Ibanez AZ Series Premium Line - AZ 224 and AZ 242 Demo

[@NinoHelfrich]

Your demos on the AZ models are fantastic!

[@haikoheinz7359]

Thx Bro, welcome to the Family:;)

[@nervefunk]

Another fantastic demo! Thank you Haiko, top playing! : )

[@haikoheinz7359]

Thanks buddy:)!!!!

[@ForViewingOnly]

Thanks Haiko, a very helpful video, and some excellent playing at the beginning! It was good to see the Prestige versus Premium specs, as I hadn't noticed the difference in body wood, bridge and nut when looking at the Ibanez catalogue.

[@haikoheinz7359]

Thanks so much!!

[@lueysixty-six7300]

@@haikoheinz7359 Yes indeed. Makes the Prestige suddenly look like something worth another look... (But wait! I'm so far out of my budget it's not funny! I was already a long way out of my budget at Premium - and that was at 30% off! Damn, this GAS is a slippery slope..!)

[@robertclinger7351]

Very nice demo. I could read the pickup setting, and hear them clean and dirty through different amps! No one does that. Thank you!

[@hollywoodactress]

Great demo and love the AZ model. Remind me of the RT model back in the day. The RT model was probably ahead of its time as Ibanez didn't make it for long.

[@haikoheinz7359]

Thank you!!

[@hollywoodactress]

Well deserved. BTW what's your recording setup and which DAW your using? Just bought my first ibanez this year as always wanted one. Classic RG550 from 90s ;)

[@haikoheinz7359]

The main songs were through the Axe Fx, I use Presonus Studio One - yeah they did some 550 for 2018!

[@Josbornevonosborne]

Not a big Ibanez guy but these look killer and there don't seem to have the typical Ibanez sound which I have always thought was flat

[@DirkRadloff]

Great demo and it helped me a lot to decide between the two versions. I like the 224 more, in my opinion more bass and a slightly more open sound, while the 242 sounds a bit tighter with a smaller frequeny range.

[@carlosfelipe8693]

Thank you, sir. Best demo of the new AZ series so far

[@michalmikolajmaslowski3994]

Excellent video, thank you! I am impressed how versatile the 242 variant is. The tone wood/PUs/tremolo block make very discernible difference relative to its Prestige HH counterparts. Rock on!

[@haikoheinz7359]

Michal Mikolaj Maslowski thanks so much!

[@michalmikolajmaslowski3994]

Fully deserved praise - loved the video & your playing. Do you still use the 242, and if so, how do you like it? Thinking about transitioning to the same axe from a Gretsch.

[@haikoheinz7359]

Michal Mikolaj Maslowski i prefer the prestige and the 22 fret Version but the premiums sound great!

[@michalmikolajmaslowski3994]

Haiko Heinz Thanks, I appreciate the candid response. I am assuming it’s because you prefer the feel (for instance, the chunkier neck, as I’ve heard it to be), or the PU combination on the Prestige SSH, and nothing quality-related on the Premium HH, correct? I like the tone wood combination on the Premium 242 models - it seems to have a nice bite to its tone.

[@bradleystroup1457]

Thanks for the demo man

[@haikoheinz7359]

Thanks for watching bro!!

[@berndkiltz]

Gerade nochmal angeschaut. Und eine bestellt. Sehr, sehr geiles Demo herr Kollege!

[@haikoheinz7359]

Bernd Kiltz vielen lieben Dank Dir- da hast du keinen Fehler gemacht, die sind klasse!

[@EJBGuitar]

Haiko, Wonderful tune you wrote in the beginning! Great tones too. I've watched this video many times just to hear that tune! I've just got a Premium AZ224F that I'm starting to put through the paces...something about these AZ's was grabbing me for some reason and I don't know why...I normally play Knaggs, Artinger, PRS, and a few other really "high-end" brands, but my desire for an AZ wouldn't let up for who knows why, so I got one! Couldn't make myself get one of the Prestige models yet though, we'll see how the Premium version does.

[@haikoheinz7359]

Eric Jason Brock thanks a lot Eric! The premiums really do a great job,i don't feel that they're much inferior to the Prestige. Prestiges are more balanced and have some different components

[@jaredw2515]

Awesome playing, and best info I could find. Getting the HSS version.

[@haikoheinz7359]

Jared W thanks mate!!

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

i foolishly underestimated your abilities early on and luckily i was wrong,excellent demo and awesome guitar skills.

[@haikoheinz7359]

Thx Bro:)!

[@lyconxero457]

Really appreciate the pickup chart in the video!

[@haikoheinz7359]

Thanks bro, yeah i thought that might be interesting!

[@PeteHawthorne]

So smooth, stunning tone!

[@haikoheinz7359]

Thank you my friend!

[@tastjohn1889]

I really love your demo bro..

[@LaszloVarga-msc]

Nice playing! And awesome sounding guitars.

[@haikoheinz7359]

Thx Bro!

[@MatoyaLim]

killer demo!

[@haikoheinz7359]

thanks so much:)!

[@aleksandarpavlovic7482]

Great tone and playing

[@haikoheinz7359]

Aleksandar Pavlovic thanks a lot!

[@atnes3000]

I love your playing!!

[@haikoheinz7359]

Thx, M´am!

[@TAKFULLHOUSE]

nice sound and great play!

[@haikoheinz7359]

Thanks so much!

[@livendihp8768]

Great playing Man !!

[@haikoheinz7359]

Livendi Hermawan Pradana Thanx bro!!

[@elvis_chen]

Monster play dude!

[@haikoheinz7359]

Elvis thanks so much mate!!

[@Wormweed]

Awesome playing, and that looks like a great guitar too. What song is the first seconds from? Would love to hear the rest of the song

[@haikoheinz7359]

Thanks so much, i just wrote the tune for the demo, but maybe i´ll finish the tune one day:)

[@hugowasalreadytaken]

hey man great video... just one question about the 24 fret one... when the switch is in the second position, what is the difference between the powertap and the in between positions where only one coil is activated or something??

[@haikoheinz7359]

Thank you so much! I don´t know exactly but they got a thorough sheet on the ibanez website

[@Ratso_DeLynch]

Hey man ! Love all of your content especially the video quality and recording truly makes this bad boy shine SO I really need your help dude! Specifically for the "Ibanez AZ 224F " you demoed this one beautifully and although it passed the test (- yes it sounded as good as it looked for sure ) BUT I have to know for the money how does it really compare to prestige or other Ibanez model for the features does this one kill it ? This is probably the hardest comparison to make so to speak cause unlike say sterling jp vs ebmm jp6 these have very very few differences the SOUND and FEEL appear to be equal because the roasting is only a smidge different and the hyperion pickup pairing is virtually the same ! (IM after the HSS models specifically but also considering your model the tequila burst if HH setup can perform just as well!). Is there really a huge sound difference or difference in whammy bar stability between the premium and prestige ? after all the premium is still gotoh steel does but does your whammy bar hold up with abuse? LASTLY from your end of the camera can this HH AZ model mimic strat - neck pickup tones minus the annoying 60 cycle hum even tho there are 24 frets? Im at that cross road because I want this model but its the one time I dont want to pay for the top shelf prestige AZ cause to me blind test with a premium like yours and I probably would not be able to spot or really feel a difference! Ive only been able to play the AZ 224F very briefly one came through my local store but there was no prestige model to shoot it out against so here I am wondering what your verdict is on this premium not so budget friendly axe. Hope to hear from you soon and im sure a bunch of others too who are struggling between choosing one haha thanks cheers!

[@haikoheinz7359]

Thanks bro - to be honest it´s quite hard to distinguish between those two because every guitar feels different anyway - even the same models. But to me the Prestige feels and sound a bit more balanced and you can also feel the price difference - not too much but it´s still there. The main difference that could be responsible for the sounds are the titanium saddles and the body wood. But you´ll get with either one a great sounding guitar - if you´re looking for the guitar for a lifetime, I´d go with the prestige. But i guess words can´t replace the test - you might feel it different

[@Ratso_DeLynch]

Haiko Heinz Thank so much for such a timely response man I really appreciate your opinion! I do agree with your points although my biggest thing here is the finishes - they're completely backwards in that the premium line for better or worse has all the good ones! lol I'm sure you cannot believe it either, for the prestige series it seems to be more of the same - too much of the same in that 4/5models are a different shade of blue with the rare Koa and the rather ugly matte tobacco burst being the only exceptions not counting the signature models of course! I almost want to wait and see what unfolds at summer namm for the highly acclaimed Ibanez AZ series cause they're are soo damn similar to me that I'd take the tequila sunrise fade over the ice blue or blue quilted strat on the prestige because to me those just don't look sexy "very flat and plain looking so yes the parts are all there for sure but the looks are almost entirely lacking for the dough so it's going to be a hard call for my $$$ I'm still leaning to premium but once I can make the drive to a bigger guitar store that has both premium and prestige models then the true A, B test will happen. Thank you again for a helpful response and an awesome video demo if anyone else has any other opinions or thoughts I'd love to hear them as I am trying to gather as much knowledge as I possibly can here anyways thanks man you rock!!!

[@lueysixty-six7300]

I don't know about the taps on the HH. It still sounded like taps and not real single coil sounds. There seemed a volume drop, and it sounded weak in general output. Further, the tap more sounded a weak version of a single coil, like a facsimile of one, not the real thing. A plastic copy of a copy. I don't know if it sounds different in the room.. I already have coil taps on my HH PRS SE. If this isn't a marked step forward in tap design, I see no reason in forking out another $2K AUD. Does anyone know any info on that topic. R the taps in the AZ a leap forward from the rest of the pack, technologically speaking? Or just more or less the same?

[@snipestyl]

Phenominal playing!!! Could you please do some lead stuff with the 224 too?

[@haikoheinz7359]

Thanks Buddy - i wish i could but these weren´t mine and i had to given ´em back - with tears in my eyes:(((

[@snipestyl]

Haiko Heinz oh man :( which guitar did you enjoy the most?

[@haikoheinz7359]

snipestyl to be honest i prefer the HSS model, but i'm of a stratplayer anyway and i found the switchings more convincing than the HH version, but that's just me- you should give them both a try

[@snipestyl]

Haiko Heinz allright, thank you for your oppinion. I look forward to more of your delicious playing !!

[@miguelmn8602]

Awesome demo! Im curious about the neck radius and I can't find any information about it online. I'm used to large radius rg prestige necks. Do you have any info? How does these ones feel compared to them?

[@haikoheinz7359]

Thx Bro, the Prestige AZ have an oval C with a 12" radius, and these feel pretty much alike - feels like a fleshy Fender Neck - really very comfy!

[@ForViewingOnly]

Thanks, I was wondering about the radius as well. I would have preferred a bigger radius, or a compound radius like the Guthrie Govan Charvel (12" to 16"), but I'm still very interested and won't judge the AZ until I've tried it.

[@stevesalt9005]

Who is this dude? That was awesome

[@Atmusic148]

Great, you did it again, Is the tremolo bridge is recessed like jp musicman guitars? Great playing!

[@haikoheinz7359]

Anish Ghimire yes, floating and recessed!

[@Atmusic148]

Haiko Heinz Great, do you know when its going to be available in USA?

[@haikoheinz7359]

Anish Ghimire not sure, but i guess end of january

[@deHelli]

Sehr Geil!

[@GrampassoFilms]

Is the fretboard comfortable for playing fast? The hss one I mean

[@haikoheinz7359]

Yeah it feels great! Like a modern strat, not too thin not too thick!

[@Atmusic148]

How's the neck feels like? Is it like C shaped fender?

[@haikoheinz7359]

Anish Ghimire yes it's also an oval C

[@poundtacos4006]

Are the necks thin? I’ve heard grumblings that they are much thicker than the wizard.

[@haikoheinz7359]

That´s true they are more like Strat necks with more flesh but not too thick - just right

[@poundtacos4006]

Haiko Heinz thanks man! I was starting to worry they were “baseball bat” thick, lol,.. just wonderful playing and demos btw! You have a new fan!

[@haikoheinz7359]

Thanks a lot:)))!!

[@jackieohehir3259]

wow!!!!!!

[@haikoheinz7359]

Jackie O'Hehir ;)thx

[@jackieohehir3259]

fantastic playing with fantastic demo....you've got a subscriber.........are any of the backing tracks available??

[@paologaio2494]

hi mate... did you see several difference from the premium and the prestige model?

[@haikoheinz7359]

Paolo Gaio hey, just the ones mentioned in the video, they feel quite similiar

[@paologaio2494]

Thanks

[@luisenriqueesquivel]

beautiful!!! i wanna that one, where can i buy it!!!!

[@haikoheinz7359]

LUIS ENRIQUE ESQUIVEL thanks! I'd say nearly everywhere starting end of january

[@guitarpenter3357]

When are the guitars available?

[@haikoheinz7359]

should be around end of january!

[@andreiphi]

can you demo the trem on the guitar soon?

[@haikoheinz7359]

Andrei Philip sure, have to wait til i geht some- i had to give em back after the Demo...

[@elevenAD]

are those full maple caps or veneers?

[@haikoheinz7359]

I think it´s completely roasted maple

[@larryh.3173]

@@haikoheinz7359 I think he means the top of the body.

[@JM-eq3sx]

Were you disappointed that the neck is only 22 frets? The HH version of the Premium has 24. Makes no sense they would go with only 22 on this one.

[@haikoheinz7359]

No i really prefer the neck lenght with 22 frets-generally i love the stratlike version a bit more

[@JM-eq3sx]

I don't understand how the extra 2 frets would hamper anyone's playing or even be noticed, aside from the two dots at the end. On the other hand, lacking those two additional frets for guitarists who want the extra range is an obvious handicap.

[@rdb9936]

J Mhr It normally shifts the neck pickup closer to the bridge which can change the sound/response slightly. Pros and cons for each design!

[@JM-eq3sx]

That makes sense but why would it be any worse? Maybe not quite as fat, but still much different than the middle or tapped bridge, I would think. Thanks.

[@rdb9936]

J Mhr Not necessarily worse, just different. For example, it's quite hard to get that characteristic Strat neck PU sound on 24 fret guitars. May be irrelevant if that's not the sound you're after though!

[@DarylCooper]

How does the premium compare to prestige?

[@haikoheinz7359]

Daryl Cooper both are great but have different specs, you can see them in the Video

[@DarylCooper]

Haiko Heinz thanks! I have both a prestige and premium RG, and there's not a lot of difference after the premium has had a set up, jusy wondering if it was similar with AZ series :)

[@travelbyrocket]

Sounds great, what amp are using for the high gain tracks?

[@haikoheinz7359]

travelbyrocket thank You! That's an Orange and a Friedman for the leads

[@MyCatLovesMetal]

1999 ? USD?

[@haikoheinz7359]

Ah sorry that´s €, I don´t have the US price...

[@nathanielg.m.888]

2:15 4:15

[@Stenton95]

This is the copy of Fujigen Odyssey )))

[@haikoheinz7359]

goes in that direction but has different Tremolo, different Pickups, far more Pickupswitichings (9! - odysee only has a coil tap switch)and has an alder body...there are quite a few differences:)

[@Ronno4691]

An AZ Ibanez with a basswood body for $1,000? No...