Ibanez has just dropped their new 2026 range featuring over 100 new models and colour variations.
However, easily the most exciting of these new releases are the brand-new Alpha 7 & 8 String guitars and the new Mode basses. Noisegate takes a deep dive into these two product lines as well as some choice selections from the 2026 collection.
Ibanez Alpha Series: A New Era for Modern Metal
Ibanez has unleashed a brand-new range for 2026, and it’s aimed squarely at the modern metal guitarist. The Alpha Series is not just another addition to the Ibanez lineup—it’s a bold reimagining of what extended-range guitars can offer. With two models—the A527 (7-string) and A528 (8-string)—this series is designed for players who demand precision, power, and versatility.
Fishman Fluence Power at the Core
The heart of the Alpha Series lies in its electronics. Both models come loaded with Fishman® Fluence™ Modern Humbuckers—Alnico in the neck and Ceramic in the bridge—delivering crushing aggression and pristine clarity without the noise. These pickups are paired with a Fluence Voicing switch, giving you instant access to two distinct tonal worlds:
- Voice 1: A modern, high-output active sound for tight, articulate riffs.
- Voice 2: A crisp, fluid clean tone that retains definition even under heavy effects.
For metal players who need versatility without compromise, this setup is a game-changer.
Built for Speed and Comfort
The Alpha Series isn’t just about tone—it’s about playability. Both the A527 and A528 feature the Parallel Wizard AS 5-piece Maple/Walnut neck, with an asymmetric profile that feels natural and fast. Combined with an Ebony fretboard and jumbo stainless-steel frets, these guitars deliver smooth, effortless performance for complex techniques like sweeping and tapping.
Ergonomics are front and centre:
- Elbow and rear body contours for comfort and better fretboard visibility.
- Flat lower edge for stability when playing seated.
- Luminescent side dots for dark stage environments.
Hardware That Works as Hard as You Do
Tuning stability comes courtesy of Gotoh® MG-T locking machine heads, while the Mono-rail G2 bridge ensures precise string isolation and resonance transfer—perfect for extended-range clarity. The rear-mounted output jack is smartly positioned to stay out of your way, no matter how you play.
Two Models, Infinite Possibilities
Alpha A527: 7-string versatility for players who want extended range without going full eight.
Alpha A528: 8-string power for those exploring the deepest riffs and complex chord voicings.
Both models include an Ibanez gig bag for protection on the move.
The Ibanez Alpha Series is more than a new guitar—it’s a statement. For modern metal players looking for cutting-edge design, ergonomic comfort, and the unrivalled tonal flexibility of Fishman Fluence pickups, the Alpha A527 and A528 are ready to lead the charge.
Ibanez Mode Bass Series: Vintage Soul Meets Modern Power
Pushing the limits. That’s the philosophy behind Ibanez’s all-new Mode Bass Series—a lineup that blends classic aesthetics with cutting-edge performance for today’s bass players. Designed for comfort, versatility, and tonal authority, the Mode Series offers lightweight, perfectly balanced bodies and sleek ergonomics that make long sessions and live gigs effortless. This isn’t just a bass—it’s an instrument built to inspire.
Three Distinct Ranges for Every Player
The Mode Series is divided into three unique ranges, each tailored to different tonal goals and playing styles.
The Mode 1000 Series features Alder bodies paired with rosewood fingerboards, delivering a warm, classic feel that sits beautifully in any mix.
For players who crave punch and clarity, the Mode 1300 Series offers Ash bodies combined with roasted maple fingerboards, producing a snappy attack and articulate highs—perfect for funk, fusion, and progressive genres.
At the top of the lineup, the Mode 1600 Series combines Poplar Burl tops with Alder bodies and rosewood fingerboards, finished in bold, contemporary colours for those who want striking looks and rich, complex tone.
Core Features Across All Models
Every Mode bass shares a foundation of premium components and thoughtful design, ensuring consistency across the range. At the heart of each instrument is a roasted maple neck, heat-treated for superior stability, durability, and resistance to temperature changes. This is paired with medium stainless-steel frets, which provide smooth playability and long-lasting performance.
For electronics, Ibanez equips the Mode Series with Delta SJ pickups, delivering crisp highs, punchy mids, and tight, powerful lows—ideal for both live and studio settings. These work in tandem with the Ibanez Sonitech S Preamp, a versatile 3-band EQ system featuring two selectable mid-frequency banks and a passive tone control. Players can further shape their tone using the EQ bypass switch (push/pull) and the Hexa Mid system, which offers six distinct mid-frequency points for ultimate flexibility.
Hardware is equally impressive. The Ibanez Aero-light machine heads, crafted from “Extra Super Duralumin,” reduce headstock weight for perfect balance and fatigue-free playing. The MR5S bridge provides adjustable saddles for variable string spacing by ±1.5mm, catering to every bassist’s personal preference. Practical touches include luminescent side dots for easy navigation on dark stages and the Super All Access Neck Joint, which ensures smooth upper-fret access for advanced playability. Every Mode bass also comes with a custom Ibanez gig bag, designed for protection and portability.
The Modern Bass Redefined
The Ibanez Mode Series is more than a collection of instruments—it’s a statement of intent. By combining vintage-inspired soul with forward-thinking design, Ibanez has created a bass that meets the demands of contemporary players without sacrificing character. Whether you choose the classic vibe of the 1000 Series, the punchy precision of the 1300 Series, or the bold aesthetics of the 1600 Series, the Mode Series delivers uncompromising tone, comfort, and versatility.
Some of our selected favourites from the new range
AZ2204AG – TFB Tri Fade Burst (TFB) / (TGB) Transparent Grey Burst
- AZ Oval C S-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple neck
- 22 frets
- Ash body
- S-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple fretboard w/Black dot inlay
- Jumbo Stainless Steel frets w/Prestige fret edge treatment
- Bone nut
- Seymour Duncan® Hyperion™ (S) neck pickup
- Seymour Duncan® Hyperion™ (S) middle pickup
- Seymour Duncan® Hyperion™ (H) bridge pickup
- dyna-MIX9 switching system w/Alter Switch
- Gotoh® T1802 tremolo bridge
- Gold hardware
- Gotoh® Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P.
- Luminlay side dots
- Hardshell case included
- Recommended bag: IGB724-BK
ASH300- Tobacco Brown (TBC)
- AS Artstar 3pc Nyatoh/Maple set-in neck
- 22 frets
- Solid Spruce top/Flamed Maple back & sides
- Bound Macassar Ebony fretboard w/White dot inlay
- Medium frets w/Artstar fret edge treatment
- Half-Bone/Half-Brass nut
- Max body thickness: 2 5/8”/Width at lower bout: 15 3/4”
- Super 58 (H) neck pickup
- Super 58 (H) bridge pickup
- Tri-sound switch
- Gibraltar Artist bridge
- VT14 tailpiece w/ASH wood cover
- Gold hardware
- Hardshell case included
- Recommended bag: IHB541-BK
SR1320SB (4 String) & SR1325SB (5 String) –Aqua Wave Low Gloss (AVL) / Icebreaker Wave Flat (IVF)
- Atlas-4/5 5pc Panga Panga/Purpleheart neck w/KTS™ TITANIUM rods
- Sandblasted Ash top/African Mahogany body
- Bound Panga Panga fretboard w/Abalone oval inlay
- Medium frets w/Premium fret edge treatment
- Graph Tech® BLACK TUSQ XL® nut
- Nordstrand™ Big Break neck pickup
- Nordstrand™ Big Break bridge pickup
- Ibanez Custom Electronics 3-band EQ
- EQ bypass switch (passive tone control on treble pot)
- 3-way Mid frequency switch
- MR5S bridge (4 String – 19mm string spacing, 5 String – 16.5mm string spacing)
- Black hardware
- Gig bag included
- Recommended case: MRB500C
AEWC16QA –Transparent Black Burst (TKH) / Transparent Emerald Burst (THE) / Transparent Blue Burst (TLH)
- AEWC body
- 634mm/25” scale
- Quilted Maple Art Grain (Basswood) top
- Sapele back & sides
- High gloss top
- Natural high gloss back/sides
- Comfort Grip Nyatoh neck (satin finish)
- Rosewood fretboard & Rosewood AEWC original top loading bridge
- Chrome Die-cast tuners (18:1 gear ratio)
- Ibanez Undersaddle pickup
- Ibanez AEQ-2T preamp w/Onboard tuner
- Ibanez IACS6C coated strings
- Recommended bag: ICB540-BK
More Info here: https://ibanez.au/2026
