Ibanez is teasing a wild new guitar – here’s everything we know

From its wild, unique body shape to its high-end specs, one of 2026's most exciting guitars might be dropping early

In an era where social media leaves little room for mystery, keeping new gear under wraps has become almost impossible. Ibanez is the latest brand to feel the heat, after what appears to be a prototype for an all-new electric guitar design surfaced online — and, predictably, it’s sent the internet into speculation mode.

Of course, the reality could be the opposite – is Ibanez willingly letting the guitar leak? Do they want it to creep into the limelight and get tongues wagging? Either way, proof that this guitar’s existence is out there, and it looks like there’s a lot to get excited about.

Here’s everything we know so far…

Fit for a King

The first time I spotted the guitar online was from the below Facebook post made by Clayton King, who is a seriously good guitar, if you don’t know him.  

It’s a wide-angle shot showing off the Ibanez artist’s current roster. It’s fourth from the top, nestling amongst a score of pretty sick-looking RG models. It’s rather sneaky.

So, what info can we prize from the model? Well, right off the bat, there's the wild body shape, which has whiffs of the Abasi Concepts silhouette, and that of the Music Man Kaizen, too, especially with the treble-side horn, and the overarching angularity of the thing. The fact that both of those guitars have ties to Tosin Abasi isn't lost on me, either.

Beyond that, there are fanned frets, what look to be almost certainly chrome-covered Fishman pickups, and two on-board knobs with a pickup selector in the middle. There’s also a fixed bridge and, big news for the extended range guitar stans out there, it's a seven-string. It rocks the near-symmetrical headstock that Ibanez ERGs tend to have, with a 4/3 tuning peg ratio.

Pressed for more about the mystery guitar in the comments section, King says, “I wish I could say more, but I can say that it is very, very sick.”

Now, I have a working relationship with King, so I snuck into my DMs, but he's keeping the secret safe. But what I can say is that the guitar has left him mightily impressed by it.

Spotted in Melbourne

It seems there are a few of these guitars dotted around the globe, because Japanese guitar maverick Ichika Nito has posted a video of himself playing one on the streets of downtown Melbourne on his Instagram. It's definitely the same guitar, its shape leaves no doubt, but it does have a different colourway – it's got a deeper blue finish compared to the icy, metallic blue/grey of King's model.

But that's not all. This one looks to be an eight-string. So, is Ibanez aiming this guitar solely – or at least predominantly – at extended range players?

Going through the comments section, there are some more interesting things to note. One user claims the guitar is a signature model for an artist they do not name. Once more, Tosin Abasi's name springs to mind. He had a working relationship with Ibanez that spanned nearly a decade and only ended when he established Abasi Concepts, the start of his gear empire, in 2017. So, could this be a beautiful reunion/love story?

Or is the guitar for someone else, and all the seeming links to Abasi just a coincidence or red herring?

Coming soon?

Further snooping in the comments section of Nito’s post offers more clues about the guitar’s impending launch. Dawn of Victory guitarist Justin Hombach also says he has one, hinting that we'll learn more in January, while calling it a “shred machine.”

Another user also mentions that Bloodywood guitarist and Ibanez endorsee Karan Katiyar has also been spotted playing one live. It is a seven-string in a black finish.

The more research I do, the more it seems that Ibanez is happy for this guitar to be out there, piquing the interest of guitarists aplenty. Looking at those who have been given an early model, Nito aside, also points towards this being a very metal-minded guitar.

Granted, it’s an Ibanez, so that’s not breaking news. They do jazzy archtops and the like, but metal players have, and always will be, Ibanez’s core audience.

And remember: NAMM is in January. We almost certainly won’t have to wait much longer to learn more. I’ve also heard that its price is pretty accessible – Herman Li’s PRS it is not.

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