Ibanez AFR4FMP-NTF Affirma 4 String Bass Guitar In Natural Flat

Almost 30 years after its introduction, the mighty Affirma bass is back and leading Ibanez’s 2019 bass lineup. With a quirky yet elegant body shape, the Affirma originally represented Ibanez’s break into the high-end bass market, with a model that not only provided excellent tones but optimal playing comfort too.

The unique Rolf Spuler design remains intact, and has been proudly revived with some thoughtful updates. This first-class instrument will suit the most discerning of bassists in the 21^st Century, especially with its ergonomic design.

Body

The Ibanez AFR-4 Affirma bass is constructed from a number of premium woods. Combined to form the perfect tonal blend, this bass will project balanced sounds to suit practically any style.

With the body mostly made from lightweight Maple, this bright-sounding tonewood yields a snappy response that gives notes plenty of sizzle and definition. Adorned with a gorgeous Flamed Maple top, the Walnut strip that runs through the middle of the top injects some bold low-end punch. A noteworthy feature on the body is the carved-out channel, which serves as a useful thumb rest at multiple positions.

Neck

The Affirma’s body is paired with a 3-piece Maple neck, accentuating the treble response and sensitivity of the instrument even more. Reinforced with graphite rods, these ensure minimal neck movement in differing climates, so that you’ll almost never have to tweak the truss rod. If you do though, the adjustment has been thoughtfully placed at the bottom of the neck for super-easy access.

With an Ebony fingerboard, this sleek material not only feels smooth under the fingers but also adds some extra mid-range warmth, while tightening the overall sound of the bass. Fitted with medium-sized frets to strike the perfect balance between traditional and modern, these have been given Ibanez’s premium fret edge treatment to guarantee ultimate comfort when you’re playing long sets.

Electronics & Hardware

The Ibanez AFR-4 Affirma is installed with a single Bartolini® X44JX pickup, a split-coil design that delivers a deep yet vibrant tone. With its combination of the piezo and magnetic pickup, you can attain articulate and dynamic tones, with the Ibanez 2-band EQ allowing you to further sculpt the perfect sounds.

The specially-designed AeroSilk MR5 bridge features unique saddles, designed to work in concert with the piezo pickups and enhance the acoustic "stand-up" quality of the sound. Also allowing for extreme intonation adjustments, each isolated bridge is securely locked down to the body for maximum vibration transfer without interference.

Specifications

• Neck Type: AFR4 3pc Maple Half Neck-Through w/ Graphite Reinforcement Rods
• Body: Flamed Maple/Walnut Center Top/Maple Back
• Fretboard: Ebony w/ Abalone Oval Off-Set Dot Inlay on 12th Fret
• Frets: Medium w/ Premium Fret Edge Treatment
• Bridge: AeroSilk MR5 Bridge (19mm String Spacing)
• Middle Pickup: Bartolini® X44JX
• Equalizer: Ibanez 2-band EQ
• Hardware Colour: Black Matte
• Case/Bag: Hardshell Case Included