Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (4)
$369.99
Guitar Center
5.0 (25)
$369.99
Amazon
4.4 (92)
$369.99 New
$295.05 Used (Like New)
Musician's Friend
5.0 (1)
$369.99
zZounds
5.0 (7)
$369.99
Thomann
4.8 (13)
$291.00 $289.00 $2.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£269.50

Average Price: $356

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Ibanez AZES Electric Guitar". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

The Ibanez AZES Electric Guitar is the perfect blend of style, playability, and versatility, catering especially to beginners and intermediate players ready to dive into the world of electric guitar. This instrument doesn't just look good; it's designed to feel good, thanks to its lightweight poplar body and smooth maple neck. The jatoba fretboard adds a touch of warmth to the tonal palette, making it a joy to play across various genres.

What truly sets the AZES apart is its dyna-MIX9 switching system, which provides nine distinct tonal variations with just a flick of the Alter Switch. This feature, combined with two Essentials single-coil pickups and an Accord humbucker, means players can effortlessly explore a wide range of sounds—from crisp, articulate highs to powerful, full-bodied lows. The AZES is more than just an electric guitar; it's a gateway to endless sonic exploration.

For those looking to add expressiveness to their playing, the T106 tremolo bridge offers smooth, stable action to enhance your musical expression without compromising tuning stability. The thoughtfully designed Comfort round bridge saddles and all-access neck joint ensure that your playing experience is as comfortable and inspiring as possible.

Key Features:

  • Poplar body with a bolt-on maple neck
  • Jatoba fingerboard with a 250mm radius
  • Essentials single-coil pickups (neck, middle) and Accord humbucker (bridge)
  • Dyna-MIX9 switching system with Alter Switch
  • T106 tremolo bridge with Comfort round steel saddles
  • 25" scale length, 22 medium frets
  • Mono-unit output jack for durability and reliability

Product specs

Number of Strings 6
Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
Body Type Solidbody
Body Shape AZES Standard
Body Material Poplar
Body Finish Gloss
Neck Material Maple
Neck Shape AZES C
Neck Joint Bolt-on
Radius 10"
Fingerboard Inlay Dots
Number of Frets 22, Medium Nickel
Scale Length 25"
Nut Width 1.653"
Nut Material Plastic
Bridge/Tailpiece F106 Bridge with Round Steel Saddles
Tuners Ibanez Split-shaft
Neck Pickup Essential Single-coil
Middle Pickup Essential Single-coil
Bridge Pickup Essential Accord Humbucker
Controls 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone
Switching 1 x Alter Switch, 5-way blade pickup switch
Strings .010-.046
Case/Gig Bag Sold Separately

FAQs

What is the neck profile like on the Ibanez AZES Electric Guitar?

The Ibanez AZES Electric Guitar features an AZES C-shaped neck profile, designed for comfortable playability, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced players.

What kind of tones can I expect from the pickups on the Ibanez AZES Electric Guitar?

The Ibanez AZES is equipped with Essential Single-coil pickups in the neck and middle positions, and an Essential Accord Humbucker in the bridge, offering a versatile range of tones suitable for rock, blues, and pop music.

Is the Ibanez AZES Electric Guitar suitable for smaller players?

Yes, with a 25" scale length, the Ibanez AZES Electric Guitar is designed to be more comfortable for children and players of smaller stature, providing easier playability.

Does the Ibanez AZES Electric Guitar come with a case or gig bag?

No, the Ibanez AZES Electric Guitar does not come with a case or gig bag; these are sold separately.

What is the body material of the Ibanez AZES Electric Guitar?

The body of the Ibanez AZES Electric Guitar is made from poplar, which contributes to its balanced tone and lightweight feel.

Ibanez Guitar

Ibanez Guitar

AZ Essentials (English Subtitle) /Ibanez AZES

Video thumbnail for AZ Essentials (English Subtitle) /Ibanez AZES by Ibanez Guitar

AZ Essentials (English Subtitle) /Ibanez AZES

Ibanez Guitar

Ibanez Guitar

Video thumbnail for NEW Ibanez AZES - Tone, Versatility, & Playability, Without Busting the Bank! by Andertons Music Co

NEW Ibanez AZES - Tone, Versatility, & Playability, Without Busting the Bank!

Andertons Music Co

Andertons Music Co

Video thumbnail for This $299 Ibanez Is More Than It Seems... Budget Game Changer?! || Ibanez AZ Essentials by Agufish

This $299 Ibanez Is More Than It Seems... Budget Game Changer?! || Ibanez AZ Essentials

Agufish

Agufish

Video thumbnail for Ibanez AZES Essential Series Guitars - Bargain AZ Models - The BEST New Budget Guitars?! by PMTVUK

Ibanez AZES Essential Series Guitars - Bargain AZ Models - The BEST New Budget Guitars?!

PMTVUK

PMTVUK

Video thumbnail for Ibanez AZES - Is it as GOOD as they're saying? by John Nathan Cordy

Ibanez AZES - Is it as GOOD as they're saying?

John Nathan Cordy

John Nathan Cordy

Reviews

PROS

  • Excellent build quality with smooth fret ends and contoured heel joint

  • Wide range of tonal options with 9 different pickup settings

  • Stays in tune well, even with extensive use of the tremolo

  • Comfortable neck carve and well-finished Jatoba fretboard

  • Great value for the price, outperforming more expensive guitars

  • Versatile pickups suitable for various genres from jazz to metal

  • Lightweight body, easy on the neck and shoulders for long playing sessions

  • Easy to use with intuitive switches and pots

  • Ready to play out of the box with low action and good intonation

CONS

  • Minor aesthetic imperfections reported on some units

  • Some positions on the alter switch can feel redundant

  • Tuning stability with tremolo can be inconsistent

  • Frets may require additional polishing for optimal smoothness

  • Lacks tonal depth compared to guitars with higher quality wood

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez AZES Electric Guitar.

Other

  • Users compare the AZES40 unfavorably to the Jet JS-400 and GRX40, citing better playability and value in these models.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The AZES's shorter scale and thin neck offer a playability that some prefer over American-made Strats.

    Source
  • The Ibanez AZES40 is noted to have a slightly smaller body and a 25" scale length, making it more compact than a standard Stratocaster.

    Source

User experience

  • The AZES is praised for its responsive pickups, outperforming a Classic Vibe 60 in both feel and sound.

    Source
  • The ceramic pickups are noted to offer a balanced sound with usable tones, though some users find them lacking the exact Strat sound.

    Source
  • One owner, after extensive research, found the AZES40 superior in playability and sound compared to a Donner Strat copy, Squier Strat, and Yamaha Pacifica.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Bootstrap pickups are a popular choice among owners looking to enhance tone.

    Source
  • Common mods include replacing stock tuners with Gotoh locking tuners and upgrading the tremolo and saddles for improved performance.

    Source
  • The bridge pickup is correctly routed for an uncovered trembucker, but single coils require pickguard modification due to cover width.

    Source
  • Switching to a GraphTech TUSQ nut and barrel-style string trees is recommended for improved tuning stability during tremolo use.

    Source

Build quality

  • Owners appreciate the comfortable bridge saddles and solid input jack, despite it being primarily plastic.

    Source
  • The jatoba fretboard is noted to feel similar to rosewood, offering familiarity for players accustomed to that wood type.

    Source
  • Owners describe the AZES40's tremolo arm as wobbly and unusable without mods, despite the bridge itself appearing sturdy.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Applying tru oil to the neck requires light sanding to a more raw wood state before application, improving the unfinished feel.

    Source
  • The nut is described as soft plastic, leading some to upgrade to a bone or GraphTech nut for better durability.

    Source
  • Some owners experienced fret oxidation and dry fretboards, easily remedied with steel wool and lemon oil.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • One owner acquired the AZES40 for $140 and invested in mods, highlighting its potential as a project guitar with substantial improvements.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The 25" scale length offers a unique feel, often compared to PRS models, providing a comfortable playing experience for those used to similar scale lengths.

    Source
  • The alter switch, offering nine positions, is considered versatile but complex for on-the-fly adjustments during live play.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Ibanez AZES40 review: An entry-level instrument with semi-pro aspirations

guitar.com

The Ibanez AZES40 strikes a remarkable balance as an entry-level guitar that doesn’t skimp on quality. With its comfortable neck and versatile dyna-MIX9 switching system, it offers playability that rivals far pricier models. However, while its affordability is a major plus, the use of lower-cost materials may raise concerns for some experienced players. The neck pickup can sound muddy, detracting from an otherwise stellar performance. Overall, the AZES40 is an impressive choice for beginners looking to progress without the usual pitfalls of starter instruments, but seasoned musicians might find it lacking in certain tonal nuances.

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Bernth uses Ibanez AZES Electric Guitar

Bernth

Singer, Guitarist

Belphegor

...
Verified via YouTube

In a video shared on YouTube by Bernth himself, he is observed playing the Ibanez AZES Electric Guitar in Black. During this segment, Bernth explicitly mentions the model of the guitar, providing clear evidence of his use and endorsement of this specific instrument. The video is titled "$300 vs $15,000 Guitar!" and showcases Bernth's comparison of guitars at vastly different price points, further highlighting his choice of the Ibanez AZES for this demonstration.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Ibanez AZES Electric Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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