Bloody_Inferno
Silence is Violence
So the story goes:
The music store I've frequently haunted and developed a strong rapport for a good 17-18 years fell on hard times during the 2 years of relentless lockdowns. It came to the point where the owner was forced to sell the store. But after a few weeks of no buying, they threw a clearance sale. I wanted to buy something as a sort of parting gift for all the years of service and bought this guitar, along with telling as many of my friends to buy their stock clean. Then the eleventh hour a buyer came along. Turns out the new buyer had a dream of owning a music store so it was some kind of fairy tale ending for everyone. The staff morale just boosted drastically, and everyone was on high spirits. That store really felt like going to a friend's house to hang out, and I'm just glad they're getting revitalised and live on.
Oh, the guitar is an Ibanez AZ2204 in 'hazy rose metallic'- it's pink.
Admittedly this wasn't my first choice in colour. I wanted the black version but turns out of of my friends I let loose in the clearance ended up buying it. I got hit with the jealous bug and put this on lay by the next day.
That said, I've warmed up to the metallic pink; it looks amazing up close in personal. My usual photo behind the red curtains do not do it justice.
Playability and sonically, it feels like the ideal session tool. It's been an incredibly long time since I picked up an HSS instrument so this was fun to get reacquainted with this pickup config. Then add the alter switch that allows 4 extra sounds (the neck/bridge tele esque sound and neck/middle series for a quasi neck humbucker sound) adds a ton of versatility. And the Gotoh bridge is surprisingly solid enough to cop abusive flutters, dips and divebombs that are usual to my style.
I have a few minor gripes. Having gotten used to bright glassy 60s voiced single coils, the mid range focus of the SD Hyperions threw me off a bit. Though the biggest and sweatiest gripe is the fact that the bridge humbucker placement is significantly more distant to the bridge than any of my other guitars. Granted that it's not a deal breaker but it certainly feels weird to me. I guess these are the kind of adjustments made and tailored to the neo fusion/soul/social media crowd. Still, this guitar is a blast to play and will be getting frequent use for those odd non metal jams. But enough wall of text.
TL/DR: this guitar is sweet and a nice different change to what I'm used to.
The music store I've frequently haunted and developed a strong rapport for a good 17-18 years fell on hard times during the 2 years of relentless lockdowns. It came to the point where the owner was forced to sell the store. But after a few weeks of no buying, they threw a clearance sale. I wanted to buy something as a sort of parting gift for all the years of service and bought this guitar, along with telling as many of my friends to buy their stock clean. Then the eleventh hour a buyer came along. Turns out the new buyer had a dream of owning a music store so it was some kind of fairy tale ending for everyone. The staff morale just boosted drastically, and everyone was on high spirits. That store really felt like going to a friend's house to hang out, and I'm just glad they're getting revitalised and live on.
Oh, the guitar is an Ibanez AZ2204 in 'hazy rose metallic'- it's pink.
Admittedly this wasn't my first choice in colour. I wanted the black version but turns out of of my friends I let loose in the clearance ended up buying it. I got hit with the jealous bug and put this on lay by the next day.
Playability and sonically, it feels like the ideal session tool. It's been an incredibly long time since I picked up an HSS instrument so this was fun to get reacquainted with this pickup config. Then add the alter switch that allows 4 extra sounds (the neck/bridge tele esque sound and neck/middle series for a quasi neck humbucker sound) adds a ton of versatility. And the Gotoh bridge is surprisingly solid enough to cop abusive flutters, dips and divebombs that are usual to my style.
I have a few minor gripes. Having gotten used to bright glassy 60s voiced single coils, the mid range focus of the SD Hyperions threw me off a bit. Though the biggest and sweatiest gripe is the fact that the bridge humbucker placement is significantly more distant to the bridge than any of my other guitars. Granted that it's not a deal breaker but it certainly feels weird to me. I guess these are the kind of adjustments made and tailored to the neo fusion/soul/social media crowd. Still, this guitar is a blast to play and will be getting frequent use for those odd non metal jams. But enough wall of text.
TL/DR: this guitar is sweet and a nice different change to what I'm used to.
The guitar will definitely get a lot of playtime. And agreed with Alberto7, the neck is great. Playing it is like rich creamery butter. Getting an AZ was inevitable, and I was actually close to getting a Premium version from the first run, also had a fantastic neck, but I'm glad I waited for this one. I still love my RGs and will probably be remain my mainstays, but this is great for those call in sideman moments.
They've also signed up with a ton of new accounts so I'm looking forward to all the new stock they'll bring it. There's music stores closer to me but when I've always come back here thanks to the friendly service. Funny how this all started when I bought an RG620X nobody wanted all those years ago.
