Ibanez AZ2203N-BK
The Ibanez AZ2203N-BK pairs a carefully specified Japanese build with three single-coil pickups and a Gotoh tremolo. Its feature set looks strong, but the listed price and conflicting case details are worth checking before purchase.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 6 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Ibanez AZ2203N-BK: Technical Overview
The Ibanez AZ2203N-BK is a black, Japanese-made electric guitar with an alder body, a roasted maple neck, a rosewood fingerboard, and three Seymour Duncan Fortuna single-coil pickups. Its listed price is 1525, with no currency specified in the supplied information. The model has been available since March 2023.
The specifications point to a conventional bolt-on design with a 648 mm scale, 22 jumbo frets, and a Gotoh T1502S tremolo. Controls include volume, tone, and blend, with a five-way pickup selector. These details describe the instrument's layout, but they do not establish how it sounds or feels in use. No customer reviews are available, so this assessment is limited to the documented construction and hardware.
Body, Neck, and Fingerboard
The body is alder, finished in black gloss polyester lacquer. The data lists no top, which means no separate body-top material is specified. Chrome hardware provides the stated finish for the metal components. The supplied specifications do not include body dimensions, weight, or a description of the body contours, so those aspects cannot be assessed from the available information.
The bolt-on neck is roasted maple, with an AZ Oval C profile. Its stated depth is 21 mm at the first fret and 23 mm at the twelfth. The profile and measurements offer a more useful description than a shape name alone, though they do not reveal how the neck will suit a particular player. The 42 mm nut width and bone nut are also specified.
The rosewood fingerboard has mother-of-pearl dot inlays and a compound radius that changes from 228 mm to 305 mm. Ibanez lists 22 jumbo frets. Together, these figures define the board's stated dimensions and fret count, but fret finish, fret material, and setup measurements are not provided. A proper hands-on inspection would still be needed to judge fretwork and setup quality.
Pickups and Controls
The guitar uses three Seymour Duncan Fortuna single-coil pickups in an SSS arrangement. A five-way switch selects pickup combinations, while separate volume and tone controls provide the listed level and tonal adjustments. A blend control is also included. The specifications do not explain the blend control's wiring or describe which pickup signals it combines, so its exact operation should be confirmed with the manufacturer or by testing the instrument.
Pickup model names and switching details can help identify the intended configuration, but they are not a substitute for a sound test. There are no supplied output measurements, frequency data, or verified listening impressions. As a result, claims about brightness, noise, sustain, or suitability for a particular genre would go beyond the available evidence.
Tremolo and Other Hardware
The bridge is a Gotoh T1502S tremolo. The supplied specifications identify the model but do not give details such as the number of springs, bridge setup, or the range of pitch movement. The strings are listed as.010 to.046 gauge. No locking tuners are mentioned, and the tuning machines are not identified, so neither should be assumed.
There is a notable inconsistency in the included-accessory information. One entry says there is no case, while the detailed specification says a case is included. The data also lists no bag. Buyers should verify what comes in the package before purchase rather than relying on either case entry. This is a documentation issue, not a reason to infer that one listing is correct.
What the Specifications Establish
- Construction: Alder body, roasted maple bolt-on neck, and rosewood fingerboard.
- Dimensions: 648 mm scale, 42 mm nut width, and a 228 to 305 mm compound fingerboard radius.
- Electronics: Three Seymour Duncan Fortuna single-coil pickups, five-way switching, volume, tone, and blend controls.
- Hardware: Gotoh T1502S tremolo and chrome hardware.
- Finish and origin: Black gloss polyester lacquer, made in Japan.
The item number is 557110, and the sales unit is one piece. The package details remain uncertain because of the conflicting case information. The record gives no weight, dimensions, included tools, warranty terms, or setup specifications.
Assessment
On paper, the Ibanez AZ2203N-BK has clearly documented materials, neck dimensions, pickup configuration, and bridge model. That makes it possible to compare its stated specification with other guitars in the same general category. The Japanese origin and named components are factual identifiers, not evidence by themselves of a particular level of fit, finish, or performance.
With no customer reviews or firsthand test results available, a responsible evaluation cannot make claims about sound, playability, tuning stability, or build quality. The most useful next steps for a buyer are to try the neck and controls in person, inspect the setup and fretwork, and confirm whether a case is included. On the supplied facts alone, the AZ2203N-BK is a detailed SSS guitar specification with one important accessory question still unresolved.
Shipping and duties
The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.
Scores by area
Where it shines, where it stumbles
What convinced me
- Japanese-made construction with an alder body and roasted maple neck
- Three Seymour Duncan Fortuna single-coil pickups with volume, tone, and blend controls
- Gotoh T1502S tremolo, bone nut, and 22 jumbo frets
What bugged me
- Single-coil pickups may produce more hum than humbuckers in noisy environments
- The specifications conflict on whether a case is included, so confirm with the seller
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
A good fit for players seeking a Japanese-made electric guitar with three single-coil pickups, a tremolo, and flexible pickup blending. Also worth considering for players who value a compound-radius fingerboard and jumbo frets.Look elsewhere if
Less suitable for players who need humbucker tones or want to minimize single-coil hum. Check elsewhere if a confirmed included case is essential and the seller cannot resolve the listing conflict.Suggested level: Intermediate
Specifications
- Color
- Black
- Body
- Alder
- Top
- None
- Neck
- Maple
- Fretboard
- Rosewood
- Frets
- 22
- Scale
- 648 mm
- Pickups
- SSS
- Tremolo
- Gotoh
- Incl. bag
- No
- Including case
- No
Up close
Watch and listen
Before you decide
Questions players ask
What pickup configuration does the AZ2203N-BK have?
It has three Seymour Duncan Fortuna single-coil pickups, a five-way switch, and volume, tone, and blend controls.
Does it include a case?
The detailed specifications say a case is included, but another listing field says no case is included. Confirm this with the seller before buying.
What is the scale length?
The scale length is 648 mm, or approximately 25.5 inches.
What tremolo and nut does it use?
It is equipped with a Gotoh T1502S tremolo and a bone nut.
Is this guitar suitable for beginners?
Its specifications are not limited to advanced players, but the supplied information does not establish setup or ease-of-use details. Beginners should try it in person if possible and budget for any needed setup.
The last word from the bench
The AZ2203N-BK offers a roasted maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, compound radius, and jumbo frets, alongside Seymour Duncan Fortuna pickups and a Gotoh tremolo. Its controls include a blend knob, giving players more ways to shape the three-pickup setup. The listed price is 1525, with no currency specified, and the case information is inconsistent across the supplied specifications. Confirm what is included with the seller before ordering.
Hanging next to it
Ibanez AZ2203N-BK
Today's price and delivery time are shown at the retailer.






