Ibanez RG652AHMFX-RPB

Ibanez RG652AHMFX-RPB review

The RG652AHMFX-RPB is a Japanese-made Ibanez built around a familiar high-performance formula: a slim neck, 24 jumbo frets, two DiMarzio humbuckers, and a fixed bridge. Its Royal Plum Burst finish gives the ash body a distinctive look, with the wood grain visible beneath the purple color. Owners repeatedly praise the finish and overall appearance, though their experiences with setup and finishing details are not entirely consistent.

At a listed price of 1366, this model is aimed at players who want a serious electric guitar for rock and heavier styles. It includes a hard case, but no gig bag. The model has been available since February 2021.

Construction and playability

The RG652AHMFX-RPB has an ash body and a bolt-on neck made from maple and walnut, with a maple fingerboard. The Super Wizard HP neck measures 17 mm thick at the first fret and 19 mm at the twelfth. Its 430 mm fingerboard radius, 43 mm nut width, and 648 mm scale length give it the flat, fast feel associated with Ibanez RG guitars. There are 24 jumbo frets, black dot inlays, and a locking nut.

Players who like thin necks tend to find the profile comfortable, particularly for fast runs and playing high up the neck. One owner found it more comfortable than necks on a Jackson Rhoads and a PRS seven-string. Another, accustomed to a Les Paul, found it too thin. That is a matter of preference, but it is worth trying the neck before buying if you favor a fuller profile.

Access to the upper frets is a clear strength. The volume knob sits close to the strings, making quick volume changes easy. However, that position, along with the pickup switch, can get in the way of broad picking motions for players who sweep their arm from the elbow. The controls suit some playing styles better than others.

Pickups and sound

The guitar uses a DiMarzio Air Norton humbucker at the bridge and a DiMarzio The Tone Zone humbucker at the neck, with a five-way switch and separate volume and tone controls. The switch offers useful pickup combinations without requiring a push-pull control. Several owners particularly liked positions two and four, and some described the clean tones as clear and articulate.

High-gain playing is where the guitar most clearly earns its reputation. Owners report a strong, rounded low end and enough output for metal, hard rock, and other overdriven styles. One review found the clean sound somewhat flat, while other players enjoyed its clean clarity. Those differing impressions suggest that the amplifier, settings, and player expectations matter. The pickup set is versatile, but the guitar's thin neck and overall design point most directly toward lead playing and heavier tones.

One owner reported noticeable sensitivity to electrical and radio-frequency interference. That experience does not establish that every example will have the same issue, but players in electrically noisy environments may want to check for hum with their own rig.

Bridge, hardware, and setup

A Gibraltar Standard III fixed bridge keeps the design straightforward, with no tremolo arm. Gotoh MG-T locking tuners are fitted, and the hardware is finished in Cosmo Black. The listed string gauge is.010 to.046. Players who do not use a tremolo may appreciate the simpler setup and stable tuning reported by several owners.

Setup reports vary. Some buyers received instruments that played well straight from the case. Others needed to adjust the truss rod, lower the saddles, change strings, or address fret buzz and intonation. One guitar arrived with high action and a visible neck bow, while another owner said a small setup adjustment made it play exceptionally smoothly. These accounts make a careful inspection and setup check sensible, especially when ordering online.

There are also a few isolated complaints about roughness on the neck, glue residue, and visible construction details around the headstock. Other buyers describe the fit and finish as excellent. The reports point to variation between individual instruments, rather than a single experience shared by every owner.

Verdict

The RG652AHMFX-RPB is a strong option for players seeking a Japanese-made Ibanez with a thin, fast neck, a fixed bridge, and humbuckers that handle high gain well. Its finish and included hard case add to the appeal, and the five-way switch gives the two-pickup layout more tonal options than a basic selector setup. The main cautions are the slim neck, control placement, ash body weight, and inconsistent owner reports about factory setup.

For metal, hard rock, and lead-focused playing, the feature set makes sense. Players who need a single guitar for broad clean chord work, prefer a thicker neck, or rely on sweeping picking motions should try it in person if possible. A setup check after delivery is also prudent.