Fender Player Strat vs Ibanez AZES [is the Fender Player Strat worth the extra money?]
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- Опубліковано 4 лип 2024
- For my Presets visit: johnnathancordy.gumroad.com/ I picked up the Ibanez AZ Essentials out of the cupboard this morning and recorded the first take, and was surprised at how much I was enjoying it this morning. I then picked up the Fender Player Strat, which I've yet to compare with the Ibanez, and so I just wanted to share some thoughts just in case any one cared (even slightly) about what I thought.
Ibanez AZES:
redir.love/thoprod/524926?par... - here's a Thomann affiliate link in case you were thinking of grabbing one and wanted me to get a small kickback!
Fender Player Strat
In the event that you were buying one of these anyway, you could use this Thomann affiliate link: redir.love/thoprod/439070?par...
This Preset is "Voxac30Vent" for Helix or HX Stomp.
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00:00 Ibanez AZES improv
04:31 Fender Player improv
7:55 Talking
8:30 A sausage appears
![[Eng Sub] Ibanez AZES40 electric guitar](/img/n.gif)
The ibanez honestly blew me away what an excellent sounding guitar
Great guitar but this is recorded audio with effects applied. Depending on your amp and processing Not sure how it would sound up front
@@Masssshysteriai tried one against fenders, a silver sky se, And the $2k AZ strat. The AZES31 sounded better than the rest, picking it up tomorrow.
This is a brilliant example of great music coming from both guitars. I think as long as a guitar is set up reasonably well and you're not fighting it, then most instruments are going to sound great in the hands of someone who can actually play, create and communicate an emotional response to the instrument/track etc.
Sure, but not all are easy to tune or easy to restring or have enough tuning stability to last even a whole song. Not all give you the tone you are looking for, even when almost all can sound great with the right player and amp.
I wish the AZES had some locking Grovers really, but hey you can always upgrade it.
The stock tuning machines are fine. Mine stay perfectly in tune. They are the split staff style.
@@Traumglanz for the price point I think we’d have to be realistic and not expect locking tuners. Truthfully a good setup and checking the nut slots or lubing them could likely result in much better tuning stability on a cheaper trem. I mean people want vintage guitars all the time and they are using ancient designs lol
Man I think the Ibanez took it for me on this one. It just had a little bit more rawness to it or something it fit the mix a lot better. But both sound amazing
Me too!
dude ive been waiting for this comparison! thanks jonnathan
I‘ve just showed my AZES40 to my new guitar teacher. He was really impressed and now that‘s the guitar he recommends to beginners.
Damn John, I love the way you play. Can’t wait to play like this.
I'd go for the Ibanez - better look, sound, and price. I think playability is actually the most important factor, particularly now that we have Modelers that can make a Crow sound like a Canary.
The really flat board too I tried one and they're just show stomping the play better then my Japanese made strats and Japanese squier
I’m in love with mine. I couldn’t even put it down when I got it 😆
@@CocoKoi321 250mm is def not really flat but yeah
@@CocoKoi321They have the same round fretboard not flat.
That intro on the Ibanez just sounded superb. Great playing and clearly a very good guitar too.
Damn! that was some playing at the start! Gave my ears a chance to figure out the guitars sound - rather than melting us with too much shreddy stuff. For me - great example of 'less is more' I suppose. Thanks JC - damn fine job.
Thank you for sharing!
Man,respect!! Loved you play,very musical
Lovely intro jam, very relaxing. I like the look and sound of the Ibanez, but I'd want to play one before buying it, and I can't seem to find one in a store in NYC! The price here for the AZES-40 (with bridge humbucker) is $349 US.
Fabulous playing, both sound excellent in your hands.
It is a great video and supports my theory which is based on the following 2 facts: 1. entry level/low end guitars are not low any more and can score higher than the price range 2. these modellers / effects are so good that they sound perfect regardless what you plug in.... On the basis of this information I would say not worth investing more in guitars... But it is my opinion. obviously they are different characters but that is the reason why there are so many brands, types of guitars, different pups, etc, find yours and job done.
I just bought two of these Ibanez az es guitars and I really love them. The player strat sounds really good, but I liked the overall sound of the Ibanez better. I am astounded at the quality and sound out of the box of these Essentials guitars.
Sound is subjective and easily altered, playability and quality matter more then feel then looks.
What do you think of most when soloing? Scales? Arpeggios? Triads? I am impressed by your soloing, I want to learn a few tips, thanks
Some days I treat this channel like “johnnathancordy radio.” It’s just great music. And dogs barking.
My Sire S7 is doing a sterling job of covering my s type needs so I’m just here for the playing!
the az is amazing for the price... but i absolutely love the fender's tone so so so much more on clean
Thank You. Came here to think over the Fender Player (HSS), went away and bought the Ibanez AZES40 😂. What it lacks in Fender tone, it makes up for in versatility. I have a Squier Standard Strat (Alnico V SSS) that I'm very happy with; the Ibanez with ceramic PuPs will be an interesting change.
I also have a squire, a bullet HSS 7 string, it's a long discontinued model, a great guitar
I think the Silver sky SE is also a great option to consider. PRS can make a budget guitar very high quality. I'd rather have that or the Azes
I've just order my Ibanez Azes40. Can't wait to put my hands on it.
I've seen many videos about the AZES or how it performs compared with the Yamaha Pacifica and Fender player, but there is an entry guitar that is always ignored or overlooked, the Cort G110.
Another option to consider are the Yamaha pacificas. Particularly the PAC12 models. About 100 less than player strats and has some very nice upgrades.
PAC112 is half the price of a player series in Aus. Looks like a great option for a student, on paper it looks great
I have 112j, great budget guitar
I want to get a Revstar now. I'm a huge fan of Yamaha acoustic guitars since the first guitar I played was a Yamaha acoustic
I also have a squire HSS 7 string, great guitar too. Never felt the need to get a Fender tbh
I just bought the Purist Blue one. I only wish the fingerboard was a little wider. But it’s a GREAT guitar. I got the AZES31 no trem and it’s triple single. Love it. Going to grab the other with trem also.
I have the sss version. I sold my American pro II Strat after 2 weeks. About to scrap the rest of my fender stuff and just enjoy play a guitar that fits me really well.
Sss version of which?
If I can just get the 3 notes per string descending technique from you, I'll be Golden! Such awesome Melodies!
Beautiful review, very useful thank you 🙏 Ibanez AZES comes with string gauge 10. Would sound be noticeably different, thinner, with string gauge 9?
Player pickups are absolutely amazing
The first demo song you play on the Ibanez is so beautiful I wanted to know the chord progression. I recently purchased a guitar and would love to copy it.
You make the AZes sounds so good
It's just another case of comparing different guitars. I have 2 Strats, one is a Japanese '62 reissue with singles and I have a 2019 Player HSH and they both sound different. I try to avoid too many programs on my Helix floor that I use for my PRS...everything including drive and eq are different so I've learned to program specific patches for specific guitars. It would be really easy to make both the Ibanez and the Strat sound alike but honestly, both are good at what they do. I personally prefer the Strat just for the name and resale value. Again....great playing!
Are these azes really decent? Am leaning toward grabbing the sss hard tail version
Just a quick observation.. The pickup height on the two guitars looks very different. The Ibanez pickups look to be quite a bit higher and closer to the strings. For more of an A/B comparison, you might consider raising the Fender pickup height to match the Ibanez, and then see how much of a difference there is? That said, the Ibanez still seems to be a wonderful bang-for-the-buck option!
Absolutely no
Certain pups are designed to be as a certain height and fenders especially need to be low as possible
my question is what are your amp settings? it sounds great. I'm a guitar noob and have opt'ed for a modeling amp to start off with
What can you suggest to improve tuning stability. Other dont use the whammy bar. Can this guitars trem be upgraded to vegatrem?
that sounds good, relaxing tune i like it
@johnnathancordy if you have a moment, could you measure the pickups in both the Strat & AZES? I just read a forum from last year that said the pickups and pickguard slots in the AZES are smaller than traditional Strat pickups.
The Stratocaster is unmatched. I love the “twang” sound
I have the Ibanez " sss vintage white one" and can honestly say it is as good any 1,000 guitar I have ever played!
Nice vid, the scale length on the ibanez would be no for me but just what i'm used to , i have a vintage v6 and it's another fabulous alternate fender.
I‘ve got an AZES40 and also played the AZ with a 25,5 inch neck. I didn‘t feel much of a difference.
Great comparison, both is great stuff, fender with vintage sharp.. so do the azes (also fat modern tone appear).
Yes. Yes it is. The player is just wonderful
The Ibanez is the perfect mod platform... Waiting on mine to arrive soon! :)
Everyone was going nuts over the AZES a couple years ago but nothing now. No one even swapped pickups!
I have the hard tail version, with Birds Eye all over the neck. It wasn’t really setup when I got it, screws bolts and nuts needed tightening, and frets needed polishing, but almost two years later it’s very well played in and a fantastic stratty sounding guitar shaped object.
I don’t have either of these two, but I have an american fender strat, 2 basses and 1 ibanez guitar. Just like that, I’m absolutely sure that the Azes are better than then player strat. More, fun versatile and comfortable. For average players (non pro) it´s a no brainer. I would not look anywhere else to be honest.
I wish we could get the hardtail version in the mint green. I love that color!
In my experience I went to the store to test one of these I don’t work as much in the winter and so for the money it made sense. I always find myself playing RHCP tones and having a mustang and jaguar they don’t quite hit that kind of tone. Anyways I went to the store and picked up the azes 40 and was blown away for the the quality you get for the price! I do think the strat feels,plays and sounds better but for the money couldn’t pass it up I went right up to guitar center traded some old gear and got a used one for under $250 out the door👌 Now when work picks up in summer then I’ll get an expensive vintage strat but for the time being you get so much guitar for a little price DO NOT let the cheap price tag fool you with these.
I've had the AZES40 for a year and I play it all the time. It can kind of do it all.
I have the ibanez and i just dont get nice tones like you. Should i go for the fender in the future?!
Im getting that Ibanez Azes AND a Squire Classic Vibe (50/60/70s???) for more or less the same price of a Fender Player Strat! I need variety of guitars, colours, n sounds to suit my various moods n motivations! When I get bored with one guitar I pick up another. I've got 2 budget guitars, and a Fender Telecaster already so I'm in no rush for a Fender Strat, I'd rather have two more decent guitars.🙏
Do you block or use more strings to "remove" the tremolo? Or maybe just remove the stick?
Fender and Ibanez for the win. I've sold and traded through the years but these 2 companies never leave the collection.
having just bought a fender 75th anniversary model....the MIM one. I will say I think whatever I have for pick ups are a step up from the regular player series ones. they are from the 60s vintera strat. a bit rounder and fuller than what I'm hearing here but still. knowing a 300 dollar US guitar otherwise sounds and plays just as good if not better than my MIM fender I got for a good deal but still not as cheap as a AZES potentially makes me sad
Neither are bad guitars at all so! I'm sure yours is pretty too!?
Subscribed because of that Dashschund
TBH Jonathan I preferred the Ibanez with that preset. I'm tending to move away from Fender recently and finding alternatives that, to me, are the equal of Fender strats for half, even a third of the price. My Sire S7 is a good example of this. Going to check out the AZ ES after seeing this. Thanks.
I preferred the Az this morning too!
Dude. You’re such a good player, nothing sounds bad. I’d take the Ibanez in this instance but won’t sound like you !
Thank God. No truefire ads.
WoW! The fender sounded a little more authentic, but with an alternative set of pickups, the AZES is gonna make it as a true strat clone.
Do you feel big differences between rosewood (or pau ferro, sorry) and jatoba?
hey @johnnathancordy, what are your thoughts on dummy coils?
I have literally zero experience with them afriad!
I have 4 Ibanez RGs, but none in SSS pickup configuration, I may grab an AZ one day to satisfy that itch (I have OCD and like my guitars to match, at least shape-wise, and the AZ is pretty similar to an RG... 🤷♂️).
I think the neck pickup on the Fender sounds better; the Ibanez in comparison sounds a bit shrill, but I imagine lowering it a touch would make a big difference. That’s not worth double the price though, and and the Fender’s bridge pickup sounds positively useless compare to the humbucker in the Ibanez.
I think what tells me the most here is that you have both of these in your lap and you’re not complaining that the Ibanez feels like a cheap toy. That you reach for it over the Fender says a lot. Thanks for the review.
I lowered the neck pickup on my AZES40, turned down the volume to about 4 and now it sounds more like a strat with the low output pickups.
I struggle with a strat neck, in that it sets off my tendinitis after prolonged play, with my Jem I can play with no pain, but sacrificing the strat sound. Is the AZ a solution for me?
The AZES also has a toggle for more tones. You can compare the single coil bride pickup of the AZES with the Fender one.
Is it true that on the Ibanez, with the built-in switch, it is possible for the single pickups to sound like a humbucker? I will appreciate the answer... I just ordered an AZES and I'm really looking forward to it.
Hey, I ahve a question. Why did you order the Azes and not the Yamaha pacifica 112V or Harley Benton Fusion III?
@@wesleydevries7415 Hello, without a doubt, the guitars that you name can be good... I was looking for a daily guitar, for battle, to rehearse and the truth is that Ibañez gives me confidence... I have had many guitars in my life, some I have sold, others I have left, but Ibanez has never let me down, from an Ibanes Darkstone that was pure metal (and very cheap) to an Ibanez Jem... that I sold... Yamaha makes so many things (outboard motors, boats, shavers, lawnmowers, motorcycles, etc.) that doesn't give me the confidence of the Ibanez tradition, and Harley Benton for me is still an experiment... I'm not an expert... it's just my humble opinion... And I bought the AZES 31, and it sounds like a cannon... It's not the best guitar I've ever had... But for what I'm looking for it's fine (note, I can't play heavy metal with it... at best , it's good for hard rock)
Man the ibanez sounds beautiful
Two different sounds for sure...the Fender is more clear more focused bell like. The Ibanez more fuzzy sounds nice too. Depends what you are into. Fender hss more veratile?
Yeh I think they do make a HSS player right?
@@johnnathancordy i have a 2019 mim fender sss just bought a hss schecter nick johnston hss and a g & l fullerton deluxe legacy...apples oranges peaches....all are nice and playes will have there own favorites. Feel should be number one and a good setup can also change opinions...yes fender has a hss also.
Can the ibanez get that glassy tone you can get on the fender with the bridge and middle pickup. That quacky glassy sound.
Fender does sound still the most like that straty sound, but a Fender strat at the other hand is not as good for this AZ typical Polyphia style sound. Still both can do both, but both are their own thing even when very similar.
Is this the mint version of the Ibanez or the blue one?
There's a lot of beautiful music in you. As a side note, the strat seems to have a little tiny wee bit more character to the tone. In a good way.
Just got my AZES in Mint Green today. Feels great in the hand. If Ibanez wasn’t on the headstock, these could easily be mistaken for a Suhr Classic S, at quick glance. I’m an Ibanez guy, so it was a no-brainer for me.
this one in the video is mint green or blue?
@@hirocaster the one in the video is blue.
@@TigerPalmer thanks man...hard choice, i saw another video with the mint green
Well, I liked the playing that the players Strat pulled out of you even though I'm a huge Ibanez fan. And I don't think people buy a strat for hot pickups, I would actually get one for not hot pickups, I get annoyed when I can't get a super clean tone because everything is pushed too far because everyone want's to be the next internet shred god, I don't. I'd rather be the next Wes Montgomery, but that's just me.
Start with a nice tube amp with one of these it’s going to sing beautifully. I wish I knew that when I first started
Personalty the Ibanez is easier to play...pickups are not better but that's a matter of personal choice...but both guitars have great sounding pickups.They are just different in tones...But the ibanez has 9 tone variations. And all are usable... The Ibanez is lighter and slightly smaller...for an older guy like me this is a big plus for long gigs. The tremolo on the ibanez is just as good if you get a pro to shape up the nut a little or replace nut with a quality one...that's all it needs...but I have also experience the nut problem on some MIM strats as well...but no problems just replace it or see a pro for that... Also another big plus on the Ibanez is it's jack connector. no nut will come loose ...you all know that problem...you can twist your wires up and break one by turning it without taking it apart...the Ibanez doesn't have that problem. At this point I think the Ibanez wins not that the Fender has no quality to it...but the Ibanez is offering this SAME quality for HALF the price...that my friends is a big accomplishment in it self...you can buy two of these AZ's...one with the Tremolo and one with the hardtail for the price of the Fender player...wow!
Azes40 designed with help of tomo fujita (guitar teacher of john mayer) is a cheaper copy of the john mayer prs se silver sky . Both have the same poplar wood body.
I have a player strat exactly like this one. Put some strap locks , locking tuners and fender pure vintage 65 pickups in it. It rocks. Stacks up really well compared to my American ultra in fact if I had to sell one would be the ultra. I love this guitar.
I haven't played either of those guitars. However, by watching the video, the pros for the Ibanez seem to me that it is a smooth guitar to play and it's easier to reach the higher frets. Also the pickups seem better and it is much cheaper than the Fender guitar. This is a more pedantic point, but regarding the body of the guitar, I believe the body of the Ibanez is made out of poplar wood whereas the Fender body is made of alder wood? Alder is a better quality wood as it's more dense and thus stronger although poplar wood is lighter.
I have fender custom shop strat. I tried the ibanez. There are really great and well made. I like the smaller body. Frets are little bit thin. If you replace with medium jumboes they are crazy good. This guitar make me think that i can sell my custom shop.
Lan anıl yazar snajsjnwjzıwjsnwnz
Noluyo xöcldlcldl
@@anlylmaz881 ibanez'i almayı düşünüyorum ilk elektrom olcak nasıl sence
@@ayse241 çok iyi ömür boyu çalarsın
@@anilyazar_ bana sordu yalnız Anıl yazar sıraya girer misin?
Çok iyi gerçekten hayat süresince götürür
Fender sounds much brighter to me but single coil at bridge is a choice not many modern guitarists are willing to make, including myself (I suck anyway, lol).
I had to change the nut and string tree just to improve the stability of my AZES. Trem block helps too, but it'll change the tone slightly
Did that do the job though?
@@johnnathancordy yes. there was a significant improvement, but not entirely perfect. At least it's 90% in tune most of the time with a deep dive bomb. I do sometimes get a sharpen pitch after a dive. On the other hand, slight dive doesn't affect the tuning. Unfortunately, the nut did not do much during the initial swap. It could be my guitar, it may differ from yours.
I would suggest changing the following first
1. String Tree (Gotoh, make sure you got spare spacers with equal height)
2. Locking Tuners (Jinho JN-07SP)
3. Nut (Graphtech XL)
4. Thicker Tremblock
The trem block doesn't change the tone, no more than "tonewoods." That's mythology and marketing bullshit.
What block did you buy that fits the stock bridge?
@@BrandonEht just a regular brass block, but had to saw out a small piece of the wood
Is it possible to make a fairer comparison without any Overdrive ? Only pure clean
Anyway the price of the Fender Player series is going Up and Up and even in the second hand market they are kind of expensive. So depends on your budget and level...but i would happily add the Ibanez AZES to the collection instead of spending all that money on a new Fender Player
Eric Johnson in the 90s type of mood.
A new Ibanez AZES40 arrived at my home yesterday (1-7-23) from the Guitar Center warehouse exactly as they got it from the factory in Indonesia. Out of the box it had a deeply bowed neck, super high action, very cheap strings and several obvious quality control flaws, including glue spots on the fretboard. I may have just gotten a bad example, but buying this from a seller with a liberal return policy seems like a good idea.
Really and truly we just find the fender tone a little older while the obanez just carry a new refreshing sound
That Ibanez has it all!
Azes vs Sire S3?
Beautifull, beautifull, beautifull.. 😍😍😍💖
The ibanez has ceramics right ?
Isnt it much about the neck and the setup these days? There used to be a time when there were truly awful guitars in the market but that seems no more. When I buy a guitar just play it first see how the neck feels and how the frets feel, then check the pickup output etc. And consider the resale value if anything is expected there. I learned over the years how to do all the fretwork and setup myself so I can make any semi reasonable guitar play great but I'm lazy. I'm willing to pay to be lazy
There are a few left, the kind that can not finish a song in tune without re-tuning mid-song. Or the kind that comes with a trem that you never should touch if you don't plan to retune right afterwards. But in general you are right, we are living in a golden age of machines doing precise work and thus creating cheap guitars with industrial techniiques.
For the price i will go to ibanez when it comes to midrange specs but for tone and musicality sound i prefer fender.
Love. Fender... 🎸
Nothing can beat fender’s clean imo
The Ibanez sounded good, very good in fact. The higher output seemed to drive the amp to the edge of breakup. The mids sounded full and the low end was warm. The Fender on the other hand, had a shimmery edge to its mids. I thought the mids were bold and well defined although not as full as its Japanese counterpart's. But the moment he switched to the neck pickup, it opened doors to a whole new dimension. Awesome, clean, warm and chimey, with the trademark shimmer. I really liked the Ibanez and it's probably with the price, but I would go for the Fender for that amazing tone.
Still both tones tp me are great
The Ibanez sounded better to my ears. Fender pickups always sound same same to me. Vanilla.
OMG my eyes stay on the sausage after she/he appeared… and i forgot about all the guitar things…. which guitars are you comparing, again?
Whats the colour?
I Love Ibanez 🎉❤❤
This Ibanez or Cort G280CS? 😐