As soon as Ibanez released their AZ line of electric guitars, the web lit up with searches for Ibanez AZ wiring diagrams. Everyone wanted to know what the Ibanez AZ pickups were. And that’s no surprise. The Ibanez AZ wiring is something new, and Ibanez players are one of the most loyal and knowledgeable fan bases in the industry. So, while Best Pickups For Ibanez Guitars Part 1 was about finding suitable pups for any Ibanez, this one is all about the AZs.

The Ibanez AZ Guitars

At first glance, Ibanez AZs look like traditional dual-humbucking and HSS-style electric guitars. The mini-toggle (Alter Switch) between the volume and tone pots is the only giveaway that there’s something more under the hood. And what a powerful mini-toggle the Alter Switch is! From traditional pickup tones to brand new combinations, it’s the secret to the Ibanez AZ wiring magic.

Long-time Ibanez players immediately wanted to know how Ibanez did it. They wanted to know how to wire their guitars like it. And they wanted to know where to find the Ibanez AZ wiring diagram.

Seeing as we made the Ibanez AZ pickups, we figure we’re the perfect people to answer those questions. And we’ll do it by breaking down the switching positions of both the AZ’s HH and HSS pickup combinations.

But first, a little about the Ibanez AZs’ incredible Seymour Duncan Hyperion pickups.

Ibanez AZ Pickups

The first thing to know about the Ibanez AZ guitars is that they’re designed for great tone across a wide variety of styles. They demand custom-designed pickups for the job.

Seymour Duncan got the call, and we are proud to say that nearly every Ibanez AZ electric guitar features Seymour Duncan Hyperion humbucking and single-coil pickups.

The Seymour Duncan Hyperions

Keeping the demand for versatility in mind, we craft the Hyperion single-coils and humbuckers for detail and balance in any sonic situation. Their Alnico 5 magnets deliver beautiful clean sounds and offer the right balance of warmth and cut when driven. They also work wonderfully with your favorite pedals.

We knew we hit a home run with the Hyperions. But once we saw the Ibanez AZ wiring diagram, we realized these pickups were part of something even greater! We couldn’t wait to hear them in action.

Let’s take a deeper look into those wiring schemes.

AZ HH

We’ll start with a look at the Ibanez AZ HH with the Alter Switch in the off position. Already, these guitars offer an inspiring blend of Gibson-esque humbucking character with the added versatility of a Fender-style 5-way switch.

Alter Switch Off

Positions 1 & 5 – On either end of the switch’s travel, you’ll find full humbucking tones courtesy of the Seymour Duncan Hyperions.

Position 2 – The outside coils of both humbuckers engage for a funky, middle-position, Tele-like experience.

Position 3 – It’s like a great LP with both humbuckers engaged.

Position 4 – Combines both humbuckers’ inner coils for something much like the out-of-phase Strat sound.

Alter Switch On

Positions 1, 3, 5 – Power Tapping applies to switching positions 1, 3, and 5. Think of it as turning your Ibanez AZ into a T-style guitar without the 60-cycle hum.

Positions 2 & 4 – These two switch positions offer more traditional split-coil voices. Position 2 turns the bridge humbucker’s outer coil on for twangy, country bite. Position 4 is the inner coil of the neck humbucker. Think bluesy Strat neck pickup tones.

Tech Tips

Power Tap adds five completely unique tones to the guitar’s sonic palette. It treats each coil of the two humbuckers like independent single coils. By significantly reducing the output of one of the coils, it creates a voice that has that single-coil character while retaining the pickups’ hum-free performance.

All of that from a guitar with two humbuckers. Not bad!

AZ HSS

HSS-style guitars are some of the most flexible guitars out there and favorites among session players. So it’s not surprising that, with the Alter Switch turned off, the Ibanez AZ HSS guitars perform in much the same way as a standard “Super Strat.”

Alter Switch Off

Position 1 – Glorious Hyperion bridge humbucker tone.

Position 2 – Utilizes the inside coil of the humbucker and the middle pickup for that “Sultans of Swing” voice.

Position 3 – The middle setting solos the middle single-coil pickup.

Position 4 – Pairs the middle and neck single-coils together.

Position 5  – 5 is all about that tubular and clear neck single-coil sound.

Many guitarists play their whole lives with the standard HSS wiring with no problem. But hit that Alter Switch, and these AZs become very unique instruments.

Alter Switch On

Position 1 – Engages the bridge humbucker and is the only tone found in both the on and off settings.

Position 2 – The bridge pickup’s inner coil all by itself. Want T-style tones for your best Brad Paisley licks? This is where you’ll find them.

Position 3 – 3 is its own animal entirely. Not only does it engage all three pickups, but it runs the neck and middle single-coils in series. It adds more punch to an already unique sound.

Position 4 – 4 marries the bridge humbucker’s outer coil with the neck single-coil. It’s excellent for the middle-position, Prince-like Tele funk.

Position 5 – 5 is very similar to 3. But by removing the bridge humbucker from the equation, you get a surprisingly realistic “neck humbucker” sound.

Let’s Talk Tone

Still searching for your perfect tone? Check out our blog for tips and tricks to help you dial in the sound in your head.

Any other product questions, comments or feedback? Let us know!

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