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Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic
Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige
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Playability
70
Sound
77
Build
70
Value
57
Score
72
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Playability
77
Sound
79
Build
83
Value
70
Score
80
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Side to side spec comparison >

Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic vs Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige

Reasons to Get
Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic over Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige

Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Pickups
SSS vs HSH
Beautiful cleans and good tone versatility
Nut Width
1.65'' (41.9mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Paint Finish
Relic vs Poly
Looks like an old and slightly beaten up instrument
Fretboard Radius
9.5'' (241.3mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings

Reasons to Get
Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige over Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic

Decorative Top
Flamed Maple (4mm) vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Release Year
2023 vs 2004
From a more recent year
Pickups
HSH vs SSS
High output, round sound with a single-coil for cleans
Number of Frets
24 vs 21
Allows to reach higher notes
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.65'' (41.9mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Paint Finish
Poly vs Relic
Resistant paint that ages well
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 9.5'' (241.3mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Value Score
70 vs 57
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic vs Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige

Bridge Pickup
Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound '69 Strat Single-Coil vs DiMarzio The Tone Zone
Different Bridge Pickup
Middle Pickup
Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound '69 Strat Single-Coil vs DiMarzio True Velvet
Different Middle Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound '69 Strat Single-Coil vs DiMarzio Air Norton
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Alder vs Basswood
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple vs Roasted Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Maple vs Roasted Maple
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
R6 vs 6
Different Headstock

Shared Features
Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic vs Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige

Nut Material
Bone
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
5
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Bridge
Tremolo
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Type of Frets
Narrow Tall vs Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • High-Quality Frets
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • Expensive Wood
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige is probably the better product overall with its final score of 80 compared to the Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic's 72 score, although not by a lot.

The Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic in every aspect.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

Both meet 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

New Player Friendliness

Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic Overview

  • From Fender Custom's 2004 Custom Artist series
  • Jimi Hendrix Signature
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9.5" Fretboard Radius
  • 2-Piece Select Alder body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound '69 Strat Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound '69 Strat Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound '69 Strat Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle American Vintage Synchronized Tremolo bridge
  • 1966 Oval C Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Narrow Tall frets
  • Vintage-Style tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige Overview

  • From Ibanez's 2023 AZ series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Flamed Maple (4mm) top
  • Basswood body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Roasted Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: DiMarzio The Tone Zone (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: DiMarzio True Velvet (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: DiMarzio Air Norton (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Gotoh T1502S bridge
  • AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Gotoh MG-T locking machine heads tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in the Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
Alder

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Alder is the most popular wood that Fender uses in most of their guitars nowadays. Even though they say it's because of its balanced tone with an emphasis in the upper midrange, it probably is because it isn't too expensive, and it's also pretty lightweight—more than Mahogany. Find out more about Alder.

Woods Used in the Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple
Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

Roasted Maple is just maple without a finish. It's technically cheaper than regular maple, but it doesn't have any extra disadvantages because of this. The color is darker, and it's lighter weight and very stable even when there's a lot of humidity.

Basswood is a lightweight type of wood that isn't as expensive as other popular choices for guitar building. It gives more power to the mid-range frequencies. Its color can vary from pale white to light brown. Find out more about Basswood.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

The Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic has an SSS configuration while the Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige has HSH pickups.

SSS is perfect for players who like to play clean. The definition you get between notes and the crispiness is unmatched by most other configurations. You can still use it for distortion, but you won't get the same kind of output and power compared to a humbucker, and the hum they produce also makes them less adequate for high gain.

On the other hand, HSH is a versatile pickup configuration that will give you the high output, full tone, and quiet sound of humbucker pickups, but with the possibility of using a single coil for cleaner tones. The disadvantage is that the middle single-coil pickup will have a noticeable lower volume, so you might want to adjust the height of the pickups. Another problem is that if you set the middle pickup too high, it might interfere with your picking hand.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

However, the Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

We found the same or similar pickups to the Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige's online:

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic's switch options
Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic
Pickups 100
Sustain 70
Versatility 72
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 77
Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 75
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 79

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic compares to the Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic is built in United States while the Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige is made in Japan.

The United States is considered one of the best electric guitar manufacturers in the world. A guitar made in this country is supposed to have world-class quality control. Nowadays, guitars made in other countries can beat some of the ones made in the US, but most of the time, this country offers the best you can get. Of course, that comes at a price.

Japan has a long history of high-quality guitar building. Little has changed in terms of their manufacturing and quality control over the years. Many guitars made in this country can be compared—and even beat—others made in the US.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

In this case, both have Bone nuts. It's a type of nut found in high-quality instruments. They sound similar to Ivory since they give a lot of sustain and a bright sound (at least when striking open strings). The only problem they can run into is that you may get a bone piece that simply doesn't sound as well as others because that's just how natural materials are.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

In this comparison, the Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige is the only one that has stainless steel frets. These frets will basically last for the entire life of the guitar. They will never need polishing nor replacement. And not only that, but some people also notice that bending and vibratos are much easier to perform when they upgrade to stainless steel.

Winner: Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

Both come with a similar bridge: Tremolo. Tremolo bridges give you more versatility than fixed bridges. They let you perform the intense vibrato effects that would be impossible with a fixed bridge. However, since the bridge floats and there's less contact with the body, the strings lose sustain slightly faster. They can also be a bit harder to restring and set up correctly than fixed bridges.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

The Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Winner: Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic
  • Made in United States
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic
Quality of materials 56
Features 55
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 70
Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige
Quality of materials 85
Features 70
Quality Control 95
Build Quality 83

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic Nut Width
Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic Nut Width
Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige Nut Width
Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige has the wider nut with 42mm (1.654'') vs 41.9mm (1.65''). This is a 0.1mm (0.004'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic and Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic Neck Profile
Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic's neck profile
Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige Neck Profile
Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic and the Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic Fingerboard Radius
Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic's Fingerboard radius
Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige Fingerboard Radius
Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige's Fingerboard radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic favors large hands more than the Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic and Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige Frets Size
Both have a similar Narrow Tall fret size

Both have a Narrow Tall fret size. Their height is very similar to Jumbo frets, but they have a narrower crown. They won't let you feel the fretboard when playing, which will make it easier to get clean notes. However, if you press down too hard you might get the notes out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 70
Playability 70
Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 90
Playability 77

Specs Side-by-Side

Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic vs Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige
General Fender Custom Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child Strat Journeyman Relic Ibanez AZ2407F Prestige
Brand: Fender Custom Ibanez
Year: 2004 2023
Configuration: SSS HSH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: United States Japan
Series: Custom Artist AZ
Colors: White, Black Blue, Brown
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: 2-Piece Select Alder Basswood
Bridge: 6-Saddle American Vintage Synchronized Tremolo Gotoh T1502S
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Vintage-Style Gotoh MG-T locking machine heads
Fretboard: Maple Roasted Maple
Neck Material: Maple Roasted Maple
Decoration: Black Dot Abalone dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: 1966 Oval C AZ Oval C
Frets: 21 Narrow Tall Nickel Silver 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 9.5" 12"
Nut: Bone Bone
Nut Width: 41.9mm (1.65'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound '69 Strat Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive) DiMarzio The Tone Zone (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound '69 Strat Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive) DiMarzio True Velvet (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound '69 Strat Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive) DiMarzio Air Norton (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Bell Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 2 1