The Guitar Player's Resource
You'll recognize this guitar's lineage the moment you see it - it's cut from the same cloth as the instruments that helped Joe Satriani redefine what rock guitar could sound like.
Every now and then, a guitar comes along that makes you question everything you thought you knew about what's possible from six strings and some wood. The JS2480 isn't just another signature model - it's Joe Satriani's vision of the perfect rock guitar, refined through decades of relentless touring and studio work, then executed with the kind of precision that separates the good from the truly exceptional.
That 3-piece maple and bubinga neck tells you everything you need to know about Ibanez's commitment to getting this right. While other manufacturers talk about rigidity and tone transfer, Ibanez actually delivers it. This isn't some marketing buzzword - it's physics in action. The multiple wood construction creates a neck that's both incredibly stable and remarkably resonant, giving you the best of both worlds without compromise.
Here's where things get interesting: most guitarists spend their entire careers chasing that elusive combination of speed and sustain. The JS2480 hands it to you on a silver platter. Those 6105 frets with Prestige treatment create a playing surface so smooth, your fingers will think they're gliding on ice. Combined with that distinctive JS neck profile, you've got a guitar that encourages you to attempt techniques you never thought were within your reach.
The real magic happens when you dive into the electronics. That DiMarzio Satchur8 pickup isn't just hot - it's intelligently designed to deliver all the harmonics and definition that make Satriani's lead work so distinctive. But here's the kicker: pair it with the Sustainiac system, and suddenly you're dealing with notes that can ring forever if you want them to. It's like having a built-in feedback chamber that responds to your touch and technique.
That push-pull high-pass filter on the volume control solves a problem that's plagued rock guitarists for decades. You know how your tone gets muddy and loses its edge when you roll back the volume? Not anymore. This simple but brilliant addition lets you clean up your signal without sacrificing the clarity and bite that cuts through a dense mix. It's the kind of practical innovation that makes you wonder why nobody thought of it sooner.
The Edge tremolo with Ultralite arm deserves special mention because it represents everything Ibanez has learned about floating bridge design over the past several decades. You get all the expressive capability you need for dive-bombs and vibrato work, but without the tuning instability that usually comes with the territory. The arm feels natural in your hand, responding to subtle movements without fighting you during aggressive playing.
What really sets this guitar apart is how all these elements work together. The Sustainiac isn't just a gimmick - it's a musical tool that opens up new possibilities for expression. The high-pass filter isn't just a convenience - it's a tone-shaping device that expands your palette. Every feature serves the larger goal of creating an instrument capable of handling whatever musical ideas you can throw at it.
The basswood body provides the perfect foundation for this sonic architecture. It's neutral enough to let the pickups and electronics shine through, yet warm enough to add character to your tone. That Muscle Car Red finish isn't just eye candy - it's a statement that this guitar means business.
This is what happens when decades of refinement meet uncompromising engineering standards. The JS2480 doesn't just replicate Satriani's sound - it gives you the tools to find your own voice within that sonic landscape.
General:
Number of Strings: 6
Left-/Right-handed: Right-handed
Body:
Body Type: Solidbody
Body Shape: Joe Satriani Signature
Body Material: Basswood
Body Finish: Gloss Polyurethane
Color: Muscle Car Red
Neck:
Neck Material: 3-piece Maple/Bubinga
Neck Shape: JS profile
Neck Joint: Bolt-on
Radius: 9.8"
Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
Fingerboard Inlay: Mother-of-Pearl Dots
Number of Frets: 24, Medium
Scale Length: 25.5"
Nut Width: 1.685"
Nut Material: Locking
Hardware:
Bridge/Tailpiece: Edge Tremolo with Ultralite arm
Electronics:
Neck Pickup: Sustainiac Driver Pickup
Bridge Pickup: DiMarzio Satchur8 Humbucker
Controls: 1 x master volume (push/pull high-pass filter), 1 x master tone (push/pull Sustainiac on/off)
Switching: 3-way mini toggle sustainiac switch, 3-way toggle pickup switch
