Price watch (81): Ibanez AZ / AZES edition

Guitar prices continue to be at the repulsive end of our purchase considerations. Take this Ibanez AZ2402 for instance, it's now listing for $2,999 (+$300). Darn. It's a tad off the $3K mark & most probably more than the average monthly salary of the worker here.

The AZES31 is now $479 (+$50)...

... while its AZES40 sibling is $499 (+$30). Reality check - when will prices actually go down? Never. Inflation will persist. This is why sale events are important to gear geeks. Also, do not look away from the after-market. Either that or stop playing guitar altogether. 

Pics: Ibanez

Seconds

Not in the best of moods. Did what I had to do, came home & played guitar. Just thankful that these are my benevolent distractions, always there to see me through, making sure nothing untoward happens to me. Just want to hear some single coils in action today but not from a Fender so I had the above guitars out.

AZES31

I like everything about this guitar; the fixed bridge, the default single coils & even the rosewood 'board. I usually prefer maple for single coils. That slightly shorter scale length - wonderful. This is one of those single coil guitars that actually likes to be distorted. I have a 095 set in this one, no plans to change string gauge any time soon.

Silver Sky SE

I spent some time tinkering with the action of this one, before settling with a slightly higher version from the rest of my guitars. Not much higher actually, just a wee bit to make it right for speedy moments. There won't be any guitar that would not induce me to play fast but playing fast is not what I do all the time. The single coils in this one sound much more appealing in clean mode compared to the AZES. They don't sound as thick in distortion mode though, they are what I refer to as crunchers - lesser distortion, more volume for optimum performance. 

Both the AZES & SSSE exist with expectations to fulfil the performance of their bigger brothers, the AZ & Silver Sky respectively. This is a difficult feat considering the compromised features they were conceived with. Then again, we are not objective if we buy these guitars with such expectations. It's a myopic assessment of what these instruments are all about. They hold their own in their respective price brackets & should not be seen exclusively as they budget alternatives of their greater manifestations. 

In any case, both manufacturers made a wise commercial move with these instruments. Ibanez - in view of how popular the AZ Series are in the mean time with the endorsement of next gen guitar mavericks to back up reputation, do note that the AZES models are not given the GIO label, despite residing in a GIO price range. Ibanez retain the class appeal of the AZ by letting the budget interpretation reside in its own domain referred to as the AZES. The Silver Sky SE had to happen, considering the SE models are bringing in the money for PRS across the board, not just the Silver Sky version. PRS did the right thing by making each & every SE model good contenders of playability & tone by paying attention to quality all round. As such, they remain as hot sellers despite not really being that accessible in terms of price, for beginners especially. 

Spots

 

This picture is one of a few used to promote the latest Ibanez AZES models. Is it too much trouble to equip an instrument with a good set of strings for such intentions? It's going to reflect your company's goodwill, yes?

Pic: Ibanez IG

Essentials (3)

OK folks, my final coverage of the new Ibanez AZES series is this AZES31. Yes, it's the Ibanez version of an S-type guitar but this one has a fixed bridge & that definitely hyped me up. A 25" scaled guitar + triple single coils, that would put us in the PRS Silver Sky territory without paying for one ($429 vs $2,999) but we know it's not gonna be a like-for-like comparison, just a thought.

How would that dyna-MIX switching system serve this guitar since there's no humbucker in there? The above reference shows that, in use, there are series options in position 1 & 5. In position 3, you get a Tele-style pickup combo giving a total of 8 different tonal responses. Keeps you busy on days when counting grass might be an interesting proposition.

Finally, this is something I had left out in my previous coverage - a one piece input jack. Meaning - the entire baseplate is your input jack. Good - a single unit means you won't be dealing with the shaft coming loose over time, reducing connectivity issues. Not good - if the entire plate gives way (eg. crack / break), you think there's a ready replacement out there? Of course, if you don't mind a non-one piece unit like an LP type feature, it's good. I can't confirm this compatibility till I measure one in person. When will that happen? Hmm...

Pics: Ibanez

Essentials (2)

The new Ibanez AZES models are now in stock at Swee Lee with the listed prices depicted above (no bag included, please note). I'm happy because the local dealer here actually sync'd the availability according to the international release. Keeping things current is the way to go - thumbs up! 

PS: Thank you branch manager Mr Faizal for keeping me informed. 👍

Pics: Ibanez 

Essentials (1)

This happened yesterday. Ibanez opened their September '21 accounts with another iteration of the outstanding AZ model; the AZ Essential (AZES in short). Seeing an absence of the AZ in a Standard offering (Premiums & Prestiges might be a tricky affair in terms of pricing for beginners), we just know this would happen. So the AZES is an affordable AZ, retailing at USD299. Looks-wise, it retains the AZ outline that many players embrace in terms of ergonomics. In view of the instrument's affordability in mind, the following details are not featured:

• Seymour Duncan pickups
• Gotoh locking tuners / bridge
• SS frets
• roasted maple neck

In fact, the instrument features a poplar body & jatoba fretboard. In-house pickups are used this time; Essentials single coils (n/m) & an Accord humbucker (b). There is a major departure in feel here that ardent fans need to take note of - the 9.8" fretboard radius & the 25" scale length. It will manifest a less snappy tone but the PRS Silver Sky experience have taught us how satisfying a 25" scale guitar could be. 

Three positive take-aways here: 1) T106 whammy bridge 2) dyna-MIX9 switch 3) Split shaft tuners. The former offers a non-intrusive design in the likes of Fender's bent saddles but with rounded surfaces which are hand friendly. We always look forward to a pleasant playing experience, not another episode of getting the picking hand gored by protruding screws. The dyna-MIX9 on board means you can still enjoy the extra pickup configurations of the Premium & Prestige settings. 

The split shaft tuners - I like. These keep the sharp string ends inside (safety plus point) & make re-stringing simple. 

If that AZES40 (first pic on top) looks familiar, then it might have been deeply inspired by the RX40 seen here. The latter is also an affordable offering which was discontinued in the late '90s ('98 maybe, can't really remember) & trickled into the GIO range - the GRX40. My experiene with the RX40 (yes, I used to own one) - very similar vibes to what Squier offered back then. However, the guitar remained functional & fault free. 

Ibanez is making its intention clear; the AZ models are going into other manifestations because it is slowly becoming (if it is not already) the manufacturer's flagship model appealing to the non-metal / shred campers. It is a more sensible move as opposed to making the RG design conform to a more traditional spec. 

Leaving you with this launch video clip of the AZES. Fujita's major involvement in this was unexpected, really, considering his inclinations to the higher tiered instruments regardless of the brand name.

Pics: Ibanez / Ibanez Fandom