You forgot to mention the incredibly ergonomic heel joint. Fender acts like their "easy access" heel joint is something special, when all they did is round off one corner of their clunky-ass block joint. The AZ heel joint is stunningly good for a bolt on, and as close to a neck-through as you could ask for.

The output jack is positioned to run the cable behind the strap. Makes sense when your wearing a strap.

I only want them to add a daisy wheel truss rod adjustment at the heel. It's more accessible, you won't damage the wood around the entry hole (giggity), and there's no risk of rounding the edges of the socket.

The input jack is made that way for a reason. Its so its in line with the strap so you can wrap the cable around it like alot of people do. I think its a great feature if you're the kind of person that wraps the cable around the strap.

I actually love input jacks that don't poke into the couch when I'm sitting!

I have this exact model. It’s very very good. I personally think this model is attempting a mass production version of a Suhr Modern mixed with a Strat. The biggest selling points for me are the jumbo SS frets, the satin neck and neck heel, and the low output pickups. This is a one guitar for any gig type instrument.

As an owner of a Fender Pro II Strat (HSS) and a Ibanez AZ2204 Prestige (Hazy Rose) I have to say both are great but the Ibanez is definitely a step up. The necks are similar shape deep C but the roasted maple and stainless frets are a massive upgrade and the heel joint is way better. The Hyperion pickups give me all the Strat warmth and quack I get from the V-Mod II's in the Strat plus 4 more really cool options. I find myself reaching for the Ibanez more than the Strat. Fender needs to step up it's game! You can get these used at a really good price as well.

I absolutely love the Vai-style input jack, to me it makes way more sense than the standard 4:00 jack placement that constantly gets in the way if you're playing sitting down, while not being as visually obtrusive as the Strat football jack.

Re: the jack, I've got the TOD10 with the same angled jack and I like it better than a locking jack where you have to click to release. By angling it you can still pull it out raw, but also on stage you don't have to worry about stepping on the lead and pulling it out accidentally. (or doing the old school loop around the strap thing.)

Love the paint scheme … with tortoise shell 👍 Totally agree with the “tool”, Fender needs to include one as well. Cool video man!

I always love the little compositions in your videos.

The input jack is obviously set up to receive a jack that is looped around the strap button, for a player standing up. It works great for that application.

"Historical weight" is a very accurate description, and not one I'd not considered as it relates to a company's mandate of don't fix it if ain't broke, Given my age, I should use that to describe myself

I did not start off thinking Ibanez would be the main name in my studio, but it is. Jem (w/o bling-bling), Artstar (the first series) semi-hollow, and a 5 string soundgear bass. Still have the pt5 multi eff pedal, too. I did not set out to buy a bunch of Ibanez, yet here I am. A fan.

Man, I freaking love Ibanez. Their lineup is a playground for mold-breaking Japanese engineering and design. I hate to hear people thinking they're just RGs with Wizard necks. They're so much more than that. They're not even just guitars! On the bass guitar side of things, the SR500 is an institution for working-class musicians. Also, they've got plenty of prestige (no pun intended) of their own: we're used to seeing our guitar heroes with Strats and Les Pauls strapped across them, with Marshalls stacked behind them, but we're usually not seeing the TONE SCREAMER on their pedal board!! 😁 P.S. Really beautiful playing as always, Robert

i had an ibanez GIO that looked like that with the pointier horns like tne RG, or a GEM without the floating trem and a few frets. they been hitting it out of the park for a while

My Jem has that same input jam placement. It's great for live performances (or standing up in general) because it angles the cable upwards to easily go behind the strap button. Sitting down, it's not the greatest if you place the guitar on your left leg. Then it gets in the way. It's a catch 22. Advantages and disadvantages.

Wow! Crazy nice tones! Also an amazing amount of various tonal options! I didn't expect this!

As a Fender guy, it is rather interesting they aren’t completely interested in going the modern route. It’s their niche, though.

My favorite 2-point trem are those Wilkinson ones where the saddles are the only thing above the bridge plate (the intonation screw just lets the saddles slide back and forth. You’ll find those on Reverends (usually), but I’m sure other brands might use them as well.

I’m pretty happy with Ibanez. I started playing a couple of the 1980s era early five strings. There are really super skinny neck and early EMG designed pick ups they made in 1985 and in 1986 before changing headstock and string spacing for the five strings. But these have become my favorite bases to play and they’re approaching the 40 year mark. I like them so much I wish Ivan is with reissue this model.!

Why do I keep watching AZ demos? I have one already 😅 It’s like the perfect guitar.

Never was much of an Ibanez fan. To me and other players I knew, Ibanez was for beginners who couldn't play a big boy's guitar. Then Steve Vai loaned me a black Vai model from the late 80s and a lime green one from the early 90s and I used them as back ups for my Tom Anderson's. Within a couple of weeks they were often times opening the shows with the TAs playing backup. Fast, articulate and at least the Vai model was definitely not a little boy's guitar.

Such a nice one!!! They really got the necks right on the AG series

Sounds amazing. Prestige is a thing. I just didn't realize they did a Prestige AZ. I just saw the entry level ones, which are excellent as well. Also the output jack is designed so you can tuck the cable behind the strap. Which everyone already mentioned. But I actually love that feature.

The 90's Japanese Ibanez RX series blow pretty much any Strat out of the water as well.

A couple points to make: You should mention that this is a Japanese-made Prestige model. It is the only AZ line that comes with stainless frets and a hard case. If you get a Premium version made in Indonesia, it does come with a gig bag, and nickel frets. They are however, still amazing instruments. The much cheaper line of AZs that are made (I believe) in China are not on the same level as the Premium and Prestige versions, both of which have Seymour Duncan pickups.

Way before this, was a now non-produced Carvin Bolt which took all of the best elements of a Stratocaster and greatly improved upon it. I have an HSS version and speaking of the crazy pickup configuration it doesn't only have a coil split for the bridge humbucker, but there is also a switch to activate bridge pickup separately and combine it either with the neck pickup or even have all three pickups on at the same time. It generally does come with a flatter neck radius (12 to 14) so based on that aspect alone it might be viewed as more of a super-strat, but it is much more versatile, exciting, and comfortable to play than any strat I've played, while not going into the full "metal-oriented shredding guitar" category.

Thanks for the clean and cool intro. Reminded me of Adrian Legg. Beautiful 😊

I have that exact AZ, color and all. It's my absolute favorite guitar. Super versatile, plays like a dream. I splurged on one for my 40th bday last year and man was it worth every penny.

That thing looks incredible. I love the pick guard which is something I never thought I'd say about a pick guard.

My first guitar way back in the 80’s was a Roadstar series…I still have it…it’s built like a tank and rivals any Strat I’ve ever played

Wow! I have always thought you were a great player, but I really love the intro piece you composed. I thought it was super interesting and loved the use of harmonies in the guitar solo. Kudos, sir!

I hate to say this. But I have owned 3 Fender Strats in my life and I hated every last one of them. Back in 2004 was my last attempt with Fender because they just kept using cheap ass bridges with the 6 screws and a screw in bar that always wiggled. Its was a miracle when they put on the first Floyd Rose with locking nut. I ended up buying that STRAT and then it broke the body because they made them too thin there. I was done! DONE with Fender! And those baseball bat necks. Yuck! That doesn't bother me so much anymore, because no matter the guitar I buy now ill sand the chunk right off to make the neck what I want. But I might go play one of these and check them out. I have the Ibanez RG550 Japan model. Love it!

The plug is in the perfect spot, out of the way and wraps around the strap when you stand up, best ever... Like the Jems!!

Love my AZ's... got a Miller AZ in HH and a Indonesian HSS in Topaz Burst (with Suhr pickups). The HSS is my main gigging guitar and stays in tune all might... 4 sets from 60s to current hits, no issues. Love it. Can't wait for Mahogany HSS Miller to be more widely released.

people who buy fender or gibson should realize that they buy them mostly for the historical weight you mentioned. We found ways and features to make better guitars but they can’t move forward for the reasons you’ve said, Me personally i think it’s stupid because they could always make new line of guitars and leave the old ones like they are, but whatever. You can instead buy one of these ibanez or charvels or others and you obviously have a thing that does a better job as a music instrument, heck, even locking tuners are rare on fenders, which is the best thing that happened to guitars after the harnessing of electricity. And don’t get me started on the telecaster, lol. So if you buy a fender at least realize that you’re not looking for the best possible instrument, but you’re buying something else, which is fine i guess

You got me at compound neck radius. I don’t have a HSS guitar. Hmmmm going to check these out

I have been playing my Ibanez rg standard for many years and it's a keeper. Never thought about a strat Ibanez so thank you!!

Lots of features this year. Was really impressed. HSS, SS frets (what???), the neck and radias, and all the PUP selections, 2 point trem, big fat tires and everything. Would have liked to seen a Gotoh 510 with the more modern saddles, but I get it. Glad they stepped up. Really cool. Great price point too. The jack could have been better designed.

That's a nice looking "super strat". So much to appreciate here: I like how the volume knob isn't up under the pickup; going sans truss rod cover, just makes sense imo. Also, I wonder if they took cues from Andy Timmons' broken pick gurad, how they are terminating the point of the guard extending into the lower horn early. Lol, like it.

Had a JEM with that style output jack - I liked it because it was aimed perfectly to run the cable behind the strap. Often wondered why other manufacturers didn't do that to be honest...

I’m gigging with my “premium” ibanez az for over 4 years now. Not a single problem I encountered compared to my other guitars.

I’m a pretty traditional Strat guy but bought an MMN1 because of the list of features and every single MIJ instrument I’ve owned has been legit amazing with exceptional build quality.

Great to have options

You can run the chord behind your strap so the input jack is actually in a good place if you want to do that.

I have 3 RG550s. LOVE them! I do have one of these to for when I travel for work. It is fantastic. I wish they made more left-handed so I could get better colors.

Brother. All I play is ibanez. They are fantastic all around guitars. ❤️

I like those kind of input jacks for playing live. The way it angles upwards makes it so if you step on your lead it won't pull out of the guitar. when I was playing in bands I'd always run my lead through the strap to stop that exact thing from happening (especially seeing as we played on small stages that were often cramped for space XD).

Including the multitool is like they were trying to tell the player something... Like you have to maintain the instrument a bit too. :D And oh... A pet peeve. The guitar does not take signal in. It gives a signal out. You are playing the guitar and the guitar feeds signal based on what you are palying to the amp. So: Guitars have an output jack. Amps have an input jack.

I had an American Strat, nice guitar, played a friend Ibanez and fell in love with that 17 inch radius, nice flat neck. So I bought a Ibanez RG652AHMFX and gave away the strat.

Very nice demo - excellent playing.

Ibanez did a great job with the AZ2204N. The new Yamaha Pacifica Pro's are also another good option as it is also MIJ, stainless steel frets and HSS. What I don't get though is that here in Canada the Yamaha is $500 cheaper than the Ibanez, but in the US the Ibanez is $200 cheaper.

I am surprised that it has a string tree (even a roller one) when using Gotoh's H.A.P. tuners. The website site says: "Rock-solid Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads with H.A.P. system", so, this guitar has the H.A.P-M tuners. I installed a set of those on my 1981 Ibanez Blazer and i was able to remove the two string trees that were originally on the guitar. I think Ibanez added a roller tree because it's "fancy". The Height Adjustable Posts of every tuner in this set should make it possible to have no trees - unless the angle is too great - but then i wonder why they even would use those tuners if the angle is too great thus requiring the string tree. In addition, i installed a Vegatrem system on my Blazer. Everybody is raving about them so i bought one for the Blazer.

Ibanez AZ at the begining came with SD Hyperion pups, and it's easily become my fav modern guitar from an old school guitar nerd. I also love Lari Basillio's Ibanez AZ with Telecaster shape. 👍👍👍

That output jack is perfect - use a straight cable and run it through your strap when standing, or use a 90-degree cable while sitting. Both ways keep the cable completely out of your way.

Very dynamic tones.

I like the Ibanez AZS PRESTIGE GUITAR. I agree Robert, being a Fender guy, I've tried quite a few different guitars and none of them got my attention, until I picked up an Ibanez AZS Prestige and I was impressed with the guitar ❗️

Glorious demo, Robert.

And the 2 versions of the AZ-ES models are absolutely incredible too. Got $350. I bought both version HSS and SSS. 2 incredible guitars for less than a Fender Mexico. Both even have roasted necks. And both have the most comfortable heel joints on earth. And the stock pups sound amazing.

The input is based on Steve Vais' specs for the Jem. It was, according to him, to stop the lead being pulled out if trod on plus the smaller loop when thread through the strap

The input jack has been like that on JEM series forever. Once you get used to it, it is cool. It is not ugly like in a strat, it does not pop out like in a tele. Its great.

That guitar sounds very good IMHO... the single coils have the classic bell, chime and sparkle, and the humbucker doesn't seem too hot. Thanks for sharing Robert.

8:00 - I'm pretty sure they made the input jack in that position so it's easier to plug your straight instrument jack in while looping the cable through the strap. Though I do see the annoyances that come with it (setting it on a stand plugged-in for example).

Why does every manufacturer insist on putting the closest volume pot RIGHT IN THE WAY of soo many players ? There have been soo many guitars that I was interested in that have this deal breaker condition. It's just ridiculous.

Thank you for the great content and honest reviews !

I'm not quite sure what it is? I'm just an old retired,, multi-major music award nominated, recording engineer. And every time I've really enjoyed recording a rock band. I frequently find. I'm liking a, Ibanez guitar. Or an Ibanez bass. Either way. I've always enjoyed getting recordings from, Ibanez guitars and basses. And those that have them. Seem to play them very well. Maybe it's because Ibanez guitars are made really well? It seems so. They look like a worthy investment and sound like one also. And you make that Ibanez guitar sound real nice. You're another one of those Ibanez guitar guys I've recorded for years. And loved doing it. Keep up the great riffs! RemyRAD

I like the output Jack!

The input jack is one of the most innovative on the market these days. It’s actually brilliant they made it all ONE piece so that it never comes apart and causes short outs like conventional input jacks. Exactly how much weed did you smoke to end up hating something that’s better than what all other manufacturers are using???

Great playing, Robert. Your playing has taken a great leap ahead.

I really wish more of these companies making more ergonomic and flexible strat style guitars without being "super strats" would make necks with 24 frets! Charvel is one of the only companies doing this. I don't know why it isn't more common. My one guitar with 24 frets is my favourite guitar just for that reason! Those extra frets are so much more comfortable.

First, Ibanez has been doing what Fender, and Gibson, wouldn't for decades and almost always did it at a better street price. Second, there are any number of Fender products that can be had with compound radius necks, HB pickups (in various configurations), 2 point trems, and SS frets. I'm not too crazy about those last two because those trems in Fender guitars don't seem to hold tune as well as on Ibanez guitars and SS frets can be an issue if you like low action and have to do spot leveling. Ibanez does shine in their fretting, it's typically very well done across the range of models, and their sculpted heel providing comfort as well as upper fret access.

the input jack is for use with a strap when you put your lead through it.

Comment about Fender “just making classic strats” isn’t strictly the case .. I’ll hold up my Roadhouse Deluxe as an excellent example. Built in pre-amp/tone selector and very wide range of tones. If I had to take one guitar to a gig that i didn’t know what the set list was - that’s it. As for the Ibanez, very cool tone range. But it’s ugly (yes that’s subjective). It looks like a modded bedroom guitar. But I’m not a fan of tortoiseshell … or white plastics … if it was black/black/cream I’d be happier. But it sounded great.

...as for the out jack, i would try a right angle plug.

My first guitar, is a late 70's Ibanez blonde strat with a c shape maple neck. I trade it for my old leather jacket that was too small for me, back in 84, to a guy that didn't know how to play. It was brand new. I have another Ibanez. It's a Les Paul with the Maxon pickups. Love them both. I have the best of both world, FOR DIRT CHEAP.

That's the reason why I bought one. For just about 2k you can get the prestige version from Japan. The finish and quality are great, the components are great, love the bridge, love the roasted neck it feels amazing although a bit too much shoulder for my hand size. And yes stainless frets are so good, still glide like the first day I got the guitar and never polished them once. For the money you get such a great versatile guitar that none of the other big brands offer honestly. Plus I didn't want an RG or S shape so the AZ design is an absolute banger from ibanez, classy yet modern

Charvel is used to make all the guitars that Fender can't make. And that was arguably what G&L was set up to do.

Doesn't have stainless steel frets, but Fender did do a lot of these things on a 2014 Fender Stratocaster American Deluxe Strat HSS Shawbucker, including a variety of pickup wiring configurations: BODY •Body Shape: Stratocaster® NECK •Neck Material: Maple •Neck Shape: Modern "C" •Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm) •Fingerboard Radius: 9.5" to 14" Compound Radius (241 mm-355.6 mm) •Number of Frets: 22 •Fret Size: Medium Jumbo •Nut Material: LSR Roller •Nut Width: 1.685" (42.8 mm) •Truss Rod: Bi-Flex™ ELECTRONICS •Bridge Pickup: Shawbucker Humbucking •Middle Pickup: Noiseless™ N3 Single-Coil Strat •Neck Pickup: Noiseless™ N3 Single-Coil Strat •Controls Master Volume (with S-1™ switch), Tone 1 (Neck Pickup), Tone 2 (Middle and Bridge Pickups; No-Load™ Tone control) •Switching 5-Position Blade and 2-Position Push/Push S-1™, 2-Position Push/Push “Passing Lane” Switch: S-1 Switch Up (Off), Passing Lane Switch (Up) Off: Position 1. Full Bridge Humbucking Pickup with Coils in Series (Lead Tone Control) Position 2. Middle Pickup and Full Bridge Humbucking Pickup in Parallel (Lead Tone Control) Position 3. Middle Pickup (Lead Tone Control) Position 4. Neck and Middle Pickup in Parallel (Lead and Rhythm Tone Controls) Position 5. Neck Pickup (Rhythm Tone Control) S-1 Switch Down (On): Position 1. Full Bridge Humbucking Pickup with Coils in Series, and in Series with Middle Pickup (Tone 2.) Position 2. Full Bridge Humbucking Pickup with Coils in Series, in Series with Middle Pickup. Special Tone Capacitor is in Parallel with Middle Pickup (Tone 2.) Position 3. Full Bridge Humbucking Pickup with Coils in Series, in Parallel with Middle Pickup, and in Series with Neck Pickup (Tone 2.) Position 4. Middle Pickup and Neck Pickup in Series, with Special Tone Capacitor in Parallel with Neck Pickup (Tone 1. and Tone 2.) Position 5. Middle Pickup and Neck Pickup in Series (Tone 1.) Passing Lane Switch Down (On): All Positions: Full Bridge Humbucking Pickup with Coils in Series Directly to Output. No No-Load Control, No Tone Control, No Volume Control •Configuration: HSS •Special Electronics: S-1™ Switch, Passing Lane Switch HARDWARE •Bridge 2-Point Deluxe Synchronized Tremolo with Pop-In Arm •Tuning Machines Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Locking •Neck Plate 4-Bolt with Micro-Tilt™ Adjustment MISCELLANEOUS •Strings Fender® USA Bullets® 3250L, NPS, (.009-.042 Gauges) •Other Features Compound Radius Fretboard, New Noiseless™; N3 Strat®; Pickups (Neck/Mid), Shawbucker Humbucking Pickup (bridge) Reconfigured S-1™; Switching, Locking Tuning Machines, Contoured Heel ACCESSORIES •Case/Gig Bag: Hardshell Case •Included Accessories: Hardshell Case, Cable, Strap, Straplocks

I played one of these recently. It was the most interesting guitar to me in the entire store. I would buy one if I had the spare $$.

I had a 1976 Ibanez Challenger. WHAT AN AXE!🤠🎼

"For me only one kind of Ibanez, RG550" OK. I have an MIJ early 198's Roadstar II that I am currently refurbishing. And an old MIJ AR300. Cool guitars in their own ways.

Jack position makes it so you can sit on a bed. Potentially kinda cool, for those of us who have had a guitar pretty much posted up on a cable plug and the jack...

It's been proven to me that the best non locking trem (Non Floyd) type is the 2 piece blade configuration. A decent example of this the trem on the modern burns guitars. The reference example is on the utterly exceptional Vega Trem. Basically you have a piece bolted to the guitar that has a void to accept a blade type edge on the actual trem so the trem is only held in place by the attachment on the body. Friction is suitably limited but stability is maintained because the pressure holding the trem in place is so good. The trem feels very free but because the friction of the system is limited it tends to return to tune. I'd advocate for this design over any one piece 2 or 6 six screw option. Also If you can afford the outlay buy a vega trem. It's a slot in replacement for any Fender style guitar and you will never regret fitting one. Total game changer. Luv and Peace.

I like the jack position. ❤️

the input jack for the chord would be great if you're the type that loops the chord through your strap while playing live. I think thats the intention, I kinda like it for that reason but would annoy me for noodling in general.

Ya know……I’m a proud strat owner. I’ve got a few others….I don’t need to list them….for a brief second during this video I said ohhhh stock series AND parallel pup settings! Why doesn’t strat do that?? And I know stew Mac sells the switch..,,but….does it matter? Does it? Does it really matter if you can get “more” sounds besides the five on the strat? If you can’t make money notes in position 2 and 4, let me tell you somethings brother….you ain’t getting it with the extra ones…..

I've got the tele style AZ and just love it.

I’m a lefty so I bought the cheapest Harley Benton that had humpback pick ups in it and put some Seymour Duncan worth $300 in there and now it sounds like an Ibanez fix bridge

Truth be told, people are only buying Fender for the name because quality is superior on many other brands. Schecter's Strat is a delight to play and has many features that Fenders usually don't have. PRS SE Silver Sky also kicks butts in so many ways. Great video, man!

This guitar with 24 frets and a Rick Toone tremolo would be perfection

I love the stainless steel frets. Wonderful instrument ! Blues On....💙

Great video. Wish the Ibanez could do the tele thing where its only neck pup and humbucker bridge split to single (no middle)

One of the best things about a Strat compared to a Les Paul is the input jack placement! You can actually plug in the cord while in playing position (I also like the SG jack placement!)! WTF was Ibanez thinking?

Awesome, reminds me a tad of Claudio Pertronic...beautifully fluid and warm...

Agree with your thoughts on jack location. Looks like future repairs to me....

If you can find a lead with the L- shaped input jack it solves the problem instantly. I think the idea was to angle it so that you can't step on your lead and pull it out whilst playing, which can be a prob. It's a fantastic guitar.

I played one at Sam Ash back in June last year, they play amazing. It's definitely something I didn't expect to like as much as I did, the price point though at $2,000 is pretty high.

Steve Vai designed that input jack style for the JEMs so he wouldn't put the cord out when he was on stage and stepped on the cord. You still look the cord through the strap but that input jack makes sure you won't pull the cord out accidentally.

One of the best and most versatile guitars made imo. The AZ your playing, the AZ2404b in black or the AZ2404 in hazy rose is my next axe. Yes the output jack is in a odd location