most of the guys ive seen playing az are jazz rock fusion guys like tom quayle,martin miller,mark lettieri etc not so much metal guys,though i suppose you can play metal on most guitars,iron maiden strats,tony iommi gibson sg,modern metal guys i see using guitars like caparison etc,which have pointy headstocks ,that look like medieval weapons
YOU MADE THIS UP. NO ONE has ever said there was a BIG 4 OR a BIG 3 for guitars, you POSER. It was always TWO: Gibson and FENDER. No one puts Gretsch or PRS next to those. And almost all guitarists will say Ibanezes, Deans, etc were ALL superior to Fender & Gibson. NOT COOL, dude. Most people hate liars.
also: GUITARS WITH HEADSTOCKS should probably be outlawed by now, for a million legal reasons. EX: they are a threat to the environment. ALL that extra and pointless metal and wood?!!!! BYE BYE, cavemen! Headstocks are LAMER than the horse and buggy!
Honestly, for the comparable price, and customization of your own guitar, kiesel isn’t really being beat by anyone. Not to mention kiesel comes standard with stainless frets and super stable necks. You can literally make a kiesel version of any guitar.
All Ibanez AZ have a straight 12” radius, not compound barring the “N” models that are 9.5”-12”. I think the AZ would be the perfect guitar if it had a 12”-16” radius like Charvel DK24’s
Hey Jim! Great comparisons of some great guitars...and great playing too, as always. As I have become a fan of Kiesel guitars, having a Strandberg and loving the ergonomics of it, how is the Zeus when compared to the Strandberg especially in the classical position. As with most guitars when playing in the classical position, the guitar shifts of to the left, a bit more away from your body. I play mostly sitting down but when I do play standing, the Strandberg is the same height/position/angle as when I sit which is awesome. Is the Zeus similar in that way or is there a bit more of a twist when sitting to playing standing? The options, wood/color choices and being made in the US make it very tempting for a new guitar purchase from Kiesel. Thanks in advance for your input.
I got the Strandberg classic for $1200 - due to a small cosmetic defect that I can't find and it's been a few months now. The website says it's made of basswood, but by my own analysis, I've determined it's actually made of smokeless fire and the prayers of small children that think something bad is about to happen. The neck however seems to be made of *REDACTED*.
Awesome video! And btw, it’s the Strandberg Fusion that comes with the middle single coil pickup. The Prog has a trem and 2 humbuckers. I love the Fusion though because it’s got a five way switch and a coil tap so you’ve literally got 10 pickup positions. It’s probably the most versatile guitar I’ve ever played.
@@LunatiqueRob You’re right. The normal Fusion doesn’t have a coil tap but mine is a Fusion Titanium LE. I forgot that it was one of the extra features for that model.
@@taterman13 How do you like the sound of the coil tap (especially at the neck)? I wish that was a standard feature because it would make the Fusion truly versatile.
Great vid, would have been even better if you filmed the strandberg from behind the neck when playing. Cheers from the UK, desperate for a neck thru Strandberg!
Great video! I’ve almost placed an order with Kiesel for a DC M7 with the same finish as your kiesel. What are your thoughts on the crimson red raw tone finish. And what happened to colour on your Kiesel just below the pick up, it has some white marks.? Thanks.
I’m so glad you asked! So far my experience with the raw tone finish is good and bad. I think it looks amazing but I’m questioning how long it lasts. If you look at mine, under the pickups and below the volume knob, I’ve worn the paint away from playing it so much hahah that’s those white marks.
Damnit! I have an AZ (absolutely the most amazing guitar I've played) and want another 6 string to keep in a drop tuning, was thinking about going for the Strandberg or another AZ but now I think you just made me fall in love with my AZ even more! U affirmed everything I think about my AZ. 😂🤘 Time for another one? Hmmm
I bought the Eart gw2 just so I could see if I like the shape. I love it. Also pretty impressed with the 5pc roasted maple neck/rosewood board and stainless frets at this price. The neck has a great shape as well.
Tremolos were never Available on the Zeus (Gibson Scale). I called in and told them I wanted a Zeus with a Trem (Gibson Scale) and Kiesel techs told me I would have to pay the Computer Programming set up to design the trem (fitted to the Zeus). I said OK.....It was not cheap but it was worth it. So I have the first Zeus made with a trem and after that Kiesel had the computer program so they offered the Trem as an Option. I love the guitar!
I love my Ibanez and have forever, and picked up a Strandberg NX7 Prog when they released last year and I have to say, headless is my future. Getting older, the weight difference and feel lets me play for hours, where my LP, Schecter and Ibanez just feel heavy after a while.
Hi, could you say more? I am actually deciding I wanna Boden Original NX seven. I can't play it in person :( :). But I love the specs and the look, I want one in blue. I am playing mostly in Drop G#, so my only concern is the top is only 26.25, but it could be ok.
Just a counterpoint on the AZ; coming from beveled RG-style neck heels that start below the 18th fret (the AZ's heel starts below the 17th) this heel joint did not feel transparent to me at all when I tried it in a store. The heel joint sticks out about 2cm from the already thicker neck uniformly with no slow gradient, which makes it very solid and sturdy, but not very shred-friendly to me at all, at least on the lower frets. The moment I go under the 17th fret, my thumb position on the back of the neck has to shift drastically to compensate for the sudden increase in width. The fact that the heel is ergonomically curved doesn't negate its sheer size. So if you're a shredder, be aware of that, and of course YMMV. You may be able to adjust to it with a little practice, but I don't personally want to go through that process when I can just buy an RG or JEM-style guitar (at the sacrifice of the AZ's amazing versatility). If you play with your thumb closer to the low E the way Tim Henson does, this may not be much of an issue for you. Otherwise, this is not a bad guitar at all, quite the opposite. The neck felt extremely sturdy and comfortable despite its thicker width, and I had no issues playing fast on the rest of the neck until the heel got in the way. The electronics and hardware were absolutely premium and very well-built. The weight is extremely well-balanced. You really do get what you are paying for with this guitar. If not for that neck heel, I would very happily have bought it.
Your strandberg has a different fanned fret design to mine. Mine goes from pointing one way to pointing the other way like a fan. Yours all point towards the pickups. That’s really interesting!
Did you have any bad experiences with Strandberg shipping or moneyback insurence? I wanna buy one and I don't if i should cause I've had bad experiences with debitcard payments online
If you’re in the USA, order from Sweetwater. And you’ll have none of those concerns and 2 year warranty on everything they sell. Free shipping and returns.
I think it's a shame Strandberg don't have a deal with any other brands on the Endurneck. I love strandberg's for their necks, and how lightweight they are but I also prefer a more 'normal' looking guitar. I think an Ibanez az with the endurneck would be my perfect guitar
This would be soooo damn interesting to play!! I was also thinking something similar but the opposite, having a Strandberg with a compound radius neck. I just want to know how that would feel haha
Yes I agree but I think some key elements for me here are the trem and the neck. Those two things are killers. Also, the prices went up this year. So I am making this video from a more current pricing standard.
@@jimmyfranklin I paid about 1,400 for my mahogany Zeus with 5 piece neck, fixed bridge tropic paint. About 3 years ago. Just ordered a Vader with 3 piece neck. 2K..
Yup! That’s just worn away from playing. I do play it a lot but I’ll admit, it kind of upsets me and I think it shouldn’t have worn as much as it did. It’s more worn now
If you sweat a lot and have very acidic sweat: don't get a ''raw tone'' or how they call it finish, also avoid satin finishes. Satin finishes tend to ''gloss over'' from the sweat and ''raw tone'' will deteriorate even worse over time, because it's a super thin layer of paint. Don't buy into the whole: "the wood breathes and the guitar has moar toane''-marketing BS and pay extra for a paint job that will look like crap over time.
Just the R&D that reflects the section of the market they are going for. They don’t have a big selection of finishes, and the finishes they do have aren’t near as beautiful as Ibanez is known for. Also, they only have hard tail models right now which is a major reason I haven’t gone for it. And on top of it all, the “slanted frets” are not a multi scale, granted I don’t think multiscale is THAT necessary on a 6 string, it’s just kind of misleading since it is “slanted frets” for ergonomics and not multiscale for proper string tension (which seems to be standard practice in this market). That’s all. It just seems a little thrown together when I think about it.
That makes sense. The finishes do leave a little to be desired, although today, the qx52pb (poplar burl) is available, not sure they had that when you made this video. I like the look of that guy… Thanks for the feedback!
I was looking at the A-Z.. but I didn't like it's round neck It's not that I don't like round neck s I love a classic Fender C The AZ just did not feel good in my hand I liked the char vel dk24 much better so I went with it. Only thing was that I didn't get to stainless steel fret s.. that was a big loss. There's nothing like the glassy feel of Steel frets. But I love the neck that's more important. Also the AZ heal joint might look just the same as their DK... But it really isn't when you get it in your hand. The AC is still really bulky at that heel... Where is the GK just fits you like a glove. And that heel giant was the number one feature I was looking for I sold my Fender Strat to upgrade to the Charvel...and that was the number one reason. I also really like the Ibanez knobs It might only be a small thing....and I suppose there's no reason I could just order them. But... I probably won't. And those knobs are about my favourite. Them, and the flat top tele knobs Charvel use on their San Dimas.
Oh that's funny how we all feel things differently. I have a US Fender & I never play it cause I hate the round neck - it's a modern C I think, but it's also glossy which I hate, my AZ is an Oval C and it's absolutely butter in my hands. 🥰 Also have the Charvel SanDimas Pro with compound neck in a 7 string...agree with you - stunning neck!
I understand that everyone has their own preferences but every single Ibanez AZ I’ve played has felt terrible! I thought I was gonna like the thicker neck but the whole thing just felt incredibly cheap. I’ve played a couple strandbergs and I will say that they are interesting and great guitars but again, just didn’t really prove to be worth the money similar to the AZ. I have many guitar brands in my collection but lately it’s been all about the Kiesels for me. Currently one of my go to guitars is a fairly inexpensive Delos model. The neck is incredible and everything about it is better specs for what I’d want compared to other super strats or just strats in general. But it’s even cheaper to go through Kiesel for a Strat that’s more to my own specs than a fender that I would have to fight certain features( IE the fretboard radius..) I have a Delos being build currently that has a thicker neck profile that’s all roasted maple in the neck as well as the fingerboard. I’ve played a similar one and it has blown any AZ out of the water without competition
I think the AZ are overpriced... they got a couple of people to endorse them and the prices are a bit crazy. I Have a Kiesel EXACLTY like the one you have but it is blue. probably the guitar I played the most UNTIL ..... Ibanez came out with the Q-series... I got the flat black Q54 ... OMG !! lite weight killer tones I am playing that as much as my Kiesel now !!
no mention of the rest of the big metal guitars... ESP, Jackson, Dean, etc etc etc etc... I'm an ibanez, EBMM and Strandberg guy personally, but dang that was a big diss
I own an AZ Prestige Ice Blue Metallic, nice guitar. but I don't think the fretwork and the fret material is right on par with my Suhrs and Ernie Balls. The AZ is not as glassy smooth
Yes Standberg is so lite they feel disposable mmm, lol Actually it’s a great guitar My Plini is very goovey but Kiesel Zeus became my favorite less than a week after receiving it I am older and have amassed 34 solid bodies Gibson, Fender, Suhr, Ibanez, Carvin, vintage Charvel Jackson, Godin,ESP, Vintage Jems and 8 Martin acoustics Don’t like the multi scale or twisty neck thing
Kiesel is just better quality and a great deal if you can find a used one. Even new, you can custom order a Kiesel for about same price as new Strandy I think he should have compared a Vader to the Strandberg. Neck thru blows away even the new NX heel
Strandberg and Kiesel have OEM electronics whereas the Ibanez has Seymour Duncans. However I see all the guitars as very neutral for any music project, so I think they make great project guitars. You guy and then customise to fit your band and genre. If you are just playing in wedding bands then no one cares. Otherwise I think you could put much more inspiring electronics in all of them and customise them in a bunch of different ways. An Ibanez Jem is something that has so much style that you don't modify as they're already spec'd out. But these guitars beg for electronics used by some of the more famous brands/models. But value for money the AZ in the UK is 1730gbp, Strandberg Standard is 1,600gbp whereas a Kiesel starts at 1550usd+VAT+import tax+extra modifications. As a project guitar the Strandberg is the cheapest option with all the features you want for a contemporary guitar. Also a big plus for both the Ibanez and the Strandberg is that if you were a touring musician and something went awfully wrong in any country with decent access to gear you can get those brands whereas the Kiesel isn't really a production line but custom guitars. So walking into Thomann or an equivalent store I can get a Strandberg, Dimarzios, Kemper and you can put your rig together where ever you are. A Kiesel with Bareknuckles and Mesa Boogie amp in this global war climate would be impossible in regular stores.
Interesting. I agree with ESP and Jackson but I think they are A) a little outdated and not as forward thinking, and B) both are owned by bigger companies and Jackson is owned by fender, which kinda leaves it in the umbrella of that big 4 I mentioned earlier. Ibanez Kiesel and Strandberg are all their own companies
@@jimmyfranklin Big 3 for me is a staple and proven. Ofc it'll be with Big boring company, it got big in em. Gotta be worldwide too. Esp actually have tons of body design and neck shape to fit all people compared to most other company. Which I believe is far more important then having shiny tech from 80s guitar. Finding neck that fit you like a glove and make you play with less mistakes is actually more preferable I disagree on strandberg on various reasons and grief, it will be too lengthy if i write here 😅 But if kiesel could break into the other side of world, they might have an edge to topple jackson. As of now, nah not really.
@@jimmyfranklin it would be interesting to have the same exact guitar with all tech the same but different woods in order to point out a real difference but i am convinced there is no noticeable tone change
The wood of a guitar makes such a minimal impact on how it sounds, you must have super-human hearing like frikin' Daredevil or Superman to actually hear a difference. There are various studies, the biggest one from a German physics professor/ sound engineer/ guitar player called Prof. Dr. Manfred Zoellner, who have debunked the whole toane wood myth, in solid body electric guitars. Just to give you an idea, how stupid this whole thing is: lots of idiots online swear how bad basswood is as a ''toanewood''. Meanwhile, EVH made his super expensive Made in USA Wolfgang models, with a basswood body. Satriani also plays basswood body guitars for ages. It's not like Eddie & Satch couldn't choose any other exotic ''toanewood'' for their guitars or something... In hollow-body and acoustic guitars, that's a whole other issue.
Ibanez has been making their own hardware literally since forever though... Copying or not, that's mostly something all brands do when they find out something catches on mainstream. It's why there are like 100 Fender clones out there. And brands started to copy Ibanez and Gibsons too, which are together with Fender more of the 'classic big three' brands. These days though I probably would avoid Fender, unless you're really able to spend some big big money on their high-end stuff. I feel their budget lines to mid-range guitars are either just not very good at all or very overpriced for what you get.
The problem with Kiesel is that Jeff Kiesel is a self-obsessed thin skinned baby man who wouldn't be working a buffing wheel at any other company if he had a different last name. Dude acts like he invented the electric guitar and that every other company is terrible. I just can't justify putting any money in that dude's pocket.
Let me know which was YOUR favorite! What guitars do YOU think should be in the METAL Big 3??
esp m2 japan version , fu tone pro guitar , ibanez az
most of the guys ive seen playing az are jazz rock fusion guys like tom quayle,martin miller,mark lettieri etc not so much metal guys,though i suppose you can play metal on most guitars,iron maiden strats,tony iommi gibson sg,modern metal guys i see using guitars like caparison etc,which have pointy headstocks ,that look like medieval weapons
ESP, Jackson, Kiesel. The big three metal brands. I would add Ibanez but Ibanez has always been like Reebok to me.
YOU MADE THIS UP.
NO ONE has ever said there was a BIG 4 OR a BIG 3 for guitars, you POSER.
It was always TWO: Gibson and FENDER.
No one puts Gretsch or PRS next to those.
And almost all guitarists will say Ibanezes, Deans, etc were ALL superior to Fender & Gibson.
NOT COOL, dude.
Most people hate liars.
also: GUITARS WITH HEADSTOCKS should probably be outlawed by now, for a million legal reasons.
EX:
they are a threat to the environment. ALL that extra and pointless metal and wood?!!!! BYE BYE, cavemen!
Headstocks are LAMER than the horse and buggy!
Ibanez, Jackson, and ESP are the original metal big 3 to me.
Honestly, for the comparable price, and customization of your own guitar, kiesel isn’t really being beat by anyone. Not to mention kiesel comes standard with stainless frets and super stable necks. You can literally make a kiesel version of any guitar.
All Ibanez AZ have a straight 12” radius, not compound barring the “N” models that are 9.5”-12”. I think the AZ would be the perfect guitar if it had a 12”-16” radius like Charvel DK24’s
Now for abasi, mayones, and ormsby
THATS LEVEL 2 BOSS OF METAL BIG 3
And I’m gonna try and get these three in.
@@jimmyfranklin those are some high end quality ones. Love your channel
@@michaellake274 THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
Dude I loved this video! Thanks for the great content, you’re awesome!
Incredible video (and playing), super helpful. Thanks!
Hey Jim! Great comparisons of some great guitars...and great playing too, as always. As I have become a fan of Kiesel guitars, having a Strandberg and loving the ergonomics of it, how is the Zeus when compared to the Strandberg especially in the classical position. As with most guitars when playing in the classical position, the guitar shifts of to the left, a bit more away from your body. I play mostly sitting down but when I do play standing, the Strandberg is the same height/position/angle as when I sit which is awesome. Is the Zeus similar in that way or is there a bit more of a twist when sitting to playing standing? The options, wood/color choices and being made in the US make it very tempting for a new guitar purchase from Kiesel. Thanks in advance for your input.
Great video - any comments on ergonomics and comfort in different seated positions between the Kiesel and Strandberg?
Great vid dude! I'm a kiesel collector, but love all these guits. Great content. Cheers!
I got the Strandberg classic for $1200 - due to a small cosmetic defect that I can't find and it's been a few months now.
The website says it's made of basswood, but by my own analysis, I've determined it's actually made of smokeless fire and the prayers of small children that think something bad is about to happen.
The neck however seems to be made of *REDACTED*.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Awesome video! And btw, it’s the Strandberg Fusion that comes with the middle single coil pickup. The Prog has a trem and 2 humbuckers. I love the Fusion though because it’s got a five way switch and a coil tap so you’ve literally got 10 pickup positions. It’s probably the most versatile guitar I’ve ever played.
There is no coil tap on the Fusion--it's just the 5-way switch (I own six Strandberg models).
@@LunatiqueRob You’re right. The normal Fusion doesn’t have a coil tap but mine is a Fusion Titanium LE. I forgot that it was one of the extra features for that model.
@@taterman13 How do you like the sound of the coil tap (especially at the neck)? I wish that was a standard feature because it would make the Fusion truly versatile.
To knit pick, AZs aren't really metal machines though. RG or RGDs are.
Great vid, would have been even better if you filmed the strandberg from behind the neck when playing. Cheers from the UK, desperate for a neck thru Strandberg!
Great video! I’ve almost placed an order with Kiesel for a DC M7 with the same finish as your kiesel. What are your thoughts on the crimson red raw tone finish. And what happened to colour on your Kiesel just below the pick up, it has some white marks.?
Thanks.
I’m so glad you asked! So far my experience with the raw tone finish is good and bad. I think it looks amazing but I’m questioning how long it lasts. If you look at mine, under the pickups and below the volume knob, I’ve worn the paint away from playing it so much hahah that’s those white marks.
Ohh ok! I guess I’ll go for a matte finish then. Thanks for the reply.
Damnit! I have an AZ (absolutely the most amazing guitar I've played) and want another 6 string to keep in a drop tuning, was thinking about going for the Strandberg or another AZ but now I think you just made me fall in love with my AZ even more! U affirmed everything I think about my AZ. 😂🤘 Time for another one? Hmmm
I bought the Eart gw2 just so I could see if I like the shape. I love it. Also pretty impressed with the 5pc roasted maple neck/rosewood board and stainless frets at this price. The neck has a great shape as well.
Appreciate the video, Jimmy!
I'm definetly thinking between AZ and .strandberg.
How was the fretwork on your Strandberg?
Awesome guitars. Would love to see a shoot out between a charvel us dk24 hh fr. Cheers mate 🍻🏆🏆🏆
Which pickups are in that Kiesel? Sounds amazing and I’m ordering soon!
The lithiums!!! They are sooooo good
Tremolos were never Available on the Zeus (Gibson Scale). I called in and told them I wanted a Zeus with a Trem (Gibson Scale) and Kiesel techs told me I would have to pay the Computer Programming set up to design the trem (fitted to the Zeus). I said OK.....It was not cheap but it was worth it. So I have the first Zeus made with a trem and after that Kiesel had the computer program so they offered the Trem as an Option. I love the guitar!
I love my Ibanez and have forever, and picked up a Strandberg NX7 Prog when they released last year and I have to say, headless is my future. Getting older, the weight difference and feel lets me play for hours, where my LP, Schecter and Ibanez just feel heavy after a while.
Hi, could you say more? I am actually deciding I wanna Boden Original NX seven. I can't play it in person :( :). But I love the specs and the look, I want one in blue. I am playing mostly in Drop G#, so my only concern is the top is only 26.25, but it could be ok.
Excellent video! the $ chime was lol
That Kiesel Zeus is the guitar of my dreams!! I keep telling myself...one day! 😍
Just a counterpoint on the AZ; coming from beveled RG-style neck heels that start below the 18th fret (the AZ's heel starts below the 17th) this heel joint did not feel transparent to me at all when I tried it in a store. The heel joint sticks out about 2cm from the already thicker neck uniformly with no slow gradient, which makes it very solid and sturdy, but not very shred-friendly to me at all, at least on the lower frets. The moment I go under the 17th fret, my thumb position on the back of the neck has to shift drastically to compensate for the sudden increase in width. The fact that the heel is ergonomically curved doesn't negate its sheer size. So if you're a shredder, be aware of that, and of course YMMV. You may be able to adjust to it with a little practice, but I don't personally want to go through that process when I can just buy an RG or JEM-style guitar (at the sacrifice of the AZ's amazing versatility). If you play with your thumb closer to the low E the way Tim Henson does, this may not be much of an issue for you.
Otherwise, this is not a bad guitar at all, quite the opposite. The neck felt extremely sturdy and comfortable despite its thicker width, and I had no issues playing fast on the rest of the neck until the heel got in the way. The electronics and hardware were absolutely premium and very well-built. The weight is extremely well-balanced. You really do get what you are paying for with this guitar. If not for that neck heel, I would very happily have bought it.
Your strandberg has a different fanned fret design to mine. Mine goes from pointing one way to pointing the other way like a fan. Yours all point towards the pickups. That’s really interesting!
Is yours a 7 or 8 string?? Those have a more aggressive fan to the frets. The 6s start basically straight
what amp you playing through for the demo on the AZ?
I’m actually playing through the neural dsp Archetype plini!
Did you have any bad experiences with Strandberg shipping or moneyback insurence? I wanna buy one and I don't if i should cause I've had bad experiences with debitcard payments online
If you’re in the USA, order from Sweetwater. And you’ll have none of those concerns and 2 year warranty on everything they sell. Free shipping and returns.
The AZ feels amazing. For what I want it for I just wish they had it with at least a 14” radius.
I think it's a shame Strandberg don't have a deal with any other brands on the Endurneck. I love strandberg's for their necks, and how lightweight they are but I also prefer a more 'normal' looking guitar. I think an Ibanez az with the endurneck would be my perfect guitar
This would be soooo damn interesting to play!! I was also thinking something similar but the opposite, having a Strandberg with a compound radius neck. I just want to know how that would feel haha
@@jeradshipley2181 yes…I’m not a endure neck guy.
@@j.reveille6815 Yeah it messes with me every time I switch to another guitar.
@jeradshipley2181 I have had 3 strandbergs they all hurt my wrist. Specially chords lower, love 8 string small ergonomic vibe but the neck hurts me.
you can get a zeus for 1500-up. go with Alder or Ash and a basic color you'll keep the $ down
Yes I agree but I think some key elements for me here are the trem and the neck. Those two things are killers. Also, the prices went up this year. So I am making this video from a more current pricing standard.
@@jimmyfranklin I paid about 1,400 for my mahogany Zeus with 5 piece neck, fixed bridge tropic paint. About 3 years ago. Just ordered a Vader with 3 piece neck. 2K..
These are 3 BEAUTIFUL guitars
You can get a very nice Kiesel for under $2K...and the 22 fret option is no charge...at least on certain models.
What has happend to the raw tone finish of your Kiesel Zeus? The color just dropped of by playing hard?
Yup! That’s just worn away from playing. I do play it a lot but I’ll admit, it kind of upsets me and I think it shouldn’t have worn as much as it did. It’s more worn now
@@jimmyfranklin I think it shouldn't be. Thank you for informing me!
If you sweat a lot and have very acidic sweat: don't get a ''raw tone'' or how they call it finish, also avoid satin finishes.
Satin finishes tend to ''gloss over'' from the sweat and ''raw tone'' will deteriorate even worse over time, because it's a super thin layer of paint.
Don't buy into the whole: "the wood breathes and the guitar has moar toane''-marketing BS and pay extra for a paint job that will look like crap over time.
@jimmyfranklin what needs to happen, in your opinion, for the Ibanez headless Q series to demonstrated that they've "found themselves"? 1:05
Just the R&D that reflects the section of the market they are going for. They don’t have a big selection of finishes, and the finishes they do have aren’t near as beautiful as Ibanez is known for. Also, they only have hard tail models right now which is a major reason I haven’t gone for it. And on top of it all, the “slanted frets” are not a multi scale, granted I don’t think multiscale is THAT necessary on a 6 string, it’s just kind of misleading since it is “slanted frets” for ergonomics and not multiscale for proper string tension (which seems to be standard practice in this market). That’s all. It just seems a little thrown together when I think about it.
That makes sense. The finishes do leave a little to be desired, although today, the qx52pb (poplar burl) is available, not sure they had that when you made this video. I like the look of that guy… Thanks for the feedback!
I was looking at the A-Z.. but I didn't like it's round neck
It's not that I don't like round neck s
I love a classic Fender C
The AZ just did not feel good in my hand
I liked the char vel dk24 much better so I went with it.
Only thing was that I didn't get to stainless steel fret s.. that was a big loss. There's nothing like the glassy feel of Steel frets.
But I love the neck that's more important.
Also the AZ heal joint might look just the same as their DK... But it really isn't when you get it in your hand.
The AC is still really bulky at that heel... Where is the GK just fits you like a glove.
And that heel giant was the number one feature I was looking for
I sold my Fender Strat to upgrade to the Charvel...and that was the number one reason.
I also really like the Ibanez knobs
It might only be a small thing....and I suppose there's no reason I could just order them. But... I probably won't. And those knobs are about my favourite. Them, and the flat top tele knobs Charvel use on their San Dimas.
Oh that's funny how we all feel things differently. I have a US Fender & I never play it cause I hate the round neck - it's a modern C I think, but it's also glossy which I hate, my AZ is an Oval C and it's absolutely butter in my hands. 🥰 Also have the Charvel SanDimas Pro with compound neck in a 7 string...agree with you - stunning neck!
We just need more guitars that are light and have that little classical leg rest cutout built in
I understand that everyone has their own preferences but every single Ibanez AZ I’ve played has felt terrible! I thought I was gonna like the thicker neck but the whole thing just felt incredibly cheap. I’ve played a couple strandbergs and I will say that they are interesting and great guitars but again, just didn’t really prove to be worth the money similar to the AZ. I have many guitar brands in my collection but lately it’s been all about the Kiesels for me. Currently one of my go to guitars is a fairly inexpensive Delos model. The neck is incredible and everything about it is better specs for what I’d want compared to other super strats or just strats in general. But it’s even cheaper to go through Kiesel for a Strat that’s more to my own specs than a fender that I would have to fight certain features( IE the fretboard radius..) I have a Delos being build currently that has a thicker neck profile that’s all roasted maple in the neck as well as the fingerboard. I’ve played a similar one and it has blown any AZ out of the water without competition
Wouldn't kramer have been up with gibson and fender in the 80s?
BRO YOU SHRED !!!
how could you not include Jackson and ESP in metal battle? :(
I love a good Orange tone!
I think the AZ are overpriced... they got a couple of people to endorse them and the prices are a bit crazy. I Have a Kiesel EXACLTY like the one you have but it is blue. probably the guitar I played the most UNTIL ..... Ibanez came out with the Q-series... I got the flat black Q54 ... OMG !! lite weight killer tones I am playing that as much as my Kiesel now !!
no mention of the rest of the big metal guitars... ESP, Jackson, Dean, etc etc etc etc... I'm an ibanez, EBMM and Strandberg guy personally, but dang that was a big diss
I like strandberg so much 🥰🥰
keisel used to be carvin,i prefer the style of the old carvins to keisel,those az are tasty
How is Schecter not in the "Metal big 3"?
Jackson ???
THE ONE I CAN AFFORD AAAARGFFFGHHH
AGREED RIGHT?!?
I own an AZ Prestige Ice Blue Metallic, nice guitar. but I don't think the fretwork and the fret material is right on par with my Suhrs and Ernie Balls. The AZ is not as glassy smooth
Yes
Standberg is so lite they feel disposable mmm, lol
Actually it’s a great guitar
My Plini is very goovey but Kiesel Zeus became my favorite less than a week after receiving it
I am older and have amassed 34 solid bodies Gibson, Fender, Suhr, Ibanez, Carvin, vintage Charvel Jackson, Godin,ESP, Vintage Jems and 8 Martin acoustics
Don’t like the multi scale or twisty neck thing
Kiesel is just better quality and a great deal if you can find a used one. Even new, you can custom order a Kiesel for about same price as new Strandy
I think he should have compared a Vader to the Strandberg. Neck thru blows away even the new NX heel
I know it's not headless or anything but come on ESP (including LTD) has to be "big" in metal.
I love Kiesel guitars! I like the AZs just not the roasted maple!
Strandberg over Schecter? odd choice
I would say Ibanez Schecter and ESP
RG would've been a more accurate representation for Ibanez.
I ud replace Strandberg with schecter
Strandberg and Kiesel have OEM electronics whereas the Ibanez has Seymour Duncans. However I see all the guitars as very neutral for any music project, so I think they make great project guitars. You guy and then customise to fit your band and genre. If you are just playing in wedding bands then no one cares. Otherwise I think you could put much more inspiring electronics in all of them and customise them in a bunch of different ways. An Ibanez Jem is something that has so much style that you don't modify as they're already spec'd out. But these guitars beg for electronics used by some of the more famous brands/models. But value for money the AZ in the UK is 1730gbp, Strandberg Standard is 1,600gbp whereas a Kiesel starts at 1550usd+VAT+import tax+extra modifications. As a project guitar the Strandberg is the cheapest option with all the features you want for a contemporary guitar. Also a big plus for both the Ibanez and the Strandberg is that if you were a touring musician and something went awfully wrong in any country with decent access to gear you can get those brands whereas the Kiesel isn't really a production line but custom guitars. So walking into Thomann or an equivalent store I can get a Strandberg, Dimarzios, Kemper and you can put your rig together where ever you are. A Kiesel with Bareknuckles and Mesa Boogie amp in this global war climate would be impossible in regular stores.
schecter, ESP
The REAL Big 3 metal guitar brands are Ibanez, Jackson and ESP. I'd even put Schecter before Strandberg and Kiesel
Sen..dawg..2...sikya
You're an amazing player. The Strand shines far above in regards to clarity, depth and versatility.
Kiesel IS KING... but to be fair it should have been the Vader aka the boden killer.
For me the big 3 of metal is
Jackson
Esp
Ibanez
Strandberg is niche and kiesel only recently became relevant.
Interesting. I agree with ESP and Jackson but I think they are A) a little outdated and not as forward thinking, and B) both are owned by bigger companies and Jackson is owned by fender, which kinda leaves it in the umbrella of that big 4 I mentioned earlier. Ibanez Kiesel and Strandberg are all their own companies
@@jimmyfranklin
Big 3 for me is a staple and proven. Ofc it'll be with Big boring company, it got big in em. Gotta be worldwide too.
Esp actually have tons of body design and neck shape to fit all people compared to most other company.
Which I believe is far more important then having shiny tech from 80s guitar. Finding neck that fit you like a glove and make you play with less mistakes is actually more preferable
I disagree on strandberg on various reasons and grief, it will be too lengthy if i write here 😅
But if kiesel could break into the other side of world, they might have an edge to topple jackson. As of now, nah not really.
@@redcomn I see what you are saying! and yes... Kiesel does have to branch out to more of the world! haha!
Kiesel me
unpopular guitar opinion: woods makes no difference on electric guitars. its just marketing to have a brighter variety to sell
I have half a mind to agree. I go back and forth on this concept all the time!
@@jimmyfranklin it would be interesting to have the same exact guitar with all tech the same but different woods in order to point out a real difference but i am convinced there is no noticeable tone change
The wood of a guitar makes such a minimal impact on how it sounds, you must have super-human hearing like frikin' Daredevil or Superman to actually hear a difference. There are various studies, the biggest one from a German physics professor/ sound engineer/ guitar player called Prof. Dr. Manfred Zoellner, who have debunked the whole toane wood myth, in solid body electric guitars.
Just to give you an idea, how stupid this whole thing is: lots of idiots online swear how bad basswood is as a ''toanewood''. Meanwhile, EVH made his super expensive Made in USA Wolfgang models, with a basswood body. Satriani also plays basswood body guitars for ages. It's not like Eddie & Satch couldn't choose any other exotic ''toanewood'' for their guitars or something...
In hollow-body and acoustic guitars, that's a whole other issue.
@@greekfreak1980 I can recommend the channel of Jim Lill. He proved what you said
Ibanez has been making their own hardware literally since forever though... Copying or not, that's mostly something all brands do when they find out something catches on mainstream. It's why there are like 100 Fender clones out there. And brands started to copy Ibanez and Gibsons too, which are together with Fender more of the 'classic big three' brands. These days though I probably would avoid Fender, unless you're really able to spend some big big money on their high-end stuff. I feel their budget lines to mid-range guitars are either just not very good at all or very overpriced for what you get.
The problem with Kiesel is that Jeff Kiesel is a self-obsessed thin skinned baby man who wouldn't be working a buffing wheel at any other company if he had a different last name. Dude acts like he invented the electric guitar and that every other company is terrible. I just can't justify putting any money in that dude's pocket.
A real Steinberger is the best.
You mispronounced ESP all three times!
WHAT !!! NO ESP'S ???? dudeeeeee cmon !! lol
headless guitars arent guitars to me its like playing a harp its not a guitar its an harp lol
You don’t play the head, or do you? 🧐