Seeing this video made me cry. That exact model and color is my first high-end guitar. I sold it coz hard time struck. The one who bought still have it and still fascinated by it due to its amazing playability and versatility. My only consolation is that the one who bought cherishes it like a rare gem. I'm good with that.

I remember Alex Skolnick playing these back in the day when the were still called Sabres. I've always loved them.

Last year I found an Ibanez Gio in a pawn shop. Someone had customized it with an AWEFUL looking paint job. I tested it and it played pretty well. I told the lady in the pawn shop she was never going to sell that guitar with the aweful paint job, but I would give her $40 for it. She agreed. I de-constructed that guitar, sanded it down to bare wood, and painted it with a $6 can of spray paint, sort of a daphne blue color. I put it all back together, checked the intonation, etc... And now it is absolutely one of my favorite guitars! I am sure it was cheap when it was brand new, say less that $200, but now I feel like I brought it back from the dead, and that guitar is glad to be alive! That little axe SCREAMS and it extremely easy to play, I love it as much as my $500 guitars....

I love the Ibanez s series. They’re so lightweight and comfortable to play, it’s like playing air guitar.

After watching this video I bought an S470 from a pawn shop. It has the ball bearing bridge, SD Distortion PUs and cost only $320. Great deals are out there if you shop around and negotiate. I am so happy with it. The thin body is incredibly comfortable.

I bought this guitar in a pawnshop for 125$ 30 years ago, Since then I got many other and some I built myself but I always come back to this fabulous S470.

There's a reason why Ibanez is used by so many players. I got my first one in 1978 and I knew then they would be a force to be reckoned with.

Real shame these ball bearing tremolos aren't being produced anymore. My buddy has one in neon green and it's sick.

Past tense . "You could get these for good prices" But once Guitar Max advertises ANY guitar. the new ones go out of stock immediately and the ones on used market skyrocket in price. (or go out of stock, whichever is first) I check every time! :P

I have an S570QM in the charcoal grey burst. It is seriously the best guitar I've ever owned. The bridge is genuinely the best trem system ever made. If I'm remembering correctly, Ibanez was sued over the ball bearing design. Rather than fighting it, even though they would have likely won. As a middle finger to the company that sued them, they went back to the knife-edge style.

My main guitar is a 97 s540.The thing never goes outta tune.

Ibanez anything is great. From the $200 guitars to the $2000. Those are the best bridges I've ever played. I hat the discontinued them. I love the channel. Keep it up brother.

I have the same exact model. It's still one of my favorite guitar to this date. I barely used it to preserve its beauty.

It’s amazing how these Ibanezes from the 2000s still hold up.

I have I am American made Gibson Les Paul's, Fender stratocaster's and Gretch 6120's. Nothing compares to my 2011 Indonesia made Ibanez S470, 24 frets, a rosewood fretboard, ZR tremelo, Infinity pickups and Wizard neck. It is so cool that I actually had somebody offer me 1972 player's grade Gibson SG and I said no. That's how cool but guitar the Ibanez S470 is, especially the 24 fret version. Thanks for the video!

Had a Ibanez s series 470 prestige that had all gold hardware and was this emerald green. First guitar in high school I saved up for and got on my own. Got it for $400 then because of this giant chip in the bottom of it but it played great nonetheless. Probably my biggest guitar regret selling that one.

That's my go to guitar....I have an S570DXQM and love it. The thin body allows the guitar to sit closer to you making it easier to play.

I was a 15yr old kid seeing Carcass in Brisbane Australia 93....my uncle managed the club, knew i loved the band and hooked me up backstage with two mates. Bill Steers maroon Sabre that was in just about every early Carcass clip was on a table, case open in front of me. He busted me geeking on it and told me to pick it up and have a play. will never forget it..not only because it was Bill, but because they are truly an effortless guitar to play.

I have several Ibanez S Series guitars, one is a 2005. Still love it. The contour and light weight are nice, and they are well balanced.

I own the S470 DXQM transparent lavender with matching headstock. Its my favorite guitar.

I got one of these older S470s with the ZR bridge and 22 frets. I replaced the stock PUs with DiMarzios and it made an already great guitar totally awesome. I prefer this bridge to the knife edge tremolos. Different feel, so you gotta get used to it a little bit, but it's a really solid and reliable system. Overall it's just a fantastic value guitar and a more interesting and unique instrument compared to the typical shred superstrats out there.

I have a 540S from 1988, double humbucker configuration. That guitar plays like butter.

I think the “s” series are some of the best guitars on the market. I’ve got the precursor to this guitar from sometime between ‘89-91. It’s has an inlay at the 21st fret labeled “custom”. Plays fantastic even after all these years. It came from the factory with locking tuners and a mini toggle coil split switch.

Spot on, on the Zero Resistance bridge, stays in tune like a rock! Love the Bridge middle pickup position too for the mostly clean tones. Clean to shred, my favorite. Wish both my S470's had the ZR bridge.

I’ll never forget the first time I picked up an Ibanez S guitar back in the 90s… Also incredible, like I could really control the guitar. My first was a used yellow S540…good memories! I’ve long since moved on to fatter neck guitars, but eyeing one of these for my 11 year old son. Thinking sleek neck and body will be inviting for the little guy. Thank for the vid!

The s series changed my life. I tried one out at a used shop. They might be the perfect guitar. The GSA series are pretty good too. Love the channel Max.

I have a 1994 iBanez S470 I got from my dad, I love how thin and light it is, also plays amazing.

absolutely love my S470. thin, light, and always in tune!

I have this exact model, was except mine was made in 2007. I've had it since 2009, and its ALWAYS been my main guitar. I love it!

I have one in purple with waves inlays. LOVE the intonation tool in the bridge! TOTALLY LOVE HER!!

My very favorite guitar is a Ibanez s520 with dimarzio mo Joe and paf joe pickups I had installed, sounds amazing

Yes i have 2 Ibanez left handed guitars. Very good quality and brilliantly made.

This is about what I expected to hear about this bridge having wanted one many years ago when it debuted, but some people claim it's a piece of crap and I've never believed them. Apparently there were patent issues so they discontinued it, but with my background in engineering and many years metal crafting, carpentry, auto mechanics and beyond, I'm going to design and build my own from the ground up! *It's so absurd to me that nobody has mainstreamed a floating bridge with a bearing pivot system.*

Great guitar. I had an S470 from 2002, and I still regret selling it about 5 years back. I never did get the chance to use the ZR trem, and wished Ibanez still used them. Thanks for the trip down memory lane Max.

Still using my Ibanez Rg770 and hope my family will dig it with me when I'll be gone :)

I’m a big Ibanez fan & back in the day I had an American made Saber out of the custom shop in LA. Sold that guitar many moons ago to fix my house & been hunting another on down for years. I finally found the exact guitar your playing in this video & though it may not have the D’ Marzio’s my original had. These infinity kill I love this guitar & I will never sell this one.

i had a purple one. loved that trem

I love Ibanez guitars, even their acoustic guitars have a great feel and playability. Thanks Max

I'm currently working on a all black S series for my son. I love it. The ZR is a bit different, but I think it's great.

My first Ibanez was the gen 1 Iron Label S series with the Gibraltar fixed bridge and Seymour Duncans. Still one of my most played guitara due to its no-nonsense approach and unmatched playabilty and comfort. Thanks for showcasing this gem, Max!

S Series Ibanez are great. i bought a S420 a couple of years ago for 200€, absolute steal. the trem that's on ball bearings instead of knifes edges is probably the best i've ever used.

I have a Japanese one with more than 20 years old all stock, even the bridge. A super great guitar 👌

I have an Ibanez S520EX with the flat green finish I was a limited edition run and now they’re hard to find. Feel lucky to have gotten when I did!

Oh you scored! I have an '08 RG471. I wore out the stocktrem and dumped an Edge in there. Same one that's on the JEM. The rout for just fine but I had to dowel and redrill the posts. KILLER guitar!!

I have the s470 and the s1027. Both are incredible.

I like to hear/see you absolutely massacre the fret board like your taking a salad shooter to it, I really dig it most when you slow it down some & let the notes sing out, and give it some emotion with the whammy bar. You have a knack for finding just the right note at the right moment. But most of all keep on sharing great equipment with us.

I have a similar purple S570DXQM (MII). Absolutely love the guitar, incredibly comfortable. The ZPS system is also great, as it can make it so you can still do double-stop bends. Did swap out the pickups though.

I have an SF470TC that was made for only a couple of years in the early '90s that has the same body shape and yes it is very comfortable to play! I love it!

I had three S470's from the 90s with stop tail bridges. They are absolutely amazing guitars.

I got one with 2 humbuckers and a fixed bridge used for $159.00 with a hard case used from Guitar Center. I don’t think they realized what it was. 3 piece neck, Infinity pickups and all.

I had an Ibanez S1610 Prestige with the exact same bridge and sold it years ago when I quit music for a while. After joining my current band, I wish I'd have it back. But the S1610 was only built for a year and is really hard to find. Such incredible guitars.

Alex Skolnick from Testament used to play those S series guitars. Not sure if he does these days.

My first Ibanez was an S Series - very similar model to this one but a different colour S470B-SKB. I still have it (and have purchased a few more to keep it company!). Ibanez FTW!

Max, I have an Ibanez S570b with the ball bearing bridge, an absolute great guitar. Mine is white and found it in the used market in excellent condition for $300 with a hard shell case. Definitely one of my go-to guitars and one I’ll never part with. Super smooth tremolo.

I always wanted one since a teenager. My goal was to master a few songs before buying one but my goals changed. Years later I mastered many songs for drums and continue to master drums but guitar has been my Achilles. I even picked up bass recently (Yamaha TRBX305) and learned to play over a dozen basic modern worship songs for worship band but never guitar. I have multiple PRS SE guitars and recently helped my friend sell all his music equipment and he had this Ibanez S model 2005 in natural finish sitting in the corner of his basement for over a decade. Still had the receipt from Sam Ash in a cheap bag. He sold it to me, it is still a beauty and didn’t take long to setup. I still need to check electrical and pickups but no sign of damage. Definitely a learning curve with the zero point bridge but I do like it. So I obtained it backwards of my goal but even more disappointing is I prefer my PRS SE over this mainly I like the PRS SE necks and style more now. BUT! The tremolo on the Ibanez is superior I think and the top is gorgeous. I’ve had it my case for a few weeks while repairs are done in my apartment. I pulled out the Ibanez to check it and it is still in tune, maybe a cent of two off on one string but almost perfect in tune. Once I reset everything I hope to play it more. Now if I can only finish learning Crazy Train, Slow Dancing in a Burning Room, and a few more and not just sections I’ll feel better.

Yep. I had one, and it's one of the rare instances where I regretted selling an instrument. I especially liked the early years of the S-series like that one. They were still 22 frets back then, which I like bc the neck pickup doesn't get pushed back toward the bridge and lose that rounded sound. Also, a lot of the S-series had interesting choices for inlay, not just boring dots. (Mine had medium ovals, but my favorite run were the ones with a wavy line.) The pickups in my guitar had been upgraded already when I got it, so I can't comment on the stock sound, but I always like the overall design. It was honestly the best projection of a Strat into the future that you could ask for.

Thanks Max, or Danzig? I always wondered about those bridges. As a designer, pivoting on ball-bearings seemed like a much better design and always wondered why they aren't used on more guitars. I am about 3 months in to relearning the guitar, after a 25 year break. This model Ibanez caught my eye some time ago and I appreciate your input. I ended up getting a Spark amp. and a Schecter Sun Valley Hotrod Tele with a Sustaniac. I need to curtail my spending for a while but I think that this Ibanez will be somewhere in my future. I got one! It's got EMG upgrades with a power boost on the neck pickup. It's in amazing condition with a hardshell case, for $350 on Ebay. It even had decent shipping costs. I've seen them for $200 more, on a consistent basis, often without a case. Thanks for your video, it was the deciding factor in being determined to own one, once a good deal came along. I wish I could attach a photo. It's the golden flame maple like the center of the one in this video.

Omg this guitar is amazing!! I never knew about that bridge apart from that thing going on at the back. Can you please make a video specifically on this bridge, how to tune it, how to keep its tuning stable, how to restring, change gauge maybe, and other things about it. Thank you man!

Love the S series! Had RG's, Les Paul's and some real ESP's. Found a S540LTD in a pawn shop years ago and still have it and love it.

I have this same model in blue. Bought it brand new in 07 but it ended up sitting in a case for years a while later as I started collecting Fenders. Just a few weeks ago I set it up for 12s and tuned it to C# and it's damn near all I play lately!

My dream guitar is a s-series in moon burst.

Probably the best 200(cad) I've ever spent. Might not get as much use once my Schecter E1 FRS finally comes in but I sure like the body and trem on it!

Awesome playing man, I have had one of these for 13 years now, exactly the same model, finish and pickups, and it's easily my all time favourite guitar (which I can afford) haha :)

One of the best playing guitars I've ever touched was an early (89-91) S style with a Wizard neck. One of the few times a piece of gear made a big difference. Since then, I've been able to get my T styled guitar necks to match the fingerboard radius and profile.

Maxx, I have been waiting for you to demo this guitar. Mine is the same finish just from 2007. My .02 cents are the neck thickness compared to not only my RG550s (wizard) but even my 2007 MTM2 with the wizard ii neck just feels way fatter and more different. It's one of those guitars I say I want to get rid of but the finish keeps it in my stable. Plus I love the feel of the S series guitar bodies.. It's just the fatness of the neck that gets me. As far as the bridge, I will just say that it is different to work on than my knife edge trems. Not better, not worse, just different. Love the channel, keep up the great work and sorry for the long post! YAARRRGGGGG!!!!!!!

Huge fan of the S series and the RGA series. Super comfortable, fast and they sound killer.

i have two of the sa series ibanez guitars the are both like the one in this video very awesome guitars easy to play top quality

Awesome one Max. I've been looking for another s series I miss my 370. A friend bought it and I've been hoping to buy it back but seeing the newer series 470 etc nice trem

Nice guitar, I really love ibanez. Might give it a shot. Thanks.

You answered the question about why Ibanez quit using that bridge,”if you oil it it will last forever “

LOVE for Ibanez - great video and playing - my S's and RG's are among my favorites! Nita Strauss adopted the S model for her signature JIVA series. That bridge is the Ibanez ZR trem :) which was discontinued in 2015 due to FR lawsuits

Cool looking Ibanez. I have always liked the S series from Ibanez. Currently looking at a few 7 strings from them.

I own 2 MIJ S Series guitars. Excellent guitars. One of them being a '98 S540 LTD and the other a '92 450s. I recently snatched the '92 450s for about $145 and it's still in excellent condition. I may have been pretty lucky with that deal.

I'm a big S series fan. I really like them. I got a S770 from around 16 years old A a S305 bass in Rose Gold. Such an beautiful finish.

GAWD what a sweet guitar! 🤩 Seeing this video brings back my obsession for owning one. Seriously the most comfortable guitar I’ve ever played. 👍👍👍👍👍

I have the S 420 for many years. This Guitar is my absolutly Love.

Based on your recommendation, I bought one a few weeks ago. I love it. I have SA and S series guitars but I didn’t have a Floyd Rose. And yes the feel of the trem system is fantastic. Mine came with case in Honey Quilt for $400. Freakin gorgeous. Best Regards!

I have one from 05 and I love it and the bridge feels great.

The most important feature of the Edge Zero: It has an adjustable origin (hence the string tension adjustment on the backside). If you adjust it properly, the tremolo stays in tune forever, even if a string snaps live on stage, because the counter springs pulls the bridge back into the origin. If set up correctly, you can even tune to drop D without huge issues and you can still use the tremolo. The setup is super easy, too: On the backside, there is a block with a black cushion on it. The bridge touches the cushion and when you use the lever, you should see things moving apart. All you need to do is turn the wheel, thus changing the spring tension, until there is a gap between this cushion and the bridge. Then you turn the wheel back until it just starts to touch the cushion. Done. you can adjust this tremolo in 10 seconds without any tools. Takes me at least half an hour to properly do this on a Floyd Rose. I got an S570B and threw out the INF Humbuckers, replacing them with Seymour Duncan SH4 on the Neck and Bridge. It keeps the screaming nature of Ibanez guitars but adds a lot of body to the overall tone without losing definition. It sounds more like my ESP Eclipse and EC1000 that way. Incredible guitar. It doesn't need to hide behind my Eclipse which is over three times the price... Nice video man! And thanks for showing these underrated guitars some love!

I love my S 620 ex1. Limited edition for Guitar Center. It is just magical. My only complaint with S Series is the jack placement. I can't use my Boss wireless system with it....

best trem ever made!!!! i've been hunting for a good deal on one for over a year...they keep going up in price - in particular the ones w/ the ZR system

I have6 Ibanez guitars, and they are all amazing. I have 2 cheap $200 RGs that I payed less than $50 for each, I have 2 premium RGs that I payed less than $400 for each and I have 2 prestige models which 1 I used at $800. All are amazing.

I've had my old S-540Ltd since I bought it new new in the early 90's. It's still my favourite of the 40-odd guitars I own. Nothing shreds like it :D. I also bought a seven string S7420 with the ZR bridge when those first came out, another awesome guitar!

Bought a S670 a few years back and its a monster . Playability and tone are on par with the prestige I have. Gets plenty of play time and earned a permanent spot in my collection instantly.

I have an ibanez roadstar ii series from *checks notes* 82 or '84 - it has the pro rock'r bridge, which with springs set up correctly and a locking not and micro tuners really stays in tune extremely well considering it's such a goofy bridge....with non standard anything. Anyway, it's excellent. I found it in the trash. Yea, really. Had to pay $140 for a new bridge saddle because they are so rare but hey it's $140 for a FREE guitar. I love that thing, plays so nicely. It's a bolt on, not a neck through which I wish it was but whatever I'm happy. Had it since early 90's.

I remember Ibanez bridges wearing out around the 10 year mark. No after market parts would fit without modifying the guitar. I loved my Ibanez lp from 77. Even with a bolt on neck it sustained for days and played as well as every Gibson of the day with its low action. I swear the neck was just like a Gibson profile

i got one once. s670fm. sold it to fund a Washburn dimebag 333 blackjack in 2014. bought a S520 in 2020 because of the awesomeness.

I have this guitar and I love it so much. The only thing I can't dig completely is the width of tones captured by the pick ups, which is not rich as I would like. Apart from that, it is an absolute joy to play!

Sounded like two alley cats bumping Gambale's.

Still haven't tried that trem system, but by design it is superior because the sting height doesn't change as much as a Floyd, because of the pivot point being more in line with the intonation points, so the volume should be more even when doing dives... I hope to try it one day ;-)

I still love my ‘80’s Sabre I bought new back in the Frank Gambale days. Super thin easy to play neck

Brad Nowell of Sublime had a really nice S540 ibanez in charcoal brown/grey sunburst color w/ gold hardware. it was beautiful and the whole reason I bought a 2006 s470 in the first place. That was nice shredding bro!

Was torn between an S670 and a Jackson X series Soloist. Ended up going with the soloist, but plan on getting the S670 down the road.

I just wanted to take the time to thank you SO VERY MUCH for you review. I am a beginning guitarist and I have had it in my mind to invest in a quality-made guitar that wouldn't break my savings account, and the day after watching your review of your beautiful S470, I found a PURPLE 2010 Korean-made S470 in good condition at GC for under $500. Was immediately complimented by a gentleman in line behind me (who appeared to be an accomplished guitarist) on the purchase moments afterwards. My entry-level guitar is an Ibanez Gio GRX70 also in HSH pickup configuration and I'm very happy that the Universe led me to your review and I was able to take advantage of this find. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING!!! I have to admit that I was taken aback when the guitar tech @GC exclaimed "FUCK YEAH!" after checking it in for a proper setup!!! All the best!!!!

Awesome licks!! This guy is 'On the Max': To shred with Musicality. This channel is a Must watch for those that enjoy comfortable Gear Head Shows.

I have loved my black S470DX for maaaaany years now. I got it new back in the mid-late 90's. It's a true beast of a guitar. I just got a new Wolfgang Standard QM that I am sure I'm going to adore, (I don't have it yet.) but I will still fight you if you come for my Ibanez!!

Great sounding guitar. @Guitar Max. You probably have and i haven't found yet, made a video on how to sweep pick. Your playing is amazing and it would be cool to learn sweeping from you.

On any given day I would be crit of the Inf pickups, on one of my RG's I replaced them with some EMG hz 3's and like the change. However, this gtr sounds great and it just goes to show that it's all in the combination ( not to mention the player ! ) I also am enjoying the inf's on my 7-string (dropped them pretty low) to the point that I'm procrastinating the change to DiMarzio's. Love this video. Thx.

I envied my friend's bright yellow 540S back in 1993. Finally bought my first S Series, a secondhand S370 in Deep Violet Flat in 2018 (only $299 with nice gigbag), and it was the most comfortable guitar I'd owned up to that point -- about 10 Ibanezes in and out of the stable since 1996. I regret letting that one go, even though it only had Powersound pickups and the ILT1 licensed Floyd Rose. Upgraded the whammy bar to a Schaller Lockmeister, and it performed flawlessly. Two weeks ago I took the plunge and invested in a new S670QM in Dragon Eye Burst. Not crazy about the bridge pickup (too twangy), but it's definitely serviceable and as comfortable as my old one. It has the Edge Zero 2 trem on it, which performs very well.

I bought a used SA 160 rosewood after watching a Da Rell' Bra-oon review and man alive I fell in love. It's not all spec'd out like that one or most of the ones in the comment section but it's got the quality and reliability of Ibanez and that crazy neck. It's one of my favs. Nice vid Maxx!