Ibanez Prestige AZ2204N

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In this review I take a long hard look at the Ibanez Prestige AZ2204N, It took a long time for me to get this guitar sorted but once I did it became a firm favourite!
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#Ibanezprestige #IbanezAZ #Ibanez

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Опубликовано:

4 июл 2022

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Комментарии : 72

@60srockgod 2 года назад

She's a beast !!!! Nice to see the toaster is still going strong 💪🏼

@MattsGAP 2 года назад

Thanks Buddy, that's actually not the same toaster.... identical but I sold the one you saw me with and replaced it a few years later!

@onlyguitars 2 года назад

Very nice review! And very well explained who this guitar is for. I own multiple LP and very vintage style Strat, and this Ibanez is perfect for wanted, a modern guitar but with more traditional vibe or specs. I used to have multiple Suhr Classic S before, and those were amazing, sold them cos they were not a replacement for strat, those are Superstrat kind of guitar, a different animal and was looking for a traditional strat back then, but had the itch again for an HSS more modern but also traditional kind of strat or superstrat, and when this model came wow, was amazing. Had everything changed of what I don't like of the normal AZ's (I had a premium but sold it). The hotter pickups, maple fretboard, uncovered humbucker, and dig the decked bridge and the brass block trem of this one. I'm very very happy with it, cos a Suhr is easily 1k more, and this even though that maybe is not as perfect as Suhrs, it is very high quality and love the roasted neck, the smell and the 9 positions. Plus got the blue one and love the color as well, think it looks very classy. The more I've been playing it, the more I dig it and more tend to want to grab it. And at least me, the setup in my case was ok, I adjust the action and neck release to more my taste, and the fretboard was really dry so put some lemon oil, and kept it decked, just loosened it a bit cos the tremolo felt stiff but now is good for me. But playability never have found it stiff, or at least not any different than other strat guitars with .10. I use on Strat .095 normally, and now still have the .10 and is good to me. Very very good guitar. Well done Ibanez. Never though I would like an Ibanez that much, since I hate the pointy, wizard necks with hot pickups, lol.

@MattsGAP 2 года назад

Thanks, I appreciate your comments! I think this guitar is up there with the likes of Suhr and others, although I think the more boutique builders have the edge in desirability, I don't know why because the AZN is a cool guitar, perhaps because it is more of a production line model than a supposedly hand built model. Thanks for watching!

@AndyDacoulis 3 месяца назад

Great review and thank you!

@MattsGAP 2 месяца назад

No worries, thanks for watching!

@sboy1955 Год назад

Thorough, thank you for taking the time to put this out.

@MattsGAP Год назад

Thanks for watching, are you/have you been enticed into buying an AZ?

@sboy1955 Год назад

@@MattsGAP - I have one on order.

@MattsGAP Год назад

Nice, hope you enjoy it!

@sboy1955 Год назад

@@MattsGAP - It’s multi purpose nature is both appealing and concerning. Hopefully the JCraft Crew got it right.. we’ll see.

@MattsGAP Год назад

Sure it'll be great, the only thing I consider with any new guitar is, I will have to set it up the way I like it to be as guitars leave all their respective manufacturers with a fairly high action. That's OK if you like it that way but I tend to adjust every guitar I buy, I've never had one that's perfect.

@sumithramachandranwatchyou5045 2 года назад

Great video ❤️🙏🙏🎸.Thank you.

@MattsGAP 2 года назад

Thanks, that's really kind of you!

@fondoman3884 4 месяца назад

.. true .. the sudden huge drop or rise in volume as u switches between pick ups positions is problematic, even irritating .. so nice to know that this guitar doesn't have this issue despite having more pick ups position options

@MattsGAP 4 месяца назад

It is a very versatile instrument, I have had issues with the cheap electronics though which is a huge let down as getting replacement parts for the AZ system is nearly impossible. Thanks for watching!

@lasyngwieeeiiilarsen7510 Год назад

Nice sir❤😊

@MattsGAP Год назад

Thanks!

@kididaho92 2 года назад

You don't need a screwdriver or pick to loosen the tuning keys. Just loosen the string and gently apply pressure pulling the string and it will come out with no fuss. I have the AZS and find changing strings very easy and I like the lighter keys as opposed to the older style locking tuners. Thanks for the video. I've been wondering how the Ns compare to the original AZ2204s with the Hyperion pickups.

@MattsGAP 2 года назад

Ah, that's cool, thanks for the update, I will try it out when I change the strings next. Thanks for watching!

@kididaho92 2 года назад

@@MattsGAP No worries. I wasn't sure, myself, but saw another video where the host explained it. Ibanez should have their endorsing artists talk about it, because a lot of brand influencers are unaware of the restringing be a bit easier than it seems. The slotted top of the tuning key doesn't help minimize the confusion. :-)

@MattsGAP 2 года назад

Yep I agree, although I imagine if I'd read the instruction book I'd probably have known 😄

@kididaho92 2 года назад

@@MattsGAP Hey now...You know reading the instruction manual is considered cheating. :-)

@MattsGAP 2 года назад

Excellent observation 😀

@voidtremors5814 2 года назад

Manuel Gardner Fernandes plays this exact model if I'm not wrong and it sounds insane

@MattsGAP 2 года назад

I don't know who that is. I'll have to check him out, Thanks for watching

@Chasing835 Год назад

Thanks for the review. I own this guitar and really like it. My only concern is with the tremolo bar. As you said in your review, it is very stiff and it almost doesn't work at all unless I press it hard. It is my first guitar with a whammy bar, so I'm not sure if it's supposed to work that way or not. It also (sometimes) make a crackling sound when I turn the bar around. (similar to when you unscrew something with an allen key)

@MattsGAP Год назад

Yeah, I suspect Ibanez do not intend the trem to be used as it is set from the factory. If you want to use it you'll have to adjust it, if you are uncertain of how to do it, I'd look for RU-vid videos on doing so, there are loads out there. You can make it float and it will raise and lower the pitch and mine is very stable. Loosen the strings every time you turn screws etc though, or you could strip them. Thanks for watching

@Chasing835 Год назад

@@MattsGAP Thanks I'll try to do that or maybe just get a good setup from a professional.

@MattsGAP Год назад

If I can do it anyone can! Good luck 😀

@MarkFromHawaii 5 месяцев назад

Thank you for the excellent comprehensive review. I'm on the fence between the AZ2204N and a Suhr Classic S Antique. On the surface they appear to be very similar S-style HSS guitars. I know I'd be extremely happy with the Suhr, especially since it comes in my choice of sonic blue which is not an option for the Ibi. If I opt to have the AZ2204N Plek'd it comes in about $1200 less than the Suhr. Any thoughts? Thank you!

@MattsGAP 5 месяцев назад

Thanks for the kind words! They are very different guitars. The SUHR is obviously the more strat like guitar especially its neck, the Ibanez is nothing like a strat it just looks a little like one! They’re both really good guitars and imo you would be wasting your money if you got the AZ plekd it’s a fine guitar and plays amazingly! If you can, play both before deciding if you can’t then I’m assuming you could return either guitar if you didn’t get on with it so maybe try the cheaper AZ before you go for the SUHR!? Thanks for watching!

@MarkFromHawaii 5 месяцев назад

Thanks for the great advice. I’m not sure if our local Guitar Center has the AZ. I am learning towards the Suhr. Cheers!

@MattsGAP 5 месяцев назад

@MarkFromHawaii Cool, Suhr guitars are excellent, hope you love it!

@Chrisgnat 3 месяца назад

I love it it except I hate the tuners - very hard to get the strings on the pegs

@MattsGAP 3 месяца назад

Yeah it’s weird the first time but they do work really well! Thanks for watching!

@federicoortiz2868 4 месяца назад

I recently bought an AZ2204NW and wanted to float the tremolo a little as I understand you have. Can you point to any guide or something like that? Does the same technique apply as in a two point trem from a strat? Thanks in advance!

@MattsGAP 4 месяца назад

It’s very simple, loosen off the strings, use the correct allen wrench to raise the bridge posts enough to clear the body, tune it up, check the bridge is level, adjust springs in the back to balance the bridge so it’s flat, tune again, check action height of saddles and intonation. Just remember to loosen the strings every time you adjust any part of the bridge so you don’t strip the screws and be prepared for it to require finessing a little. Patience is key and play it for a while and readjust it when needed! Thanks for watching, there’s loads of guides on adjusting a two point bridge on RU-vid and yeah it’s basically the same as a modern Strat bridge

@JC-fx3wh 4 месяца назад

What's the fretboard radius? And can you have low Action on that guitar?

@MattsGAP 4 месяца назад

Ibanez states the radius is a 228mmR to 305mmR compound radius which is 9 to 12 inches roughly, and you can get a very low action with them, they’re very high quality guitars, hope that helps and thanks for watching!

@BOUZOUKISIGNIS Год назад

Does the ibanez suffer from stratitis like a regular strat from the staggered single coils. Especially the unwound g-string. And in comparison to a strat does it have the bell like 2th and 4th positions? I torn between this one and the new am pro ii hss but I can't stand the stratitis anymore that my am std suffers with the fat 50!

@MattsGAP Год назад

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by Stratitis? Both have staggered pole pieces, I believe both guitars have very balanced sounding pickups though. The AZ is a totally different animal to a Stratocaster, the only way to know which you will like is to play both. Sorry for the vague answer, good luck. Thanks for watching!

@BOUZOUKISIGNIS Год назад

@Guitars Amps & Pedals when the pickup is close to the string makes the string warble and makes the note sound strange. Usually low output pickups do that. Since you haven't realize the problem then you are a happy owner. Is obvious with distortion above the 12 fret when pressing the g string .

@MattsGAP Год назад

@BOUZOUKISIGNIS ah I see, well either would do that if the pickups are too high, as I said they both have staggered pole pieces with the D and G poles being higher than the rest. The AZ wiring is complicated and I would say that if you buy an AZ you would have to be brave to change the pickups, where as you can easily switch out the Strat pickups. I only say the AZ would require bravery because I don't know how any other pickups would react to the Dynamix switching.

@YesuAiNimen Год назад

The answer to your question is yes, even with the neck pickup lowered all the way. I will be taking mine apart to adjust that G pole piece down.

@BOUZOUKISIGNIS Год назад

@vuduhwy I have damaged some fender 57/62 this way its very risky be aware...some pickips accept that and some don't. I have tested so many pickups but every pickup with vintage staggered pole pieces suffer from that .On the other hand didn't find any flat pole pickup that sounds as good as the staggered one. So it's a compromise. When I used flat pole alternatives I lost the chime and bell like tones . They sounded sterile.

@zeusbardanca3897 7 месяцев назад

Have you left the 3 springs of the bridge straight or with the ends diagonal? thank you

@MattsGAP 7 месяцев назад

Straight as they came from Ibanez. Thanks for watching!

@zeusbardanca3897 7 месяцев назад

@@MattsGAP Did you only remove 2 and 4? 1 3 5 straight?

@zeusbardanca3897 7 месяцев назад

@@MattsGAP I just bought the same one and I liked your video.

@MattsGAP 7 месяцев назад

@@zeusbardanca3897 Yes, to make it float, I removed 2 and 4 and raised the studs a bit to ensure it was free to move up and down.

@MattsGAP 7 месяцев назад

@@zeusbardanca3897 It's a really good guitar, and Thanks, I'm glad you liked it!

@trader307 5 месяцев назад

why does it sound so muddy with distortion around the 8.5 min mark?

@MattsGAP 5 месяцев назад

I’d say that’s the profile I used and how it reacts with the pickups. Trouble with the kemper is every individual profile was made with a specific guitar by the person who profiled their amp and if you use a different kind of guitar than theirs it will affect the overall sound. In addition to that the AZ has so many different pickup configurations they also react to the profile in different ways. Unfortunately I cannot spend hours isolating the best profile for every pickup selection so some sound better than others, on the bright side, if you’re a kemper user you’ll get similar mismatching when changing pickups and profiles. If not then a normal amp should be more forgiving than the kemper. Thanks for watching!

@crisevens7238 2 года назад

Nice presentation! Good instrument but,,, not so "prestige" after all?!?...If you pay 2000.00 euro and you have to give more money to adjust and fix an instrument of this value, you will surely be disappointed... anyway! I think it would be ideal if the single coils were noiseless and generally all in a slightly hotter version... From an aesthetic point of view, I like the black color, but I would prefer a white scratchplate and maybe in a pearl style! I think a comparison with the fender you have would be interesting !!! Thank you for all the honest information you gave us about this particular instrument !

@MattsGAP 2 года назад

I agree, paying extra to sort issues would suck. I think if I hadn't been able to do it myself I'd have sent it back and got the shop to sort it. I believe the first AZ line has the hotter pickups, this one's definitely more vintage inspired. I'm actually putting Fishman Fluence pickups in my Strat, HSS. I will do a comparison between the AZ2204N, the Fishmans in my Pro Strat and my EJ Strat SSS, as a base for the neck and middle singles. Thanks for watching !

@ForViewingOnly Год назад

The poor setup of a Prestige Ibanez isn't acceptable. I bought a Talman Prestige, which preceded the AZ series by a year or so, and it was the first Ibanez guitar I'd bought in 25 years that was poorly set up from the factory, with nut slots that weren't cut deep enough and an incorrect neck angle. I've probably owned 10 Prestige Ibanez guitars in 25 years... they've all been exceptional until the Talman Prestige, and now I'm hearing similar things about the AZ and I don't trust my favourite guitar brand any more :(

@MattsGAP Год назад

It suggests to me that they are rushing to get the guitars out the door, I imagine they where chasing their tails during the last 2 years trying to keep up with demand. I hope they will get back to their very best in 2023! I'm excited about a few of the new releases, thanks for watching!

@barryarsenault9796 Год назад

I purchased an Ibanez Prestige AZ2204N a couple months ago. Everything was flawless on the guitar. Though the strings were just a bit high. Especially at the bridge saddles. Surprised the manufacturer and online dealer let it go out like that. I brought it to a true professional repair guy. He set it up perfectly with no additional work like filling the nut. Lucky it came back beautiful. Always suggest a professional setup when you buy a new guitar. It makes a huge difference.I could tell immediately.

@ForViewingOnly Год назад

@@barryarsenault9796 Good point about a professional setup but I'd say you shouldn't expect to have to do that unless you're buying a budget guitar, especially with so much of modern production being computer controlled nowadays. Also, not everyone has a good luthier or guitar tech in their area. It's a real downer to receive a new guitar and know that it's not right. I expect to set up action, truss rod & intonation myself, but I shouldn't have to buy nut files or fret files.

@MattsGAP Год назад

Agreed!