Ibanez AZ2204N-BK — AZ Prestige Series Electric Guitar with Case

The Ibanez AZ2204N-BK is a flagship model in the AZ Prestige Series, marrying modern innovation with time-honored craftsmanship. With its S-TECH WOOD roasted maple neck and fretboard, chambered alder body, Seymour Duncan Hyperion pickup trio with coil-splitting, Gotoh MG-T hardware, and a sophisticated Matte Black finish, this instrument is designed for professional performance and studio recording. Shipped in a custom-fitted deluxe molded hardshell case, the AZ2204N-BK delivers ergonomic comfort, versatile tonal options, and rock-solid reliability straight out of the box. The following deep dive spans materials, construction techniques, electronics, ergonomics, finish process, sustainability measures, care guidelines, and the legacy of Ibanez Prestige—culminating in a white-and-gray specification table.

1 | Prestige Craftsmanship & Japanese Heritage

Crafted at Fujigen’s renowned facility in Japan, the AZ2204N-BK carries the “Prestige” hallmark—signifying meticulous multi-stage quality control. CNC-machined body and neck blanks are refined by hand, with luthiers performing fretleveling, finish inspection, and hardware alignment. Each guitar undergoes precise neck relief and fret-end checks to ensure effortless playability. This blend of advanced manufacturing and artisan expertise guarantees consistency, stability, and sonic integrity across every instrument bearing the Prestige name.

2 | Body Architecture — Chambered Alder Resonance

The AZ2204N-BK’s body is fashioned from premium North American alder, prized for its balanced tonal spectrum—clear highs, rich mids, and solid low end. Ibanez’s Core Chamber routs strategically remove non-structural wood, reducing weight by approximately 10 percent while enhancing acoustic resonance. These chambers allow the body to breathe, imparting warmth, sustain, and a dynamic tonal response both unplugged and through amplification. The chambering also improves shoulder comfort during extended playing sessions.

3 | Neck Construction — S-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple

The neck and fretboard undergo the S-TECH WOOD roasting process, which exposes the maple to controlled heat and humidity. This treatment relieves internal stresses, decreases moisture content, and stabilizes the wood against environmental fluctuations. The roasted maple develops a satiny smooth feel and enhanced resonance, with a subtle amber hue that deepens over time. The comfortable oval “C” profile measures 0.83″ at the first fret and 0.93″ at the twelfth, catering to both chordal work and fluid lead techniques.

4 | Fretboard & Frets — Compound Radius & Stainless Steel

Featuring a 10″–14″ compound radius, the roasted maple fretboard combines chord-friendly curvature near the nut with a flatter profile for bend-free soloing higher up. Ibanez fits 22 jumbo stainless-steel frets, known for their durability and bright tonal character. Each fret end is hand-filed and polished to eliminate sharp edges, ensuring smooth transitions across the neck and minimizing fingertip fatigue during intense performances.

5 | Super All Access Heel Joint

The Super All Access heel joint is a signature AZ feature: a sculpted heel block eliminates the traditional heel mass beneath the seventeenth fret, granting unobstructed reach to all 24 frets. Reinforced by five bolts and brass inserts, this design achieves structural rigidity while maintaining ergonomic contours that facilitate advanced upper-register techniques.

Specifications