Ibanez RG8520 J-Custom, Sodalite

Full Description

Elite Japanese craftsmanship

The Ibanez RG8520 J-Custom is hand-built in Japan by Ibanez’s top luthiers, delivering exceptional build quality and attention to detail. As part of the prestigious J-Custom series, it represents the absolute pinnacle of what Ibanez offers, from the beautifully sculpted contours to the flawless finish work. The fit and finish are second to none, with every curve, edge, and joint expertly executed. This level of craftsmanship not only gives the guitar a premium look and feel but also ensures excellent durability and long-term reliability.

Speed-focused Super Wizard neck

At the core of the RG8520 is the Super Wizard 5-piece maple and wenge neck. This ultra-thin profile is built for speed and precision, letting you fret effortlessly and unleash lead lines with ease. The neck is finished with Ibanez’s Velvetouch treatment, creating a satin-like surface that makes for a familiar feel from the first time you pick it up. Jumbo frets are treated with Ibanez’s signature j.custom fret edge finishing, offering smooth transitions between positions without any sharp edges or resistance. Combined with the All Access Neck Joint, this neck makes upper fret solos and fast runs feel completely unhindered.

DiMarzio pickups with tonal flexibility

The RG8520 is loaded with a DiMarzio Air Norton in the neck and a Tone Zone in the bridge, both passive pickups with Alnico magnets that deliver exceptional tonal range. These pickups strike a balance between high output and dynamic response, offering thick lows, biting highs, and plenty of harmonic detail. A coil-tap switch adds extra versatility, allowing you to split the coils and access crisp single-coil tones instantly. You can easily switch between modern metal aggression, vintage-inspired crunch, or clean and sparkling tones.

Premium tonewoods and pro hardware

The RG8520 pairs a 4mm AAA flamed maple top with a rich African mahogany body, giving you a strong tonal foundation with stunning visual flair. The maple adds brightness and clear articulation, while the mahogany enhances warmth and sustain. A bound Macassar ebony fretboard enhances articulation and provides a sleek, responsive surface. The Lo-Pro Edge tremolo offers smooth pitch modulation and excellent tuning stability, with recessed fine tuners and locking studs designed for serious performance. Gotoh tuners and strap lock pins round out a hardware package that’s as reliable on stage as it is in the studio.

Specifications

• Product Name: Ibanez RG8520 J-Custom, Sodalite
• Product Code: RG8520-SDE

Body

• Top: AAA flamed maple (4mm)
• Body: African mahogany

Neck & Fretboard

• Neck Type: RG j.custom Super Wizard 5pc maple/wenge
• Fretboard: Bound Macassar ebony with Tree of Life inlay
• Frets: 24 jumbo frets with j.custom fret edge treatment
• Neck Finish: Velvetouch
• Nut: Locking nut
• Scale Length: 648mm

Hardware & Electronics

• Bridge: Lo-Pro Edge tremolo with recessed fine tuners and locking studs
• String Spacing: 10.8mm
• Neck Pickup: DiMarzio® Air Norton™ (H, passive/Alnico)
• Bridge Pickup: DiMarzio® The Tone Zone® (H, passive/Alnico)
• Controls: 1 volume, 1 tone, 5-way selector switch, coil-tap switch
• Machine Heads: Gotoh®
• Strap Pins: Gotoh® strap lock pins
• Hardware Colour: Cosmo Black
• Factory Tuning: 1E, 2B, 3G, 4D, 5A, 6E
• Strings: D'Addario® EXL120 (.009/.011/.016/.024/.032/.042)