From Testament to Today: Ibanez's Power Series Reawakens
Representing a contemporary evolution of Ibanez's late-'80s Power series lineage, the limited-edition 540PIII carries the unmistakable DNA of the sought-after second-generation model — the iconic solidbody electric guitar once brandished by Alex Skolnick in his Testament prime. Crafted from solid mahogany, the 540PIII boasts a radically sculpted, reverse RG-shaped body with an extended lower horn. The updated neck, which features superior 5-piece construction, boasts a modern Super Wizard shape for enhanced playability. Meanwhile, the ruler-flat, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard offers a well-oiled firing table for your fleet-fingered hand maneuvers. Electronics-wise, the 540PIII dishes out warm, articulate leads with truckloads of harmonic overtones, thanks to an IBZ V8 bridge humbucker, which is bolstered by an Infinity R rail-style single-coil-sized humbucker in the neck position. You also get a complement of shred-sanctioned hardware, including an Edge double-locking tremolo and Gotoh tuning machines. Finally, the 540PIII is replete with quintessential Ibanez appointments, such as classic shark tooth inlays, a spotlight-ready gloss finish, and a head-turning reverse headstock. Avid Ibanez fanatics have clamored for the return of the Power series for years — the 540PIII delivers an electrifying flashback that's nothing short of mesmerizing.
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Fast Super Wizard neck
The original Power series guitars sported a 1-piece maple Wizard neck — the standard Ibanez profile when the 540P debuted in 1987 and the 540PII followed in 1988. Fast-forward, and the limited-edition 540PIII reflects the evolution of Ibanez innovation, upgrading its already ergonomic playability with a modern 5-piece maple/walnut Super Wizard neck. That just-right feel encourages lightning-fast runs, arpeggios, and hammer-ons with ease. Capping the neck is a bound 24-fret rosewood fingerboard loaded with jumbo frets, perfect for expressive bends and wide vibrato. To complete the vintage vibe, the 540PIII retains a reverse headstock for period-correct visual appeal.
Potent Ibanez pickups
Back in 1988, Ibanez equipped the second-generation 540PII-HS with a high-output IBZ/USA F3 humbucker and an IBZ/USA C2 single-coil pickup, while the 540PII-HH model sported IBZ/USA F3 and IBZ/USA F2 humbuckers. The modern Ibanez Power series 540PIII effectively melds these two configurations together, maintaining the look of the HS model but equipping it with dual-humbucker firepower. At the bridge, an IBZ V8 humbucker enables you to achieve warm, yet articulate lead tones with enhanced harmonic overtones and enough high-end sizzle to accommodate all levels of knob-twisting expression. Additionally, the V8 is complemented by an Infinity R rail-style single-coil-sized humbucker in the neck position, a Volume control, and a 5-way, lever-style pickup selector.
Edge double-locking tremolo
The late-'80s Power series models included Ibanez's original Edge tremolo, which was a high-end licensed version of the era's most prominent double-locking model. This limited-edition modern iteration follows suit, equipping you with what many guitarists have described as one of the finest locking trems ever built. Many guitarists here at Sweetwater express the same level of enthusiasm about the original Edge, which we've been using and abusing since its 1986 unveiling. Regardless of your allegiances, we're confident that you'll find the 540PIII's Edge to be among the most reliable double-locking trems you'll ever put your hands on. So, pull the bar all the way up, then slam it down to the body all you want; you can follow it up with a rich, jazzy chord voicing, and it'll be perfectly in tune.
Ibanez 540PIII Features:
- A limited-edition Japanese-built continuation of Ibanez's late-'80s Power series
- Patterned after the sought-after 2nd-gen model famously wielded by Testament's Alex Skolnick
- Basswood body sports a radically sculpted, reverse RG-shaped body with an extended lower horn
- Comfortable 5-piece Super Wizard neck with a fast-playing bound 24-fret rosewood fingerboard
- IBZ V8 bridge humbucker dishes out warm, articulate leads with truckloads of harmonic overtones
- Infinity R rail-style single-coil-sized neck humbucker unlocks a range of useful tones
- Play expressively while maintaining your tuning stability with an original Edge tremolo
- Rock-solid Gotoh hardware ensures precise tuning
- Classic shark tooth inlays, a spotlight-ready gloss finish, and a head-turning reverse headstock
