Phillip, I purchased an Ibanez AZ 224 F Premium Topaz Burst after hearing you talk about them in some of your videos. I bought the guitar from Sweetwater. Besides being an absolutely beautiful guitar, it plays as well or better than any other guitar I've ever played. The premium has the same tonal combinations as the Prestige that you have and the roasted maple neck is great.
2 things: 1- IMO and FWIW, the AZ series are among the finest guitars Ibanez has released in recent years. I have a JS1000, JS1200 and 2 S Japanese series axes and as much as I love those guitars, the AZ is immediately right up there with them all. As a "superstrat" type guitar, it even surpasses the Suhrs and Ernie Ball Cutlasses I had been looking at in terms of overall playability and sheer tonal options. So much so that I grabbed a Premium AZ in Ice Blue HSS variant on the spot after playing it for the first time for an hour. That's never happened before. 2- Phil, absolutely fantastic you have discovered Polyphia. Those guys are part of what I think of as the post-modern, post-Satriani/Vai/Petrucci/Govan generation. Polyphia, along with players and bands like David Maxim Micic, Plini, Sithu Aye, Aaron Marshall, Mateus Asato, Periphery, Animals As Leaders and so many others are simply blowing me away on a daily basis - this coming from a true guitar nerd since time began. GREAT VID PHIL - and congrats on the new "baby"! Kinda jealous you got the Prestige version but I am in total love with the Premium I got. :) Please consider doing a deeper dive vid on the AZ - so many incredible features on that axe that it deserves a closer Know Your Gear run through.
@@jamesritchie7515 IMO, in terms of overall value proposition, it DOES. IMO. Especially as I have played both extensively. We agree to disagree. I loved the feel of the Suhr and yeah, you're probably right, the Suhr pickups are amazing. But I stand by my opinion.
I got the Tim Henson sig on Saturday. I LOVE this guitar, it’s one of my favorites that I’ve ever played. It’s like a modernized, much better (for my hands) version of a strat. It’s so, so light to stand and play with, but the roasted maple neck is so compact and resonant regardless. That with the basswood literally just shines even unplugged. Plus, it’s beautiful as hell
Opening jam was cool as hell, made me kind of want to get this guitar. Then I thought these two could probably make any guitar sound good. Then I thought the pickup option choices were impressive, made me want to get this guitar again. Then I thought about how all the single coil sounds seemed better to me than the buckers. Ended up just wanting to play my good ole strat like I always do.
I’ve played guitars with mostly humbuckers because I was also influenced by musicians and as years went on, I started playing and realized how damn good old strat single coils sounded.
I love the intro, i laughed pretty hard "sometimes artists inspire us to buy guitars" *Polyphia plays goose wonderfully* ...."so i bought a new Ibanez AZ guitar"
I never expected to see crowd surfing and mini mosh pits at House of Blues Chicago. but Polyphia was gonna have a show there way. The security guys probably threw their backs out taking the 50 people down from surfing as they reached the stage. Saw them and Chon and they threw down!!
I’ve owned the Prestige 2402 icm for a few months now. It has fast become my go to guitar. Who would have thought that Ibanez would come up with that meaty neck profile (for Ibanez standard at least)...and it’s a thing of a beauty! The roasted neck is also SUPER RESONANT...together with stainless steel frets and of course its light weight Alder body making it a total awesome package. This is not the Ibanez I used to know...this is on par with some of boutique builders maybe even surpass some of them. Put this guitar against your chest and riffing away...you can really feel strong vibration. The S Tech treatment is not gimmick in my opinion. It works! A couple of things that I dislike about this guitar is - Jack socket position. It is also angled and because of that I’ve already damaged the finish surrounding area - Cheap knobs. The rubber rings came off after 5 mins of unboxing it If you haven’t tried one yet...you definitely should. This is not the Ibanez that you used to own or have known!
Sublime playing from Polyphia. Great run-through of the tones of this guitar. Good point about being influenced by guitar heros. I will always be a "Strat" guy due to Hendrix. Never was overly impressed by Jimmy Page etc as regards Les Pauls so never hankered after one of these - although I know they're great guitars. Interested in SG's due to Zal Cleminson but haven't yet gone that route. This Ibanez ticks alot of boxes for me. Now, where's my wallet :)
Great playing by those two. I notice they both play primarily with their thumb anchored behind the neck as opposed to around it. I wonder if that developed from switching from rhythm to lead constantly.
Yeah, obviously many professional musicians do it, Clapton does it too. But ‘technically’ the correct way to do it is with your thumb anchored behind the neck. That is how classical guitar is played as well.
@@Iheartdgd Yeah Clapton is mostly a "thumb around neck" player obviously. That's the classic rock/blues way for sure, and IMO the best way to really get a killer wide vibrato (not that it can't be done the other way). It's the way that most of the great rock players have done it, whether it be Clapton, Hendrix, Page, Van Halen, etc. The "behind the neck" approach is more of a traditional classical guitar way of playing. I'm not bashing it though... to each their own.
Hey Phil, 'sup dude? I remember when you started your channel a few years back. I was one of the first subs. Yeah, the AZ has become my go to guitar. I have 2 Prestige and 2 Premium models. I have my Fenders, my McCarty 594 my PRS Custom 24, Les Paul and so on and they're great especially my PRS guitars from the Standards to the Customs but I always go back to my trusty AZ 2204 models - The perfect guitar. take care dude. Mike.
I've also recently become a fan of Polyphia and I'm quite impressed with their latest album "New Levels, New Devils." I really want an AZ guitar of my own because every single time I've seen someone show them off I've been impressed with their tonal quality.
Great video Phil. These boys are inspiring so many people right now. New album is sick and I bought an Ibanez for the first time 3 weeks ago because of them. 5 Polyphia riffs in and loving it. Plays so easily and I’m a huge fan of the Wizard Neck. Feels thicker than my SG tho…
That chick in the pink hoodie is good. On the guitar you got, pearloid dot inlays would have been a great way to let the fretboard match the guitar better.
Phillip McKnight It was great getting to meet you too! You’re a super cool AND smart guy. If we’d had more time we would have loved talking to you some more. 😊
Best neck carve for me was the 1980’s Ibanez proline necks. I had a Flying V from 1985 with an ebony fretboard. I had that neck on three different guitars over the years, it’s like a fender carve, but with the back flattened to a D. I use this profile on most of my customs.
So what is the deal with those finishes and inlays? I just did a JS2450 unboxing and now I Have to order this too. Zzounds only doing 18 months on them til the 26th. Going with Ice Blue Metallic.
Great video. Glad you got into polyphia. Unique style forsure. Because of them, I to recently got the same guitar you have! The Ibanez prestige in fiesta red! As much I wanted Tim Henson’s signature (as well as his pickups) I wanted my own guitar and one that was better in quality so I went with an HSS prestige. This is a fantastic guitar. One of the best if not best feeling guitars I’ve played. Came with a factory setup that was far from my preference but after I set it up with my choice of strings and gauge, it plays like a dream. Again great video!
Hi Phil, love this video so much. Im a fan of both you and polyphia. Would like to ask your opinion about SS fret cuz Im new to these type of frets. On this model, is the SS fret good, high quality and have good longevity? Im so interested in purchasing one. Your reply ia greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.
Can’t say I expected to see one of your videos featuring Polyphia, but I definitely approve. Very cool guitars, love the headstock. P.s. I have to ask though, does Scott wear those pants every day?
Hey Phil, I don´t know why the singlecoils on this model have staggered pole pieces. This guitar has 12 inches radius and everybody uses plain G string.
For me, a good low out put, thick sustaining neck les Paul and a 55ish voiced maple strat do everything I need it to. With a Martin dreadnought of course. I’ll always love the way an good Ibanez feels though. I had two back in the day and 1 was an S series with a Floyd. Great guitars if your getting started. I still think you’ll learn faster on an Ibanez as opposed to a beefy custom shop 55 strat that you continually fight with. So in short, even if your Bruce Wayne, start on an Ibanez. You’ll pick it up quickly compared to a vintage guitar or custom shop variant. Once you find your swagger you can always spend up from there.
Hey man, great stuff! I have an Ibanez az2402 TFF myself, and I love it. However, I have been noticing that the roasted maple in the neck is kind of soft-ish. I discovered this when I started playing with my thumb behind the neck (instead of wrapped around the neck) that the nail of my thumb on my fretting hand could make indents (or 'lines' rather) in the neck, even when really (!) softly moved across the back of the neck, which is a movement that is kind of unavoidable when playing in a somewhat more excited fasion. Have you found that your maple neck also damages or dents easily in general, and if so, do you know how or if I can avoid further damage (apart from being extra carefull obviously haha)? To my recollection the maple neck was slightly 'harder' when i first bought the guitar, but this could be my imagination. I’ve theorized a little bit myself, and maybe it has something to do with the roasted maple sucking up moisture, and thereby getting softer, but this did not seem logical to me, because the neck has only been played inside and Ibanez seems to be really proud of their 'humidity defying' necks. Thanks in advance! All the best. 🙂 p.s. since yesterday i started putting silicon packets in the hardcase, to see if that solved anything, but obviously i haven't seen any results from that yet haha
I own an Ibanez RT series from the early 90s. This seems to be the new version of it. Not sure if I am right as I have never played an AZ. Would like to hear if anyone knows how these new AZ compare to the old RT series.
this is such a weird video but its great. I love Scott's attitude and Tim's style is super interesting. They're part of the reason why I started challenging myself to learn more math/progressive rock stuff
Actually had to go back to listen to the thing they played again, it was so refreshing to have focused players bring something interesting in their own style. Btw, Phil: "pickup" can be spelled together. :)
Great as Always, Hope You do the hole review of the AZ line, Phil since your going to the Summer namm show, really Hope You stop by the kiesel booth....
This was soft and nice while still energetically living. They should make a Polyphia album without the big, too dominant drums and have alternative percussion instead. Wouldn't that also give variety to gain new fans?
Just d/l their album via Google Play. One of the tracks has a lead by Matteus Assato. The whole album is such a beautiful piece of guitar workmanship. Wouldn't have heard of these guys if it wasn't for you, Phil. :)
I have the az2204f & my only complaint was I didn’t care for the pickups. They are a bit too high output for me & I also never used the switching system. So I instead got rid of the mini toggle for a 2nd volume for just the single coils so they could have a 250k pot. For pickups I put a Suhr thornbucker plus in the bridge & Suhr ml standards middle & neck! Now it sounds & feel perfect for me!
Their album, "The Most Hated," has inspired me to pickup my guitar and practice. I've been working on the intro to "Goose" for almost two years now and still haven't nailed it. Regardless, it gives me much joy to practice and try to play their stuff (even if it takes my whole entire life to do so).
You talked about 22 vs 24 frets in this video, but how different are the tones actually? People talk about this stuff a lot, but I can't tell if it's really as noticeable as people say. I've played 24 frets for a long time, and I jam to songs that tap that high up enough (chon, scale the summit, etc), but part of the reason I'm looking into these is to be a do-it-all sort of 6-string. They are releasing a my favorite color for the 24-fret prestige AZ, seafoam green, but not for the 22, which makes me lean more towards that. Will I regret it?
It's really noticable. Listen to the sound examples of the AZ in the video, and then listen to sound examples of the MAR10, which is Mario Camarena's sig with the same exact electronics. You'll notice how Mario's sig sounds brighter in the middle and neck pickups, and that's entirely because of the placement of the pickups. The only HSS that actually sounds good in 24 frets imho is the Kiesel Delos, because the distance between the two singles is the same like on a strat, and not close like on Tim's guitar for example
I have this same model, but in aqua blue color. Love it. The sustain, the feel, the combination of sounds available is just insane. My only complaint is the position of the output jack. If you have a right angle guitar cable, it's kind of awkward. Also, the guitar in your video has the Ibanez logo on the back trem cover. Mine doesn't. That is kind of odd as well.
.81 to .88 on the neck thickness...still a much thinner than Fenders...which is the reason I would by this guitar; the feature set is unique and still has a vintage look to it. My fave tele has an almost identical thickness and it is a '98. My best playing guitar.
I've been listening to Polyphia for the past few months. They blew me away from the very first moment I heard them. And that guitar was in a giveaway by Premier Guitar I think, I envy whoever gets it :)
That is really cool phill wish i had that. I have a fender elite with a shawbucker pickup that allows you to turn the 5 way switch into a 10way with all different ways the pickups can be used very similar to that guitar. Would love to see you do a review on fender stratocaster elite with the shawbucker pickup.
@@PhillipMcKnight Thanks for getting back to me so soon phill was hoping you had good things to say about it. Super cool ibanez ive looked at it on you tube. Poliphia guys are pretty amazing players. Rock on sir!!
If you can force yourself to save $120/mo you can just get it now at zzounds. No interest or penalties. Same price as holding on to your money and waiting. Even if you had it all would make more sense to use their money for free and stay liquid.
I had an AZ for a few days. Played awesome but the humbuckers squealed like crazy with overdrive. Had to take it back. Only other guitar I had do that was a Harley Benton :p and the in between sounds had a major volume cut.
I was on the schecter train for a while...and still love my hellraiser hybrid pt, but i just for an AZ242F. Holy friggn moly. I also have a jim root tele, and a fernandes revolver elite with fr. I dont know if ill play them again. This one seems miles ahead in every category and has completly changed my mind about guitars from Indonesia. Iv had ibanez before. Love the wizard neck and the usual ibanez feel, but man this is a hole lot of guitar in one package...and the pickups are amazing. Sounds better than an LP and then better than a costom shop strat at the flip of a switch.
I have a AZ2402 and this is the first guitar I have ever owned with a roasted neck/fretboard and I am still having a hard time getting used it. It has a very weird snap on the fingers, any suggestions to alleviate that?
@@PhillipMcKnight I know you're heard it lots of times but it means a lot to be apart of your channel. You have said it lots; lets leave the BS behind and enjoy the guitar community. Thank you.
The most ambitious cross over event of all time
You looked like a proud father
Tim Henson is my dad
@MIKEY777 UH
Those two are so crazy talented, and you're right seeing them play those AZs, Ive been wanting one ever since.
I saw polyphia, I clicked. "Oh hey, Phil's in this video too".
reikoshea
Same
The long haired one has a great nose he will make a good wizard when he is old
@CrüJones Fan dude..
@Corey Hart yikes bro
@Corey Hart nope, he's always nothin but net
Phillip, I purchased an Ibanez AZ 224 F Premium Topaz Burst after hearing you talk about them in some of your videos. I bought the guitar from Sweetwater. Besides being an absolutely beautiful guitar, it plays as well or better than any other guitar I've ever played. The premium has the same tonal combinations as the Prestige that you have and the roasted maple neck is great.
Awesome to see this interview with the band! Intro Jam sounded so true and justice to what they do and the diversity to what this guitar can do
2 things:
1- IMO and FWIW, the AZ series are among the finest guitars Ibanez has released in recent years. I have a JS1000, JS1200 and 2 S Japanese series axes and as much as I love those guitars, the AZ is immediately right up there with them all. As a "superstrat" type guitar, it even surpasses the Suhrs and Ernie Ball Cutlasses I had been looking at in terms of overall playability and sheer tonal options. So much so that I grabbed a Premium AZ in Ice Blue HSS variant on the spot after playing it for the first time for an hour. That's never happened before.
2- Phil, absolutely fantastic you have discovered Polyphia. Those guys are part of what I think of as the post-modern, post-Satriani/Vai/Petrucci/Govan generation. Polyphia, along with players and bands like David Maxim Micic, Plini, Sithu Aye, Aaron Marshall, Mateus Asato, Periphery, Animals As Leaders and so many others are simply blowing me away on a daily basis - this coming from a true guitar nerd since time began.
GREAT VID PHIL - and congrats on the new "baby"! Kinda jealous you got the Prestige version but I am in total love with the Premium I got. :) Please consider doing a deeper dive vid on the AZ - so many incredible features on that axe that it deserves a closer Know Your Gear run through.
They DO NOT surpass a John Suhr pickup let alone a whole guitar. Stop that
@@jamesritchie7515 IMO, in terms of overall value proposition, it DOES. IMO. Especially as I have played both extensively. We agree to disagree. I loved the feel of the Suhr and yeah, you're probably right, the Suhr pickups are amazing. But I stand by my opinion.
I got the Tim Henson sig on Saturday. I LOVE this guitar, it’s one of my favorites that I’ve ever played. It’s like a modernized, much better (for my hands) version of a strat. It’s so, so light to stand and play with, but the roasted maple neck is so compact and resonant regardless. That with the basswood literally just shines even unplugged. Plus, it’s beautiful as hell
Opening jam was cool as hell, made me kind of want to get this guitar.
Then I thought these two could probably make any guitar sound good.
Then I thought the pickup option choices were impressive, made me want to get this guitar again.
Then I thought about how all the single coil sounds seemed better to me than the buckers.
Ended up just wanting to play my good ole strat like I always do.
I’ve played guitars with mostly humbuckers because I was also influenced by musicians and as years went on, I started playing and realized how damn good old strat single coils sounded.
I love the intro, i laughed pretty hard "sometimes artists inspire us to buy guitars"
*Polyphia plays goose wonderfully*
...."so i bought a new Ibanez AZ guitar"
Hope they come with toe nail polish lol Please wear shoes next time dude
I never expected to see crowd surfing and mini mosh pits at House of Blues Chicago. but Polyphia was gonna have a show there way. The security guys probably threw their backs out taking the 50 people down from surfing as they reached the stage. Saw them and Chon and they threw down!!
I was one of those people hahaha
House of Blues in Hollywood used to get fuckin wild, I miss that place
Thanks for going through this. This kind of modded superstrat is just the kind of guitar I'm looking for for my next one. I'll have to check one out!
For me, it was CHON who inspired me to an AZ. I have the same one you do, just in ice metallic blue. Love it.
Polyphia has been one of my favorites for years now. Talented young guys.
Just recently discovered Polyphia. Holy cow, what musicianship.
FINALLY, someone who plays this guitar CLEAN! Thank you! you have my sub!
I’ve owned the Prestige 2402 icm for a few months now. It has fast become my go to guitar. Who would have thought that Ibanez would come up with that meaty neck profile (for Ibanez standard at least)...and it’s a thing of a beauty! The roasted neck is also SUPER RESONANT...together with stainless steel frets and of course its light weight Alder body making it a total awesome package.
This is not the Ibanez I used to know...this is on par with some of boutique builders maybe even surpass some of them. Put this guitar against your chest and riffing away...you can really feel strong vibration. The S Tech treatment is not gimmick in my opinion. It works!
A couple of things that I dislike about this guitar is
- Jack socket position. It is also angled and because of that I’ve already damaged the finish surrounding area
- Cheap knobs. The rubber rings came off after 5 mins of unboxing it
If you haven’t tried one yet...you definitely should. This is not the Ibanez that you used to own or have known!
awesome guitar i love the warmth of the bridge pickup, very versatile
Can these guys play! Congrats Phil on your new acquisition, looks and sounds fantastic!
Stoked you pulled the mark v 25 out again your video back in the day made me buy one and love it
What p90 sex machine is that on the wall in the backround at 1:21 ?
Sublime playing from Polyphia. Great run-through of the tones of this guitar. Good point about being influenced by guitar heros. I will always be a "Strat" guy due to Hendrix. Never was overly impressed by Jimmy Page etc as regards Les Pauls so never hankered after one of these - although I know they're great guitars. Interested in SG's due to Zal Cleminson but haven't yet gone that route. This Ibanez ticks alot of boxes for me. Now, where's my wallet :)
I definitely relate! Polyphia and Chon make me want an AZ.
One day I'll buy a Premuim
Can we talk about how well Tim pulls off the eyeliner? Looks great on him.
Them and the Chon guys convinced me. Got an AZ224f otw. This is such an awesome video.
I bought one half a year ago, and I love the flexibility of tone it gives, and the way it plays. Just an allround great guitar.
I just grabbed a AZ2402 in Blue finish. It feels a lot like a high end Suhr or Ernie Ball! Well done Ibanez.
Those roasted necks are very kool I hope it’s a thing on on some moderate priced guitars good job Phil
Woah, I totally get what you mean, Phil! The opening jam had me immediately interested in that guitar!
Great playing by those two. I notice they both play primarily with their thumb anchored behind the neck as opposed to around it. I wonder if that developed from switching from rhythm to lead constantly.
Playing with your thumb over the neck is technically incorrect
A B Bikes Cars N’ Guitars tell that to Jimi Hendrix
Yeah, obviously many professional musicians do it, Clapton does it too. But ‘technically’ the correct way to do it is with your thumb anchored behind the neck. That is how classical guitar is played as well.
john Vdb ^
@@Iheartdgd Yeah Clapton is mostly a "thumb around neck" player obviously. That's the classic rock/blues way for sure, and IMO the best way to really get a killer wide vibrato (not that it can't be done the other way). It's the way that most of the great rock players have done it, whether it be Clapton, Hendrix, Page, Van Halen, etc. The "behind the neck" approach is more of a traditional classical guitar way of playing. I'm not bashing it though... to each their own.
@Phillip McKnight Isn’t the VAT refundable if you take the guitar out of country? I seem to recall that the UK had this rule.
I will check that would be awesome
Hey Phil, 'sup dude? I remember when you started your channel a few years back. I was one of the first subs. Yeah, the AZ has become my go to guitar. I have 2 Prestige and 2 Premium models. I have my Fenders, my McCarty 594 my PRS Custom 24, Les Paul and so on and they're great especially my PRS guitars from the Standards to the Customs but I always go back to my trusty AZ 2204 models - The perfect guitar. take care dude. Mike.
I've also recently become a fan of Polyphia and I'm quite impressed with their latest album "New Levels, New Devils." I really want an AZ guitar of my own because every single time I've seen someone show them off I've been impressed with their tonal quality.
I definitely relate. Polyphia made me want an AZ and eventually made me buy an AZ :)
0:50 Tim: "I hope you didn't catch that mistake."
Great video Phil. These boys are inspiring so many people right now. New album is sick and I bought an Ibanez for the first time 3 weeks ago because of them. 5 Polyphia riffs in and loving it. Plays so easily and I’m a huge fan of the Wizard Neck. Feels thicker than my SG tho…
I really have grown to love Ibanez and the neck on your az looks fantastic. Love it!
Lovely guitar, and that pickup selection setup is really awesome!
That chick in the pink hoodie is good.
On the guitar you got, pearloid dot inlays would have been a great way to let the fretboard match the guitar better.
That's a dude
Akhtar Zamil Sirajudeen Must be a trans person. Doesn’t bother me.
It was great getting to meet you at the NAMM show.
Phillip McKnight It was great getting to meet you too!
You’re a super cool AND smart guy. If we’d had more time we would have loved talking to you some more. 😊
@@blkjakk he’s not trans
Best neck carve for me was the 1980’s Ibanez proline necks. I had a Flying V from 1985 with an ebony fretboard. I had that neck on three different guitars over the years, it’s like a fender carve, but with the back flattened to a D. I use this profile on most of my customs.
So what is the deal with those finishes and inlays? I just did a JS2450 unboxing and now I Have to order this too. Zzounds only doing 18 months on them til the 26th. Going with Ice Blue Metallic.
Kinda makes me want one. Although I would opt for the Indonesia made ones.
Silver Sky or AZ?
That is tough, but im a HSS guy so AZ.
Played both, very different guitars.
Silver Sky made me like SSS again but the AZ is an entire sensation
Great video. Glad you got into polyphia. Unique style forsure. Because of them, I to recently got the same guitar you have! The Ibanez prestige in fiesta red! As much I wanted Tim Henson’s signature (as well as his pickups) I wanted my own guitar and one that was better in quality so I went with an HSS prestige.
This is a fantastic guitar. One of the best if not best feeling guitars I’ve played. Came with a factory setup that was far from my preference but after I set it up with my choice of strings and gauge, it plays like a dream.
Again great video!
Yeah Phil shame you had temptation thrown right at you there with two guitars on either side! A purchase was inevitable!
The pickup switching system is awesome! You need to make a mod your hss strat video to use this concept.
Awesome Video as always Phil
Hi Phil, love this video so much. Im a fan of both you and polyphia. Would like to ask your opinion about SS fret cuz Im new to these type of frets. On this model, is the SS fret good, high quality and have good longevity? Im so interested in purchasing one. Your reply ia greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.
How’s the neck+mid in series compared to a full hum? Is it enough for “not too aggressive” metal? Something like angel vivaldi or andy james
Can’t say I expected to see one of your videos featuring Polyphia, but I definitely approve.
Very cool guitars, love the headstock.
P.s. I have to ask though, does Scott wear those pants every day?
yes he does
Hey Phil, I don´t know why the singlecoils on this model have staggered pole pieces. This guitar has 12 inches radius and everybody uses plain G string.
For me, a good low out put, thick sustaining neck les Paul and a 55ish voiced maple strat do everything I need it to. With a Martin dreadnought of course. I’ll always love the way an good Ibanez feels though. I had two back in the day and 1 was an S series with a Floyd. Great guitars if your getting started. I still think you’ll learn faster on an Ibanez as opposed to a beefy custom shop 55 strat that you continually fight with. So in short, even if your Bruce Wayne, start on an Ibanez. You’ll pick it up quickly compared to a vintage guitar or custom shop variant. Once you find your swagger you can always spend up from there.
Hey man, great stuff!
I have an Ibanez az2402 TFF myself, and I love it.
However, I have been noticing that the roasted maple in the neck is kind of soft-ish.
I discovered this when I started playing with my thumb behind the neck (instead of wrapped around the neck) that the nail of my thumb on my fretting hand could make indents (or 'lines' rather) in the neck, even when really (!) softly moved across the back of the neck, which is a movement that is kind of unavoidable when playing in a somewhat more excited fasion.
Have you found that your maple neck also damages or dents easily in general, and if so, do you know how or if I can avoid further damage (apart from being extra carefull obviously haha)?
To my recollection the maple neck was slightly 'harder' when i first bought the guitar, but this could be my imagination.
I’ve theorized a little bit myself, and maybe it has something to do with the roasted maple sucking up moisture, and thereby getting softer, but this did not seem logical to me, because the neck has only been played inside and Ibanez seems to be really proud of their 'humidity defying' necks.
Thanks in advance!
All the best.
🙂
p.s. since yesterday i started putting silicon packets in the hardcase, to see if that solved anything, but obviously i haven't seen any results from that yet haha
I own an Ibanez RT series from the early 90s. This seems to be the new version of it. Not sure if I am right as I have never played an AZ. Would like to hear if anyone knows how these new AZ compare to the old RT series.
this is such a weird video but its great. I love Scott's attitude and Tim's style is super interesting. They're part of the reason why I started challenging myself to learn more math/progressive rock stuff
Actually had to go back to listen to the thing they played again, it was so refreshing to have focused players bring something interesting in their own style. Btw, Phil: "pickup" can be spelled together. :)
Great video Phil. Those guys are incredible!
Great as Always, Hope You do the hole review of the AZ line, Phil since your going to the Summer namm show, really Hope You stop by the kiesel booth....
I will make sure to stop by and check them out
Is there longer or more footage of you with Polyphia? I would like to see the whole interview/sit down.
Thanks for turning me on to this group.
This was soft and nice while still energetically living. They should make a Polyphia album without the big, too dominant drums and have alternative percussion instead. Wouldn't that also give variety to gain new fans?
Just d/l their album via Google Play. One of the tracks has a lead by Matteus Assato. The whole album is such a beautiful piece of guitar workmanship. Wouldn't have heard of these guys if it wasn't for you, Phil. :)
I have the az2204f & my only complaint was I didn’t care for the pickups. They are a bit too high output for me & I also never used the switching system. So I instead got rid of the mini toggle for a 2nd volume for just the single coils so they could have a 250k pot. For pickups I put a Suhr thornbucker plus in the bridge & Suhr ml standards middle & neck! Now it sounds & feel perfect for me!
I missed their show when they came to India!!!😭
That Ibanez AZ sure offers a variety of tonal options.
Their album, "The Most Hated," has inspired me to pickup my guitar and practice. I've been working on the intro to "Goose" for almost two years now and still haven't nailed it. Regardless, it gives me much joy to practice and try to play their stuff (even if it takes my whole entire life to do so).
You talked about 22 vs 24 frets in this video, but how different are the tones actually? People talk about this stuff a lot, but I can't tell if it's really as noticeable as people say. I've played 24 frets for a long time, and I jam to songs that tap that high up enough (chon, scale the summit, etc), but part of the reason I'm looking into these is to be a do-it-all sort of 6-string. They are releasing a my favorite color for the 24-fret prestige AZ, seafoam green, but not for the 22, which makes me lean more towards that. Will I regret it?
It's really noticable.
Listen to the sound examples of the AZ in the video, and then listen to sound examples of the MAR10, which is Mario Camarena's sig with the same exact electronics. You'll notice how Mario's sig sounds brighter in the middle and neck pickups, and that's entirely because of the placement of the pickups.
The only HSS that actually sounds good in 24 frets imho is the Kiesel Delos, because the distance between the two singles is the same like on a strat, and not close like on Tim's guitar for example
And as for regretting, it depends on of you prefer HSS or HH. I prefer HH personally but HSS is also great
I want that guitar. A thing of beauty.
I have this same model, but in aqua blue color. Love it. The sustain, the feel, the combination of sounds available is just insane. My only complaint is the position of the output jack. If you have a right angle guitar cable, it's kind of awkward. Also, the guitar in your video has the Ibanez logo on the back trem cover. Mine doesn't. That is kind of odd as well.
.81 to .88 on the neck thickness...still a much thinner than Fenders...which is the reason I would by this guitar; the feature set is unique and still has a vintage look to it. My fave tele has an almost identical thickness and it is a '98. My best playing guitar.
Hi Phil. I bought that same guitar used. I'm curious. Why is it limited edition and do you know how many Ibanez produced? Thanks man!
How in the world does tim do the Yas run and tap on a 22 fretter? My hands don't fit whatsoever
Amazing. The tone, the clean techniques, the guitars, the melody...amazing. I must check these guys out. And those Ibanez's as well. Very cool
tim out here slaying as always
The roasted maple looks so rich, & the single coils are snappy & chimey without that 60s cycle hum..
Hey phill! I have a question. If u would choose between az and silver sky. Which one will you choose?
Hey I’m considering that exact guitar! Does it look red in person or orange? Help a guy out
I've been listening to Polyphia for the past few months. They blew me away from the very first moment I heard them. And that guitar was in a giveaway by Premier Guitar I think, I envy whoever gets it :)
Phil, you've probably made Mrs. Smith a happy camper with your new Ibanez AZ. LOL 👍
That is really cool phill wish i had that. I have a fender elite with a shawbucker pickup that allows you to turn the 5 way switch into a 10way with all different ways the pickups can be used very similar to that guitar. Would love to see you do a review on fender stratocaster elite with the shawbucker pickup.
That is a fantastic strat. I tried the Orange one awhile back and liked it alot. I love the Shawbucker pickups
@@PhillipMcKnight Thanks for getting back to me so soon phill was hoping you had good things to say about it. Super cool ibanez ive looked at it on you tube. Poliphia guys are pretty amazing players. Rock on sir!!
So cool, I actually bought a THBB10 after TGU19 :D
I'm saving up for one of these and expect it will be the only thing I touch from that day on! How well was it set up out of the box?
If you can force yourself to save $120/mo you can just get it now at zzounds. No interest or penalties. Same price as holding on to your money and waiting. Even if you had it all would make more sense to use their money for free and stay liquid.
what song are they playing im the beginning? or are they just jamming lol
EJ song is called goose
@@kyldeturris thanks
I had an AZ for a few days. Played awesome but the humbuckers squealed like crazy with overdrive. Had to take it back. Only other guitar I had do that was a Harley Benton :p and the in between sounds had a major volume cut.
I want a azn in this color with sss configuration.
But man i guess i can if i order the parts from ibanez
How did I miss this?!?
Crazy talent!
That second song on that new album. Soooo good.
The girl on the white is like why is he not talking to me lol
I was on the schecter train for a while...and still love my hellraiser hybrid pt, but i just for an AZ242F. Holy friggn moly. I also have a jim root tele, and a fernandes revolver elite with fr. I dont know if ill play them again. This one seems miles ahead in every category and has completly changed my mind about guitars from Indonesia. Iv had ibanez before. Love the wizard neck and the usual ibanez feel, but man this is a hole lot of guitar in one package...and the pickups are amazing. Sounds better than an LP and then better than a costom shop strat at the flip of a switch.
I have a AZ2402 and this is the first guitar I have ever owned with a roasted neck/fretboard and I am still having a hard time getting used it. It has a very weird snap on the fingers, any suggestions to alleviate that?
I do not have that issue. I notice the notes pop. It is very dynamic and has a lot of chime.
Do you think it would be safe to put a light coat of tung oil on it just to smooth it out a bit?
To Phil and anyone else watching, if you haven't already check out CHON, they play AZs as well and those guys are incredible players!
Ohhh definitely!
I ordered Ice Blue Metallic. Thanks for the review.
Phil great video. You have always liked Ibanez guitars and I see more reasons why.
Thank you Donald for supporting the channel.
@@PhillipMcKnight I know you're heard it lots of times but it means a lot to be apart of your channel. You have said it lots; lets leave the BS behind and enjoy the guitar community. Thank you.
Phil McKnight sweet stuff man!
NIce see some love for us younger guitarist lol
Can never unseen that white toenails with flip flops
Wanted one, told my self I didn’t need it........ now I want it again........
Check out their ep "the most hated." Fantastic stuff and their best release in my opinion.
Damn, this might be the first time I hear Tim talking like he's actually serious and out of his Polyphia persona lmao