Ibanez AZES40 Guitar Review: Does It Live Up to the Hype?

Looking for a versatile electric guitar that won’t break the bank? The Ibanez AZES40 has generated significant buzz among guitarists of all skill levels. This latest addition to the Ibanez lineup promises professional features at an entry-level price point, making it worth your attention if you’re shopping for a new guitar.

Your search for the perfect guitar requires careful consideration of build quality, playability, and sound versatility. This comprehensive review examines the AZES40’s innovative tremolo system, series wiring capabilities, and overall performance. We’ll help you determine if this guitar delivers the value and features you need for your playing journey.

Design and Build Quality

The Ibanez AZES40 showcases thoughtful engineering in its construction, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern innovations. When you pick up this instrument, you’ll immediately notice its well-balanced design that caters to both beginners and intermediate players.

Body and Neck Construction

The AZES40’s body features lightweight poplar wood, delivering a well-balanced tone with substantial thickness. The maple neck provides stability and bright tonal characteristics, while the jatoba fretboard offers a rich midrange with crisp highs. You’ll find the C-shaped neck profile particularly accommodating, measuring 20.5mm at the first fret and 22.5mm at the twelfth.

A standout feature is the guitar’s 25-inch scale length, making it an excellent choice if you’re looking for easier playability without sacrificing tone. The fingerboard radius of 250mm (9.843 inches) strikes an ideal balance between chord comfort and lead playing.

Hardware and Electronics

Your AZES40 comes equipped with several hardware innovations:

• T106 tremolo bridge with comfort round steel saddles for enhanced playing comfort
• Mono-unit output jack constructed from durable materials to prevent unwanted movement
• Chrome hardware with split-shaft machine heads for reliable tuning stability

The electronics configuration features an HSS pickup layout with Essential ceramic single-coils in the neck and middle positions, complemented by an Accord ceramic humbucker at the bridge. This versatile setup allows you to explore various tonal possibilities through the innovative dyna-MIX9 switching system.

Comfort and Playability

The All Access Neck Joint design ensures superior reach to upper frets, while the comfort round bridge saddles minimize stress on your strumming hand. With its moderate neck profile and carefully considered dimensions, you’ll find the AZES40 accommodating for extended playing sessions.

The 42mm nut width offers excellent playability, particularly beneficial if you have smaller hands. Combined with the guitar’s 22 medium-sized frets, you’ll experience enhanced note accuracy and comfortable chord formations across the entire neck.

Made in Indonesia, where Ibanez maintains strict quality control standards, the AZES40 demonstrates attention to detail in its construction. The bolt-on neck joint, while traditional, provides reliable sustain and maintains the instrument’s resonant qualities throughout your playing sessions.

Sound and Versatility

When it comes to sonic capabilities, the Ibanez AZES40 delivers an impressive array of tones that will surprise you with their versatility. The thoughtful combination of pickups and switching system opens up a world of sonic possibilities that go well beyond what you might expect from a guitar in this price range.

Pickup Configuration

Your AZES40 comes equipped with a versatile HSS pickup configuration, featuring two Essential single-coils in the neck and middle positions, complemented by an Accord humbucker at the bridge. This setup provides a well-balanced tone profile that adapts seamlessly to various musical styles. The ceramic-based pickups deliver impressive clarity, with the neck pickup measuring a DC resistance of 6.6 ohms – remarkably close to vintage specifications.

dyna-MIX9 Switching System

The heart of this guitar’s versatility lies in its innovative dyna-MIX9 switching system, offering nine distinct sound variations at your fingertips. This sophisticated system allows you to:

• Switch between humbucker and single-coil modes with a simple flick of the mini switch
• Combine single-coils in series for humbucking-style sounds
• Access unique pickup combinations for specialized tones

When engaging the Alter switch, you’ll notice significantly fuller sounds, particularly in the middle position where all three pickups work together. The system even simulates authentic humbucking tones by cleverly combining two single-coil pickups.

Tonal Range and Clarity

Your sonic palette extends from pristine clean tones to high-gain territories. The bridge humbucker delivers a well-defined midrange voice that’s perfect for rock and heavier styles. When you’re seeking cleaner tones, the neck position provides a pleasing punch that’s especially beneficial for sustaining delicate notes.

The guitar truly shines in its middle positions, where you’ll discover some unique tonal characteristics:

• The combination of outer coils creates a distinctive, Telecaster-like response
• Series-wired single coils produce thick, nasally tones perfect for lead work
• The bridge humbucker’s splitting capability adds further dimensionality to your sound

What sets the AZES40 apart is its ability to maintain clarity across all pickup selections. The poplar body contributes to a well-balanced tone with remarkable thickness, while the jatoba fretboard adds a rich midrange with crisp high-end response. Whether you’re playing jazz, fusion, or rock, you’ll find that the stock pickups deliver surprisingly versatile performance.

The dyna-MIX9 system might seem complex at first, but you’ll quickly discover its practical benefits. While studio musicians will appreciate having nine distinct tones available, you might find yourself gravitating toward a few favorite settings during live performances. The system’s true strength lies in its ability to provide usable tones across all positions, rather than just a collection of novel sounds.

Performance and Value

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, the value proposition of a guitar often determines its worth in your collection. The Ibanez AZES40 stands out in the market by offering professional-grade features at a price point that’s significantly lower than its competitors.

Beginner-Friendly Features

Your journey into guitar playing becomes notably smoother with the AZES40’s thoughtful design choices. The guitar meets 6 out of 8 criteria items for beginner-friendliness, making it an excellent choice for new players. You’ll appreciate these beginner-friendly characteristics:

• Comfortable neck profile with narrow nut width
• Easy-to-use tremolo bridge system
• Short scale length for improved playability
• Comfortable fretboard radius for chord transitions

The 25-inch scale length proves particularly beneficial if you’re just starting out or have smaller hands, allowing you to develop proper technique without straining.

Professional-Grade Capabilities

Don’t let the beginner-friendly features fool you – this guitar holds its own in professional settings too. While it’s marketed toward beginners, you can absolutely utilize it as an intermediate player. The guitar excels in three crucial areas:

1. Playability: The All Access neck joint ensures comfortable access to higher frets, making complex lead work a breeze.
2. Tuning Stability: The guitar maintains tuning integrity even in challenging environmental conditions.
3. Tonal Versatility: The pickup configuration and switching system allow you to explore various music styles, from rock to jazz and fusion.

Your recording sessions and practice routines benefit from the guitar’s reliable performance, and it’s perfectly capable of handling live gig situations.

Price-to-Quality Ratio

When considering value for money, the AZES40 presents a compelling case. Priced at USD 489, this instrument sits approximately 51% below its average competitor’s price of USD 720. Despite the affordable price point, you’re getting features typically found in more expensive guitars:

• Professional-grade electronics with the sophisticated dyna-MIX9 switching system
• Quality hardware including the T106 tremolo bridge
• Reliable Indonesian craftsmanship that many prefer over Chinese manufacturing

The overall build quality impresses even when not considering the price tag. While some components, like the plastic nut, might warrant future upgrades, the core features deliver exceptional value. The maple neck, though an economical choice, performs admirably, and the jatoba fretboard provides familiar playability similar to rosewood.

You’ll find that the AZES40 strikes an impressive balance between affordability and professional features. Unless you’re seeking extremely specific tones for genres like djent or pure jazz, this guitar offers remarkable versatility and quality for your investment.

Pros and Cons

After extensive testing and analysis, let’s break down exactly what makes the Ibanez AZES40 stand out and where it might fall short of expectations. Understanding these aspects will help you make an informed decision about whether this guitar aligns with your needs.

Advantages

The AZES40’s strengths lie in its thoughtful design choices and player-friendly features:

• Superior Neck Design: The All Access Neck Joint provides exceptional upper fret access, while the 250mm fretboard radius offers an ideal compromise between comfort and playability
• Innovative Electronics: The dyna-MIX9 switching system delivers nine distinct sound variations, including authentic humbucking tones from single-coil combinations
• Ergonomic Considerations: The 25-inch scale length makes it particularly suitable for players with smaller hands or those seeking easier string tension
• Quality Construction: The combination of maple neck and jatoba fretboard delivers bright tones with rich midrange and crisp highs
• Value Proposition: Priced at USD 489, it offers features typically found in guitars costing significantly more

Potential Drawbacks

Your experience with the AZES40 might be affected by these limitations:

Hardware Considerations:

• The stock tuners, while functional, might benefit from an upgrade for enhanced stability
• The ceramic pickups, though versatile, may not satisfy players seeking vintage authenticity

Technical Limitations:

• The unique three-wire pickup system limits aftermarket pickup options
• Replacing pickups would compromise the dyna-MIX9 functionality

Design Compromises:

• No locking tuners included
• Absence of high-end features like stainless steel frets or weight relief
• Basic nut material that might warrant future upgrade

Who It’s Best For

Your playing style and experience level will determine how well the AZES40 meets your needs:

Ideal For:

1. Beginning Guitarists: The guitar meets 6 out of 8 criteria for beginner-friendliness, offering:
   • Comfortable neck profile
   • Easy-to-use bridge system
   • Forgiving fretboard radius
2. Intermediate Players: You’ll appreciate:
   • The versatile tonal options
   • Professional-grade playability
   • Reliable performance for live situations
3. Players with Specific Needs:
   • Those with smaller hands will benefit from the shorter scale length
   • Budget-conscious musicians seeking professional features
   • Players who value versatility over specialized tones

Less Suitable For:

• Players with larger hands might find the nut width restrictive
• Those seeking pure vintage tones might find the modern features contradictory
• Players requiring specialized pickup configurations for specific genres

The AZES40 particularly excels in genres like hard rock and similar styles, though its versatility allows it to handle various musical applications effectively. If you’re seeking a guitar that balances playability with modern features while maintaining a reasonable price point, you’ll find the AZES40 hits many of the right notes.

Conclusion

The Ibanez AZES40 stands as a remarkable achievement in guitar manufacturing, delivering professional-grade features without the premium price tag. Through thoughtful engineering choices like the innovative dyna-MIX9 switching system, comfortable neck profile, and versatile HSS pickup configuration, this guitar proves its worth far beyond its $489 price point. Quality construction elements, including the maple neck and jatoba fretboard, ensure reliable performance while maintaining excellent playability for guitarists at any skill level.

Musicians seeking a versatile instrument will appreciate how the AZES40 handles various playing styles with ease, from clean jazz tones to high-gain rock sounds. Despite minor limitations in hardware choices, the guitar’s core features create an impressive foundation for both beginners and intermediate players. The combination of modern innovations and traditional craftsmanship makes the AZES40 a smart investment for anyone looking to expand their musical horizons without compromising on quality or versatility.

FAQs

Where is the Ibanez AZES40 manufactured?
The Ibanez AZES40-PRB is manufactured in Indonesia. This series is designed to offer a blend of tone, versatility, and value.

How can you determine the manufacture date of an Ibanez guitar?
Ibanez guitars can be dated by their serial numbers. For example, the serial number C03114373 indicates the guitar was made in 2003, in November, and was the 4,373rd guitar produced that month. Premium models produced before November 2011 have a five-digit number followed by a letter, where the letter represents the year starting from 2010 with ‘A’.

Are Ibanez guitars suitable for beginners?
Yes, Ibanez guitars are generally well-suited for beginners due to their playability. Features like slim neck profiles and comfortable fretboard widths make them accessible for new players.

What is the scale length used in Ibanez guitars?
The Ibanez AZES40 uses a PRS-style 25″ scale length, which is comfortable for a wide range of playing styles.

Is the Ibanez AZES40 a good choice for all types of guitar players?
The Ibanez AZES40 is a versatile guitar that suits many players, especially those not seeking extremely specific tones like Djent or pure jazz. Its build quality is commendable even considering its price point, and it offers a balanced tone suitable for genres like rock, jazz, and fusion. However, for very specific tonal goals, pickup replacements might be considered.