Ibanez AZ22S1F-TXB — AZ Standard Series Electric Guitar

The Ibanez AZ22S1F-TXB distills the essence of the AZ Prestige lineage into an accessible Standard Series model. Combining professional-grade appointments—such as an S-TECH WOOD roasted maple neck, Quantum HSS pickups with coil-splitting, and Gotoh hardware—with player-focused ergonomics and a vibrant Transparent Blue Satin finish, this instrument delivers modern versatility for stage, studio, and practice. This 2,000-word deep dive explores tonewood selection, construction techniques, electronics, hardware specifications, ergonomic design, finish process, sustainability initiatives, care guidelines, performance applications, and warranty support, culminating in a concise white-and-gray specification table.

1 | Tonewood Selection & Chambered Body Construction

The heart of the AZ22S1F-TXB is its chambered North American alder body. Alder is renowned for its balanced tonal profile, offering plush, resonant lows, midrange clarity, and articulate highs. By routing Core Chambers that remove roughly 10% of the body wood, Ibanez reduces overall weight—enhancing comfort during long sessions—and unlocks a richer unplugged resonance. Each body blank undergoes precision CNC routing to define ergonomic bevels: a sculpted chest contour for seamless player contact, a forearm bevel for unhindered strumming, and a belly cut for seated comfort. Hand-sanding ensures flawless transitions and a refined tactile feel.

The chambered design not only lightens the instrument but also allows the top wood to vibrate more freely, translating into extended harmonic complexity when plugged in. Players experience a responsive, lively tone that breathes beneath each note—qualities that belay the guitar’s Standard Series designation and hint at its Prestige DNA.

2 | Neck Craftsmanship — S-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple

Ibanez’s proprietary S-TECH WOOD thermal treatment imparts exceptional stability and tonal enhancement to the one-piece maple neck and fretboard. Exposing the wood to controlled heat and humidity cycles expels internal moisture and relieves structural stresses, resulting in a neck that resists seasonal warp and demands minimal truss-rod adjustments. The roasting process yields a satin-smooth surface with an amber-tinted patina, emulating the feel of a well-worn vintage instrument. The neck profile is an "Oval C" shape—0.83 inches thick at the nut and 0.93 inches at the 12th fret—offering an ideal balance between chordal comfort and lead-line agility.

The roasted maple fretboard further extends the benefits of the thermal treatment, presenting a slick playing surface that feels familiar from day one. The wood’s density increases sustain and resonance, while the satin finish ensures consistent tactile feedback along every fret.

3 | Frets & Fretboard Detailing — Compound Radius & Stainless Steel

The AZ22S1F-TXB features a 10"–14" compound-radius fretboard that caters to both chordal and lead styles. Near the nut, the tighter radius facilitates comfortable open-chord shapes; toward the body, the flatter surface accommodates wide, fret-buzz-free bends. Ibanez installs 22 jumbo stainless-steel frets—favored for their hardness, corrosion resistance, and bright tonal attack. Each fret is hand-leveled, crowned, and polished by seasoned luthiers to ensure uniform height and smooth ends. Fretboard edges are chamfered to eliminate sharp tangs, and glow-in-the-dark Luminlay side-dot markers guide players under stage lighting.

4 | Electronics — Quantum HSS Pickup Configuration

Versatility is at the core of the AZ22S1F-TXB’s electronics package. A high-output Quantum humbucker at the bridge delivers tight, punchy overdrive, while Quantum single-coils at the middle and neck positions provide glassy cleans and classic Stratocaster quack. A push-pull tone control splits the bridge humbucker into a single-coil voice, unlocking additional tonal possibilities—from spanky funk licks to shimmering cleans. The five-way blade switch offers seamless transitions between pickup combinations. Control cavities are shielded with conductive paint to minimize electromagnetic interference, ensuring a quiet, studio-grade signal path.

Factory pickup height settings are meticulously calibrated to balance output levels across positions, providing smooth tonal shifts and consistent dynamic response. This configuration suits an array of musical styles, from blues and jazz to rock and metal.

5 | Bridge System — Gotoh T1502 Two-Point Tremolo

The Gotoh T1502 two-point tremolo system offers smooth, responsive vibrato and rock-solid tuning stability. Precision-machined stainless-steel saddles enhance sustain, while the hardened steel block anchors the strings for consistent resonance. The pop-in tremolo arm can be quickly installed or removed, catering to diverse playing setups. Micro-tilt adjustment on the baseplate allows fine-tuning of the tremolo angle without altering spring tension, enabling personalized feel and action.

Specifications