Ibanez AZ24S1F-VLS

Ibanez AZ24S1F-VLS review

The Ibanez AZ24S1F-VLS is a solid-body electric guitar with an alder body, a flamed maple top, and a bolt-on roasted maple neck. Its Violin Sunburst finish gives the instrument a warm, slightly vintage look. The listed price is 509, and the model has been available since January 2025. Ibanez positions the AZ line between its entry-level AZES models and the more expensive Prestige and Premium ranges.

On paper, the specification is strong for this price tier. The guitar has a jatoba fingerboard with white dot inlays, 24 jumbo frets, locking tuners, and chrome hardware. Its 648 mm (25.51-inch) scale and 41.9 mm (1.65-inch) nut width are familiar dimensions for a full-scale electric guitar. Ibanez lists the fingerboard radius as 305 mm (12 inches), with a neck measuring 21 mm at the first fret and 23 mm at the 12th. Those details suggest a relatively slim neck profile, though hand comfort is personal and worth checking in person.

Pickups and switching

The AZ24S1F-VLS uses two Ibanez Modern Custom humbuckers, one at the bridge and one at the neck. A five-way switch works with Ibanez's dyna-MIX10 system and Alter-Switch to provide a range of pickup configurations. The setup aims to cover both the thicker output associated with humbuckers and cleaner, more defined sounds.

One owner reports being pleased with both ends of that range. The humbuckers delivered a full sound, while alternate switch positions produced clean tones that suited the player. That account is useful, but it remains a single player's impression rather than a guarantee of how every amplifier or playing style will sound. The available feedback also does not provide measured output levels or a detailed comparison with other pickup sets.

Playing feel and tremolo

The roasted maple neck, jumbo frets, and locking tuners are notable appointments at this price. One reviewer praised the guitar's playability and described a replacement instrument as having well-rounded fret ends and clean note sustain across the fingerboard. The same reviewer initially received a guitar with several fret ends that felt sharp, however. That difference makes individual inspection important: the specification tells you what parts are fitted, but not how consistently each guitar is finished.

Ibanez lists a T106, two-point tremolo. Owner comments describe a system that, on their instrument, moved the strings down in pitch but not up, with a broad range in that direction. The report also says the bridge rested against the body and held tuning through heavy use, including when a string broke. Those observations do not fully align with the listed two-point description, so check the bridge setup on the specific guitar you are considering rather than assuming every example behaves the same way.

Build quality and setup

Feedback on fit and finish is mixed. One buyer found an imperfect join in the top veneer, needed adjustments to string height and intonation, and noticed sharp fret ends. After three weeks, that guitar developed a pickup-switching fault. The retailer replaced it, and the buyer reported that the replacement was well finished and played cleanly across the frets.

That experience suggests meaningful variation between individual examples, not a definitive verdict on every AZ24S1F-VLS. It also puts the feature list in context. Locking tuners and a roasted maple neck are appealing, but they do not remove the need to check fretwork, setup, finish details, and electronics. No gig bag or case is included according to the supplied specifications, so budget for protection if you need it.

Verdict

The Ibanez AZ24S1F-VLS offers a versatile pickup layout, a roasted maple neck, and useful hardware in a package priced at 509. Its strongest case is the combination of those features with reported clean tones and comfortable playability. The main caution is quality control: one owner encountered setup and finishing issues, followed by an electronic fault, while the replacement guitar earned a much better assessment.

If possible, try the exact instrument before buying. Check the fret ends, tuning stability, pickup positions, and bridge movement, and make sure the action and intonation suit your playing. The guitar could be a compelling option for players seeking an adaptable humbucker instrument, but the owner reports make a careful inspection sensible.