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Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige
Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue
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Playability
75
Sound
80
Build
82
Value
74
Score
79
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Playability
73
Sound
72
Build
74
Value
58
Score
73
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Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige vs Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue

Reasons to Get
Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige over Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue

Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Release Year
2023 vs 2022
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickup Mods
Parallel Split vs None
Connects pickups in parallel to brighten tone
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Body Type
Solid Body vs Semi-Hollow
Feedback free
Pickups
SH vs HH
Very bright bridge tone and a very warm neck pickup
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.688'' (42.9mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Paint Finish
Poly vs Nitro
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 24.75'' (628.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Value Score
74 vs 58
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue over Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige

Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Body Type
Semi-Hollow vs Solid Body
Lighter and allows more gain than a hollowbody
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Pickups
HH vs SH
High output without hum
Nut Width
1.688'' (42.9mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Paint Finish
Nitro vs Poly
Thin finish that creates aging marks faster
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone

Other Key Differences
Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige vs Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue

Bridge Pickup
Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Custom vs Custombucker Alnico III (Unpotted)
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Seymour Duncan Magic Touch-mini vs Custombucker Alnico III (Unpotted)
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Ash vs Maple
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Roasted Maple vs Mahogany
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Roasted Maple vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
6 vs 3-3
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Bone vs Nylon
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige vs Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue

Strings
6
Same playing style
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people

Common Strengths

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

Common Weaknesses

  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige is probably the better product overall with its final score of 79 compared to the Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue's 73 score, although not by a lot.

The Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue in every aspect.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige is the better choice.

The Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue meets only 4. 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 AZS2209 Prestige
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • 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 AZS2209 Prestige Overview

  • From Ibanez's 2023 AZS series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Ash 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 F1803 bridge
  • AZ Oval C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue Overview

  • From Gibson Custom's 2022 Historic Collection series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • 3-Ply Maple/Poplar/Maple body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Custombucker Alnico III (Unpotted) (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Custombucker Alnico III (Unpotted) (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar bridge
  • 50s Rounded Medium C Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Kluson Waffleback with Pearloid Tips 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 AZS2209 Prestige

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

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.

Ash is a type of wood that Fender used almost exclusively in the 50s, and it's still used by many brands. It's a dense wood with a light color that works well for a transparent, natural finish because of its beautiful patterns. In terms of sound, it's known for emphasizing the mid and high frequencies, but with strong low end. Find out more about Ash.

Woods Used in the Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

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.

Winner: Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue.

Pickup Configuration

The Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige has an SH configuration while the Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue has HH 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, Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

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.

You can purchase similar pickups to the Ibanez AZS2209 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: Tie.

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.

Only the Ibanez AZS2209 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 AZS2209 Prestige pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige's switch options
Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue'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 AZS2209 Prestige.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige
Pickups 90
Sustain 85
Versatility 64
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 80
Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue
Pickups 90
Sustain 75
Versatility 53
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 72

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 AZS2209 Prestige compares to the Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige is built in Japan while the Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue is made in United States.

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.

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.

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 AZS2209 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 Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue comes with a Nylon nut. It used to be one of the highest quality materials for nuts (and still is), but it's rare to find nowadays because it's hard to work with. It's a very resistant material with very low friction, so it will keep the guitar in tune and will last for a long time

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 AZS2209 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 AZS2209 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: Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

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 AZS2209 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 AZS2209 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.

The Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige has 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.

On the other hand, the Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue comes with Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

Winner: Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Parallel Split Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Nylon Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige
Quality of materials 86
Features 70
Quality Control 90
Build Quality 82
Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue
Quality of materials 66
Features 55
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 74

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 AZS2209 Prestige Nut Width
Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige Nut Width
Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue Nut Width
Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue 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 Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue, 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 AZS2209 Prestige's Scale Length
Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige's Scale Length
Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue's Scale Length
Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue's 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.

The Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige has the longest scale: 25.5". The Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue is only 24.75" long. This is a 0.75'' (19.1mm) scale length difference.

This longer scale means that the strings need more tension to get in tune. This is good if you want to avoid fret buzz, which can happen when the strings are too loose and touch the frets while vibrating. This is especially important when playing in lower tunings. This will also let you reduce the gap between fretboard and strings (low action) to make them easier to press down. However, this higher tension will also make it harder to perform bends and vibratos as the strings will feel stiffer.

This also means that the frets have a longer separation between each other, so this will make it harder for people with smaller hands when playing some chord positions.

Another characteristic of a longer scale is that it makes the guitar sound 'snappier' or brighter. This is due to the extra separation between harmonics and overtones produced by the tension. This influences tone more than any other factor (except the pickups).

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 AZS2209 Prestige Neck Profile
Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige's neck profile
Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue Neck Profile
Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue'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 AZS2209 Prestige and the Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue 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 AZS2209 Prestige Fingerboard Radius
Both Guitars Have The Same 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 the Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige and the Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue have the same fretboard radius of 12". This is the radius used in most Gibson guitars. It gives you a good balance for playing chords without muting, but also good comfortability for playing single notes and bending.

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 Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue favors large hands more than the Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige Frets Size
Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige's Frets Size
Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue Frets Size
Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue's Frets Size

The Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue's Medium Jumbo 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 AZS2209 Prestige
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 80
Playability 75
Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 70
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige vs Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue
General Ibanez AZS2209 Prestige Gibson Custom 1959 ES-355 Reissue
Brand: Ibanez Gibson Custom
Year: 2023 2022
Configuration: SH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Japan United States
Series: AZS Historic Collection
Colors: Blue Black, Natural
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Semi-Hollow
Body Material: Ash 3-Ply Maple/Poplar/Maple
Bridge: Gotoh F1803 Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Set
Tuners: Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. Kluson Waffleback with Pearloid Tips
Fretboard: Roasted Maple Ebony
Neck Material: Roasted Maple Mahogany
Decoration: Abalone dot 1950s Pattern Mother of Pearl
Scale Size: 25.5" 24.75"
Shape: AZ Oval C 50s Rounded Medium C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.81'' (20.6mm) - 12th Fret: 0.89'' (22.6mm) 1st Fret: - 12th Fret:
Frets: 22 Jumbo Stainless Steel 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 12"
Nut: Bone Nylon
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42.9mm (1.688'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Custom (Single Coil / Passive) Custombucker Alnico III (Unpotted) (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan Magic Touch-mini (Humbucker / Passive) Custombucker Alnico III (Unpotted) (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Bell
Pickup Mods: Parallel Split None
Volume Controls: 1 2
Tone Controls: 1 2