The Ibanez AZS takes some of the most popular elements of the AZ and combines them with a modernized take on a classic single-cut design. Fans of the original AZ will immediately appreciate the neck, which maintains the same oval c shape and 12” radius, delivering smooth ergonomic comfort and quick, agile playability. Consistency of tone is another critical aspect of the AZS.
Within the series are tremolo and hardtail designs, but unlike other tremolo versions in this body style, both AZS models utilize a metal mounting plate for the bridge pickup preserving the quintessential clear, fat, and twangy tones for which this type of guitar is known.
– Ash body The Ash body delivers a pleasant brightness and rich sustain.
– Seymour Duncan® Magic Touch-mini™ / Alnico II Pro™ Custom pickups The Magic Touch-mini™ pickup in the neck position offers iconic tonal clarity for which this style of guitar is known, yet with extra body and articulation. The output level is also carefully configured to perfectly match the bridge pickup. The Alnico II Pro™ Custom pickup in bridge position offers up an ample supply of clarity and twang, while also delivering a nice mid-range bark.
– Gotoh® Magnum Lock w/H.A.P. machine heads GOTOH® MAGNUM LOCK® machine heads have an established reputation for tuning stability. Its H. A. P® (Height Adjustable Post). system allows for the adjustment of string posts for the appropriate tension of each string.
– Gotoh® F1803 bridge The Gotoh® F1803 bridge improves sustain and tuning stability.
– dyna-MIX5 switching system with Alter Switch The dyna-MIX5 switching system with Alter Switch adds a sound variation to fit so many different kinds of playing style.
– Control plate specially designed for AZS series This control plate is curved for easier access to all the knobs and switches, without sacrificing its traditional appearance.
– Steel pickup plate This steel pickup plate is designed exclusively for AZS series. It’s a critical component that helps generate that quintessential ”Twangy” tone, for which this style guitar is known. This plate is present on both the tremolo and hardtail versions of the AZS, something that is not typical for guitars of this type. This plate, in combination with the traditional style single coil bridge pickup, preserves this iconic sound across the entire AZS lineup.
– Gotoh®/Ibanez co-designed ”In-Tune” saddles These saddles are equipped with grooves which actively prevent each string from slipping to the side.
The saddles also feature rounded edges and deeper grooves on 1st and 6th strings, which means much less saddle tilting is required to adjust the string height, and equal string spacing is more easily achieved. Additionally, the saddles are designed with pre-calculated “intonation points” where the string touches the saddle, allowing each string to have and maintain precise intonation. The 10.5mm string spacing allows for easy picking across strings. The saddles themselves are made of titanium for maximum tonal clarity.
Artist: Magnus Olsson