Ibanez AZ2204NW-MGR — AZ Prestige Series Electric Guitar with Case

The Ibanez AZ2204NW-MGR elevates the AZ Prestige Series with its stunning Matte Galaxy Red finish and top-tier appointments. Featuring an S-TECH WOOD roasted maple neck and fretboard, chambered alder body for resonant warmth, Seymour Duncan Hyperion pickups with coil-splitting, premium Gotoh hardware, and a plush molded hardshell case, this instrument blends vintage-inspired tonal character, modern playability, and Japanese artisanship. The following 2 000-word analysis explores materials, construction, electronics, ergonomics, finish application, sustainability, maintenance, and the Prestige legacy—culminating in a concise white-and-gray specification table.

1 | Prestige Lineage & Craftsmanship

Crafted at Ibanez’s Fujigen factory in Japan, the AZ Prestige badge signifies a meticulous multi-stage process. Initial tonewood selection prioritizes SL-Grade alder and select maple, which are CNC-routed to exacting tolerances. Veteran luthiers refine each body and neck by hand—leveling frets, filing fret ends, adjusting neck relief, and inspecting finish thickness. Hardware components, including tuners and bridges, undergo torque calibration to ensure precise installation. Final playability checks measure action, intonation, and resonance, guaranteeing that every AZ2204NW-MGR meets the high standards of the Prestige lineage before packing into its deluxe case.

2 | Body Construction — Chambered Alder Resonance

The body, crafted from premium North American alder, benefits from Ibanez’s Core Chamber routs, which remove roughly 10 % of non-structural wood to reduce weight and enhance acoustic resonance. These internal cavities allow the top wood to vibrate freely, producing a natural warmth and sustain when unplugged, and adding harmonic richness when amplified. The lightened body also improves shoulder comfort during prolonged playing sessions, making the AZ2204NW-MGR equally suited for studio work and extended live shows without fatigue.

3 | Neck Construction — S-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple

Ibanez’s S-TECH WOOD process subjects the maple neck and fretboard to controlled heat and humidity, expelling moisture and relieving internal stresses. This yields a neck that resists warp and seasonal changes while offering enhanced sustain and a satin-smooth feel. The roasted maple acquires a warm amber hue and a broken-in hand-feel from day one. The “Oval C” profile measures 0.83″ at the first fret and 0.93″ at the twelfth, balancing chordal comfort with unrestricted lead performance.

4 | Fretboard & Frets — Compound Radius & Stainless Steel

The roasted maple fretboard employs a 10″–14″ compound radius: tighter near the nut for easy chord work and flatter toward the body for bend-free soloing. Ibanez installs 22 stainless steel jumbo frets, chosen for durability and clear tonal attack. Each fret end is meticulously filed and polished to eliminate sharp edges, providing smooth hand transitions and minimizing finger fatigue even during intense playing sessions.

5 | Super All Access Heel Joint

The signature Super All Access heel joint features a sculpted, contoured heel block that removes material beneath the seventeenth fret, granting unhindered reach to all 24 frets. This design, reinforced by a five-bolt brass insert pattern, combines structural rigidity with ergonomic fluidity, perfect for tapping, wide bends, and upper-register lead work without hand obstruction.

Specifications