Why are Ibanez necks so much better ?

[Greentone]

Here's something you never hear about. I cannot speak about the post-Japanese models because I haven't evaluated them. However, on the Japanese GB-10 and JP-20 models, I really _like_ the pickups. Same thing with the semi-acoustic models. I know that some people yank these pickups off and put on after-market units, but I have always found the Ibanez factory offerings to be first-rate sounding.

[GNAPPI]

Ibanez certainly has a penchant for novel and unusual view of designs. From burl / spalted woods to odd shapes like the AWD they cover some weird ground.

Is this neck / head design a further attempt to minimize head breaks beyond the volute, value engineering / cost cutting, or both? This sample found on the web is the first I've seen that is finished in a light enough color to see what's hiding below the generally much darker finished necks of the AS-93ZW. I have yet to see a pic of the AS-93ZW light enough to see if the neck heel has a second piece.

[GNAPPI]

Thinking further on this... the head above is now one piece instead of the 5 pieces of a typical 3 piece neck. Hmmm... I'm thinking cost savings on not having L-O-N-G and W-I-D-E outer sections of the neck (like on my AF-100) may be the driving force.

[Hammertone]

Ibanez certainly has a penchant for novel and unusual view of designs. ...
Is this neck / head design a further attempt to minimize head breaks beyond the volute, value engineering / cost cutting, or both? ...

Not at all new. Builders like Godin and others have used a scarf joint above the nut for years.

[lammie200]

Yeah, they are just scarfing a three piece shaft to a one piece headstock. I think that it is both for cost savings and strength. They also have some natural finished models where you can see it even more clearly.

[TOMMO]

My MIK (Peerless) Epiphone Riviera has a similar looking neck joint.

[Woody Sound]

Not at all new. Builders like Godin and others have used a scarf joint above the nut for years.

I’d like to see it from the side to see if it is really scarfed.

[sgosnell]

The head in the first photo is a multipiece lamination, I think. It looks to have a veneer on the back covering most of the head, but there is a clear indication of 3 pieces behind the volute, which suddenly disappears behind the veneer. But I can't be entirely sure from a photo.

[lammie200]

Ibanez AFC95-NTF | Casa Musicale Luisi | Reverb

Guitarshop Barcelona

There isn’t a side shot of the headstock but you can get an idea of either a scarf joint or a mortise and tenon joint if you scroll through the photos. My guess is a mortise and tenon joint.

[lammie200]

BTW, you can see that the neck heel is a separate piece from the three piece neck shaft in one those pics in the second link. That was one of the OP's questions.