I Hang Out With Polyphia And Buy An Ibanez AZ Guitar 

The most ambitious cross over event of all time

You looked like a proud father

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".

The long haired one has a great nose he will make a good wizard when he is old

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

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!

Stoked you pulled the mark v 25 out again your video back in the day made me buy one and love it

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.

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 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

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.

Lovely guitar, and that pickup selection setup is really awesome!

Woah, I totally get what you mean, Phil! The opening jam had me immediately interested in that guitar!

Great video Phil. Those guys are incredible!

awesome guitar i love the warmth of the bridge pickup, very versatile

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…

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.

I really have grown to love Ibanez and the neck on your az looks fantastic. Love it!

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!

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.

Them and the Chon guys convinced me. Got an AZ224f otw. This is such an awesome video.

FINALLY, someone who plays this guitar CLEAN! Thank you! you have my sub!

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

Awesome Video as always Phil

The pickup switching system is awesome! You need to make a mod your hss strat video to use this concept.

Those roasted necks are very kool I hope it’s a thing on on some moderate priced guitars good job Phil

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 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....

Just recently discovered Polyphia. Holy cow, what musicianship.

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.

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. :)

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"

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.

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

Kinda makes me want one. Although I would opt for the Indonesia made ones.

Can these guys play! Congrats Phil on your new acquisition, looks and sounds fantastic!

Phil McKnight sweet stuff man!

I ordered Ice Blue Metallic. Thanks for the review.

I just grabbed a AZ2402 in Blue finish. It feels a lot like a high end Suhr or Ernie Ball! Well done Ibanez.

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.

I definitely relate! Polyphia and Chon make me want an AZ. One day I'll buy a Premuim

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.

Thanks for turning me on to this group.

Phil, you've probably made Mrs. Smith a happy camper with your new Ibanez AZ. LOL 👍

Polyphia has been one of my favorites for years now. Talented young guys.

Best video you've done!

My az played great out of the box perfect and the sound it has it all and more you can get the 57clasic tone from the pickup combos, it can play any style, very sweet

Is there longer or more footage of you with Polyphia? I would like to see the whole interview/sit down.

Yeah Phil shame you had temptation thrown right at you there with two guitars on either side! A purchase was inevitable!

OMG! That covers it! Nice!

Love this guitar!!!

I missed their show when they came to India!!!😭

Crazy talent!

I want that guitar. A thing of beauty.

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!

That second song on that new album. Soooo good.

Phil great video. You have always liked Ibanez guitars and I see more reasons why.

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. :)

Hey phill! I have a question. If u would choose between az and silver sky. Which one will you choose?

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!

The roasted maple looks so rich, & the single coils are snappy & chimey without that 60s cycle hum..

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.

Pretty cool stuff. The tones seem to have a more modern, sterile, almost synthesized sound.

I've wanted one of these since it came out... wished I could afford it!

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.

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?

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

tim out here slaying as always

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.

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

very cool video, thank you

So cool, I actually bought a THBB10 after TGU19 :D

Tabs? Cool video phil

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.

NIce see some love for us younger guitarist lol

That Ibanez AZ sure offers a variety of tonal options.

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 I’m considering that exact guitar! Does it look red in person or orange? Help a guy out

Wow. Great upload Phil.

@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.

ordering mine in that Scarlett red too

awsome sounding guitar amazing .

0:50 Tim: "I hope you didn't catch that mistake."

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 :)

Your face.. priceless...😀. Thanks for the video

Polyphia were amazing to meet.

Love their and the guitar sound! Gonna have to look them up! Wow!

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!

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.

How did I miss this?!?

.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.

you look so excited

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.

Check out their ep "the most hated." Fantastic stuff and their best release in my opinion.

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.

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.

Very nice. I'd buy one if they built one with a sustainer circuit.

I like it Cant find a store near me that stocks az guitars

So much tone in one guitar! AMAZING 🖤🖤🖤