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Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige
Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS
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Playability
75
Sound
80
Build
82
Value
74
Score
79
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Playability
77
Sound
75
Build
72
Value
60
Score
75
FIND IT ON:
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Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige vs Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS Specs Comparison
Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS
General
Brand: Ibanez Gibson
Year: 2021 2020
Configuration: SH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Japan United States
Series: AZS Custom Shop Collection
Colors: Sunburst, Blue Gray
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Ash Solid Mahogany
Bridge: Gotoh F1803 Tune-O-Matic
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Set
Tuners: Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/H.A.P. Schaller M6 with Large Buttons
Fretboard: Roasted Maple Ebony, with 1-ply White Binding
Neck Material: Roasted Maple 3-piece Maple
Decoration: Black Dot Mother of Pearl Block
Scale Size: 25.5" 24.75"
Shape: AZ Oval C Adam Jones 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 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 12"
Nut: Bone Bone
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Custom (Single Coil / Passive) Custom-Wound Seymour Duncan DDJ (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan Magic Touch-mini (Humbucker / Passive) Gibson Custombucker (Reverse-Mounted) (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Speed
Pickup Mods: Parallel Split None
Volume Controls: 1 2
Tone Controls: 1 2
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Chrome Chrome
Show Diagrams Comparison
Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige's switch options
Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS's switch options

Reasons to Get
Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige over Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS

Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Release Year
2021 vs 2020
From a more recent year
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
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 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 24.75'' (628.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Value Score
74 vs 60
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS over Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige

Decorative Top
3-piece Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
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
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone

Other Key Differences
Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige vs Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS

Bridge Pickup
Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro Custom vs Custom-Wound Seymour Duncan DDJ
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Seymour Duncan Magic Touch-mini vs Gibson Custombucker (Reverse-Mounted)
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Ash vs Mahogany
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Roasted Maple vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Roasted Maple vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
6 vs 3-3
Different Headstock

Shared Features
Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige vs Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS

Nut Material
Bone
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
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
Type of Frets
Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

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

Common Weaknesses

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

Price History Comparison

Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige Prices

    SET PRICE ALERT

    Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS Prices

      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.

      Hand Size Comfortability

      And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS favors large hands more than the Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

      Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige:
      Big Hands
      Small Hands
      Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS:
      Big Hands
      Small Hands

      Beginner Friendliness

      The Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS 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 AZS2209H Prestige
      • Comfortable shape
      • Easy-to-use bridge
      • Locking tuners
      • Tall frets
      • Narrow nut
      • Comfortable neck
      • Comfortable fretboard
      • Short scale

      New Player Friendliness

      Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS
      • Comfortable shape
      • Easy-to-use bridge
      • Tall frets
      • Comfortable neck
      • Comfortable fretboard
      • Narrow nut
      • Short scale
      • Locking tuners

      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 AZS2209H 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 Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS

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

      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.

      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.

      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.

      Winner: Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS.

      Pickup Configuration

      The Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige has an SH configuration while the Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS 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 AZS2209H 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 AZS2209H 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.

      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 AZS2209H Prestige.

      Final Sound Quality Scores

      Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige
      Pickups 90
      Sustain 85
      Versatility 64
      Tuning Stability 80
      Sound 80
      Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS
      Pickups 90
      Sustain 85
      Versatility 53
      Tuning Stability 70
      Sound 75

      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 AZS2209H Prestige compares to the Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS.

      Country of Origin

      The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige is built in Japan while the Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS 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.

      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 AZS2209H 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 AZS2209H 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 AZS2209H 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 AZS2209H 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 AZS2209H 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 Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS 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 AZS2209H Prestige.

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

      Strengths & Weaknesses
      Ibanez AZS2209H 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 Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS
      • Made in United States
      • Expensive Wood
      • Bone Nut
      • Top Brand Pickups
      • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
      • No Locking Tuners
      • No Neck-Through Build
      • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
      • No Weight Relief
      • No Luminescent Inlay
      • No Tremolo
      • No Compound Radius Fretboard
      • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
      • No Strap Lock

      Final Build Quality Scores

      Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige
      Quality of materials 86
      Features 70
      Quality Control 90
      Build Quality 82
      Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS
      Quality of materials 65
      Features 50
      Quality Control 100
      Build Quality 72

      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 AZS2209H Prestige Nut Width
      Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige Nut Width
      Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS Nut Width
      Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS Nut Width

      The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 1mm (0.039'') difference

      This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS, 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 AZS2209H Prestige's Scale Length
      Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige's Scale Length
      Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS's Scale Length
      Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS'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 AZS2209H Prestige has the longest scale: 25.5". The Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS 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 AZS2209H Prestige Neck Profile
      Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige's neck profile
      Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS Neck Profile
      Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS'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 AZS2209H Prestige and the Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS 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 AZS2209H 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 AZS2209H Prestige and the Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS 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.

      Fret Size

      Ibanez AZS2209H Prestige and Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS 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 AZS2209H Prestige
      Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
      Chord Playability 60
      Solo Playability 80
      Playability 75
      Gibson Adam Jones 1979 Les Paul Custom VOS
      Bending & Vibrato Ease 95
      Chord Playability 55
      Solo Playability 80
      Playability 77