Ibanez: July 2025 (4)

New this month but not entirely new specs-wise; the AZ26P1. There had been a couple of HSS models featuring both pickguard & pickguard-less iterations. Waiting for: 1) A non-black version 2) Chrome hardware 3) No Alter Switch.

Also new in the AZ Premium lineup; the AZ47P2K. 'K' here refers to the Koa top (basswood body). Also, if you think the Alter Switch is not for you, this one is devoid of that feature. Pickups are also DiMarzios (Air Norton / True Velvet / Tone Zone). 

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Mid-year promo @ SL

Swee Lee is having a mid-year promo on selected items. No idea how many of us out there are still in the market for the Ibanez AZ but be informed that it's on 20% off (AZ2203, AZ2204, AZS2209 included). I find this enticing considering the list price of an AZ is a whisker away from $3K.

For a more utilitarian option, the RG470DX / RG450DX are also on sale - $559 after discount.

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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. 

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Ibanez 2023: Luca

Good 2023 morning, gear heads. Exciting times at the Ibanez camp, interesting new models for your considerations. First up, in the signature camp, the new Luca Mantovanelli signature. Notice it doesn't include the dynaMIX switch, instead, one of the tone knobs is a blend control, allowing you to have all-on / neck-bridge options in some settings. All this while, Ibanez had been avoiding an SSS combo to exclude themselves from the purist Strat camp but I think they did a good job by waiting to see if the world is ready for their version of the unadulterated single coil offering. 

Ibanez 2022 (3)

Last year, word was going round that there will be a new AZ with an ebony fretboard & that got me a little excited. SO 2022 came & the ebony fretboard is now here in the new AZ Premium line. That's right, no ebony fretboard in the Prestige range but the Premium got it. There was also word that it's gonna be an HSH affair & again, the Premium got it. Lastly, there would be DiMarzios in the AZ & once again, the Premium has those now - Air Norton (n) / True Velvet / Tone Zone (b). Not forgetting the quilt top - that's new for this year as well & the Premium got it - AZ47P1QM. Note: No dynaMIX switch for this model.

 

This year, the Premium has a 7-string as well but fretboard is still rosewood & pickups are still Seymour Duncan Hyperions - AZ427P1PB

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Japs

Have been spending time with these two. Ibanez AZ2402 (pink) & RG550 (yellow), both Japanese but worlds apart.

RG550. I've been conditioned by the RG since the start, not this one but my RG560. The thin & flat neck profile stuck with me for a good while & everything else was just not my thing. Other neck profiles just make the instrument difficult to play for me. That happened for about 7 years or so till I bought my first Fender which was a Telecaster. It was a real change in terms of playing feel but I persevered.

AZ2402. This was something unexpected when it comes to Ibanez; that thick, round neck was it. It's the most non-Ibanez feel ever, a total departure. However, unlike Fender & it's other derivatives, Ibanez did something to the neck, a roasted treatment of sort so it gave the neck a very inviting feel despite moving away from its roots. Also, for a brand name with a steep inclinations for DiMarzio pickups, the Seymour Duncans were a very bold move. I was at Swee Lee to just test the guitar but it sort of grew on me. I did not buy the initial batch of AZs that came in but it happened much later. Pink was not priority, the instrument passed my inspection at the store & it clicked right from the start.

Sometimes we are deceived by familiarity; we tend to stick with what works & reject the rest. Any compromise & it brings us down in so many ways. Life has taught me to adapt. That triggered my purchase of other guitar brands which have no obligations to replicate the Ibanez profile in every way. Job experience also taught me to work out of my comfort zone to bring out my best performance & that translated to guitar playing. In my case, the other guitars prepared me to play my Ibanez better. Those times that I struggled with Fender & Gibson, when I returned to Ibanez, it makes playing a breeze. If it's within your means, do invest in guitars which are not your thing. These are the implements that will bring out the other side of your playing that might prove to be that refreshing change you are waiting for.