Ibanez AZ2204-PW — AZ Prestige Series Electric Guitar with Case

The Ibanez AZ2204-PW exemplifies the peak of the AZ Prestige Series, combining cutting-edge materials, meticulous Japanese craftsmanship, and versatile electronics. Highlighted by its pure white UV-cured satin finish, roasted maple neck and fretboard treated with S-TECH WOOD, chambered North American alder body, coil-splittable Seymour Duncan Hyperion pickups, and premium Gotoh MG-T locking tuners with T1802 tremolo, this instrument arrives in a custom-fitted deluxe molded hardshell case. This comprehensive overview spans 2,000 words detailing every facet—from tonewood selection and construction processes to electronics, hardware, ergonomics, finish application, sustainability initiatives, maintenance recommendations, and the storied Prestige lineage—culminating in a concise white-and-gray specification table.

1 | Prestige Craftsmanship & Japanese Heritage

The AZ2204-PW is handcrafted at Ibanez’s legendary Fujigen factory in Japan, where each guitar undergoes a rigorous multi-stage process blending advanced CNC machining with artisan hand-finishing. Premium SL-Grade North American alder bodies and select maple neck blanks are precisely carved, then refined by experienced luthiers. Frets are leveled and crowned by hand, ensuring perfectly uniform fret heights and smooth end treatment. Necks are adjusted for ideal relief, action, and intonation, while hardware torque settings are calibrated to factory specifications. This marriage of automation and human expertise yields an instrument that delivers consistent playability, sublime resonance, and long-term reliability across every example produced.

Quality control extends to finish inspection, where pure white satin coatings are measured for uniform thickness and cured under UV light to preserve wood vibration. Each guitar passes a final play-through setup, ensuring string action, neck straightness, pickup height, and tremolo tension meet exacting performance benchmarks. The Prestige designation thus guarantees that the AZ2204-PW not only meets but exceeds the demands of professional musicians, on stage, in the studio, and in the hands of discerning collectors.

2 | Body Design — Chambered North American Alder

Crafted from select North American alder, the AZ2204-PW’s body embodies a balanced tonal character, offering warm, rounded lows; focused, singing mids; and clear, articulate highs. Ibanez’s patented Core Chamber design strategically routes internal cavities in non-critical areas, reducing body weight by approximately 10 percent while enhancing acoustic resonance. These chambers allow the top wood to vibrate more freely, producing a natural warmth and sustain when played unplugged, and enriching harmonic complexity when plugged into an amplifier. The weight relief also contributes to greater shoulder comfort, reducing fatigue during extended sessions on stage or in the studio.

In addition to tonal benefits, the chambered design improves the guitar’s balance and responsiveness. The body contours—chest bevel, forearm cut, and belly cut—are ergonomically sculpted to fit the player’s form, allowing effortless movement across the instrument’s surface. Combined with the lightweight construction, the AZ2204-PW sits comfortably whether standing on a long tour or seated during delicate studio tracking.

3 | Neck Construction — S-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple

Ibanez’s S-TECH WOOD thermal treatment process imparts remarkable stability to the AZ2204-PW’s maple neck and fretboard. By subjecting the wood to precise heat and humidity conditions, internal stresses are relieved, moisture content is driven out, and density is increased. The result is a neck that resists seasonal warp and reacts minimally to environmental changes. The roasted maple acquires a satin-smooth texture and amber hue reminiscent of a well-worn vintage instrument, offering an immediate “played-in” feel from the first moment you hold the guitar.

The comfortable Oval “C” profile measures 0.83 inches at the first fret, tapering to 0.93 inches at the twelfth fret, striking an ideal balance between chord-playing comfort and lead-line agility. The roasted maple fretboard, featuring a 10-inch to 14-inch compound radius, provides a forgiving surface for open chords near the nut while flattening out for snag-free bends and rapid soloing in the upper register.

4 | Fretboard & Frets — Compound Radius & Stainless Steel

The compound radius design of the AZ2204-PW’s fretboard transitions from 10 inches at the nut to 14 inches at the body end, delivering optimal playability across the neck. The tighter radius near the nut ensures comfortable chord work, while the flatter radius higher up facilitates wide bends without fretting out. Ibanez installs 22 jumbo stainless steel frets known for their hardness and corrosion resistance, offering a bright tonal attack and long-term durability.

Each fret end is meticulously hand-filed and polished to eliminate sharp edges, ensuring smooth lateral movement and reducing fingertip fatigue during extended play. Glow-in-the-dark Luminlay side-dot markers enhance visibility in low-light situations, guiding hand placement under dim stage lighting and enabling confident navigation across the fretboard.

5 | Super All Access Heel Joint

A hallmark of the AZ series, the Super All Access heel joint removes excess wood beneath the 17th fret, providing unobstructed reach to all 24 frets. Reinforced by a five-bolt pattern with two brass inserts, this design merges structural strength with ergonomic fluidity. Players benefit from seamless upper-register access, whether tapping, executing wide bends, or navigating complex arpeggios, without the hand obstruction common to traditional heel blocks.

The sculpted heel contours blend into the body’s rear, offering a natural hand position and reducing pressure points. This ergonomic design enhances playability for advanced techniques while maintaining the guitar’s overall tonal resonance.

Specifications