IBANEZ AR 420 VLS

This guitar comes from the Artist series, which launches guitars in the designs that actually started in the Ibanez workshops. So these are models whose construction and sound are already proven by years of use, but of course enhanced with the latest technology and features. Artist guitars are definitely not a step backwards, they are a great example of how to use traditional Japanese craftsmanship even today, which unfortunately is not commonplace in some other instruments. The body shapes are based on Les Paul or Double-Cut Les Paul type designs.

Body and neck

The AR 420's body is made from African okoume wood and the top is made from figured maple. The neck is fitted with 22 Medium frets and is made of maple. It is a neck with a higher profile than is usual with Ibanez - it is 21 mm high at the zero fret and 24 mm high at the 12th fret, but still allows for comfortable playing and fast hand movement. The gauge was measured at 628 mm and the radius at 305 mm, the zero fret is 43 mm wide. Compared to other guitars, the neck is glued in, which significantly increases sustain, improves the intonation of the instrument and allows easier access to the higher frets.

Pickups and electronics

The instrument is fitted with two Ibanez pickups in a humbucker-humbucker configuration, specifically the newly developed Super 58 pickups, which are designed to achieve a vintage tone. Switching between them can be done with a 3-position switch, the wiring goes kobyl HB / both HB / neck HB. That's not all though, the AR includes a Tri-Sound system that allows you to plug in up to 15 different sounds. The thing is, you'll find two more mini-toggle switches on the guitar, each belonging to a single pickup and selecting whether the humbucker will be wired in series, parallel or just play its internal coil.

Hardware

The strings pass through an ART-1-type tailpiece and are anchored in a Quick Change tailpiece, which further increases sustain and intonation stability. Tone can be controlled via the volume and tone shutter potentiometers, both of which are separate for each pickup.

The Ibanez AR 420 is an instrument for anyone who demands great tone and its variability, and of course perfect workmanship at the highest level. Try it out and you'll see that you won't want to let it out of your hands.