In launching the AZ series, Ibanez was not out merely to create a completely new guitar model, but to sculpt a great guitar that can foster the potential of the fully modern while maintaining traditional elements. Even though Ibanez is thought of as a modern guitar brand, they have decades of accumulated knowledge and a history of pushing the boundaries. The Ibanez Prestige AZ2204B carries with it all of the hallmarks of these tried and tested Ibanez qualities: the smooth oval neck grip, the well-balanced asymmetrical body shape, and a neck heel that allows unrivaled playability. It also features details such as a new tremolo bridge, as well as new pickups developed in collaboration with Seymour Duncan. All of these elements help the Ibanez Prestige AZ2204B push the existing boundaries of playability and sound even further. Hardshell case is included.
Ibanez always strives to make their guitars with the finest materials and parts. To take the next step into the realm of the exquisite, the Ibanez Prestige AZ2204B is put through the processes of examining, testing, understanding, then finally synchronizing these materials together. The harmonic balance between bridge and pickups, nut and machine heads, neck and fret material, all work together in order to help guitarists create their desired sound. From A to Z, there is no aspect of guitar making that is ever overlooked. This tradition has been passed down masterfully to the AZ series.
Ibanez Prestige AZ2204B Electric Guitar Features
AZ Modern Oval C S-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple One-Piece Neck
S-TECH treated Maple was used for the Ibanez Prestige AZ2204B neck construction. Its nitrogen-heating-treatment increases the wood’s stability, durability, water resistance and tolerance of temperature changes. After extensive prototyping and trials, Ibanez has concluded that 20.5mm thickness at the 1st fret and 22.5mm at the 12th fret was the optimal neck thickness for this process. The neck was then sealed with an oil finish, making it feel similar to a well-played guitar neck.
SSH Pickup Configuration featuring Seymour Duncan Hyperion pickups
Designed specifically for the Ibanez AZ series guitars, the Seymour Duncan Hyperions are moderate output pickups through Alnico-5 magnets. This keeps the clarity of your fundamentals and pick attacks even when you power up the distortion. The single-coils bring out the juicy warmth and the humbuckers can echo those sentiments, while still being able to shift into some screaming, high-gain territory with ease. The final result? Wonderful tonal balance and stylistic versatility, even where you’re engaging a fully-loaded effects pedal setup.
Neck Grip
In order to achieve supreme neck grip comfort, the fretboard edge was finished with a smooth curve that extends from the border between the fretboard and the neck to the surface of the fretboard. The detailed neck shape was precisely carved using a ball mill for ultimate consistency. The width measurements of the fretboard are at 42mm at the nut and 57mm at the last fret. These dimensions allow for an easy grip in the lower register, and a more modern feel in the higher register.
Body Design
The shallow back body contour and big forearm contour of the Ibanez Prestige AZ2204B lets the guitar's body fit the player naturally, thus increasing playing comfort. The AZ body has a deep waist and different radii on each body edge curve (3 mmR on body top/8 mmR on body back), making it easier to play in both standing or sitting positions.
Ibanez challenges themselves as guitar designers to step up and answer the needs of today’s players, and the Ibanez Prestige AZ2204B is a direct result of that research and hard work. In order to fully grasp the expanding range of musical expression created, you must consider the guitar not just as an isolated device, but as an extension of the guitarist’s body. Currently, there is an explosion of young contemporary guitarists pushing their playing techniques into exciting new directions, and the AZ2204B is an instrument that has been built to accompany the most ambitious of them along the way.
At first glance, the Ibanez Prestige AZ2204B may seem like an enigma to some. The magic of this new series is not something that may be apparent by just visual observation. The magic, however, does become instantly apparent once an AZ model is played.