NAMM 2021: Ibanez goes into Telecaster country with the AZS Series
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Ibanez has three new T-style designs called the Ibanez Prestige AZS2209H, AZS2200 and the AZS2200F. These guitars are modern takes on a classic ’50s design, and brings it kicking and screaming into the 21st century. Let’s take a look at the new AZS range!
Ibanez Prestige AZS2209H
These made in Japan Ibanez Prestige AZS2209H models come in two colours, TriFade Burst and Prussian Blue Metallic. You get an ash body paired with an Ibanez Z Oval CS-TECH WOOD roasted maple neck, loaded with 22 stainless steel frets and Luminlay glow-in-the-dark side dots.
Ibanez Prestige AZS2209H · Source: Ibanez
Seymour Duncan & dyna-MIX5
It has a Seymour Duncan Magic Touch-mini neck humbucking pickup and an Alnico II Pro Custom bridge single-coil. These are wired via a single volume and tone, and a three-way pickup selector switch. And, much like the S-style AZ series models, these new ones have a two position toggle dyna-MIX5 switch called the Alter Switch to give you a total of 6 voices.
In-Tune
The Gotoh/Ibanez co-designed In-Tune saddles are specially made for this guitar and are fitted to a Gotoh F1803 bridge. There is a steel plate for mounting the bridge pickup as well. It looks like a great setup and I like this new guitar’s design a lot. You get a nice set of staggered locking Gotoh tuners on this model too.
RRP – TBC
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Ibanez Prestige AZS2200
Next up its the new Ibanez Prestige AZS2200. Again, this one is made in Japan and comes in one colour: Black. The model has a trem system instead of the three barrel bridge of the model above.
Ibanez Prestige AZS2200 · Source: Ibanez
Trem
Thankfully, Ibanez still gives you the steel bridge pickup plate with this model. But you have a Gotoh trem system and locking tuner setup, just like the standard s-style AZ series. The rest of the specification are the same as the AZS2209H model above. So if you need a trem, then this model could be for you.
RRP – TBC
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Ibanez Prestige AZS2200F
The last of these Japanese made models is the new Ibanez Prestige AZS2200F which comes in a nice looking Sunset Burst finish. The specification on this one is almost he same as the AZS2200 model, but it has a flamed maple top on the alder body, so it looks a little prettier than just plain black. And the maple should add some brightness to the tone.
RRP – TBC
Ibanez Prestige AZS2200F · Source: Ibanez
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AZS T-Style: Ibanez goes Telecaster?
Overall, my first impressions of these new Ibanez AZ T-style models is good and, as I own one of the original AZ models from the first release, I’m familiar with the necks and finish. I really like the fit and feel of these AZ models and so, I would think, it will come over to these new models with no problems.
Let us know what you think in the comments section below. Are these cool or not?
More Information
- Ibanez AZS Page
- For more Ibanez articles click here
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