properly set. That spread matters: this is a guitar worth assessing carefully on arrival, rather than assuming every example will be ready to play straight from the box.

Construction and playing feel

The maple neck is bolted to the ash body, and the maple fingerboard has black dot inlays. Ibanez specifies a Wizard III neck profile, a 15.75-inch fingerboard radius, and a 43 mm nut width. The 648 mm scale is equivalent to 25.5 inches. There are 24 jumbo frets, giving players access to two octaves on each string.

One owner found the neck comfortable and reported that the frets did not feel scratchy. Other accounts are less positive: one buyer found a small scratch on the neck, while another reported sharp fret ends and a fret that had lifted at the edges. These are individual reports, not evidence that every instrument has the same defects. They do make a close inspection sensible, especially along the fret edges and around the upper frets.

Setup is another recurring concern. Some players describe high action or a guitar that arrived with excessive buzzing and needed adjustment before it was playable. One experienced owner ultimately improved the playability but struggled to get the tremolo accurately balanced. If you do not have the tools or experience to adjust neck relief, action, and a floating bridge, budget for a technician to inspect and set up the guitar.

Pickups and controls

The factory pickup layout consists of two Quantum humbuckers, at the neck and bridge, with a Quantum single-coil pickup in the middle. Controls include separate volume and tone knobs and a five-way switch. The electronics are passive, so no battery is required.

Owners generally describe the bridge humbucker as powerful, and several say the guitar sounds good after adjusting pickup height. Opinions on the neck and middle pickups are more mixed. One player found the neck sound muddy and another reported noise and poor sound from the middle pickup. Others praised the second and fourth switch positions for a clear, bright tone. The original pickups appear capable of covering a useful range, but reports suggest that pickup adjustment and individual variation can affect the result. Players seeking a highly distinctive or premium pickup character may eventually want to compare alternatives.

Edge-Zero II tremolo and tuning

The Edge-Zero II is a floating tremolo paired with a locking nut. Players who want to use the arm heavily may value that design, and some owners report that the guitar holds tuning well during aggressive use. The supplied strings are D'Addario EXL120, with gauges from.009 to.042.

However, tremolo performance depends on correct setup, and reports show that the process can be frustrating. Some owners had to adjust the bridge angle and spring tension, while one described the fine-tuning screws as stiff. Another reported poorly machined or damaged adjustment screws. These complaints do not establish a universal defect, but they are worth checking before relying on the bridge. Inspect the fine tuners and bridge hardware, and confirm that the bridge sits level and returns to pitch after use.

Verdict

The Ibanez RG470AHM-BMT offers a compelling specification for its listed $499 price: an ash body, 24 jumbo frets, three pickups, a locking nut, and a floating tremolo. Field reports include owners who are very satisfied with its appearance, sound, and value. They also include concrete complaints about setup and occasional finish or hardware problems. No gig bag or case is included.

Buy it if you want an affordable, 24-fret guitar with a floating tremolo and are prepared to inspect or set it up. Look elsewhere if you need flawless out-of-box adjustment or do not want to deal with a potentially demanding tremolo setup. A careful inspection, and a professional setup when needed, are the practical conditions for getting the most from this guitar.