I Hang Out With Polyphia And Buy An Ibanez AZ Guitar

I highly recommend checking out Polyphia.
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[@grahamcowles2362]

The most ambitious cross over event of all time

[@samuelvega9882]

You looked like a proud father

[@NeilDjents]

Tim Henson is my dad

[@NeilDjents]

@MIKEY777 UH

[@davestarks600]

Those two are so crazy talented, and you're right seeing them play those AZs, Ive been wanting one ever since.

[@reikoshea]

I saw polyphia, I clicked. "Oh hey, Phil's in this video too".

[@skippityblippity8656]

reikoshea Same

[@malungtvnews]

The long haired one has a great nose he will make a good wizard when he is old

[@armorgiraffe]

@CrüJones Fan dude..

[@eliasmsv3156]

@Corey Hart yikes bro

[@SaintKines]

@Corey Hart nope, he's always nothin but net

[@RC32Smiths01]

Awesome to see this interview with the band! Intro Jam sounded so true and justice to what they do and the diversity to what this guitar can do

[@jdavis.fw303]

I never expected to see crowd surfing and mini mosh pits at House of Blues Chicago. but Polyphia was gonna have a show there way. The security guys probably threw their backs out taking the 50 people down from surfing as they reached the stage. Saw them and Chon and they threw down!!

[@deeje3688]

I was one of those people hahaha

[@Iheartdgd]

House of Blues in Hollywood used to get fuckin wild, I miss that place

[@thermoskeller8981]

Phillip, I purchased an Ibanez AZ 224 F Premium Topaz Burst after hearing you talk about them in some of your videos. I bought the guitar from Sweetwater. Besides being an absolutely beautiful guitar, it plays as well or better than any other guitar I've ever played. The premium has the same tonal combinations as the Prestige that you have and the roasted maple neck is great.

[@joesatchton212]

2 things: 1- IMO and FWIW, the AZ series are among the finest guitars Ibanez has released in recent years. I have a JS1000, JS1200 and 2 S Japanese series axes and as much as I love those guitars, the AZ is immediately right up there with them all. As a "superstrat" type guitar, it even surpasses the Suhrs and Ernie Ball Cutlasses I had been looking at in terms of overall playability and sheer tonal options. So much so that I grabbed a Premium AZ in Ice Blue HSS variant on the spot after playing it for the first time for an hour. That's never happened before. 2- Phil, absolutely fantastic you have discovered Polyphia. Those guys are part of what I think of as the post-modern, post-Satriani/Vai/Petrucci/Govan generation. Polyphia, along with players and bands like David Maxim Micic, Plini, Sithu Aye, Aaron Marshall, Mateus Asato, Periphery, Animals As Leaders and so many others are simply blowing me away on a daily basis - this coming from a true guitar nerd since time began. GREAT VID PHIL - and congrats on the new "baby"! Kinda jealous you got the Prestige version but I am in total love with the Premium I got. :) Please consider doing a deeper dive vid on the AZ - so many incredible features on that axe that it deserves a closer Know Your Gear run through.

[@jamesritchie7515]

They DO NOT surpass a John Suhr pickup let alone a whole guitar. Stop that

[@joesatchton212]

@@jamesritchie7515 IMO, in terms of overall value proposition, it DOES. IMO. Especially as I have played both extensively. We agree to disagree. I loved the feel of the Suhr and yeah, you're probably right, the Suhr pickups are amazing. But I stand by my opinion.

[@MikeLee-lg5vq]

Thanks for going through this. This kind of modded superstrat is just the kind of guitar I'm looking for for my next one. I'll have to check one out!

[@toemasmeems]

I love the intro, i laughed pretty hard "sometimes artists inspire us to buy guitars" *Polyphia plays goose wonderfully* ...."so i bought a new Ibanez AZ guitar"

[@paulcowart3174]

Hope they come with toe nail polish lol Please wear shoes next time dude

[@steelerfox]

Stoked you pulled the mark v 25 out again your video back in the day made me buy one and love it

[@tylerl8934]

I got the Tim Henson sig on Saturday. I LOVE this guitar, it’s one of my favorites that I’ve ever played. It’s like a modernized, much better (for my hands) version of a strat. It’s so, so light to stand and play with, but the roasted maple neck is so compact and resonant regardless. That with the basswood literally just shines even unplugged. Plus, it’s beautiful as hell

[@thomdushane]

Opening jam was cool as hell, made me kind of want to get this guitar. Then I thought these two could probably make any guitar sound good. Then I thought the pickup option choices were impressive, made me want to get this guitar again. Then I thought about how all the single coil sounds seemed better to me than the buckers. Ended up just wanting to play my good ole strat like I always do.

[@RockWonder210]

I’ve played guitars with mostly humbuckers because I was also influenced by musicians and as years went on, I started playing and realized how damn good old strat single coils sounded.

[@TheHistoricalMan]

Woah, I totally get what you mean, Phil! The opening jam had me immediately interested in that guitar!

[@wilsonkok4754]

Lovely guitar, and that pickup selection setup is really awesome!

[@iceblink8221]

awesome guitar i love the warmth of the bridge pickup, very versatile

[@AJgeartalk]

Great video Phil. Those guys are incredible!

[@andrelp9596]

Can these guys play! Congrats Phil on your new acquisition, looks and sounds fantastic!

[@puppyy780]

Just recently discovered Polyphia. Holy cow, what musicianship.

[@pascaladesina]

FINALLY, someone who plays this guitar CLEAN! Thank you! you have my sub!

[@Dedbigfed]

For me, it was CHON who inspired me to an AZ. I have the same one you do, just in ice metallic blue. Love it.

[@rookd1137]

Awesome Video as always Phil

[@girouxlp]

The pickup switching system is awesome! You need to make a mod your hss strat video to use this concept.

[@weedian710]

Them and the Chon guys convinced me. Got an AZ224f otw. This is such an awesome video.

[@frank241973]

Great as Always, Hope You do the hole review of the AZ line, Phil since your going to the Summer namm show, really Hope You stop by the kiesel booth....

[@PhillipMcKnight]

I will make sure to stop by and check them out

[@davidf8749]

Sublime playing from Polyphia. Great run-through of the tones of this guitar. Good point about being influenced by guitar heros. I will always be a "Strat" guy due to Hendrix. Never was overly impressed by Jimmy Page etc as regards Les Pauls so never hankered after one of these - although I know they're great guitars. Interested in SG's due to Zal Cleminson but haven't yet gone that route. This Ibanez ticks alot of boxes for me. Now, where's my wallet :)

[@brandonanderson2066]

I really have grown to love Ibanez and the neck on your az looks fantastic. Love it!

[@joelaverdure5066]

Those roasted necks are very kool I hope it’s a thing on on some moderate priced guitars good job Phil

[@cyanidejunkie]

Tim seems like a really good guy, and it’s fun to watch him play. Same with Scott, although.... talking gear isn’t one of his strong suits.... Lots of valuable information I wish he could convey a bit better. Congrats on the axe Phil, real nice choice.

[@samwheeler-brown7458]

Great video Phil. These boys are inspiring so many people right now. New album is sick and I bought an Ibanez for the first time 3 weeks ago because of them. 5 Polyphia riffs in and loving it. Plays so easily and I’m a huge fan of the Wizard Neck. Feels thicker than my SG tho…

[@dominickortega8489]

Great video. Glad you got into polyphia. Unique style forsure. Because of them, I to recently got the same guitar you have! The Ibanez prestige in fiesta red! As much I wanted Tim Henson’s signature (as well as his pickups) I wanted my own guitar and one that was better in quality so I went with an HSS prestige. This is a fantastic guitar. One of the best if not best feeling guitars I’ve played. Came with a factory setup that was far from my preference but after I set it up with my choice of strings and gauge, it plays like a dream. Again great video!

[@MDCSYD]

I’ve owned the Prestige 2402 icm for a few months now. It has fast become my go to guitar. Who would have thought that Ibanez would come up with that meaty neck profile (for Ibanez standard at least)...and it’s a thing of a beauty! The roasted neck is also SUPER RESONANT...together with stainless steel frets and of course its light weight Alder body making it a total awesome package. This is not the Ibanez I used to know...this is on par with some of boutique builders maybe even surpass some of them. Put this guitar against your chest and riffing away...you can really feel strong vibration. The S Tech treatment is not gimmick in my opinion. It works! A couple of things that I dislike about this guitar is - Jack socket position. It is also angled and because of that I’ve already damaged the finish surrounding area - Cheap knobs. The rubber rings came off after 5 mins of unboxing it If you haven’t tried one yet...you definitely should. This is not the Ibanez that you used to own or have known!

[@HauntedGuitarMan]

Kinda makes me want one. Although I would opt for the Indonesia made ones.

[@warrenkrywko3704]

Best neck carve for me was the 1980’s Ibanez proline necks. I had a Flying V from 1985 with an ebony fretboard. I had that neck on three different guitars over the years, it’s like a fender carve, but with the back flattened to a D. I use this profile on most of my customs.

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

Amazing. The tone, the clean techniques, the guitars, the melody...amazing. I must check these guys out. And those Ibanez's as well. Very cool

[@boeyensmichael]

I bought one half a year ago, and I love the flexibility of tone it gives, and the way it plays. Just an allround great guitar.

[@robrudock3452]

I ordered Ice Blue Metallic. Thanks for the review.

[@mike1967sam]

Hey Phil, 'sup dude? I remember when you started your channel a few years back. I was one of the first subs. Yeah, the AZ has become my go to guitar. I have 2 Prestige and 2 Premium models. I have my Fenders, my McCarty 594 my PRS Custom 24, Les Paul and so on and they're great especially my PRS guitars from the Standards to the Customs but I always go back to my trusty AZ 2204 models - The perfect guitar. take care dude. Mike.

[@kevliao]

I have this same model, but in aqua blue color. Love it. The sustain, the feel, the combination of sounds available is just insane. My only complaint is the position of the output jack. If you have a right angle guitar cable, it's kind of awkward. Also, the guitar in your video has the Ibanez logo on the back trem cover. Mine doesn't. That is kind of odd as well.

[@jimmygreen5872]

I have the az2204f & my only complaint was I didn’t care for the pickups. They are a bit too high output for me & I also never used the switching system. So I instead got rid of the mini toggle for a 2nd volume for just the single coils so they could have a 250k pot. For pickups I put a Suhr thornbucker plus in the bridge & Suhr ml standards middle & neck! Now it sounds & feel perfect for me!

[@NaoKeysVT]

this is such a weird video but its great. I love Scott's attitude and Tim's style is super interesting. They're part of the reason why I started challenging myself to learn more math/progressive rock stuff

[@danyeo]

I just grabbed a AZ2402 in Blue finish. It feels a lot like a high end Suhr or Ernie Ball! Well done Ibanez.

[@Iheartdgd]

Can’t say I expected to see one of your videos featuring Polyphia, but I definitely approve. Very cool guitars, love the headstock. P.s. I have to ask though, does Scott wear those pants every day?

[@TommyDoesMusic]

yes he does

[@Mr.Goldbar]

I definitely relate! Polyphia and Chon make me want an AZ. One day I'll buy a Premuim

[@wesshepard]

Polyphia has been one of my favorites for years now. Talented young guys.

[@luckylicks3497]

Actually had to go back to listen to the thing they played again, it was so refreshing to have focused players bring something interesting in their own style. Btw, Phil: "pickup" can be spelled together. :)

[@doctorstrainlove6318]

The roasted maple looks so rich, & the single coils are snappy & chimey without that 60s cycle hum..

[@abdulkhaliq1226]

Phil, you've probably made Mrs. Smith a happy camper with your new Ibanez AZ. LOL 👍

[@thmmke6926]

My az played great out of the box perfect and the sound it has it all and more you can get the 57clasic tone from the pickup combos, it can play any style, very sweet

[@PDXguitarfreak]

Great playing by those two. I notice they both play primarily with their thumb anchored behind the neck as opposed to around it. I wonder if that developed from switching from rhythm to lead constantly.

[@Iheartdgd]

Playing with your thumb over the neck is technically incorrect

[@johnvdb5015]

A B Bikes Cars N’ Guitars tell that to Jimi Hendrix

[@Iheartdgd]

Yeah, obviously many professional musicians do it, Clapton does it too. But ‘technically’ the correct way to do it is with your thumb anchored behind the neck. That is how classical guitar is played as well.

[@Iheartdgd]

john Vdb ^

[@PDXguitarfreak]

@@Iheartdgd Yeah Clapton is mostly a "thumb around neck" player obviously. That's the classic rock/blues way for sure, and IMO the best way to really get a killer wide vibrato (not that it can't be done the other way). It's the way that most of the great rock players have done it, whether it be Clapton, Hendrix, Page, Van Halen, etc. The "behind the neck" approach is more of a traditional classical guitar way of playing. I'm not bashing it though... to each their own.

[@StringsOfCrossroads]

Yeah Phil shame you had temptation thrown right at you there with two guitars on either side! A purchase was inevitable!

[@Joe_whatuknow]

Phil McKnight sweet stuff man!

[@FilippaArendt]

So cool, I actually bought a THBB10 after TGU19 :D

[@jerryfraker377]

That is really cool phill wish i had that. I have a fender elite with a shawbucker pickup that allows you to turn the 5 way switch into a 10way with all different ways the pickups can be used very similar to that guitar. Would love to see you do a review on fender stratocaster elite with the shawbucker pickup.

[@PhillipMcKnight]

That is a fantastic strat. I tried the Orange one awhile back and liked it alot. I love the Shawbucker pickups

[@jerryfraker377]

@@PhillipMcKnight Thanks for getting back to me so soon phill was hoping you had good things to say about it. Super cool ibanez ive looked at it on you tube. Poliphia guys are pretty amazing players. Rock on sir!!

[@blkjakk]

That chick in the pink hoodie is good. On the guitar you got, pearloid dot inlays would have been a great way to let the fretboard match the guitar better.

[@giltyakhtar]

That's a dude

[@blkjakk]

Akhtar Zamil Sirajudeen Must be a trans person. Doesn’t bother me.

[@PhillipMcKnight]

It was great getting to meet you at the NAMM show.

[@blkjakk]

Phillip McKnight It was great getting to meet you too! You’re a super cool AND smart guy. If we’d had more time we would have loved talking to you some more. 😊

[@zachescarcega8282]

@@blkjakk he’s not trans

[@Fu345]

Is there longer or more footage of you with Polyphia? I would like to see the whole interview/sit down.

[@michaelc2528]

I've wanted one of these since it came out... wished I could afford it!

[@davidf8749]

Just d/l their album via Google Play. One of the tracks has a lead by Matteus Assato. The whole album is such a beautiful piece of guitar workmanship. Wouldn't have heard of these guys if it wasn't for you, Phil. :)

[@kiezersosay49]

I was on the schecter train for a while...and still love my hellraiser hybrid pt, but i just for an AZ242F. Holy friggn moly. I also have a jim root tele, and a fernandes revolver elite with fr. I dont know if ill play them again. This one seems miles ahead in every category and has completly changed my mind about guitars from Indonesia. Iv had ibanez before. Love the wizard neck and the usual ibanez feel, but man this is a hole lot of guitar in one package...and the pickups are amazing. Sounds better than an LP and then better than a costom shop strat at the flip of a switch.

[@pippydog28]

I had an AZ for a few days. Played awesome but the humbuckers squealed like crazy with overdrive. Had to take it back. Only other guitar I had do that was a Harley Benton :p and the in between sounds had a major volume cut.

[@jeffhayes605]

For me, a good low out put, thick sustaining neck les Paul and a 55ish voiced maple strat do everything I need it to. With a Martin dreadnought of course. I’ll always love the way an good Ibanez feels though. I had two back in the day and 1 was an S series with a Floyd. Great guitars if your getting started. I still think you’ll learn faster on an Ibanez as opposed to a beefy custom shop 55 strat that you continually fight with. So in short, even if your Bruce Wayne, start on an Ibanez. You’ll pick it up quickly compared to a vintage guitar or custom shop variant. Once you find your swagger you can always spend up from there.

[@billnelson9413]

Pretty cool stuff. The tones seem to have a more modern, sterile, almost synthesized sound.

[@freda9498]

How’s the neck+mid in series compared to a full hum? Is it enough for “not too aggressive” metal? Something like angel vivaldi or andy james

[@JamiePittsSCM]

Crazy talent!

[@ProbyWaN1337]

Best video you've done!

[@claudeman]

That second song on that new album. Soooo good.

[@Bobby_Digital37]

Love this guitar!!!

[@Supperconductor]

@Phillip McKnight Isn’t the VAT refundable if you take the guitar out of country? I seem to recall that the UK had this rule.

[@PhillipMcKnight]

I will check that would be awesome

[@YousifAlsharqi]

Hey phill! I have a question. If u would choose between az and silver sky. Which one will you choose?

[@herman29958]

I own an Ibanez RT series from the early 90s. This seems to be the new version of it. Not sure if I am right as I have never played an AZ. Would like to hear if anyone knows how these new AZ compare to the old RT series.

[@impala666]

.81 to .88 on the neck thickness...still a much thinner than Fenders...which is the reason I would by this guitar; the feature set is unique and still has a vintage look to it. My fave tele has an almost identical thickness and it is a '98. My best playing guitar.

[@giltyakhtar]

0:50 Tim: "I hope you didn't catch that mistake."

[@drewjonespdx]

ordering mine in that Scarlett red too

[@hawkhead418]

How did I miss this?!?

[@giltyakhtar]

I missed their show when they came to India!!!😭

[@robrudock3452]

So what is the deal with those finishes and inlays? I just did a JS2450 unboxing and now I Have to order this too. Zzounds only doing 18 months on them til the 26th. Going with Ice Blue Metallic.

[@daddio307]

Thanks for turning me on to this group.

[@Aalii6]

very cool video, thank you

[@Steven_SK]

OMG! That covers it! Nice!

[@ryanngkahboh2004]

Hi Phil, love this video so much. Im a fan of both you and polyphia. Would like to ask your opinion about SS fret cuz Im new to these type of frets. On this model, is the SS fret good, high quality and have good longevity? Im so interested in purchasing one. Your reply ia greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

[@donaldfisher8556]

Phil great video. You have always liked Ibanez guitars and I see more reasons why.

[@PhillipMcKnight]

Thank you Donald for supporting the channel.

[@donaldfisher8556]

@@PhillipMcKnight I know you're heard it lots of times but it means a lot to be apart of your channel. You have said it lots; lets leave the BS behind and enjoy the guitar community. Thank you.

[@eanroad]

Their album, "The Most Hated," has inspired me to pickup my guitar and practice. I've been working on the intro to "Goose" for almost two years now and still haven't nailed it. Regardless, it gives me much joy to practice and try to play their stuff (even if it takes my whole entire life to do so).

[@hugowasalreadytaken]

Hey man, great stuff! I have an Ibanez az2402 TFF myself, and I love it. However, I have been noticing that the roasted maple in the neck is kind of soft-ish. I discovered this when I started playing with my thumb behind the neck (instead of wrapped around the neck) that the nail of my thumb on my fretting hand could make indents (or 'lines' rather) in the neck, even when really (!) softly moved across the back of the neck, which is a movement that is kind of unavoidable when playing in a somewhat more excited fasion. Have you found that your maple neck also damages or dents easily in general, and if so, do you know how or if I can avoid further damage (apart from being extra carefull obviously haha)? To my recollection the maple neck was slightly 'harder' when i first bought the guitar, but this could be my imagination. I’ve theorized a little bit myself, and maybe it has something to do with the roasted maple sucking up moisture, and thereby getting softer, but this did not seem logical to me, because the neck has only been played inside and Ibanez seems to be really proud of their 'humidity defying' necks. Thanks in advance! All the best. 🙂 p.s. since yesterday i started putting silicon packets in the hardcase, to see if that solved anything, but obviously i haven't seen any results from that yet haha

[@spacewizard3447]

Tabs? Cool video phil

[@lyconxero457]

I've also recently become a fan of Polyphia and I'm quite impressed with their latest album "New Levels, New Devils." I really want an AZ guitar of my own because every single time I've seen someone show them off I've been impressed with their tonal quality.

[@Mr.Goldbar]

I definitely relate. Polyphia made me want an AZ and eventually made me buy an AZ :)

[@kirkrollins5591]

awsome sounding guitar amazing .

[@rodolfoamaralguitar]

Hey Phil, I don´t know why the singlecoils on this model have staggered pole pieces. This guitar has 12 inches radius and everybody uses plain G string.

[@patrickkeenan6331]

I want that guitar. A thing of beauty.

[@podgemurray4377]

Have a keith Merrow Signature series schecter on the way. I like keith merrow but don listen to him very much, I just go the guitar because the value is insane for the spec haha. And it also looks coooool

[@dalepal]

That Ibanez AZ sure offers a variety of tonal options.

[@plsno420]

tim out here slaying as always

[@Mstoeckle]

Hi Phil. I bought that same guitar used. I'm curious. Why is it limited edition and do you know how many Ibanez produced? Thanks man!

[@juno980]

Can we talk about how well Tim pulls off the eyeliner? Looks great on him.

[@roberth4688]

Reminds me of the old 80’s Roadstar II.

[@skippityblippity8656]

I like it Cant find a store near me that stocks az guitars

[@HauntaskhanHYPNOSIS]

So much tone in one guitar! AMAZING 🖤🖤🖤

[@joeltowle2737]

Love their and the guitar sound! Gonna have to look them up! Wow!

[@radiohead102]

I'm saving up for one of these and expect it will be the only thing I touch from that day on! How well was it set up out of the box?

[@robrudock3452]

If you can force yourself to save $120/mo you can just get it now at zzounds. No interest or penalties. Same price as holding on to your money and waiting. Even if you had it all would make more sense to use their money for free and stay liquid.

[@andik6]

Your face.. priceless...😀. Thanks for the video