Ibanez
AZES40 Standard Electric Guitar - Purist Blue
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Free Setup Included
In addition to the benefits of the Performance Warranty, we offer one complimentary setup with the purchase of a new or used guitar, to be redeemed at any Long & McQuade location within the initial free-warranty period (1-year on new, 90-days on used).
This Includes:
- Restring (Strings not included).
- Tighten and lubricate all hardware.
- Clean and test electronics.
- Replace battery if needed (Battery not included).
- Adjust or rehang loose wiring.
- Clean and condition the fingerboard.
- Fret polish to remove minor scratches, pits and corrosion.
- Cleaning of the entire instrument.
- Adjust truss-rod to correct neck relief.
- Adjust saddle radius to match fingerboard.
- Adjust action at bridge.
- File nut slots for proper string movement.
- Adjust intonation.
- Adjust tremolo bridge setting to player's preference.
- Add/remove trem-springs as needed (Parts not included).
- Adjust pickup balance.
- Full inspection and play test.
Long & McQuade Performance Assurance
Buying a new instrument is an exciting event and we want to ensure that every instrument we sell comes exactly how the manufacturer intended it to be. That is why Long & McQuade performs a quality control check for every stringed, brass, and woodwind instrument over $99 ordered online at Long-McQuade.com.
Our team of experienced staff will unbox your instrument and perform a detailed inspection to ensure it leaves our warehouse looking and playing great with our QC card signed and dated for your peace of mind.
We work hard to source the best instruments from around the world from the finest brands. It is important to us that you are completely satisfied with your new instrument purchase from day one onwards.
Stringed Instrument Performance Assurance Checklist
Unlike our free set-up, which is included within the first year of purchase, this process is done to have the instrument set to the factory specs rather than to each player's feel or preferences.
We look after the following:
- Inspect finish and hardware.
- Check electronics to make sure everything is in working order. Check batteries on active pickups.
- Inspect strings.
- Inspect frets and fretboard.
- Check truss rod. Adjust for bow and relief.
- Tune instrument to manufacturer’s specified tuning.
- Check/set action height.
- Stretch strings and re-tune instrument and ensure machine heads are working well.
- Check for fret buzz by playing every note.
- Check/set intonation.
- Check/set pickup height.
- Cleaning and professional repacking.
The AZES40 is distinguished from the AZES31 by the additions of a tremolo system and an Accord Passive/Ceramic humbucker bridge pickup, lending the AZES40 to even more unique tonal assortments.
AZES guitars feature a 25" scale length, which makes for an easier playing instrument for children and players of smaller stature. Additionally, the 25" medium scale is also large enough that a player can continue to grow with the instrument as they mature as a guitarist. The 250mm fretboard radius is not too flat, not too round, and makes for an excellent choice for the first-time player. This radius is a great middle ground that allows for learning to play each note correctly, while still maintaining a high degree of comfort
AZES40 Features
• Maple neck provides stability and bright tonal character
• Jatoba fretboard produces a rich mid range with a crisp high end
• Medium sized frets enhance the accuracy of your notes
• Poplar body delivers a well-balanced tone with incredible thickness
• Ibanez machine heads feature die-cast housings and split-shaft
• Mono-unit output jack
• All Access Neck Joint offers superior playability at the high frets
• Essentials and Accord S-S-H pickups provide well-balanced tone and as well as versatility
• T106 tremolo with comfort round Steel saddles provides wider range of height adjustment and ease of setting up
• dyna-MIX 9 switching system with Alter Switch - The dyna-MIX 9 offers nine sound variations and can switch between humbucker and single coil modes with just a flick of the mini switch. One mode even simulates a humbucking sound from the combination of two single coil pickups.
AZES40 Specs
neck type: AZES Maple neck
top/back/body: Poplar body
fretboard: Jatoba fretboard w/White dot inlay
frets: 22 Medium frets
bridge: T106 bridge with Comfort round Steel saddles
string space: 10.5mm
neck pickup: Essentials (S) neck pickup (Passive/Ceramic)
middle pickup: Essentials (S) middle pickup (Passive/Ceramic)
bridge pickup: Accord (H) bridge pickup (Passive/Ceramic)
pickup switching: dyna-MIX 9 switching system with Alter Switch
controls: volume and tone
scale: 635mm/25"
strings: D'Addario® EXL110 (.010 - .046)
hardware colour: Chrome
Q & A
Reviews
The mind blowing thing about this guitar is the alternate pickup wiring switch which gives you so many different and usable sounds, that it's hard to believe. You can even get a neck humbucker sound, a middle tele position sound, etc. However, the big surprise to me was that this guitar does NOT really sound like a Strat, even in regular positions. It sounds very Ibanez-y. For some songs that's a good thing, but for others where you want the crystal chime or quack of the Strat, you won't find it here.
The classic 6-screw bridge is plenty stable and is by default floating on standard E tuning. I had no issue here, and the affordable tuners were ok as well.
My biggest disappointment in this guitar is the overall size of it, and yes as I play I am getting more used to it but the guitar is 25" scale length (as opposed to Fender's or Ibanez's standard 25.5") and critically more importantly, the body is slightly smaller than a typical Strat. For me this makes the guitar a bit less comfortable playing in a sitting position. I prefer the full size of a Strat where I can lean over the body a bit at times, making myself more connected. I also didn't like the size of the frets as much (they're ok though, they're not that small), I prefer jumbo frets.
Sound wise I would say it's a hit and miss depending on your presets and pickup selection switch. Overall I would say if you prefer Ibanez sounds and playability you may like this but if you are looking for a Strat, I would say that a Squier would be a better choice. It will sound more "Stratty" and play more like it as well so if you ever upgrade to a Fender you will feel right at home. I wouldn't say this is a bad guitar, it's very good but for me PERSONALLY I would rather go for a Squier classic vibe or modern series (I own a modern HH Squier Strat Floyd Rose and I prefer it to this, but it's a close call).
Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty
A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.
Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.
How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
- Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
- Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
- No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
- Convenient: Easy drop off and pick up of the product at any Long & McQuade location.
- Guitar Setup: Guitars purchased at Long & McQuade come with 1 free setup, to be redeemed within 1 year for new guitars and 90 days for used guitars.
- Loaners Available: A loaner product may be given while the product is being repaired.
- Power Surge Protection: Your product is covered even if damaged from a power surge.
- Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
- Commercial Use Coverage: Music and recording professionals who purchase gear for “heavy-use” commercial purposes will still be covered.
Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.
Purchasing additional years of coverage
Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.
If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:
- NEW products: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
- USED products: 4% of the current new selling price to increase the warranty from 3 months to 1 year. 4% for each additional year.
- GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
- BAND and ORCHESTRAL instruments: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
Great Additions
Reserve in Store
| Product | SKU | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| AZES40 Standard Electric Guitar - Purist Blue | 758193 |
