Ibanez AZ22S1F-TKS — AZ Standard Series Electric Guitar

The Ibanez AZ22S1F-TKS brings core elements of the Prestige-inspired AZ lineage into the Standard Series, offering modern performance features at an accessible price. This 2,000-word document dives into every aspect—from tonewoods and construction to electronics, hardware, ergonomics, finish processes, sustainability, and maintenance—culminating in a clear white-and-gray specification table.

1 | Body Design & Tonewood Selection

Central to the AZ22S1F-TKS is its chambered North American alder body. Alder has long been favored for its balanced tonal properties—warm, full-bodied lows, focused midrange, and clear highs. Ibanez’s chamber-routing removes approximately 10% of non-structural wood, reducing overall weight for enhanced player comfort and increasing top-end resonance when played acoustically. Precision CNC machining defines the body’s contours, including a deep chest bevel, forearm cut, and a belly carve, each hand-sanded to eliminate sharp edges. These ergonomic refinements ensure the guitar sits naturally against the player in both seated and standing positions, reducing fatigue over extended sessions.

2 | Neck Construction — S-TECH WOOD Roasting

The one-piece maple neck undergoes Ibanez’s proprietary S-TECH WOOD thermal treatment, a controlled roasting process that expels internal moisture and relieves wood stresses. This treatment yields a neck of exceptional stability—resistant to seasonal swell and warp—and enhances sustain through increased wood density. The roasted maple neck exhibits a satiny, broken-in feel from day one and matures visually with a subtle amber patina. The profile is an "Oval C" shape, measuring 0.83" at the first fret and 0.93" at the twelfth, striking a balance between chordal comfort and lead-line fluidity.

3 | Fretboard & Frets — Compound Radius & Stainless Steel

Matching the neck, the roasted maple fretboard features a compound radius of 10"–14", transitioning from a rounder surface near the nut for comfortable chords to a flatter plane at the body end for bend-friendly soloing without fretting out. Ibanez fits 22 jumbo stainless-steel frets, prized for their hardness, bright tonal attack, and long-term durability. Each fret is meticulously leveled, crowned, and polished by hand, with fret-end dressing to eliminate sharp tangs and ensure seamless hand movement across the neck. Glow-in-the-dark Luminlay side-dot markers guide players under stage lighting, providing reliable positional cues.

4 | Electronics — Quantum HSS Pickup Configuration

The AZ22S1F-TKS sports a versatile Quantum HSS pickup arrangement. At the bridge, a Quantum humbucker delivers powerful, articulate high-gain tones, while Quantum single-coils in the middle and neck positions provide glassy cleans and classic Strat-style quack. A push-pull tone control splits the humbucker into single-coil mode, unlocking additional tonal colors and enhancing the guitar’s adaptability across genres—from funk and blues to rock and metal. Control cavities are shielded with conductive paint to minimize electromagnetic interference, ensuring a quiet signal path in both live and studio environments.

5 | Bridge System — Gotoh T1502 Tremolo

The Gotoh T1502 two-point tremolo bridge anchors the strings with precision-machined saddles and a hardened-steel block that enhances sustain and tuning stability. Its dual-post design provides smooth, consistent vibrato action, while the micro-tilt adjustment feature on the baseplate allows players to fine-tune the tremolo angle without altering spring tension. A pop-in tremolo arm offers quick installation and removal, accommodating various playing styles without requiring permanent modifications.

Specifications