Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
4.5 (4)
$349.99 $284.99 $65.00 · All time low
Guitar Center
4.5 (6)
$349.99
Amazon
3.9 (35)
$284.99
Reverb
5.0 (5)
$277.88 New
$195.24 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (2)
$349.99
zZounds
5.0 (7)
$349.99
Thomann
4.6 (24)
$269.00
Gear4Music
£254.50

Average Price: $295

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Ibanez AZES31 Electric Guitar". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

The Ibanez AZES31 Electric Guitar is not just a beginner's instrument—it's a gateway to a world of musical exploration. Crafted in collaboration with renowned Berklee professor and YouTube guitar guru Tomo Fujita, this guitar sets a new benchmark for entry-level instruments. Constructed with a poplar body, the AZES31 offers a solid tonal foundation, while the bolt-on maple neck and jatoba fingerboard provide smooth playability and notable sustain. The true standout feature of this guitar is its dyna-MIX8 switching system, which, when combined with the trio of single-coil pickups, allows for an impressive array of eight distinct tonal variations. Whether you're looking to capture the classic spank and twang of vintage pickups or explore more modern sounds, this guitar delivers with its easy-to-use 5-way blade switch.

Designed to meet the needs of both beginners and seasoned players, the AZES31 offers a seamless playing experience, enhanced by its comfortable neck joint for easy access to higher frets. The hardtail F106 bridge with round steel saddles ensures stability and tuning reliability, making it an ideal choice for practice sessions and live performances alike. With its combination of high-quality components and versatile electronics, the Ibanez AZES31 proves that entry-level doesn't mean compromising on quality or sound.

Key Features:

  • Collaboration with Berklee professor Tomo Fujita
  • Poplar body with bolt-on maple neck
  • Smooth-playing jatoba fingerboard
  • Trio of single-coil pickups for vintage tones
  • Classic 5-way blade pickup selector
  • dyna-MIX8 switching system for expanded tonal variety
  • Hardtail F106 bridge with round steel saddles

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 Single-coil
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 type of pickups does the Ibanez AZES31 Electric Guitar have?

The Ibanez AZES31 is equipped with three Essential single-coil pickups in an SSS configuration, offering bright and clear tones suitable for a variety of music styles.

Is the Ibanez AZES31 Electric Guitar suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Ibanez AZES31 is designed with playability in mind, featuring a comfortable neck profile and versatile tone options, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

What is the neck profile of the Ibanez AZES31 Electric Guitar?

The Ibanez AZES31 features an AZES C neck profile, which provides a comfortable grip suitable for both chord playing and soloing.

Does the Ibanez AZES31 come with a gig bag or case?

The Ibanez AZES31 Electric Guitar is sold separately from a gig bag or case, so you may need to purchase one additionally for protection and transport.

What is the body material of the Ibanez AZES31 Electric Guitar?

The body of the Ibanez AZES31 is made from poplar, which contributes to its lightweight feel and balanced tone.

Elmo Karjalainen

Elmo Karjalainen

Ultimate Beginner Guitars? (Ibanez AZES31 and 40)

Video thumbnail for Ultimate Beginner Guitars? (Ibanez AZES31 and 40) by Elmo Karjalainen

Ultimate Beginner Guitars? (Ibanez AZES31 and 40)

Elmo Karjalainen

Elmo Karjalainen

Video thumbnail for Ibanez AZES31 and AZES40: The New King of Entry Level Electrics? by Alamo Music Center

Ibanez AZES31 and AZES40: The New King of Entry Level Electrics?

Alamo Music Center

Alamo Music Center

Video thumbnail for Ibanez AZES31 |  José de Castro "JOPI" by Ibanez Guitar

Ibanez AZES31 | José de Castro "JOPI"

Ibanez Guitar

Ibanez Guitar

Video thumbnail for Ibanez AZES31: The BEST Budget Guitar I've Played by Ben Eunson

Ibanez AZES31: The BEST Budget Guitar I've Played

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Ben Eunson

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TomoFujitaMusic

TomoFujitaMusic

Video thumbnail for Ibanez AZES31 Electric Guitar Demo by TomoFujitaMusic

Ibanez AZES31 Electric Guitar Demo

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TomoFujitaMusic

Video thumbnail for Ibanez AZES31-IV Demo The Guitar Shop by The Guitar Shop Canada

Ibanez AZES31-IV Demo The Guitar Shop

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Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ibanez AZES31 Electric Guitar.

Setup and maintenance

  • A simple "refinish" using Tru oil on the back of the neck significantly improves the feel, making it comparable to high-end MusicMan necks.

    Source
  • Owners suggest using short potentiometers due to potential cavity depth limitations, especially when dealing with arthritis-related modifications.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Tightening the claw screws in the tremolo cavity can effectively convert the AZES40 to a hardtail, providing stability without sacrificing future versatility.

    Source
  • The AZES31 lacks the HSS configuration found in the AZES40, potentially limiting its appeal to those who favor a humbucker for versatility.

    Source
  • The AZES31 features a slightly shorter scale length than a traditional Stratocaster, making it potentially more comfortable for some players.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The AZES40’s HSS configuration offers more tonal versatility compared to the AZES31’s single coils, which may suit players looking for a broader range of sounds.

    Source
  • The AZES40's bridge humbucker and coil-splitting offer more tonal versatility than the AZES31, particularly for players who occasionally use high-gain settings.

    Source

User experience

  • Some owners report that the tremolo on the AZES40 does not significantly affect tuning stability when not in use, contradicting common assumptions about its unreliability.

    Source
  • Some owners prefer the AZES31's hardtail bridge for its simplicity and potential reliability during performance.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The AZES31 is suited for clean tones and funk rhythms, especially for those who primarily use clean amp models with reverb.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Users find that the cavity depth might require adjustment for installing push-pull pots, specifically noting the need for a reamer instead of drilling.

    Source
  • The narrow cavity in the AZES31 is likened to student models like the Squier Bullet, suggesting potential need for cavity enlargement for full-sized pots.

    Source

Build quality

  • The volume pot is identified as B500K and the tone pot as A500K, which can be a consideration when planning electronic modifications.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Ibanez AZ Essentials AZES 31 – review – Lone Phantom

lonephantom.com

The Ibanez AZES31 Electric Guitar stands out as a solid choice for both beginners and gigging musicians. With its impressive build quality and versatile sound options—thanks to the three single coil pickups and multiple switch configurations—it delivers great playability right out of the box. The neck is praised for its smooth feel, and the guitar maintains excellent tuning stability. However, it could be improved by including a gig bag, which seems like a missed opportunity at its price point. Overall, at $299, the AZES31 offers incredible value, making it a steal for anyone in the market for a reliable and versatile electric guitar.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
theviolentunicorn

Twangy, spanky

I have it for backup single coil tones, and I love the thing, not a huge fender guy so this felt right

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