The SZ520QM features a mahogany body with a quilted maple top and binding with a set-in mahogany neck with a 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard. Components include a Gibraltar III fixed bridge and dual humbucking pickups. The first models had Ibanez SZ pickups. These were changed in 2005 to Seymour Duncan designed Duncan/Ibanez pickups specially made for the series. In 2007, the SZ520QM got a visual update with new inlays. These 2007 models were only available in the US market. The SZ520QML is a left-handed version. In 2008, all SZ models were discontinued in favor of the SZR520 and SZR720.