The Ibanez 540S LTD (also known as the Saber Limited or S540 LTD) from 1989 is a highly sought-after, Japanese-made electric guitar from the golden era of Ibanez shredders. Renowned for its sleek, contoured, ultra-lightweight mahogany body and incredibly fast Wizard neck, it remains a favorite among collectors and players.
Key Specifications (1989 Model)
- Body: Sleek, arched-top mahogany body with very thin edges (Sabre series shape).
- Neck: 1-piece, super-thin “Wizard” maple neck with a rosewood fretboard, 22 jumbo frets, and distinctive sharktooth inlays.
- Pickups: Typically featured an HSH (Humbucker-Single-Humbucker) configuration, driven by IBZ/USA (DiMarzio) pickups (F1/C1/F2 combo).
- Bridge: Gotoh Edge or Lo-Pro Edge double-locking tremolo system, considered one of the best ever made.
Because these Japanese “FujiGen” instruments are so highly regarded, they have maintained their value well. On the secondary market, they generally sell anywhere from $800 to over $1,200, depending on condition, finish, and the originality of the hardware. You can check current listings or look for parts on Reverb or eBay
The 1989 Ibanez 540S LTD (Saber) is an ultra-slim, lightweight Japanese-crafted electric guitar. It features a sculpted mahogany body, a fast Wizard maple neck, a bound rosewood fretboard with sharktooth inlays, and the coveted Gotoh Edge locking tremolo system.
Body & Construction
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- Body Material: Carved Solid Mahogany (sleek, arched top and thin edges)
- Body Shape: Offset double-cutaway Saber (S-series)
- Bridge: Gotoh Edge (double-locking tremolo)
- Hardware: Chrome or Cosmo Blac
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- Neck Material: 1-Piece Maple
- Neck Profile: Wizard (ultra-thin profile, .70″ at the 1st fret, .81″ at the 12th)
- Fingerboard Material: Bound Rosewood
- Scale Length: 25.5″ (648 mm)
- Nut Width: \(1\frac{11}{16}\)” (1.68″)
- Frets: 22 Jumbo
- Inlays: Sharktooth
- Headstock: Bound with matching finish
Electronics
- Pickup Configuration: H-S-S (Humbucker-Single-Single) or H-S-H depending on the exact sub-variant
- Pickups: Original IBZ/USA (made by DiMarzio), typically F1/C2/F2 models
- Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone, 5-way pickup selector switch
