About product
Description of Ibanez AR420 VLS
The moment you pick up the Ibanez AR420 VLS, you sense that rare harmony where a classic soul meets modern comfort and meticulous craftsmanship. This guitar isn’t just made to sound — it’s made to inspire, to push you towards discovering new harmonies and melodies, as if you catch your own rhythm and start telling a story through sound. It bridges generations of guitarists — those just starting out and those who can no longer imagine life without the stage and an amp.
This is the kind of guitar you’ll want to place on a stand just to admire, yet the real joy begins when you start to play. The warm mahogany body, gloss finish, refined inlays and recognisable silhouette – all come together in a design where tradition meets modern vision. It suits both live performances and relaxed home recordings, always responding to your touch with personality, depth and sensitivity.
Why choose this model?
- A perfect blend of vintage and modern. A guitar that looks classically elegant yet feels very much alive in today’s soundscape.
- Exceptional build quality. The Japanese attention to detail shines through – perfectly dressed frets, accurate setup, and a stable scale length.
- Versatile tone. From smooth blues articulations to powerful rock riffs, this instrument handles any style with confidence.
- Comfortable playability. The ergonomic neck and well-shaped profile allow hours of playing without fatigue.
- Expressive electronics. The dual Super 58 humbuckers combined with the Tri-sound system offer a vast tonal range and flexibility.
Model overview
In detail, the Ibanez AR420 VLS is crafted with the same care and attention that have defined the Artist series since the late 1970s. The goal was to unite traditional body shapes with advanced electronics — and the result exceeds expectations. The top is made from a flamed maple cap that looks stunning under its transparent Violin Sunburst finish, highlighting the wood’s natural patterns. The mahogany body brings warmth and fullness, giving the strings a singing, expressive character.
The mahogany neck with a jatoba fingerboard (often compared to rosewood in feel) offers a pleasing balance. The frets are polished so precisely that position shifts feel smooth and natural. The set-in neck construction ensures excellent transfer of vibration from strings to body, adding brightness and sustain.
At the heart of the instrument lie a pair of Super 58 pickups — the same ones favoured by jazz and rock guitarists alike. They deliver a rich, full-bodied tone while maintaining precise note articulation. The Tri-sound system lets you choose between series, parallel and single-coil modes for each pickup, allowing the instrument to emulate both the classic humbucker sound and lighter single-coil tones — a versatility appreciated by studio musicians and producers.
Special mention should go to the ART‑1 bridge and Quik Change Classic tailpiece. This setup ensures stable tuning while making string changes quick and straightforward — a real advantage when time before a show is tight. The controls are equally well thought out: four knobs for volume and tone, plus a 3‑way toggle switch for precise tonal shaping.
Visually, this guitar exudes class without unnecessary flamboyance. It’s all about the music, the personality, and those moments when you play just one more phrase because the sound itself calls to you.
Who is it for?
The Ibanez AR420 VLS is a guitar that will appeal equally to beginners and experienced players. For those just stepping into the world of electric guitars, it’s a reliable companion — the comfortable neck makes learning easy, and the sound inspires you to keep progressing. For hobbyists and self-taught musicians, it strikes that perfect balance between expressiveness and simplicity, letting you move effortlessly from jazz chords to fiery rock riffs and enjoy every note along the way.
It performs just as well clean as it does overdriven, cutting through the mix with authority yet capable of great subtlety when the music calls for it.
For professionals, it’s all about reliability — predictable behaviour on stage and in the studio, with a distinctive tone you can count on. Whether you’re recording or performing live, it promises consistency. It shines equally well in both clean and driven settings, confidently sits in a mix, yet delivers nuance whenever required.
If you’re a studio engineer or session guitarist, you’ll appreciate the tonal transparency and natural dynamics. The guitar captures every playing nuance, making it an outstanding choice for recording authentic live takes. For live performance, it’s just as impressive: stable tuning, strong sustain, and a stylish appearance that commands attention across any genre.
Specifications of Ibanez AR420 VLS
- Body type: Solid Body
- Body shape: Artist
- Body: Mahogany
- Top: Flamed Maple
- Neck: Mahogany, set-in
- Fingerboard: Jatoba
- Scale length: 24.75" (628 mm)
- Frets: 22 Medium
- Inlay: Abalone and pearloid oval-block
- Bridge: ART‑1
- Tailpiece: Quik Change Classic
- Pickups: 2 x Super 58 Custom Humbucker
- Electronics: 2 volume controls, 2 tone controls, 3‑way switch, Tri‑sound function
- Tuners: Gold Die‑cast
- Hardware: Gold
- Finish: Violin Sunburst (VLS)
- Weight: approx. 4 kg
- Country of manufacture: China (under Ibanez Japan licence)