Ibanez AZ2204 Prestige TUNING ISSUES UPDATE (NOT GOOD!)

Update on my on going tuning issues with my Ibanez.
Sound demo of clean and distortion on the video also if you are looking for examples of both. It sound amazing with the Victory Kraken!!

[@nimraka261]

Its maybe to late but I think I know were the issue is. Most of the AZ's have the Gotoh Tuners with the height adjustable post. And when you look at the back of headstock you can see that the tuners have a hole in middle. This is for the screw that fix the height. If this screw is loose the post will move and cause tuning instability.

[@chasingtone2022]

Hi Armin, thanks for the message. That make a lot of sense as when I took it to a tech he showed me the tuners wobbling about which he felt was causing it to go out of to tune. I hope this information helps someone else if they encounter the same issue. Chris

[@nimraka261]

@@chasingtone2022 This Video could also help to understand it better: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXqoi2agmtNsb5o

[@nethbt]

My AZ Prestige HSS Ice blue metallic just arrived this morning and has been testing it for 8 hours, so far tuning is as stable as a Rock (when I don't yank the trem too much), identical to Fender tuning stability imo so perfectly normal... The stupid Gotoh tuners drove me crazy for about an hour or two before starting to figure out how it really works, goddammit

[@joebloggs1444]

I have the premium version and have no tuning issues whatsoever. Stretch out the strings totally, put pencil graphite in the nut slots, make sure the tuners are locked and put the extra trem spring the AZ comes with in the back so there are four. Then it should not shift...🙄👍😎

[@xplodingbeer]

I had a tuning issue on my Ibanez AZ2402 on the A & D strings, it turned out the height adjustment posts were not properly locked causing the post to slip. Ibanez has a PDF on their website you can reference to see how to set the height of the HAP tuners and how to lock them (not to be confused with the string locking mechanism). BTW - I have since changed the tuning keys to Gotoh Magnum Locks, the HAP's are nice but over engineered IMO, I really don't need to adjust the height of the tuning key post... ever. Best of luck with it.

[@dnjn67]

I had tuning problems with my AZ Premium so I installed the 4th spring and changed the strings to Elixer 10's, so far this seems to have solved the problem.

[@dnjn67]

Update. This didn't solve the problem. I got my money back.

[@zokmephisto]

Ditto to all the other comments. If you haven’t already done it, put a new set of strings on. I had a similar problem and turned out I had a bad batch of strings that I bought in bulk.

[@chasingtone2022]

Hi Terry, thank you for the suggestion. I did change the string but unfortunately it did not do any god. Chris

[@perttisuutarinen]

This is old, but hopefully someone with similar problem finds this. I just got my Ibanex AZ2204 Presige fixed. I removed one of the three bridge strings and now it stays in tune. There must bee too strong strings put in at the factory. They might work for thicker gauge, but for 9´s they are too strong.

[@rksenchury9994]

I am having problems with the running as well....

[@peteclark3356]

Same as you Chris. Mine lasted 7 days before I sold it. Massive covid mistake as never tried it in the shop!

[@chasingtone2022]

Sorry to hear that man. Did yours have tuning issues aswell?

[@peteclark3356]

@@chasingtone2022 yes! Exactly the same problem. Not normal tuning issue as g string would drift out after normal playing. I think it's the design. The neck pocket is so shallow due to easy access neck joint that the strings are quite high off body, hence ibanez had to redesign saddles. Angles too acute for strings and I think the tuners don't help either.

[@chasingtone2022]

@@peteclark3356 it is such a shame isn't it as it's a beautiful guitar. The guitar tech I spoke to reckoned the issue was the tuners. He showed me how much they moved in their respective holes when he dipped the whammy. He had a Brand new guitar in the shop which did exactly the same thing. At least you can enjoy searching for a new guitar 😎👍

[@peteclark3356]

Ordered a kiesel dulos!

[@chasingtone2022]

@@peteclark3356 awesome man!! Enjoy it!

[@Draguitar]

It's very quite common problem on the floating tremolo bridge.. not only az series, other brands like Schecter or Charvel etc.. I've tried both Schecter and Charvel's floationg 2 points tremolo and both had severe tuning problem.. I didnt do any dive bomb or massive pulling and pushing, just gentle touching of whammy bar was enough to all the strings going out of tune.. but somehow it looks like it happens on certain guitars.. like someone's az just stays in tune even with massive dive bomb and someone's az just goes out of tune after very gentle bending.. It is suppposed to be a great guitar when it comes to the price of az prestige and so sorry that you couldnt figure out what was the problem..

[@dariocrocetta9026]

I solved the tuning problem on my 2402 for the 90% by replacing both the saddles and the string tree with Graph Tech replacements. Now the guitar is *almost* always in tune.

[@chasingtone2022]

That's really helpful, thank you for sharing. I'm glad your guitar has improved. Unfortunately, I had to send my back as I couldn't get it to stay in tune despite taking it to a tech to sort out.

[@dariocrocetta9026]

@@chasingtone2022 as far as I know, Ibanez knows this issue very well. I can tell you I've been thrown out of the AZ FB owner's group because of my complaints about the tuning stability. I know at least 3 more owners that share the same problem.

[@chasingtone2022]

@@dariocrocetta9026 that is interesting to know man. I have had some pretty interesting comments on my AZ videos as well. Some people appear to get personally aggrieved and think you haven't done everything you should have to have fixed it despite spending a lot of time and money (with techs) doing so. I am glad yours is better though man and enjoy playing it

[@nimraka261]

I have the AZ242 Premium and the b and high e goes always out of tune. Maybe because of stupid string tree. Ordered the string tree from graph tech and hope it will solve the problem.

[@TheBladderStones]

Hi, did you resolve the tuning issues in some way? I have the same problem now. Wondering if it has something to do with the HAP system on the locking tuners. Thanks for help! T

[@chasingtone2022]

Hi mate, I did not resolve the issue on my guitar. I did take it to a well known shop/Luthier to look at and he concluded that the issue was the tuners. His rationale was that when he pressed the whammy bar down the top of the tuners moved (when they shouldn't). They had another AZ in store that did the same thing. As I brought mine from a shop I decided to return it rather than try and fix it. It was such a beautiful guitar to play and it sounded amazing. I wish you all the luck with trying to sort yours out dude and please let me know if you find the magic fix. Chris

[@TheBladderStones]

@@chasingtone2022 Thanks so much! I will try to check the HAP guide and then if it's not gonna help anything - I will change the tuners for other Gotoh without drilling and without HAP system... I guess...

[@denbordon9822]

Крис, привет! Проблема у меня решена. У меня были не завернуты lock height. Я их затянул маленьким шестигранным ключом. И все! Проблема решена. Больше не расстраивается.

[@releshred1272]

Like a Floyd make sure then bridge sits even to the body. That’s all that’s needed to keep this type of bridge in tune

[@apostolispaspalakis2627]

Owner of the AZ2402 PWF. I freaking love this guitar but it will not stay in tune. Especially the high strings (g,b,e) Ive tried everything. When i do upwards bending, i hear a "ping" sound in the bridge and it drops half a step down. When i then dive the tremolo, the b string goes back in to tune . This also works for the high e and g string. I don't get it...

[@JoshuaCorin]

The ping is a nut issue, you’ll need to get it checked.

[@blacklabelsurfing]

GOTOH 510t seems to solve the problem.

[@DanielTomaka]

Did you replace the original AZ tuners with the GOTOH 510t tuners? I've just ordered a set of the 510t for my AZ as the original tuners are problematic, but I was unsure if they are a drop in fit or will the headstock holes need some modding.

[@blacklabelsurfing]

@@DanielTomaka Not me, a friend of mine. But i didn't know if they fit perfectly. Sorry.

[@alandunn4459]

If you want to rip into the whammy bar on a guitar then you bought the wrong type of guitar. The fact your guitar tech didn't equate your playing style as incompatible to a guitar with a bone nut means he's probably not the person too seek a solution from. A graphtec or locking nut is pretty much essential for the way you play as is a proper Floyd or equivalent locking trem system. You would be much better suited to a Prestige RG or Jem than with the AZ. Overall. Your AZ is fine. Absolutely nothing wrong with it. It's simply not the right tool for your style of playing.