Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Sly and Survivor
  • In My Life
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • One chord Diamond
  1. Guitars

In pictures: Ibanez RG9 unboxed

News
By Michael Brown ( Total Guitar ) published 16 October 2014

The nine-string beast outta the box

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Ibanez RG9

Ibanez RG9

Back at Winter NAMM 2013, audiences were freaking out at the sight of the Ibanez RG9 – why? Because it has nine strings, that's why.

We've had one of these behemoths for a while, so we thought we'd share a closer look with you – for even more info, check out our 90-second video demo below.

For the full review of the Ibanez RG9, check out Total Guitar issue 259.

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices, Kindle Fire and Android

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Ibanez RG9

Ibanez RG9

There it be: a none-more-black riffing machine

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices, Kindle Fire and Android

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
Ibanez RG9

Ibanez RG9

The RG9 is tuned C# F# B E A D G B E, with string gauges starting at 0.009 inches for the high E, down to a 0.090 for the C#

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices, Kindle Fire and Android

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
Ibanez RG9

Ibanez RG9

A pair of QM-9 humbuckers provide the tonal firepower, and offer a host of tones via the five-way pickup selector

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices, Kindle Fire and Android

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
Ibanez RG9

Ibanez RG9

With a 712mm (28inch) scale length and 950mm radius, the RG9's rosewood fingerboard is certainly a handful

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices, Kindle Fire and Android

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
Ibanez RG9

Ibanez RG9

To handle the tension exerted by those nine strings, the RG9's maple/bubinga neck is supported by two titanium rods, with a pair of truss rods for neck adjustments

Get Total Guitar for iOS devices, Kindle Fire and Android

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Michael Brown
Michael Brown
Social Links Navigation

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as a decade-and-a-half performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.

Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition. image
Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition.
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
Latest in Guitars
A CGI guitarist on stage
“Fans still love these games. Just start by making a guitar”: There’s a sequel to Guitar Hero on the way
 
 
Deals of the week logo
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $140 off a Yamaha Stage Custom, $200 off a Fender Tele, and hundreds off PA and live gear
 
 
Robben Ford [left] wears a dark suit jacket and v-neck t-shirt as he plays a blonde Telecaster onstage. Photographed in 1975, Joni Mitchell [right] plays her Martin dreadnought live onstage at Wembley Stadium.
Robben Ford reveals the Joni Mitchell tone tricks that helped him nail his guitar sound in the studio
 
 
Gibson Mark Ronson Les Paul Custom
Gibson unveils Murphy Lab replica of Mick Ronson’s Bowie-era 1968 Les Paul Custom
 
 
Harley Benton ST-Modern Carlos Asensio
“An absolute steal when it comes to quality and value for money”: Harley Benton ST-Modern Carlos Asensio CGM review
 
 
Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of Rush perform live in 2015.
Geddy Lee on honouring Neil Peart and why he and Alex Lifeson are getting back together as Rush
 
 
Latest in News
American singer-songwriter and pianist Neil Sedaka, 13th April 1973. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)
“An inspiration to millions and an incredible human being who will be deeply missed”: Neil Sedaka has died, aged 86
 
 
dawesome
Dawesome's Love 2 granular multi-effects plugin promises "instant beauty for any sound"
 
 
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 01: Ravyn Lenae performs onstage during Lollapalooza at Grant Park on August 01, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joshua Applegate/WireImage)
How a warped sample and some Anderson .Paak magic helped Ravyn Lenae to create Love Me Not, her viral hit
 
 
Close-up of a gorilla mask
“Definitely one of the biggest highlights of my career”: The Cadburys ad gorilla remembers his “dream job”
 
 
Thomann compo poster - a man, woman and child playing music
Thomann are on the look out for customers of theirs whose stories “move people and spark inspiration”
 
 
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 31: Laufey performs onstage during the 68th GRAMMY Awards Pre-GRAMMY Gala & GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Avery Lipman & Monte Lipman on January 31, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
In an era of loudness, Laufey is flying the flag for "the lost art of dynamics"
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...