"THE OLD GUARD"
The goal with this build was to craft a high-end, professional instrument that drew upon many of the popular elements of the AZ and combine them with a variety of old-school characteristics. There are also many elements that went into this guitar to ensure that as it ages, it continues to mature and, with time, become a prized, vintage instrument. The venerable Swamp Ash / Maple tone wood combo is the foundation of this instrument. It’s a pairing that’s been leaned on historically for its inherent balance of warmth and brightness and its inarguable longevity. A classic SSS pickup combination supplies lush complexity, brightness and rich timbres to the tone and the S-Tech Roasted Flame Maple neck adds a dynamic layer of custom complexity to the look. This AZ also incorporates some specialized specs such as a nitrocellulose finish, Soft-V neck profile, Stainless Steel frets, and a dual action titanium truss rod with an adjustment wheel at the neck joint. This AZ is the prefect embodiment of merging the best characteristics of modern design and vintage soul, in form, playability and tonality.