Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
More
  • Christine McVie's masterpiece
  • Macca vs Phil Collins
  • Music theory tricks
  • Kiss From a Rose
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Yes
  1. Guitars

NAMM 2019: Ibanez reveals new AZ-derived Polyphia, Chon and Andy Timmons signature models

News
By Michael Astley-Brown
Published 2 January 2019

Japanese guitar giant debuts classy new electrics based on award-winning range

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

NAMM 2019: Besides a veritable onslaught of 40+ new core line models for 2019 - including the odd update to existing signature models - Ibanez has also announced a bevy of new artist models based on its rapturously received AZ series.

Polyphia’s Timothy Henson and Scott LePage plus Chon’s Mario Camarena and Erick Hansel are the latest recipients of signature models from the legendary Japanese guitar firm, while Andy Timmons’ model has also received an AZ makeover.

Like the original AZ line - our best-in-show winners at last year’s NAMM - the result is a host of classy-looking models that tread the line between classic and contemporary.

While the specs mirror the originals in many ways, with Gotoh hardware and Seymour Duncan Hyperion pickups, there are fresh finishes, new pickup configurations and the occasional DiMarzio in the mix, too.

Suffice to say, we’re seriously excited about the expansion of the AZ format, and pleased to see Ibanez rewarding some of contemporary guitar’s finest players.

Head on through for the specs on the new models, and visit Ibanez for more.

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
ATZ100 Andy Timmons

ATZ100 Andy Timmons

  • ATZ S-TECH WOOD 1pc Roasted Maple neck
  • Alder body
  • S-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple fretboard
  • Jumbo Stainless Steel frets, 22
  • Wilkinson®-Gotoh® VSVG tremolo bridge
  • DiMarzio® The Cruiser® (H) neck pickup
  • DiMarzio® The Cruiser® (H) middle pickup
  • DiMarzio® The Cruiser® (H) bridge pickup
  • 1E,2B,3G,4D,5A,6E
  • .010/.013/.017/.026/.036/.046
  • Bone nut
Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
EH10 Erick Hansel

EH10 Erick Hansel

  • AZ Oval C Roasted Maple neck
  • Walnut top, Nyatoh body
  • Jatoba fretboard
  • Jumbo Stainless Steel frets, 24
  • Gotoh® T1502 tremolo bridge
  • Seymour Duncan® Alnico II Pro™ (S) neck pickup
  • Seymour Duncan® Hyperion™ (H) bridge pickupPassive/Alnico
  • 1E,2B,3G,4D,5A,6E
  • .010/.013/.017/.026/.036/.046
  • Graph Tech nut
Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
MAR10 Mario Camarena

MAR10 Mario Camarena

  • AZ Oval C Roasted Maple neck
  • American Basswood body
  • Roasted Maple fretboard
  • Jumbo Stainless Steel frets, 24
  • Gotoh® T1502 tremolo bridge
  • Seymour Duncan® Hyperion™ (S) neck pickupPassive/Alnico
  • Seymour Duncan® Hyperion™ (S) middle pickupPassive/Alnico
  • Seymour Duncan® Hyperion™ (H) bridge pickupPassive/Alnico
  • 1E,2B,3G,4D,5A,6E
  • .010/.013/.017/.026/.036/.046
  • Graph Tech nut
Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
SLM10 Scott LePage

SLM10 Scott LePage

  • AZ Oval C Roasted Maple neck
  • Quilted Maple top, American Basswood body
  • Roasted Maple fretboardWhite dot inlay
  • Jumbo Stainless Steel frets, 22
  • Gotoh® T1502 tremolo bridge
  • DiMarzio® SLM Original neck pickup
  • DiMarzio® True Velvet™ (S) neck pickupPassive/Alnico
  • DiMarzio® True Velvet™ (S) middle pickupPassive/Alnico
  • 1E,2B,3G,4D,5A,6E
  • .010/.013/.017/.026/.036/.046
  • Graph Tech nut
Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
THBB10 Tim Henson

THBB10 Tim Henson

  • AZ Oval C Roasted Maple neck
  • American Basswood body
  • Roasted Maple fretboard
  • Jumbo Stainless Steel frets, 24
  • Gotoh® T1502 tremolo bridge
  • DiMarzio® THBB Original neck pickup
  • DiMarzio® THBB Original middle pickup
  • DiMarzio® THBB Original bridge pickup
  • 1E,2B,3G,4D,5A,6E
  • .010/.013/.017/.026/.036/.046
  • Graph Tech nut
Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Michael Astley-Brown
Michael Astley-Brown
Social Links Navigation

Mike has been Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com since 2019, and an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict for far longer. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and 15 years' experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. His writing also appears in the The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock as Maebe.

Read more
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up June 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s epic guitar gear round-up: June ’26 edit, ft. EHX, PRS, Fender’s mega-launch and more
 
 
MusicRadar Guitar Gear Round-up July 2026
Guitars MusicRadar’s July 2026 guitar gear roundup: featuring Orange Amps, Harley Benton, Epiphone and more
 
 
Jackson Pro Plus Misha Mansoor Juggernaut ET8
Artists Misha Mansoor’s Evertune-equipped 8-string might be the heaviest signature Jackson of all time
 
 
Jake Bowen plays a headless Strandberg Sälen Jazz NX 6.
Artists Periphery's Jake Bowen unveiled as a Strandberg artist – when will we see a signature model?
 
 
Harley Benton Fusion-T II: these humbucker-loaded T-styles are packed with features and are offered with myriad hardware, pickups and finish options
Guitars Harley Benton throws a big ol' T party and you are all invited, as it debuts the Fusion-T II series
 
 
Epiphone Marcus King El Dorado Limited Edition
Artists Marcus King’s signature Epiphone is a stunning dreadnought acoustic inspired by his first-ever guitar
 
 
Latest in Guitars
Yngwie Malmsteen
Artists Yngwie Malmsteen emerges from an “avalanche” of ideas with “80 to 90” songs and a scorching new album
 
 
Fender 75th Anniversary Telecaster Road Worn '51
Guitars Fender CEO clarifies his controversial comments comparing cover songs to AI
 
 
Ozzy Osbourne and Slash perform together in 2009.
Artists Slash says he and Ozzy Osbourne had plans to go into the studio together
 
 
Epiphone Marcus King El Dorado Limited Edition
Artists Marcus King’s signature Epiphone is a stunning dreadnought acoustic inspired by his first-ever guitar
 
 
Line 6 Helix Stadium Native Plugin
Guitars “Craft tones practically at the speed of thought”: Line 6 unveils Helix Stadium Native plugin
 
 
Joe Bonamassa wears a blue suit and plays his signature Epiphone Les Paul [left]; the late great Albert Collins with his Telecaster.
Artists Joe Bonamassa on how Albert Collins taught him to wield his guitar as “a weapon”
 
 
Latest in News
Early Oasis Camcorder footage
Bands “Pure gold!”: Early camcorder footage of early Oasis has been unearthed and made available to watch
 
 
Travis Barker
Drummers “I’ve never left a show thinking ‘I wish I didn’t play the way I did’”: Travis Barker on his raucous drumming style
 
 
Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, and Ronnie Wood attend the exclusive launch event of The Rolling Stones new album “Foreign Tongues” at The Weylin on May 05, 2026 in Brooklyn, New York.  (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for UMG)
Singles And Albums “Ronnie’s guitar part came from hearing Keith’s riff": Mick Jagger talks about the guitar work on new Stones song
 
 
Suno text prompt
Tech We have “a clear set of principles” says Suno CEO, in attempt to limit reputational damage after legal defeat
 
 
1010music Blackbox 2
Tech 1010music Blackbox 2 adds a better screen, onboard battery and USB audio streaming
 
 
Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher perform onstage at the Oasis Live '25 - Toronto concert at Rogers Stadium on August 24, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
Gigs & Festivals “Oasis’ schedule is booked”: The Gallaghers’ masterplan for 2027 is allegedly already in place
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...