ibanez az vs suhr ibanez az vs suhr

I have a suhr 60s std in classic s. Thickness 0.81 0.93. The craftsmanship on those instruments are amazing, the quality control is superb, and the versatility in the pups is like magic. I think they also make Telecaster variants, I meannot very original if you ask me. Players of other genres may not be as interested in the Ibanezs ability to make fusion legato playing so smooth. The heel joint on the Ibanez looks very nice. Guitar Neck Diagram. d: Thickness of the neck at the twelfth fret. I have the Premium AZ242 and I'm still utterly shocked how well it stays in tune for a non-locking system. Ibanez offers electric guitars, bass guitars, acoustic guitars, effect and pedals, amps, plus guitar accessories like . Washington. Ibanez Jem: Suhr Modern: Very, very good bridge on this guitar. Didn't vibe with the stock pups in the Ibby's, my Suhr is amazing. The tone, too, but that was probably due to pickups and wood. With the release of the stripped-back AZ Ibanez Essentials range, has Ibanez created the ultimate beginner's guitar? I am a terrible guitar player so a better guitar will not make me better, but I can feel a difference between a 200 guitar and a 1000 axe, quality of build, pickups, electronics, hardware, etc. I'm in the market for a new six string electric guitar, for use in standard tuning. Features: - Alder Body - Roasted Maple Fretboard - Jumbo Stainless Frets - Seymour Duncan Hyperion Pickups - Bone Nut - Gotoh T1802 Tremolo EDIT 2: well it kinda looks like a strat and a jaguar had a child so if you like how that looks it's only about 200 pounds more expensive. On the Tom Quayle, I used 4 out of 10 positions. 2.9 178. Now, I wouldnt buy a toaster unless it had a pull-out tray for dumping the crumbs, and not all of them do, but thats about the only dealbreaker I can think of, apart from it being literally defective. IMO though if you need to make a decision on something, this is it. I could just grab the Ibanez and mod my MIM strat (notwithstanding access to higher frets and radius), or save to then buy the Ultra in the future (and have both haha! The 2/4 positions and the middle single coil sound great. With that in mind, every Suhr Ive seen has been perfectly constructed, and thats a wonderful thing. You are using an out of date browser. Now, I am not so sure. Heres an example of the kind of music I play for reference (Im on the Kiesel strat here). Elad ez a remek mini distortion pedl, ami a hres Suhr Riot pedl hangzst idzi. Suhr all day long. Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk. A bit disappointing considering the price tag, but probably something I can live with. The middle pickup felt quieter and there was a slight volume drop when switching into that position 3. Ibanez Az is not a competition to the fender but something more towards a Suhr , hence the Gotoh 5xx bridge, SS Frets and roasted maple for neck. Funnily enough, many find it chunky and fat. 0 LOL 0 Wow! AZ is basically the spiritual descendant of the older higher end RG Prestige from the early 00s. That being said, Suhr also sells $7,000+ instruments that unless you're buying it as an art piece doesn't make sense to me. The neck size can also vary depending on model, not all fender necks are thick likewise not all ibanez necks are thin (only the Wizards and similar necks are thin) While ive not played one . 19mm at 12F. I like the singles a lot. But first a note of caution. Az SAGS-50 egy A-alak gitrllvny minden tpus gitrhoz s basszusgitrhoz, ksznheten az univerzlis tartrsznek. Something to note too is that remember, endorsements are primarily about cash for the, I'm quite sure Mr. Suhr doent give a fluff, Granted, it is always kind of a bummer to see someone's "thing" get copied and mass produced, but it's kind of inevitable. IMHO i'd choose this but the ibanez is a really nice guitar. I have gone for the Ibanez. I tried to cover "Home" guitar rendition by Vinai T. The ergonomics of the Ibanez are probably a bit more modern and the higher frets feel more accessible. But perhaps the most obvious distinction between this brand and Tom Anderson is that Suhr has a wider choice of fretboard radiuses. Even if it doesnt say so. SuhrJames Tyler . Be prepared your wallet is in danger. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. Kudos to Fender. Do you find a drop in volume/output with the middle pickup? The only exception is the Aura series. Both have dual radii. a: Width of the neck at the nut. . The Suhr, by comparison, sounds incredible in most positions, but theres two things I dont like which may be connected. Interesting comparison, for a couple reasons. Both felt like a shreddier improvement. What do you think about this? Not bad at all for more modern lead guitar solos. (Not sure if I'll get/want a hardtail or a bar.) select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. Most Successful Signature Guitar Of All Time. Check out the pedal here: https://amzn.to/2w2lUd0Want a Guitar Pit t-shirt? And if we start talking solid-body guitar with locking tremolo, Id max out at Charvel So-Cal/San Dimas, or Ibanez Genesis, so for that about USD$1000. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. If you dont mind lighting hundred-euro bills on fire, Fenders QC has been pretty good for a while now, but Ive never played a Suhr that wasnt at least pretty sweet, and the best ones have been some of the best guitars Ive ever played - I swear my Modern 6 is alive. But in terms of direct competition, basically the only guitar I could find was this Ibanez AZ. b: Width of the neck at the fret position specified by the neck dimension. Your question about me playing this for 20+ years has prompted me to think about roasted maple maintenance. We have to accept (for better and worse) that the guitar market is a mass market for consumers and the downsides are clear. Are some toasters nicer than others. We measure a DC resistance of 6.6 ohms, which isn't far from vintage territory. #37. Potential re-sale value: Probably Fender still commands a following and will be easier to sell in the second-hand market. Even though I sold my AZ when prices rose during COVID, I still thought it was an absolutely top notch guitar. Is a comparable Suhr worth $1000 extra? In Bangladesh, guitar players in smaller villages know about Suhr guitars. What's your favorite 335 style guitar for under $1000 used? I love the inlays, some others don't. Which, I like strats. Id be curious of your opinions two months from now. Minden rintkezsi ponton puha gumibevonata van a karcolsok elkerlse rdekben. [DISCUSSION] Ibanez AZ prestige or Suhr modern satin. If this isnt a guitar you could see yourself playing for the next ten to twenty years, then dont buy it. The AZ neck was a joy to play. Second and most importantly, the Suhr isnt your guitar. It will have a thicker-than-typical neck for an Ibanez, but probably still thinner than average and I wouldnt be surprised if its a hair thinner than that Fender. And in my opinion, honestly a win all around. So for me, its impossible to justify a $3500 guitar over a $2000 guitar on that basis. They both have roasted maple necks, stainless steel frets, locking tunerswhat's the difference?Pickups: SSV Neck, SSH+ Bridge PickupFace portion was shot with a new camera. I've yet to find a tangible answer as to why the suhr is better. Sweetwater Savings: $ 666 .66 MSRP: $ 2,666 .65. Not a massive difference between the Ibanez and Fender here. Or a Suhr Antique Modern. I also had my AZ when I bought a Suhr Modern Pro. I love my Ibanez AZ, but I recently got a Fender American Ultra and it's a pretty damn good guitar that is similar in a few aspects. so let's take a look at both and see what the difference is!Gear from this video at Sweetwater:Fender AM Ultrahttps://imp.i114863.net/7Pnv3Ibanez - https://imp.i114863.net/VXqPaHere is tons of stuff I use in my videoshttps://imp.i114863.net/gd0RACurrent LIMITED TIME deals:https://imp.i114863.net/c/2225674/796914/11319Here are some links to ThomannIbanez AZhttps://bit.ly/2RM8tbJFender Ultrahttp://bit.ly/2VY4QCsTone King Sky Kinghttps://www.thomann.de/de/tone_king_sky_king_trq.htm?offid=1\u0026affid=128Two Noteshttp://bit.ly/2JjqtWYCIOKS DC7 Power Supplyhttp://bit.ly/32KtxTrUniversal Audio Oxhttp://bit.ly/2zuQg8YMy voice recorded with:http://bit.ly/2JmYNAhEverything hangs on thesehttp://bit.ly/2JBdct1My interface: Apollo X4http://bit.ly/2qIWjpChere is a link to the AMPETE switcher:http://www.musik-produktiv.de/ampete-88s-studio-amp-cabinet-switching-system.htmlNOW AVAILABLE - HP42 Shirtshttps://teespring.com/stores/hp42s-wearables?page=1Here is my Reverb shop!https://reverb.com/de/shop/hp42s-warehouseLink to my Patreon account:https://www.patreon.com/user?u=4423533Find seriously different sweaters herehttps://mrgugu.comUse Coupon Code \"EytschPi\" for 15% OFFStuff I use https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/eytschpi42My interfacesApollo x4:https://u.audio/apollo-x4-eytschpi42Universal Audio OX:https://u.audio/ox-eytschpi42Apollo Twin X:https://u.audio/apollo-twin-x-eytschpi42My sliders:SliderONE v2 - http://edel.kr/5tHeadONE - http://edel.kr/5uSliderPLUS - http://edel.kr/5vHeadPLUS - http://edel.kr/5wEdelkrone Main Page - http://edel.kr/5x\"Make sure to pick up a digital copy of my entire discography, both published and unpublished, at https://www.therecordlabel.net/progressive-rock/henning-pauly/henning-pauly-digital-mega-pack/\"Gear from this video Ibanez - https://imp.i114863.net/VXqPaTwo Notes - https://imp.i114863.net/9o5XyHere is tons of stuff I use in my videoshttps://imp.i114863.net/gd0RACurrent LIMITED TIME deals:https://imp.i114863.net/c/2225674/796914/11319Current limited time DEALS:https://imp.i114863.net/c/2225674/796914/11319 "Another 400" is a lot of money though. The satin line is built in the same regard that John Suhr uses with the customs and you can expect the same build quality out of the satin line. $ 1,999 .99. Having played both and owned the Ibanez premium 224 I would say the Ibanez felt a little nicer than the Schecter. cool comparison! AJ Ibanez AZSuhrTom Anderson 24 Yeah, the EB Cutlass is a good deal, but I was thinking more of something like the Sabre. It may not display this or other websites correctly. AZS2209H. The more I play it, the more I like it so I am used to a real Strat and love it to bits. The philosophy behind this series is to bring the tone, versatility and, playability of this celebrated lineup to a wider array of beginner and intermediate players. You shouldnt oil roasted maple, and it doesnt move with the seasons, which is another benefit to us lazy bastards that dont want to mess with the truss rod. Since you just posted an NGD, I assume you just got this guitar and are still in the honeymoon phase. These are both strat style guitars, but they have less in common than they might seem to at a glance. d: Thickness of the neck at the fret position specified by the neck dimension. I didnt try the real HSS ultra but based on the SSS and AP2 HSS. There was a time when the necks and bodies on cheap guitars were frequently problematic, but those days are mostly gone. Never get tired of comparing these 2 of my favorite brands. I think both guitars are overpriced for what they are, but if youre choosing between these two, those are my main thoughts beyond the simple matter of which one feels and sounds better to you? If it were me, Id get a Squier and replace the nut and (if necessary) the pickups. The noiseless pickups sort of make up for this. The new Ibanez AZ series looks like they had Suhr in their sights, and the new Ultra Strats (which I recently acquired, and dearly love!) Play them both in a shop. The Gear Page is the leading online community and marketplace for guitars, amps, pedals, effects and associated gear. And for guitars with locking tremolos, differences in bridge quality have more practical importance than for non-locking ones, and there are considerations about whether the guitar is a candidate for a drop-in bridge replacement. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Its really the lax labour laws and wages in the countries used that allow the lower retail price. That's a very fine band and you are a very fine guitar player! Suhr makes stellar products but their artist deals are nothing compared to what Ibanez or FMC will do for an artist. My first love was a Strat, Ive owned that guitar for coming up on 24 years, have modded the hell out of it, and love that guitar to pieces. it's just that everyone seems to think that suhrs are above everything else, and I wanted to know if that's really the case or just an internet thing. Design: the Ultra looks like a Strat! As great as the JS is, the Suhr is just on a different level. Dont worry about resale. July 2021. Mine has SS frets. Speaking of electronics, the Suhr volume pot is somehow defective, crackling like crazy while adjusting it. If theres any way you can play one, youll probably come close to doubling the cost, but if nothing else itll help you put the AZ into context. That's probably the most commonly used bridge pickup for Suhr. Two suggestions, though, if you want to open your mind to someting else - one more expensive one less. One thing to remember is that because necks are 'hand-finished' they can vary from guitar to guitar. Ive seen Bullets and Affinitys that shouldnt have been allowed to leave the factory (usually due to neck pocket problems, or incorrect bridge placement), but nowadays those are the exception rather than the norm. It will not. Most everything built these days is cnc machined, with polyester finishes. Id pay attention to this while comparing the two. The Ibanez is truly a tool for someone who wants every dollar spent on things that will affect your playing and tonal experience. This is a forum where guitarists, from novice to experienced, can explore the world of guitar through a variety of media and discussion. I didn't care for the AZ I tried. Thanks for visiting. Rosewood and, I believe, ebony require periodic oiling, but maple doesnt really need anything - maybe the occasional wipe down with mineral spirits to clean an unfinished board, but thats about it. Press J to jump to the feed. Plugged into our clean Suhr Badger, we select the neck position to find that it packs a pleasing punch. The part below is going to sound like a rant, but its less directed at you, and more an expression of my gripe with how guitars are marketed. 6 reviews Write your review Item ID: AZ2204NPBM. I tried different suhr guitars2 modern HSH models and 1 standard HSS Rich: the work you did on mine has it staying pretty solidly in tune over the course of a live set even with some warbly and dive+slide madness. Deoxit usually works magic. So having both of these guitars to mess around with, I thought I'd A/B their sound/feel/quality. I have yet to buy one with perfect fretwork, which is an area where companies like Suhr and Anderson excel. That Fender, meanwhile, is just an upgraded, modified Strat. So, minor differences. 2023: The Year Epiphone Became Unaffordable, Don't store picks in zip bags for too long. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Let's take a look and see if this high-end custom shop guitar. Suhr Ibanez AZ Fender Ultra vs StratocasterSuhr ClassicIbanez AZNFender MB 60s Its a serious caveat but not one I am overly worried about. Check me out on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheGuitarPitAnd Instagram is here: https://www.instagram.com/theguitarpit/ Were the two singlecoils the same height, or was the middle buried a bit? Switches, potentiometers and capacitors are usually fine on all but the cheapest of cheap guitars, but high-quality replacements can be bought cheap from places like mouser.com. My full thoughts below. And hopefully many happy years ahead (and no fretboard oiling! There are no Ibanez non locking systems that you could expect stability like a double locker. Ibanez AZRGTalmanQIbanez25 . The AZ series uses Duncans. Ive had my eye on a prestige AZ for a while as they check so many boxes. And secondly there was no stock of HSS ultras, so I tried a SSS ultra and a HSS american pro (which is different, anyway). Go with a company that uses a lot of mass in that floyd, like the ibanez edge style Floyds. As for floyd guitars, a lot of it is indeed with the materials (metal alloy) and mass of the bridge itself. You have two major points of bias though. Inspired. You could get a sweet amp or pedals or something fun with that. Fretwork isn't always great on a Prestige either but generally better than Premium, yes. EDIT: just saw that you wan't a strat-y lookign guitar, so that's out of the question. Based on other sound demos on the internet, it sounds Strat-y with a lot of mojo. Kinda dig the 5120 - maple board and flip flop paint instant cyberpunk. Yamaha has slipped from where they once were on price/performance, but they are still generally the best by that measure. Super short answer to what is not overpriced in my view? Well, I think solid body guitars are overpriced in general, but you can often find differences that I could find justifiable up to around USD$700. IMO you should go with the Prestige AZ but that's me. 1979 Frets: 84. Was the ibanez more compressed acoustically, when you strummed the two unplugged, or was it as resonant unplugged but the pickups were making it more compressed? I have a Prestige HSS AZ and a Fender Elite strat. Online boltok, akcik egy helyen az rukeres rsszehasonlt oldalon. FWIW my second most played guitar (after a Suhr modern) is my Ibanez JS, not my other Suhr. b: Width of the neck at the first fret. But a strat with a non-locking two-point or six-screw trem? Wondering if anyone has any experience with them. At the first frets, the neck seems very thin. All times are GMT-7. Seriously GASsing for an AZ Prestige but can't decide between the HSS or HH model. . So, in summary very different guitars! Basically the general characteristics of Suhrs as compared to the major manufacturers were the roasted maple necks, SS frets, transparent finished bodies, and pickups that lean to the "hot" side but are generally more versatile than their metal-oriented counterparts. IMO the Ibanez has the superior neck, at least in terms of materials and design to the Suhr. Pickups (and wiring - Id probably want to rewire either of these to a standard 5-way) are pretty easy to change, and if you wanted to split the difference sand get something more traditional sounding into the AZ, thats pretty easy. A friend of mine has warned me it is C-type and very chunky -yada,yada- not for fast-playing (the myth again). Special Financing - Ends Jan 1, 2024. Welcome to r/guitar, a community devoted to the exchange of guitar related information. The Ibanez craftsmanship in Japan is very good. Wowsa! Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. I'm not at all surprised to hear the MIJ Prestige compares favorably to the Suhr. I would add to this that really the biggest issue you may come across with this these days is really the finishing fret work on the neck. Aktv 6 hros basszusgitr hangszed szett, az egyszerre tiszta, meleg s ts hangzs rdekben. Designed to Inspire, all Ibanez Premium series are manufactured with select tone woods, high-profile electronics, hardware and dedicated skills of craftsmanship and care in details for your musical journey. Sure. Thank you, I am a bit of a spec guy so it makes senses to compare them, although the ultimate test will be whether I get the mojo or not with them. Electric Guitar Body: Alder, Bolt-on neck: Maple, Fretboard: Maple, White pearloid dot fretboard inlays, Neck profile: Modern D, Compound Fretboard Radius: 254 - 355.6 mm (10"- 14"), Scale: 648 mm (25.51"), Nut width: 42,8 mm (1.69"), Bone nut, Electric Guitar Body: Alder, S-Tech Wood neck: Maple, Neck profile: Oval C, S-Tech Wood Fretboard: Maple, Nut width: 42 mm, Scale: 648 mm, Jumbo Stainless Steel frets with Prestige fret edge treatment, Pickups: 1 Seymour Duncan Hyperion humbucker Colours are irrelevant but I am looking for an HSS version and maple fretboard. If youre an experienced player who can inspect a guitar before you buy it, its not hard to find a Squier Bullet that can be made into a beast with a nut replacement, a setup, and a small amount of fretwork. Can we see a pic of your suhr you speak so highly of? Cool and vintage, but the Ibanez AZ looks a bit more boutique? Endorsements are a business, period. My Suhr Modern Pro has HSH pickups, and yet I get beautiful stratty tones from the neck (with coil splitting). Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ShEIwznLGI. But you're right that a Suhr would be a few hundred more. The pricing isn't so simple either though, That blue Ibanez AZ costs 200 more than a Suhr Modern Satin does, they are expensive to such a degree that even in the case of more expensive Suhrs, if . I'm not crazy with the whammy though. If it were me, Id get a Squier and replace the nut and (if necessary) the pickups. Though the price range of the AZ series isn't low (around $1300 US for the Premium Indonesian models and $2000+ for the Prestige Japanese models), they are generally a more affordable option . Suhr's going after a different clientele. You can get decent dives and float and remain n really good relative tune, but you have to cut the back side of the nut in the direction the strings flex out in dives to stop binding. Az's are cool but I'd go Suhr all day long. Thanks for your feedback, i already have 3 prestige model and the fretwork is great, i assume it won't be an issue on the AZ prestige range ! That did not happen with any Fender. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. If they had invented something different and unique and then someone else took their people then maybe you could feel bad. Hardware and built: The Ibanez has stainless steel frets, which is supposedly a plus (not a connosseur here). If this is your first visit, be sure to Open to your thoughts, experiences & research on Suhr and Anderson guitars. link above. Its another example of the law of diminishing returns/marginal gains. Don't let anyone else talk you out of what you want. Suhr ClassicIbanez AZNFender MB 60s. You may have to register I honestly don't think my issue is a fret issue as much as a possible neck pocket issue. Unfortunately, theyve started only selling them new as hardtails. Yea but isn't everything you've said also applies to the AZ prestige? There are quite a few differences between the two inc the scale length and fretboard radius which can change the way it feels to play as well. For the money they are hard to beat IMO. . That Fender, meanwhile, is just an upgraded, modified Strat. Kicsi s ers, sszecsukhat a knny . I'm not sure. I used to have a Japanese S a long while ago and the wizard necks are fast and easy to play. This in practice isnt a huge deal, but youll have slightly lower action before choking on the multi-radius, all else equal. I believe its just a fluke occurrence. $ 2,599 .99. Its either middle and neck or middle and bridge and havent noticed any volume drop. The humbucker is ok, but it seems a bit mushy for me with heavier distortion. Main issue with buying a guitar made in China, Indonesia, or South Korea is if you have moral concerns about the working conditions in the factories. As I have a Player Strat which is already very good, I dont see the need to upgrade to another Fender right away. Yea, the strings all flex out to the treble side on dives so you have to roll off straight but it's more important to roll the back side to the treble side or that's where it will bind. The two guitars are very different. settled on Ibanez AZ2402 but now many people are saying if I'm willing to pay that much I might as well go for the Suhr modern satin which is like 400 pounds more. do you feel bad for fender because suhr exists? Suhrs are great but Ibanez are equally great in my eyes, just at a better price. For 1600 you get a 4a top, chambered body, and roasted maple neck. Ibanez have expanded their lineup this year with a new series called the AZ line! All the pickups in the nicer Ibanez guitars are made by DiMarzio. if you were in my position, what would you get? You are using an out of date browser. thanks. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Tech experts from Seymour Duncan are regularly on this forum, and are clearly labeled as employees of Seymour Duncan. You can read more about our Privacy Policy. For an acoustic or a hollow-body electric, were talking about a whole different ballgame. All are welcome, from seasoned pros to absolute beginners. Hard to say. Hey folks, I just wanted to give a comparison rundown between these two guitars. It has coil splitting and gets stratty. I will keep thinking about it but I am so torn as the guitars are so different. As such, there is a gradient and a sliding scale of value for money and I think after you hit the 600 mark improvements become marginal for the price difference. are also a step up in craftsmanship, features and design for Fender. Like I said, the AZ is basically Ibanezs take on a Suhr Modern. Part of the charm of the AZs sound is here, too. Heck, you can even love either one, though of course psychologically it's easier to love the guitar that's more expensive. It is not dead ringer, but is has some quack. Hi guys, looking for some guitar buying advice. check out the FAQ by clicking the in the face of a decision, go for both?). Im being extremely picky here - these are good pickups, but Im trying to critique it as an extremely expensive guitar. What's your favorite 335 style guitar for under $1000 used? There are three principles behind the Ibanez Prestige line: Precision, Performance, and Playability. Let's take a look and see if this high-end custom shop guitar is worth the insane price tag. Both the prestige and premium lines of that series do. You must log in or register to reply here. On paper, elliptical is too thin for me if it was a c shape. Im not 100% on the Suhr, I know theyre Suhr branded pickups and the bridge pickup is the super hot one rated at something like 17k. Suhr ClassicIbanez AZNFender MB 60s, 29327 178 876 392 206 106, , "" Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. I know a lot of you have been wanting me to take a look at a Suhr, so here you go. I know a lot of you have been wanting me to take a look at a Suhr, so here you go. I sent back the Suhr and got a J. To each his own I suppose. Tuners are only an issue if the stock ones are really bad, and if they have to be replaced youre talking another $100 for Sperzel or equivalent. Rimo BlogIbanez! Some Gios are also becoming a bit fancier these days, with sparkle finishes, gold, and figured veneers. I also love that it is one of one with a unique paint job. Im looking at potentially purchasing one of these very soon. AZ is basically the spiritual descendant of the older higher end RG Prestige from the early 00s. To acknowledge this. ok i got it Rich thanks, i had read that the Guthrie Govan Charvel had the same issue with the same non locking/bone nut system. . I must have mixed it up with some of the Charvels I tried (I tried almost 15 guitars!). Also my cutoff would be different depending on the category of guitar. It will have a thicker-than-typical neck for an Ibanez, but probably still thinner than average and I wouldn't be surprised if it's a hair thinner than that Fender. Finally, eh? #1. Inner-shredder feeling: both guitars are perfectly valid for shredding/fast playing IMHO. I wasn't a big fan of it in my Modern Satin. I never use the middle pickup on its own. Bridge on the Ibanez is nicer, unless you specifically have a personal preference for two-point Fender bridges. I'd agree, the pickups are certainly different. Thanks for sharing. The Ibanez AZ is basically their take on a Suhr Modern, and isn't really their traditional RG style superstrat.