Best Telecaster Style Guitars Made In Japan in 2024

Here are the top Telecaster style guitars made in Japan . You should expect a high-quality guitar with excellent quality control. It can be compared to guitars made in the US, which is why they're also expensive.

After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.

There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.

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1. Ibanez TQMS1

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Ibanez TQMS1

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Playability 73

Sound 80

Build quality 88

Value for money 70

Overall Score 80

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (8 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (9 votes)
Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)

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4 Prices - New from $2,277.05 >
From Ibanez's 2022 TQM series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
9" to 12" Fretboard Radius
Maple(4mm) top
Alder body
1pc Roasted Maple neck
Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Custom (Single Coil/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Magic Touch-mini (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh T1802 Tremolo bridge
AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. tuners
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4 Prices - New from $2,277.05 >
From Ibanez's 2022 TQM series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
9" to 12" Fretboard Radius
Maple(4mm) top
Alder body
1pc Roasted Maple neck
Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Custom (Single Coil/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Magic Touch-mini (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh T1802 Tremolo bridge
AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez TQMS1

Stainless Steel Frets
Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Parallel Split Pickups
Luminescent Inlay
Tremolo
Compound Radius Fretboard
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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2. ESP Stef-T7B

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ESP Stef-T7B

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Playability 82

Sound 77

Build quality 75

Value for money 63

Overall Score 78

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1 Prices - Used from $3,495 >
From ESP's 2008 Signature series
Made in Japan
7 strings
27"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence SRC Signature (Humbucker/Active)
Middle pickup: Fishman Fluence SRC Signature (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: (/)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Tonepros Locking TOM bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Sperzel Locking tuners
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1 Prices - Used from $3,495 >
From ESP's 2008 Signature series
Made in Japan
7 strings
27"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence SRC Signature (Humbucker/Active)
Middle pickup: Fishman Fluence SRC Signature (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: (/)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Tonepros Locking TOM bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Sperzel Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Stef-T7B

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Multi-Voicing Pickups
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No High-Quality Nut
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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Used from $3,495 >>

3. ESP E-II T-B7 Baritone

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ESP E-II T-B7 Baritone

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Playability 78

Sound 76

Build quality 77

Value for money 67

Overall Score 77

What our users think

Neck profile shape: Baseball / U (3 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)

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3 Prices - New from $2,299 >
From ESP E-II's 2014 TE series
Made in Japan
7 strings
27"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81-7 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 707 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Tonepros Locking TOM w/ String Thru bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
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3 Prices - New from $2,299 >
From ESP E-II's 2014 TE series
Made in Japan
7 strings
27"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81-7 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 707 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Tonepros Locking TOM w/ String Thru bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II T-B7 Baritone

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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4. Yamaha PAC1611MS

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Yamaha PAC1611MS

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Playability 72

Sound 72

Build quality 67

Value for money 65

Overall Score 70

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2 Prices - New from $1,850.93 >
From Yamaha's 2014 Signature series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
7.25" Fretboard Radius
Light Ash body
Maple neck
One-Piece Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan STHR-1b (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan '59 SH-1N (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
6-Saddle Hardtail bridge
PAC1611MS Bolt-On neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Gotoh SD91-05M-L tuners
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2 Prices - New from $1,850.93 >
From Yamaha's 2014 Signature series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
7.25" Fretboard Radius
Light Ash body
Maple neck
One-Piece Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan STHR-1b (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan '59 SH-1N (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
6-Saddle Hardtail bridge
PAC1611MS Bolt-On neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Gotoh SD91-05M-L tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Yamaha PAC1611MS

Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
No Neck-Through Build
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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5. Fender JV Modified '50s Telecaster

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Fender JV Modified '50s Telecaster

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Playability 68

Sound 77

Build quality 67

Value for money 71

Overall Score 71

What our users think

Neck access to high frets: Normal (2 votes)
Fret edges: Smooth (2 votes)
Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
Weight: Lightweight (2 votes)
Neck profile shape: V (5 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (5 votes)
Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)

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5 Prices - New from $1,190.42 >
From Fender's 2022 JV Modified series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
9.5" Fretboard Radius
Basswood body
Maple neck
Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Tele (Single Coil/Passive)
Neck pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Tele (Single Coil/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
4-way Switch
3-Saddle Vintage Style Tele with Barrel Brass Saddles bridge
Thick Soft V Bolt-On neck
21 Medium Jumbo frets
Vintage-Style Locking tuners
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5 Prices - New from $1,190.42 >
From Fender's 2022 JV Modified series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
9.5" Fretboard Radius
Basswood body
Maple neck
Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Tele (Single Coil/Passive)
Neck pickup: Fender Vintage-Style Single-Coil Tele (Single Coil/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
4-way Switch
3-Saddle Vintage Style Tele with Barrel Brass Saddles bridge
Thick Soft V Bolt-On neck
21 Medium Jumbo frets
Vintage-Style Locking tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender JV Modified '50s Telecaster

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Phase Out Pickups
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Expensive Woods
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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6. Ibanez LB1

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Ibanez LB1

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Playability 73

Sound 81

Build quality 87

Value for money 70

Overall Score 80

What our users think

Neck access to high frets: Very Easy (2 votes)
Fret edges: Smooth (2 votes)
Tuning stability: Won't get out of tune (2 votes)
Weight: Very lightweight (1 vote)
Neck profile shape: C (8 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (9 votes)
Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
Pickups power: Slightly Hot (1 vote)

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5 Prices - New from $2,169.90 >
From Ibanez's 2021 LB series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
9" to 12" Fretboard Radius
Ash body
1pc Roasted Birdseye Maple neck
Roasted Birdseye Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Lari Basilio (Humbucker/Passive)
Middle pickup: Seymour Duncan Lari Basilio (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Lari Basilio (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
5-way Switch
Gotoh T1702B bridge
AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. tuners
See all specs and compare >

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5 Prices - New from $2,169.90 >
From Ibanez's 2021 LB series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
9" to 12" Fretboard Radius
Ash body
1pc Roasted Birdseye Maple neck
Roasted Birdseye Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Lari Basilio (Humbucker/Passive)
Middle pickup: Seymour Duncan Lari Basilio (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Lari Basilio (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
5-way Switch
Gotoh T1702B bridge
AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez LB1

Stainless Steel Frets
Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Series Split Pickups
Luminescent Inlay
Tremolo
Compound Radius Fretboard
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

All Prices

7. Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige

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Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige

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Playability 75

Sound 80

Build quality 80

Value for money 73

Overall Score 78

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (8 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (9 votes)
Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)

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5 Prices - New from $1,759.03 >
From Ibanez's 2023 AZS series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Ash body
Roasted Maple neck
Roasted Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Custom (Single Coil/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Magic Touch-mini (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh F1803 bridge
AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. tuners
See all specs and compare >

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5 Prices - New from $1,759.03 >
From Ibanez's 2023 AZS series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Ash body
Roasted Maple neck
Roasted Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Custom (Single Coil/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Magic Touch-mini (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh F1803 bridge
AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige

Stainless Steel Frets
Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Parallel Split Pickups
Luminescent Inlay
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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8. Ibanez AZS2209B Prestige

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Ibanez AZS2209B Prestige

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Playability 75

Sound 80

Build quality 80

Value for money 73

Overall Score 78

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (8 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (9 votes)
Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)

Own it? Share your opinion

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5 Prices - New from $1,693.81 >
From Ibanez's 2023 AZS series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Ash body
Roasted Maple neck
Roasted Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Custom (Single Coil/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Magic Touch-mini (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh F1803 bridge
AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

5 Prices - New from $1,693.81 >
From Ibanez's 2023 AZS series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Ash body
Roasted Maple neck
Roasted Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Custom (Single Coil/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Magic Touch-mini (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh F1803 bridge
AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez AZS2209B Prestige

Stainless Steel Frets
Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Parallel Split Pickups
Luminescent Inlay
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

All Prices

9. Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige

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Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige

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Playability 75

Sound 80

Build quality 80

Value for money 73

Overall Score 78

What our users think

Neck access to high frets: Very Easy (1 vote)
Tuning stability: Won't get out of tune (1 vote)
Weight: Very lightweight (1 vote)
Neck profile shape: C (8 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (9 votes)
Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)

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3 Prices - New from $1,558.67 >
From Ibanez's 2021 AZS series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Ash body
Roasted Maple neck
Roasted Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Custom (Single Coil/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Magic Touch-mini (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh F1803 bridge
AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

3 Prices - New from $1,558.67 >
From Ibanez's 2021 AZS series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Ash body
Roasted Maple neck
Roasted Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Custom (Single Coil/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Magic Touch-mini (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh F1803 bridge
AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige

Stainless Steel Frets
Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Parallel Split Pickups
Luminescent Inlay
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

All Prices

10. Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige

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Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige

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Playability 73

Sound 80

Build quality 85

Value for money 69

Overall Score 79

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (8 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (9 votes)
Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)

Own it? Share your opinion

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2 Prices - New from $2,251.09 >
From Ibanez's 2021 AZS series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Quilted Maple top
Alder body
Roasted Maple neck
Roasted Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Custom (Single Coil/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Magic Touch-mini (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh T1802 Tremolo bridge
AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

2 Prices - New from $2,251.09 >
From Ibanez's 2021 AZS series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Quilted Maple top
Alder body
Roasted Maple neck
Roasted Maple fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Custom (Single Coil/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Magic Touch-mini (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh T1802 Tremolo bridge
AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige

Stainless Steel Frets
Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Parallel Split Pickups
Luminescent Inlay
Tremolo
No Expensive Woods
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

All Prices