Ibanez RG470DXFM-CS

Ibanez RG470DXFM-CS review

The Ibanez RG470DXFM-CS is a 24-fret electric guitar with a meranti body, a flamed maple top, and an HSH pickup layout. Its specification is aimed at players who want a slim, fast-feeling neck, a broad set of pickup options, and a locking tremolo system. The listed price is 555, and the model has been available since July 2025.

The glossy Cherry Sunburst finish gives the flamed top a prominent visual role, while black hardware and white sharktooth inlays add contrast. No gig bag or case is included, so players should account for that when planning transport or storage.

Construction and playing feel

The bolt-on maple neck uses Ibanez's Wizard III profile and is paired with a jatoba fingerboard. The fingerboard radius is 400 mm, or 15.75 inches, and the scale measures 648 mm, or 25.5 inches. A 43 mm nut width and 24 jumbo frets complete a layout suited to both chord work and playing across the higher frets.

These measurements describe a familiar modern RG setup, but they do not guarantee that every player will find the neck comfortable. The Wizard III is a slim profile, which may appeal to players who prefer a close, quick grip. Those who favor a fuller neck should try it in person if possible. The locking nut is part of the tremolo setup, and the guitar ships with D'Addario EXL120 strings in gauges.009 through.042.

The body is meranti, topped with flamed maple, and finished in polyurethane lacquer. The specification lists the instrument's weight as no fixed figure, and weight can vary with the piece of wood used. One supplied owner report describes a guitar weighing just over 4 kg, but that report names the RG470FXFM-CS rather than the RG470DXFM-CS. It is useful context about possible variation, not a verified weight for this exact model.

Pickups and controls

The RG470DXFM-CS comes with two Quantum humbuckers, positioned at the neck and bridge, plus a Quantum single-coil pickup in the middle. Its passive electronics use one volume control, one tone control, and a five-way switch. That arrangement offers several pickup combinations without adding onboard switching complexity.

The supplied owner feedback also concerns an RG470FXFM-CS, so it should not be treated as a direct test of this exact model. That player described the stock Quantum pickups as capable, while wanting more definition and precision. They replaced them with DiMarzio D-Activator and LiquiFire pickups and reported a substantial improvement for their preferred sound. This is a personal modification and listening impression, not evidence that the stock pickups are inadequate. Buyers should first judge the factory set in their own rig and playing context.

Edge-Zero II tremolo

The product specification lists an Edge-Zero II tremolo, along with a locking nut. A locking system can help keep the strings secured at the nut when using the tremolo, but it also makes tuning changes and string replacement less immediate than on a fixed bridge. Players who regularly change tunings should consider that tradeoff. No case is supplied, so the tremolo may also need extra care during transport.

There is a discrepancy in the supplied details: the short specification names an Edge-Zero II, while the longer feature list says Edge-Zero. The exact tremolo designation should be confirmed with the seller before purchase. Both entries identify an Edge-Zero tremolo system, but the available information does not resolve the naming difference.

Setup and owner feedback

The owner report describes good overall workmanship, with a slightly high fret and a neck alignment issue corrected during a setup. The player characterized both as small adjustments. Since the report identifies a different model suffix, it cannot establish how consistently the RG470DXFM-CS leaves the factory. As with any guitar, checking neck relief, action, fret condition, and intonation after purchase is sensible.

The same player praised the slim Wizard-style neck for precise riffing and fast lead playing, and found the Cherry Sunburst finish especially attractive. Those impressions align with the RG series' performance-focused layout, though the model identification mismatch calls for caution when applying them directly to this guitar.

Verdict

The Ibanez RG470DXFM-CS brings together a flamed maple top, a 24-fret Wizard III neck, three Quantum pickups, and a locking tremolo in a distinctive finish. Its controls keep the pickup setup straightforward, while the locking nut and tremolo suit players prepared to work with a more involved tuning system. The listed price is 555, and neither a bag nor a case is included.

Bottom line: The specification makes this a compelling option for players seeking an RG-style guitar with a slim neck and HSH versatility. Confirm the tremolo designation and try the stock pickups before deciding whether any changes are needed.