Ibanez AZES

[Ataraxia2320]

Dude....why 25 inches? Man. I was actually going to pick one up until I saw that.

They are targeting beginner markets, primarily younger people with smaller hands. I'd imagine with the price of lumber it might also be a cost cutting method (Although retooling for 25" might offset any gains).

Either way that's the feature I'm stoked about the most. PRS scale length ftw.

 

[Kyle Jordan]

Dude....why 25 inches? Man. I was actually going to pick one up until I saw that.

That struck me as odd too. My thoughts are:

If this was designed by Tomo as is stated in the talking points, the 25" scale and 10" radius are pretty good at getting new players with smaller hands set up for a bit more success initially perhaps. And again, if this is essentially a high level beginner instrument, having those two specs as an "in-between" spec leaves it open for the player to choose a direction after they've established their base. Now, this is all coming from the perspective as Ibanez set out to make a great, well thought out beginner guitar. I don't doubt that being the case per se, but I think something else may be at play.

When I see 25" scale and 10" radius, I think PRS. Seeing as how the AZ line began as an Ibanez version of Suhr/Anderson type designs, I'm thinking Ibanez is going to unveil a new addition to the AZ line that is aimed more at PRS, and the AZES is either the first version or a testing of the waters.

 

[CanserDYI]

To me I was "Oh wow, an affordable AZ!" when that's not even close to what it is. It's closer to a Gio/PRS SE than it is an AZ.

 

[xzacx]

To me I was "Oh wow, an affordable AZ!" when that's not even close to what it is. It's closer to a Gio/PRS SE than it is an AZ.

A Gio and PRS SE are two totally different quality/price levels.

 

[CanserDYI]

A Gio and PRS SE are two totally different quality/price levels.

Im aware lol, i'm just saying its a mix of those two over an actual affordable AZ.

 

[josh1]

They should have used roasted maple and locking tuners. The Sterling is 499 and has both. Ibanez clearly could have done the same. I like the yellow one but it looks cheap.

 

[spudmunkey]

They should have used roasted maple and locking tuners. The Sterling is 499 and has both. Ibanez clearly could have done the same.

Honest question...why is it "clear" that a $299 guitar can have the specs of a $499 guitar, and still be $299?

 

[josh1]

Honest question...why is it "clear" that a $299 guitar can have the specs of a $499 guitar, and still be $299?

Sorry, I meant to say that Ibanez should have made a couple upgrades and upped the price a bit. Locking tuners plus roasted maple and this would have been so much better. A 499 price tag would have been perfect in line with the Sterling.

 

[jl-austin]

I'm puzzled by this release. Obviously the indo factory can't keep up with demand, why release a $300 guitar that won't ship until 2022? Makes no sense to me.

 

[Miek]

i weirdly think the most beginner friendly feature is the jack that won't loosen. good idea

 

[Masoo2]

i weirdly think the most beginner friendly feature is the jack that won't loosen. good idea

Unironic favorite feature for the price, can't stand generic/cheap output jacks that loosen over time

 

[spudmunkey]

i weirdly think the most beginner friendly feature is the jack that won't loosen. good idea

...unless it's not string enough and cracks/breaks before it'd have a chance to "loosen". They say "durable material", which is clearly some sort of plastic/resin. I guess time will tell...

 

[Ben Pinkus]

New Gio's basically right?

 

[MaxOfMetal]

New Gio's basically right?

These are not GIO series, just lower standard. Not that it really matters, as it's just nitpicking the series. They're still entry level/beginner orientated stuff.

 

[CanserDYI]

i weirdly think the most beginner friendly feature is the jack that won't loosen. good idea

Looooove this idea and want a few of these myself.

 

[Ataraxia2320]

I'm puzzled by this release. Obviously the indo factory can't keep up with demand, why release a $300 guitar that won't ship until 2022? Makes no sense to me.

They are in stock in 2 weeks on Thomann.

 

[vilk]

So has the GRX the last 25 years.

I don't really count that type of neck heel as AANJ. Yes, it's true that it's not a square block with a metal plate, but it still has an "edge" so to speak; the new AZES neck heel is a true AANJ. I'm sure it feels better in your palm than the half-assed type like you see on a GRX.

Having said that, I recently played an RG standard and was incredibly disappointed. Not sure which model, it was black with white binding and had a Floyd, but it was seriously garbage. I was surprised because it looked really nice on the rack. Ironically, the pickups were pretty on point.

 

[MaxOfMetal]

I don't really count that type of neck heel as AANJ. Yes, it's true that it's not a square block with a metal plate, but it still has an "edge" so to speak; the new AZES neck heel is a true AANJ. I'm sure it feels better in your palm than the half-assed type like you see on a GRX.

Having said that, I recently played an RG standard and was incredibly disappointed. Not sure which model, it was black with white binding and had a Floyd, but it was seriously garbage. I was surprised because it looked really nice on the rack. Ironically, the pickups were pretty on point.

I don't think it's that big of a difference:

 

[vilk]

I don't think it's that big of a difference:

View attachment 97353 View attachment 97354

It's the difference of palming a right angle vs. palming a hemisphere (ish). Of course either is preferable to palming the corner of a cube, imo

 

[Miek]

Looooove this idea and want a few of these myself.

don't think it's really a great idea for an experienced player, looks like a cheaply produced part. I think it's a good idea just for the sake of reducing any kind of mechanical failure for a new player's guitar