Ibanez AZ2204NW-SFB

Ibanez AZ2204NW-SFB: Technical Review

The Ibanez AZ2204NW-SFB is a Japan-made electric guitar in Seafoam Blue, listed at $1,599. Its specification sheet describes a familiar single-cutaway-style electric guitar configuration in practical terms: an alder body, a bolt-on roasted maple neck, a rosewood fingerboard, and three Seymour Duncan pickups in an HSS layout. The listed release date is October 2023. A hard-shell case is included; a separate gig bag is not.

There are no customer reviews available for this model in the supplied information. This assessment therefore focuses on what the listed construction and electronics establish, rather than claiming anything about playing feel, sound quality, reliability, or owner satisfaction.

Construction and neck dimensions

The body is alder, with no separate top listed. The neck is roasted maple and attaches to the body with a bolt-on joint. Ibanez specifies an AZ Oval C neck profile, a 42 mm nut width, and a 648 mm scale length, equivalent to 25.51 inches. Those measurements give a useful outline of the neck's proportions, though they do not by themselves establish how it will feel in the hand.

The rosewood fingerboard has mother-of-pearl dot inlays and 22 jumbo stainless steel frets. Stainless steel is a concrete material choice, but the specifications do not provide fret dimensions, setup details, or an account of how the frets are finished. The fingerboard radius compounds from 228 mm to 305 mm, or about 8.98 to 12.01 inches. That change is intended as part of the design, but its practical effect depends on a player's technique and setup.

A bone nut completes the listed string-contact hardware at the headstock. Gotoh Magnum Lock tuning machines are specified, along with chrome hardware. The listing identifies the parts, but offers no basis for claims about tuning stability or durability in use.

Pickups and switching

The HSS pickup arrangement combines one Seymour Duncan Fortuna humbucker at the bridge with two Seymour Duncan Fortuna single-coil pickups in the middle and neck positions. Controls consist of one volume knob, one tone knob, and a five-way selector. This layout provides distinct pickup positions through the selector, while the exact tonal character cannot be confirmed from component names alone.

Ibanez also specifies its dyna-MIX9 switching system with an Alter Switch. The system name and switch are part of the guitar's documented electronics, but the supplied specifications do not explain each switching combination. It would be misleading to assign particular coil configurations or describe nine specific sounds without a wiring diagram or fuller manufacturer documentation.

For a buyer comparing pickup formats, the core point is straightforward: this is not an all-single-coil or all-humbucker model. It places a humbucker at the bridge and single coils in the other two positions, with additional switching options indicated by the dyna-MIX9 system. Whether that arrangement suits a particular style is a matter of preference, and should be assessed by trying the instrument or checking detailed audio demonstrations.

Tremolo, finish, and included case

The guitar is fitted with a Gotoh T1702B tremolo. The listing does not specify setup, adjustment range, or performance under repeated use, so the model number is the most defensible description. The finish is Seafoam Blue, and the hardware is chrome. No separate body-top material is listed.

At the stated $1,599 price, the included hard-shell case is a practical part of the package. The specifications do not describe the case's interior, locking hardware, or dimensions. The guitar is listed as one piece per sales unit, with item number 576909.

What the specifications establish

• Body and neck: Alder body, bolt-on roasted maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard.
• Dimensions: 648 mm scale, 42 mm nut width, and a compound radius from 228 mm to 305 mm.
• Frets: 22 jumbo stainless steel frets.
• Electronics: Seymour Duncan Fortuna HSS pickups, volume and tone controls, a five-way switch, and dyna-MIX9 switching with an Alter Switch.
• Hardware and package: Gotoh T1702B tremolo, Gotoh Magnum Lock tuning machines, chrome hardware, and a hard-shell case.

The AZ2204NW-SFB's specification sheet makes it a clearly defined HSS guitar with a roasted maple neck, compound-radius fingerboard, and named Gotoh hardware. The available details are useful for comparing construction and equipment, but they cannot replace a hands-on assessment of sound, setup, comfort, or build quality. Buyers should confirm those factors directly before purchase.