Ibanez AZ prestige 2204 update..... ITS BACK from the tech

[@pachecopaulo]

I may have arrived late to the party, but I'd like to share my experience. I own an Ibanez AZ Prestige, and I encountered a similar issue where any bending of the strings would cause the guitar to go out of tune. What ultimately resolved the problem for me was replacing the crap string tree with a Graphtech string tree. This simple change has effectively prevented my guitar from going out of tune

[@SLO7HProductions]

When did you buy your AZ?

[@pachecopaulo]

@@SLO7HProductions I bought it second hand around 2020

[@bartreed8467]

I had the exact same problem with this guitar. What a shame...it was outstanding in all areas I thought, except no matter what I tried it would not stay in tune. One of the best guitars I have ever played in so many ways, yet if it won't stay in tune, it's pretty well worthless. I sent mine back. It shouldn't be up to me as a customer to modify a new $1500 or more piece of gear to make it usable. I still like many of the Ibanez offerings though.

[@itaishelem]

I had a tuning stability issue on this guitar because I put on Elixir strings, which have that special coating. The coating, it turns out, causes the strings to slip when in the locking tuners and when the strings aren't wound around the tuner. Soon after I realized the issue, I put on D'Addario NYXL and the tuning issues disappeared. So that leads me to ask, what strings were you using?

[@chasingtone2022]

Hi Itai, that is really interesting! I was using Elixir's funny enough. So you don't have any tuning issues anymkre,?

[@itaishelem]

Chris K guitars no issues at all. I think we’ve landed on an important thread here. Hope it helps others because it took me two days to figure out. My guess is that your guitar was perfect all along... I assume that had we wound the strings around the tuning poles, all would have been fine.

[@serhiy_serhiy]

Hi, Itai! What kind of Elixir strings you were using?

[@itaishelem]

@@serhiy_serhiy Nickel plated steel, Nanoweb coating 10-46

[@serhiy_serhiy]

@@itaishelem Thanks a lot. Bad news for me, I wanna to change strings to exactly that one, because my fingers are sweating like a lot, when I'm playing, and Elixir were the only one really suited me so far! Any suggestions maybe?

[@lo3572]

Never use a string tree on non locking tremolo guitars. I bet that’s the problem. I had a similar issue with my Charvel DK24 but since I ditched the string trees & installed staggered locking tuners it’s as stable as can be, as long as I don’t use the trem like I would a Floyd OFC. Think about it; strings & string trees = metal pressed against metal - it’ll obviously stick.

[@stvaynegtr]

My AZ 2402 was binding at the nut and saddles. I had the nut filed and the saddles replaced with Wilkinson locking saddles. PROBLEM SOLVED!

[@dookietoon7198]

i have a az premium and its amazing and i have no tuning issues at all unless i dive bomb the f out of the whammy.

[@chasingtone2022]

I am really pleased for you mate. It is an amazing guitar. I wish mine would have stayed in tune! Enjoy the guitar man 🤘

[@liamtahaney713]

Really odd. I just got a premium version, set it up very casually with 9-46s and it is one day later, perfect. No tuning issues. I almost wonder if the titanium is...not better? Odd.

[@chasingtone2022]

Hi Liam, having spoken to a tech and some dudes online it would appear that the tuners are the problem. When you depress the tremolo you can see the tuners move although they are securely fixed.

[@franz82able]

@@chasingtone2022 hi i think i have the same issue with my az prestige. What do you mean the tuners move? do they move inside the hole of the headstock ? thanks

[@chasingtone2022]

@@franz82able I'm sorry that you're having problems. When i tóok it to a tech he showed me what he thought was the main issue. He depressed the bridge to slaken the strings then he showed me how the tuners (where you put the string through) would move and pivert slightly, which he felt was the issue. He had another exact model in the shop which did exactly the same thing and went kut of tune. Such a shame because i loved the guutar. It was not a set up issue although thats the popular belifs by allot of people. I hope that helps in some way, good luck with getting it sorted as they are amazing guitars!

[@franz82able]

Chris K Guitars thank you Chris. My tech replaced the bone nut with a graphite one. The tuning stability improved to 90% even using the bridge. Next step I’m thinking about replacing the tuners with the same model gotoh but with the “classic “ wheel at the back and no HAP system. Let’s see...

[@joaopereira2096]

Its baffling to me that people are letting themselves be ripped off by ibanez and trying to fix these build problems themselves instead of complaining to the company. You're only prolonging the problem. These quality issues are clearly widespread through the AZ line (as a little research through the reviews will tell you) and for guitars as expensive as they are..the conditions, finishes and overall build quality of the guitars are mindblowingly weak. Im shook to see you recommend this thing and hail its quality when you cant even get the tremolo working without tuning problems. A guitar that costs over 1000$ can't have the tuning instability that these have, they should have an impecable neck and fretwork too. Ibanez are not amateurs, its up to the buyers not to let them turn further into gibson. If a guitar, expecially as expensive as this one, comes with the problems cursing the current AZ line you have to complain. You have to give constructive criticism on what is wrong and hopefully that mass movement makes the company listen and take action when facing client insatisfaction...if not their money thirst grows and everyone who buys one of these for that ludicrous price (given the quality issues) will have horrendous fretwork, no setup whatsoever and, as a consequence, over 100 bucks in guitar luthier services only for the tremolo to remain unusable (just an example there are a lot more issues with these) or spend time and money trying to fix a problem that shouldnt even exist with string gauges and nut changes.... Its sad because of the potential these have...and frustrating because there are guitars that are over 800$ cheaper and dont have a singleproblem. Stop settling with mediocrity with these ridiculous expensive guitars, you´re not doing the industry any favors...and demand the quality instrument you're paying for.

[@nunolance23]

exactly, this shouldnt be a problem in the first place for this price range

[@joebloggs1444]

Very strange...I've just bought a prestige just like yours and have no trem issues whatsoever.!! Be sure to stretch the strings out totally and keep doing it till there is no slack left in them.

[@joebloggs1444]

Hi, I have the premium version and it doesn't shift out of tune at all. Are you using 4 springs in the trem? As the bridge is backrouted and floating the extra springs help with stability. Also I always stretch out the strings till they have no elasticity left in them whatsoever. Other than nut issues these are the only things that can cause tuning probs. Is it going out of tune when bending strings or when using the trem? On mine I can both with no issues. 😎👍

[@chasingtone2022]

Hi Joe, thank for your comment. I am glad that your guitar is staying in tune. Currently, there are only 3 springs in the back, I am using Eb with 9's to 42, and it only really goes out of tune when I use the term. When I bend and play the guitar is appears to stay in tune. I will defiantly take your advice and try 4 springs. Thanks Joe. Chris

[@joebloggs1444]

@@chasingtone2022 Hi Chris if your tuning down to Eb you need heavier strings too. Try 10-46s. I find fender super 250s are the most stable when stretched out. That trem defo needs 4 springs too. I'm thinking of going to 5 springs like on my strat but it's staying in tune fine with 4. Be sure to stretch the strings out. I'm assuming you know how to do that of course...cheer's J

[@chasingtone2022]

Hi Joe, I've always used 9's in Eb without any kind of issues (on mostly floyds). I cannot get on with 10's for some reason. I'll defiantly try 4 springs, hopefully that will help. Enjoy your ibanez, they are such awesome guitars!

[@joebloggs1444]

@@chasingtone2022 Hi, Floyd's can't handle 10's as the springs are too weak!! The springs in the back have to equal in tension to the gauge of strings. I used to tune down to Eb 40 yrs ago...when I was 15...then realised it made everything sound dull and too thick..so I've played in concert pitch i.e. E ever since. 10s are stiff..just takes a while to get your fingers up to strength to be able handle them. Sometimes I use 11-48s..!!.

[@remyhansen]

So sorry to hear you have tuning issues with the AZ . I don’t get it though, all three of my AZ are super stable🤷🏼‍♂️ hope it works out for you

[@chasingtone2022]

Hey man, thank you and I am pleased to hear your's are stable. They are amazing guitars, maybe I just had 'one of those guitars'. Every other Ibanez I have had has been rock solid. I would like to try out another AZ in the future as it was one of the nicest guitars I have played. Keep rocking dude, unless you play jazz and then that could be awkward :).

[@remyhansen]

@@chasingtone2022 thanks man! I’ll keep rocking and hope you’ll get a good one soon! ‘Cause yes: They are amazing guitars!

[@codeprimus132]

Too sad. I was really in love with this guitar. Until I saw your videos and did some few research. Seems like the tuners are the culprit here. To think I almost bought this. 😔 Thank you for your videos. Now I'll go back to looking for a new guitar 😂😂😂

[@chasingtone2022]

You're very welcome. I think the AZ was the best sounding guitar I have ever played but it is seriously challenged (certainly the one I had did)!

[@codeprimus132]

@Ace King A Suhr Classic S Antique. And I'm so happy. Best guitar I ever played.

[@lawleo2973]

So what is the cause? my prestige 2404 is out of tune slightly when i use the trem, so disappointed.....and i need some advice,thx!

[@chasingtone2022]

Hi, i'm sorry to hear you're having some issues with your guitar. I know how frustrating it is!! Has the guitar been professionally set up??

[@lawleo2973]

not yet

[@dnjn67]

The issue is with the locking tuners.I bought the AZ 242 Premium and couldn't get it to stay in tune so i took it back to the shop .The guitar tech tried his best to cure the problem but failed. He also tried another one they had in the shop and that wouldn't stay in tune either they had to refund me as the guitar is not fit for purpose.He reckoned it's a problem with the tuners, I could feel the tuners move when i dipped the bar.

[@itaishelem]

Any chance you were using Elixir strings, or similar strings with special coatings?

[@franz82able]

@@dnjn67 what kind of issue is there with the tuners?

[@IvorThomas]

Interesting convo regarding string gauge. I agree 10s would probably help. Sets with 9.5 are now available and might be worth a try.

[@joebloggs1444]

I use 10-46 strings...fender rock n roll...very stable steel...

[@weaselfarmer000]

A guitar with an unuseable vibrato system is called landfill... A shop selling guitars with this issue and then telling the customer to take it to a guitar tech should be avoided at all costs...

[@cafuune]

I have an az2402 with tuning issues, it always goes a bit sharp after i put it down for a while, anyone know a fix?

[@terrydactylspontaneous2596]

Put it back in tune by adjusting the claw screws. It’s probably not properly balanced (string tension to spring tension) so it’s falling out of tune to the same point each time as the bridge rests.

[@weaselfarmer000]

Salesman..." whats the problem...its only out of tune a little when you use the vibrato arm....i suggest you stop using it."

[@DivorcedFL]

Lush guitar mate.

[@chasingtone2022]

Thanks mate, it was a stunning guitar. I got rid of it in the end as I couldn't keep it in tune. It was gutting!

[@DivorcedFL]

@@chasingtone2022 so wierd. I know a guy who had a Suhr modern that wouldn't stay in tune. I had a custom 24 PRS that I couldn't do 3 songs with without it going out. Yet trusty old classic vibe strat and tele that cost £300 in tune straight out the gig bag every week.