Ibanez 2023 (2): AZ does it

Moving on with the new Ibanez 2023 offering, the AZ is now offered in a triple single coil configuration. Like the Mantovanelli signature, the dynaMIX switch was not included & replaced with a blend knob. Fretboard is rosewood & frets are stainless steel.  Gentle reminder - this is the N version so there is no cavity under the bridge to make it rest in a permanent floating position. Seen above: AZ2203N

The AZ2204N has a new finish this year; dark tide blue. It's dark enough to pass off as black from a distance but once the body catches light, the blue will be more prominent; subtle flip-flop effect.

So DiMarzios have officially crept into the AZ line (EDIT: These were already available in the Premium models). The HSH configuration & flame top are exclusive to the DiMarzio equipped models. Body is however basswood, which IMO, is a good match for the pickups. This is not an N model so the cavity under the bridge means it is resting in a permanent floating position. No dynaMIX switch here as well but no blend knob either, it's a standard 5-way selector. This model is a very close competitor to the RG in terms of features (mostly) with the latter having the upper hand in pleasing the shred purists due to the thinner neck profile. Seen above: AZ2407F

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Tod & Krys

A December product announcement is not an Ibanez thing but this seems to be an exception. What's the hurry, we wonder. 

New this month are the pair of guitars for the Polyphia guys. This here is the TOD10, a new one for Tim Henson. Gone are the DiMarzio (Fluence replacements) pickups & alter / dyna MIX9 switching system. Also, it's an HH config this time. Fretboard is ebony with a cheeky tree of death inlay. What you don't see - push-pull voicing switch (tone knob).

The Scott LePage iteration has Fluence pickups on board as well but these are pickguard mounted. Ebony fretboard here has block markers which I find more appealing. Nope, the dynaMIX9 switch is not retained, that's a voicing toggle switch. The Krys features an ash body, Tod is a basswood.

These guitars are not radical changes for Ibanez to deal with. So costs are presumably kept in check when it comes to construction. The Fluence pickups are the major changes. Prices might just be about the same as the previous iterations but factoring in inflation & GST hikes, by the time these get here in 2023, it would cross into the $2K bracket.

Hello December 👋

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Ibanez 2021

 

This confirms the rumour that a 7-string AZ model would dominate proceedings in 2021. Seen above is the Martin Miller version.

For those of us who are not interested in signature models (like yours truly), it's offered in this HH pickup configuration (AZ24027)...

And the HSS version (AZ24047). Unlike previous years where official announcements of new models were done post-NAMM, this year, Ibanez did a new year number which makes a lot of sense since Winter NAMM 2021 is not happening.

OWB

Just another new finish for the Ibanez AZ2204 - Off White Blonde. Nothing much, folks. Move along, now.

Seafoam white

What I'm looking forward to- more colours for the Ibanez AZ series. Seen here- Pearly White & Seafoam Green. Word is, these are UK exclusives. Goddamn!

Nothing too crAZy about it

You know, come January 2019, I was really hoping Ibanez would offer an expansion to its AZ range. The popularity of this model is picking up well given its sheer quality. I've tried both the Premium & Prestige models & they are the works. However, no such thing happened but the expansion came in the form of Premium signature models like the ones you see above for the Polyphia guitarists...

And these two for the Chon guitarists. OK so there's variety now but I am the type who looks away from signature models- far, far away. Signature guitars just turn me off. They were conceived for someone else, not me. This is the reason why I still don't own any JEM or JS models despite them being top notch for the money. I have no reasons to spend good money on something meant for someone else. Riding on commercial grounds, it's the perfect way to unleash something a little quirky to the market. If people put them down for some reasons or other, the manufacturer could always say that, oh, the endorser wanted it that way, not us. So 2019 will not see me buying any AZ models, I choose to wait things out & see what's in store next. Don't get me wrong- these guitars might be your preferred specs, in fact, they should be desirable guitars given how the AZ philosophy was kept in tact, just minor variations. 

Another golden sighting

Yet another golden edition by Ibanez- the AZ2204. 😑

Ibanez 2018 @ Swee Lee

It's a well-spent Saturday morning at Swee Lee (Bras Basah) sitting through the Ibanez 2018 promo. The much awaited AZ Series were present together with other models, less the Genesis line up.

A thorough presentation took place with generous insights on the AZ series conception. A big thank you to Mr. Faizal & Swee Lee for the invitation. 

ibanez 2018 (5): Q&M

The new 2018 Ibanez AZ models have two formidable ambassadors- Tom Quayle (L) & Martin Miller (R). They should be no strangers to you if you frequent planet shred. However, we often overlook their very imposing musicalities as well. This signals a shift from the RG shred dominance but we know how influential the RG is to speed freaks- deep cutaways, super thin necks, et al. Both Quayle & Miller were heavily involved in the prototyping & road testing the AZ Series prior to the 2018 announcement. 

The two maestros seen here will be announcing their respective signature models based on the AZ model come NAMM 2018 (TQM1/ MM1) & we wish them well in their new guitar adventure.

PIC: Martin Miller FB/ M Leicht

Ibanez 2018: AZ Series

After more than a half year's worth of prototyping & road testing in the hands of the pros (Martin Miller, Lee Wraithe, among others), Ibanez unveiled its latest offering for 2018- the AZ Series. Seen here is the Prestige version (AZ2402)...

... and its Premium sibling (AZ242). I reserve further comments till more details surfaces at NAMM 2018 but those exclusive Seymour Duncan Hyperion pickups are good. 👍