Ibanez TQM2-CUF

Introduction: Ibanez's Tom Quayle Signature Electric Guitar

The Ibanez TQM2-CUF is the second signature model designed with fusion guitarist Tom Quayle. Released in late 2024 with a price tag of $2,399, this Japanese-made guitar falls within the premium, artist-focused range of the Ibanez catalog. Built for versatility and advanced playability, its specifications point toward serious technical refinement and feature set.

Build and Construction

• Body: The main body uses alder, topped with flame maple. This combination is well recognized for its balance between brightness and warmth. The visible maple adds a striking look under the Charcoal Black Burst Flat finish.
• Neck: The neck is a single piece of roasted maple, bolted onto the body. Roasted maple is appreciated for both its stability and resistance to environmental changes. Ibanez shapes it with their AZ Oval C profile, providing 21 mm thickness at the first fret and 23 mm at the 12th, a design likely to suit fast and smooth hand transitions.
• Fingerboard: Rosewood with abalone dot inlays, offering a traditional surface with a softer feel under the fingers compared to maple. The compound radius moves from 228 mm (8.98 inches) at the nut to 305 mm (12.01 inches) at the neck joint. This gives a rounder feel for chords at the lower frets, while flattening out for soloing higher up. Jumbo stainless steel frets (22 on the board) should promise impressive durability and easy string bending. The nut is bone, a classical material for smooth action and sustain, measuring 42 mm (1.65 inches) in width.

Scale and Hardware

• Scale length: At 648 mm (25.51 inches), the TQM2-CUF adopts the length familiar from classic full-scale electric guitars. This lends itself to a tauter string feel and wider frequency response.
• Tremolo: Ibanez fits a Gotoh T1702B vibrato bridge. Gotoh hardware is known for reliable precision and smooth action, critical for players who make use of dynamic pitch effects. The bridge is paired with locking Gotoh Magnum machine heads in chrome, ensuring rock-solid tuning even with extensive vibrato techniques. Factory strings are D'Addario EXL110 (.010 -.046), a standard gauge for versatile play.

Pickups, Switching, and Controls

• Configuration: The TQM2-CUF is loaded with a configuration of one humbucking pickup (TQM-H at the bridge) and two single coil pickups (TQM-S at neck and middle), following the popular humbucker-single-single arrangement. This mix supports both robust, punchy bridge tones and classic clear single coil sounds in other positions.
• Switching electronics: Ibanez equips the model with the dyna-MIX5 system and an Alter Switch, combined with a standard three-way selector, volume, and tone controls. The switching system is designed for quick navigation between pickups as well as extended wiring options, such as coil splitting or series/parallel operation, though the specific function breakdown will depend on the internal wiring circuit.

Playability and Design Intent

• Neck profile and radius: The AZ Oval C shape has moderate depth and width, aiming for comfort during fusion-style legato and complex modern techniques. The compound radius ensures comfortable chording near the nut and reduced string-out on high bends near the body.
• Frets and access: Jumbo stainless steel frets offer easy playability and demand less maintenance over time. With 22 frets, the design leans toward tradition while maximizing reach within a typical bolt-on neck ST-style shape.
• Signature focus: This model is clearly geared toward advanced players, drawing inspiration from Tom Quayle's technical demands, especially concerning neck speed, fret flexibility, processing high gain with definition, and overall reliability on stage or in studio settings.

Visual Appeal and Case

• Finish and presentation: The flamed maple top is well displayed under the Charcoal Black Burst Flat finish. Chrome hardware and abalone dots accent the high-end visuals. This instrument includes a hard case for safe transport, but does not come with a gig bag.

Summary: Who Is the TQM2-CUF For?

The Ibanez TQM2-CUF presents itself as a pro-level, modern ST-style electric guitar. For the price, you get a set of carefully selected materials, high-quality hardware from Gotoh, advanced electronics with the dyna-MIX5 system, and a playability profile that specifically supports technically demanding fusion, jazz, and modern electric guitar styles. While the configuration may appeal most strongly to players already aware of Tom Quayle's tonal needs, the broader build and electronics platform also make this an appealing workhorse for session or gigging players needing dependable tuning, flexible tones, and long-wearing fret durability. From a technical standpoint, the TQM2-CUF is meticulously specced, and stands as one of the more advanced instruments in Ibanez's current artist line.