RG421EX (2015–2023)

For the more recent model with the same name, see RG421EX.

RG421EX Black Flat (more images)

The RG421EX is an RG series solid body electric guitar model introduced by Ibanez for 2015. It was manufactured in Indonesia.

The RG421EX features a mahogany body with black and white multi binding attached to a maple Wizard III neck with a 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with binding and white dot position markers. Components include a pair of Ibanez Quantum humbucking pickups mounted in pickup rings, a fixed bridge, and die-cast tuning machines.

For 2018 the rosewood fretboard was replaced with jatoba. For 2019 the mahogany body was replaced with meranti. For 2020 the bridge was replaced with the F106. Two additional finishes showed up in 2020, Iron Pewter Matte and BPI (it's not clear what this finish code stands for); these were described as "prototype" finishes. For 2021 the RG421EX was introduced in the USA for the first time with a Transparent Crimson Fade Metallic finish exclusive to that market.

The RG421 is a similar model which lacks the body and fretboard binding and has cosmo black hardware.

The RG421EXL is a left-handed version. The RG420EX is a similar model with tremolo bridge.

This RG421EX was discontinued after 2023 and replaced with a new model with the same name which has direct-mounted pickups and a different output jack.

Specifications

Related content: RG series |

Specifications for RG421EX

Model name: RG421EX Year(s) offered: 2015–2023 Sold in: Americas & Oceania / Asia & Africa / China / Europe / Japan / USA 2021–2023 Made in: Indonesia Price: MSRP: JP¥ 50,000 (2016–2022) / JP¥ 55,000 (2022–2023) • SMAP: €319 (2015) / €365 (2021) / JP¥ 39,800 (2022) / €399 (2022) / €409 (2023) Finish(es): Black Flat (BKF) / (BPI) 2020; Japan only / Iron Pewter Matte (IPM) 2020; Japan only / Transparent Crimson Fade Metallic (TCM) 2021–2023; USA only
Body Body type: Solid body Body material: 2015–2018: Mahogany w/ binding 2019–2023: Meranti w/ binding Neck joint: AANJ Bridge: 2015–2019: Fixed bridge 2020–2023: F106 fixed (10.5mm string spacing) Knob style: Knurled metal dome Hardware color: Black	Neck Neck type: Wizard III Neck material: 1-piece maple Scale length: 648mm/ 25½" Fingerboard material: 2015–2017: Rosewood w/ binding 2018–2023: Jatoba w/ binding Fingerboard inlays: White dot Frets: 24 / jumbo nickel silver Nut: Black plastic (43mm) Machine heads: Ibanez die-cast	Electronics/ Strings Pickup configuration: HH Bridge pickup: Ibanez Quantum (H) passive/ ceramic Neck pickup: Ibanez Quantum (H) passive/ ceramic Controls: Master volume / master tone / 5-way lever pickup selector Output jack: ¼" mono (side mounted) String gauge (factory): .010/.013/.017/.026/.036/.046 (D'Addario EXL110) Factory tuning: 1E,2B,3G,4D,5A,6E (E Std.)

About this table

Images

Other finishes

BPI

Iron Pewter Matte

Transparent Crimson Fade Metallic

Additional details

Rear of body

Pickup switching

Controls layout

Sources

• 2015 Europe catalog (p. 18)
• RG421EX product page, Ibanez Europe, archived June 2016
• RG421EX product page, Ibanez Europe, archived November 2017
• 2017 Europe catalog (p. 20)
• 2018 Europe catalog (p. 19)
• RG421EX product page, Ibanez Asia, archived January 2018
• RG421EX product page, Ibanez Europe, archived January 2019
• RG421EX product page, Ibanez Americas & Oceania, archived January 2020
• RG421EX IPM product listing, Guitar Selection/ Shimamura Gakki (Japan retailer), archived September 2022
• RG421EX product page, Ibanez USA, archived January 2021
• RG421EX product page, Ibanez Japan, archived May 2022
• RG421EX product page, Ibanez Japan, archived January 2023
• RG421EX product page, Ibanez Asia & Africa, archived January 2023
• RG421EX product page, Ibanez USA, archived January 2023