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Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige
Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster
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Playability
73
Sound
80
Build
85
Value
69
Score
79
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Playability
70
Sound
74
Build
60
Value
68
Score
68
FIND IT ON:
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Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige vs Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster

Reasons to Get
Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige over Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster

Country of Manufacturing
Japan vs Mexico
Built with higher quality standards
Decorative Top
Quilted Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Release Year
2021 vs 2019
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Vintage Tall
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickup Mods
Parallel Split vs None
Connects pickups in parallel to brighten tone
Pickups
SH vs SSS
Very bright bridge tone and a very warm neck pickup
Number of Frets
22 vs 21
Allows to reach higher notes
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.81'' (20.6mm) vs 0.825'' (21mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.89'' (22.6mm) vs 0.975'' (24.8mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 7.25'' (184.2mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Value Score
69 vs 68
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster over Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige

Type of Frets
Vintage Tall vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Pickups
SSS vs SH
Beautiful cleans and good tone versatility
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.825'' (21mm) vs 0.81'' (20.6mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.975'' (24.8mm) vs 0.89'' (22.6mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Fretboard Radius
7.25'' (184.2mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings

Other Key Differences
Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige vs Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster

Bridge Pickup
Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Custom vs Fender Vintage-Style 60s Single-Coil Hot Strat
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Seymour Duncan Magic Touch-mini vs Fender Vintage-Style 60s Single-Coil Hot Strat
Different Neck Pickup
Neck Wood
Roasted Maple vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Roasted Maple vs Pau Ferro
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Bone vs Synthetic Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige vs Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster

Body Wood
Alder
Same Body Wood
Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm)
Same string separation at the nut
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
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • 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

Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige Prices

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Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige is probably the better product overall with its final score of 79 compared to the Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster's 68 score, which is a significant difference.

The Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster in every aspect.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige is the better choice.

The Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster meets only 5. 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 AZS2200Q Prestige
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

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 AZS2200Q Prestige Overview

  • From Ibanez's 2021 AZS series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilted Maple top
  • Alder body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Roasted Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Custom (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Magic Touch-mini (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Gotoh T1802 Tremolo bridge
  • AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster Overview

  • From Fender's 2019 Vintera series
  • Made in Mexico
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 7.25" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • Maple neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fender Vintage-Style 60s Single-Coil Hot Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Fender Vintage-Style 60s Single-Coil Hot Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fender Vintage-Style 60s Single-Coil Hot Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo bridge
  • Mid 60s C Bolt-On neck
  • 21 Vintage Tall frets
  • Vintage-Style 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 Both

Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
Alder

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 AZS2200Q Prestige

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple

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.

Woods Used in the Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Pau Ferro wood pattern used for guitar building
Pau Ferro

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.

Pau Ferro has a dark, chocolate-like color with straight dark grains that is being used as a replacement to Rosewood due to the regulations. It produces a warm tone that is somewhere between Mahogany and Rosewood. Find out more about Pau Ferro.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

The Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige has an SH configuration while the Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster has SSS pickups.

SH is a more versatile version of the classic telecaster (SS) configuration. The bridge pickup usually produces a bright and twangy tone, while the neck Humbucker gives you the warmer tone you'll need for more Jazzy/Bluish solos and chords.

On the other hand, 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.

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 Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

You can purchase similar pickups to the Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige's and use them on any guitar:

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 Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster.

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

The Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster gives you 5 switch options while the Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige gives you 3. This means that the Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Only the Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige comes with some kind of pickup modification: Parallel Split.

The Parallel Split feature allows it to split and connect some of the pickups in parallel. When wired in parallel, the result is a very bright tone. This is the wire technique used in most Stratocaster guitars, and it's what gives them their signature transparent and clear sound. This is because the pickups' inputs and outputs are wired together, which reduces the signal's travel distance to the output jack.

Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige's switch options
Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster'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 AZS2200Q Prestige.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige
Pickups 90
Sustain 80
Versatility 74
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 80
Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster
Pickups 100
Sustain 60
Versatility 72
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 74

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 AZS2200Q Prestige compares to the Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige is built in Japan while the Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster is made in Mexico.

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.

Mexico has been for a long time where Fender has built their semi-premium series. If you don't want to overpay for a wellp-built instrument, a guitar built in this country by a good brand always offers good value for the money.

Winner: Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige

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 AZS2200Q 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 Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster comes with a Synthetic Bone nut. Bone is the best natural material for guitar nuts. However, its tonal properties can be inconsistent. That's the problem that synthetic bone fixes. This is much better than using a plastic nut because the nut is more slippery—which helps with tuning stability—, and it gives your open strings rich harmonics.

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.

In this comparison, the Ibanez AZS2200Q 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 AZS2200Q 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 AZS2200Q 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 AZS2200Q 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
Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Parallel Split Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Mexico
  • 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

Final Build Quality Scores

Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige
Quality of materials 85
Features 75
Quality Control 95
Build Quality 85
Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster
Quality of materials 51
Features 55
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 60

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 AZS2200Q Prestige Nut Width
Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 42mm (1.654'').

This is considered a narrow width for a 6-string guitar. This means that this guitar will have a narrower string separation at the nut, which will affect your fretting hand.

If you are a player with big hands, you might find it difficult to play chords without muting strings. However, this is good for players who have smaller hands, as it will allow them to reach each string more easily at the nut.

Scale Length

Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige and Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster'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 AZS2200Q Prestige Neck Profile
Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige's neck profile
Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster Neck Profile
Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster'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 AZS2200Q Prestige and the Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster 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 AZS2200Q Prestige Fingerboard Radius
Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige's Fingerboard radius
Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster Fingerboard Radius
Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster'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 Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Ibanez AZS2200Q 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 AZS2200Q 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 Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster favors large hands more than the Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige.

Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige Frets Size
Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige's Frets Size
Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster Frets Size
Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster's Frets Size

The Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster's Vintage Tall frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 80
Playability 73
Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster
Bending & Vibrato Ease 60
Chord Playability 90
Solo Playability 60
Playability 70

Specs Side-by-Side

Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige vs Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster
General Ibanez AZS2200Q Prestige Fender Vintera Road Worn 60s Stratocaster
Brand: Ibanez Fender
Year: 2021 2019
Configuration: SH SSS
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Japan Mexico
Series: AZS Vintera
Colors: Blue Gold, Blue
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Alder Alder
Bridge: Gotoh T1802 Tremolo 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. Vintage-Style
Fretboard: Roasted Maple Pau Ferro
Neck Material: Roasted Maple Maple
Decoration: Abalone dot Black Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: AZ Oval C Mid 60s C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.81'' (20.6mm) - 12th Fret: 0.89'' (22.6mm) 1st Fret: 0.825'' (21mm) - 12th Fret: 0.975'' (24.8mm)
Frets: 22 Jumbo Stainless Steel 21 Vintage Tall Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 7.25"
Nut: Bone Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Custom (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Vintage-Style 60s Single-Coil Hot Strat (Single Coil / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Fender Vintage-Style 60s Single-Coil Hot Strat (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan Magic Touch-mini (Humbucker / Passive) Fender Vintage-Style 60s Single-Coil Hot Strat (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Dome Bell
Pickup Mods: Parallel Split None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 2