This $299 Ibanez Is More Than It Seems... Budget Game Changer?! || Ibanez AZ Essentials

[@agufish]

One of my favorite Ibanez guitars would be the least Ibanez-y lol. Avocado.

[@DC-jj7ug]

Avacado again

[@gerardosajidgamezsanchez6962]

Avacado

[@TrickyPickins]

Avocado

[@jasondmello1046]

Free shavacadoe?

[@randomclick2826]

Have you done anything further with your S800. I got one with the pedal after watching your vid and it’s turned me into a total fanboy of the guitar. Having a full pedal set with looper and metronome functions I can use with headphones is amazing. By the way press the B&C pedals together to put the pedal in looper/metronome mode. It’s a great feature the instructions don’t even mention.

[@stephenceruolo2659]

The Dyna switch makes a lot of sense to me. One of the things that beginner guitarists want to do is to sound like their favorite guitarists, not knowing that the way their guitar is wired makes that a lot harder. Now with more options people are maybe a bit less likely to give up because their strat doesn't sound like Dave Grohl or something. Plus they don't need to know what the switch is doing to the guitar, just to the sound.

[@ama5573]

There has never been a beginner that didn't feel they sound like their favorite guitarist and it was due to pickup nuances.

[@stephenceruolo2659]

@@ama5573 Eh, that was my experience to be honest. Plugging in my squier strat and not getting why I didn't sound like Billie Joe Armstrong with my guitar, and I tried every setting I had. Now I know more and I have an easier time finding other sounds. For curious enough beginners I can see this feature being a nice bonus. I could also see this as a move from Ibanez to give players ideas of what they want in their next more expensive guitar that will hopefully be an Ibanez haha

[@SIRiAlerion]

I agree. I bought an AZ premium in my first year of learning because it offered so much versatility with the Dyna switch. I think it's great that Ibanez made a more affordable version but can't imagine playing an AZ without a roasted maple neck or those Hyperion pickups.

[@lalnuntluangachhakchhuak5767]

Not only for beginners. Many guitarist want a guitar that can do it all.

[@Hiro.the.God.]

I just bought this today and that switch is a damn game changer! Wow

[@cirisirpula152]

I actually think the idea behind dyna-mix is a simple. When alter sw is off, 5-way switch works same as it would in basic stratocaster. When alter sw is on, 5 way switch kind of works like dual humbucker guitar. Positions 1,3 and 5 are the same as they would be if the guitar had 2 humbuckers (of course neck humbucker is in this case 2 series connected single coils). Position 2 is split coil bridge humbucker. Position 4 is the only weird one, probably because it wouldn't have made sense to make it like "split neck humbucker", because it would then be the same as alter sw off position 5. So basically what they have tried to do is to make one guitar that can be both HSS and HH. Which is a great idea for beginner instrument.

[@threejrock]

It's genuinely a switching system I wish more guitars outside of Ibanez would have

[@The.Adam.D]

Tomo Fujita helped design that output jack

[@firdeye2681]

For the price the best strat for the price along with the classic vibe prolly. So cool

[@agufish]

Still need to try a Squier CV actually! Only hear great things

[@jensnilsson1507]

Don't overlook the Yamaha Pacifica 311. Fantastic specs for the price. Change the humbucker to any humbucker of your choice and you'll have an amazing guitar punching way above it's price range.

[@randomclick2826]

Mooer GTRS S800 (with pedal) is the best money I’ve ever spent on guitar gear. That would be my best budget strat (although I know it’s not the cheapest). It’s the 1st time I’ve bought a guitar that’s actually opened new options to me. Like playing in the park with headphones.

[@Masterfighterx]

@@jensnilsson1507 The Humbucker in the 311 I had was probably one of the best I've owned, so raw and brutal, not muddy at all.

[@jensnilsson1507]

@@Masterfighterx Cool! I felt mine was a bit anemic, but I agree about it not being muddy at all. Really clear and great for cleans.

[@mattlau]

I got this guitar and I am so impressed with the fit and finish. I've been playing this more than my $1500 Tele for the past few months. It's now making me want to get the AZ Prestige!

[@mathias6423]

Is the AZ prestige the more expensive/premium one with other pickups and neck ?

[@mathias6423]

@mattlau lol no the premium one starts at like 1500$ like your tele. That is a whole other ballpark man there is a lot of nice guitars for that kind of money than a premium AZ I feel. You could get an american made Fender Stratocaster for that. I think I would buy the Iron Maiden guitarist Dave Murrays signature Fender Strat for that kind of money. Also i am pretty sure the nice JEM Steve Vais guitars start around that price range. Even if it is a SE model The new 2023 PRS SE Mark Holcomb also is around that money and is a great guitar.

[@williamheitl8941]

Hey it’s “Sunday… Monday? Maybe?” already? The weekend flys by.

[@pablorar]

Oh yeah I was waiting for this.

[@Hickeroar]

Haha, that Les Paul dig cracked me up. xD

[@attrition0]

Small points, the AZ models do have some 22 fret models. But for this guitar the SSS model comes in hardtail only, and HSS is trem only.

[@Oats57]

Beginner guitars are getting better and better.

[@bobmarsh7550]

I love the fact that it has a 25" scale length I have medium size hands and this helps a lot.. Your video has helped me make up my mind to grab one. Thxs!!!

[@storm14k]

Perpetual beginner here. 😅 Ibanez i just want you all to know that switch is not confusing and the way you all wire most of your guitars for versatility have made you a go to for me! ❤

[@frankenstein4106]

That didn't sound like "boomer" bends in the intro tune!

[@marcelo.bassalo]

I like what Ibanez changed about the classic strat design. The lower knob, humbucker on the bridge, jack on the side. It's modern. I'd switch the tuners for locking ones, some rounding of the fret edges and you are good to go on a budget.

[@maxmustardman298]

Not just a beginner guitar, with the switching options, upper fret access, hardtail option its a modern inexpensive players inatrument

[@BasBach]

It looks good. Might check them out.

[@thedanksavatron7782]

Nissssssssssssssssssce 🍻 Definitely on my radar 📡

[@Rocket1771]

goddamn that demo track had no business going that hard.

[@DJ_V_squared]

Tomo Fujita helped design the AZ essentials. The output jack was his idea.

[@Xcorgi]

This is probably the best review on KZbin of the AZES because you actually use the humbucker to play metal which is what most Ibanez fans are expecting from pretty much any Ibanez!

[@kennethm.3296]

Mine is coming today. SSS model, I have extra tuners, hot rail and another Duncan pickup laying around. Love that it's a 25 inch scale! Great review and music!

[@TomoFujitaMusic]

Thank you for sharing!

[@DoubleOh42]

Pretty Sure my old butt is going to grab one of these pretty son. This thing looks dope.

[@TomoFujitaMusic]

@@DoubleOh42 Please enjoy it! So good!

[@kevinp8758]

10 inch radius and a 25 inch scale? I can't think of anyone aside from PRS who uses that spec combo regularly. It's really comfortable, Ibanez might be on to something here for comfort and new players.

[@kennethm.3296]

Be nice if they made a RG in 25 inch. My favorite scale!

[@trevorburns7406]

The clean tones sound great

[@alexh3153]

I love how they left the single coils as just the bobbin tips showing so they match the humbucker. Always hated how strat single coil pickups look next to an uncovered humbucker

[@TrickyPickins]

I love how you say Ibani instead of saying Ibanez's Never would have thought of that, but it makes so much sense.

[@efrainmeza9872]

I will buy one and do modifications to it, I will put a gotoh 510 bridge/locking tuners, custom Pickguard and Dimarzio pickups with the alter switch wiring I'm a professional guitarist who plays in big or small gigs and a session musician too, I have an Ibanez RG modified to be more like an AZ with the gotoh 510 bridge/graphtech TUSQ nut, sperzel locking tuners, Dimarzio pickups and a Charvel/guthrie govan Wiring. That combination gives me everything I need with my 24 fret RG and this AZES will be my 22 fret guitar

[@harlequingr]

Tomo Fujita worked with ibanez to create these guitars so his students could afford to buy a guitar to bring to class. My daughter just graduated from Berklee College of Music where Tomo is a professor.

[@Mr.Goldbar]

I almost pre ordered one as soon as I heard it's a thing, and I definitely would have if it had the same dimensions of the Premium instead of PRS dimensions. As an owner of a Premium AZ I was hesitant to get the Essentials because I didn't want my experience to feel watered down because I already own a higher end version

[@GeronimoBiggles]

What do you mean by PRS dimensions? Is it just the scale length? I hate that i paid 5 times the price for my premium that was probably made in the same factory by the same people using slightly better parts

[@Ottophil]

I had this problem with gibson. I owned 2 gibsons and tried to buy an epiphone. It just never worked for me. I’m used to the good stuff, i can’t go back to shwagg

[@Mr.Goldbar]

@@GeronimoBiggles by PRS dimensions I mean 25" scale and 10" radius. And no, you didn't get ripped off by buying that Premium, mine is my best guitar and I hope yours is great too! If your Premium is the HH version you should consider getting the Essentials if you don't mind the PRS dimensions

[@GeronimoBiggles]

@@Mr.Goldbar i absolutely love my premium. Just hard to swallow that guitars made in Indonesia are at the $1,500 price point

[@Mr.Goldbar]

@@GeronimoBiggles yeah but once you stop paying attention to the made in Indonesia badge it's one of the best experiences in the world. So much so that after a year I bought an Axion Label 7 string

[@HadianGates]

Probably the most informative guitar gear channel in terms of regular content, information and variety. Also genuinely interesting. Keep going.

[@Xx_placeholder_xX]

Ooooh fancy

[@jacobbockover1628]

I hear your expanding musically. Very nice. Ive looked at those but also the some cheep kramers. I probly wont get one. I only sorta like my prs s2. Im more likely to get a epiphone dc pro/lp muse or save up for a prophecy

[@Sticky_Tea]

The prophecy guitars look so good

[@cliftongardner4367]

That sonic blue with mint green pickguard is stupid good-looking. I would have never guessed that was an inexpensive instrument.

[@landenwaite522]

As a new electric guitar player 7 years ago my strat copy's output jack and nut gradually loosened. In trying to tighten the nut I twisted the jack and completely ruined the connection. Having no idea what the hell was going on I brought it to my local luthier and he re-soldered the connection for me. The unibody output jack is a killer feature for a beginners guitar.

[@ScottPC]

I love the bog standard starter guitars from big brands. I always end up buying them cheap and upgrading them.

[@damonstewart70]

Me 2

[@majesticpbjcat7707]

Me 3

[@DJENTISNTNOTAGENRE]

Me 4

[@BoltRM]

Yep

[@stankymans]

Ibanez has always been my favorite and I love their instantly recognizable sound but I’ve only ever had two cheap squier strats so was thinking about getting this and I now definitely am! Thank you sir

[@patfix]

Totally agree about that alter switch, that has no business being on a beginner guitar. Beginners (at least the ones I know) won’t even know/hear the difference with a normal switch… But for the more experienced players it’s pretty cool indeed.

[@Irishtwinbeads282]

I still have the Ibanez GRX 40 that came in the starter pack in the late 90’s. It plays ok still. This reminds me of that. And it was my first guitar

[@mathias6423]

@agufish What tuning did you play the intro in ? Felt kinda dropped/downtuned ? That was quite an aggressive tone, the tone did not quite match the look of the guitar, a real sleeper

[@ehdforlife]

That model sells for $349, not $299. The single coil version without trem is $299.

[@texanfournow]

Right. But I bought mine (same mint color) from MFriend with 15% coupon (which they post regularly), so I was at $297 after savings for the HSS model. For once I feel like a got a bargain. With the coupon, a SSS model would be $255.

[@fabianorodas]

Just got one for 199$ it was at a discount on a guitar center, probably the Best Buy I’ve done in a long time, I’ve played to try it at the store and several people came over to see WTF was I playing and when they saw the guitar I could see the surprised faces, same here I’m planing on putting some different pickups

[@XAheli]

Hi!! May I know where did you get it from? It’s unavailable in my country

[@fabianorodas]

USA, they probably pop up online from time to time

[@XAheli]

@@fabianorodas ah thanks!! In India only AZES40 is available that too out of stock.

[@3badthebad]

9:05 damn Hunter you sneaked the Squid Game theme in there and thought we wouldn’t notice 😂

[@agufish]

lol some people thought it was Jingle Bells or Mary Had a Little Lamb 🙃

[@jerryjohnson575]

bought one LOVE IT awesome Ive been playing 35 yrs in clubs studio teacher,,,,, want to mod it with Bare Knuckle or seymours down the road,,,,,SO FUN TO PLAY,,,,, unreal made for a new bee for the price AAAAAAAAAA+ 9.4 on a scale of 1 to 10 just a fun freh vibe,,,,,, sounds good on my junk amp the line 6 spider 120 V

[@tomasdanielnieto5398]

Just bought it. The switch is a big reason. It does make the sound way different. Having a humbucker with a coil split at that price range is a big ask already. And you get 9 different combinations on top

[@pwhite102]

That opening solo was pretty rad. Also, kind of reminded me of a mars volta vocal melody

[@jameslewis2635]

I feel that this would be a much better project guitar if it had a 2 point trem, those old style 6 screw types have a real reputation for tuning instability. The wiring options are absolutely awesome though (I would need to keep a cheat sheet in my gig bag) and the heel carve is just so much more player friendly than those old style Fender breeze block joints.

[@ianedmonds9191]

There is no other answer but the all hallowed VEGA TREM. The six screw version that fits with 4 screws is absolutely Alien Technology From The Future. It stays in Tune like a Floyd rose and it feels Ridiculously creamy when it's doing it and you can fit it to an 6 screw trem strat and it's small enough to allow a good deal of up bend right out of the box. It comes with 3 sets of springs so you can tailor the feel to your taste. It's a bit expensive but I've never bought a guitar modding product I'd recommend more. It's the best trem I've ever played with. I'm not a shill I just bought one. I upgraded the cheapest Harley Benton strat to have rainbow set lace sensors, Tusq Nut and String trees. Ratio Tuners and the Vega Trem. It's an amazing guitar now. The Vega trem is the standout feature of it. Believe the Hype for once. Luv and Peace.

[@heavybrett-al4082]

Can't wait to see you modd it!👍

[@phillippitts6294]

If you try one , you’ll be surprised how well the gio’s play. Not even joking!

[@toemasmeems]

Looks sick but idk I’m still thinking the Sterling Cutlass with roasted maple necks seem a bit better for the price

[@shroompicn-shrooman]

The volume on Stratocaster guitars is why I don't own one ... my big ass hand turns it down when I play... that I can really appreciate.. the placement of the volume 👍🎸

[@StrangeClipsIt]

The dyna mix switch. Runs the single coils as humbuckers. And even splits the humbucker to be used as a single coil. As shown in the diagram. You’re welcome new players

[@GT-qv1gl]

Wish they made either an HSS or an HH hardtail.

[@aholder4471]

I remember in the very first days of the internet, when I was still using dial up and waiting 15 minutes for a single photo to load from the top to about half way down...yeah if you are old enough, you know exactly what I'm talking about. lol. But anyways I downloaded like this super complicated wiring setup to change my strat wiring to include flipped phase combinations of my single coils and also what was called on the message board I found it on at the time as Hollywood grounding, where I took aluminum foil, the high end stuff that you would use like gold foil to cover something, and coated the entire section where the electronics go to shield the electronics from outside interference and then couple this shielding to the bridge via a resistor and or capacitor combo that gave the guitar some legit electromagnetic/electronic isolation and that guitar played and sounded like a dream. One of these days I'm going to recreate that and this guitar is beckoning me to do just that. I would love to change it to either a hardtail or a high end floyd rose trem and put some top notch tuners on it and then maybe some super cool aftermarket pickups along with anything else I can think of. I mean you can't beat the price no matter what. This thing costs less then my first guitar which was a Chinese Fender Squire Strat, and I hated that guitar because it would never stay in tune no matter what. I spent as much time tuning it as I did playing it and I never really got the sound out of it I wanted, I upgraded that for a Japanese Strat and it made all the difference in the world. I loved that guitar. I wish I still had it. I can't even remember what or why I did with or don't have it. How sad is that. I have had Ibanez guitars since and honestly I am a huge fan of Ibanez. Their guitars always pack a lot of bang for the buck and always seem to be set up a lot better then any other brand right out of the gate. And that means a lot to me I think. I mean if I pay a grand for a guitar and then I just have to turn right around and put it back in the shop to get it set up well, that sucks. I never understood that, but a lot of guitars don't come set up very well, or at least the didn't back in the day, which was a wedensday by the way, but these days they seem to be getting better about that.

[@shanewalton8888]

Great tone in this opening jam

[@ptricksmith1965]

I'm really liking the leads that you are starting to put in the demo tracks! i've always liked your writing in the demo tracks, that's on of the things that keeps me watching this channel. And, I think the leads you are now adding are interesting and add to the overall demo track. God job Hunter!!

[@WattchomanBrandySavage]

After over hauling this with stupid expensive parts and maybe a nice setup job from your luthier. (who fkn kills it, ALL THE TIME) I'd love to see how it holds up against a Premium or Prestige AZ. The whole buy expensive and keep stock VS buy cheap and mod the shit out of thing..

[@skullPUMP]

Omg. Omfg. Bound for the Hang 2! Omg I’ve been begging for this. Omfg thanks Hunter!

[@agufish]

Haha I’ve seen the comments. Thanks for inspiring me to bring it back!

[@skullPUMP]

No problem brother~ I’m just happy you noticed me, Senpai! Joking! 😋

[@Hiro.the.God.]

This guitar is fantastic! Period. Yes i will swap out the tremolo and place locking tuners. But technically you need nothing. I wapped on the tremolo and it didn’t detune.

[@urbanrunoff]

looks like the Ibanez's from the 80's that always wanted but never got. i pre ordered it :)

[@glaucosouza1971]

This remind me lot the roadstar RS440 from the 80's.

[@JustinWoo]

Tried one of these the other day and really enjoyed it. Throwing something out there - that "high e string only" riff that you used to demo the alter switch really doesn't present it in the best light. The series re-wiring, particularly of the neck and middle pickup, really shine on lower notes and chords moreso than it does on high e riffing.

[@morganghetti]

Ibanez makes great guitars. Every semi-hollow I've played from them has been excellent.

[@buck7477]

You should try a Ibanez Roadstar! They started at around $400 in the 80s! I’ve sent Ibanez a couple messages trying to get them to reissue the Roadstars the Roadsters and the Blazers from the 70s and 80s but there not cooperating! I can lead a horse to water but I can’t make them drink!

[@jadensimmons6646]

11:15 Is that... Mary had a Little Lamb?

[@agufish]

I take it you haven’t seen Squid Games yet lol?

[@jadensimmons6646]

@@agufish nope.

[@agufish]

@@jadensimmons6646 yep, well it’s good. And it’s from that.

[@SanSan-yy5xh]

@@agufish I wonder why so many guitarist don't know squid

[@thenovicenoisemaker]

You’ve always been a good guitar player but seem to be getting better all the time too dude, well done

[@MrAntpre]

Great innovation at a lowee price. Beautifull range of tones. Can't wait to hear the mod.

[@paulanderson771]

Oh so you're gonna throw down that hard on a $300 guitar??? That was gigantic sounding!!

[@vindknt]

One question I have: how did you make the trem arm stay in place? Those fender trem springs don't work as far as I know, so I'm quite curious

[@lauriemacquanan2141]

Good review now that it's a year later, Tomo collaborated making the saddle and smoother neck joint. With the switch btwn the knobs it allows the player to have a humbucker sounds with 3 single coils.

[@zerronyx1362]

I really wish ibanez brings back the affordable talman series, those came with locking tuners as well as being an offset guitar Although that body shape was probably why people weren't buying them lol

[@jeremyrafuse5330]

Which is strange because Noodles signature guitar is based off of the Talman.

[@Warden-NiNJeN]

HOW IS THIS BUDGET!?!? That demo sounded absolutely LEGENDARY I need a full version!! ✨🔥

[@edwinstovall3334]

Ibanez should sell this guitar's wiring harness as a separate product. I'd LOVE to have this selection of sounds for my HSS guitars!

[@unmike19]

Loving the content man!

[@martinemesguitar]

1:54 Pringle foraging for guitar picks.

[@JackWGuitarLessons]

The quality of imports and inexpensive guitars is crazy high at the moment. And this thing chugs

[@SanSan-yy5xh]

After scrolling all the comments, only one person noticed the squid lick... I bet many guitarist here are diligent in practicing guitar, they don't waste time watching Netflix. There was a guy thought it was jingle bells, and one other thought it was mary had a little lamb 😂

[@WhispersOfTomorrow]

We need all the demo tracks on spotify

[@Masterfighterx]

Only some of the higher end AZs has 24 frets, the MIJ one with 2 chrome humbuckers has 22 frets and so does the HSS version. Oh and for the cheap ones, the SSS doesn't have a tremolo, for whatever reason.

[@palmiro633]

8:10 and 10:06 Michelle Branch is fan

[@ArtOfShredYT]

Minor correction: $350 for the HSS version you're reviewing. The three single coils version is $300.

[@porforyticbasalt]

now to decide on this, a pacifica, or an affinity.

[@Ken-yg4um]

The only problem I have with most reviewers is that the guitar being played is down tuned to A or even F these days and distortion out the wazoo.

[@k8923]

I wanted to get a 2nd guitar with a sway bar so I thought this one would be perfect. Had it at GC and I picked it up and ended up just trying to keep it in tune over the next 5 minutes. Put it back on the rack. Have to admit that every other guitar in that price range was the basically the same deal. Best was the Sire S3, but I wanted a humbucker in bridge position. Gave up.

[@olivervixiennedominic6737]

What sold me this guitar is the michelle branch playing. Great overview!

[@spanneng]

this may be what I want...I can see that switch doing its thing

[@rudiyantohalim736]

My fav new release this year on price vs performance Would like to have an exact one on this demo

[@ZorroTheWevile]

*Me as a retail employee in 2020-2021 Finally a guitar for me

[@TMmodify]

oh fuck I'm SO glad you got back to the old video format

[@williamheitl8941]

Do you still have a positive view of it at 349$ I was excited, but it’s getting into decent LTD territory or a sterling

[@johngloom9235]

Glad to see that your bias against Ibanez is no more

[@SIRiAlerion]

I guess it's a good price for beginners to get a lot of different tones but I have an AZ premium and I can't imagine not having either the roasted maple neck or the Seymour Duncan Hyperions.

[@Xcorgi]

The only downside to this guitar is that it comes stock with a cheap plastic nut. Even Squier is making bone nuts standard in most of their guitars and Yamaha is making GraphTech nuts standard on most of their Pacifica models for good tuning stability. This is especially important for tremelo equipped guitars and the fact that they are only about a $5.00 item, there’s NO EXCUSE for Ibanez to not put them on a guitar they’re branding as “essentials”. Because there’s nothing more essential than tuning stability.

[@bobbyramsdell6534]

Maybe I’m just noticing it but I really like the tone demos mixed in with the talking about the guitar. Great video!

[@terrygore115]

Yeah, I agree. I'm not real crazy about all the pickup options. Simpler the better and the same goes for effects. I don't need pedals with 10 knobs.

[@saamo1423]

That might cause you to have a thought, can't have that

[@666dreamboat]

I feel like I disagree that giving news players more tonal choice is "overkill" I can't tell you the untold hours and times I have up trying to get a single coil tone out of my humbuckers and legitimately believing "tone is in the hands" was the problem

[@brians1793]

9:04 I wasn't sure if I was hearing Jingle Bells or Venom - Teacher's Pet

[@withoutthestatepodcast4989]

Mine will arrive in a few days

[@danielramos6466]

Would it be possible to mod this switch on another guitar?🤔

[@trentvalentine9]

One of the reasons I got rid of my AZ Prestige was that it was honestly overwhelming feature wise - and I say that as a person who's modded most of my guitars

[@trentvalentine9]

BTW, if this guitar is wired anything like the Prestige, you don't be to just drop new pickups in lol. After looking at the inside of mine I decided to just not even try to mod it.