The Ibanez PGM50 Paul Gilbert Signature in Black combines unmistakable PGM styling with a versatile HSH pickup layout and the straightforward stability of a fixed bridge.

Built around an American basswood body and a five-piece maple/walnut neck, the PGM50 uses a rosewood fingerboard, 25.5" scale and 22 medium frets. Its electronics pair DiMarzio Air Classic humbuckers with a dedicated DiMarzio PGM single-coil, giving it considerably more tonal range than its stripped-back single-volume control layout might suggest.

Finished in Black with contrasting gold hardware and Paul Gilbert's trademark painted f-hole graphics, this Pre-Owned example is offered in Excellent condition and includes an Ibanez gigbag.

At A Glance

Pre-Owned Condition Report

Excellent Condition

This Ibanez PGM50 Paul Gilbert Signature is offered in Excellent condition.

Excellent condition reflects a carefully owned Pre-Owned instrument showing only very light evidence of previous use while remaining particularly well presented and ready for regular stage, studio or home use.

No faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this listing.

What’s Included?

✔ Ibanez PGM50 Paul Gilbert Signature Black
✔ Ibanez Gigbag

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

This PGM50 has been graded Excellent, making it a strong option for players looking for a clean Pre-Owned example of Paul Gilbert's full-size PGM signature design.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This Pre-Owned Ibanez PGM50 has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before sale.

Our checks include:

• All three pickups tested
• Five-way pickup selector checked
• Master volume control tested
• Output socket checked
• Frets inspected
• Rosewood fingerboard assessed
• Neck condition checked
• Gotoh locking tuners inspected
• F106 bridge checked
• Hardware assessed
• Tuning stability checked
• Overall playability assessed
• Ibanez gigbag checked for basic usability

Service / Setup Work

All Pre-Owned electric guitars at Fair Deal Music are set up and checked before leaving the shop.

Our assessment includes action, neck relief, fret condition, intonation, tuning stability, electronics, pickup output, bridge setup, hardware and overall playability.

Please note that guitar setup can shift slightly during delivery because changes in temperature and humidity can naturally affect wooden instruments in transit.

Why Choose The Ibanez PGM50?

DiMarzio HSH Versatility

A pair of DiMarzio Air Classic humbuckers surrounds a dedicated PGM single-coil, giving the guitar powerful neck and bridge sounds alongside brighter intermediate combinations.

Fixed-Bridge Simplicity

The F106 bridge provides individual saddle adjustment without the balancing and locking procedures associated with a floating tremolo. This makes string changes and alternate tunings considerably more straightforward.

Five-Piece PGM Neck

The maple/walnut neck combines a performance-focused Ibanez feel with a 25.5" scale and relatively flat 400mm fingerboard radius, making it well suited to accurate picking, bends and technical lead work.

Gotoh Locking Tuners

Gotoh MG-T locking machines simplify restringing and provide a secure tuning platform, particularly useful on a performance guitar designed for regular use.

Unmistakable Paul Gilbert Styling

The painted f-hole graphics, Black finish and gold hardware give the PGM50 an identity that is immediately recognisable without relying on elaborate controls or decorative hardware.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Ibanez PGM50 vs Ibanez PGM1000T

The PGM1000T is better suited to players wanting a tremolo-equipped high-end PGM, while the PGM50 is the simpler option for players who prioritise fixed-bridge stability and easy maintenance.

Ibanez PGM50 vs Ibanez RG

A conventional RG offers a huge choice of bridge and pickup configurations, whereas the PGM50 adds Paul Gilbert-specific styling, carefully chosen DiMarzio electronics and a deliberately minimal control layout.

Ibanez PGM50 vs Ibanez AZ

The AZ family leans towards contemporary versatility and different neck ergonomics, while the PGM50 retains the sharper high-performance feel associated with the PGM and RG design family.

Ibanez PGM50 vs Ibanez FRM Fireman

Both belong to Paul Gilbert's Ibanez signature range, but the Fireman uses a radically different body format and shorter-scale feel. The PGM50 is the more familiar choice for players coming from RG-style instruments.

Who Is It For?

Rock And Hard-Rock Guitarists

The Air Classic humbuckers provide plenty of body for driven rhythm and lead sounds without pushing into excessively compressed high-output territory.

Technical Lead Players

A relatively flat fingerboard, 25.5" scale and straightforward fixed bridge provide a stable platform for fast picking, legato and precise lead playing.

Blues-Rock And Fusion Players

The vintage-influenced Air Classic pickups give the PGM50 enough dynamic range for lower-gain playing as well as saturated rock tones.

Studio Guitarists

The HSH layout provides enough tonal variety to cover contrasting clean, rhythm and lead parts without changing guitars.

Paul Gilbert Fans

This is a genuine Paul Gilbert signature model incorporating the distinctive PGM styling and performance-focused approach developed through his longstanding relationship with Ibanez.

Suitable Genres And Uses

• Rock
• Hard rock
• Blues rock
• Fusion
• Progressive rock
• Instrumental guitar
• Pop rock
• Shred
• Lead guitar
• Rhythm guitar
• Studio recording
• Rehearsals
• Live performance
• Pedalboard rigs
• Amp modelling setups

Why Choose A Fixed-Bridge HSH Guitar?

An HSH pickup layout combines the weight and sustain of humbuckers at the neck and bridge with the brighter character of a middle single-coil. Combined selector positions broaden the available sounds further, making the format particularly useful for players who need both powerful rock tones and clearer rhythm or clean sounds.

The fixed bridge also keeps the mechanical side of the instrument straightforward. String changes, alternative tunings and setup adjustments are easier than on a floating double-locking tremolo, making the PGM50 particularly practical as a working stage or studio guitar.

Looking for advice on choosing the right Ibanez Paul Gilbert signature guitar, HSH electric guitar or Pre-Owned Ibanez? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context: Ibanez PGM50 Paul Gilbert Signature

Paul Gilbert's relationship with Ibanez stretches back decades and has produced one of the company's most recognisable signature families. The original PGM concept became closely associated with his technically demanding playing in Racer X, Mr. Big and his solo career.

The painted f-hole motif became one of the defining visual features of Gilbert's PGM guitars, creating an instantly recognisable identity without altering the practical solid-body construction underneath.

Ibanez introduced the PGM50 in 2023 as a new full-size interpretation of the PGM formula. It combines the familiar body treatment with a fixed F106 bridge, Gotoh locking tuners and a DiMarzio HSH layout rather than simply recreating one older PGM specification.

An especially interesting feature is the choice of Air Classic humbuckers. Rather than using very high-output pickups simply because the guitar is associated with technical rock playing, the PGM50 uses a more vintage-influenced humbucker voice, helping make the instrument considerably more versatile than a dedicated shred guitar.

Technical Specifications

Power Requirements

No battery or external power supply is required for the PGM50's passive electronics.

Connect the guitar to a suitable amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or recording interface using a standard 1/4" instrument cable.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Buying Pre-Owned can be an excellent way to access a high-specification signature guitar while making your budget go further.

The PGM50 is especially appealing because its unusual visual identity is backed up by genuinely useful hardware and electronics, making it suitable as a working instrument rather than simply an artist collectable.

At Fair Deal Music, our Pre-Owned guitars are individually checked and assessed before sale, helping customers buy with greater confidence.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Ibanez PGM50 Paul Gilbert Signature Black is a strong choice for players who want fast Ibanez ergonomics without the maintenance associated with a floating tremolo.

Its DiMarzio HSH electronics give it more range than the minimalist controls initially suggest, while the F106 bridge, Gotoh locking tuners and unmistakable PGM styling make it practical, distinctive and stage-ready.

Best suited for: Rock, hard rock, fusion and technically focused players who want a versatile fixed-bridge guitar.

Customers usually upgrade from: Ibanez RG Standard models, more affordable Superstrats and entry-to-mid-level HSH guitars.

Most commonly paired with: High-gain or modelling amplifiers, overdrive, distortion, compressor, delay and modulation effects.

Our tip: Explore the lower-gain side of the Air Classic pickups as well as heavier tones. The PGM50 is much more versatile than its shred-oriented appearance suggests.

Showroom feedback: The fixed bridge and single-volume layout make the PGM50 refreshingly direct, while the HSH electronics provide enough variety for considerably more than Paul Gilbert-style lead playing.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

From our Birmingham showroom, our knowledgeable musician-led team helps players find the right equipment whether they're purchasing their first serious guitar, upgrading an existing setup or searching for something distinctive within the Pre-Owned market.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
• Carefully checked new and Pre-Owned musical equipment
• Competitive prices on leading music brands
• Secure UK-wide delivery
• Friendly support before and after your purchase
• A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the PGM50 only suitable for shred guitar?

No. The Air Classic humbuckers use a more vintage-influenced voice than many dedicated high-output rock pickups, giving the guitar plenty of scope for blues rock, fusion, cleaner sounds and conventional rhythm work.

Does the PGM50 have a tremolo?

No. It uses an F106 fixed bridge, making it a particularly good option for players who prefer straightforward tuning stability and easier setup adjustments.

What do the five pickup positions provide?

The outer positions select the full neck or bridge humbuckers, while the intermediate positions combine one coil from the adjacent humbucker with the middle pickup. The centre position selects the PGM single-coil.

What string gauge suits the PGM50?

Ibanez specifies .010–.046 strings from the factory, which provide a balanced feel on the 25.5" scale.

Are locking tuners worthwhile on a hardtail guitar?

Yes. They simplify string changes and minimise unnecessary wraps around the tuning posts while providing a secure and consistent restringing process.

Can the PGM50 be used with modern amp modellers?

Yes. Its passive HSH output works with traditional guitar amplifiers, pedalboards, multi-effects processors, profiling systems and modern digital amp modellers.

Can I request a closer look before purchasing?

Yes. Our Request a Video Demo option is useful if you'd like to see and hear this individual Pre-Owned PGM50 in greater detail before purchasing.