Is the Ibanez AZ Ibanez's Best Guitar Design Ever? DISCONTINUED?

[@mike1967sam]

Is it the best ever? The AZ Prestige line? For me definitely "YES". My first guitar was a classical I found in my parent's closet. My second one was a Maison Electro Acoustic. I became a musician late in life I was 18. My first electric I got second hand off a friend it was a strat type Ibanez and my fourth guitar that I got in 1991 was paid for by the record label I was on and it was a Fender Stratocaster Plus with the Lace Sensor pick ups such as Clapton played at the time. I am now closing in on 56 years of age in a matter of weeks. I must've had about 70 or 80 guitars in my life and the Ibanez AZ2204 and AZ2402 Prestige are my "never leave home without it" guitars ... yeah, yeah Suhr and Xotic and bla-bla guitars, whatever the MIGHTY AZ is numero uno.

[@davidyates8880]

I've got a 7 string Prestige AZ24047, I absolutely love it. It needed a set up and the nut recut out of the box, but once that was done you couldn't pick a fault with the guitar.

[@mikejones-hs7od]

I have AZ2204N and absolutely love it. Perfect blend of modern playability and vintage looks. Neck/ frets/ feel = perfect. Pups are delightful. Has the only bridge HB I like rn.

[@Gitfiddle]

I think the pricing is pretty good. It’s a very well executed and produced guitar. I think Ibanez is trying to stack it up against the Suhr modern and I think they pulled it off for less money. The fit and finish, hardware, pickups, fret work, playability is all there. I love it. Buyer beware if you think you’re buying an RG with a Wizard neck you’re going to be disappointed. It’s a big fat neck meant to wrap your thumb over the top.

[@adamdes0t0]

I've wanted an AZ2204 since Jack started playing one. I finally was able to get my hands on one at local Guitar Center and loved it but I just can't drop the 2k at the moment (though I do appreciate how much cheaper they are than a new Suhr Classic S, Xotic XSC, etc.)

[@revolead]

I have one of the Prestige AZs. It's close to $2k, but it's on par with my Fender Ultra Strat in being the most playable guitar I own. The biggest difference between the Premium and the Prestige AZs is the roasted maple (along with some crazy patented process) neck that basically means the guitar never goes out of tune once setup properly, even amid temperature and humidity changes. And it's an amazing feeling neck. It rocks. I love it.

[@bdegree88]

My Premium has roasted maple neck. I notice the truss rod sticks out more on the Prestige. Other than that, I think the difference is the Prestige gets better QC (Japan Vs Premium/Indonesia). My premium had great QC and it plays like a dream, if the place i got it from told me it was a prestige id believe them lol.

[@cesarherediaaguirre4419]

I have the an AZ premium with 2 hambuckers. I wish Ibanez did more versions of them like when they first were released. They had one with flame maple veneer, pastel pink color, foam green and one with maple burl veneer too.

[@Chris_Nouvelli]

I’ve been keen on getting an AZ - the problem I’ve found is the ones I wanted were the old colours and the current lineup looks unbelievably boring. I know it should be about feel and playability, but I’d like something nice to look at too. Hopefully the 2024 range is better than the current crop.

[@RockSiffredi]

I'm in the same boat, although faded colors on Premiums were terrible and already out of fashion. The only color I like is the ice blue for both 2204 and 2402 but they discontinued it for some reason. Satin black and satin sunburst are terrible. 2204N have better colors but I'm currently interested in the dual humbucker model.

[@nikfish1]

Ibanez and Charvel are just AWESOME at doing that. Release a great line up of guitars in amazing colour ways. Create hype, cultivate a following. Cancel it next year. Meanwhile Gibson has been selling the same guitar for three quarters of a century. FML

[@bruunm1975]

I’ve had a Miller AZ HH since 2018 and since 2020 I’ve had a premium HSS which I replaced the pickups with Suhr pickups. The HSS is my main guitar (my profile picture). Best guitar I’ve owned for a long time (there was a ‘91 Custom 24 that had to be sold), stays in tune for ever. Fast neck, easy to play and does any style I need.

[@craiger2399]

I have an AZ 2204N Prestige. Love it. I had to replace the stock trem springs because mine were defective, but otherwise, it is in every way a top notch guitar.

[@habi986]

what was the issue with the springs?

[@craiger2399]

@@habi986 They were hard to bend, but when you forced the whammy to move they didnt really bounce back. I think they were tempered wrong. Probably a total fluke. I replaced the springs with Raw Vintage, and the trem system was smooth and held perfect tune after that.

[@Jam_Gordon]

Wild to me that they'd discontinue the AZ range I saw a lot of people try them out who would never have considered an Ibanez before! Some lovely finishes too.

[@jonathanchaney6140]

I think they discontinued this color not all AZs

[@damien2729]

The first guitar I ever paid for with my own money, from working a job in high school was an Ibanez Gio, and as starting guitars go, my god was it awesome. I sold it a while back when I started getting into les pauls, and I always felt like I was missing a guitar for certain types of music. I really loved my Ibanez, and low and behold I look at my youtube algorithm, and here is the sexiest Ibanez I've ever seen, with the maple fretboard and neck the way I want one, and then I listen to your jamming on it, my god, it's exactly what I've been looking for, and if it feels half as decent as my old gio, I'm all in, I gotta hunt one of those down.

[@Noctula1]

hi, do you have one now? just curious :)

[@RonynLoneWolf]

I have this particular guitar and it's been my go to on many occasions. Good guitar for sure.

[@Xirrious]

I have the prestige HH AZ and I love it. Tho I am going to grab a site s7 FM soon as I can.

[@fredherbert1400]

I have this exact model and it's a dream! Sounds great, feels great. No complaints at all. It's got many features I expected to find on much higher end guitars.

[@evanfisher8303]

i have a 2019 prestige 2204bk(i think thats the model name) its the black 22 fret hss. its probably the only guitar i will never get rid of. it outperforms my ampro strat, and tele. the gibsons dont come close, and the only time i grab a different guitar is when i'm looking for a certain sound. which isnt very often.. the AZ can do almost everything, and reallyyy well. Also, mine is a compound radius, and i believe the premiums are as well. the premium necks were only treated differently(no S tech). i think that was really the only difference, aside from finishes and MIJ. i remember it being really difficult to justify the prestige.

[@enoughnonsenseplease3780]

I have the same AZ. After a proper setup, it's the best guitar I've ever played

[@southpaw335]

Always had a soft spot for Ibanez, an RG140 was my very first electric. I still have it and spent a bit of time fixing it up a while back. Moved the jack to the traditional S-type location, replaced pickups and pots, put a gotoh trem (original was knackered) and locking tuners. So the (modified) body and neck are the only original parts (though refretted a couple of times) - and it is a better guitar now than ever. I really like the AZ model, but just never found one in a lefty…

[@101keiffer]

I have this exact model and I was so blown away by the feel and sound of it. The neck is so comfortable. The sound is absolutely amazing too, although I only really use the traditional pickup selections. I picked mine up with hard case for £650 and I have never played a guitar that just feels and sounds as right as this. If I could keep only one of my guitars, it would be this one!

[@YngtchieMusic]

Exact same model as I have, including the color. My GF at the time bought it for me, new, which is crazy. I was looking for a guitar that could cover most bases, and this turned out to be it. Perfect neck, both the shape, size and finish. Love the pickups, especially the humbucker. I never use the mini switch. As for price, I'd think of it as being pricey for an Indonesian model, but it's so well built that I find it's absolutely worth every penny. I play it every day, and I'm very grateful that I was given this wonderful instrument.

[@DoveSimon]

Mr. Cordy (JNC), please consider compiling an LP, spotify playlist, or whatever of your intro jams. Kinda like Rabea's grinding gears. So many cool jams!

[@hemmelight]

I like these a lot - haven't played one, but I'd love to try. Been wanting Ibanez to make 22 fret strat types for ages. The modern appointments are a nice bonus.

[@theonetruehellolaf]

They did in the 80's and 90's ya know

[@Andy1979G]

Not often commenting on vids, but this intro song is one of the, if not the best intro songs you’ve made. Your emotions speaks big time.

[@rodolfoamaralguitar]

7:06 Your guitar model has 12 radius. Ibanez released other AZ models with compound radius.

[@ethanrapske1768]

Hey John, how do you feel the AZES that you reviewed a while ago holds up to this one? I know there's a fair amount of differences (scale length, woods, etc.) but I would love to hear your thoughts

[@TheUncleshoes]

I recommended this guitar on your Nick Johnson vid regarding other great guitars made in Indonesia 5/14/22. I have a Premium and Prestige and love them both!

[@GabiLotcu]

I own 3 az. In 2018 I bought the first 224f hss coz was the only guitar around 1000€ with that specs. After 2 years i wanted a chambered hss. The premium is a 12" roasted. Only the prestige have the compound. The 2204n is the version with non recensed cavity trem.

[@simonsmith2642]

The current AZ has a 9-12 compound radius. I play chunky necks skinny necks arent good for me, so I haventnowned an Ibanez guitar but have bass, in decades. But this is described as the feel f a standard C Fender profile, I do enjoy the JV Modified Fenders, but these are very tempting. They are currently going for 2k new in the USA about 15-1500 used or B stock. Its vey tempting, but quite expensive. Japan always makes superb instruments. Always immaculate in my experience..

[@davidyates8880]

I have an AZ HSS 7 string, I absolutely love it.

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

I didn't know they made 7 strings in the AZ series!

[@davidyates8880]

@@scramblesthedeathdealer they certainly do 😀, I've got an AZ24047. It's a Prestige model, HSS. It's a fantastic guitar, the neck couldn't be better. If you get the chance try one out. They do one in the Premium line too. I got a great deal on mine in a sale a couple of years ago, £600 off so I couldn't resist.

[@sugarprobe]

I have the MM1 and just got the 2204F-Tab (both prestige) I like them both more than the suhr I had and the suhrs I’ve played. Pretty sure they are 12” radius. Also I’ve had a couple of the premium and they were just as nice in my opinion

[@davidmultimedia2024]

I own the MM1 as well... and in 20 years of guitar playing, I never experienced something like it. A true masterpiece! That's also the guitar that finally made me find my own unique voice on the guitar!

[@sugarprobe]

@@davidmultimedia2024 right? I’m pretty interested in Jack Gardiners signature AZ. 24 fret HSS. But I don’t see it anywhere yet

[@davidmultimedia2024]

@@sugarprobe Yes, that’s because it’s not a signature guitar.. that’s a custom guitar that Ibanez built for him. It’s not a production model (yet).

[@sugarprobe]

@@davidmultimedia2024 ah makes sense then. Like the other custom Tom Q AZ that never hit the market. Damn it. Oh well better for my bank account I guess

[@davidmultimedia2024]

@@sugarprobe Haha yea mine too! Although, as much as I really like the Hyperion humbuckers (best Seymour Duncan I've ever used), I still prefer the feel of Bare Knuckle pickups so I intend to swap them and get them in WHITE since it looks AMAZING on the MM1's aqua blue/teal paint job! I'll also put a white switch tip to match the pickups, but i'll keep the chrome knobs, or maybe change them for identical ones but with an arrow to remember positions that I like.

[@PerryCodes]

It might have been a recent video where you mention not bending much... Something I never noticed until then. Now I can't stop noticing lol

[@r0bophonic]

John does slides instead of bends. One time he used the tremolo and I got confused!

[@cosmogang]

Holy crap. That intro is so damn good.

[@Squall6575]

I have the Premium AZ226, and here are my thoughts: It is a GREAT guitar! If I were to let it go, it would only be to upgrade to a prestige AZ. Its a swiss army guitar through and through. I personally thought that the dynamix would just be a gimmick that I wouldnt really use, but I find myself using all the positions in this guitar except the splitting the bridge humbucker (Who needs that lol). I get very convincing strat tones by lowering the volume tone to about 5 or 6, I can get good humbucker tones which are neither too high in output nor totally low. The neck feels smooth like butter and the tuning stability is just beautiful. Highly recommend!

[@diegomahoudeau934]

I'm on the verge of getting a 226PB-CBB, do you have that same color too? And have you tried the Charvel counterpart of this line of Ibanez? (The DK22/24)

[@Squall6575]

@@diegomahoudeau934 hey, yes I have the same colour and finish. I personally love it! I did try the Charvel dk24 in a guitar store, and its comparable. I can see some people preferring its slimmer neck profile (like a fender C shape). The AZ226 has a more round neck profile which honestly isnt that tough to adjust to and can still be used to play fast. However, I think the dynamix switch on the Ibanez pushes it above the Charvel for me. I personally have found use for almost every position on that selector.

[@hawkhead418]

The Ibanez MAR10 is really nice too. It’s 24 frets HSS plays and sounds great! Ibanez needs to come out with a prestige version of a 24 fret AZ HSS.

[@GraphiteBlimp27]

I got a PRS in 2020 during the pandemic because I was waiting for a 24 fret HSS, or at least the AZ2402 in something other than black, white, or sunburst. Still waiting. They added 7 string variants (of the vintage style RG, basically), low tier models in the AZES series, and then the AZS telecasters… what the hell Ibanez lol. All I want is to have my main instrument be an RG that can also tackle jazz, blues, and old school rock. I mss Chon, homey.

[@ThePlanarchist]

Sounds great and impressive spec but what happened with the paint job? Bizarre, just looks like a quick dunk in a not quite deep enough paint pot.

[@jessenicholson1777]

Some of the newer Prestige stuff has compound radius boards and lower output pickups than this. Check out the AZ2204N.

[@Jeb_binch]

I’ve been thinking about selling my player tele and getting an AZS2200, so uh, hope that part of the line sticks around long enough.

[@RobbenBanks153]

It’s replaced my tele 👍

[@prinspatrick1571]

Like your playing, specially the lick at 1:17

[@rubikonic]

I have one (Brown Topaz Burst), Nice guitar, but the pickups are quite bright. I bought it MINT used for £700

[@BigMateo24]

Discontinued? What? This is the first I've heard of it. Yeah sure, maybe they drop a few certain models and finish options that weren't selling but to axe the entire AZ line is inconceivable to me considering how popular they have been and how well received they were especially among newer trending artists. They also recently released the AZES line which is super affordable, they wouldn't do that if they weren't popular. My only criticism, and one that keeps me holding back from buying one is the lack of finish options that appeal to me.

[@JeeWeeDonkers]

Very much like a 22 fret RT (they're all 24 fret models). I have a great red RT650, but it lacks the true neck single coil pickup sound because of the different position of the pickup. For the rest it's a blast to play, great neck, not too thin.

[@charon132]

your intro jams are so inspiring.

[@777james777]

I have 2 premium and love them, it’s the stainless frets and the rock solid heat treated neck that got my attention. Have you tried the new single coil version yet?

[@markdoolan3424]

Harley Benton Les Paul's and Fusion Series with SS frets for around £250 upwards!

[@Takianagi]

You're my biggest inspiration! I almost bought this but then I bought the sire S7. Guess I'll need to get one now! 🎸 Hope all is well with you and your family John! 🤜🤛

[@dixee6498]

That is a beautiful axe. And I love the soloing style you were playing. What style would that be called?

[@dankbrad]

Awesome video! I've been wanting to try one of these. Where did you find it for 500?

[@rudiyantohalim736]

Nice playing in the begining of the vids, it reminds me of Vinnie Moore and Eric Johnson in a mix 👍👍👍 This Ibanez AZ is one of my wishlist guitar, modern take on a traditional strat, and I love all of the specs, and the Hyperion with the Dyna Mix 9 switch is what I'm so curious about. And, it's made in my country 😁😍

[@john_sandilau]

For creating new presets would you recommend using the Flat FL Raw setup of the Powercab with Low Cut: 80Hz and High Cut: 18.0Hz and add a Cab or IR from Helix or would you suggest to create a preset without virtual Cabs or IRs and use the speaker emulations in the Powercab? Thanks!

[@666dreamboat]

wtf is this mad tasteful playing for a demo? Great playing man, damn.

[@hkvhia155]

I have an AZ226PB premium. Its from December 2020 and they discontinued it pretty quickly. It is a very nice guitar and there isn't much difference between my Premium AZ and the Prestige AZ they were offering back then. Main difference being that the Prestige was build in Japan with an alder body and the premium was build in Indonesia with a basswood body. Pickups, tuners, bridge, frets, roasted maple neck, etc., were all the same. There was far too little difference to justify a price difference of about 550 pounds. My guitar is very neatly build and is not inferior to the Japanese version. That might explain why they discontinued some versions so quickly.

[@sambroxguitar]

I love my Prestige AZ, as you know. I think the QC varies on the Premiums, but if you get a good one, the value for money is pretty amazing. I love stainless steel frets. My latest Alpher custom has stainless, as does my Guthrie, two Pias and obviously the AZ. I had a Wolfgang Special with stainless too, but they were vintage size and I didn’t get on with it. Turns out I’m a jumbo fanboy

[@willmurphy8650]

Ibanez sent me one back in Q4 2018 I think. It's a Prestige model but it must be some limited edition or prototype because it has a crazy roasted flame maple neck and an actual flame maple top. Still have the guitar and it plays and sounds as good as any of my custom guitars

[@WillyLonka]

No way that you play on my guitar haha! Amazing playing as always man

[@johnnathancordy]

Did you know they discontinued these ones? Somehow I missed that....

[@WillyLonka]

@@johnnathancordy Damn, I completly don't understand that. These guitars are just perfect comparing price to quality

[@prudderham]

Hey John, great and honest review, if I could have made it sound like you have I might never have parted with it😁

[@HarryBall-fw7pv]

Most the Japanese Ibanes guitars seem to be marketed directly at me. They all play, sound and look so good! But i think i like the Rg better. Judging from my arsenal of axe's. I wasnt very happy with the finish quality of my premium RGT1221. So its Japanese from here forth

[@jeshely]

The Prestige Fortuna pickups are more of my liking specially the HB.

[@Dh6rma]

Just curious where you heard they were discontinued?

[@jasonyltan7672]

Had an old first gen AZ Premium like yours but with 24 frets and 2 humbuckers. Sold it after 6 months. Plays great, sounds great but totally found it vanilla bland and lacks any sort of character. Replaced it with a Fender American Performer for the same sort of money and oooh that’s just way better sounding and does it’s thing. Not sure what thing the AZ was supposed to do best, but being jack of all trades kinda guitar didn’t quite work for me. Its greatest strength unfortunately was also its biggest weakness.

[@jimkiousis]

very nice video ! this model was so great! What about AZS ? the t style ibanez

[@DreidMusicalX]

I'm surprised to see the neck is built much like the Fender strat with no slanting of the headstock. But still, if I am paying that much money for a guitar I am going to have to go with a full floating Floyd Rose and locking nut. But I love the HSS as well. I have an RG550 Japan made 20/20/2000. I have had it since the day it was sold and 23 year later the neck is stable so I think people go out of their way for the stable neck thing when Ibanez RG I have has always been stable no matter where I have gone with it. From AZ in the desert, to TX humidity to London England. But I love the wizard neck. Also, same frets amazingly. They are going to be re-leveled and crowned, but hey. It's been 23 years and its still is not bad and very playable. If you don't grind your frets, they last. If I am not dead one day I might get stainless steel frets on it. Maybe. Even my tremolo system has given me no problems on it in 23 years. I have been thinking about swamping pick plates and taking it from a HSH to the HSS with a custom pick guard. I'm so mostly an HSS player these days, like I was in my earlier days. They just are more versatile to me. But if I ever see this guitar oyu have for a few hundreds bucks, I'll pick one up for sure.

[@jakollee]

Great playing! (As always.) Guitar looks and sounds nice, but for some reason I'm not a fan of that type of sparkly pick guard.

[@jonathanchaney6140]

Nk and goc have stainless frets and they are 450-900 new

[@frans688]

The points that pull me in are the weight and ergonomics, The look I prefer the more classic esthetics. I am curious to try one.

[@DrProgNerd]

I have the Tom Quayle rendition of the AZ. I love nearly everything about it - but the finishing work on the frets was pretty bad - sharp edges. You'd expect a $2,500 guitar to be more dialed-in. Once the frets are dressed....superb guitar.

[@guitarkickstart]

Ditto - I have the TQM and a Premium and the fretwork on the Premium is clearly better :o( TQM is also much heavier.

[@robertranford5574]

I also have the TQM1 and two things I didn’t really like was a) the saddles sat very high b) the constant ping in the nut when using the trem. I tried all ways of smoothing and lubricating the slots but couldn’t get rid of. I replaced the nut eventually. It plays and sounds great otherwise.

[@davidmultimedia2024]

I own the MM1 (Martin Miller’s AZ), and the fretwork is shockingly perfect. Absolutely no sharp edges anywhere. One thing to mention though.. the fretboard isn’t rounded at all, and the fret edges are not rounded either (unlike RG Premiums and all the chinese CNC made guitars like Eart), but this is clearly done on purpose to give the widest range possible for extreme finger vibrato. They’re polished like a mirror all the way to the edges. The edges don’t even look like it ever been cut and dressed, it’s crazy.

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

I'm more of an RG/JEM guy, but that is a nice guitar!

[@omenworks]

Check out the Ibanez AZ47P1QM BIB

[@IvorThomas]

I was really interested in those when they hit the market but took forever for any local store to get one. I liked the tones and trem, but overall it felt kinda like a toy to me-maybe relatively slim neck? Ended up getting a fabulous thinline Eric Johnson Strat for about the same price.

[@jroobz]

I dig the sunburst 7 string

[@pablomoscoso3275]

I've got this exact one, It was a store demo for 700 bucks. Neck too thick for my small hands though

[@christianboddum8783]

Sanding a neck is not difficult, you could do that. FWIW

[@kyran4238]

If Ibanez made an Andy Timmons model that was on par with a MIM Strat for quality and price... That would be working musicians dream.

[@DarthV506]

Inflation really sucks, Indo guitars for over $2000CAD after tax? Are they twice as good as a Sire S7, Schecter Nick Johnston or Silver Sky SE? My AD here at work is thinking about selling his AZ Prestige but it's one of the HH models, I'd really want HSS.

[@johnnathancordy]

I didn't love the HH models to be honest. The only justification for price with this is that at least some of the specs do hint at the sorts of things you get from more expensive guitars - Seymour Duncan pickups/Gotoh hardware and most of all stainless frets?

[@DarthV506]

@@johnnathancordy in my case, I already own a bunch of RG/RGA/S prestiges with 2 HB pickups, I'd want something different. Guess in Ibanez's case, if they can't keep them in stock, they probably think the price is justified.

[@yameenkhanmusic]

Are you gonna sell this guitar?

[@Wadey1960CS]

Is this a JTC promo? 😉

[@nunolance23]

Wish I could find something like this one for £500 where I live..

[@rockstarjazzcat]

Jack placement is a non-starter for me. Prefer 'em on front, a la Strats and S series. Cheers.

[@ryanshook8284]

Easy mod idea if you’d need it: Remove the switch between vol and tone, move the tone to that place. Use the remaining hole in pick guard for the new jack position.

[@KellyEastwood855]

"These are not cheap!" Yea! Not even affordable, but fukin' expensive! When I first saw the line I was like: WTF, this is the perfect superstrat, gimme one NOW! But when I saw the pricetag, I didn't really know where to go for a calmdown! You know what?! Then Charvel came into my mind, but for obvious reasons I prefer NOT to purchase US related guitar crap! Finally I purchased a Harley Benton fusion II for 365 euros, and pimped it up with Seymour Buncan pickups from my drawer, new cables, TAD pots and even covered the cavities with copperfoil. All this under 600 euros! Bang, the perfect superstrat! Sayonara Ibanez!

[@ryanshook8284]

Heck yea Buncans

[@hoot9612]

Ibanez guitar design? Cmon, it's a strat. Slightly modified strat.

[@Johnny-oy9fh]

Yep...that version is now prestige only....

[@lasyngwieeeiiilarsen7510]

❤😊

[@acemodean]

Yep, they ran out of blue paint

[@RezaKhan2024]

My ATZ100 Prestige came with serious fret sprouts all the frets. Very disappointing. Sounded too bright. Neck felt fatter than AT100c. Which is a much better choice

[@Jasper12]

Clarity

[@bryantwalley]

Deleted the other comment. It is 305mm straight. No compound.

[@jessenicholson1777]

I think it’s pretty tough to make the argument that anything other than the Jem is the best design Ibanez ever made. The Jem literally redefined what a modern guitar is. The AZ is a great guitar but I think it never would exist is Ibanez hadn’t made the Jem 35 years go.

[@lasyngwieeeiiilarsen7510]

❤❤❤❤😮😊