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Ibanez’s affordable AZ Essentials guitars were designed with Tomo Fujita
The guitars feature dyna-MIX wiring for a wide variety of pickup voicings.
Image: Ibanez
Ibanez has introduced a wallet-friendly offshoot of its AZ electric guitar models under the AZ Essentials line, designed in collaboration with guitarist Tomo Fujita.
The series includes two models: the hardtail AZES31 and the vibrato-equipped AZES40. Both feature dyna-MIX wiring, which lets you flip an Alter switch in the control section to access an additional range of pickup voices. Ibanez also developed a new T106 bridge with rounded saddles for the series.
The AZES31 is built with a poplar body and has a maple neck with a Jatoba fingerboard. Its 25-inch scale length means it’s just slightly shorter than your average electric, which Ibanez says could be ideal for young learners.
Pickups include a trio of Ibanez Essentials ceramic single coils, routed to Strat-style controls. With the Alter switch turned on, you get access to series-connected voices and more. See a diagram of all the voices here.
The AZES40 is the vibrato variant of the series and also features a HSS pickup configuration with an Ibanez Accord bridge humbucker and two Ibanez Essentials single-coils in the neck and middle position. It too offers a variety of additional tones with the Alter switch flipped on, see them all here.
Pricing and availability
The AZ Essentials series will be out in October 2021 and are listing now for £299 each. The AZES31 comes in Vermillion and Ivory, while the AZES40 comes in Purist Blue, Mint Green and Black.
Learn more at Ibanez.com