Player’s Perspective

The Ibanez AZ, specifically the Prestige line, has become one of Ibanez’s most popular new additions in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. The 2204 in particular was a launch model for the line and was an amazing take on the more vintage “S”-style guitar with a modern twist compared to their more iconic RG and other shreddy offerings.

This AZ2204NW model in a beautiful Mint Green finish – although we believe it’s a little more similar to the vintage custom color “Sonic Blue” – takes things a step further in the vintage direction. It harkens back to the vintage “S” type guitars of the 1960s with its vintage-style custom color-esque finish, vintage-style buttons on the Gotoh locking tuners, rosewood fretboard, and parchment/cream white pickguard.

The old-school callbacks don’t stop there, though. Compared to the original non-N 2204, it also comes with a rounder compound fretboard radius of 9″-12″, which makes the familiar C profile neck shape feel even more like a vintage-style guitar and on par with other “Classic” boutique offerings with its roasted maple neck back and stainless steel frets.

The lower-output Fortuna pickups are exclusive to this line, and sound cleaner and more vintage than the higher-output Hyperions you may be more familiar with on the AZ series. We dug the versatility of the two single coils and humbucker along with the dyna-MIX switch that allows you to approximate various S-style, T-style, and humbucker guitars all in one guitar.

Lastly, the non-recessed tremolo is set up with 5 springs and a brass block for the warmth and acoustic resonance of an old-school vintage bridge. We found it to compare very favorably to the more modern-leaning non-N AZ2204, and the two complement each other very well while managing to stay unique.

For a classy-looking, do-it-all workhorse axe equipped with several boutique-level features that can cover pretty much every genre under the sun at a surprisingly affordable price point, check out the AZ2204NW.

Item Specifics

• The rosewood fretboard of the AZ2204NW provides a well-balanced solid tone with a focused mid range. In addition, the 9″-12″ compound radius fretboard of the AZ-N is built to enhance both smooth chording and lead work in the upper register.
• Five tremolo springs allow string vibration to be more efficiently transferred to the guitar body. While the non-N AZ2204 series features a recessed bridge cavity for fluid and dynamic tremolo action, this model has non-recessed bridge cavity. The direct contact between bridge plate and the guitar body provides better resonance and helps facilitate subtle nuances in playing dynamics.
• Dyna-MIX 9 offers nine sound variations, and can easily switch between humbucker and single coil modes with just the mini switch. One mode is even able to simulate a humbucker sound from the combination of the 2 single coil pickups.
• Seymour Duncan® Fortuna™ Pickups feature a moderate output and natural clean voicing which accurately reflect subtle playing nuances. From treble to bass, the overall tonal balance is evenly adjusted and works well with various effect pedals.
• The T1702B tremolo bridge provides quick response and improved articulation. The 10.5mm string spacing allows for easy picking across strings and its snap-in construction makes it easy to load a tremolo arm. The tremolo block and saddles are made of brass, facilitating better overall resonance.
• S-TECH special roasted treatment increases the wood’s stability, durability, water resistance and tolerance of temperature changes. The neck is sealed with an oil finish which helps make it feel similar to a well-played guitar neck.
• The AZ comes with GOTOH® MAGNUM LOCK® machine heads, which 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.
• The Luminlay side dot position marks make it easy for players to see fretboard position marks when performing on dark stages.

Specifications

BODY

• Body Wood: Alder
• Color: Mint Green

NECK

• neck type: AZ Oval C – S-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple neck
• fretboard: Rosewood fretboard – Mother of Pearl dot inlay
• fret: Jumbo Stainless Steel frets – Prestige fret edge treatment
• number of frets: 22
• string space: 10.5mm
• Scale: 648mm/25.5″
• a : Width 42mm at NUT / 1.65″
• b : Width 56.4mm at 22F
• c : Thickness 20.5mm at 1F
• d : Thickness 22.5mm at 12F
• Radius: 9″ – 12″ Compound Radius
• nut: Bone nut

ELECTRONICS

• neck pickup: Seymour Duncan® Fortuna™ (S) neck pickup (Passive/Alnico)
• middle pickup: Seymour Duncan® Fortuna™ (S) middle pickup (Passive/Alnico)
• bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan® Fortuna™ (H) bridge pickup (Passive/Alnico)
• Controls: Volume, Tone, Mini-Toggle for dyna-MIX 9 switching, 5-Way Switch

HARDWARE

• Tuners: Gotoh® Magnum Lock H.A.P.
• bridge: Gotoh® T1702B bridge
• hardware color: Chrome

MISCELLANEOUS

• factory tuning: 1E,2B,3G,4D,5A,6E
• strings: D’Addario® EXL110
• string gauge: .010/.013/.017/.026/.036/.046
• Case: Hardshell
• Instrument Weight: 7.5 lbs
  
• Serial #: F2218353
  

Overall Condition

Music Store Live is proud to be an authorized dealer for Ibanez. This AZ2204NW is 100% brand new and is being sold with a full manufacturer’s warranty. Photos are of the exact guitar you’ll receive.

Our in-house guitar tech will inspect, test, set up, and clean all of our instruments on site prior to shipping. All of our instruments are guaranteed to be fully functional upon arrival.

Manufacturer’s Description

With the guitar held in the playing position, there is one knob and one switch along the lower edge of the body. Closest to the knee cutout is the five-way pickup selector switch. Closest to the end of the body is the tone knob. The volume knob is located right above the five-way pickup selector switch. Between the volume and tone knobs is the alter switch.

Features

• Rosewood fretboard
  • Rosewood provides a well-balanced solid tone with a focused mid range.
• Compound Radius Fretboard (228mm to 305mm)
  • Offering the best of both worlds, the digitized compound radius fretboard of the AZ-N is built to enhance both smooth chording and lead work in the upper register.
• 5 tremolo springs
  • Five tremolo springs allow string vibration to be more efficiently transferred to the guitar body.
• Non-recessed bridge cavity
  • While the AZ series features a recessed bridge cavity for fluid and dynamic tremolo action, this model has non-recessed bridge cavity. The direct contact between bridge plate and the guitar body provides better resonance and helps facilitate subtle nuances in playing dynamics.
• dyna-MIX9 switching system with Alter Switch
  • The dyna-MIX 9 offers nine sound variations and can switch between humbucker and single coil modes with just a flick of the mini switch. One mode even simulates a humbucking sound from the combination of two single coil pickups.
• Seymour Duncan® Fortuna™ S-S-H pickups
  • Seymour Duncan® Fortuna™ Pickups feature a moderate output and natural clean voicing which accurately reflect subtle playing nuances. From treble to bass, the overall tonal balance is evenly adjusted and works well with various effect pedals.
• Gotoh® T1702B tremolo bridge
  • The T1702B tremolo bridge provides quick response and improved articulation. The 10.5mm string spacing allows for easy picking across strings and its snap-in construction makes it easy to load a tremolo arm. The tremolo block and saddles are made of brass, facilitating better overall resonance.
• Oval C S-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple neck
  • The S-TECH special roasted treatment increases the wood’s stability, durability, water resistance and tolerance of temperature changes. The neck is sealed with an oil finish which helps make it feel similar to a well-played guitar neck.
• Ergonomic rear body contour
  • A shallow body back contour and a big forearm contour make the guitar body fit the player naturally, thus increasing playing comfort. The AZ body has a deep waist and different radii on each body edge curve, making it easier to play in both standing or sitting positions.
• Gotoh® Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P.(Height Adjustable Post)
  • 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.
• Luminlay side dot inlays
  • The Luminlay side dot position marks make it easy for players to see fretboard position marks when performing on dark stages.
• Super All Access Neck Joint
  • The Super All Access Neck Joint increases playability and allows for easy access to the higher frets.

Specifications

GENERAL

• Neck type: AZ Oval CS-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple neck
• Top/back/body: Alder body
• Fretboard: Rosewood fretboardMother of Pearl dot inlay
• Fret: Jumbo Stainless Steel fretsPrestige fret edge treatment
• Number of frets: 22
• Bridge: Gotoh® T1702B bridge
• String space: 10.5mm
• Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan® Fortuna™ (S) neck pickupPassive/Alnico
• Middle pickup: Seymour Duncan® Fortuna™ (S) middle pickupPassive/Alnico
• Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan® Fortuna™ (H) bridge pickupPassive/Alnico
• Factory tuning: 1E,2B,3G,4D,5A,6E
• StringsL: D’Addario® EXL110
• String gauge: .010/.013/.017/.026/.036/.046
• Hardware color: Chrome

NECK DIMENSIONS

• Scale: 648mm/25.5″
• Width: 42mm at NUT
• Width: 56.4mm at 22F
• Thickness: 20.5mm at 1F
• Thickness: 22.5mm at 12F
• Radius: 228mmR to 305mmR COMPOUND

MISCELLANEOUS

• Case: Hardshell
• Instrument Weight: 7.9 lbs
• Serial #: F2213007

Overall Condition

Music Store Live is proud to be an authorized dealer for Ibanez. This AZ2204NW is 100% brand new and is being sold with a full manufacturer’s warranty. Photos are of the exact guitar you’ll receive.

Our in-house guitar tech will inspect, test, set up, and clean all of our instruments on site prior to shipping. All of our instruments are guaranteed to be fully functional upon arrival.

PLAYER’S PERSPECTIVE

The Ibanez AZ, specifically the Prestige line, has become one of Ibanez’s most popular new additions in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. The 2204 in particular was a launch model for the line and was an amazing take on the more vintage “S”-style guitar with a modern twist compared to their more iconic RG and other shreddy offerings.

This AZ2204NW model in a beautiful Mint Green finish – although we believe it’s a little more similar to the vintage custom color “Sonic Blue” – takes things a step further in the vintage direction. It harkens back to the vintage “S” type guitars of the 1960s with its vintage-style custom color-esque finish, vintage-style buttons on the Gotoh locking tuners, rosewood fretboard, and parchment/cream white pickguard.

The old-school callbacks don’t stop there, though. Compared to the original non-N 2204, it also comes with a rounder compound fretboard radius of 9″-12″, which makes the familiar C profile neck shape feel even more like a vintage-style guitar and on par with other “Classic” boutique offerings with its roasted maple neck back and stainless steel frets.

The lower-output Fortuna pickups are exclusive to this line, and sound cleaner and more vintage than the higher-output Hyperions you may be more familiar with on the AZ series. We dug the versatility of the two single coils and humbucker along with the dyna-MIX switch that allows you to approximate various S-style, T-style, and humbucker guitars all in one guitar.

Lastly, the non-recessed tremolo is set up with 5 springs and a brass block for the warmth and acoustic resonance of an old-school vintage bridge. We found it to compare very favorably to the more modern-leaning non-N AZ2204, and the two complement each other very well while managing to stay unique.

For a classy-looking, do-it-all workhorse axe equipped with several boutique-level features that can cover pretty much every genre under the sun at a surprisingly affordable price point, check out the AZ2204NW!

MANUFACTURER’S DESCRIPTION

Taking adaptability to new extremes, the AZ series has established itself and carved out a place that spans everything from the warmest blues licks, to the most intense, shred-heavy metal riffs. Carrying this ethos forward, the AZ line embodies time-tested Ibanez innovation and player-focused features like a smooth, oval neck grip, a well-balanced asymmetrical body shape, and the neck heel allowing for unrivaled playability.

There are three principles behind the Ibanez Prestige line: Precision, Performance, and Playability. Prestige combines high-tech manufacturing techniques with old-world Japanese craftsmanship, in order to achieve true innovation in design and construction. The series incorporates ideas and suggestions from musicians from around the world as the cornerstones of the Prestige production process.

• The rosewood fretboard of the AZ2204NW provides a well-balanced solid tone with a focused mid range. In addition, the 9″-12″ compound radius fretboard of the AZ-N is built to enhance both smooth chording and lead work in the upper register.
• Five tremolo springs allow string vibration to be more efficiently transferred to the guitar body. While the non-N AZ2204 series features a recessed bridge cavity for fluid and dynamic tremolo action, this model has non-recessed bridge cavity. The direct contact between bridge plate and the guitar body provides better resonance and helps facilitate subtle nuances in playing dynamics.
• Dyna-MIX 9 offers nine sound variations, and can easily switch between humbucker and single coil modes with just the mini switch. One mode is even able to simulate a humbucker sound from the combination of the 2 single coil pickups.
• Seymour Duncan® Fortuna™ Pickups feature a moderate output and natural clean voicing which accurately reflect subtle playing nuances. From treble to bass, the overall tonal balance is evenly adjusted and works well with various effect pedals.
• The T1702B tremolo bridge provides quick response and improved articulation. The 10.5mm string spacing allows for easy picking across strings and its snap-in construction makes it easy to load a tremolo arm. The tremolo block and saddles are made of brass, facilitating better overall resonance.
• S-TECH special roasted treatment increases the wood’s stability, durability, water resistance and tolerance of temperature changes. The neck is sealed with an oil finish which helps make it feel similar to a well-played guitar neck.
• The AZ comes with GOTOH® MAGNUM LOCK® machine heads, which 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.
• The Luminlay side dot position marks make it easy for players to see fretboard position marks when performing on dark stages.

SPECIFICATIONS

Body

• Body Wood: Alder
• Color: Mint Green

Neck

• Neck Wood: Roasted Maple
• Neck Shape: AZ Oval C
• Neck Joint: AANJ
• Radius: 9″-12″ Compound
• Fretboard Wood: Rosewood
• Fretboard Inlays: Mother-of-Pearl Dots
• Frets: 22 Jumbo Stainless Steel
• Scale Length: 25.5″
• Nut Width: 1.653″
• Nut Material: Bone

Hardware

• Bridge: Gotoh T1702B Tremolo
• Tuners: Gotoh Magnum Locking HAP Tuners 
• Hardware Color: Chrome

Electronics

• Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan Fortuna Single-Coil
• Middle Pickup: Seymour Duncan Fortuna Single-Coil
• Bridge Pickup: Seymour Duncan Fortuna Humbucker
• Controls: Volume, Tone, Dyna-MIX9 Mini-Toggle, 5-Way Blade Pickup Switch

Misc.

• Factory tuning: 1E,2B,3G,4D,5A,6E
• Strings: D’Addario® EXL110
• String gauge: .010/.013/.017/.026/.036/.046
• Case: Hardshell
• Instrument Weight: 7.4 lbs
• Serial #: F2322094

OVERALL CONDITION

Music Store Live is proud to be an authorized dealer for Ibanez. This AZ2204NW is 100% brand new and is being sold with a full manufacturer’s warranty. Photos are of the exact guitar you’ll receive.

Our in-house guitar tech will inspect, test, set up, and clean all of our instruments on site prior to shipping. All of our instruments are guaranteed to be fully functional upon arrival.