How are these Ibanez AZs different?

[@antonioj4746]

In my opinion AZ2202A (22 frets) is the best sounding AZ model. Perfect tonal balance in every pickup position, unlike the rest of the range, which tend to sound a bit too trebly to my ears. Great instrument.

[@havocbringrguy7041]

I'm new to this channel and I just want to say: there is absolutely no other channel that does reviews/comparisons as transparent and extensive as this one -> *subbed*

[@anttigeier3035]

Drinking coffee and watching hp42 videos is relaxing way to spend freetime. Good guitars shown, thanks Henning 👌

[@PooNinja]

I like to watch in a hot bubble bath with a big coffee. Just make sure the artificial gravity is on first or it’s a huge mess in the ship! 🛸🛁

[@tzwicker1377]

Enjoyed this video immensely; it helped me make a decision between the the 24 and 22 fret AZ and I went for the 2202A. Took delivery of it 2 days ago and it is an excellent guitar! Thanks Henning! Cheers from Nova Scotia, Canada!!

[@JohnSmith-el6ge]

Congratulations, finally a review where the guitarist does not try to demonstrate how marvelously well he plays, here at last you can hear the guitars. Thanks.

[@MarvelJAM]

I like the pickup graphic. It makes it obvious what options are available

[@JoeHeisler]

The pickup covers may be changing the high end more than the wood, I noticed that when trying out different pickups in my rg. Also that dog in the bike basket is so cute!

[@rowlandstraylight]

This, even good quality nickel silver pick-up covers take quite bit off the high end, but it's more dropping the resonant spike of the uncovered pickup and adding a slight scoop to the upper mids. This works better for cleaner sounds, as when you crank the distortion the mid scoop can make the bass response sound mushy. I can hear y'all protesting "but mid scoop is metal" , and to some extent it is, but to get a good tight distortion you push the mids before the distortion (maybe with a screamer or Kline with the drive up) for tight bass and scoop the mids after distortion to get that sound.

[@thematsc]

I think you are right. I didn't think about that. I would guess that this contributes much more than the difference in wood.

[@algorithm007ify]

But the AZ 22 has a gap between the neck and PU (which the 24 does not have)...If you factor that in, it's only a fret different in distance instead of 2..

[@TimeMakesMusic]

That burst thing is a reissue of my S2020xav violin sunburst from the 90ties. Still my favo guitar!!

[@rodolfoamaralguitar]

20:52 This is probably because it does not have metal cover. On the Ash model this cover filters a little of the high end. frequencies.

[@alluleksi]

These AZ prestige guitars are just so amazing to play. And every day I'm playing one I just love it more! These also have great and pretty loud sound without amplifier, so it's great for someone who likes to practice without amp. Nice videos, thanks Henning :)

[@valebliz]

I always found practicing the electric without amp easily makes you dirty.

[@kleebensplurknurch2718]

Your reviews are certainly spot-on, Mr. Pauly. If you could also do the RG5121 and some Fractal stuff, that would be awesome. Also, the quality of your videos are almost cinematic-like in appearance. They're just so clear.

[@7thString84]

I'm very happy with my AZ2402TFB. So it is the same as the black one, just that it's TFB. I also recognized the slightly more "twang" on the 24. And this makes sense. It doesn't necessarily have to do something with the wood (tough, I still believe in different tones of different woods), but with the position of the neck pickup. It's a little bit more to the bridge side, which makes it slightly brighter. And btw... If you don't like that, just dial the treble/presence etc. down. Easy. ;) Cheers :)

[@Johnny-oy9fh]

Love the track at the beginning of the vid...superb. I have both guitars...makes me realise why I love them so much too....

[@Leo_ofRedKeep]

The 24 fret has more high end because the neck pick-up is closer to the bridge. It's not the wood. Alder is used under the solid colours because it doesn't need to look good.

[@Rouwiinator]

Not a huge beleiver in tone wood myself. I do however THink the quality of the wood can sometimes make a little difference but generally speaking the pickups (kind placement) electronics cables and the amp or whatever you plug into is of much higher importance than wood will ever be when comes just too tonal properties.

[@Leo_ofRedKeep]

@@Rouwiinator The tonewood discussions widely exaggerate the impact of wood on tone in solid body guitars. This impact is mostly limited to the neck, which wiggles together with the strings and thus can affect the frequency spectrum in a fairly minor way. These discussions also ignore the variations of wood which take place even within a single tree. Density of wood changes from bottom to top, from center to periphery of the trunk, then it is also dependent on age, growth rate and the following drying process, not to mention the various subspecies of woods all sold under a unique name to guitar players. Are there 250 subspecies of mahogany? So while two different pieces of wood can make some subtle difference in the whole, attributing a particular sound characteristic to a generic name read on a specification is an act of pure belief, not of scientific logic.

[@Rouwiinator]

@@Leo_ofRedKeep I'm totally with you on that. I'm sure what kind of wood is pretty much irrelevant. I think quality of the woods however can make a little difference. But scale length the construction overall as well as the electronics are what will really change the sound of electric guitars.

[@HainGuitar]

I'd say it also may be the case of pick up cover on ash one. I tend to believe and hear that covered humbuckers usually have smoother, more creamy sound, while open coils one are more agressive with high frequencies.

[@Leo_ofRedKeep]

@@HainGuitar Yes, pick-up covers also make a difference. Demo here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZmvmY15r5abqZY

[@goldcoins9311]

Are the humbuckers on the sunburst more further apart? Because it has 22 frets whereas the black one has 24 frets to I'm guessing that pushes the humbuckers closer together.

[@hollywoodactress]

Great review. To me the bridge pickups on both sound the same but the difference is the neck pickup. Which could be due to its position because of 22 frets vs 24 frets. The neck pickup on the 22 has a slightly warmer sound and clean sounds more straty. Whereas the 24fret neck pickup has a slightly edgier tone. It can be heard too when using the Jcm 800

[@Kutamitasa]

Exactly my thinking! And it's a pity that he went from clean to overdriven sound precisely when comparing the bridge PU in the first test.

[@SLASHMPI]

Men your reviews are so great and so funny! Cheers from Argentina

[@Tangent_Frank]

the az line was an absolute life saver when it comes to what i am able to choose. I originally wanted a charvel because of the jazzy sort of solid body ability, sadly i heard alot of complaints anywhere from needing truss rod adjustments to buzzing and bad tuning stability. I colud have gotten a custom, but i'm not trying to exceed $3k. Then i was introduced to .strandberg*, which were another one of those guitar brands that has the whole solid body jazz thing about it, i sadly (and this is pretty petty) didn't like the color options for the standard line models. Again i could get a custom, but those are apparently wallet breakers. Then there's this! Within the $2,000-$3,000 range? yes. Stainless steel frets? yes. Made in Japan? yes. Built by a trusted brand to my guitar heroes? yes. Is it used by modern jazz players right nkw? yes. These guitars would be an instant buy for me if not for one thing, i do hope at some point they make an HSH configuration model in the same line.

[@Chris-ng9vz]

Love this guy So funny Getting black gloss one next week

[@frankardos4211]

You sound really fantastic lately Henning. I truly mean that. Alles Schonnen und Guten Tag fur musik mein Bruder!!!

[@1570Mike]

Why aren't they giving you a newer M300C case with a new AZ? They have TSA approved locks. I got one for my RG521 Genesis.

[@sassycat]

I initially liked the sound of the 2202, but as more gain and distortion were added, I thought the 2402 really shone through.

[@sphinx9517]

What effects are you using at 1920??? It sounds so good

[@Johnny-oy9fh]

I want a AZ2202!!

[@SLASHMPI]

Why you think is the difference between the sounds? The sand burst one sounds more round.

[@jazzcat1056]

Great comparison and channel.

[@udertyrat]

What stand is that?

[@rottalmusik6563]

the sweater in the demo song is that from Earthqaker od MrGuGu? Nice Vai vibes in the song by the way!

[@EytschPi42]

gugu

[@PeterLucibelli]

Great review, great playing

[@rowlandstraylight]

I'm always drawn to the AZ series for gear testing in guitar stores. I love the switching. They do crazy shred and stratty tones so I don't need 2 or 3 guitar to try an amp or pedal and they play so nicely. The Japanese (prestige) ones have slightly better fretwork, but both series appear to be done well. It's hard to tell them apart in store and I'm really picky. I make guitars and to a lot of fretwork repars, and got into doing this because I got fed up of guitars having substandard fretwork. These raised the bar.

[@thelastcat8406]

really slightly??? i m really trying to understand the dif between prestige and premium ones, people keep saying craftmanship is too bad in premium, i actually played one nothing irritate me except baswood body..

[@rowlandstraylight]

@@thelastcat8406 the ones I have seen and played have been really nice. I haven't owned an Indonesian premium, so the ownership experience may differ and my 2014 iron label wasn't amazing. Particularly compared to my 2000 Japanese S520. But I'm actively looking for the flaws in my iron label in the AZ series I try and not finding them. There's a load of what I can only describe as racism and prejudice tainting perceptions of Indonesian guitars. I've got some really great ones. I've a squier Jazzmaster neck I believe to be also Cor-tek made in the same year as my iron label, the guitar was probably half as much as my iron label new and I bought if for pennies, and it's great. It's the neck on the green Jazzmaster that got customised on my channel.

[@theprisonier]

do the same with a 22 and a 24 with same woods, same results. but that was a really interesting shooting. AS ALWAYS. thx

[@rottalmusik6563]

Thanks, Looks great🤘

[@PhiLikeFlying]

Need a comparison between the 'Prestige' and the 'Premium'. There is a significant price difference!!

[@gmichaelhall]

Glad the Ibanez comparison is done, plenty time for a deep dive into ESP/LTD. We can start with the ESP MIJ vintage plus line and demonstrate how the ESP snapper is the best production strat/super strat sensible money can buy. Others can argue this only until your video proves I'm right. 😁✌️

[@AndreaVarnier]

Could anyone tell me what song is it in the ending credits? I really like it, and I know I've heard it before but I can't remember where or when. Thank you!

[@EytschPi42]

it is one of my songs... unreleased

[@AndreaVarnier]

@@EytschPi42 that's strange, I was sure I knew it!! Great song btw

[@kek2628]

Nice comparison!

[@intrinsic524]

i like the black one

[@JTSC34370]

Well the sunburst one looks exactly like the finish of an Ibanez Andy Timmons from 2004 (AT200 & AT300)...

[@chancealewine8199]

What is this hoodie?! I want one.

[@EytschPi42]

links in the description

[@danray919]

Question! Did you notice any tuning instability? The AZ Prestige's have been known to have some problems in that area. Maybe that was just last year's run, and this year's run is better? Let me know please!

[@EytschPi42]

no problems

[@IGothmogOfficial]

You rule man! 10/10

[@guitarandotherthings6090]

I dont get why the one with 2 less frets is $150 more than the AZ2402?? Shouldnt it be cheaper?

[@MarcysGuitars]

Ash wood, I’m guessing

[@teknomanning]

Could someone explain to me, and I,m being serious,why guitarists fret over whether a guitar has 22 or 24 frets? I don’t understand .hen I pick up an ax,if it feels and sounds good , sweet. Why?

[@ejfr1985]

It has to do with the harmonics and the type of sound for the neck pick up, it is believed that on 22 fret guitars the neck pick-up sounds warmer and with more harmonics, whereas the 24 fret sounds brighter and with a different set of harmonics. in the end, as you say it is just a matter of feeling and preference.

[@Leo_ofRedKeep]

Well, some actually use those last two frets. Uli Roth even had a gutar built with a few extra on the treble side.

[@anthonydavella8350]

Some people believe having the pickup over the 2nd octave sounds better on the neck pup. Of course as soon as you fret??

[@teknomanning]

I love your vids,you curse,you tell the truth,no masterbait,and as an older black brother,you tell it like it is.. That separates you from all the others.D,ont be discouraged,remember, you are like a fine resisting,quality over quantity

[@AlexSmolniy]

One more video that proves Hyperions sounds much better with Basswood, which is on Premiums.

[@thorggernaut3081]

thanx henning im loving all these comparison vids, if you have the time and resource could you do an ibanez az/ ernie ball music man sabre comparison, that would totally kick ass, rock on and stay safe

[@MisterTee]

The distancing between the pickups makes a huge difference. I tend to prefer Alder to ash but on these two the ash guitar sounds far better to me, especially on the positions involving the neck pickup.

[@marcusdluxe]

I'm with you man! The burst AZ all the way.

[@ulmestrat]

That convinces me to play my own guitars.

[@observinghumanity3034]

Beautiful instruments, but I am just not a fan of the Hyperion Pickups. Too fizzy for my taste.

[@leltraco1983]

14:47 gp5/6 themen

[@areallyboredguy5825]

Cases now have tsa locks

[@Johnny-oy9fh]

Love AZ's....they are a step forward...but something has clearly happened to valve guitar amps. Been playing them since 1976...they used to sound way better than that...never used to sound fizzy and gutless...

[@JustMe-999a]

Maybe you've just gotten fizzy and gutless

[@steveluth3139]

If only they would make one of these but then with a humbucker and p90 pickup. Now that would be a sweet strat :D

[@valebliz]

That would be a pacifica 611 lol

[@Steve26052]

What gives the neck the dark colour?

[@teknomanning]

Steven D roasting process

[@Steve26052]

Reggie Manning how does it differ to normal roasted maple??

[@extirpatebabel]

@@Steve26052 Less moisture within the wood grain. Makes it tougher and durable.

[@Steve26052]

spider7ven and that’s what gives it the dark colour? What would I search to find other guitars with this kinda neck? Thanks 🙏🏻

[@markmeloney2643]

Anyone else hear the annoying hiss at certain pickup positions with both instruments?

[@anthonydavella8350]

Nice shirts

[@marcoelwray]

I think a lot of people was looking for what Harley Benton "copied" for the fusion, well for the roasted Harley Benton I bought (because I'm poor), it's the clone of the AZ. I wish I had enough money for the AZ but, no.

[@pawekrzysik6606]

First... "That's what she said"

[@SLASHMPI]

17:57 😂

[@onukorama]

22 👍

[@teknomanning]

Reisling

[@christianboddum8783]

3,4kg. = perfect weight

[@silverpairaducks]

300 bucks is my guess...

[@Mr.Goldbar]

The 22 fret HH is the only AZ I don't like. HH with 22 frets doesn't sound right to my ears at all

[@steveluth3139]

It should have had A humbucker and a modern P90 pickup. Now that would be a sweet setup

[@mixodorians12]

Look you cannot create a metric about wood species. Woods, tonally varies across the exact same species, and this is why the whole tone wood arguement is garbage. Some ash is bright, some is dull, some is dead some is "bitey" and all depends on a million things, outside of its "species". So as you cannot create a metric and say "ash is "bright" etc, then no one can say with even a tiny bit of certainty that the ash guitar they will get will be anything, other than "ash". There are way too many variables within wood species, before your even compare wood species against eachother, and this is why (aside from everything else) the tonewood thing is utter bollocks. No one can create a metric.

[@RaxFx]

imo, "tonewood" is marketing fluff and probably only applies to acoustic guitars

[@Leo_ofRedKeep]

Yes, tonewood separates cool observers from believers. Loads of money can be milked out of the latter, so guitar companies make sure they deliver what fools want to buy.

[@teknomanning]

16th😳!

[@johnwalker1459]

the ultra over these crap any day

[@kainagami]

The only thing I don't like on the AZs is the nut.

[@JudgeFredd]

Great - you should play more and talk less ;-)

[@metalcaster96]

Hi men, Could you do a review of shijie guitars?