It’s been a couple of months since the huge Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim and we’re still catching up on some of the wonderful releases. Ibanez had a great show this year and included in their new offerings were some significant signature anniversary model instruments for Andy Timmons, Paul Gilbert and Gary Willis. Let’s check ‘em out!
Andy Timmons ATZ100
This year Ibanez introduced a signature model from their AZ line of one of Ibanez guitars’ legends, Andy Timmons. The ATZ100 is based on the Ibanez AZ Prestige model and includes all of that model’s advantages, as well as adding new features favoured by Andy and not yet offered in the AZ format.
Features include:
• S-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple fretboard w/Black dot inlay
• S-TECH special roasted treatment provides a superior attack and a well-balanced tone and a rich sustain. In order to achieve supreme neck grip comfort, the fretboard edge is finished with a smooth curve.
• Oil-impregnated Bone nut /Stainless Steel Frets
The Oil-impregnated bone nut provides superior tuning stability and warm rich resonance. Stainless steel frets boast excellent corrosion resistance. The wide and tall fret-type offers a quick response, good articulation when playing chords and clear tone when playing single notes.
• Gotoh® Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P.(Height Adjustable Post)
The AZ comes with GOTOH® MAGNUM LOCK® machine heads, which have an established reputation for tuning stability. Its H. A. P® (Height Adjustable Post). system allows for the adjustment of string posts for the appropriate tension of each string.
• Luminlay side dot inlay
The Luminlay side dot position marks make it easy for players to see fretboard position marks when performing on dark stages.
Paul Gilbert PGM333 30th anniversary model
Ibanez also announcing the Paul Gilbert PGM333 30th Anniversary model, celebrating the guitarist’s three decades as an Ibanez endorser.
The instrument features an African mahogany body, five-piece PGM maple/walnut neck and a Macassar ebony fretboard with medium frets and acrylic and abalone block inlays. Also included are three DiMarzio PG-13 humbuckers, a Gotoh GTC101 bridge, reverse headstock with gold hardware, Graph Tech black Tusq XL nut and Gotoh MG-T locking tuners.
Ibanez GWB 20th Anniversary – Gary Willis Signature Bass
With a career spanning more than 40 years, Gary Willis has released 5 solo CD’s, 10 as co-leader of Tribal Tech and has been a part of a multitude of other projects including playing alongside Wayne Shorter, Allan Holdsworth, Hubert Laws and many others. His own works include legends Dennis Chambers, Steve Tavaglione, Bob Berg, Gergo Borlai, Kirk Covington and Scott Kinsey.
Also at NAMM 2019, Ibanez announced the release of the 20th Anniversary Gary Willis signature model fretless bass
The GWB20TH has a basswood body paired with an ash top, a three-piece maple neck, and a 12-inch-radius ebony fretboard. Tone is derived from a single Aguilar DCB bridge pup, and can be adjusted via an Aguilar OBP-2 two-band EQ.
Ibanez Guitars distributed in Australia by Australis Music Group
https://www.australismusic.com.au/