Swap
Swap
Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM
VS
Playability
73
Sound
82
Build
85
Value
75
Score
80
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability
73
Sound
81
Build
88
Value
71
Score
81
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Add more to comparison

Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige vs Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM

Reasons to Get
Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige over Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM

Release Year
2023 vs 2021
From a more recent year
Number of Frets
22 vs 24
Warmer neck pickup
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs Coil Tap
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Pickups
SSS vs HSH
Beautiful cleans and good tone versatility
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.81'' (20.6mm) vs 0.77'' (19.6mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.89'' (22.6mm) vs 0.83'' (21.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Value Score
75 vs 71
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM over Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige

Decorative Top
Ash vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Pickup Mods
Coil Tap vs Coil Split
Lowers output of humbucker coil to create a single coil sound
Pickups
HSH vs SSS
High output, round sound with a single-coil for cleans
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.77'' (19.6mm) vs 0.81'' (20.6mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.83'' (21.1mm) vs 0.89'' (22.6mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle

Other Key Differences
Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige vs Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM

Bridge Pickup
Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) vs Charvel Custom Humbucking
Different Bridge Pickup
Middle Pickup
Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) vs Charvel Custom Single-Coil
Different Middle Pickup
Neck Pickup
Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) vs Charvel Custom Humbucking
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Alder vs Basswood
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Roasted Maple vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Rosewood vs Maple
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Bone vs Ivory Tusq
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige vs Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM

Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
5
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
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
Compound Radius
9" to 12" vs 12" to 16"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
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
Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • Locking Tuners
  • High-Quality Nut
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

SET PRICE ALERT
SET PRICE ALERT

These are affiliate links. We may earn a fee if you purchase after clicking. These prices are prone to error. Make sure you're buying the right product after clicking on a link from our site. We are not liable if you buy the wrong product after following these links. As an Amazon Associate site we earn from qualifying purchases.

Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM is probably the better product overall with its final score of 81 compared to the Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige's 80 score, although not by a lot.

The Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM wins when it comes to build quality. On the other hand, the Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige has the upper hand when it comes to sound, value for the money.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige is the better choice.

The Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige meets 7 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM meets only 6. 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.

New Player Friendliness

Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Narrow nut
  • 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.

Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige Overview

  • From Ibanez's 2023 AZ series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9" to 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Gotoh T1502S bridge
  • AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM Overview

  • From Charvel's 2021 Artist Signature series
  • Guthrie Govan Signature
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Ash top
  • Basswood body
  • Caramelized Maple neck
  • Caramelized Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Charvel Custom Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Charvel Custom Single-Coil (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Charvel Custom Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Recessed Charvel Locking Tremolo Bridge bridge
  • Charvel Speed Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Gotoh Locking 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 Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige

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

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.

Rosewood is an almost purple-looking wood that is used mainly for fretboards since it's heavy, rare, and expensive. It's sometimes used on acoustic guitar bodies to create stronger warm tones. Find out more about Rosewood.

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 Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM

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

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.

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: Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige.

Pickup Configuration

The Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige has an SSS configuration while the Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM 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 Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

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: Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige.

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.

Both give you different pickup mod options.

The Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige offers Coil Split.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

On the other hand, the Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM comes with the following: Coil Tap.

Coil Tap is similar to Coil Split but it works a bit differently. Instead of completely cancelling one of the coils of the humbucker, it only cuts part of the output once activated. Some people believe this gives the split pickups a more real single-coil sound.

Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige's switch options
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM'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: Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige
Pickups 90
Sustain 80
Versatility 82
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 82
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 85
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 81

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 Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige compares to the Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in Japan.

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.

The Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige has a Bone nut. 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.

On the other hand, the Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM comes with a Ivory Tusq nut. Ivory used to be considered the best material for guitar nuts due to its beauty, durability, and the rich harmonics and sustain you could get from a guitar with it. However, the way to obtain it is simply unethical. Enter TUSQ ivory nuts, which are made synthetically to imitate ivory. Technically, it's better than ivory because it is consistent piece-to-piece, while natural materials can vary a lot, even if they're made from the same.

Winner: Tie.

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.

Both in this comparison come with 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: Tie.

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

They both have 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: Tie.

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
Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Tap Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige
Quality of materials 81
Features 85
Quality Control 90
Build Quality 85
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM
Quality of materials 85
Features 85
Quality Control 95
Build Quality 88

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

Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige Nut Width
Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige Nut Width
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM Nut Width
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM has the wider nut with 42.9mm (1.688'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 0.9mm (0.034'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige and Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM'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

Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige Neck Profile
Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige's neck profile
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM Neck Profile
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM'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 Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige and the Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM 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

Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige Fretboard Compound Radius
Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige's Compound Fretboard Radius
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM Fretboard Compound Radius
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM's Compound Fretboard 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.

Both have a compound radius. This means both offer you the best craftsmanship when it comes to fretboard design. You'll have an arc to help you play chords close to the nut, while also having a flat design at the higher frets for faster soloing and easier bends.

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 Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM favors large hands more than the Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige and Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM Frets Size
Both have a similar Jumbo fret size

Both have a Jumbo fret size. This is one of the tallest frets you can get. You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings. It will give you the best sustain and all types of chords will be easier to play. However, you can end up changing the pitch of your notes if you press too hard, which is something people used to feeling the fretboard do when trying Jumbo frets for the first time.

Final Playability Scores

Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 80
Playability 73
Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige vs Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM
General Ibanez AZ2203N Prestige Charvel Guthrie Govan Signature MJ San Dimas SD24 CM
Brand: Ibanez Charvel
Year: 2023 2021
Configuration: SSS HSH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Japan Japan
Series: AZ Artist Signature
Colors: Black, Blue Sunburst
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Alder Basswood
Bridge: Gotoh T1502S Recessed Charvel Locking Tremolo Bridge
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. Gotoh Locking
Fretboard: Rosewood Caramelized Maple
Neck Material: Roasted Maple Caramelized Maple
Decoration: Mother of Pearl dot Crème Dots
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: AZ Oval C Charvel Speed
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.81'' (20.6mm) - 12th Fret: 0.89'' (22.6mm) 1st Fret: 0.77'' (19.6mm) - 12th Fret: 0.83'' (21.1mm)
Frets: 22 Jumbo Stainless Steel 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 9" to 12" 12" to 16"
Nut: Bone Ivory Tusq
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42.9mm (1.688'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) (Humbucker / Passive) Charvel Custom Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) (Humbucker / Passive) Charvel Custom Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan Fortuna (H) (Humbucker / Passive) Charvel Custom Humbucking (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Bell Dome
Pickup Mods: Coil Split Coil Tap
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 2 1