Ibanez has launched its new AZS series of guitars.
Headlined by the Josh Smith Signature FLATV1, the AZS guitars offer a Tele-style twist on Ibanez's ever-popular AZ series. Blending traditional and 21st century appointments, the AZS guitars boast unique finishes and – in the case of the AZS2209H – a distinctive curved control panel.
The most traditionally-minded of the bunch, the AZS2209H features an ash body, and an oval C S-TECH WOOD roasted maple neck and fretboard, in addition to the curved control panel (which can also be seen on the Josh Smith FLATV1.)
The guitar boasts Seymour Duncan Magic Touch-mini and Alnico Pro custom pickups, supported by volume and tone controls, a three-way pickup selector, and a dyna-MIX5 switching system with an Alter Switch.
Available in Prussian Blue Metallic or Tri Fade Burst finishes, the AZS2209H also features Ibanez/Gotoh "In-Tune" string saddles, a Gotoh F1803 hardtail bridge, and a stainless steel bridge plate.
The AZS2200, AZS2200F, and AZS2200Q models, meanwhile, feature alder bodies, and S-TECH WOOD roasted maple necks and fretboards. The models also each boast a Gotoh T1802 tremolo bridge, in lieu of the hardtail bridge on the other AZS guitars.
Though these AZS series models feature the same pickup layout as the AZS2209H, they feature a more standard control layout, in lieu of the curved control panel.
The guitars come in either a quilted maple top in a Royal Blue Sapphire finish, or a flamed maple top in Sunset Burst or Black finishes.
Prices and a release date for the Ibanez AZS series guitars have yet to be announced as of press time.
For more info on the guitars, stop by ibanez.com.
“We’ve been writing new music and we want to go back out on tour together." Joe Satriani and Steve Vai announce the new SatchVai Band and Surfing With the Hydra tour
“They were yelling, 'You’ve gotta turn your guitar down, Mick! It’s leaking into our vocals.’ ” Mick Mars on how his Mötley Crüe ‘Dr. Feelgood’ tracks ended up on another great album from the 1980s
