TEST: Ibanez AZ24047

It has become a little quiet around the 7-string faction. After Steve Vai chose Ibanez as the protagonist of all prog fans with the Universe model at the end of the eighties and the band Korn introduced the 7-string guitar into the mainstream, this design took over the part of the "missing link" between the traditional 6-string concept and the "do-we-really-need-a-bassist-yet" 8-string djent range. Also, the downtuning trend that was at its zenith years ago, where a standard 6-string is transposed down several semitones, has taken over much of the 7-string territory. For the test we have an Ibanez AZ24047 in classic black, which is preparing to reclaim some of the lost territory.

The special features of the Ibanez AZ24047

What would Ibanez be without its model designations that are as long as a bull's-eye and indecipherable to the layman? One should really take up the cudgels for the music dealers, who have to deal with the columns of numbers every day. Be that as it may, the Japanese will probably not give up this designation policy, one must live with it.

Once again, the Japanese-made instrument comes with the classic Powerstrat attributes, i.e. Strat-like body, powerful pickups and a vibrato system, whereby the "thick pants" department has turned out comparatively moderate on this model from the Prestige series. Rather, one gets the impression Ibanez doesn't want to create provocation in both the color scheme and the general layout, both with the public and with bandmates. One may interpret the brown-black color scheme as discreet or as banal, just as one likes it.

In terms of workmanship, Ibanez once again shows its class, although for a model of this LIga, which has a retail price of 2,199, - €, the general headroom regarding uncleanliness will also be very low. Here the pedant will probably be allowed to search all day, he won't find any reason to nag.

Japan has built several special features into the Ibanez AZ24047. Not quite new anymore, but still always a highlight in terms of vibration behavior is the neck made of roasted maple mounted in the bolt-on process. As is well known, this type of wood in particular benefits from the process in terms of vibration behavior and gives the instrument already in dry mode an exceptionally long sustain for the construction screwed neck / vibrato system. As expected, the dimensions of the neck are slightly thicker than usual due to the seven strings, resulting in the following values:

Width: 47 mm at the nut, 66 mm at the 24th fret.
Thickness: 20.5 mm at the 1st fret, 22.5 mm at the 12th fret
Fingerboard radius : 305 mm

The neck is 4-bolted to the alder body and, as is often the case with Ibanez, is in a rounded neck socket, which makes it much easier to play in the upper registers. 24 stainless steel jumbo frets on a long scale (648 mm / 25.5") are also standard on this model. The truss rod is accessible from the top of the headstock and due to this construction already brings a not to be underestimated weakening of the sensitive transition point to the headstock. Although this circumstance is somewhat compensated for by the more massive neck, increased caution is (as always) called for in the case of lateral impacts in this area.

The forced somewhat extended headstock accommodates 7 locking tuners from Gotoh and provides the necessary contact pressure for the three treble strings by means of a triple string tree. The vibrato system is also supplied by Gotoh and draws attention directly by the fact of silence. Silence? Yep, finally a manufacturer has read the test reports and given the total of four vibrato springs inside each a rubber sleeve, which eliminates the terrible "reverb spiral effect" of other vibrato systems. Small detail, extremely large effect! A locking system does not use the Ibanez AZ24047, instead the saddle is a Graph Tech BLACK TUSQ XL.

Pickups and circuit

For the Ibanez AZ24047, the Japanese leave their house and court supplier in terms of pickups, DiMarzio, and give preference to Seymour Duncan with three pickups of the Hyperion series. All pickups are passive and based on Alnico magnets. Two switches, an unfortunately somewhat wobbly 5-way and a mini-switch allow for quite complex sound management, which the attached picture explains comprehensively. A limp comparison would roughly divide the two modes into a Strat and an LP approach. As I said, it's limping. A master volume and master tone control round out the sound management. The string set is from D'Addario and goes by the name EXL 110-7 (.010/.013/.017/.026/.036/.046/.059).

In terms of accessories, Ibanez once again sets standards with this model that many other manufacturers could take an example from. Not only that the instrument is delivered in a high-quality plastic case, no, the highlight is the included multitool Hex Wrench MTZ11, which contains all the keys needed to adjust the instrument, like a Swiss Army knife. The manufacturing costs for such a product will probably be around 3-4 euros internally, why doesn't every manufacturer have such a tool in the functional scope. The external effect outweighs this investment many times over!

The Ibanez AZ24047 in practice

If one looks apart from the somewhat more massive dimensions of the neck, one has the feeling to hold a regular Ibanez Powerstrat in the hands. Weight, dimensions and handling are the same as always and easily fit into the personal playing experience. Thanks to a string space of 10.5mm, you don't really feel a significant difference from a fingering and touch perspective unless you analyze your fretboard from "top to bottom" (tonally from bottom to top).

The low B string adds only 5 additional bass notes to the tonal spectrum, but the fingerboard is completely different. It takes time to adjust your scales and voicings to the changed sound spectrum, it is after all a completely independent instrument. The typical metal head will possibly tune the B-string down to A, penetrate the high gain channel on the amp, fire off one power chord after the other in barre fret style and only in the rehearsal room, on stage or during the demo recordings think about where you can somehow accommodate the bass player tonally. Small tip, bassist from the band take and keyboarder purely. They can do more in terms of sound and can be placed much better in the overall sound. The lot of the heavy bass player in 2021. P.S. Only a fraction of all downtuned metal productions still have a "real, played" bass and even that can hardly ever be found in the sound.

However, it would be very unfair to limit the Ibanez AZ24047 to simple low-frequency banging. In terms of versatility, the instrument has much more to offer, which alone shows the large pickup selection. Like the RG series, the AZ series offers a very comprehensive and balanced sound from clean to all types of crunch to lead and high gain, with which you can cover a lot of playing styles. In principle, a very good instrument for a Dream Theater tribute band that has to play 2 sets of classic rock songs in the evening for the sake of catchiness (if there is such a band ;-)

The instrument is fun to play due to the very good vibration behavior and proves to be similar to the enclosed multitool in terms of flexibility. You can play everything that the "normal" sound range gives and has for the "fat department" again the low B-string in Petto, which can be brought in normal tuning also still very musical. The comparatively discreet appearance (please keep in mind the neon coloring of some Ibanez models) allows the use even in areas where the artist has to keep himself visually in the background.

Conclusion

With the Ibanez AZ24047, Japan's biggest name in electric guitars has a very good and above all flexible 7-string at the start. The instrument impresses with a very good workmanship and an unusually good vibration behavior, due to the roasted neck and the components used.

Due to the extensive circuitry, the guitar offers an excellent basis for all musical performances that require great flexibility in terms of sound, such as the always popular Top 40 cover band or but product presentations.

Oh, yes, be creative yourself is of course also very well possible with this instrument! ;-)

Additional informations:

Ibanez Guitars is a renowned Japanese guitar manufacturer that has been a prominent player in the music industry for over six decades. Known for its exceptional craftsmanship, innovative designs, and diverse range of instruments, Ibanez has become a trusted brand among musicians worldwide. This comprehensive report aims to provide an in-depth overview of the company, including its history, notable achievements, product range, manufacturing processes, and global impact.

History and Background Ibanez was founded in 1957 by Hoshino Gakki, a Japanese music company primarily involved in the distribution of sheet music and musical instruments. Initially, Ibanez focused on producing traditional Spanish classical guitars, but it soon expanded its offerings to include electric guitars, bass guitars, acoustic guitars, and other musical instruments.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Ibanez gained recognition for producing high-quality, affordable replicas of popular American electric guitars. This not only allowed beginner musicians to afford professional-grade instruments but also put Ibanez on the map as a serious competitor in the guitar market. Over the years, the company developed its own unique designs and technologies, establishing a distinct identity and loyal customer base.

Notable Achievements Ibanez has achieved several significant milestones throughout its history. One of its most notable accomplishments was the introduction of the Ibanez JEM series, a line of signature electric guitars designed in collaboration with legendary guitarist Steve Vai. These guitars showcased advanced features such as the innovative "Monkey Grip" handle, the double-locking tremolo system, and DiMarzio pickups, revolutionizing the industry and capturing the attention of guitarists worldwide.

Additionally, Ibanez made substantial contributions to the evolution of heavy metal and rock music. The brand's guitars gained popularity among metal guitarists due to their fast necks, aggressive tones, and high-performance features. Many renowned musicians, including Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert, and John Petrucci, have collaborated with Ibanez to develop signature guitar models, further solidifying the brand's position in the rock and metal genres.
Product Range Ibanez offers a vast range of guitars and related instruments to cater to musicians of all genres and skill levels. Their product lineup includes:

Electric Guitars: Ibanez electric guitars are renowned for their versatility and playability. They offer a wide array of models, ranging from classic designs inspired by iconic instruments to cutting-edge modern instruments with advanced features.

b. Acoustic Guitars: Ibanez acoustic guitars are crafted with attention to detail, ensuring rich tones and superior playability. The company produces acoustic guitars suited for various playing styles, including steel-string acoustic, classical, and acoustic-electric models.

c. Bass Guitars: Ibanez bass guitars are highly regarded for their outstand
ing build quality, innovative designs, and exceptional tonal range. The company offers an extensive selection of bass guitars, catering to the needs of professional bassists, beginners, and everyone in between.

d. Amplifiers and Effects: In addition to guitars, Ibanez produces a range of amplifiers and effects pedals designed to enhance the tonal possibilities for guitarists. These products offer a wide range of sound-shaping capabilities, from vintage-inspired tones to modern high-gain distortion.
Manufacturing Process and Quality Control Ibanez maintains stringent quality control measures throughout the manufacturing process to ensure the highest level of craftsmanship and reliability. The company employs experienced luthiers and utilizes state-of-the-art technology to create instruments that meet the expectations of musicians worldwide.