Video summary

Every Level Of Ibanez AZ

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product reviewed

Ibanez AZ series (Every Level of Ibanez AZ) — the video walks through multiple “tiers”/models in the AZ lineup, comparing features, pickup ecosystems (especially Dynamix 10 and Fishman Fluence), and how well different versions stay in tune.

Key features mentioned (across levels)

  • Dynamix 10 switch (appears from entry into premium levels) Enables single-coil splitting and other pickup combinations, including humbucker-like sounds from single coils.

  • Pickup ecosystem / tonal versatility

    • Level 1 (AZ ES40): Dynamix 10 + single-coil options; described as able to mimic humbucker tones using paired settings.
    • Level 2 (AZ A42P1 “Premium” level): originally Seymour Duncan Hyperion pickups (stock), retaining premium hardware/trim and the full AZ feature set.
    • Level 3 (AZ KRYS10 / “Chris 10” / signature): Fishman Fluence Open Core Classics with a 3-way selector for multiple voicings (PAF humbucker / single coil / hotter modern-style).
    • Level 4 (Japanese Prestige 2402, 24-fret): Seymour Duncan Hyperion (original line pickups); presented as “AZ at its roots” with traditional Prestige-style specs.

  • Tuning stability tests

    • Repeated “moment of truth” checks after aggressive playing and whammy use.
    • No precise numerical score is given, but the reviewer repeatedly concludes the guitars stay very stable.

  • Neck + hardware upgrades by tier

    • Roasted maple necks / roasted maple fingerboards on higher tiers.
    • Stainless steel frets on multiple tiers.
    • GraphTech nut on premium and signature levels.
    • Go-to/Luminlay side dots: praised for visibility in higher-end lighting cases; criticized on one premium tier for being too dim in daylight.

Level-by-level highlights, pros, and cons

Level 1 — Ibanez AZ ES40 (“AZ Essentials”)

Main points

  • Entry-level positioned, while still keeping key AZ characteristics.
  • Price: about $350 (single-coil or SSH model variants).
  • Includes Dynamix 10 switch.
  • 6-point tremolo, noted as supporting downtuning like Drop D without “throwing you out” like some floating trem setups.

Tonal versatility

  • Switching supports split/merge options to get humbucker-like sounds from single coils.
  • Example: engaging Dynamix 10 is described as making the tone “beefier” by combining coils.

Tuning stability

  • After hard playing, the reviewer says it’s not that out of tune—impressive for an entry model.

Verdict

  • Strong value starter AZ: entry pricing + Dynamix 10 + stable tuning.

Main con(s) mentioned

  • No explicit major criticism of the ES40 beyond a minor anecdotal reference suggesting it may have been slightly out of tune in one example.

Level 2 — Ibanez AZ A42P1 (Premium tier; “daily driver”)

Main points

  • Premium jump described as fast: roughly $350 up to $1,300+.
  • Reviewer’s daily driver, previously also a project guitar (received as part of gear arrangement for a Sweetwater-related video).

Stock features (as described)

  • Seymour Duncan Hyperion pickups
  • Dynamix 10 switch
  • 1502 Gotoh trem (as stated)
  • Stainless steel frets
  • Roasted maple neck
  • Wood callouts:
    • Body: basswood (good, but noted as “a little soft” vs alder-type expectations)
    • Fingerboard: rosewood
  • GraphTech nut
  • Aesthetic detail praised: binding and matching headstock.

Notable con: Luminlay side dots visibility

  • Luminant side dots are described as too dark in normal daylight, causing stage visibility issues (the reviewer mentions losing their place while playing with sunglasses on).
  • They still glow well at night, but the reviewer dislikes the daylight limitation.

Tuning stability

  • Another aggressive tuning test: reviewer says it’s winning and stays in tune so well.
  • Pickup rewiring discussion: Dynamix 10 rewired to a 3-way switch (modeled after a signature setup).

Verdict

  • Mostly all positives for stock high-end parts and gigging readiness, with side-dot daylight visibility as the main drawback.

Level 3 — Ibanez AZ “Chris 10” KRYS10 signature (signature tier)

Main points

  • Built around the reviewer’s personal AZ direction (context given about a student loan and shoulder surgery).
  • Presented as a smart stock route to get premium parts you might otherwise add through upgrades.

Stock features (as described)

  • Fishman Fluence Open Core Classic pickups
  • 3-way selector for pickup/voice voicings:
    • down = PAF humbucker
    • middle = single coil
    • up = hotter/modern metal-style humbucker
  • GraphTech nut, locking tuners
  • Roasted maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Signature-only visual upgrades:
    • Inlays (12th fret described with pearl and gold)
    • Pearl binding highlighted as a standout detail
  • Weight emphasized strongly: about ~9 lb, described as heavy for an AZ (heavier than other models the reviewer tried).

Tuning stability

  • Another tuning test: reviewer says it stayed in tune ridiculously well.

Verdict

  • Excellent tonal flexibility and look; practical downside: very heavy (~9 lb).

Level 4 — Japanese Prestige 2402 (24-fret; “never sell” workhorse)

Main points

  • Positioned as a long-term gig/usage instrument: bought to cover many styles for a band for one summer.
  • Tied to reviewer’s fandom history and featured in a major “GOAT video” context.
  • Japanese-made Prestige, with 24 frets.

Stock features mentioned

  • Oil impregnated bone nut
  • Roasted maple neck + roasted maple fingerboard
  • Stainless steel frets
  • Real Luminlay side dots praised as bright (contrasted with dimmer premium dots)
  • Seymour Duncan Hyperion pickups
  • Dynamix 10 switch
  • Finish/vibe:
    • satin finish (workhorse, not flashy)
    • described as less prone to looking dirty quickly

Trem/installation notes

  • Gotoh bridge referenced (historically reviewer says “1802 at the time,” with some uncertainty).

Wear/usage

  • Paint holds up well after heavy playing.
  • Biggest aging: satin finish wear on the back of the neck from obsessive playing.

Tuning stability

  • Tuner discussion is followed by opening “Mystery Case,” with the reviewer implying results were acceptable and attributing a possible false negative to old strings.

Verdict

  • The best “serious workhorse Prestige AZ” in the reviewer’s emotional and practical hierarchy, with common cons limited mainly to wear/aging and preference-driven concerns about heavy usage marks.

“Mystery Case” (special additional guitar shown)

Ibanez Roadstar 2 (Japan) / Roadstar-derived origin

Main points

  • Described as a key “turning point” in the reviewer’s Ibanez journey and used to explain how AZ lineage developed.
  • Historical claim:
    • The “R” in RG line is tied to the Roadstar’s old logo used on some AZ-related branding (as part of lineage).
  • Precursor-style switching:
    • in-phase / out-of-phase switch, described as a cool predecessor to Dynamix 10-style concepts.
  • Reviewer admission:
    • Did not test whammy stability and hasn’t plugged it in in 15+ years.
  • Feel:
    • Neck feel described as similar to the AZ.

Verdict

  • Not a direct AZ product review; used to contextualize why AZ feels “right” to the creator.

Comparisons made

  • AZ vs “Prestige” / tiering

    • ES40 (entry): keeps essential AZ DNA (Dynamix 10, trem stability).
    • Premium (A42P1): adds premium woods/components, but highlights the main downside: side-dot visibility in daylight.
    • Signature (KRYS10): top-tier pickups and unique aesthetics, but may be heavier.
    • Japanese Prestige 2402: positioned as the “never sell” workhorse with brighter Luminlay and classic Hyperion + AZ functionality.

  • Different switching approaches

    • Dynamix 10 vs Fishman Fluence 3-way selector
      • Dynamix 10 described as enabling multiple configurations (including humbucker-like options from single coils).
      • Fishman Fluence described as providing distinct voicings, including a true humbucker mode and single coil mode.

  • Side-dot visibility comparison

    • Premium model Luminlay dots reportedly too dim in daylight.
    • Prestige model dots described as bright.

Pros (compiled)

  • Very versatile tones (single-coil/humbucker-like options via Dynamix 10 or Fishman Fluence voicings)
  • Tuning stability: repeated tests after hard use; consistently impressed
  • High value at lower tiers: Level 1 keeps major AZ DNA around $350
  • Premium/sig stock pickups and necks: roasted maple, stainless frets, GraphTech nut, good tuners
  • Aesthetics and finish details: binding, matching headstock, inlays/pearl work (especially signature)
  • Real Luminlay brightness on the Prestige level (per reviewer)

Cons (compiled)

  • Side-dot daylight visibility issue on at least one Premium model (hard to see on normal stages; worse with sunglasses)
  • Signature weight: around ~9 lb, described as unusually heavy
  • Minor spec uncertainty (e.g., bridge model number) due to reviewer “correct me if I’m wrong” wording
  • One tuning result possibly affected by old strings (questioning test validity when strings are worn)

Giveaway / engagement

  • If the video reaches 1,000 comments, the reviewer will give away one of the guitars (mentioned after the Level 1 tuning/value discussion).

Overall verdict / recommendation

Overall recommendation: The reviewer treats the Ibanez AZ lineup as consistently high-performing across tiers, with Dynamix 10 / switching versatility and excellent tuning stability as core strengths.

Best fit by user intent

  • Want maximum AZ value cheaply: AZ ES40 (~$350)
  • Want premium stock features for gigging: AZ A42P1 Premium (but consider side-dot visibility in daylight)
  • Want signature look + Fishman voicings: KRYS10 (prepare for weight)
  • Want the “workhorse never-sell” Prestige experience: Japanese Prestige 2402 with bright Luminlay and classic Hyperion + AZ functionality

Unique points mentioned about the product(s), by level (deduplicated)

  • AZ Dynamix 10 enables humbucker-like sounds from single coils and varied tonal options.
  • ES40 includes Dynamix 10 despite being “essential”/entry-level.
  • ES40 has a 6-point tremolo supporting downtune like Drop D without floating-trem problems.
  • ES40 pricing around $350, described as punchy with strong tuning stability.
  • Premium model includes roasted maple neck, stainless frets, Hyperion pickups, trem, and GraphTech nut.
  • Premium model main con: Luminlay side dots too dark in daylight.
  • Signature uses Fishman Fluence Open Core Classic with 3-way selector (PAF humbucker / single coil / hot modern).
  • Signature model includes ebony fretboard, pearl/gold inlays, pearl binding, locking tuners, GraphTech nut.
  • Signature model weight about ~9 lb.
  • Prestige Japanese 2402 includes oil-impregnated bone nut, roasted maple neck/fretboard, Hyperion pickups, stainless frets, and brighter real Luminlay side dots.
  • Prestige described as satin-finished, durable, and a “never sell” guitar.
  • Mystery Case Roadstar 2 explains lineage inspiration and switching ancestry (in-phase/out-of-phase precursor).

Speakers

  • Single primary speaker (the channel owner/reviewer); no other distinct speakers provide additional viewpoints in the provided subtitles.

Original video