Ibanez AZES 40 - The Most Versatile Budget Guitar - In-depth Demo

#IbanezAZES40
#IbanezAZES
#SteveVai
Hey Everyone, In today's video I take a look at the incredible Ibanez AZES 40. Talk about "Bang for Buck", this guitar is amazing, with superb build quality, model specific features, and a wide variety of tonal options, with a total of nine different pickup configurations. All of this for an incredibly affordable price. In this demo we take a look at all nine pickup configurations, as well as kicking off the demo with a Steve Vai inspired track. Follow the links below for more info on this guitar.
⏩⏩ Links;
www.thomann.de/gb/ibanez_azes...
www.ibanez.com/eu/products/de...
/ sixstringalliance

[@SixStringAlliance]

So what’s your favourite budget electric guitar?

[@Producelikeapro]

Fantastic question! Maybe this? I do love my Yamaha Pacificas and also their RevStar!

[@SixStringAlliance]

I need to try a RevStar. Pacifica’s are great. I also love the Sterling by Music Man range 🎸

[@Producelikeapro]

@@SixStringAlliance yes! All great guitars! So much better selection than when we were kids!

[@keithniday4920]

Love my Schecter Omen. Also am growing quite fond of my Squier Affinity Tele. Have only been playing less than a year, but would love to check out this Ibanez.

[@Producelikeapro]

@@keithniday4920 I’ll have to check that out! My friend, Charlie, from Goldfinger loves Schecter’s I was always impressed with his playing

[@jcugnoni]

Your demos are amazing ! The intro track is killer, 100% legit Vai style. And love this guitar too.

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thank you!!

[@randymorehouse3756]

Best job of explaining the controls I have seen in a bunch of the reviews I have seen. Thanks.

[@SixStringAlliance]

You're welcome!

[@robm3569]

I've been looking for a truly full and in depth demo of this guitar, including the nine different tones, and I finally found it in this video, with your brilliant playing I might add, and I'm sold. Thank you so much, I really appreciate it. And I've subscribed. Cheers.

[@SixStringAlliance]

Much appreciated, glad the demo helped and thanks for the sub!!

[@garywinters2282]

Fantastic video, thank you for you indepth commentary on this guitar.

[@SixStringAlliance]

Glad you liked it!

[@TomoFujitaMusic]

Thank you for sharing!

[@SixStringAlliance]

My pleasure!

[@graemesarjeant421]

Great stuff - me and my mate taught by Jamie back in the early 2000s and love seeing how amazing he still is.

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thanks!! Was that at the ACM?

[@graemesarjeant421]

@@SixStringAlliance lessons at beat and track Tonbridge, then jamies old place in Maidstone.

[@Sos_tenuto]

Finally a demo by someone who actually knows what the controls do! Thanks for the really in-depth demo. The playing was fantastic. It really showed what this guitar can deliver in the right hands!

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thank you!! Yes a very versatile guitar, lots of fun to play!

[@nemesis0217]

You have shown that this budget is enough to play ,well u are making 1000 dollar sound with this beautiful guitar,skills and hardwork are required.Believe me first time I watched it on official ibanez site ,i thought it will be above 900dollars with its looks leaving the paper specs aside 😅

[@nadhilafiq]

tq for showing the amazing demo...such amazing skill

[@SixStringAlliance]

My pleasure 😊

[@QuirkyGaming82]

Fantastic playing! I currently play on a 2016 Schecter Diamond but I've been looking for a new guitar so this was awesome to see. Thanks mate!

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thanks for the comment.. this guitar is great!! U beatable for the price point and quality, plus so many great tones!!

[@nemesis0217]

Keep doing this kind of awesome videos, it's very helpful more than u think

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thanks, will do!

[@JohnLloydDavis]

Just found this channel as I'm looking to get this Ibanez guitar. Wow, this is great, subscribed!

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thanks so much for joining my community!! I hope you find the video helpful

[@RkJohnsonNingthemcha]

One of the best demo and love the Vai Vibes on the tune 😁

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thank you very much 🎸🤘🏻

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed 100% Rk!

[@DmitryJT50]

Just ordered this with S-S-S configuration. Looking forward to trying it myself. Thanks for such a good review!

[@SixStringAlliance]

Glad it was helpful!

[@D-8-Tone2]

Great video, very thorough, many thx

[@SixStringAlliance]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@1axe1amp17]

Absolutely phenomenal playing

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thanks you for your comment.

[@SaxJockey]

Great demo and great playing. Just ordered this in Mint Green 👍.

[@SixStringAlliance]

Enjoy!

[@kevinmunoz2004]

Never seen your channel but I love your style man , definitely subbing

[@SixStringAlliance]

Welcome aboard!

[@snakeplissken44]

Sick bass tone on the backing track!!

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thanks!! Glad you noticed. Fabfilter Saturn is my secret weapon on bass tones!!

[@gavinlay8862]

Have had my sss vermillion one for about a month. Super happy

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thanks for sharing!

[@akjl01]

Proper demo. Great player. No nonsense 👍

[@SixStringAlliance]

Cheers Alan.

[@paulsingleton729]

Wow what a great guitar, and a great demo by Jamie..

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thank you kindly!

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed 100%!

[@bobbyberetta4206]

I saw the video with you & Trey & let me say you two had great chemistry and hope to see more in the future. Anyways I’m blown away from this guitar, it is absolutely f’n fantastic! And your playing….höly sh!t! Thank you for the jams and I will be ordering this guitar!

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thank you so much!! Id love to do some more videos with Trey!

[@BigPhi84]

Amazing demo, Jamie! Thank you for taking the time to demonstrate each pickup selector position in full. Your tones are always killer! Keep on rockin’ 🎸🎸🎸

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thank you!!

[@norbertittermann7028]

NOW I GET ONE -- THANK YOU JAMIE !!!!

[@SixStringAlliance]

great stuff!!

[@johnrlott4002]

I just got the AZES30. I have thousands in other guitars and I haven’t touched them since I got this. 25” scale is nice, fret work is very nice, just needed a polish, haven’t had to touch anything else.

[@futureskyguitar6319]

Very good demo friend

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thank you 👍

[@ashwolf1977]

That is awesome man. With that price tag, no complain!

[@SixStringAlliance]

Its an incredible guitar for the money

[@ashwolf1977]

@@SixStringAlliance ✅💯 yeah!

[@Producelikeapro]

@@ashwolf1977 great value!

[@IbanezOfficial]

Wonderful demo!

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thank you so much!! The guitar is absolutely great!!

[@Producelikeapro]

YES! Great demo!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Amazing video! I really want this guitar!

[@SixStringAlliance]

Warren it’s so versatile!! So many tones 🎸

[@Producelikeapro]

@@SixStringAlliance fantastic!

[@JosePineda-jn8jk]

The real Jem Jr.! That intro was great!!!

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thanks Jose

[@SaxJockey]

Jamie thanks for the thoroughly great demo of this guitar. I have ordered this in Mint Green, the versatility of this guitar is extremely appealing. Folks should bear in mind that this guitar is only 15% to 18% the cost of it's big brother the AZ2204NW...and yet both look similar and have the 9 pickup switching options 😲. I am sure it's big brother is worth the money for all its refinements, but do not be overly concerned with details of the AZES...such as what is a Jatoba fretboard 🙄. Jatoba (Brazilian Cherry) has a hardness value of 2,690 lbf which is comparable to Brazilian Rosewood (2,790 lbf) and is harder than Indian Laurel (2,340 lbf) and Pau Ferro/Bolivian Rosewood (1,960 lbf), far harder than most maples (around 1,050 lbf). Hardness is only one attribute of the wood, but rest assured, you are unlikely to wear it out 😉.

[@SixStringAlliance]

Glad you enjoyed the video.the guitar is great, I needed up keeping it. So many usable tones!!

[@peschedave]

Hi Jamie, great video matey ! You convinced me ,just order a blue one off Andertons before they sell out at 279 quid !! Amazing value and great sounds.

[@SixStringAlliance]

Nice one! Its a great guitar!!

[@briane.paulson]

A1 demo. Great player

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thank you!!

[@overseer_grimal]

Nice sound!

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thanks !!

[@tigerbalm666]

I like the headstock! But I just ordered 2 harle yBenton roasted neck. Fusion-T HH HT has EMG Hot 70's PU, other HH push pull w/trem.

[@dpedrosoliano]

damnnn , im sold, michael keaton shreds!

[@SixStringAlliance]

who's Micheal Keato?

[@keithhackett3928]

Fantastic demo showing all of this guitars capabilities. I have save d this video just to copy some of your noodling ! It's a pity that they dont do a vintage white colour, this would make a great budget Jeff Beck style guitar.i know I could buy a budget strat but I prefer the Ibanez headstock shape. It will have to be the mint green for me too.

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thanks Keith!! Glad you enjoyed it. And agreed, a vintage white version would be very cool.

[@Hiro.the.God.]

I bought an Ibanez gio grx 70qabb for 200 dollars because I have never played an Ibanez guitar before and I became a fan. I’m getting this one next. I love the look and tones. If I really like this one I’ll be getting their prestige model.

[@SixStringAlliance]

Ibanez make great guitars.. I have several in my collection

[@Hiro.the.God.]

@@SixStringAlliance i just came home with this one and it’s amazing! Thanks for the great review.

[@redcomn]

The strap pin is nice and wide too

[@SixStringAlliance]

Yeah you're right.. its not going to fall off the strap that easily.

[@Tryptamine999]

Trying to decide between buying this or a Mexican Fender HSS strat, with $400 Australian difference between the two, I imagine the fender is better but this video really helped me realise I’ll be more that happy with the Ibanez and delighted to save $400. Fantastically made video and super helpful thank you

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thanks for the comment!! I think the Ibanez is a great guitar, great build quality and lots of tonal options

[@PurpleHazer239]

Great Review. The fretboard looks darker on your guitar than in the photos. Did you treat the fretboard with lemon oil, and have it set up before playing it?

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thank you. No straight out of the box, tuned, stretched strings, that was all.

[@AndrewMooreLearningLicks]

Time stamps Jamie please 🙏🏼 I love the demo, the guitar is incredible, the T-shirt is awesome 👍🏼

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thanks.. yeah I need to learn how to time stamp!! I’ll make a note of this.

[@AndrewMooreLearningLicks]

@@SixStringAlliance absolutely, we are always learning, all of us 👍🏼

[@Producelikeapro]

@@AndrewMooreLearningLicks it's very impressive!

[@AndrewMooreLearningLicks]

@@Producelikeapro couldn't agree more 👍🏼

[@Producelikeapro]

@@AndrewMooreLearningLicks yes!!!!

[@jamesfarrington9030]

I wouldnt call you a shredder(My God we have enough of them), but I find your playing very melodic. Proof that you can incorporate both technique and feel into your playing.

[@SixStringAlliance]

Cheers James..

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

shred is optional, we play instruments to play music we like

[@chdn55]

Не знал, что Аксюта умеет говорить по английски и так круто играет))). А если серьезно - отличный обзор! 👍👍👍

[@leafclover8891]

Proper strats. I just hope ibanez can make this p AZES with two points tremolo.

[@bpabustan]

Jamie, that Attitude song variation is happening! And I do agree AZES 40 is also a happening guitar! I think it has the club and hotel musicians doing covers from Sinatra to Metallica at the count of 4 by the drummer.

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thanks!! Glad you enjoyed the tune, and yeah it’s a great guitar

[@coaststrings]

Nice demo. Someone said that the trem on the one that he tried-out could only drop the pitch. Was he mistaken?

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thanks Hans. Yes this one only drops in pitch. Not sure if it can be set to raise up. I must admit I’ve never had a six point trem, I always use two point, so not sure how the setup would work.

[@wlliamson53]

Was the tremolo bridge already loosened when you bought this, or did you do that later? Great guitar! I'm buyin'

[@SixStringAlliance]

This guitar came from Ibanez, I didn’t buy it. Do you mean loosenthe bar? The bridge was set up to go down, and the bar just screws in. I had it where I could move it out the way. It’s a fun guitar.

[@wlliamson53]

@@SixStringAlliance I mean in order to do those dive bombs did yoy have to do some setting ups?

[@vubear]

This is clearly the return of the Blazer. Great guitar and demo

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thank you

[@tumadsvids]

OD just kills everything imo

[@geraldpasion3378]

wow! at first i was.. is that attitude so.. oh wait.. then.. wait.. ohhhh... great man!!

[@SixStringAlliance]

hahah thanks!!

[@cortarelva]

The Vai is strong in this one!

[@SixStringAlliance]

Hahaha yeah it was all about Vai on this track 😊🎸

[@Producelikeapro]

Huge amounts of Vai being channeled here!

[@jackvai2681]

anything special about these pickups? or can i swap in different pups and still have the full range and potential of the dyna-mix9 alter-switch system?

[@SixStringAlliance]

I’m not sure to be honest. I would imagine you can swap the pickups, but best to look into that first

[@sebuzzzz]

I bought that guitar a 2 weeks ago and i'm bLoWn away !!!!!! Did not touch my Fender Strat since lol

[@SixStringAlliance]

Its a great guitar!!

[@theguitarnoobph]

Take my money already!!!

[@SixStringAlliance]

It’s a great guitar

[@jonathanyun7817]

I'm leaning towards this as my first purchase, but I'm just wondering how well does the trem stay in tune? Thanks!

[@SixStringAlliance]

its pretty good, obviously its. cheaper guitar, but with a setup it works well!! I own this guitar and use it regularly.

[@jonathanyun7817]

@@SixStringAlliance Is the trem bar a screw in like the vintage strats?

[@brianwalker9079]

@@jonathanyun7817 yes it is, but it's kinda nice, I just bought one. Bit stiff feeling, but the tones are worth it

[@SaxJockey]

Suggest you look at the Darrel Braun Guitar video of how to float this classic 6 screw tremolo. I am used to a floating 2 point tremolo and so will take on board Darrell's advice...as I have recently ordered the AZES40 in Mint Green 😁.

[@PooNinja]

Afundable fabulousity

[@SixStringAlliance]

haha very much so!!

[@Producelikeapro]

Poo NInja a new language!

[@PooNinja]

@@Producelikeapro I mostly speak gibberish but occasionally I have a nugget of wisdom or seemingly original thoughts. Original thoughts are very hard to come by. Afundable is from Adam Steel at hop pole studios🤣

[@Producelikeapro]

@@PooNinja we love Adam!

[@gauravlama2079]

Will this also be available in HSH pickup combination?

[@SixStringAlliance]

It’s available either HSS or SSS.

[@SaxJockey]

It seems that with the 5 way selector set to position 5 (neck) and the ALT switch set to 2 (Up/On), the series neck/middle PuPs combination might be a bit like a neck humbucker sound?

[@sebastianholm9325]

Do you prefer this over a yamaha pacifca 112v?

[@SixStringAlliance]

I’ve sadly not tried that Yamaha. I love this Ibanez tho

[@denmut]

Nuno vibes :)

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes!!!

[@SixStringAlliance]

Haha I hadn’t spotted that but yes there is a touch of Nuno in the riffs

[@tiago5a]

how does it compares with Ibanez GRX40?

[@SixStringAlliance]

Sadly I’ve not played one.. but this is a killer guitar.

[@Armando1228]

oh let me go around I guess

[@majinmatt9775]

Please tell me you're tall. I just got this guitar on the way and it looks like a 3/4th size compared to you playing it.

[@SixStringAlliance]

yes I am very tall

[@majinmatt9775]

@@SixStringAlliance Thank ya for the reply. I was getting worried this was a itty-bitty guitar.

[@pancake5146]

I think the guitar is amazing for its price, however this demo was done using an expensive amp by the looks of it, and realistically I don't think that the sort of player buying this guitar would have an amp of that calibre when starting out on guitar. Just a thought.

[@SixStringAlliance]

Point taken, but to be honest the tone was pretty generic, which is achievable through most affordable digital amps, or software based amps. This tends to be my “go too” setup for filming.

[@pancake5146]

@@SixStringAlliance That is true

[@ckallaher]

In every video I’ve seen of this guitar they sound amazing. Of course, it helps when Jamie is doing the playing. This might be the answer to my currently Strat-less condition. Love the many pickup options.

[@SixStringAlliance]

It’s a great guitar.. well worth checking out

[@DimKAt21]

I really hate loose trem arms...

[@iwilrage]

This vs sterling ct50

[@SixStringAlliance]

I have the three single coil Sterling Cutlass.. I should shoot aa demo of it!! But I think the Ibanez has more versatility and range of tones.

[@orsmagyari245]

Nice demo, but the clean tone on that guitar sadly sounds like it was made by some chords on a broomstick. I was hoping for something with a bit more character. The pacificas and classic vibes have more pleasant clean tones, at least to my ears.

[@SixStringAlliance]

Pretty good sounding broomstick to my ears.

[@gixxer6000]

Joe Satriani is not in the guardians of the guitar? Thats impossible.

[@SixStringAlliance]

Agreed!!

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

seems alright, still think pacifica is better, and obviously squier

[@bluwng]

Wish they were full size , full scale…Tomo’s fault he wanted a student guitar for kids.

[@SixStringAlliance]

It is full size. This guitar has a 25 inch scale length

[@bluwng]

@@SixStringAlliance are you sure , I thought it was a 24 inch scale?

[@iridios6127]

Your "crunch" sound like a common overdrive. )) Too much gain. BTW good demo.

[@SixStringAlliance]

Thanks Man.. well how do you gauge too much gain? Its down to personal taste.

[@iridios6127]

@@SixStringAlliance It a long story to explain. For KZbin comment section. ))

[@darrenleary8629]

@@iridios6127 Six String Alliance told the story above. Personal preference.

[@iridios6127]

@@darrenleary8629 I can`t tell my story -- it too long. ))) So nevermind.

[@fred8097]

@@iridios6127 so why bring it up at all?