Ibanez: August '24 (4)

One of the new Ibanez signature models released this August is the ATZ300. Andy Timmons revisits the days when his signature model features a full sized humbucker in a mahogany body. Back in the day, his signature guitar was modelled after the SA Series. In the mean time, Mr. Timmon's new baby is still rooted in the AZ family. Just a reminder that the bridge in his signatures is the Wilkinson - Gotoh VSVG hybrid & that his volume control is equipped with a high pass filter by default.

Pic: Ibanez

Ibanez 2019 (4): Sigs- Andy Timmons

Well, there are other signature distractions fresh for 2019 in this Ibanez camp but I'll deal with those later. First up, looks like Andy Timmons is in the AZ zone as well (ATZ100). Unlike the previous incarnation, the instrument features a triple S pickup slots but we know how humbucking the DiMarzio Cruisers are.

Taking a closer look, the AZ's default pickguard might be paying homage to his former signature's broken state of things.

We already know how good this guitar is, yes? You might have come across the clip above last year when Mr. Timmons did a Queen tribute but many of you might have missed the fact that he's using his new guitar. Well, well, clever that one.

PICS: Ibanez/ PG

Timmons @ Star Vista

Happening at Star Vista soon 😅 I've seen him play twice here (Fort Canning/ Swee Lee Katong), should there be a third outing?

Compressing Timmons

It's a little surprising that a compressor is Andy Timmons' pick for a signature pedal but this preference had been the all along; Mr. Timmons is someone who takes spride in tone refinement, especially the non-drive aspect. You'd note that the pedal might suggest a direct recreation of Carl Martin's standard production model but it's actually loaded with the specific level & compression preferred by Andy Timmons. This means the range on offer is differentiated from the standard offering so it's a hit/miss affair, best you try one yourself if it it's your thing.

Ibanez 2013: Andy goes Premium

Ibanez has a nother Premium family member for our considerations this year, it's the Andy Timmons signature model. Despite the 'Premium' tag, this guitar is an 'as-is' model; meaning- the specs are as original as the upper tier AT model in the Ibanez catalog. However, this one might be a regional exclusive, the reason I have not mentioned it earlier. Shucks. 

Andy Timmons clinic @ Swee Lee

A little delayed but a necessary entry nevertheless; Andy Timmons was here, 21st July. This was his second clinic.

I enjoy clinics more than concerts/ performances per se; it's more interactive, more educational. There were questions asked during the Q&A slot but majority were queries pertaining to his music background & his achievements. There was only 1 product-related question, someone wanted to know why he chose Ibanez over other guitar brand names.

I only asked him during the autograph session- what happened to his pickguard (refer to pic above)? It was warp-related, according to Andy. Being a single-ply unit, it warped over time & some vigorous handling saw it snapped off...

Among other things that surfaced during our conversation, Andy said he was glad he was still not in Indonesia when the hotel bombings happened. We're glad this was the case, too.

Timmons in SG

If you don't already know, info above...

When Mr. Timmons was here before, I watched him play at Fort Canning Park & managed to observe some playing quirks of his which became a useful application for me. For instance, he would only activate his Tubescreamer during play & deactivate it slightly before the number ends.

AT100- reissued...

For the record, Andy Timmons is no longer an Ibanez endorser. This 2009, in the spirit of true benevolence (believably...), the manufacturer is re-issuing the AT100; here's what Mr. Timmons has to say about it (taken from his official home page):

Hi Folks,

I'm very proud to announce that Ibanez and I have agreed to re-issue the original AT100 on a global scale. As opposed to the original AT100 which was a limited production (we think @ 300 were made), the AT100CL will be available worldwide and will be made to the exact specs as the original including the hand shaped neck!!

As you may recall, I announced a while back that I had parted ways with Ibanez and that I just wanted to play whatever I felt like playing. I never had any intention of signing with another guitar company as many had speculated. I did get approached by many companies once word got out (which I was very flattered by) but it was more important to me to remain independent and avoid a reputation as an "endorsement hopper".

What I discovered in this time period is that I do love to play Strats occasionally as well as SG Specials, Teles and Les Pauls but nothing feels like "home" like my original AT100. Tone, feel and expression.

It's truly MY guitar. As I was coming to this realization, Hoshino invited me to play for their 100th Anniversary concert in Japan w/Steve Vai and Paul Gilbert.

I was very honored to be asked to do so and I thought it was cool for them to ask considering I wasn't currently an endorsee. During my visit they approached me with the idea of re-issuing the AT100. It was just perfect timing...it felt "right"!

I know there has been a lot of interest in this guitar in the past, so I'm so happy to say that it will finally be available in 2009!

The guitar will be unveiled at the January NAMM show (and available for pre-order) in Anaheim and should be in stores by Spring.

The Andy Timmons Band will appear opening for Paul Gilbert and Racer X
as part of the NAMM festivities. Good stuff indeed.

I'm off to play...I'm inspired!!!

Andy