Ibanez RG8870-BSR — J Custom Series Electric Guitar with Case

The Ibanez RG8870-BSR represents the zenith of Ibanez’s J Custom lineage, offering master-level craftsmanship, exotic materials, and boutique electronics. Handcrafted in Japan’s FujiGen factory, it features a Korina body capped with a bound flamed maple veneer, a three-piece S-TECH WOOD–treated roasted maple neck, bound Macassar ebony fretboard with 24 stainless-steel frets, DiMarzio True Velvet and True Single pickups with coil-splitting, Gotoh J Custom hardware, and an ultra-gloss Blue Smoky Burst finish. Accompanied by a deluxe J Custom hardshell case, the RG8870-BSR delivers professional tone, playability, and aesthetic allure.

1 | Tonewood Selection & Body Construction

At its core, the RG8870-BSR’s body is carved from premium American Korina, valued for its resonance and balanced tonal spectrum—rich lows, focused mids, and articulate highs. A hand-selected flamed maple veneer is bookmatched and bound to the top, showcasing dramatic figuring and enhancing acoustic response. The body undergoes precise CNC chambering to remove non-structural wood, yielding a comfortable weight while preserving structural integrity. Ergonomic refinements include contoured chest and forearm bevels and a sculpted belly cut, all hand-sanded to satin-smooth perfection. This meticulous process ensures the guitar not only sounds exceptional but also nests naturally against the player’s body during extended performances.

Korina’s natural sonic characteristics—warmth with clarity—combine with maple’s brightness to create a versatile foundation. The bound maple top not only elevates visual appeal but also increases harmonic complexity and sustain, resulting in a responsive instrument that adapts seamlessly from clean to high-gain applications.

2 | Neck Craftsmanship & S-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple

The RG8870-BSR’s neck is constructed from three pieces of select roasted maple, subjected to Ibanez’s proprietary S-TECH WOOD thermal treatment. This process expels internal moisture and relieves wood stresses, resulting in unprecedented stability and minimal seasonal adjustment requirements. Roasting also increases wood density, boosting sustain and resonance. The neck profile is the signature J Custom "Jumbo," featuring a comfortable compound contour that supports both full-chord voicings at the lower frets and high-velocity soloing further up the neck.

Finished in a smooth satin coat, the roasted maple neck feels instantly broken-in, with an inviting tactile response. Its visual patina—a warm amber hue—matures over time, reflecting the instrument’s history and enhancing its collectible value.

3 | Ebony Fretboard & Jumbo Stainless Frets

The bound fretboard is crafted from Macassar ebony, selected for its tight grain structure and tonal clarity. Ibanez installs 24 extra-jumbo stainless-steel frets, chosen for their hardness, corrosion resistance, and bright attack. Each fret undergoes a rigorous multi-step leveling, crowning, and polishing routine, ensuring uniform height, flawless edges, and perfect intonation across the entire board. Glow-in-the-dark abalone side-dot markers provide subtle stage visibility without overpowering the aesthetic.

4 | Electronics — DiMarzio True Velvet & True Single

The RG8870-BSR’s pickup configuration combines DiMarzio True Velvet humbuckers at the neck and bridge positions with a True Single-Soapbar in the middle. True Velvet pickups offer a lush humbucker voice with vintage clarity, while the True Single delivers articulate single-coil sparkle. Push-pull tone controls split each humbucker into single-coil mode, unlocking a vast tonal palette. A five-way blade switch provides access to all pickup combinations, while individually shielded wiring channels eliminate noise, preserving a pristine signal path.

Factory pickup heights are precisely adjusted to ensure balanced output across positions, allowing seamless transitions between thick rhythm tones, glassy cleans, and soaring leads.

5 | Hardware — Gotoh J Custom Bridge & Tuners

The Gotoh J Custom fixed bridge, featuring stainless-steel saddles and brass string ferrules, anchors the strings for maximum sustain and precise intonation. Gotoh SG501 locking tuners with an 18:1 gear ratio provide rock-solid tuning stability and facilitate rapid string changes. All hardware components are polished chrome-plated for durability and aesthetic harmony with the guitar’s ultra-gloss finish.

Specifications