mystixboi
Well-known member
I got this guitar a few days ago and I'm just blown away by it. I have owned tons of guitars made by different manufacturers, but I always come back to the super Strat. At one point, I owned a handful of Suhr's but had to sell them due to my wife and I unexpectedly getting pregnant with twins blah blah blah.
When I tried the Ibanez AZ series at NAMM this past year, I was let down by the fat neck. Honestly, I didn't spend too much time with it because I was working at NAMM. That being said, I found myself going over the specs over multiple times over the past year because they sounded so good on paper.
I found this AZ242BC on sale recently and decided to pull the trigger. I was immediately blown away by the fact that it shipped halfway across the country and was in perfect tune. It's been a few days and I still haven't had to tune it. How nutty is that?!?!?!
I find the neck to be perfect... nice and meaty by the nut and gets thinner up the neck for excellent shredtastic fun!!!!
I read a bit of complaints with the SD Hyperion pickups, but I like them a lot. The switching system is versatile and sounds great in every position. Tons of usable sounds.
Can't wait to jam out with this!!!
I've owned a few Indonesian Ibanez guitars and it seems like they have hit an incredible stride with this. Absolutely no imperfections and great build quality.
The Tone Chase Ends Here
The tone chase ends here. The Ibanez AZ242BC's Seymour Duncan Hyperion humbuckers offer extreme clarity in high-gain situations, while its dyna-MIX 10 switching system provides 10 versatile pickup combinations. A stunning figured bocote top caps an asymmetrical American basswood body, delivering a warm growl with amazing midrange definition. The AZ242BC's roasted maple neck and fingerboard exhibit unmatched stability, while its contoured neck heel allows unmatched upper fret access. Beyond that, this guitar's Gotoh T1502 tremolo allows you to bend, twist, and dive-bomb while maintaining perfect intonation. Part of Ibanez's mid-tier Premium series, the AZ242BC features Gotoh locking tuners and a Graph Tech TUSQ nut.
Roasted maple neck offers stability and durability
The AZ242BC's roasted maple neck offers increased stability, durability, water resistance, and tolerance to temperature changes. And it's supremely comfortable — its fingerboard edge was finished with a smooth curve that extends through the border between the fingerboard and the neck to the fingerboard itself. Beyond that, this guitar's AZ Oval C-shaped neck fills your hand nicely at the lower frets, while providing a more modern feel when you're playing up high. Luminescent side dots give you a great point of reference on dark stages.
Seymour Duncan Hyperion humbuckers yield an endless array of tones
The Ibanez AZ242BC's Seymour Duncan Hyperion humbuckers are amongst the most balanced-sounding pickups we've heard here at Sweetwater. These passive humbuckers yield a moderate output and sport Alnico V magnets, which preserve the clarity of your fundamental tone in high-gain situations. You'll also benefit from a dynamic and clear pick attack. Beyond that, Ibanez's dyna-MIX 10 switching system provides 10 different pickup combinations via a mini toggle and 5-way blade switch. Whatever tone you're hearing in your head, the AZ242BC can achieve it.
Gotoh T1502 tremolo provides excellent tuning stability
Developed in collaboration with Gotoh, the AZ242BC's T1502 allows for effortless string skipping and hybrid picking, thanks to narrow string spacing. Loading the guitar's tremolo arm is a breeze, by virtue of the T1502's snap and hold socket, and its arm torque adjuster allows for fine adjustments without any tools. The T1502's stud lock screws lock the stud bolts in place, enhancing the instrument's resonance and providing excellent tuning stability. Beyond that, the T1502's 2-point floating tremolo system achieves an astoundingly smooth tremolo motion in either direction.
The AZ242BC's dyna-MIX 10 switching system provides 10 different pickup combinations.
Ibanez AZ242BC Features:
Stunning bocote-capped American basswood body exhibits a warm growl with incredible midrange definition
Seymour Duncan Hyperion humbuckers preserve your clarity in high-gain situations
dyna-MIX 10 switching system provides 10 different pickup combinations
Roasted maple neck and fingerboard offer stability and durability
AZ Oval C neck profile fills your hand nicely down low while providing a more modern feel up high
Luminescent side dots give you a great point of reference on dark stages
Gotoh T1502 tremolo provides excellent tuning stability
When I tried the Ibanez AZ series at NAMM this past year, I was let down by the fat neck. Honestly, I didn't spend too much time with it because I was working at NAMM. That being said, I found myself going over the specs over multiple times over the past year because they sounded so good on paper.
I found this AZ242BC on sale recently and decided to pull the trigger. I was immediately blown away by the fact that it shipped halfway across the country and was in perfect tune. It's been a few days and I still haven't had to tune it. How nutty is that?!?!?!
I find the neck to be perfect... nice and meaty by the nut and gets thinner up the neck for excellent shredtastic fun!!!!
I read a bit of complaints with the SD Hyperion pickups, but I like them a lot. The switching system is versatile and sounds great in every position. Tons of usable sounds.
Can't wait to jam out with this!!!
I've owned a few Indonesian Ibanez guitars and it seems like they have hit an incredible stride with this. Absolutely no imperfections and great build quality.
The Tone Chase Ends Here
The tone chase ends here. The Ibanez AZ242BC's Seymour Duncan Hyperion humbuckers offer extreme clarity in high-gain situations, while its dyna-MIX 10 switching system provides 10 versatile pickup combinations. A stunning figured bocote top caps an asymmetrical American basswood body, delivering a warm growl with amazing midrange definition. The AZ242BC's roasted maple neck and fingerboard exhibit unmatched stability, while its contoured neck heel allows unmatched upper fret access. Beyond that, this guitar's Gotoh T1502 tremolo allows you to bend, twist, and dive-bomb while maintaining perfect intonation. Part of Ibanez's mid-tier Premium series, the AZ242BC features Gotoh locking tuners and a Graph Tech TUSQ nut.
Roasted maple neck offers stability and durability
The AZ242BC's roasted maple neck offers increased stability, durability, water resistance, and tolerance to temperature changes. And it's supremely comfortable — its fingerboard edge was finished with a smooth curve that extends through the border between the fingerboard and the neck to the fingerboard itself. Beyond that, this guitar's AZ Oval C-shaped neck fills your hand nicely at the lower frets, while providing a more modern feel when you're playing up high. Luminescent side dots give you a great point of reference on dark stages.
Seymour Duncan Hyperion humbuckers yield an endless array of tones
The Ibanez AZ242BC's Seymour Duncan Hyperion humbuckers are amongst the most balanced-sounding pickups we've heard here at Sweetwater. These passive humbuckers yield a moderate output and sport Alnico V magnets, which preserve the clarity of your fundamental tone in high-gain situations. You'll also benefit from a dynamic and clear pick attack. Beyond that, Ibanez's dyna-MIX 10 switching system provides 10 different pickup combinations via a mini toggle and 5-way blade switch. Whatever tone you're hearing in your head, the AZ242BC can achieve it.
Gotoh T1502 tremolo provides excellent tuning stability
Developed in collaboration with Gotoh, the AZ242BC's T1502 allows for effortless string skipping and hybrid picking, thanks to narrow string spacing. Loading the guitar's tremolo arm is a breeze, by virtue of the T1502's snap and hold socket, and its arm torque adjuster allows for fine adjustments without any tools. The T1502's stud lock screws lock the stud bolts in place, enhancing the instrument's resonance and providing excellent tuning stability. Beyond that, the T1502's 2-point floating tremolo system achieves an astoundingly smooth tremolo motion in either direction.
The AZ242BC's dyna-MIX 10 switching system provides 10 different pickup combinations.
Ibanez AZ242BC Features:
Stunning bocote-capped American basswood body exhibits a warm growl with incredible midrange definition
Seymour Duncan Hyperion humbuckers preserve your clarity in high-gain situations
dyna-MIX 10 switching system provides 10 different pickup combinations
Roasted maple neck and fingerboard offer stability and durability
AZ Oval C neck profile fills your hand nicely down low while providing a more modern feel up high
Luminescent side dots give you a great point of reference on dark stages
Gotoh T1502 tremolo provides excellent tuning stability
