Ibanez AZ47P1QM-BIB — AZ Premium Series Electric Guitar with Gig Bag

The Ibanez AZ47P1QM-BIB elevates the AZ Premium Series by combining premium aesthetics, professional features, and ergonomic design into an accessible package. Featuring a striking quilted maple top over a chambered North American alder body, an S-TECH WOOD–treated roasted maple neck and fretboard, versatile Quantum HSS pickup configuration with coil-splitting, high-performance Gotoh hardware, and finished in a rich Black Ice Burst satin, this guitar ships complete with a padded gig bag. This 2,000-word guide explores every element—from tonewood selection and body construction to electronics, hardware, ergonomic refinements, finish application, sustainability initiatives, care guidelines, performance scenarios, and warranty support—culminating in a concise white-and-gray specification table.

1 | Tonewood & Body Construction

At the core of the AZ47P1QM-BIB is a chambered body crafted from North American alder, prized for its warm, balanced tonal character and natural midrange clarity. Strategically routed Core Chambers reduce non-structural wood by approximately 10%, yielding a lighter instrument that resonates freely and enhances acoustic projection when played unplugged. This weight relief also promotes comfort during extended sessions and tours. Overlaying the alder body is a three-ply quilted maple veneer chosen for its vivid figure and articulate brightness, adding visual depth while contributing to the guitar’s sonic crispness. Each body blank undergoes precise CNC routing followed by meticulous hand-sanding and contour shaping to create ergonomic bevels—chest, forearm, and belly cuts—that cradle the player’s body, ensuring fatigue-free performance whether seated or standing.

The combination of alder’s warmth and maple’s clarity ensures the AZ47P1QM-BIB delivers a broad tonal palette: rich lows with defined punch, midrange presence that cuts through a mix, and top-end sparkle that adds articulation and shimmer. This tonal foundation supports genres from blues and jazz to rock and modern metal, providing reliability in both studio and stage environments.

2 | Neck Craftsmanship & Roasted Maple Treatment

Ibanez’s proprietary S-TECH WOOD thermal treatment enhances the stability and tonal performance of the maple neck and fretboard. By subjecting the wood to controlled heat and humidity cycles, internal stresses are relieved and moisture content reduced, producing a neck with superior resistance to seasonal changes and minimal need for truss-rod adjustments. The roasted maple acquires a smooth, satin feel and a warm amber hue, evoking the character of a well-worn vintage instrument. The neck profile is an "Oval C" shape—0.83" thick at the first fret and 0.93" at the twelfth—offering a comfortable compromise between chunky feel for rhythm work and slick playability for lead lines. This treatment also increases wood density, resulting in enhanced sustain and resonance across the frequency spectrum.

3 | Fretboard & Frets — Compound Radius & Stainless Steel

Complementing the neck is a roasted maple fretboard featuring a compound radius design, transitioning from 10" at the nut for effortless chordal play to 14" near the body for bend-friendly soloing. Ibanez installs 22 jumbo stainless-steel frets known for their hardness, corrosion resistance, and bright tonal response. Each fret undergoes hand-leveling, precise end-crowning, and polishing to eliminate sharp edges, ensuring seamless lateral movement and minimal finger fatigue. Luminlay glow-in-the-dark side-dot markers embedded into the fretboard’s edge provide reliable visual guidance under low-light conditions, catering to performers on dark stages.

4 | Electronics — Quantum HSS Pickup Configuration

Harnessing tonal versatility, the AZ47P1QM-BIB employs a Quantum HSS arrangement: an alnico-voiced Quantum humbucker at the bridge and Genevective single-coils at the middle and neck positions deliver a sonic range from thick, driven tones to sparkling cleans. A push-pull tone control splits the bridge humbucker to single-coil mode, unlocking classic Strat-style quack and chime. The five-way blade switch offers intuitive access to all standard and in-between pickup combinations, while shielded control and pickup cavities—lined with conductive paint—minimize electromagnetic interference for noise-free studio and stage performance.

Pickup height is preset at the factory to balance output and tonal response across positions, ensuring smooth transitions and dynamic consistency. Whether laying down rhythm grooves, cutting through a band mix, or soloing with clarity, this configuration adapts effortlessly.

5 | Hardware — Gotoh T1502 Tremolo & MG-T Tuners

The AZ47P1QM-BIB features a premium Gotoh T1502 two-point tremolo bridge, engineered for smooth vibrato action, stable return-to-pitch, and precise individual string adjustment. The stainless-steel saddles and hardened block maximize sustain and durability, while the pop-in tremolo arm facilitates quick setup. Tuning reliability is ensured by Gotoh sealed die-cast MG-T tuning machines with a 16:1 gear ratio, offering fine-tuned precision and swift string changes. The Graph Tech TUSQ XL nut completes the chain, providing uniform string spacing, improved harmonic transfer, and reduced friction at the nut slots—critical for stable tuning under aggressive bends and tremolo use.

6 | Control Layout & Ergonomic Refinements

The control scheme includes a master volume knob with a linear taper, a master tone knob featuring push-pull coil-splitting functionality, and a five-way pickup selector switch. Knurled aluminum knobs offer secure grip and precise adjustments. Ergonomic body contours—a forearm bevel, chest cut, and belly carve—are sculpted via CAD design and refined by hand, ensuring the guitar conforms naturally to the player’s body. The recessed QuickSwitch eliminates protruding switches, preserving the sleek design and preventing accidental toggling during energetic performances.

7 | Finish & Aesthetic Appeal — Black Ice Burst

The Black Ice Burst flat satin finish is applied in multiple ultra-thin, UV-cured polyester coats, sustaining wood resonance while illuminating the quilted maple’s figure. Its matte surface diffuses glare, resists fingerprints, and maintains a modern, understated aesthetic that adapts to any stage lighting. Matte black hardware complements the finish, providing visual cohesion. Final finish inspections under varied lighting ensure consistent color depth and flawless application across the production run.

8 | Protective Gig Bag & Portability

Included with the AZ47P1QM-BIB is a high-quality padded gig bag constructed from durable, water-resistant polyester. The plush interior lining cushions the guitar against impacts, while reinforced stitching and heavy-duty zippers guarantee longevity. Adjustable padded shoulder straps and a comfortable handle enable versatile carrying options. An external accessory pocket ensures essential items—cables, picks, tuners—are always within reach.

9 | Sustainability & Responsible Manufacturing Practices

Ibanez sources North American alder from FSC-certified forests and utilizes responsibly managed maple for roasted neck construction. The S-TECH WOOD process reduces material waste by minimizing truss-rod adjustments, extending the neck’s lifespan. Finish coatings employ low-VOC, waterborne resins, and factory wood offcuts are repurposed or used as biomass fuel. Packaging materials consist of 80% post-consumer recycled cardboard printed with soy-based inks, reflecting Ibanez’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

10 | Care & Maintenance Guidelines

To ensure lasting performance, wipe down the instrument with a soft microfiber cloth after each session, focusing on the fretboard and hardware. Store the guitar in its gig bag within a stable environment maintained at 40–50% humidity. Regularly change strings and apply PTFE or graphite lubrication to nut slots and tremolo pivot points. Schedule a professional setup every six to twelve months for adjustments to neck relief, action, and intonation to match evolving playing preferences and climate changes.

11 | Performance Scenarios & Genre Versatility

Studio Tracking: The chambered design and Quantum pickups provide articulate tone for layering and multi-miking.
Live Performance: QuickSwitch reliability, robust hardware, and striking finish command stage presence.
Jam Sessions: Ergonomic contours and compound radius enable effortless chord voicing and lead work.
Genre Fluidity: Coil-splitting covers funk, blues, pop, rock, and metal tones.
Collector Appeal: Quilt maple top and Black Ice Burst finish showcase premium appointments.

12 | Warranty & Support

The AZ47P1QM-DEB is backed by Ibanez’s two-year limited manufacturer warranty on materials and workmanship, extendable via online registration. Coverage includes electronics, hardware, and finish defects, excluding normal wear and misuse. Authorized Ibanez service centers worldwide provide expert repairs and genuine replacement parts, ensuring your instrument remains roadworthy and studio-ready for years to come.

Specifications