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PRS SE Silver Sky Maple
Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige
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Playability
70
Sound
74
Build
60
Value
73
Score
68
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Playability
77
Sound
81
Build
85
Value
71
Score
81
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Show Full Spec Comparison
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple vs Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige Specs Comparison
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige
General
Brand: PRS Ibanez
Year: 2024 2021
Configuration: SSS HSS
Strings: 6 7
Made in: Indonesia Japan
Series: SE AZ
Colors: Black, Blue, Purple Black
Left-Handed Version: Yes No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Poplar Alder
Bridge: 2-Point Steel Tremolo Gotoh T1872S
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Vintage-Style Gotoh MG-T locking machine heads
Fretboard: Maple Roasted Maple
Neck Material: Maple Roasted Maple
Decoration: Small Birds Black Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: 635JM AZ7 Oval C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.846'' (21.5mm) - 12th Fret: 0.949'' (24.1mm) 1st Fret: 0.81'' (20.6mm) - 12th Fret: 0.89'' (22.6mm)
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 8.5" 12"
Nut: Synthetic Bone Black Tusq XL
Nut Width: 41.7mm (1.641'') 47mm (1.85'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: 635JM “S” (Single Coil / Passive) Seymour Duncan Hyperion 7 (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: 635JM “S” (Single Coil / Passive) Seymour Duncan Hyperion 7 (Humbucker / Passive)
Neck Pickup: 635JM “S” (Single Coil / Passive) Seymour Duncan Hyperion 7 (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Bell Bell
Pickup Mods: None Series Split
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 2 1
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Nickel Chrome
Show Diagrams Comparison
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple's switch options
Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige's switch options

Reasons to Get
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple over Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige

Release Year
2024 vs 2021
From a more recent year
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Profile
635JM vs AZ7 Oval C
Thick neck that gives you a better grip
Strings
6 vs 7
Narrower neck and fewer strings to change
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Pickups
SSS vs HSS
Beautiful cleans and good tone versatility
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.846'' (21.5mm) vs 0.81'' (20.6mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.949'' (24.1mm) vs 0.89'' (22.6mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.641'' (41.7mm) vs 1.85'' (47mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Fretboard Radius
8.5'' (215.9mm) vs 12'' (304.8mm)
Easier to play chords without muting strings
Value Score
73 vs 71
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige over PRS SE Silver Sky Maple

Country of Manufacturing
Japan vs Indonesia
Built with higher quality standards
Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
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
Neck Profile
AZ7 Oval C vs 635JM
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Pickup Mods
Series Split vs None
Connects pickups in series to imitate a humbucker
Strings
7 vs 6
Allows you to play lower notes
Pickups
HSS vs SSS
High output with beautiful cleans and tone versatility
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.81'' (20.6mm) vs 0.846'' (21.5mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.89'' (22.6mm) vs 0.949'' (24.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.85'' (47mm) vs 1.641'' (41.7mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm) vs 8.5'' (215.9mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend

Other Key Differences
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple vs Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige

Bridge Pickup
635JM “S” vs Seymour Duncan Hyperion 7
Different Bridge Pickup
Middle Pickup
635JM “S” vs Seymour Duncan Hyperion 7
Different Middle Pickup
Neck Pickup
635JM “S” vs Seymour Duncan Hyperion 7
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Poplar vs Alder
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple vs Roasted Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Maple vs Roasted Maple
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-3 vs 7
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Synthetic Bone vs Black Tusq XL
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple vs Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige

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
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • High-Quality Frets
  • 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

Price History Comparison

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Hand Size Comfortability

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the PRS SE Silver Sky Maple favors large hands more than the Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige.

PRS SE Silver Sky Maple:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Beginner Friendliness

The Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the PRS SE Silver Sky Maple 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

PRS SE Silver Sky Maple
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale
  • Comfortable neck
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale

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 PRS SE Silver Sky Maple

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Poplar wood pattern used for guitar building
Poplar

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.

Poplar is a cheaper and heavier alternative to Alder wood. It terms of tone, it emphasizes the low-end and has cutting mids. It's relatively soft compared to most body woods. Find out more about Poplar.

Woods Used in the Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple
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.

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.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

The PRS SE Silver Sky Maple has an SSS configuration while the Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige has HSS 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, HSS provides a great balance if you like to play with a lot of distortion, but also love to use clean tones. You'll get a lot of output at the bridge position, but you'll be able to play bright clean tones at the other positions.

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 PRS SE Silver Sky Maple 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: PRS SE Silver Sky Maple.

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 AZ24047 Prestige comes with some kind of pickup modification: Series Split.

The Series Split feature allows it to split and connect some of the pickups in series. When wired in series, the resulting tone is similar to a Humbucker's. The pickups will work together and produce a fuller tone with more output than single-coils, but less than Humbuckers.

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 AZ24047 Prestige.

Final Sound Quality Scores

PRS SE Silver Sky Maple
Pickups 100
Sustain 60
Versatility 72
Tuning Stability 65
Sound 74
Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige
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 PRS SE Silver Sky Maple compares to the Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The PRS SE Silver Sky Maple is built in Indonesia while the Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige is made in Japan.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

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: Ibanez AZ24047 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 PRS SE Silver Sky Maple has 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.

On the other hand, the Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige comes with a Black Tusq XL nut. TUSQ nuts are usually the highest quality you can get. Black TUSQs are made from a special slippery material that helps the strings get back to its original position (one of the keys to tune stability).

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 AZ24047 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 AZ24047 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 AZ24047 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 AZ24047 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
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple
  • Synthetic Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Series 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

Final Build Quality Scores

PRS SE Silver Sky Maple
Quality of materials 56
Features 55
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 60
Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige
Quality of materials 86
Features 75
Quality Control 95
Build Quality 85

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

PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Nut Width
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Nut Width
Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige Nut Width
Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige has the wider nut with 47mm (1.85'') vs 41.7mm (1.641''). This is a 5.3mm (0.209'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

PRS SE Silver Sky Maple and Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

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

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

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

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

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

Neck Profile

PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Neck Profile
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple's neck profile
Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige Neck Profile
Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige's neck profile

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

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The PRS SE Silver Sky Maple has a Vintage type of neck. This means that it's thicker than most modern necks, and makes it a better fit for playing chords and slow solos. Some people prefer this type of neck because it gives them a better grip thanks to the extra mass. Still, the vast majority prefer a thinner, faster, and more ''modern'' neck.

The Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige, on the other hand, has a C 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

PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Fingerboard Radius
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple's Fingerboard radius
Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige Fingerboard Radius
Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige's Fingerboard radius

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

In this case, the PRS SE Silver Sky Maple's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Ibanez AZ24047 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 AZ24047 Prestige.

Fret Size

PRS SE Silver Sky Maple Frets Size
PRS SE Silver Sky Maple's Frets Size
Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige Frets Size
Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige's Frets Size

The Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the PRS SE Silver Sky Maple'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

PRS SE Silver Sky Maple
Bending & Vibrato Ease 60
Chord Playability 100
Solo Playability 50
Playability 70
Ibanez AZ24047 Prestige
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 90
Playability 77