Ibanez AZ2204N-PBM — AZ Prestige Series Electric Guitar with Case | Detailed Overview & Specifications
Ibanez AZ2204N-PBM — AZ Prestige Series Electric Guitar with Case
The Ibanez AZ2204N-PBM elevates the AZ Prestige lineage with its signature Pink Blue Matte finish and world-class appointments. Marrying venerable Japanese craftsmanship, modern ergonomics, and versatile electronics, it ships complete with a custom-fitted deluxe molded hardshell case. This 2 000-word overview examines every facet—from tonewood selection and construction methods to hardware performance, electronic voicings, finish application, sustainability efforts, care guidance, and the storied Prestige heritage—culminating in a streamlined white-and-gray specification table.
1 | Prestige Heritage & Craftsmanship
Produced at Ibanez’s Fujigen facility in Japan, the AZ2204N-PBM undergoes an exacting multi-stage process. Premium SL-Grade alder bodies are CNC-routed, then hand-finished by master luthiers. Necks are carved with micron-level precision, frets leveled and crowned by hand, and hardware torqued to exact specifications. Each instrument passes comprehensive quality-control inspections: neck relief, fret-end smoothness, cavity shielding continuity, and finish uniformity. This hybrid of automated consistency and artisan expertise ensures unparalleled playability and sonic integrity.
2 | Body Construction — Chambered Alder Resonance
The chambered alder body blends lightweight comfort with rich tonal complexity. Internal Core Chambers—strategically placed to preserve structural strength—reduce mass by ~10 % and enhance acoustic resonance. These chambers allow the top wood to breathe, imparting warmer low-mids and natural sustain in both unplugged and amplified contexts. The resulting instrument sits lightly on the shoulder yet delivers robust projection and feedback resistance, ideal for studio tracking and live performance alike.
3 | Neck Details — S-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple
Ibanez’s proprietary S-TECH WOOD roasting process treats the maple neck and fretboard under controlled heat and humidity, driving out moisture and relieving internal stresses. The result is a neck that resists warping, boasts enhanced sustain, and features a silky satin feel reminiscent of a vintage instrument. The comfortable oval “C” profile measures 0.83″ at the first fret and 0.93″ at the twelfth, optimized for dynamic chord work and rapid lead passages.
4 | Fretboard & Frets — Compound Radius & Stainless Steel
The roasted maple fretboard employs a 10″–14″ compound radius, facilitating effortless open-chord play near the nut and flattened bends higher up. Ibanez installs 22 jumbo stainless-steel frets for superior longevity and bright, articulate tone. Hand-filed and polished fret ends eliminate sharp edges, ensuring smooth navigation and reduced finger fatigue during extended sessions. Luminlay side-dot markers glow in low-light scenarios, guiding your hand under stage lighting.
5 | Super All Access Heel — Upper-Fret Freedom
A sculpted heel joint—the “Super All Access” design—removes traditional heel bulk beneath the 17th fret. Reinforced by a five-bolt pattern with twin brass inserts, this construction ensures both stability and unrestricted reach to the 24th fret. Whether tapping, shredding, or executing complex arpeggios, your hand moves seamlessly across the upper register without impediment.
Specifications
Model | AZ2204N-PBM |
Series | AZ Prestige |
Body Wood | Alder with Core Chambers |
Body Finish | Pink Blue Matte (PBM), UV-cured |
Neck Wood | Roasted Maple (S-TECH WOOD) |
Neck Profile | Oval “C” |
Fingerboard | Roasted Maple, 10″–14″ compound radius |
Frets | 22 Stainless-Steel, jumbo |
Nut | Graph Tech TUSQ XL, 1.65″ (42 mm) |
Scale Length | 25.5″ (648 mm) |
Pickups | Seymour Duncan Hyperion S/S/H, push-pull coil-split |
Controls | Master Volume, Master Tone (push-pull), 5-way switch |
Bridge | Gotoh T1802 tremolo |
Tuners | Gotoh MG-T locking (16:1) |
Hardware Finish | Matte Black |
Case | Deluxe molded hardshell with plush lining |
Strings | D’Addario NYXL .009–.042 |
Weight | ≈ 7.6 lb (3.45 kg) |
Country of Origin | Japan (Fujigen) |
Warranty | 2-year limited (extendable) |