ibanez az vs suhr ibanez az vs suhr

In the case of these guitars, this combined with the pickups, pretty much makes up the whole sonic signature of the instrument. Yeah, the EB Cutlass is a good deal, but I was thinking more of something like the Sabre. if you were in my position, what would you get? Suhr makes stellar products but their artist deals are nothing compared to what Ibanez or FMC will do for an artist. Yea but isn't everything you've said also applies to the AZ prestige? 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. While the AZ neck is not a 'C' shape, you should be getting roughly the same thickness for the Suhr.-PRS SilverSky: I've seen some YouTuber's measure it out to around .9-.97 and another example being .92-1. Were the two singlecoils the same height, or was the middle buried a bit? Be prepared your wallet is in danger. My full thoughts below. I loved the SSS, anyway. Based on other sound demos on the internet, it sounds Strat-y with a lot of mojo. Great, youre good to go. What's your favorite 335 style guitar for under $1000 used? 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. ibanez saitosuhribanez Does it make toast? That actually seems to happen more with the Suhr than any other guitar I have owned. 9. You must log in or register to reply here. 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. I have gone for the Ibanez. . Ibanez AZ +2Suhr Not a massive difference between the Ibanez and Fender here. July 2021. The bridge pickup is unbelievably hot. fretboard radius. Martin Miller Signature MM1 - Transparent Aqua Blue. Fretwork isn't always great on a Prestige either but generally better than Premium, yes. Finally, eh? Play them both in a shop. I love the inlays, some others don't. Radius : 430mmR. As great as the JS is, the Suhr is just on a different level. 11R . Seriously GASsing for an AZ Prestige but can't decide between the HSS or HH model. Final thought. Open to your thoughts, experiences & research on Suhr and Anderson guitars. The middle and bridge SS on the SSS model are different to the HSS pickups, so its not even the same sound. To me, it played like a dream! Suhr Ibanez AZ Fender Ultra vs StratocasterSuhr ClassicIbanez AZNFender MB 60s The only exception is the Aura series. I also had my AZ when I bought a Suhr Modern Pro. I know a lot of you have been wanting me to take a look at a Suhr, so here you go. That Fender, meanwhile, is just an upgraded, modified Strat. Bridge on the Ibanez is nicer, unless you specifically have a personal preference for two-point Fender bridges. I would swear they were at the same height. Ibanez AZ2402 ICM AZ2402 | AZ | ELECTRIC GUITARS | PRODUCTS | Ibanez guitars. Hes tried quite a few things to fix it and is likely to just get a new pot entirely. John C said: The Fiore is $2,450; depending on the finish the EB Cutlass will be $50 less or $50 more so it's a wash with that. I can see the pickups working well for fusion sounds. I must have mixed it up with some of the Charvels I tried (I tried almost 15 guitars!). One is the '97 American Standard I bought new more than two decades ago and will go to the grave with me. There'll always be one you could have spent more money to get, but it sounds like the Ibanez is the one you've been thinking of most, so go with that I think. 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. These are both strat style guitars, but they have less in common than they might seem to at a glance. So, minor differences. You could get a sweet amp or pedals or something fun with that. I really wanted to get one of the AZ series - I played both the AZ-242F and AZ-2204F and really liked both except for the neck, which is IMO way too thick (most of my guitars are Wizard necks. DESCRIPTION. 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. Suhr can never churn out enough guitars for the amount of orders they get, they'll be fine. Being used to a C-type neck, I wasnt too bothered about the Ultra, which felt more modern (modern D they call it), and the chamfered access made it easier to play than my Player with the block in the way. All the pickups in the nicer Ibanez guitars are made by DiMarzio. So, I finally tried both today (huge caveat below). JavaScript is disabled. If you're willing to spend an extra $400, Suhr is definitely the way to go. Both are made incredibly well, but the one thing the Suhr has that none of the Ibanez is that I had a moment when I first got my Suhr when I realized I had just been playing for an hour without realizing. FWIW my second most played guitar (after a Suhr modern) is my Ibanez JS, not my other Suhr. Mine has SS frets. I still haven't tried any of them and in order to do so I would have to pay a deposit for the store to get them in, so any info would be helpful. . It still felt great, but I left the shop convinced it had a dual radius. This in practice isnt a huge deal, but youll have slightly lower action before choking on the multi-radius, all else equal. Elad ez a remek mini distortion pedl, ami a hres Suhr Riot pedl hangzst idzi. Az SAGS-50 egy A-alak gitrllvny minden tpus gitrhoz s basszusgitrhoz, ksznheten az univerzlis tartrsznek. Possibly because of the contrast, the neck pickup alone feels very bland and kind of muddy. AZ2402 COLOR VARIATION TFF : Tri-fade Burst Flat SHARE AZ SPEC SPECS neck type AZ Oval C S-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple neck top/back/body Alder body fretboard S-TECH WOOD Roasted MapleBlack dot inlay fret Jumbo Stainless Steel fretsPrestige fret edge treatment bridge Gotoh T1802 tremolo bridge string space 10.5mm . 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. Fender Epiphone Les Paul Gibson Ibanez Dob Zongora Heged . I agree with your friends. Mouser is fine so long as you know what to look for. The black AZ looks like Pete Thorn's Suhr! 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 . IMO great instruments vs the similar suhrs/anderson builds they stack up well at a good price point. The richness of sound, stunning appearance and unrivalled playability of the Ibanez Premium series will open the gate of your reservoir of inspiration. So for me, its impossible to justify a $3500 guitar over a $2000 guitar on that basis. 6 reviews Write your review Item ID: AZ2204NPBM. Close. I wasn't a big fan of it in my Modern Satin. Informci hangszerek, gitrok, ads-vtel. I used to have an RG in pearl white. The only widely available cheap strat Ive stumbled across lately that I really disliked was the newish ultra-cheap Kramer Focus from Gibson. are also a step up in craftsmanship, features and design for Fender. It may not display this or other websites correctly. I own a Prestige model and consider it one of the finest guitars I own, you can see how much effort goes into building them @ Fujigen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ShEIwznLGI, This AZ model also has titanium saddles which are fantastic for durability and tuning stability: http://ibanez.wikia.com/wiki/T1802. Also my cutoff would be different depending on the category of guitar. The noiseless pickups sort of make up for this. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. The more I play it, the more I like it so I am used to a real Strat and love it to bits. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ShEIwznLGI. Copyright 2023 Ibanez guitars. The 2/4 positions and the middle single coil sound great. Kudos to Fender. 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. What do you think about this? 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. And these are all compound-radius guitars meaning that the radius changes with higher frets. I might buy one again if used prices go down again. The best place to start if you're new is right below in our "Rules" section. 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. But that does not mean there is no difference. 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. From the three, I'd definitely pick the Suhr. It will not. IMO you should go with the Prestige AZ but that's me. The ergonomics of the Ibanez are probably a bit more modern and the higher frets feel more accessible. Suhr is not as big as FMC because they did not invent the Stratocaster, so I could care less that they are not as big and can't do as much. Rimo BlogIbanez! select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. AZAZ!. Your question about me playing this for 20+ years has prompted me to think about roasted maple maintenance. c: Thickness of the neck at the first fret. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Solidbody Electric Guitar with Alder Body, Maple Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, 1 Humbucking Pickup, 2 Single-coil Pickups, dyna-MIX9 System, and Gotoh Tremolo - Prussian Blue Metallic. I also love that it is one of one with a unique paint job. Carrying this ethos forward, the AZ line embodies time-tested Ibanez innovation and player-focused features like a smooth, oval neck grip, a well-balanced asymmetrical body shape, and the neck heel allowing for unrivaled playability. Check me out on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheGuitarPitAnd Instagram is here: https://www.instagram.com/theguitarpit/ Its really the lax labour laws and wages in the countries used that allow the lower retail price. 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. Mar 27, 2019. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. In some way, these are all Fender-style guitars. b: Width of the neck at the fret position specified by the neck dimension. Az SMS-t 9.990 HUF If they had invented something different and unique and then someone else took their people then maybe you could feel bad. 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. I feel the J.Custom's rounded fret edges and softer neck back (velvetouch, lol) as well as Edge Pro (vs Floyd), on top of the wood binded neck and absolutely 0 neck pocket set it above the Suhr. Some people find the Strats closer position in the way of their picking hand, and the AZ follows the RGs practice of moving it a little further away. The tones in all 5 positions are useful. Custom to go along with my AZ (hss, J.Custom is HH). Suhr doesn't do traditional endorsement deals, everyone has to pay. 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. If it were me, Id get a Squier and replace the nut and (if necessary) the pickups. The owners cashed out a long time ago when they were purchased, so they're doing fine. To each his own I suppose. As I have a Player Strat which is already very good, I dont see the need to upgrade to another Fender right away. Yep, Im a touring (well, you know, until last year) musician and music teacher by profession and can never quite afford the gear I want. 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 . is Suhr really that much better? You may have to register Taking adaptability to new extremes, the AZ series has established itself and carved out a place that spans everything from the warmest blues licks, to the most intense, shred-heavy metal riffs. 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. I imagine the bridge used by Suhr that's closest to the bridge on the Ibanez AZ2402 is the 2-post solid-saddle 510: the Gotoh 510TS-FE1. Hard to say. I like a TUSQ XL nut, and thats around USD$10. Both have dual radii. There was a time when the necks and bodies on cheap guitars were frequently problematic, but those days are mostly gone. Let's take a look and see if this high-end custom shop guitar is worth the insane price tag. But in terms of direct competition, basically the only guitar I could find was this Ibanez AZ. Arguably, not as much as I expected. I think there is too much of an overlap with the Ibanez, especially as both aim to be a modern super-strat (for lack of a better word?). 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 . So I am not sure I would change them in the short run. You make a valid point. Inner-shredder feeling: both guitars are perfectly valid for shredding/fast playing IMHO. Finally, eh? IBANEZ AZS!. But for a classic, solid body Strat style guitar with a non-locking bridge? Ibanez have expanded their lineup this year with a new series called the AZ line! The other is a I think its a 2014 American Standard body, 2012 or 14 American Deluxe neck, with a set of Suhr piclkups (they make spectacular singlecoils, their ML Standards are the best Ive played and only a couple bucks more expensive than a set of Fenders), a Hipshot Contour bridge, and a set of Fender, I think, locking tuners. Radius: Radius of the fingerboard. Being a musician I, like the vast majority of those in the arts, am never rolling in dough. Potential re-sale value: Probably Fender still commands a following and will be easier to sell in the second-hand market. 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. Knob placement might also be something to consider, though its also one of the easiest things to modify. Now, I am not so sure. Get all the details on one of their Prestige flagship models the AZ2402. My only complaint about it was that the neck was too thin for my taste, but it's a matter of preference - some people prefer thinner necks. All right reserved. With the release of the stripped-back AZ Ibanez Essentials range, has Ibanez created the ultimate beginner's guitar? That did not happen with any Fender. Most Successful Signature Guitar Of All Time. The HSS ultra seems to have hotter pickups, which I would like to try. I like the singles a lot. However, a little time with my trusted luthier/repairman, and $160 later the guitar will have the silkiest playability I can imagine. What's your favorite 335 style guitar for under $1000 used? On the Tom Quayle, I used 4 out of 10 positions. Never get tired of comparing these 2 of my favorite brands. 8 reviews Write your review Item ID: MM1TAB. 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. For me, medium-jumbo is about as small as I can comfortably play. AZ is basically the spiritual descendant of the older higher end RG Prestige from the early 00s. I wont go quite as far as Frylock in suggesting you grab a Squier and mod it - Ive played some oddly good Squiers and a P-bass with J-bass electronics is still my go to recording bass, but American Fenders are still more consistently nicer, in my experience, and Im not aware of many Squiers with multiradius necks - but Id take my Fender partscaster over that one just on specs alone (I understand the Fender noiseless pickups have gotten a lot better in recent generations, but I remember the early ones were pretty lifeless and Id probably still go with a set of Dimarzio Areas over those if I really needed noiseless singlecoils), even before considering it probably cost me less than half of what a new Ultra would set me back. 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. The quality of the actual materials used is pretty uniform from factory to factory. Akcis Catalinbread Effekt pedl r! The two guitars are very different. 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. Taking adaptability to new extremes, the AZ series has established itself and carved out a place that spans everything from the warmest blues licks, to the most intense, shred-heavy metal riffs. I didn't care for the AZ I tried. And often exclusive has an appeal to it as well. On the other hand, ibanez az has a similar thickness, but because of the cross-section it seems to be much thicker and fuller, which suits me very well. My first REAL guitar I bought in high school, an Ibanez AS-200 and I've been hooked since. Playability and tones are stellar. Also, the roasted neck will have excellent tuning stability and handle weather even better than standard maple necks because of how it's dried (roasted). The Suhr page below about replacement arms summarizes the 510 variants Suhr uses (a 2-post solid saddle version, a 2-post bent-saddle version, and a 6-screw bent-saddle version). Charvel pro mod DK24Ibanez AZ224F vs Charvel DK24 3StratSuhr\ibanez AZ\ibanez AT100 charvel VS charvel"" Ibanez AZ224F Charvel Dk24IbanezAZ vs Fender Aktv 6 hros basszusgitr hangszed szett, az egyszerre tiszta, meleg s ts hangzs rdekben. HA! JavaScript is disabled. The heel joint on the Ibanez looks very nice. I dont know what that says about the Ultra or about the Player. I think they also make Telecaster variants, I meannot very original if you ask me. I had an RG3120 many years ago, it was a fine guitar. It is not dead ringer, but is has some quack. Two suggestions, though, if you want to open your mind to someting else - one more expensive one less. Fretwork isn't always great on a Prestige either but generally better than Premium, yes. 94.900 Ft 109.900 Ft Ibanez B1000PG-JB Paul Gilbert heavy penget [.] Sure. All times are GMT-7. Of course there is nowhere nearby to try any of these so Im considering ordering 2 and returning my least fav. Pickups: Suhr SSV humbucker (bridge), Suhr V60LP . For an acoustic or a hollow-body electric, were talking about a whole different ballgame. JavaScript is disabled. I honestly don't think my issue is a fret issue as much as a possible neck pocket issue. The AZs 305mm comes out to about 12", flatter than the standard modern Strat 10", but rounder than the Fenders multi-radius 10-14". Is a comparable Suhr worth $1000 extra? I keep thinking about swapping out the bridge humbucker for something a little more conventional. Dirtier and higher gain tones felt more compressed. Yea on paper the Ibanez looks so good, it has everything I was looking for in a guitar, especially knowing that great guitarists like Martin Miller and Tom Quayle were behind the design decisions. 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 ! I have a suhr 60s std in classic s. Thickness 0.81 0.93. "Another 400" is a lot of money though. On the other hand, ibanez az has a similar thickness, but because of the cross-section it seems to be much thicker and fuller, which suits me very well. A friend of mine has warned me it is C-type and very chunky -yada,yada- not for fast-playing (the myth again). I have a question about the necks. They just released a model called the Theos which is aimed right at the AZ line /Suhr . The Suhr, by comparison, sounds incredible in most positions, but theres two things I dont like which may be connected. I own two Strats. 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? 1979 Frets: 84. IMHO i'd choose this but the ibanez is a really nice guitar. It shows you have to try as many guitars as possible and that general opinion is just general. Daniel Defense firearms, parts and accessories, https://www.kieselguitars.com/catalog/guitars/t6, Ibanez JEM, UV, JS & Other Signature Models. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Olcs Catalinbread Effekt pedl termkek, Catalinbread Effekt pedl mrkk. Today its basically like buying a toaster. Even if it doesnt say so. The Custom 24 is its own thing, its more unique and the Suhr is more like an expensive Ibanez so it depends on what you want/need. That's a very fine band and you are a very fine guitar player! Its another example of the law of diminishing returns/marginal gains. You are using an out of date browser. I was just playing my ibanez js2450 and Suhr modern satin. 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. As an Ibanez Prestige owner and a Suhr Modern owner I love both but lean Suhr, b/c the neck shape of the Suhr is a little more filled out and is perfect for my average size for 6' guy hand. . To acknowledge this. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Didn't vibe with the stock pups in the Ibby's, my Suhr is amazing. Most everything built these days is cnc machined, with polyester finishes. Can we see a pic of your suhr you speak so highly of? d: Thickness of the neck at the fret position specified by the neck dimension. Just the fact everyone instantly thinks "Suhr" when any company makes a pickguard-less super Strat with a two point trem is enough to cement how "not bothered" they are with endorsement drama. 2023: The Year Epiphone Became Unaffordable, Don't store picks in zip bags for too long. ), Powered by Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled, Fender Ultra Stratocaster vs Ibanez AZ - opinion. Ibanez AZRGTalmanQIbanez25 . Email me, address is on my channel's about page. 19mm at 12F. For what its worth, I can only speak to how these guitars act in my experience as primarily a fusion and jazz-rock player. . Most Successful Signature Guitar Of All Time. SuhrJames Tyler . But perhaps the most obvious distinction between this brand and Tom Anderson is that Suhr has a wider choice of fretboard radiuses. a1b2t . It gets long. I think heel joint concerns sometimes get blown out of proportion, but if its something that matters to you, youll probably like the Ibanez better. Dont worry about resale. Suhr ClassicIbanez AZNFender MB 60s, 29327 178 876 392 206 106, , "" #37. Welcoming yet another expansion to the highly successful AZ series, Ibanez is proud to introduce the AZES or AZ Essentials line. Just because I've found the Suhr the most consistently amazing and satisfying to own and play. You are using an out of date browser. The Ibanez craftsmanship in Japan is very good. As somebody who owns Ibanezes from many decadesI am not surprised by this at all. I have yet to buy one with perfect fretwork, which is an area where companies like Suhr and Anderson excel. 430mmR. Washington. Great stuff for versatility but something I will probably only use twice as a gimmick. Vsrls: Catalinbread Effekt pedl rak, elad Catalinbread Effekt pedlok. a: Width of the neck at the nut. It doesn't raise as high in pitch as an Edge, sure, but it shocks me how it stays in tune every time. Unfortunately, theyve started only selling them new as hardtails. Suhrs are great but Ibanez are equally great in my eyes, just at a better price. I have the Premium AZ242 and I'm still utterly shocked how well it stays in tune for a non-locking system. Shanks! volume knob position. And, find out if it compares it to it's new-on-the-scene competition, the Ibanez AZ Prestige. Sounds like a dirty pot. There are three principles behind the Ibanez Prestige line: Precision, Performance, and Playability. 400 Ft 490 Ft Ibanez GSD50-P6 gitrheveder Minden Ibanez Design gitrszj egyedi motvummal rendelkezik, amelyet specilis technikval nyomtatnak a szjra. It may not display this or other websites correctly. One thing to remember is that because necks are 'hand-finished' they can vary from guitar to guitar. If you're using a bar lime Timmons would, then you'll find it will perform to that level well. Design: the Ultra looks like a Strat! Thanks for visiting. EBMM gets close, but no model seems to have a roasted neck and 24 stainless frets together. Hes owned it for less than a year I have a few other friends who own Suhrs and none of them have had that issue. We use cookies to improve user experience. Ibanez RG420HPFM ; GRASS ROOTS G-I-48LP-iv ; PRS Singlecut 10top 2002 ; fernandes sustainer ; Fender Japan TEXAS [da] Ibanez S5470 SOL Weve tried spraying it although I cant remember with what. 0 LOL 0 Wow! So I've been doing research on buying a new guitar for a while now, and basically what I'm looking for is: I was finally 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. Players, Bands, Sounds, Tours, Lessons & Theory! The noiseless pickups reduce a lot of the hum, which is fantastic and a great feature. Sometimes it's still going to catch and drop out of tune but that's non locking systems. 1559 2. I hope you find the guitar thats right for you, regardless. Totally different concept and tonal options that do not overlap as much as I expected with Fender. Suhr's going after a different clientele. Let's hear the 22 fret against the . If I were in the market for that kind of guitar (and Ive considered it), I have to confess Id go with the Ibanez. Come join the discussion about collections, displays, models, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Carrying this ethos forward, the AZ line embodies time-tested Ibanez innovation and player-focused features like a smooth, oval neck grip, a well . When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Interesting comparison, for a couple reasons. But these systems are not made to go whammy crazy and expect pure return every time. The AZ is specd with the same two singlecoils in neck and middle, and the output diference from neck to middle is pretty modest, compared to middle to bridge (where you do tend to want something hotter). Anyway, all of this was just to say that I feel bad that Suhr has lost quite a few prominent players considering that they're basically directly responsible for a hugely popular style of superstrat in the current guitar scenes. If you've had your heart set on the Ibanez, then go for that. There are no Ibanez non locking systems that you could expect stability like a double locker. b: Width of the neck at the first fret. Prestige combines high-tech manufacturing techniques with old-world Japanese craftsmanship, in order to achieve true innovation in design and construction. 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. Ive been lucky to spend lots of quality time with it but I cant justify an extra $1k+ either. At the first frets, the neck seems very thin. 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 .