If You’re Unsure About Your First Guitar - Consider the Ibanez AZES

If you're about to start learning guitar and you’re wondering, “Which one should I choose as my very first guitar?” You’ll definitely want to check out this article.
I hope you'll read through to the end!

Today’s featured guitar is the AZES series by Ibanez.

AZES Official Page (Ibanez)

Ibanez is a guitar brand that originated in Japan and is widely used by professional musicians both in Japan and around the world.
The AZES series is a model that Ibanez put a lot of effort into developing with beginners in mind.

This is my AZES40

1. High Quality Despite Low Price

In recent years, more and more beginner-friendly guitars have emerged with surprisingly high quality, and the AZES series is a prime example.
Despite being priced around 40,000 yen, it offers a level of playability and sound that rivals higher-end models.

■ A reference video of the AZES sound is available on YouTube.

Professional guitarist Tomo Fujita was involved in the development of this guitar. Guitarist Cory Wong gained international attention for his work on Vaundy’s “Todome no Ichigeki”, where he played the AZES during the live performance.
The fact that a guitar of this quality is trusted by professionals on stage and can be bought for around 40,000 yen is a major appeal factor.

Each component of the AZES series is thoughtfully designed with beginners in mind.
One detail that particularly impressed me is the construction around the output jack. Typically, the bolts that secure the jack can loosen over time due to the vibrations caused by plugging and unplugging the cable. This often leads to poor connections or even leads to internal wiring issues.
However, on the AZES, this common problem can be avoided by eliminating these bolts entirely. Instead, the jack is housed in a single molded resin unit, which significantly reduces the risk of connectivity issues.

It’s this kind of careful attention to detail that makes the AZES series especially great for beginners.

2. Slightly Smaller Body for Easier Playability

"I have small hands—can I really play the guitar properly?"
If you’ve ever had that concern, don’t worry. The AZES series is designed with beginner concerns and challenges in mind.
The AZES falls under the category of “Strat-style” (or ST-type) guitars. However, traditional ST-type guitars can sometimes feel a bit large for players with smaller body frames, especially in Japan.

To address this, the AZES uses a medium-scale neck, which is slightly shorter than standard. This makes it easier to grip the neck and reach the frets—ideal for players with smaller hands or a more petite build.
Additionally, the body itself is more compact than a typical ST-type, giving it better balance when held and a more comfortable, proportionate look.

3. Versatile Sound Shaping Capabilities

Electric guitars are equipped with parts called pickups (PUs), which capture the sound of the strings.
Pickups play a major role in determining the tone of a guitar.
The pickups on the AZES series have a flat and well-balanced sonic character, making them easy to play—even for beginners.
Additionally, by combining different pickups, the AZES can produce a wide variety of tones.
While a typical electric guitar offers around 3 to 5 tonal variations, the AZES allows for up to 9 (and 8 on the AZES31) different tone combinations.
For example:

• A crisp, cutting tone perfect for rhythm work
• A fat, punchy tone that’s well-suited for rock and funk

Thanks to this flexibility, the AZES is a great choice for players who want to experiment with different genres and styles of music.

4. Two Model Options With a Wide Range of Color Variations

The AZES series mainly comes in two models:

• AZES31 (with single-coil pickups)
• AZES40 (with a humbucker pickup and tremolo arm)

The AZES31 features a straightforward configuration with three single-coil pickups and a fixed bridge, making it easy for beginners to play and is budget-friendly as well.
The AZES40 includes a tremolo unit that’s essential for whammy techniques, and a humbucker pickup capable of delivering a thicker, more powerful sound, offering greater versatility in musical expression.

Additionally, the AZES series comes in a wide variety of colors, allowing players to enjoy picking a guitar that matches their personal taste.
The AZES40 is also available in a left-handed model, making it a great choice for left-handed players too.

5. How Does It Compare to Other Models in the Same Price Range?

“There are so many beginner-friendly guitars—how do I know which one to choose?”
That’s a common question for many first-time players. One of the guitars most often compared to the AZES is the Yamaha PACIFICA series.
PACIFICA is also a well-regarded and popular model, but from my personal experience, the AZES has a slight edge in the following areas:

1: Superior Playability (Thanks to Its Medium Scale)

While the PACIFICA uses a regular scale length (the standard for most guitars), the AZES adopts a medium scale.
This shorter neck length makes it easier to reach the frets, especially for players with smaller hands, and significantly reduces the frustration that beginners often experience, such as “I can’t stretch my fingers that far!”

2: Greater Variety of Sounds (Pickup Configuration)

While the PACIFICA also offers models with an SSH configuration (two single-coil pickups and one humbucker) that allows for a wide range of tones, the AZES features a unique switching system called dyna-MIX9.
This system lets you access up to 9 different tonal variations (8 variations on the AZES31), giving you more freedom and flexibility in shaping your sound.
For players who want to explore many musical styles without feeling limited, this versatility is a major advantage.

Summary: A Guitar Seriously Recommended as Your First Instrument

How did you find it?
Actually, I myself own an AZES40, and it’s been a reliable companion in my lessons and music production work on a daily basis.
Next time, I would like to introduce my own AZES40 in more detail and share some tips on customizing it to further enhance its sound quality!
The AZES series is Ibanez’s earnest effort in developing a guitar specifically for beginners.
If you’re unsure about which guitar to choose for your first one, definitely consider adding the AZES series to your shortlist!

⇒ List of AZES Series Models Available

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