Ibanez S1070PBZ-CKB

Ibanez S1070PBZ-CKB review

The Ibanez S1070PBZ-CKB is a premium S-Series electric guitar with a slim mahogany body, a figured multi-material top, and an HSH pickup layout. It has been available since March 2024, and its Charcoal Black Burst finish gives the layered top a prominent role in the instrument's appearance. At a listed price of 1333, it pairs detailed construction with hardware and electronics aimed at players who want a broad range of sounds from one guitar.

Owner feedback is strongly positive about the instrument's looks, fretwork, sustain, and playability, though setup quality and the supplied gig bag draw criticism. One player reports receiving a guitar that was well packed and properly adjusted, while another describes poor string height and intonation straight out of the box. That difference matters: the guitar may arrive ready to play, but buyers should check the setup rather than assume every example is equally well adjusted.

Layered construction and neck feel

The body is mahogany, with a 16.5 mm top built from poplar, walnut, maple, and panga panga. The neck is an 11-piece bolt-on assembly using panga panga, maple, walnut, and bubinga, paired with a rosewood fingerboard. Its striped construction is a visual feature in its own right. One owner specifically praises the multi-piece neck, while another would like a more refined finish on the back of it.

Ibanez specifies a Wizard neck profile, a 15.75-inch fingerboard radius, a 43 mm nut, and a 648 mm scale. The fingerboard carries offset mother-of-pearl dot inlays and luminous side dots. There are 24 jumbo stainless steel frets. A player describes the neck as exceptionally playable and the frets as well leveled. Another reports fret buzz on the fifth string, reinforcing the need to inspect the individual instrument and its setup.

Although the S body is notably thin, one owner found this guitar surprisingly heavy. No weight figure is provided, so that impression should be treated as a personal observation rather than a general specification. The same player reports strong sustain, an encouraging result for a slim-bodied design.

DiMarzio HSH pickups and controls

The pickup combination consists of a DiMarzio The Tone Zone humbucker at the bridge, a DiMarzio True Velvet single-coil pickup in the middle, and a DiMarzio Air Norton humbucker at the neck. A five-way switch, volume control, and tone control handle the passive electronics. This arrangement offers several pickup combinations without adding a more complex control layout.

Owner comments describe the guitar as versatile, with particularly strong clean sounds. One player says it performs better in clean settings than their other guitars and praises the range available from the switching. That same review expected more output, especially compared with a favorite guitar fitted with Seymour Duncan pickups. This is a useful distinction for prospective buyers: the stock setup appears to favor flexibility, but players seeking especially high output may prefer a different pickup response.

Edge-Zero II tremolo and hardware

The Edge-Zero II tremolo uses the Zero Point System 3Fe and works with a locking nut. Gotoh MG-T locking tuners complete the tuning hardware, finished in Cosmo Black. One owner reports that the tremolo stays in tune reasonably well, but also notes limited prior experience with tremolo systems. That account is encouraging, though it is not a substitute for a long-term stability test or a careful setup.

The guitar ships with D'Addario EXL120 strings in.009 to.042 gauges. The locking nut and tremolo are central parts of the design, so players who mainly want simple string changes or fixed-bridge convenience should factor in the extra setup and restringing steps. For players who use the arm, the system adds expressive pitch movement while retaining a locking setup.

What owners like, and what they question

• Appearance: Owners repeatedly praise the finish and layered woodwork, with one preferring this premium model's looks to the Prestige line.
• Playability: Reports include an excellent neck feel and well-leveled frets, alongside a separate complaint about fret buzz and factory setup.
• Sound: The HSH layout earns praise for its range and clean tones. One owner wanted more output than the stock pickups delivered.
• Included bag: A gig bag is included, but one buyer considers its quality poor for the price and would rather see the guitar sold without it.
• Finish details: Feedback also calls out the plastic feel of the pickup selector and suggests the back of the neck could be finished more carefully.

Verdict

The Ibanez S1070PBZ-CKB makes a strong case through its striking top, elaborate neck construction, stainless steel frets, locking hardware, and adaptable DiMarzio pickup set. Reports of excellent playability and clean-tone performance are balanced by real concerns about setup consistency, pickup output, small finish details, and the gig bag. At 1333, buyers should inspect the fretwork, string height, and intonation on arrival, then decide whether the stock pickup output suits their playing. For someone drawn to the S-Series shape and a tremolo-equipped HSH guitar, it is a compelling package, provided the supplied bag is treated as an extra rather than a selling point.