In this review I will only judge the workmanship of the product, simply because everything else (fingerboard, sound, hardware) is influenced by our personal taste.
We all have different hands, different ears and simply different needs.
In this case I decided to buy this guitar, because I wanted a non recessed bridge, I wanted 3 single coils, and I wanted a rosewood fingerboard with 22 frets. Plus the neck is just great, not too thin and not too thick either, but something in between. And all made in Japan ;) !!
Workmanship: So, what to say? The AZ series is simply outstanding, and this model is no exception. after all, it is well known, the Japanese are famous for their precision and attention to detail, characteristics that are reflected excellently in this model.
The workmanship of this product is perfect. From the paint to the hardware, everything is in the right place and beautifully worked out. Great job and great quality control from Ibanez - (5 Stars)
Features: really a great idea the introduction of the Blend button (the last tone, near the 5 way blade switch, is not a tone but a "Blend"). It pushes the sound wehn needed. The bridge is non recessed (Van Halen style :), and saddles are made of titanium, which means they will never rust. And it has 5 springs instead of 3 to improve vibrations end resonance. - (5 Stars)
Sound: I will give 5 stars to the sound too, even though it does not satisfy me at all. And I knew this, because I had tried the guitar at Thomann´s before I bought it. So why I bought it anyway? Because I always changed the pickups on all the guitars I own. As I said before, sound is a totally personal thing, and it is almost impossible find the guitar with the pickup combination that you really want. (Unless you want the classic Gibson or Fender sound).
So for me the Seymour Duncan Fortuna are too thin sounding, and even if you turn the Blend to the maximum they cannot really manage an heavily overdriven amp.
Overall a truly beautiful guitar that is worth all the money spent and even more. I would buy it again and again and again ... ;)
