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I deliberately waited several months before writing this review because my first impression was pure disappointment. After 40+ years of playing, I've never owned—or even played—an Ibanez, and I've always gravitated toward heavy, "full-bodied" guitars. This was not only my first Ibanez but also my first headless design.Unboxing the Q felt like a gut punch. It was shockingly light—almost toy-like—and it seemed way too small for my big hands and frame. I instantly felt like I'd been ripped off, equating weight with quality and value the way many players do. Out of the box, it also needed a proper setup: the neck had noticeable relief, and the action was higher than I prefer.As a seasoned buyer, though, I knew better than to judge too quickly. The truss rod adjustment wheel at the base of the neck made tweaks effortless, and I lowered the bridge slightly to dial in my ideal low action. I gave myself time to adapt to the unfamiliar lightness and compact feel.Fast-forward five months: this guitar has become my absolute favorite in the collection. The Ibanez Q is incredibly comfortable and effortless to play for hours on end. The tuners are precise and rock-solid—it stays in tune beautifully, and dropping to D takes literally seconds. The pickups deliver a unique, original voice: crushing metal crunch with plenty of definition when I want aggression, yet stunningly clear and beautiful cleans when I dial it back. It's versatile in ways I didn't expect.I'm completely satisfied with this purchase and already eyeing another headless model. If you're open to stepping outside the traditional "heavy = better" mindset, the Q might just surprise you the same way it surprised (and ultimately won over) me. My stars ratings is based on the price of the guitar rather than the comparison to other guitars.

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