Don't Buy the Ibanez AZ Premium Until You Watch This

[@jimmyfranklin]

Which one would you buy??? Let me know below and check the description box for links to all my gear!

[@BobSierra]

I really need this video! I just bought the premium one!

[@backgroundnoise5840]

i see a lot of people change strings with the prestige az tuners like this 5:12 , but a lot of people don’t know that if you keep just keep unwinding the string it will pop out on itself and as you tighten back up again it should lock itself. this would just completely cut the whole thumb screw step completely out the only reason you should use a pick or screwdriver would be in the event that you have a string break on you, then you have to use one weirdly enough, ibanez does not really put it out there and there are really only a few videos on youtube that talk about this

[@jimmyfranklin]

this is interesting... yea. it seems like a great idea if the string isnt broken. i may try this and make a video about it

[@backgroundnoise5840]

@@jimmyfranklin id watch that! it probably is faster to use one anyways, unless you have one of those ernie ball battery powered string winder lol i know tim and scott of polyphia both swapped to the more traditional locking tuners found on the premiums on their standard prestige azs probably because they felt it was faster and or maybe even better tuning stability. i’ve heard the prestige az’s having more tuning stability issues then the premiums and a lot of people blame these tuners. i think ibanez really just was shooting for this to be an rg even traditional players to get on, and that included having tuners that looked like regular tuners but while being locking, i heard they’re also more lightweight then the regular locking tuners

[@XrisKarap]

Just a heads up, you don't need a screwdriver for the gotoh locking tuners. They loosen the lock as you loosen the string, and they lock themselves as you tighten the string. I have a prestige AZ2204, and have never had an issue with the locking tuners. They are a unique design, but they work really well for how they're designed.

[@yanagida_01]

3:45 not sure if trem blocks influence sound, some people say it affects sustain. though for me a thicker and stronger block is good like the stainless(or maybe brass) one on the prestige. thin zinc alloy blocks like on the premium actually crack and bend overtime, and I've personally experienced this issue. I'd be happy to pay more on my guitars just for the longevity alone.

[@Owlun]

I've swapped out a few trem blocks and they definitely make a difference in your tone. My most recent guitar had a zinc block and I went to a brass block. The end result was a louder, fatter tone. I didn't notice a huge difference in sustain tho.

[@levib4335]

Hi Jimmy, bought a AZ premium the 226 model with HSS setup. The thing is it came with a really bad fret job and i had to do a leveling and as its SS it was considerably longer to do :))). Now it plays as it should have out of the factory with perfect frets! I advise all, if you buy a new Ibz guitar these days check the frets really well because a fret leveling & crowning will probably cost you in the region of 100 eur or more because of the SS frets! Ibz quality got worse with time in my opinion :(

[@finlay460]

I own a HSS Prestige AZ2204, and I fell in love with it the moment I played it. I've played a few premium models, and maybe I got some bad ones, but to me the difference in neck/fretboard feel and finish was very obvious. The premium felt a little more rough around the edges, and the fretwork wasn't nearly as flawless as the Prestige. (There were also some minor finish issues on the premiums). All that being said, the premiums are still great guitars, especially for the price. Is the prestige worth that much more? I dont know, but I will say that of all the guitars I own, none really compare in my opinion, even ones of the same price as the prestige.

[@michelefolli4132]

Man, the tone on the first riff you played was amazing. May I ask how did you get it?

[@Masophere]

I'm obsessed with the prestige because it to me sounds a lot smoother and less spanky without the alter switch. Plus the trifade colour reminds me of my first guitar which was an old squire bass 😊

[@rickbrunet2559]

I think the sunburst sounds a little brighter But both Def sound almost the same! They sound great

[@lostinpa-dadenduro7555]

My only potential objection to Basswood is it’s a softer wood which may be more prone to dings and what not. Potentially weaker for holding a screw. So it is said.

[@dariocrocetta9026]

My 2402 is really a perfect guitar,you could really play everything with it,and it’s so comfortable!

[@darkestfugue]

i have the same prestige, overall its very good, was my main gigging guitar for 3 years, zero fret wear good sound, but the trem doesnt stay in tune worth a damn,taking the string tree off helps a little bit but its still not satisfactory, i recently replaced the guitar with a PRS custom 24 which is better in almost every way except it doesnt have ss frets and its trem although stays in tune better is nowhere near as responsive as the AZ, i will keep the AZ as a back up though, i do like it

[@jimmyfranklin]

I had the tuning issue at the beginning! I found that once it was locked in it stayed locked in! I considered the string tree thing too!

[@darkestfugue]

@@jimmyfranklin youre lucky, if mine stayed in tune it would make for a pretty formidable guitar, as isthough its still decent

[@GabrielSkolderblad]

Alder sounds more present and pop more and also have a stronger midrange focus than Basswood if your a tonewood believer. I think Alder is the optimal tonewood for guitar.

[@rubaokiller]

Can we put a vegatrem on those without drilling the wood?

[@timkroeger669]

Thinking about selling my PRS CE24 for an Ibanez AZ. Do you think the Ibanez compares or exceeds the quality of the PRS? Thx!

[@liamartinproductions]

Dont

[@shalev98732]

the neck will be thinner than the prs, pickup wise i think if you play rock and metal the az would be better, the tremolo is better on the ibanez, cons are the prs will always have mroe sustain, ibanez necks and prs necks arent that different imo theyre both very easy to play. edit: actually my az is more versatile than my custom 24, and stainless steel frets are nice, the ibanez has 12 inch radius and the neck is a bit faster than the prs 24 and its 10 inch radius, overall i prefer my ibanez az for playabillity those luminlay side dots really help when im playing live

[@Kaisiilerite]

Yes ibanez premium will be a good option

[@escommentss]

I own an AZ42 (Like the one you're demoing) and an AZ47. Love them both! so far...

[@katseazzz]

nice but you didn't mention that prestige model has little chunkier feeling to the neck (more d shape)than premium which is little thinner

[@jimmyfranklin]

I don’t think that’s actually true! The specs on both of these models are the same and absolutely feel the same to me

[@SelFreeLions]

No. They do not. AZ necks are all oval C

[@robertyboberty]

My prestige feels D-ish, similar to a 64 Gibson shape

[@MykiDiBono]

Ok, have the same option...but you don't consider the wood selection, high quality wood or not and the selections have a costs... so have a cost also sunburst finish because ibanez have to do a specific easthetic wood selection for trasparent finish...

[@Kaisermb1]

Gotta say my MMN1 is an amazing instrument in every way. Like Yamaha, their Japan-built guitars and basses are next level and consistently pro build quality.

[@CurrentlyYouTubing]

Great review! Would love to see you review the TOD10 and KRYS10 if you can get your hands on them! Can't wait to watch your review of the Scott LePage pickups!

[@bradovard8657]

The prestige guitar is a little tighter in the low end and smoother in the top end. The premium guitar has a little more sizzle in the very top end. I can hear the differences clearly back to back but hearing one on its own, I would never be able to tell you which one you were playing.

[@kartikxramesh]

Just whips out a Polyphia riff randomly haha love it! I liked the tone of the Prestige more than the Premium. The high end is a lot clearer, especially on the distorted tone.

[@kaskas55]

Does the Gotoh 1502 bridge come with a locking stud? Thanks

[@jimmyfranklin]

What do you mean?? On the whammy bar??

[@kaskas55]

@@jimmyfranklin hi Jimmy. The locking set screws on the bridge posts. Like the ones from the Ibanez Edge bridges. Edit: It has a stud lock set screw according to Hoshino Gakki page.

[@abrahamkinard803]

Love your energy bro! great review. highly considering one of these bad boys :D

[@jeff05989]

I'm torn between the az2402 vs tod10... idk

[@jimmyfranklin]

The 2402 is the goat. I have it. I love it. The tod is a premium. Not a prestige. But is sexy looking and has amazing Fishman pickups.

[@jeff05989]

@@jimmyfranklin yeah the tod10 and krys10 are just so beautiful. and based on a lot of reviews like yours the premium quality is pretty amazing... idk if I'm good enough to even feel the difference except the bank difference lol

[@adamburger858]

I wonder why they are not giving up the titanium saddles on the new $2500 model?

[@teajaekae]

I have the same az prestige as you. I also play it every single day and you'd have to kill me to get it from me. In my eyes the perfect guitar! :)

[@jimmyfranklin]

I agree!! My love for flashy guitars sometimes make me wish they had some fancy ones but I still love it so much

[@alangarcia3509]

The diference between the bridges are the saddles, t1802 are made of titanium and t1502 are made of steel... titanium is expensive AF

[@theeobeastone5068]

Look wise I’ll get the premium and slap on some gold hardware to give the tuxedo look

[@jimmyfranklin]

HAHAHAH well then you’ll love my Scott Lepage pick up video!

[@frantiseksvarc1672]

I wish Ibanez bring satin finishes back to the Premium range. I'm sorry, but gloss black is just the worst option possible, when it comes to the finish.

[@jimmyfranklin]

i like this one and wait until you see what i do to it!! BUT you are right. which ones were gloss before?? i dont recall any gloss premiums besides the artist guitars?

[@frantiseksvarc1672]

@@jimmyfranklin There was either a choice of some "fancier top" and gloss finish or solid satin finish. This was an option for both HH and HSS models. That was the thing until the 2022/2023 lineup when the discontinued both HSS models and satin finishes in AZ Premium line. And they discontinued baked maple fretboards as well. Which sucks as well.

[@cesarherediaaguirre4419]

The gloss look good on with the flamed maple veneer. The used to have better finishes like seafoam green, pastel pink, one with poplar burl top and some models with flamed maple veneers. These finishes were available for the HH configuration that I think is the best one because all the wiring options. I have the one with the flamed veneer.

[@digitechicnal]

Great overview!! That prestige looks like my Charvel DK24 HH 2PT pro mod sunburst. Not a satin finish though but plays amazingly well and sounds great for various tone ranges when I bought it, I was looking at the prestige line when I came across the charvel which was half the price, I played both the prestige and Charvel and playability wise they were excellent. The Charvel came in at half the price, for me it was a no brainer. The ibanez Andy timmons model AT100 (big fan of Andy) was overpriced and didnt play as well as the 2402 or charvel and was the most expensive. Not trashing Ibanez but they have to get their pricing model down if Im seeing other manufacturers that can output stuff at near the same quality for half the price you tend to be just paying for the label on the guitar at that point.

[@michael1]

The charvel isn't half the price of the az premium and it doesn't have stainless steel frets. It's not comparable with the prestige models which come with a hard case et al and are finished well. The only way to get anything similar from Charvel with SS frets you're looking at over £3k for a Govan signature or USA build DK. Whereas you can buy AZ sig models for £1k less. It's like Charvel made the DK to a price point but there's nothing between. Either that or their mexican factory can't do SS.

[@fp3359]

I hoped for a topnotch sound quality even better like a LP

[@ozarkpipertony8396]

Prestige hands down. Both are nice.

[@davidsavoie1779]

I preferred the sound of the premium. Pretty close though.

[@27pugsly]

With inflation Premium is the New Prestige ! Quality has gotten better 😊

[@mike1967sam]

Dude had 11 AZ Prem and Prestige...BIG BIG DIFF.

[@jtm-rq9gt]

The prestige 1802 bridge has titanium bridge saddles. The premium 1502 bridge saddles are not.

[@rahmizan87]

great video

[@CurrentlyYouTubing]

Also for those wondering that's Champagne by Polyphia being played at 11:18! Sounds great Jimmy 🎸!

[@TopGearRacer007]

Which is your choice: Ibanez or headless ash-body Kiesel? Imagine that you have to choose only one)

[@jimmyfranklin]

you are killing me... in the past i would said kiesel ash body. but before that time of my life i woulda said ibanez... at this point of my life i have both with me when i gig but i have beeen favoring the ibanez

[@RogueStarMusic]

It was a great video, then you busted out the Polyphia and elevated this video to a new level. 🤣

[@jimmyfranklin]

Would you say I busted to new levels… and new devils?? 😮😮😮

[@GabrielSkolderblad]

I think the locking tuners on the Prestige is lighter which makes the guitar less front heavy that some picky people may prefer. Also I think you're supposed to use a coin of some sort instead of a screwdriver. At least that's what you use on PRS locking tuners. The reason the premium guitar sounds fatter is because the humbucker covers removes some of the treble i guess.

[@RJW14]

If you want to pay 2000 for a guitar that looks like it costs 150 or less get the old triburst. I'm not a toanwewd believer but basswood is literally asswood. Legit will avoid any guitar made from that wood just for maintenance in the long term, my basswood RG has puked out it's bridge twice now. That black thang is a really cool axe tho, and for the money it's almost as if they're hunting in their own yard.

[@meb_867]

I've had great luck with basswood.

[@RJW14]

@@meb_867 you have more luck than me in that case 😂

[@Sawmte964]

Am not a tone wood believer but i am a finger tone believer

[@JoonKimDMD]

I wish tod10 had a better looking body. I am leaning toward Krys10. I wish Krys10 was prestige.

[@MrPAULONEAL]

Sating finish doesn't pick up as many fingerprints.

[@kiezersosay49]

The old premiums were way better. They had way better tops(actually had a real flamed maple top), Low mass locking tuners, better build quality in general and Roasted maple fretboard. I just sold an AZ242F(tequila sunrise gradation) for $1130. Lol and I used it to buy an RG5320 prestige! Hmm hmm hmmmm... Mwu-hahahahahaha! And I bought the AZ for 800. I am the GuitarGremlin.

[@delusionaldreams5749]

AZ 2402 Prestige is fine

[@paulydltvideos]

the difference is they aren't polyphia enough

[@Frenkel111]

I have the AZ42P1 for a year and I 've been struggling with getting a low action. Notes around the 12th fret don't sustain and the G string on 12th fret actually chokes out pretty fast. Even when I adjusted the neck relief to about 0.3mm measured on 8th fret, and the action to be 1.5 to 2.0 at 14th fret, just like Ibanez own manual says, notes still don't sustain at the 12th fret. The guitar feels and plays great other than that, but this is a major issue for me.

[@funkaiguitar8259]

What string gauge you use on you az prestige now ？

[@keith9747]

Wtf 11:18

[@primarysvpmusic1438]

I have ibanez japan rg 550 the mirror from fujigen. I would do the same with ibanez az japan prestige . Marvellous. Wont buy the premium.

[@fernandomontesdeoca74]

Es de risa lo que cuestan las hechas en Indonesia con los desastrosos controles de calidad que tienen. Ya he visto varias AZ de Indonesia que vienen de fábrica con pastillas mal soldadas, con una barra de tremolo que no es la del puente y cosas así y es no se puede permitir en una guitarra de 1500€. De resto, cero quejas, preciosas y cómodas de tocar pero tienen varias mejoras por delante.

[@MusicianinMe.]

can you send me one of guitar... please

[@Borgz34]

❤❤❤

[@Argentuza]

Real Ibanez guitars are made in Japan with honor and pride, PERIOD.

[@MatthewFant]

Have you bought a prestige lately? I have a 5121 that I ordered and waited almost 2 years for. When it arrived, it wasn’t prestige quality. Let me tell you.

[@Argentuza]

@@MatthewFant Sad! it must hurt, do you have any video or review? thanks

[@Temeraire306]

​@MatthewFant dude sorry to hear about your experience. I was looking at getting an RG5120 myself. What about your guitar was off? Ive heard that some can develop fret sprout when coming from Japan and traveling all the way to North America. Im in Ontario and the local shop near me had a demo model which was pretty flawless and had no buzz.

[@Replyingtoyourdumbcomment]

Not true at all and just weird gate keeping. I have 3 1987-1993 rg550’s and a 2022 Ibanez q52x. I love my headless q52 as much as my original 550’s and it’s a solid guitar. Materials and electronics aren’t the same as they were in the 80s as earth materials have been heavily mined

[@jotaro3980]

⁠@@MatthewFant I won’t trust Ibanez again. I had a pink prestige AZ2402 years ago. The fret edge treatment was terrible, too rough and always annoying sometimes it hurts when I hold the neck and bend. The bone nut corner was really really sharp. I cannot believe this was called ‘prestige’ product

[@BillyBlaze7]

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