I recently bought this same guitar in a Blue Flamed Maple top and I gotta say it’s the nicest, and best feeling guitar I’ve ever played. And the range of tone on it is incredible, definitely worth it imo.
I just found you 10 mins ago March 2023 wow beautiful playing. The other vid was the Ibanez AM semi hollow where you referenced this video. I'm a sub now.
Just discovered you today, you’re incredible and I’m obsessed with your tone, sounds very Mesa/Vox/John Scofield but the overdrive is the Tech21?!?! Wowwww
Dude! Rad. HSS already a good workhorse, but that "faux tele" setting (neck and bridge split) and that "all of them all at once, neck and middle in series and bridge in parallel" is THICK. Feels like Ibanez is pretty consistently knocking stuff out of the park!
Damn. I hear modern Quayle stuff, Scott Henderson, Holds. And as an owner of a prestige AZ, I am proud elite, wonderful players are gravitating. It is indeed a great guitar
I love my strat...but my Ibanez is just butter lol. Quality also always Ben! I feel like the Holcomb PRS SE would be an interesting one for you to try, it has a 20" radius
@@beneunson I had one and sold it for an iPad for work...I now seriously regret it. The only gripe I had with it was that it was a little less comfortable than my strat for thumb bars, but I shouldn't be doing that anyways!!
Hey Ben... could you please talk about your pedal chain , especially the compression and overdrive settings... how do get the initial transient sound coming through?do you set 'slow attack ' and 'fast release'? Thanks
@@beneunson I can't wait to hear the finished product . I was able to figure out that wonderful chord progression . It was great ear training . Chord Swells usually throw me off .
Is this a custom shop version of the AZ2204 or something? I searched for this particular color for shits and it was significantly more expensive. I can't imagine that's just because the color was limited.
Thanks! It's a much better instrument. Sounds better, neck is more comfortable to me, the back body contouring is incredibly well designed (very comfortable to play), and the frets and overall intonation are amazing. Really love this guitar
@@beneunson Hey Ben, thanks for the reply! I've had an AZ for a year and absolutely love it, best guitar I've played, but sometimes I still crave a Strat. It might be a grass is greener type syndrome 🤣
Hi Ben, I hope you can see this comment. Will you play an AZ2204N in the future ? I am a fusion player and really struggle to choose AZ2204 or AZ2204N. Hope you can make a comparison in the future.
Absolutely, I would definitely play the AZ2204N. It’s much like this guitar but with some slight differences. Hope I can do another video where I compare the two sometime soon!
Thoughts on the neck shape ? Being used to vintage style stratocasters, I thought it was a bit too round & thick, and I'm not sure I could get used to it
It's a slightly chunkier neck than a Strat, but what balances it out for me is the relatively flat fretboard radius. This was personally much easier to play right off the bat than my old strat was.
Thanks! You can read more about it here: www.ibanez.com/eu/products/detail/az2204_01.html You can also find this guitar available at most online musical instrument stores (Sweetwater, etc) 👌
I can only speak for myself - I've personally played Ibanez since I was a teenager (beginning 16 years ago), and they're great quality guitars that are easy to play, sound great and withstand harsh travel conditions. Plus, this guitar has taken the classic S-style body shape but improved it dramatically in terms of playability.
@@beneunson Oh just wondering, I noticed a general movement that way. Back in the day(10 years ago) I used to never care for Ibanez or Charvel for example, but I have been noticing their guitars seem pretty great these days.
Great playing as ever but I think you should be crystal clear on your relationship with Ibanez for your own protection Ben if nothing else: have they given you the guitar to keep? Do you have an ongoing relationship with them? I'm not trying to catch you out-love your playing and will continue to support you with purchases from your website-but a little more transparency would pre-empt rumblings of players being 'shills' for big instrument manufacturers which I'm beginning to pick up from various quarters.
Thanks for supporting my music, and thanks for your concern. I'm not worried about being seen as a 'shill' for anyone as I have never officially endorsed a specific guitar brand until now (and have in fact turned down a number of companies who have approached me over the last 5 years). Being approached by Ibanez is a real thrill as I've played their guitars for a long time and my earliest recorded work is all on Ibanez (including my earliest videos here on UA-cam). I only discuss gear that I actually use with my audience and beyond that, it is all about the music for me.
@@beneunson Thanks for clarifying man, Ibanez have obviously got a great history with Metheny, Scofield, Benson as well as Vai, Satriani, there was even an Allan Holdsworth model so you are in great company as you most certainly deserve to be.
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So Ibanez finally found you haha! Congrats, Ben!
😃 yes indeed!
I recently bought this same guitar in a Blue Flamed Maple top and I gotta say it’s the nicest, and best feeling guitar I’ve ever played. And the range of tone on it is incredible, definitely worth it imo.
I agree. One of the best guitars I've ever played
Quayle❤️ like legato. Loved your playing bro!
I just found you 10 mins ago March 2023 wow beautiful playing. The other vid was the Ibanez AM semi hollow where you referenced this video. I'm a sub now.
Thanks Laurie! I really appreciate it. Welcome to my channel! 😃
Amazing review Ben!! You sound awesome in any guitar model!
thanks Heverton!
Just discovered you today, you’re incredible and I’m obsessed with your tone, sounds very Mesa/Vox/John Scofield but the overdrive is the Tech21?!?! Wowwww
thanks! I played a Mesa amp for many years as my main amp, so I’m definitely going for that sound!
@@beneunson That makes sense, going to buy all your lessons and stuff asap. But dang, your tone. Haha
@@No.0.o.0 thank you so much for your support!
Sounds great, Ben! The guitar really suits you!
thanks Juan!
Dude! Rad. HSS already a good workhorse, but that "faux tele" setting (neck and bridge split) and that "all of them all at once, neck and middle in series and bridge in parallel" is THICK. Feels like Ibanez is pretty consistently knocking stuff out of the park!
Thanks Rob! Yes the tele-style setting REALLY impressed me, as did the whole guitar!
Beautiful playing Ben!
🙏
This AZ sounds nice AF.
👌
Damn. I hear modern Quayle stuff, Scott Henderson, Holds. And as an owner of a prestige AZ, I am proud elite, wonderful players are gravitating. It is indeed a great guitar
Thanks! I appreciate it!
Sounding killer as always, man! The axe sounds great, and I'm digging the track you wrote.
Thanks Alex!! I really appreciate it
So amazing
It sounds like You strat! Real vibe is in you hands 😄👌
Haha thanks! It sounds similar, but plays so much better 👌
@@beneunson I think fender has a rounder sound that I like better but ibanez of course is a better guitar...
Noted I will buy the same model
I read your bio and know you're an Ozzie living in the US. and I must say, you have a really nice accent.
sounds great!
Nice sound ben, it fits you well
Great demo! Would've loved to hear you some more on it in the end! :)
There will be more videos! 😃
Beautiful guitar and playing. Looks like you have a new friend! Congrats!
Thanks Ron!
I really wanted to buy one of these the other year, but not I'm thinking I might just sell all of my other guitars
great stuff.
thank you sir!
I love my strat...but my Ibanez is just butter lol. Quality also always Ben! I feel like the Holcomb PRS SE would be an interesting one for you to try, it has a 20" radius
Yes! This Ibanez definitely plays like butter. I’ve heard great things about Mark’s guitar, never played it
@@beneunson I had one and sold it for an iPad for work...I now seriously regret it. The only gripe I had with it was that it was a little less comfortable than my strat for thumb bars, but I shouldn't be doing that anyways!!
these new guitarists are moving beyond Rosenwinkel, Kreisberg,etc.
How? Ben is awesome no doubt, but how is beyond Rosenwinkel?
He means Ben is going beyond the influence of established players, rather than just emulating them. Ben has his own style so this makes sense
@@andreasjonsson5823 yeah, I see. Makes sense.
Hey Ben... could you please talk about your pedal chain , especially the compression and overdrive settings... how do get the initial transient sound coming through?do you set 'slow attack ' and 'fast release'? Thanks
Great playing and guitar Mr Eunson ! Just wondering what chord progression was looped in the first 24 seconds please ?
Thank you so much, it's just a song I'm in the middle of writing! Let's hope I finish it one of these days... :)
@@beneunson I can't wait to hear the finished product . I was able to figure out that wonderful chord progression . It was great ear training . Chord Swells usually throw me off .
Is this a custom shop version of the AZ2204 or something? I searched for this particular color for shits and it was significantly more expensive. I can't imagine that's just because the color was limited.
Great stuff as always Ben, was this guitar given to you by Ibanez?
Thanks Dani, yes it was
@@beneunson ✌️🔥✌️🔥
Great review, how would you compare it to your strat?
Thanks! It's a much better instrument. Sounds better, neck is more comfortable to me, the back body contouring is incredibly well designed (very comfortable to play), and the frets and overall intonation are amazing. Really love this guitar
@@beneunson Hey Ben, thanks for the reply! I've had an AZ for a year and absolutely love it, best guitar I've played, but sometimes I still crave a Strat. It might be a grass is greener type syndrome 🤣
Hi Ben, I hope you can see this comment. Will you play an AZ2204N in the future ? I am a fusion player and really struggle to choose AZ2204 or AZ2204N. Hope you can make a comparison in the future.
Absolutely, I would definitely play the AZ2204N. It’s much like this guitar but with some slight differences. Hope I can do another video where I compare the two sometime soon!
Thoughts on the neck shape ? Being used to vintage style stratocasters, I thought it was a bit too round & thick, and I'm not sure I could get used to it
It's a slightly chunkier neck than a Strat, but what balances it out for me is the relatively flat fretboard radius. This was personally much easier to play right off the bat than my old strat was.
Nice!....what's it back wood?, Alder or Ash?, or Basswood?
It's a flame Maple top and an Alder body
How did you get this Japan exclusive finish AZ?
This guitar was sent to me by Ibanez Japan, it is absolutely one of the best guitars I've ever played!
How'd you manage to get low action on this guitar? I'm struggling to lower the action on mine without buzzing.
Plek?
I also want to know. Also struggling with a low action set up on this guitar.
How would you compare the neck to the Strat's?
It’s actually slightly chunkier overall, but in combination with the fretboard radius, it allows for more efficiency with my left hand
HE IS BEYOND BELIEF SO COOL ..NO TALKING JUST PLAYED OUT OF THIS WORLD..AMAZING BETTER THAN LARRY CARLTON.. OR LEE RITENOUR
is the guitar bOdy bit smaller then a mexican or american fender ?
yes it is.
are those pickups noiseless?
The neck and middle aren’t noiseless, but they’re also pretty quiet as far as single coil pickups go
how much is it Bro?
Thanks! You can read more about it here: www.ibanez.com/eu/products/detail/az2204_01.html
You can also find this guitar available at most online musical instrument stores (Sweetwater, etc) 👌
Are you an AUSTRALIAN?
Why are all the new players moving over to Ibanez? Is it a sponsorship, free guitar, or people just really love them these days?
I can only speak for myself - I've personally played Ibanez since I was a teenager (beginning 16 years ago), and they're great quality guitars that are easy to play, sound great and withstand harsh travel conditions. Plus, this guitar has taken the classic S-style body shape but improved it dramatically in terms of playability.
@@beneunson Oh just wondering, I noticed a general movement that way. Back in the day(10 years ago) I used to never care for Ibanez or Charvel for example, but I have been noticing their guitars seem pretty great these days.
@@dogecoinmaximalist3148 yes they’re great guitars! And you’re right- a lot of people are playing them right now
Great playing as ever but I think you should be crystal clear on your relationship with Ibanez for your own protection Ben if nothing else: have they given you the guitar to keep? Do you have an ongoing relationship with them? I'm not trying to catch you out-love your playing and will continue to support you with purchases from your website-but a little more transparency would pre-empt rumblings of players being 'shills' for big instrument manufacturers which I'm beginning to pick up from various quarters.
Thanks for supporting my music, and thanks for your concern. I'm not worried about being seen as a 'shill' for anyone as I have never officially endorsed a specific guitar brand until now (and have in fact turned down a number of companies who have approached me over the last 5 years). Being approached by Ibanez is a real thrill as I've played their guitars for a long time and my earliest recorded work is all on Ibanez (including my earliest videos here on UA-cam). I only discuss gear that I actually use with my audience and beyond that, it is all about the music for me.
@@beneunson Thanks for clarifying man, Ibanez have obviously got a great history with Metheny, Scofield, Benson as well as Vai, Satriani, there was even an Allan Holdsworth model so you are in great company as you most certainly deserve to be.
@@gssong7111 Who cares? Start with The 275,000 people who watched In The Blues channel's 'This Needs To Stop' video