At Ibanez, we have always made it a point to study and understand how guitar playing evolves and progresses with music trends over time. Currently, we are seeing an explosion of young contemporary guitarists pushing their playing techniques into exciting new directions. We are viewing this trend as the beginning of a third phase of guitar playing.
All of us at Ibanez challenge ourselves as guitar designers to step up and answer the needs of this third phase. We found that, in order to fully grasp the expanding range of musical expression created, we must consider the guitar not just as an isolated device, but as an extension of the guitarist’s body. If we were to give this phenomenon a name, it would be “Synchronizing Guitars and Players.”
In launching the AZ series, our aim was not to merely create a completely new guitar model, but to sculpt a great guitar that can foster the potential of the modern ‘third phase’ while maintaining traditional elements. Even though Ibanez is thought of as a modern guitar brand, we have decades of accumulated knowledge and a history of pushing the boundaries. The AZ series carries with it all of the hallmarks of these tried and tested Ibanez qualities: the smooth oval neck grip, the well-balanced asymmetrical body shape, and a neck heel that allows unrivaled playability. It also features details such as a new tremolo bridge, as well as new pickups developed in collaboration with Seymour Duncan. All of these elements help the AZ push the existing boundaries of playability and sound even further.
We always strive to make our guitars with the finest materials and parts, yet we know that collecting new parts and materials alone do not make a great guitar. Rather, exquisite guitars are made through the processes of examining, testing, understanding, then finally synchronizing these materials together. The harmonic balance between bridge and pickups, nut and machine heads, neck and fret material, all work together in order to help guitarists create their desired sound. From A to Z, there is no aspect of guitar making that we ever overlook. This tradition has been passed down masterfully to the AZ series.
At first glance, the AZ series may seem like an enigma to some. The magic of this new series is not something that may be apparent by just visual observation. The magic, however, does become instantly apparent once an AZ model is played. The AZ series represents the future of guitar playing and we welcome you to play one and see for yourself.
