Ibanez RG652AHM-AWD

Ibanez RG652AHM-AWD review

The RG652AHM-AWD is a Prestige-series electric guitar built around a familiar RG outline, with an ash body, a maple fingerboard, and a pair of DiMarzio humbuckers. It has been available since May 2017 and was listed at $1,599 in the supplied product details. The finish is Antique White Blonde, with Cosmo Black hardware and a hard-shell case included. There is no included bag.

The core specifications point to a guitar designed for players who want a fast-playing neck and a floating tremolo system. Its 648 mm scale, 24 jumbo frets, and Super Wizard neck profile set the instrument up for wide-ranging electric guitar work. The maple fingerboard has binding and a 430 mm radius. Ibanez also specifies Prestige fret-edge treatment, a detail aimed at smoothing the fret ends where they meet the edges of the fingerboard.

Construction and playability

The body is ash, with no separate top listed. The neck uses five pieces of maple and walnut, and the nut measures 43 mm wide. The owner feedback gives useful context for how those details translate to a real instrument. One reviewer, who already owned RG and S Prestige models, described the neck as exceptionally comfortable and the guitar as visually striking. They also reported a well-fitted neck pocket and said their instrument needed only a short setup after delivery.

That account is encouraging, but it should be read as one owner's experience rather than a guarantee of consistency across every guitar. The reviewer specifically praised the fit and finish of their example, while also noting that consistency had been a concern with some other Ibanez guitars. A setup may still be needed to suit your preferred action, string gauge, and playing style.

There is a useful setup detail for the bridge. The owner initially thought the bridge height could not be adjusted, then found screws inside the bridge studs. Those screws need to be loosened before adjusting the stud height. If you are unfamiliar with this type of bridge, having a guitar technician handle the adjustment is sensible. The same owner described shifting the neck slightly in its pocket to address string spacing near the fingerboard edge. That is a setup intervention, not a step every player should attempt without understanding the risks.

Pickups and switching

The guitar is fitted with a DiMarzio Air Norton in the neck position and a DiMarzio The Tone Zone at the bridge. The supplied specifications identify two humbuckers and an Edge tremolo, while owner feedback adds that the five-way switch provides coil-split sounds. That gives players more tonal options than the two-humbucker layout might suggest at first glance.

The owner describes the Air Norton as a medium-output pickup with a strong harmonic response. They found The Tone Zone brighter and higher in output, and said it worked especially well with an overdrive pedal into a crunch-channel amplifier. In their experience, the split-coil settings added a sharper, more percussive character with a twang that reminded them of a Strat-style guitar. These are subjective impressions, but they suggest a broad palette, from softer, rounded neck-pickup sounds to aggressive bridge tones.

Players should not expect coil splitting to make the guitar identical to a single-coil instrument. It changes the pickup's response and character, but the results depend on the amplifier, effects, and settings. Still, the reported range makes the switching system a meaningful part of this model's appeal for musicians who move between clean passages and heavier riffing.

Bridge, equipment, and verdict

The Edge-Zero II tremolo is a central feature of the RG652AHM-AWD. It provides the vibrato system associated with this style of guitar, but it also makes correct setup important. Players who prefer a fixed bridge may find a floating tremolo less convenient, particularly when changing tunings or experimenting with string gauges. The supplied owner comments reinforce the value of learning the bridge's adjustment points before making changes.

Ibanez includes a hard-shell case and a multi-tool. The instrument has 24 jumbo frets, a 648 mm scale, and a five-piece maple and walnut neck, alongside the DiMarzio pickup pairing and coil-split options reported by an owner. Together, those features make it a versatile choice for players who want a fast neck, a tremolo, and a wide tonal range in one guitar.

The owner feedback is notably positive about tone, playability, appearance, and the fit of the guitar they received. Their setup notes are also worth taking seriously: bridge adjustments involve concealed screws, and a qualified technician can help avoid damage or an unnecessarily frustrating setup. At its listed price of $1,599, the RG652AHM-AWD offers a strong set of Prestige-series specifications. Its best fit is a player comfortable with a floating tremolo who values a slim neck, 24 frets, and flexible humbucker sounds.