Swap
Swap
EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard
Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium
VS
Playability
73
Sound
80
Build
67
Value
73
Score
73
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability
73
Sound
83
Build
68
Value
75
Score
75
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Add more to comparison

EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard vs Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium

Reasons to Get
EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard over Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium

Number of Frets
22 vs 24
Warmer neck pickup
Retainer Bar
Yes vs None
Assists you so tuning doesn't change when locking the nut
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 16"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile
Wolfgang Backshape vs Wizard
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Tone Knobs
1 vs 0
More tone control
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.79'' (20.1mm) vs 0.71'' (18mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.88'' (22.4mm) vs 0.79'' (20.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.625'' (41.3mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Floyd Rose vs Edge Zero II
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs

Reasons to Get
Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium over EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard

Decorative Top
Poplar Burl vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Fret Material
Gold vs Nickel Silver
Almost as durable as stainless steel with an exotic look
Release Year
2020 vs 2018
From a more recent year
Neck Profile
Wizard vs Wolfgang Backshape
Thin neck for playing fast
Pickup Mods
Coil Tap vs None
Lowers output of humbucker coil to create a single coil sound
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.71'' (18mm) vs 0.79'' (20.1mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.79'' (20.1mm) vs 0.88'' (22.4mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.625'' (41.3mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Bridge
Edge Zero II vs Floyd Rose
Intense vibrato effects and cheaper than Edge Zero
Value Score
75 vs 73
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard vs Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium

Bridge Pickup
Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking vs DiMarzio Fusion Edge
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking vs DiMarzio Fusion Edge
Different Neck Pickup
Headstock
3-3 vs 6
Different Headstock

Shared Features
EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard vs Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium

Body Wood
Basswood
Same Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Locking
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Type of Frets
Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

SET PRICE ALERT

Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

These are affiliate links. We may earn a fee if you purchase after clicking. These prices are prone to error. Make sure you're buying the right product after clicking on a link from our site. We are not liable if you buy the wrong product after following these links. As an Amazon Associate site we earn from qualifying purchases.

Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium is probably the better product overall with its final score of 75 compared to the EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard's 73 score, although not by a lot.

The Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium wins when it comes to sound, build quality, value for the money. On the other hand, the EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard has the upper hand when it comes to.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard is the better choice.

The EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard meets 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium meets only 3. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard Overview

  • From EVH's 2018 Wolfgang Special series
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Quartersawn Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • EVH-Branded Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo with EVH D-Tuna bridge
  • Wolfgang Backshape Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • EVH-Branded Gotoh tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium Overview

  • From Ibanez's 2020 RG series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar Burl top
  • American Basswood body
  • 11pc Maple/Walnut/Bubinga neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: DiMarzio Fusion Edge (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: DiMarzio Fusion Edge (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Edge-Zero II w/ZPS3Fe bridge
  • Wizard Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo Gold frets
  • Gotoh machine heads tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Basswood is a lightweight type of wood that isn't as expensive as other popular choices for guitar building. It gives more power to the mid-range frequencies. Its color can vary from pale white to light brown. Find out more about Basswood.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

However, the EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

The Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium gives you 5 switch options while the EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard gives you 3. This means that the Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Only the Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Tap.

Coil Tap is similar to Coil Split but it works a bit differently. Instead of completely cancelling one of the coils of the humbucker, it only cuts part of the output once activated. Some people believe this gives the split pickups a more real single-coil sound.

EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard pickups switch and push knobs diagram
EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard's switch options
Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium.

Final Sound Quality Scores

EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard
Pickups 90
Sustain 80
Versatility 64
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 80
Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 80
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 83

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard compares to the Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard is built in Mexico while the Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium is made in Indonesia.

Mexico has been for a long time where Fender has built their semi-premium series. If you don't want to overpay for a wellp-built instrument, a guitar built in this country by a good brand always offers good value for the money.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

In this case, both have Locking nuts. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

However, only the EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard has a retainer bar for the locking nut, which is a helpful addition. Without it, the Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium's strings will change pitch once you lock down the nut, so you'll have to make more micro-adjustments at the bridge to tune it correctly.

Winner: EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

In this comparison, the Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium is the only one that has stainless steel frets. These frets will basically last for the entire life of the guitar. They will never need polishing nor replacement. And not only that, but some people also notice that bending and vibratos are much easier to perform when they upgrade to stainless steel.

Winner: Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

The EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard's brige is a Floyd Rose. This is a double-locking bridge system that allows you to perform techniques like dive bombs and pinch harmonics. The locking nut allows your guitar to stay in tune even after the most intense tremolo usage. The disadvantage is that it takes more work to change the strings and set up everything correctly.

On the other hand, the Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium's is a Edge Zero II. This is a cheaper version of Ibanez's Edge Zero bridges. It comes with the same locking stud bolts that lock down into the body and provide better stabilization, and with easier adjustment of the springs without having to remove the backplate thanks to a thumb-screw. However, the intonation in this cheaper version will require additional work.

Edge Zero IIs that come with the ZPS3 Zero Point system have two extra springs that help return the tremolo to the neutral position faster. These bridges offer tons of versatility, but they also require more work than simpler tremolos to set up.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard's are EVH-Branded Gotoh while the Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium's are Gotoh machine heads

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Retainer Bar
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Mexico
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium
  • Gold Frets
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Tap Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard
Quality of materials 51
Features 75
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 67
Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium
Quality of materials 65
Features 65
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 68

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard Nut Width
EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard Nut Width
Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium Nut Width
Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 41.3mm (1.625''). This is a 1.7mm (0.068'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard and Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard Neck Profile
EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard's neck profile
Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium Neck Profile
Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard has a C type of neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

The Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium, on the other hand, has a Wizard neck. This is thinner than most C-type necks. It won't get in your way if you want to play fast solos. It's not as slim as 'Super Wizard' necks, so it might fit you better if you don't like ultra-thin necks.

Fretboard Radius

EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard Fretboard Compound Radius
EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard's Compound Fretboard Radius
Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium Fingerboard Radius
Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium's Fingerboard radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard is the only one with a compound radius. This is a huge win because it will give you the best of both worlds: a more curved radius in the first few frets for chords, and flatter as you come closer to the body for soloing.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium favors large hands more than the EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard and Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium Frets Size
Both have a similar Jumbo fret size

Both have a Jumbo fret size. This is one of the tallest frets you can get. You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings. It will give you the best sustain and all types of chords will be easier to play. However, you can end up changing the pitch of your notes if you press too hard, which is something people used to feeling the fretboard do when trying Jumbo frets for the first time.

Final Playability Scores

EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 80
Playability 73
Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard vs Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium
General EVH Wolfgang Special Ebony Fingerboard Ibanez RG1120PBZ Premium
Brand: EVH Ibanez
Year: 2018 2020
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Mexico Indonesia
Series: Wolfgang Special RG
Colors: Purple Black Burst Patterns
Left-Handed Version: Yes No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Basswood American Basswood
Bridge: EVH-Branded Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo with EVH D-Tuna Edge-Zero II w/ZPS3Fe
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: EVH-Branded Gotoh Gotoh machine heads
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: Quartersawn Maple 11pc Maple/Walnut/Bubinga
Decoration: Pearloid Dot Mother of Pearl dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Wolfgang Backshape Wizard
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.88'' (22.4mm) 1st Fret: 0.71'' (18mm) - 12th Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm)
Frets: 22 Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 Jumbo Gold
Fretboard Radius: 12" to 16" 16"
Nut: Locking Locking
Nut Width: 41.3mm (1.625'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) DiMarzio Fusion Edge (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Direct Mount EVH Wolfgang Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive) DiMarzio Fusion Edge (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None Coil Tap
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 0