Ibanez Launching 7-String Multi-Scale Iceman Guitar
Ibanez launches a 7-string multi-scale Iceman with Fishman Fluence pickups, ebony fretboard, and extended 27.2" bass scale for modern metal.
Designed for modern metal guitarists, Ibanez has officially taken one of its most radically recognizable body shapes into extended-range territory with the launch of the Ibanez Axe Design Lab Iceman 7-string Multi-scale.
Finished in a striking Iron Pewter, this highly anticipated release bridges the gap between classic radical aesthetics and the hyper-exacting demands of modern, down-tuned technical playing.
Engineered for Extended-Range Metal
Few body shapes possess the instant visual authority of the Ibanez Iceman, but the Axe Design Lab didn't just slap an extra string on a classic. Built around a lightweight, resonant okoume body, this 7-string beast delivers a bright, solid timbre with massive natural sustain—noticeable even before plugging into an amp.
The crowning feature of the new Iceman is its multi-scale fretboard. Multi-scale frets have become a vital trend in extended-range guitar design, complementing the natural angle of a player's fretting hand. The new Iceman scales from a staggering 27.2 inches on the low B string down to a standard 25.5 inches on the treble side.
This hybrid construction is perfect for intonation and tone. The extended bass scale adds incredible muscle, punch, and higher tension to the low strings, eradicating "flubby" low-end while down-tuning. Conversely, the treble strings retain a familiar scale length, ensuring that traditional bending and single-string soloing feel perfectly natural under the fingers.
The Ultra-Fast Wizard II-7 Neck
Ibanez has long been synonymous with fast necks, and the Axe Design Lab Iceman is no exception. It sports a 5-piece maple-and-walnut Wizard II-7 neck, engineered for speed and stability.
Described as an absolute pleasure to play, the slim, super-comfortable profile allows players to effortlessly execute lightning-fast runs, complex arpeggios, and demanding hammer-ons without sacrificing the substance needed for heavy chording.
Capping the neck is a premium 24-fret ebony fretboard loaded with jumbo frets, creating an open canvas tailor-made for aggressive note bends and technical riffing. For dark stages, Ibanez has thoughtfully included luminescent side dots alongside white stepped offset dot inlays.
Massive Tones with Fishman Fluence Moderns
To ensure the 7-string Iceman sounds as aggressive as it looks, Ibanez has equipped it with two highly coveted Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic humbuckers. Known for delivering a massive range of high-gain tones with zero added noise, these pickups offer unparalleled articulation for complex metal chords.
Furthermore, the electronics feature a multi-voice design. A push-pull switch cleverly integrated into the master volume control lets players toggle between two distinct voices for each pickup:
- Voice 1: A modern active pickup tone featuring tight bass, crisp highs, and a distinct, aggressive growl.
- Voice 2: A searing, high-output humbucker tone meticulously voiced for heavy distortion and saturation.
A standard 3-way toggle switch handles the neck and bridge pickup selection, offering a streamlined but highly versatile control layout.
Premium Hardware for the Working Musician
Rounding out this premium build is top-tier hardware designed for tuning stability and sustain. The guitar utilizes a Mono-rail G2 single-string bridge, which isolates each string to optimize vibration transfer and sustain across the okoume body.
Up at the headstock, a set of Gotoh MG-T locking machine heads ensures tuning stability remains rock-solid while making stage-side string changes fast and effortless.
The Axe Design Lab Iceman proves that Ibanez is still pushing boundaries, successfully bringing one of their boldest, most vintage-inspired shapes into the cutting-edge world of extended-range metal.
Key Specifications at a Glance:
- Model: Ibanez Axe Design Lab Iceman 7-string Multi-scale
- Finish: Iron Pewter
- Body Wood: Okoume
- Neck: 5-piece Maple/Walnut Wizard II-7
- Scale Length: Multi-scale (27.2" Bass side / 25.5" Treble side)
- Fingerboard: Ebony, 24 Jumbo Frets
- Pickups: 2x Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic Humbuckers (Multi-voice)
- Bridge: Mono-rail G2
- Tuners: Gotoh MG-T Locking Machine Heads
One to watch out for this year, and hopefully the specifications all add up to a well-designed modern 7-string. On paper, these look good, but we will have to wait and see what players have to say once they get their hands on them.
They are currently available to preorder at dealers worldwide.
- +Extended 27.2-inch bass scale eliminates flubby low-end on down-tuned strings
- +Fishman Fluence Modern pickups deliver high-gain tones with zero noise and dual voice switching
- +Ultra-fast Wizard II-7 neck with comfortable profile suited for technical metal playing
- +Premium ebony fretboard with jumbo frets optimized for aggressive bends and riffing
- +Mono-rail G2 bridge isolates strings for enhanced sustain
- +Gotoh locking tuners ensure rock-solid tuning stability
What makes the multi-scale fretboard on this Iceman different?
The multi-scale design ranges from 27.2 inches on the low B string to 25.5 inches on the treble side. This extended bass scale adds tension and muscle to down-tuned strings while eliminating flubby low-end, while the familiar treble scale length preserves natural bending and single-string soloing feel.
What pickups does the 7-string Iceman use?
The guitar features two Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic humbuckers with a multi-voice design. A push-pull switch lets players toggle between Voice 1 (tight bass, crisp highs, aggressive growl) and Voice 2 (high-output humbucker tone for heavy distortion and saturation).
What are the key hardware specs?
The Iceman includes a Mono-rail G2 single-string bridge for optimized sustain and vibration transfer, plus Gotoh MG-T locking machine heads at the headstock for reliable tuning stability and fast string changes.
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