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

The Ibanez AZ47P1QM-DEB is the flagship of the AZ Premium lineup, combining high-end aesthetics with player-centric design. Featuring a stunning quilted maple top over a lightweight chambered North American alder body, an S-TECH WOOD–treated roasted maple neck and fretboard, versatile Quantum HSS pickup configuration with coil-splitting, premium Gotoh hardware, and finished in the vibrant Dragon Eye Burst flat satin, this instrument ships with a protective gig bag. This comprehensive 2,000-word guide delves into tonewood selection, construction methods, electronics, hardware, ergonomic features, finish application, sustainability efforts, care recommendations, performance scenarios, and the storied AZ heritage—culminating in a clear white-and-gray specification table.

1 | Tonewood & Body Construction

The AZ47P1QM-DEB’s body starts with select North American alder, prized for its balanced tonal character: warm, resonant lows, focused mids, and articulate highs. Strategic chamber routing removes approximately 10% of the non-structural wood, delivering a lighter instrument that resonates more freely and reduces player fatigue. A three-ply quilted maple veneer, selected for its depth of figure and clarity, caps the alder base. This combination enhances both aesthetic impact and acoustic response, providing a rich harmonic foundation when played acoustically and a tight, responsive sound when amplified. Each body blank is CNC-machined to exact tolerances before hand-sanding and contouring, ensuring consistent ergonomics across every example.

Ergonomic bevels—a deep forearm cut, comfortable chest contour, and subtle belly carve—are meticulously shaped and hand-finished to eliminate sharp edges. These contours cradle the guitarist’s body, promoting comfort through extended performances. The chambered design also contributes to a slightly airy midrange presence, adding organic warmth without sacrificing the punch and clarity required for modern styles.

2 | Neck Profile & Roasted Maple Treatment

Ibanez’s S-TECH WOOD process thermally treats the maple neck and fretboard to stabilize moisture content and relieve internal stresses. This yields a neck with exceptional dimensional stability, virtually impervious to seasonal environmental changes, and enhanced sustain due to increased hardness. The roasted maple takes on a satiny feel and an amber-toned hue reminiscent of aged vintage instruments. The neck profile is an "Oval C" shape, measuring 0.83 inches at the first fret and expanding to 0.93 inches at the twelfth fret—providing a comfortable grip for chordal work and a fast, open feel for lead passages.

The one-piece roasted maple fretboard features a compound-radius design, transitioning from 10 inches at the nut for smooth chord voicings to 14 inches near the body for fretboard flattop bends. Jumbo stainless-steel frets are installed, prized for their wear resistance and bright tonal response. Luminlay glow-in-the-dark side-dot markers ensure reliable navigation under stage lighting.

3 | Frets & Fretboard Detailing

The AZ47P1QM-DEB features 22 jumbo stainless-steel frets, each hand-leveled, crowned, and polished by expert luthiers. Hand-filed fret ends eliminate sharp tangs, ensuring comfortable lateral movement across the neck. The roasted maple edges are chamfered to prevent discomfort during fast position shifts. This meticulous attention to detail ensures each fingerboard is free of buzz and offers consistent intonation and tactile feel.

The dual-radius fretboard supports a wide range of playing styles, accommodating both tight rhythm chording and wide bending without fret buzz. Combined with the roasted finish, the fretboard feels seasoned from day one, requiring minimal break-in time.

4 | Electronics — Quantum HSS Configuration

The Quantum HSS pickup layout empowers players with vast tonal options. An alnico-voiced Quantum humbucker at the bridge position delivers thick, muscular tones, perfect for overdrive and distortion. The Quantum single-coils at the middle and neck positions offer clear, glassy cleans and classic Strat-like quack. A push-pull tone pot splits the bridge humbucker into single-coil mode, adding a chimey character. The five-way blade switch provides all standard and nuanced pickup combinations, housed in fully shielded cavities lined with conductive paint to minimize electromagnetic interference and hum.

Careful pickup height adjustment factory-settings ensure balanced output across positions. Shielded control cavities and wiring reduce noise, making this guitar studio-ready and stage-reliable.

5 | Hardware — Gotoh Precision Components

Rock-solid tuning stability and expressive vibrato capabilities come courtesy of Gotoh hardware. The two-point Gotoh T1502 tremolo bridge features stainless-steel saddles for precise intonation and a high-mass block for increased sustain. The pop-in tremolo arm allows quick setup, and the micro-tilt adjustment on the baseplate lets players fine-tune the tremolo angle without altering tension. Gotoh sealed die-cast tuning machines with a 16:1 gear ratio provide smooth, accurate tuning and secure string clamping for fast changes.

A Graph Tech TUSQ XL nut completes the string path, offering consistent string spacing and balanced harmonic transfer. The nut slots are precisely cut and lubricated to prevent binding during bends and tremolo use, further enhancing tuning stability.

6 | Control Layout & Ergonomics

The AZ47P1QM-DEB’s control layout is both intuitive and versatile: a master volume knob with a smooth taper, a master tone knob featuring push-pull coil-split functionality, and a five-way pickup selector switch. Knurled knobs offer tactile feedback and precise adjustments. The recessed QuickSwitch eliminates protruding levers, preserving the guitar’s sleek profile while preventing accidental toggles during play.

Ergonomic forearm bevels, chest contouring, and belly cuts work in unison to cradle the instrument comfortably, whether standing or seated. These refinements reflect extensive player feedback, ensuring the guitar supports extended practice, recording, and performance sessions.

7 | Finish & Aesthetic Flourishes — Dragon Eye Burst

The Dragon Eye Burst flat satin finish is applied in multiple ultra-thin, UV-cured polyester coats that preserve wood resonance. The finish showcases a radiant gradient—from a sunburst center that highlights the quilted figure to darker edges that frame the top. Its matte texture diffuses glare under stage lights and resists fingerprints. Matte black hardware and fretboard binding complement the finish, resulting in a contemporary look that stands out under concert lighting or in studio setups.

Each finish undergoes thorough inspection under varied lighting conditions to guarantee uniform color saturation and depth, ensuring every guitar meets Ibanez’s exacting quality standards.

8 | Gig Bag & Transport Protection

The AZ47P1QM-DEB includes a rugged padded gig bag designed for reliable transport. Its exterior is crafted from water-resistant polyester, while the interior lining is plush to protect the guitar’s finish. Adjustable backpack straps and a reinforced handle provide versatile carrying options. An external accessory pocket keeps cables, picks, tuners, and documentation within easy reach, and heavy-duty zippers ensure secure closure and durability.

9 | Sustainability & Responsible Practices

Ibanez sources North American alder from FSC-certified forests and uses responsibly managed maple. The S-TECH WOOD roasting process reduces waste by minimizing future truss-rod adjustments. Finishes utilize low-VOC, waterborne resins, and factory offcuts are repurposed or used as biomass. Packaging consists of 80% post-consumer recycled cardboard printed with soy-based inks, underscoring Ibanez’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

10 | Care & Maintenance Guidelines

To maintain peak performance, wipe down the guitar with a microfiber cloth after each use, particularly the fretboard and hardware. Store the instrument in its gig bag within a climate-controlled environment at 40–50% humidity. Change strings regularly and lubricate the nut and tremolo pivot points during string changes. Schedule a professional setup every 6–12 months to adjust neck relief, action, and intonation as needed to match evolving playing styles.

11 | Performance Scenarios & Versatility

Studio Recording: The chambered design and Quantum pickups yield balanced tonal layers for tracking.
Live Performance: QuickSwitch reliability, robust hardware, and vivid finish create stage presence.
Home Practice: Ergonomic contours and lightweight body reduce fatigue over extended sessions.
Genre Flexibility: Coil-splitting covers funk, blues, rock, metal, and fusion.
Collector Appeal: Dragon Eye Burst quilted top and premium appointments make it a centerpiece in any collection.

12 | Warranty & Support

The AZ47P1QM-DEB is backed by Ibanez’s two-year limited warranty on materials and workmanship, extendable through online registration. Coverage includes electronics, hardware, and finish defects, excluding normal wear, misuse, and environmental damage. Authorized Ibanez service centers worldwide provide genuine replacement parts and expert repairs, ensuring your instrument remains in top condition for years.

Specifications