Watch out Fender, The Ibanez Strat is here! AZ2204N-PBM Review

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Click here to subscribe, it's FREE (for now) kzbin.info/door/I5i6aBbINMIEkYW3b6olHg

[@russellzauner]

Since you already have an AZ, just swap out for the differently voiced pickups. :-) I would. The only way you're going to go back to being friends with it in the same way is to give it a transplant or buy it a cousin to hang with so you have both. Both is, of course, the optimal result. :-)

[@caiusmadison2996]

Pull out the stops, use a Keeley Filaments! Can make all those sweet Marshall in a box effect, and really, you could make it sound 🍊 as well as Fender. Pretty versatile little stomper.

[@caiusmadison2996]

@@russellzauner yep, get em both while they are affordable, and even made, really. Ibanez has a history of disappearing awesome models out of nowhere, and not bringing them back. They should be reissuing the SZ series, and stick a 2 point on that. Fight back against that Silver Sky vibe by going after the heart of the ripoff.

[@gerasimospefanis1452]

41k views 🤯🤝

[@aprilkurtz1589]

I live in a xenophobic nation. Not happy about it.

[@MikeLute]

AZ stands for the alphabet of guitar needs. All in one package.

[@danjack-son4871]

This guitar is beautiful in every way! It’s on my to buy list.

[@retcru]

Come on man!!! All the literature from Ibanez says the radius is 9 to 12!! Did you not read that??

[@drcockles]

You can’t beat an Ibanez neck for me, I got an RG560 for my 18th in 1991 and it’s still my favourite guitar 🤟🏼

[@KauffeyBean]

RG is love, RG is life!

[@johanndaart7326]

90ties was the Ibanez golden era. Those guitars are perfect.

[@JohnSmith-in1tt]

I bought a 1990 RG570 a few years back. The original wizard necks are incredible in terms of playability and the 90’s made in Japan ibanez’s are impeccable quality wise

[@robertmailloux3720]

If you want a strat sound,just buy a Stratocaster.I think. 👉🏻the silver pickup is ugly on any strat mocking guitar.This one sounds more like a Godin Session.

[@tomdameek]

What a stunning guitar Andy. It sounds wonderful too. I’ve had problems with HSS guitars before in that they seem to fall between two stools tonally but that sounds pretty good. A wonderful Swiss army gigging guitar. Great thorough review Andy - cheers 😀👍👍👍 Ps Andy’s Zombie Navy

[@lv2bplayn]

UGH! Fret buzz! Not impressed.

[@fretboardmaster70]

I still have my Ibanez Roadstar from 1983. That was my first real electric and it was the closest thing to a Strat I could afford at that time. Still love that Guitar

[@lazarusnyc]

Same here- feels heavy like a Les Paul- best of both worlds

[@cemsarioglu5947]

Same here. I love my Roadstar II.

[@seanachiescourt6659]

i tried az in a store, while i like the unique tone that it brings, it sounds really thin in my modest opinion. Maybe i buy one in future and get an inspiration to write some music, i sort of imagine it in more of an ambient music style and not rocking it out with a band

[@darrenwells2277]

I just think that Angry Rhubarb should have been the name of a 70s Prog Band!

[@CallMeChato]

I still have my 1971 Ibanez Les Paul clone, the one they got sued over. It's not a great guitar but it's better than me.

[@morgansprouse2562]

Buy a Nash. That intro tone was awful

[@matzer8846]

AH ... this ain't no StratoWhatever ... this is just the better guitar fret by fret (;-)) An RG in a more classic design. And ... does it sound top ... YES! Thanks a lot for sharing.

[@caiusmadison2996]

I'd try an American Professional 2 at 600 dollars less before throwing my hat in this ring, especially since you can pretty much select whatever bridge, whatever pickup configuration (including hh) and the colors are sweet as well this year. Maui Blue comes to mind, with maple board.... insert Homer Simpson drooling over donuts noise. Yeah and the extra ton shaping controls step up the performance for literally next to no increase in cost. Shawbuckers too, what a great sound...

[@matterece3164]

The AZ prestige can be pretty pricey, thankfully they have a premium range with a lower price but isn't really that different from prestige (but as a broke student, I still can't afford the premium) but nontheless, those are dream guitars!

[@stefanonstrings]

Now they have the azes series too :)

[@ranman58635]

I've played the premium. Is it worth 1800? Not sure. It's super nice though.

[@SilverWatcher.]

If it smells like a strat If it feels like a strat Buy a strat. If you hate fender so much why go to extreme lengths to own a strat. Strat killer no such thing, just a bunch of copies

[@scooterss2112]

Its the small things. Roasted Maple neck, stainless steel frets, locking tuners, more tones.

[@SilverWatcher.]

Not being mean but you can get all those things on a fender there not common but they are out there like sweetwater exsclusives for example has all the love you mentioned maybe not the tones lol

[@Barbarapape]

A high end Ibanez "Strat" at a Fender USA price has to be highly desirable. I much prefer Ibanez necks to fenders way the thick ones. It's high time that someone made a Strat killer that realy can sound like one and is easier to play. Time to start saving, they are only available as pre-orders here in the UK.

[@UmVtCg]

Easier to play is relative, an opinion not a fact.

[@Barbarapape]

@@UmVtCg In my "opinion" i find Fenders thick necks difficult to play, i was not trying to state a fact. Everyone has a different requirement regarding how easy or diificult they find a guitar neck size and shape to play.

[@kevliao]

I had the Fender performer, and have the Ibanez AZ. I find the latter to be much easier to play based on setup out of factory. The rounder neck radius just wasn't my thing, but that's a matter of technique and preference.

[@MrClassicmetal]

@@UmVtCg It's easier to reach the higher notes on the Ibanez, due to the design itself. That's not an opinion.

[@grandwazoo1696]

Is the neck thinner than an American strat?

[@darthmorbous]

Maple fretboards HSS , maple fretboards HSS, maple fretboards HSS PMEEEEAAAASEEEE IBANEZ

[@KenithCopeland]

i saw you sniffing the guitar and i must admit, when i got a charvel dk24 the first thing i noticed was the neck smelt like maple syrup, when you played it for longer then ten min it warmed up and started to give off a stronger scent. it was glorious

[@ricktherrien8235]

I am still in love with my Ibanez Ex series 350. It is a great guitar and I have had it for years. It has an awesome tone and great action as well as a nice style body. Loved this review and thanks for the upload!!

[@LukeVidler]

The specs are perfect but it still sounds like an Ibanez, close my eyes and Im hearing an RG, this is not necessarily a bad thing.

[@KP11520]

Don't know whether it's the amp or mic choices, but to me, this doesn't really sing. It plays notes. But that's just me!

[@pablohernandezsoares4504]

I really have a feeling it's improper mixing and micing

[@BaronsDuju]

Is it just me or does that Angry Rhubarb mixed with the AZ sound really thin and bad?

[@jimkiousis]

At last ahahaha it sounds so awful 😂

[@esdel1955]

Was just looking at these on Sweetwater and they say the compound radius is 9”-12”.

[@UmVtCg]

Nah, If it ain't made by Fender, it's not a Strat.

[@soofitnsexy]

agreed

[@LukeVidler]

Don't get all the Fender brand loyalty online, the amount of times you see guys promoting Fender, especially the player series like they work for the company. I had a player series Strat and it was rubbish, but here we buy for over $1000. The thing that Fender does best is marketing, their marketing budget is huge over their competitors so people who don't play very much get caught up in it. They make some good guitars if your willing to pay but these days they make mostly subpar versions of their old designs and all of their profit is spent on adds for their stupid app.

[@soofitnsexy]

@@LukeVidler player series is not a real fender

[@scottdunbar4898]

That guitar is either extra small or you are a beastly sasquatch of a man. Nice demo, thanks.

[@cit0110]

ibanez > fender

[@Johnny-oy9fh]

Definitely a strat killer...😎👍🎸

[@JedNadin]

D or oval neck shape with a 43+mm nut will never be able to replace my strats. These look cool, but I know from the spec sheet alone I wouldn’t pick one over a strat. (Or Carrozza)

[@p4pking393]

Great review, i fkn want it. Throw that angry rhubarb out, horrible overdrive

[@bradguitarmanintx157]

Not at $2k... would consider at $1k

[@sheppardrj]

I don’t like posting negative reviews but I’ve heard budget Squires that sound exponentially better than that. It’s sound cheap and un-straty.

[@notacommie5415]

Friend built me a custom Mexican the ti eventually dropped an Yngwie Dimarzio set in Guitar cost me $200 forget what the pickup set was…probably about the same

[@notacommie5415]

I’m thinking the ANDY TIMMONS Ibanez model would be a much better alternative for tone if you are hung up on getting an Ibanez strat

[@nickr8483]

You sound English ... but you say zeeeeeeeeee and not zed. Hmmm .... It's A Zed, Naturally.

[@justmehere6094]

It seems like a nice guitar. But, $2K USD?

[@Bilge-ko5qp]

Hi TheGuitarGeek! I hope you can see my comment :) I have a question to ask and it's important to me because i'm a little worried about it: I've noticed that when i have the alter switch down i get louder sound and when i toggle it up i get quieter sound. Is this normal? Because i didn't give attention to it ever since my 1 year of playing it and i got it fell off on the floor when it was in it's hardcase. It was like a slice of bread standing up then falling on the ground and it happened twice, my cat was running around the room and somehow managed to knock it down lol. Now i realised this while playing and it got me worrying as if something was off etc. it's a dumb thought but it got me worried. I'd be very glad if you'd leave an answer to my question. Thank you!

[@sublyme2157]

At this price, in this market, the only people who'd buy it are Ibanez players. American strats are much cheaper (and arguably better "strats"), so I can't see a Fender person being tempted in the least. And while cheaper than Suhrs, I don't see a Suhr person buying one when they can just save up a little more and get a Suhr. Curious guitar indeed. And I want one...

[@M.Holland]

I'm a Fender player since many many years, but playing mainly Bass. If I would play guitar more, I would love to own this Ibanez! Just love the look and the sound!

[@caiusmadison2996]

The neck is not like a Strat. Its a Wizard 3 i believe, so its micro thin.

[@mrq6270]

Okay. First time I've ever seen anyone give a positive review for a guitar's smell! Talk about being thorough! Lol

[@YNGWIE998]

Nowadays with modern guitar processing pedal units, and amps you would be hard pressed to distinguish different sounds from guitar a) to guitar b). Or is it me?......

[@ClaySmith]

I bet it looks like a bowl of spaghetti inside the pickguard, due to all of the switching options.

[@toledo2983]

should be no spaghetti but japanes sushi style.

[@formerlysaul4103]

All my electrics are S types and they have a "F" on the headstock.... I just ordered one of these.

[@MikeKabatt]

I know that this is an old video but I wish I had hair like that. The guitar would be boss, but the hair is killer. Sadly, I am at the point in my life where it is better to shave my hair...

[@fabieneldridge3414]

Sounds like a James Tyler ! Strat yes, but much more. Sounds fantastic. Very nice !

[@robinspat]

£1,800 hell no no no stupid disconnect with reality - cnc over a grand is stupid - not a working musician’s guitar - this is bullshit pricing - buy used !!

[@Politicoshashwat]

Copy would always be copy . We but strat because Jimmy Clapton Stevie john have picked it up and did wonders ....

[@rabbithowls71]

Harley Benton has a model with almost identical spec, for $1500 less. And it still sounds like an Ibanez. Strat killer, I think not.

[@jesselawson224]

Just change pickups in the other AZ

[@chrislawrence309]

@1.;12 The way the pickguard is not following the body contour is just wrong to me, fugly.

[@PooNinja]

Ibanez Ibanez !banez 🤗 🦙🦓🦎 Alpaca zebera newt

[@Boosty_Boost]

Mate ... it looks like your 5 way switch is reversed on your diagram when you indicate pick up position while playing. remember the viewers are sitting in front of you. hehe

[@rooster0223]

Would you do a rundown of this guitar and the Yamaha Pacifica 612? Not seeing much of a difference to justify the $2000 price tag versus $650.

[@TerramotoInc]

Would it be sacrilege to play this through a twin reverb ?

[@bbidnick]

You had me at "Canadian Bar-Mitzvah." Well done, sir. Another one of Andy's Zesty Narratives.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I don’t know WHERE that came from. Glad you have you on board

[@PeteCarlton]

@@TheGuitarGeek That *was* weird, tbh.

[@darthslater6077]

STRAT KILLER? AH HELL NO, NOT MINE...THOU SHALT NOT HUMBUCKER THY STRAT!!!!!

[@Greg-rd8qr]

Ibanez should let you keep that guitar! Subscribed

[@rickroberts9182]

I bought a Harley Benton Fusion ll with the roasted neck and stainless frets, staggered locking tuners and HSH configuration. I can split the humbuckers and added a switch to engage the bridge pickup in any position of the 5 way blade. 24 frets and very stable bridge with tusq nut and this guitar rivals my '73 strat for sound and play-ability and cost me around $600.00 Canadian. I have many high quality guitars and this one gets the majority of my personal playing time and all my gig time. I would love to see your review on these guitars. Comments?

[@Chris.Wiley.]

Beats the hell out of paying $2K for this. I mean, it's a lovely guitar but $2,000?

[@blueskycrying]

@@Chris.Wiley.agreed 2k I mean wtf I just dont see that much value in that guitar myself, I'll just stick with my Peavey Wolfgang ty very much.

[@lraffucci]

There is no threat to fender seeing as ibanez cant produce enough volume nor compete with fenders range of strats models. quality/tone is only part of a successful product.

[@frankiec2765]

Hey Andy cheers from NY! Ya gotta love a guitar that plays well, looks good and smells good. Very nice guitar indeed! How about Andy's Zealful Noodling? Thanks for the review! :-)

[@lukather1]

£1600 WTF ! Just get a strat ! Too expensive !!!

[@oslogutt80]

Great guitar, but definetly no strat killer.

[@pablo9364]

If I want the best Strat I would go fender. If I want the best AZ or RG or jazz guitar I go Ibanez. Ideally get Ibanez AND fender. But how many people need ONLY that one guitar that does it all AND is more Strat/vintage like? It’s unique I guess and very very nice indeed but I think it’s a limited market .

[@LukeVidler]

Fender haven't made the best Strats in a while. Go to your local music shop and test drive a Custom Shop Strat against an Xotic or Silver Sky then compare the prices. Fender spend all their profits on marketing their 'play' app and other nonsense whilst overcharging for the same guitar (mass produced and with cheaper offshore parts) they always have. PRS and Ibanez wouldn't be jumping into Strats if Fender was concerned with making the best guitars possible (they're not they want to make as much profit as possible they don't care which product).

[@releshred1272]

I have the Ibanez Andy Timmons ATZ. They look like strats but much smaller. A strat covers my man boob- the Ibanez does not.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

That’s a new form of measurement I didn’t know i needed

[@releshred1272]

TheGuitarGeek 😂

[@terrygore115]

OMG! I want one. I'm humbucker player and an Ibanez fan . This is awesome. Would like to see the Ibanez compared to the Schecter Signature Nick Johnston HSS strat.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Great idea! I’ll see what I can do

[@terrygore115]

@@TheGuitarGeek Thank you so much.

[@thesharksfin109]

Pleae stop, you’re making me want to spend money on another guitar😅

[@ReeWebster]

Hope there was super low action making all the buzzing worth it lol.

[@antfooman]

Looks like you are Achieving Zenith Nirvana on that guitar. Nice.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

oh i LIKE it

[@georgyj111111]

Doesn't sound like a strat. Looks damn ugly.

[@GWPerry]

2000 No Way ... Sounds brittle

[@dadgad1046]

Who is that black dude with the Afro in white face? Will the real Guitar Geek return?

[@cemsarioglu5947]

I have a 1983 Ibanez Roadster II. Specs are very close to this particular guitar. I love high end Ibanez models.

[@kenweinreich8472]

That guitar is really fretting out on your chords on the intro. I cant tell anything about the tone with all that going on

[@douglepong]

Andy .. Zepra.. Nuts?.. I enjoyed the video if that means anything.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Yes, it does. It means a lot.

[@tonybrooks476]

Articulately Zoned Neanderthal.

[@jukesters123]

Of course you love it, you sell it. You would love a ginsu set too if you sell them.

[@snazz2]

Sounds like the action is way too low , very fretty

[@eravelo]

Neck needs relief, you need a different wig.

[@stevedriver1476]

Made by Fugigen,,,,,,,,,,,, best quality

[@SuperCILP]

The voice is louder than the guitar 😂

[@michaelsj7968]

This dude looks like Ed Helms with a fro.

[@ircro]

Strat copy that costs more than pro II strat? I don't know how they will be able to sleep at Fender these days

[@JD-ey8hw]

Yes guitars that are better cost more money

[@MikeSwift.v1]

OK, stop making out with the guitar.

[@glenclifton4563]

No clue what AZ means but I love the guitar! Thanks for reviewing it for us.

[@yippy327]

The name on the headstock means very little to those that play for the sake of playing. ☮

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I could not agree more

[@wiredconcepts]

This thing sounds like shit on this recording.

[@Spacemonster2024]

While I've always liked Ibanez and still have my RG3120, this model has too many options for my liking. My 2020 Player Strat has the simplicity of a traditional Strat. Personally, I don't think Fender has anything to be worried about. Just my 2 cents. 😀

[@ptg2662]

Fender is a Fender, and copy is a copy)

[@ΟΟύτις]

Fender are crappy guitars anyway.

[@Dunk0The0Punk]

Are you a large person or is the guitar really small ?

[@drothberg3]

Every company makes copies of all the Fender guitars. Big deal. Fender still sells a ton of them.

[@rikiandov17]

Man that's nice

[@saarangnarayan123]

It's not a phrase today, let me know what you think AZN stands for. Could be... AstraZeneca.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Oh yes Saarang!

[@aliassaid6398]

Sounds crap.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

What does?

[@aliassaid6398]

@@TheGuitarGeek I think the audio recording makes the guitar sound very thin and brittle.

[@grandwazoo1696]

"I got my hash pipe!"

[@angusorvid8840]

I love that they're loading their axes with Duncans instead of those awful DiMarzios. About time.

[@philhitchings]

Not for lefties. This is a shame

[@fotografo4295]

Is that a kids guitar or is this guy a giant?

[@anthonygonzalez5840]

Man take that Ibanez & shove it

[@ClaySmith]

Shut up and take my like. 😉

[@theSmolniy]

action is too low, don't you hear that!?