Ibanez AZ Guitars HH vs HSS With Tom Quayle | 42 Gear Street

[@cmcknight]

Excellent video, Tom has a really good way of explaining what is going on.

[@CatPickStudios]

He's great! You get both the specs and the musical side of things in a very well presented way.

[@aaronanthony569]

I think the reason of the HH neck humbucker position sounding brighter than the HSS neck and middle in series is that i think, they used 500k pots with HH and 250k pots with HSS

[@CatPickStudios]

Yeah you might be right.

[@jonathanarleys]

The way that Neck PUs sounds is one of the reason. Thats why I put my Neck-Single to middle position, because that tone... Originally my guitar come in SSS, then I by another HH for neck and bridge, so the middle is the neck-Single on HSH... I'm a HH person and HSH just give me another reason to collecting another guitar. Surpricingly, I fall in love with this HSS on this video, just being another reasons for collecting a guitar for Sunday Services...

[@tylerbruner8203]

Tom's playing is insane! I pride myself on being clean and tight in my playing but he takes things soo much farther and really makes gear sound good :)

[@frankardos4211]

I will be honest Tom. I have been TOTALLY enjoying your DF pedal dude. It just sounds awesome wherever I put it. It has the ability to be a stand alone full blown preamp if I run into a stereo rig like I love to do. Awesome tone from that thing. Props to Brian as well no doubt.

[@Nedwin]

I am a simple person. I see Tom Quayle, I click it. My guitar idol since his first appearance in 2008 until now and then...

[@justinTime077]

You are a simple parrot 🦜

[@bostion518]

Dude the AZ2402 PWF is my absolute dream guitar

[@CatPickStudios]

It’s absolutely worth saving for!

[@7thString84]

I have this AZ2402 (but in Sunburst color "TFF") since last saturday. And it is absolutely AWESOME! Since, it is also a matt finish, I can totally relate to Tom here. This feels very, very good! Definitely a pretty expansive guitar, but worth every cent! I love it endlessly! :)

[@CatPickStudios]

Congrats on your new guitar! I still keep coming back to mine every day, the excitement doesn't seem to be wearing off :)

[@7thString84]

@@CatPickStudios same here. I need more sleep, since I can't stop playing in the evening. :D

[@ransi_07]

Thats exactly my dream guitar - sunburst with a matte finish!

[@daniyal4557]

Hello, do you still like it? Because I want to buy it for post rock style. Do you think it is suitable for post rock?

[@7thString84]

@@daniyal4557 oh man, I LOVE this guitar! It never disappoints me! Just at this moment, I'm sitting here with it and play like a maniac. No matter the genre, it will fulfill your expectations, I'm sure. It always depends on your rig/presets/pedals of course, for what you could use it. But it delivers. In fact, it's made to deliver the whole, totally balanced frequency range, while it plays and feels like a dream! So it's like a "tool" for everything. One thing though: if you want this super strat-y single coil tone, this might not work as perfect. But you can come close.

[@einarabelc5]

Question for Tom, why not design a 10-14" compound or a 12-16" for that matter.

[@Leo_ofRedKeep]

I really like the AZ. And I don't have one yet :-(

[@blacklung8025]

Great video guys, but dont you think the plastic, from the factory - covering the pickups of the white guitar, will affect the sound? Must have a bit more blurry and low-frequenzy sound to it ?

[@theders8590]

The only thing I know is when it becomes less stick it becomes very annoying when it gets in the way of playing lol

[@prspktvmusic]

I absolutely love these guitars but super upset they've discontinued the pink one...

[@yeesenchai]

Gloss finish are just a pain when you start to sweat and your picking arm gets stuck on the body of the guitar, why some guitarists had to wear arm bands to stop it.

[@CatPickStudios]

Yeah I can't really play guitars with gloss necks anymore. I mean I can get used to it but it always feels like I have a handbrake half on.

[@Sadowsky46]

Came here for the AZ, will stay because it’s a great channel 👍

[@CatPickStudios]

Welcome aboard!

[@sixfoursoul2538]

I agree that the neck profile is better for fusion I like a lot of larry Carlton , Jay Graydon, but still want to rock out and seem to look more natural. it might replace my G&L tell and a my Strat.

[@CatPickStudios]

I have a review of the white AZ on my channel, you might want to check it out. :)

[@sphinx9517]

Ibanez az or strat???

[@Bombtrack411]

finally tried one in a store and now I'm really wanting to buy one.

[@CatPickStudios]

I’ve been really happy with mine. Review coming out soon!

[@hugowasalreadytaken]

i find that i lose quite a lot of volume when i use the split positions or the alter switch (ive got the HH version).. is there a way to fix this?

[@lilbaement9890]

Compression

[@leedemkiw.2894]

Definitely get a compressor. Carl Martin make a couple of great ones. The Andy Timmons model is the better one.

[@Vestu]

I feel HSS is where the concept of AZ really shines.

[@CatPickStudios]

Yeah could be. I just really wanted to have that neck pickup sound.

[@Vestu]

@@CatPickStudios Sames bro and I like it.

[@DSilvergun]

Which model Ibanez are these two guitars?

[@CatPickStudios]

White is the Ibanez AZ 2402 PWF and the other one is Tom Quayle's signature.

[@overkill2006]

do these guitars have a compound radius?Im trying to choose between these or the new charvel dk24 with cartelized maple necks.

[@CatPickStudios]

I think they are all fixed radius, a good balance between modern and traditional. I actually was choosing between those two guitars as well! Quality wise both are great, but the necks are very different. The Charvel is thinner, flatter profile and more modern feeling where as the AZ is a bit thicker and kind shaped better for my hand at least. If you get a chance, be sure to try both out to find which one suits you better. They are both great guitars so you won't go wrong with either of them!

[@overkill2006]

@@CatPickStudios Thanks,I can't wait to give them both a test run.

[@frankardos4211]

you must be on the EXACT same page as me!! ha ha....I think the Charvel looks like a win win to be honest. Just has all the right stuff truly. Best, Fran

[@overkill2006]

@@frankardos4211 Same,I just with I could find a shop that has the ibanez az prestige guitars in stock so I could compare and contrast.

[@dominickortega8489]

I’ve have a lot of experience with both Ibanez prestige hss, Hh and with the charvel dk prod hss and hsh. I would say if you’re coming from metal and have developed techniques that are from playing metal and want something more traditional then get the charvel. Like cat pick studio said, it had flatter radius and a thinner neck so it’s going to feel very familiar. If you’re used to more traditional type guitars like fender strats and les Paul type necks but want something a little more modern in terms of a guitar that will be reliable and flexible then get the Ibanez az. It’s easier to shred on the charvel. And has that fullshred pickup that is pretty good for metal, shredding and heavy rock. The single coil (hss) models have very dull/ice picky sounding single coils. I advise getting the hsh because of that. The neck pickup on the hsh charvel sounds really nice. It almost sounds like a fatter sounding neck single coil pickup and prefer it over the neck single coil of the hss. The Ibanez is a great feeling guitar with a beefy neck that still feels really comfortable. If you’re definitely not into thicker necks that you won’t like this guitar. However if highly advise trying it out and get a feeling for it because I came from playing super flat radius and thin neck guitars and at first, the thick Ibanez az neck was not familiar but it felt really comfy to play for some reason. Probably due to the shoulders and flat back side of the necks. You’re hands won’t cramp from playing chords and doing runs across the neck. Everything from finger picking, hybrid picking, runs, sweeping and playing licks in general feel really good compared to when I played them on the charvel guitars. However shredding is easier on the charvel. You can shred on the Ibanez az but it’s not as easy as the charvel. The Ibanez az pickups are very neutral and balanced with good midrange. So hss models sound very glassy and jazzy when using the single coils. The HH model is interesting because the in between positions sound more spanks than the hss single coil positions. But you still have the neck humbucker if you need it. The charvel pickups are hotter and lean towards the treble side. The trem and bridge is better on the Ibanez. It’s more responsive and doesn’t feel as still like the trem bridge on the charvel. That may be preference though. Let me know if you would like to know about these guitars if you are planning to buy one over the other considering the steep price different between the az prestige and the charvel.

[@nickbelluomini3381]

These come stock with .010 gauge strings. Could i put .008 on it without having to replace the nut?

[@CatPickStudios]

Yeah shouldn't be a problem.

[@valebliz]

.008? Naaa.

[@Anton_the_Vampire]

I could be going crazy, but you have the same backdrop as Henning from EytschPi42.

[@CatPickStudios]

This was filmed at his studio :)

[@Anton_the_Vampire]

@CatPick Studios ah cool. Nice to know I'm not insane, yet.

[@DavidHendersonMusicChannel]

What are those cabinets holding the amp heads behind you? I need those for my studio. Thanks!

[@CatPickStudios]

Hmm not sure since it’s not my studio. Might be custom made actually.

[@riffmeister76]

Only thing stopping me from owning one is that everybody says they don’t stay in tune

[@CatPickStudios]

Mine had that in the beginning but now after having it for a year those issues are long gone. I think I might do a follow up video on the guitar, thanks for the idea!

[@leedemkiw.2894]

I have two. They both stay in tune perfectly.

[@GS-uy4xo]

I just received one (2402) it had 10’s and the term wasn’t level - tilting towards the headstock, I wanted 09’s so I just replaced the strings (added some Big Bends Nut Sauce to the bridge and nut) and the trem balanced - perfectly in tune even if I abuse the trem.

[@sabahudincerimovic8372]

So neck hambucker splitted vs singlr coil neck???

[@CatPickStudios]

HH model allows you to both split and coil tap the humbucker.

[@ptrisonic]

For me the AZ series is the first to draw me in to the Ibanez line up - just a crappy blues player.... Best, Pete.

[@FearCycle]

HSS all the way

[@AstorSkywalker]

a matte finish would be nice though

[@cerveshred]

I want an HS

[@UndeadScourge]

I want a HSH

[@jacobsmith1877]

I do love the look of a HS; I would go with a Little 59 in the neck and wire it to a Series/Parallel switch

[@hugowasalreadytaken]

they've got the EH10 Erick Hansel thats got a humbucker singlecoil

[@PooNinja]

that alter switch this is cool. Almost as cool as all the folks at 42 Gear Street.

[@CatPickStudios]

Michiel was wearing “I love Poo Ninja” shirt on the last setup day!

[@PooNinja]

CatPick Studios I know he 😮 he must have made it ! That was super cool of him

[@kikimajik]

i have to watch the video again, cause i was really disturbed by the number 96999 subscribers of Henning's channel ! at 11:51 it became 97000 !!! By the way, Tom Quayle playing is GREAT !!!!

[@CatPickStudios]

Haha I know, I addressed that in the second video we made after this one!

[@GigaChadL337]

I dunno man.. I gotta pick one between AZ prestige and Fender Ultra Strat, of the AZ has the best value, but that unique Strat sound...

[@CatPickStudios]

Haha I think the (not so cheap) solution would be to have both...

[@cuffedsocks]

Fenders are trash in comparison

[@jonathanarleys]

As a HH person (for Heavy Rock and Metal), seing this mods by Ibanez make me wanna switch to HSS AZ series...

[@CatPickStudios]

They've added so many cool models to the range since we shot this video... I'd love to have the gloss black HSS version, the one that has the Gilmour-vibes.

[@jonathanarleys]

@@CatPickStudios Damn. Nice one... Gloss black + gold hardware... Lovely...

[@axeaddiction796]

AZ necks are a little chunky for me. I had to return it

[@CatPickStudios]

Yeah I can see them not being a thing for everyone.

[@kenmasters007]

Ive asked and I'm still waiting for an AZ with different neck profiles....

[@AleksandarStanojkovic]

Ummm.. isn't this the studio of that bald german guy with all the sweaters?

[@CatPickStudios]

Oh yes it is. He held an event called 42 Gear Street at his house recently.

[@2n3chordjams70]

Nice looking guitar Vlad, sounds good too!!! " I can't play in std tuning" LOL LOL Love early morning humor!!!!!

[@CatPickStudios]

I think we have found Tom's weakness... which is not really that weak... :D

[@2n3chordjams70]

@@CatPickStudios I'd LOVE to be that weak, LOL LOL

[@jackfryer3617]

So it’s a Chavel dk24

[@CatPickStudios]

Well technically DK24 was released after AZ range. ;) I actually was considering getting a DK24 over the AZ but the neck profile was too thin for me and playing felt uncomfortable. DK24 vs Ibanez AZ Premium is a great comparison, both are amazing guitars.

[@nathanielg.m.888]

10:12 12:11

[@einarabelc5]

On the legato video...you guys didn't cover how to deal with two things. Combining legato with other techniques. I.e. Bending (specially in the low frets) Playing legato on the high strings while combining with that. Or simply playing legato on the e' string.

[@CatPickStudios]

We had 10 minutes to shoot the video so we had to concentrate on one thing. What you’re talking about sounds more like a course, Tom might actually have that available somewhere.

[@jimiz1980820]

Ibanez good job az

[@YesuAiNimen]

Public Service Announcement: Tom Quayle does NOT suck on guitar! Thank you

[@abcabc-bw8ji]

Tom Quayle is definitely cuter than Martin Miller

[@CatPickStudios]

Now that's a debate to have!

[@nigelbarnett351]

i got the same guitar !!!!!

[@CatPickStudios]

Nice!!! I’ve been playing mine non stop since I got home!

[@MrCgar18]

lol it sings very nicely because YOU ARE PLAYING IT!!!!!!! I HATE YOU I HATE YOU IM GOING TO MY ROOM AND NEVER COMING OUT!!!!!!!!

[@x2mars]

"Incredible absolutely amazing" dude, that is tool talk

[@CatPickStudios]

I have no idea of what you are trying to say.

[@x2mars]

CatPick Studios me neither, ignore me I'm drunk

[@x2mars]

Over it

[@gunnerman5435]

Not liking cuz cleaning the guitar

[@CatPickStudios]

You don’t like that he doesn’t clean his guitar?

[@gunnerman5435]

Yeah lol