I'm a bit late here, but noticed that most of the comments go for name "Ibanez" itself.
Maybe identification of "Ibanez" with just a narrow number of models is logical because this is "metal" community, but Ibanez actually makes great guitars - just not ones that interest people here. Their musician guitars, their hollow and semi hollow guitars, some of the acoustic models, they are all great.
Most of the identification for "Ibanez" sound is actually RG/Jam construction type of guitar, and it is true that it is inferior. Basswood is to blame in a lot of cases, because it obviously in conjunction with thin neck and passives gives that sound with exaggerated middle freqs, "notchy" sound that works for certain kind of leads but is terrible when it comes to recording big distorted guitars. Even with better pickups, their RG derivatives tend to lack "presence" (not in a EQ sense, but in a way that guitar can be heard, sound kind of disappears in mix...I remember some gigs when Ibanez were extremely popular in early 90's, and only players to be heard in this local club were ones playing non ibanez guitars, or playing Ibanez... But extremely loud so other members could not be heard
)
Also you can notice that almost all their ignature guitars connected with "modern" ibanez design have thicker necks than RG, or some other features, for instance JS has construction of neck closer to Fender strat.
Some of the newer RGs with Mahogany bodies, neck-thru and good pickups sound decent, but tend to be expensive compared to similar specd guitars of other manufacturers
On the other hand I have always liked craftsmanship of Ibanez guitars, and how they are easy to play when it comes to hi tech stuff... Their Edge tremolo is also great. I think part of their success was that RG tend to sound good on low wattage amps and on low levels in shops, feel good and look good.
Only RG alike guitar I liked was an old Jam LNG that was beaten to death, but it was serial 044, maple neck, and obviously they have used best wood possible, that guitar had open and percussive sound, unusual for ibanez, almost like modified strat with high output pickups... Maybe not something ideal for extreme HiGain sound, but very good. All other newer jam guitar felt like pieces of plastic to me.