Ibanez TQMS1-CTB

Ibanez TQMS1-CTB review

The Ibanez TQMS1-CTB is a Japanese-made Tom Quayle signature guitar built around a familiar T-style outline, with modern appointments and a broader range of sounds than a traditional single-pickup-style instrument. Its combination of an alder body, maple top, rosewood fingerboard, two distinct Seymour Duncan pickups, and a Gotoh tremolo makes it a flexible option for players who want a classic bridge-pickup bite without being tied to one sound.

The guitar has been available since October 2022. Its listed price is 2333, though the supplied information does not specify a currency. It comes with a case, but not a separate gig bag. The finish is Celeste Blue, paired with a tortoiseshell pickguard and chrome hardware. One owner described the blue as more vivid in person than in photographs, while another praised the design and finish. Color perception is subjective, but the contrast gives this model a distinctive look.

Construction and playability

The body is alder with a maple top. Its one-piece, bolt-on neck is made from roasted maple, identified in the specifications as S-Tech Wood. A rosewood fingerboard has mother-of-pearl dot inlays and 22 jumbo stainless steel frets. The 648 mm scale is a familiar full-length guitar scale, and the compound fingerboard radius transitions from 228 mm to 305 mm.

Ibanez specifies an AZ Oval C neck profile, measuring 21 mm at the first fret and 23 mm at the twelfth. One player described the neck as substantial rather than thin and especially comfortable in use. Another thought its shape felt closer to a soft D than a C. Those descriptions reflect individual impressions, but both point to a neck with some depth instead of an especially slim feel. The 42 mm nut width and bone nut complete the main neck specifications.

Reports on setup are mixed. Some buyers received instruments they considered exceptionally well adjusted and intonated, while another found the action and intonation needed minor changes. One dissatisfied owner reported more serious problems on arrival, including loose neck screws, a loose pickup switch, incorrectly seated bridge components, and a saddle that interfered with tuning. That buyer paid a local guitar technician to correct the issues. These are individual reports rather than proof of a recurring defect, but they are worth bearing in mind when ordering. Check the tuning, hardware, and setup on arrival, and contact the seller promptly if anything is wrong.

Pickups and controls

The pickup pairing is a Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Custom single-coil at the bridge and a Seymour Duncan Magic Touch mini humbucker at the neck. The bridge pickup provides the sharper, more familiar T-style character, while the neck mini humbucker offers a thicker voice. Owners describe the overall sound as modern and versatile, with one comparing the bridge tone to a more forceful take on a classic T-style sound.

Ibanez's dyna-MIX5 system with Alter Switch provides five pickup combinations. A three-way switch, volume control, and tone control handle the main adjustments. One player particularly liked being able to reach the available combinations with the switch rather than relying on a push-pull control. The layout should appeal to players who want several usable sounds without adding a complicated control scheme.

Tremolo and hardware

The Gotoh T1802 tremolo is paired with Gotoh Magnum locking tuners and chrome hardware. A player praised the tremolo's large steel block and noted rubber rings on the springs to reduce rattling. The same review described the tuners as easy to operate, although the locking mechanism may not match every player's preferred style. The guitar ships with D'Addario EXL110 strings in.010 to.046 gauge.

The included case received positive remarks from one owner, who also mentioned adjustment tools and a manual. Those accessories add practical value for setup and storage. A case is included as standard, while a separate bag is not.

Verdict

The TQMS1-CTB makes a strong case for players who like the proportions and bridge sound of a T-style guitar but want a more contemporary neck, stainless steel frets, a neck mini humbucker, and a tremolo. Owners praised its feel, sound range, materials, and Japanese construction. The counterpoint is a report of significant setup and hardware faults, alongside less severe comments about needing adjustments. Those experiences do not establish how common such problems are, but they make a careful arrival inspection sensible.

If the guitar arrives in good order, its specification offers a well-equipped, highly adaptable instrument with a distinct signature identity. Players seeking a strictly traditional T-style design may prefer a simpler layout. Those looking for modern playability and multiple tones in that format have good reason to put the Ibanez on their shortlist.