New Ibanez AZ series.

[tripstan]

Thoughts? Looks a lot like a Suhr (which I’m a fanboy) but overall I dig it. More rounded lines on the body and new headstock. SS frets. Roasted necks.

http://www.metalguitarist.org/forum/gui ... 842?page=1

https://www.gear4music.com/us/en/news/a ... 2018-01-01

 

[Luca79]

I like the headstock. H-H look better then S-S-H; maybe is the pickguard. I hope the AZ neck profile is similar to the Andy Timmons signature.

I wish they add something like the Talman/FR shape to this series.

For example like this LACS FR:

 

[cardinal]

No 7-string AZ? Kind of a bummer.

 

[tripstan]

Looks like they are only available in EU right now which is also a bummer.

 

[alan67]

Not a total deal killer but I don't like the chubbier headstock....

 

[tripstan]

Not a total deal killer but I don't like the chubbier headstock....

I'm the opposite. I actually like the chubby headstock with the new rounded body lines.

 

[Purpleibby]

I don't like the chubbier headstock....

It's ugly, don't like it either. Ibanez classic headstock is a winner IMO, they didn't need to fug with it.

 

[Nitrobattery]

I'm definitely snagging a HH Prestige AZ. I actually really like the headstock as well.

 

[Spaceboy]

at those prices theres too much competition that would get my money first

 

[napalmdeath]

Those are nice, indeed. Wonder if they'll be released in the US at NAMM? Looks more like an attempt at the Suhr/Anderson market.

I'd gravitate to one of those, vs. a Fender Strat. Better hardware across the board, but not crazy about the Premium level's pricing, for Indonesian. I'd take Gotoh bridges/tuners over the shit Fender uses, and SS frets to boot. Headstock doesnt bother me..

 

[mooncobra]

Ibanez makes good stuff. I have a jbm100 and it is awesome. sounds and plays amazing. straight up, very well made guitar that can easily hand with anything out there. these new ones look kind of cool, but I am a little turned off of that headstock.

 

[Blackbird]

Suhr wannabes....cool.

With all seriousness, I'm actually intrigued. They appear to have specs that are in line with my tastes. The neck looks promising...slightly chunkier than a normal Ibanez toothpick thin neck, and apparently a nut width that is just a cunt hair wider than the normal Suhr 1.650 (right around 1.654). And then the neck being roasted maple with SS jumbo frets...WIN. The hardware looks good. I've got my eye on that blue one. With starting prices around $1400-$1500,...I would require a substantial discount.

 

[Zado]

This headstock kills the old one imho. That said, no idea Ibanez felt it was SO necessary to copy Suhr and other companies. Eh. I like them tho

 

[SFW]

I dig them. Probably come in around the price of an American strat. Either way, competition is good for the players.

 

[kunos]

I like them. Yes the headstock is worse than the standard Ibanez but it's still better looking than Suhr IMO.
I wish there were options with fixed bridges. Prices for the MIJ left me a bit meh tho, at the same price (in Europe) you can find a Suhr Modern Satin.
Neck sizes are still a mystery but I bet it's a more balanced shape similar to the one on the Marco Sfogli model... again, very Suhr-ish.
Another advantage is that, being Ibanez, these should be easy(er) to find around in shops to try compared to Suhrs, at least here in Europe.
It'll come down to quality, every single Suhr I've touched in my life has been nothing less than perfect, my Prestige 652 however great, needed some work to get there.