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. The 2204 in particular was a launch model for the line and was an amazing take on the more vintage “S”-style guitar with a modern twist, contrasting nicely with their iconic RG and shreddier offerings.
This is a blacked-out version of the mainline AZ2204. It has a slick black pickguard and classic piano black gloss finish (it may even look familiar to fans of a certain Pink Floyd guitarist…) Under the hood, it’s the same 2204 we’ve come to know and love.
It has a gorgeous dark roasted maple neck and fretboard with Prestige-treated Stainless Steel frets – the FujiGen factory fretwork is phenomenal. The AZ Oval C neck profile is extremely comfortable, and the 12″ radius allows for shredworthy speed and bending, but still feeling in the ballpark of the vintage S-type guitar the AZ series was based upon. The Gotoh T1802 bridge, which is based off of the extremely popular and venerable Gotoh 510, stays in tune for days with the locking tuners.
The Hyperion pickups are exclusive to AZ series and are just fantastic. Made by Seymour Duncan for Ibanez, they’re based on some of Seymour’s existing ideas and elevated to a new level just for the AZ. The single-coils pack plenty of punch whilst still retaining that signature S-style chime and quack, and the Hyperion bridge pickup absolutely rips on higher gain settings. The pickup set as a whole sits at just the right level of output to make this a true “do it all” guitar. What’s also amazing is the dyna-MIX switch that allows you to approximate various S-style, T-style, and humbucker guitars all in one guitar.
For a classy-looking, do-it-all workhorse axe equipped with several boutique-level features that can cover pretty much every genre under the sun at a surprisingly affordable price point, check out the AZ2204B.
Details
Taking adaptability to new extremes, the AZ series has established itself and carved out a place that spans everything from the warmest blues licks, to the most intense, shred-heavy metal riffs. Carrying this ethos forward, the AZ line embodies time-tested Ibanez innovation and player-focused features like a smooth, oval neck grip, a well-balanced asymmetrical body shape, and the neck heel allowing for unrivaled playability.
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
- The T1802 tremolo bridge features machined titanium saddles and a machined steel tremolo block for a quick response, thick lows and rich highs. The 10.5mm string spacing allows for easy picking across strings and its snap-in construction makes it easy to load a tremolo arm.
- dyna-MIX 9 offers nine sound variations, and can easily switch between humbucker and single coil modes with just the mini switch. One mode is even able to simulate a humbucker sound from the combination of the 2 single coil pickups.
- Seymour Duncan® Hyperion™ Pickups feature a moderate output through Alnico-5 magnets to keep the clarity of the fundamental tone when using a distortion sound, and to deliver a clear pick attack. From treble to bass, the overall tonal balance is evenly adjusted., and works well with various effect pedals.
- The Oil-impregnated bone nut provides superior tuning stability and warm rich resonance. 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.
- S-TECH special roasted treatment provides a superior attack and 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.
- 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.
- A shallow body back contour and a big forearm contour make the guitar body fit the player naturally, thus increasing playing comfort. The AZ body has a deep waist and different radii on each body edge curve, making it easier to play in both standing or sitting positions.
- 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.
- The Luminlay side dot position marks make it easy for players to see fretboard position marks when performing on dark stages.
Specifications Body
- Body Wood: Alder
- Color: Black
Neck
- neck type: AZ Oval C – S-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple neck
- fretboard: S-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple fretboard – black dot inlays
- fret: Jumbo Stainless Steel frets – Prestige fret edge treatment
- number of frets: 22
- string space: 10.5mm
- Scale: 648mm/25.5″
- a : Width 42mm at NUT / 1.65″
- b : Width 56.4mm at 22F
- c : Thickness 20.5mm at 1F
- d : Thickness 22.5mm at 12F
- Radius: 12″
- nut: Bone nut
Hardware
- Tuners: Gotoh® Magnum Lock H.A.P.
- bridge: Gotoh® T1802 bridge
- hardware color: Chrome
Electronics
- neck pickup: Seymour Duncan® Hyperion™ (S) neck pickup (Passive/Alnico)
- middle pickup: Seymour Duncan® Hyperion™ (S) middle pickup (Passive/Alnico)
- bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan® Hyperion™ (H) bridge pickup (Passive/Alnico)
- Controls: Volume, Tone, Mini-Toggle for dyna-MIX 9 switching, 5-Way Switch
Misc.
- factory tuning: 1E,2B,3G,4D,5A,6E
- strings: D’Addario® EXL110
- string gauge: .010/.013/.017/.026/.036/.046
- Case: Hardshell
- Instrument Weight: 7.6 lbs