Ibanez AZS2209 AZS Prestige Guitar, Roasted Maple Fretboard, Black

PLAYER'S PERSPECTIVE

The Ibanez AZ, specifically the Prestige line, has become one of Ibanez's most popular new additions in recent years, and it's easy to see why. Introduced in 2021, the AZS is an amazing take on the vintage "T"-style guitar with a modern twist compared to their more iconic RG and other shreddy offerings.

This beautiful AZS2209 in black comes with a 12" radius for fast playability, which makes the familiar C profile neck shape feel on par with other "Classic" boutique offerings with its roasted maple neck back and stainless steel frets. The awesome Seymour Duncan pickup combination of the mini-humbucker neck and T-style Alnico II Pro bridge covers a lot of ground, as it's rooted in the already-versatile T-style pickup tone but adds extra warmth and thickness in both positions. The versatility of the dyna-MIX switching also allows the neck pickup to act as both a humbucker and a traditional single-coil based on your preference and the situation. Lastly, the classic T-style bridge imparts the signature snap and twang of this instrument.

For a classy-looking, do-it-all workhorse axe equipped with several boutique-level features that takes the "T" platform to the next level at a surprisingly affordable price point for the build quality and feature set, check out the AZS2200 Prestige.

Details

Building off of the highly successful AZ series, the AZS takes some of the most popular elements of the AZ and combines them with a modernized take on a classic single-cut design. Fans of the original AZ will immediately appreciate the neck, which maintains the same oval c shape and 12” radius, delivering smooth ergonomic comfort and quick, agile playability. Consistency of tone is another critical aspect of the AZS. Within the series are tremolo and hardtail designs, but unlike other tremolo versions in this body style, both AZS models utilize a metal mounting plate for the bridge pickup preserving the quintessential clear, fat, and twangy tones for which this type of guitar is known.

There are three principles behind the Ibanez Prestige line: Precision, Performance, and Playability. Prestige combines high-tech manufacturing techniques with old-world Japanese craftsmanship, in order to achieve true innovation in design and construction. The series incorporates ideas and suggestions from musicians from around the world as the cornerstones of the Prestige production process.

Features

• Oval C S-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple neck: The S-TECH special roasted treatment increases the wood's stability, durability, water resistance and tolerance of temperature changes. The neck is sealed with an oil finish which helps make it feel similar to a well-played guitar neck.
• S-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple fretboard: The S-TECH special roasted treatment provides a superior attack, a well-balanced tone and a rich sustain. In order to achieve supreme neck grip comfort, the fretboard edge is finished with a smooth curve.
• Jumbo Stainless Steel frets with Prestige fret edge treatment: Stainless steel frets boast excellent corrosion resistance. The wide and tall fret-type offers a quick response, good articulation when playing chords and clear tone when playing single notes.
• The Prestige Fret Edge Treatment guarantees effortlessly fast playing.
• Ash body: The Ash body delivers a pleasant brightness and rich sustain.
• Seymour Duncan® Magic Touch-mini™ / Alnico II Pro™ Custom pickups: The Magic Touch-mini™ pickup in the neck position offers iconic tonal clarity for which this style of guitar is known, yet with extra body and articulation. The output level is also carefully configured to perfectly match the bridge pickup. The Alnico II Pro™ Custom pickup in bridge position offers up an ample supply of clarity and twang, while also delivering a nice mid-range bark.
• Gotoh® Magnum Lock w/H.A.P. machine heads: GOTOH® MAGNUM LOCK® machine heads have an established reputation for tuning stability. Its H. A. P® (Height Adjustable Post). system allows for the adjustment of string posts for the appropriate tension of each string.
• Gotoh® F1803 bridge: The Gotoh® F1803 bridge improves sustain and tuning stability.
• dyna-MIX5 switching system with Alter Switch: The dyna-MIX5 switching system with Alter Switch adds a sound variation to fit so many different kinds of playing style.
• Luminlay side dots: The Luminlay side dot position marks make it easy for players to see fretboard position marks when performing on dark stages.
• Hardshell case included: Ibanez Hardshell case gives extreme protection for your beloved instrument.
  
  

Special Features

• Control plate specially designed for AZS series: This control plate is curved for easier access to all the knobs and switches, without sacrificing its traditional appearance.
• Steel pickup plate: This steel pickup plate is designed exclusively for AZS series. It’s a critical component that helps generate that quintessential ”Twangy” tone, for which this style guitar is known. This plate is present on both the tremolo and hardtail versions of the AZS, something that is not typical for guitars of this type. This plate, in combination with the traditional style single coil bridge pickup, preserves this iconic sound across the entire AZS lineup.
• Gotoh®/Ibanez co-designed ”In-Tune” saddles: These saddles are equipped with grooves which actively prevent each string from slipping to the side. The saddles also feature rounded edges and deeper grooves on 1st and 6th strings, which means much less saddle tilting is required to adjust the string height, and equal string spacing is more easily achieved. Additionally, the saddles are designed with pre-calculated “intonation points” where the string touches the saddle, allowing each string to have and maintain precise intonation. The 10.5mm string spacing allows for easy picking across strings. The saddles themselves are made of titanium for maximum tonal clarity.
• Oil-impregnated Bone nut: The Oil-impregnated bone nut provides superior tuning stability and warm rich resonance. Stainless steel frets boast excellent corrosion resistance.
• Super All Access Neck Joint: The Super All Access Neck Joint increases playability and allows for easy access to the higher frets.