The Ibanez S Series S670QM blends a quilted maple top with a thin, contoured S-body to deliver a guitar that looks premium and plays like a gig-ready tool.
Signature looks and performance
The quilted maple (QM) top is the first thing you notice: three-dimensional figuring, clear lacquer, and finishes that pop under stage lights.
The S-body is carved thin and light. That contouring reduces weight and keeps comfort high during long sets.
Players call it “sleek” because the slim body and deep cutaways let you reach upper frets without fighting the instrument; that’s part of the S Series reputation going back decades.
On stage the S670QM reads as a modern performance guitar: fast neck access, ergonomic balance, and a finish that resists glare while showing off the QM pattern.
What sells the S670QM in one line
Fast neck, versatile HSH tones, reliable tremolo action, and a lightweight, stage-friendly body.
Those features make it a strong candidate for gigging players who need both comfort and tonal range from clean to high gain.
Complete technical spec checklist every buyer should verify
Confirm the top wood says “Quilted Maple” or “QM” in the model code or spec sheet; that suffix is what designates the figured maple veneer.
Check the body core: S Series bodies commonly use mahogany or basswood under the top—each affects weight and midrange character significantly.
Verify neck type and profile. Most S models ship with a thin, fast-profile neck; confirm whether yours is a bolt-on or multi-piece neck and whether the profile is listed as Wizard or thin C style.
Confirm scale length: Ibanez S-series guitars typically use a 25.5″ scale that favors string tension and clarity in high-gain settings.
Check fingerboard material and fret count: most S670QM runs have 24 frets and a rosewood or jatoba fingerboard; confirm fret size (medium-jumbo is common) for playability expectations.
Confirm electronics layout: HSH should appear on the spec sheet. Also check whether coil-split or push-pull functions are factory-installed.
Inspect bridge type and hardware finish: many S Series models ship with a low-profile edge tremolo (Edge, Lo-Pro or Edge-Zero family); verify whether it’s locking and whether the nut is a locking nut.
Verify serial number and production year details against Ibanez resources or the seller’s paperwork; “QM” on the model name means quilted maple top but serials and finish options vary by production run and factory.
Neck profile, frets and playability: what to expect under your fingers
The S-series neck feel is thin and fast. Expect low mass, short profile thickness, and a radius that favors bend-friendly action—typically a 15.75″ to 16″ radius on many recent runs.
That flatter radius plus 24 frets equals smooth upper-fret access and comfortable string bending without fretting out when you bend hard.
Action out of the box varies; set target action for a fast setup is around 1.6–2.0 mm at the 12th fret for electric players who want speed without buzz.
Use fresh medium or light strings for most players; heavy gauges need relief adjustments. If you hear fret buzz after lowering action, increase neck relief slightly or raise the saddle until buzz clears.
Pickup configuration and tonal character: decoding the HSH voice
HSH gives you maximum tonal reach. The bridge humbucker handles high-gain leads with tight lows and aggressive mids. The middle single-coil provides clarity and chime. The neck humbucker adds warmth and sustain for cleans and smooth leads.
Stock pickup voicings usually aim for balance: a bright bridge with punch, a scooped mid single coil, and a warmer neck humbucker. That lets you cover clean, bluesy cleans, crunchy rhythm and saturated metal tones without swapping guitars.
Coil-splitting expands the palette: split the bridge or neck for single-coil-like twang, or use bridge-split plus middle for strat-style combos. That changes amp and pedal settings—expect lower output and more need for mid boost when splitting.
Pickup choice affects amp and pedal settings strongly. High-output humbuckers tolerate more preamp gain, while single-coil tones benefit from cleaner drives, compression and presence on the amp.
Bridge, tremolo and tuning stability: practical hardware breakdown
The S670QM often ships with an Ibanez low-profile floating tremolo (Edge/Lo-Pro/Edge-Zero family depending on the run). Those bridges offer good dive-bomb capability with relatively stable return to pitch when set up properly.
Locking nut plus block or trem spring setup improves tuning stability. Set spring tension to balance the tremolo plate parallel to the body for neutral action.
Maintenance keeps it stable: lube pivot points lightly, restring with proper locking technique, and check spring claw tension and intonation after every string gauge change.
Consider hardware upgrades only if you need specific improvements: better locking tuners for faster string changes, a higher-grade trem block for more sustain, or a steel sustain block for tone preferences.
Real-world tone: amp, EQ and pedal settings that showcase the S670QM
Clean glassy tone: amp clean channel, gain 2–3, bass 40–45%, mids 45–50%, treble 55–60%, presence 50%. Middle pickup or neck humbucker with low compression gives chime and body.
Blues/rock crunch: set amp gain 4–5, bass 45–50%, mids 55–60% (push the mids for body), treble 50–55%. Use bridge humbucker on low gain for chunky rhythm or split it for cleaner crunch with more bite.
High-gain metal: amp gain 7–9 or use a high-gain pedal, bass 50–60% to keep low end tight, mids 40–50% for scooped modern tone, treble 55–65% for cut. Bridge humbucker into tight palm-muted chugs works well.
Pedalboard basics: compressor for consistent attack, a transparent overdrive or boost for solo push, one modulation (chorus or phaser) set subtly, and a tempo-synced delay with 300–450ms repeats for solos.
Sound demos and review snapshots to watch before you buy
Watch demos that run clean → drive sweep → lead passages → pickup-switch samples. That sequence shows the guitar’s headroom and how pickups translate through different gain levels.
Good demos show unprocessed DI tones and miked cab tones, with clear close-up shots of the fretboard to judge finish and radii.
Check reviewers who test playability, hardware, and long-term reliability notes; short blurbs or single-song clips can’t replace a thorough tone sweep and pickup comparison.
S670QM vs other Ibanez S Series models and market rivals
Compared with lower S models you’ll typically see better figured tops and upgraded hardware on the S670QM; compared with Prestige runs you’ll trade some fit-and-finish precision for a friendlier price.
S670QM vs S570: expect nicer top wood and sometimes higher-grade pickups on the S670QM; S570 leans more toward basic hardware and solid tone at a lower price.
Rivals to consider: PRS SE models for thicker mids and boutique feel, and certain maple-top Strat-style double-cut options for more classic single-coil tone. Choose based on which tonal center you want: modern shred versatility or vintage single-coil clarity.
Buying smart: new vs used price ranges, negotiation tips and red flags
Expect new S670QM pricing to vary by finish, region and availability; used market often drops price but inspect carefully.
Negotiate on used gear by pointing out wear items: fret wear, electronics scratchiness, bridge corrosion, and any finish cracks at neck joints—these are leverage points for a lower price.
Red flags: significant fret wear that alters string height at low action, warped neck or large finish cracks near stress points, noisy pots that indicate aging electronics, and mismatched serials or missing model paperwork.
Setup, maintenance and routine care that preserve tone and playability
Change strings every 4–8 weeks depending on playtime. Clean the fretboard lightly with a proper cleaner and oil only if the fingerboard is unfinished wood.
Check neck relief with a straightedge and truss rod adjustments in small turns—quarter turns at a time. After tweaking, allow the neck to settle before finalizing action and intonation.
Lubricate nut slots and pivot points for the tremolo. Check pickup height and adjust so string movement clears pole pieces without hitting the pickups.
Book a pro setup for fret leveling or nut replacement; those jobs require tools and experience. Expect shop charges to be reasonable compared to the long-term payoff in playability.
High-impact modifications players commonly make to the S670QM
Popular mods include swapping pickups for DiMarzio, Seymour Duncan or active EMGs, and adding coil-split wiring for more single-coil options.
Tuners and nut upgrades improve tuning stability and string-change speed. Upgrading the tremolo block or springs can add sustain and tighten low end.
Consider resale: pickups and electronics swaps are personal and rarely increase resale value, while maintaining OEM parts and offering upgraded parts as extras tends to preserve more value.
Who the S670QM suits best: player profiles and genre fit
Ideal players: shredders, metal and hard rock lead players, and gigging musicians who want a lightweight, comfortable guitar with broad tonal options.
Less ideal: acoustic-focused players or purists seeking vintage single-coil Strat tones without swapping pickups, since the S670QM’s voice leans toward modern versatility.
Common myths and quick answers every buyer asks
Myth: “The S Series is only for metal.” Fact: HSH plus coil-splits cover blues, rock, country and metal. Action: try clean → drive → split-pickup combos to test range.
Myth: “QM top makes it fragile.” Fact: QM is a veneer or thin top layer; structural strength comes from the body core. Action: inspect binding, neck joints and any finish cracks when buying used.
Myth: “You must upgrade pickups.” Fact: Stock pickups are versatile; upgrades are tonal preferences not necessities. Action: play through your amp style; only swap if a specific gap exists.
Resources, spare parts and communities to tap into after purchase
OEM parts are available through authorized Ibanez dealers and major music retailers; aftermarket bridges, tuners and pickups are sold by established brands and guitar part suppliers.
Join active online communities and forums dedicated to Ibanez owners to read rig threads, parts swaps and modification guides; those groups often host playlists and demo clips specific to S Series models.
Keep model and serial info handy when ordering parts to ensure fitment; many S Series components have subtle variations between production runs.
Bottom line: the S670QM pairs a premium-looking QM top with the proven S-series ergonomics and HSH versatility, making it a strong choice for players who need comfort, speed and broad tonal options on stage.
