Ibanez AZES40-TUN — AZES Standard Series Electro-Acoustic Guitar

The Ibanez AZES40-TUN unites electrified performance features with premium acoustic tone. Featuring a solid Sitka spruce top paired with chambered mahogany back and sides, a Venetian cutaway for upper-fret access, Ibanez’s AEQ-SP2 preamp system, Sonicore piezo pickup, and a roasted maple S-TECH WOOD neck, this guitar delivers clarity and playability on any stage. Complete with a padded gig bag, it offers modern appointments and professional-grade sound in a comfortable, travel-friendly package. This 2,000-word guide explores construction, electronics, hardware, ergonomics, finish, sustainability, maintenance, performance scenarios, and warranty—culminating in a concise white-and-gray specification table.

1 | Tonewood Selection & Body Construction

The AZES40-TUN’s body begins with a solid Sitka spruce top, chosen for its dynamic response and wide tonal range—from warm fundamentals to sparkling overtones. Underneath, chambered mahogany back and sides remove roughly 15% of interior wood mass, reducing weight for comfort and enhancing resonance. CNC-defined Venetian cutaway contours provide unobstructed access to higher frets, while ergonomic armrest and belly bevels cradle the player’s forearm and torso. Hand-sanding ensures smooth transitions and effortless playability during extended sets.

2 | Onboard Electronics — AEQ-SP2 Preamp & Sonicore Pickup

Amplification is handled by the AEQ-SP2 preamp, featuring a 3-band EQ (Bass, Middle, Treble), Volume control, and an onboard tuner. This slim-bodied preamp delivers intuitive tone shaping and stage-ready tuning accuracy. Beneath the saddle, a Sonicore under-saddle piezo pickup captures accurate string vibration for a natural amplified voice. The combination of precision EQ and quality piezo ensures balanced amplification with minimal feedback, ideal for live and studio applications.

3 | Neck Construction — S-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple

The one-piece maple neck and fretboard undergo Ibanez’s S-TECH WOOD treatment— a thermal process that expels moisture and relieves internal stress. This yields a neck with remarkable stability, resisting environmental fluctuations and enhancing sustain. The roasted maple takes on a smooth satin feel and a subtle amber patina, offering immediate comfort. The neck’s "Oval C" profile (0.83" at nut, 0.93" at 12th fret) harmonizes chordal playability with lead-line agility, accommodating varying hand sizes and techniques.

4 | Fretboard & Frets — Compound Radius & Stainless Steel

A 10"–14" compound-radius Indian rosewood fingerboard supports seamless transitions from open chords to wide bends. Ibanez installs 22 jumbo stainless-steel frets—favored for their durability and bright tonal attack. Each fret is hand-leveled, crowned, and polished, with chamfered fret ends ensuring smooth lateral movement. Luminlay glow-in-the-dark side-dot markers embedded into the board edge guide players in dim lighting, maintaining precise positioning onstage.

5 | Nut & Saddle — Graph Tech TUSQ XL

The Graph Tech TUSQ XL saddle and nut provide consistent string spacing, balanced harmonic transfer, and stable tuning. The compensated saddle ensures accurate intonation across all strings, while the TUSQ XL material offers improved sustain and tonal clarity compared to traditional bone. Precise slotting and PTFE lubrication minimize binding, especially during heavy strumming and bending techniques.

Specifications