- For a list of AZS models, see Portal:AZS series.
The AZS series is a line of solid body electric guitar models produced for Hoshino Gakki and sold under the Ibanez brand. The AZS line was introduced for 2021.
Design[]
The AZS has a body shape which is clearly inspired by the classic Fender Telecaster. It is a shape which is nearly a single-cutaway design with a bulky upper "horn" and a pointier lower one — it is very similar to the FR series body, which should be considered a predecessor. This new series blends the body shape and T-style aesthetic of the FR series with several design touches from it's other parent the AZ series. From the AZ series it inherits it's oval C-shaped roasted maple neck and Super All Access neck joint.
The other major nod to the classic T-style guitar is the single-coil bridge pickup which is mounted askew in a steel plate (on all models except the LB1). Typically on a T-style guitar this plate is integrated with the bridge, but Ibanez has split the two functions by creating a separate pickup mounting plate. This decision was necessitated by the major break from the T-style design in offering tremolo bridges on a number of the AZS models.
Initial models[]
The first AZS models rolled out at the series' debut are all made in Japan as part of the Prestige line. They can be grouped into those with and without tremolos.
The latter group consists of the AZS2209H and the Josh Smith signature FLATV1. Both have very traditional 3-saddle fixed bridges. They also share a banana-shaped metal plate onto which the controls are mounted. The FLATV1 leans even further in the classic direction with a non-contoured slab body and by eschewing the rounded Super All Access neck joint in favor of a flat neck joint with a metal plate.
The initial tremolo-equipped models are AZS2200, AZS2200F, and AZS2200Q trio and a signature model for Lari Basilio, the LB1. Each of these has a Gotoh T1802 tremolo which sits on the guitar's top without a recessed cavity. The AZS2200(x) trio are identical except for the body — the AZS2200 has an alder slab while the "F" and "Q" models add a flamed maple or quilted maple top. In addition to the aforementioned T-style bridge pickup (a Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Custom) these three models have mini-humbucker neck pickup (the Seymour Duncan Magic-Touch Mini). Basilio's signature guitar has a painted ash body and a humbucker/ single/ single configuration of custom pickups.
Sources[]
- AZS series, Ibanez USA, archived February 2021
- FLATV1 product page, Ibanez Asia, archived January 2021
- LB1 product page, Ibanez Asia & Africa, archived January 2021