Ultimately, the QX527PB Quest electric guitar offers a diverse and versatile enough feature set to attract not only the modern, technical guitarist, but also players who may have never even considered a headless guitar before. Regardless of genre, Q (Quest) allows guitarists of every background to question the full scope of their creative possibilities.
With new developments in instrument technology, the prominence of more technical playing styles, and players’ desire for lighter, more portable instruments, today’s headless guitars are pushing far beyond designs of the past. However, even with all these advancements, Ibanez still saw an exciting opportunity in this space.
The Q or Quest series is an entirely new concept for Ibanez. The “Quest” in this case was to not just to adapt an existing instrument into a headless design, but to develop an entirely new guitar from the ground up. This range features a number of unique elements intended to maximize tone, performance, and playing comfort. These include, custom designed R1 single coil and Q58 humbucker pickups, a new monotone bridge, and a proprietary custom string locking mechanism. The QX subseries is also equipped with innovative 8-degree inward slanted frets, uniquely tailoring their ergonomics to the benefit of highly technical players.
Parallel Wizard 5-piece Roasted Maple/Bubinga neck
The Parallel Wizard neck is 19mm thick all the way through the entire length. It provides an amazing fretting-hand experience for the players who prefer their instrument held in a higher playing position. The 3pc Roasted Maple/Bubinga construction also offers excellent stability and long-term durability.
Roasted Birdseye Maple fretboard
The beautiful Birdseye Maple fretboard imbues this bass with an exotic appearance . The fretboard is heat-treated for a balanced attack and rich sustain.
Poplar Burl top / Nyatoh body
The Poplar Burl top features an exotic wood grain and the Nyatoh body provides a rich mid-low end.
Q58 H-H pickups
Q58 pickups are designed specifically for use in headless guitars. They provide a clearly defined sound, facilitating excellent tonal balance through all frequencies. The lows are powerful without being muddy, and the highs are bright and clear, but never harsh. As a result, every single note within the chord structure is well defined, and clearly audible. The R1 design, with its tonal balance, and extremely low noise performance, works extremely well with both digital and analog effects.
Custom string lock
This custom string lock is one-piece unit that features very simple construction. This means the hardware requires less maintenance, is highly durable, and allows for very easy string changes. Additionally, no proprietary string is required, so you can continue to use your favorite gauge and brand.
Mono tune bridges
The Mono tune bridges offer a wide intonation range so that you can easily set the instrument up for tuning down a whole step or even further. The string height is also easily adjustable, and each saddle generally has less material, which leads to more natural and organic tone.
dyna-MIX10 switching system with Alter Switch
The dyna-MIX 10 offers ten sound variations and can easily switch from humbucker and single coil modes with the mini switch. The power Tap mode provides a realistic single coil sound despite its two humbucker pickup layout.
Gig bag included
Ibanez Gig bags are made out of durable materials.