Visually, you don't see a big difference between the previous AZ models and the N version, you can see that the fingerboard is rosewood instead of maple and that the plectrum cover is a different color. In terms of gameplay, however, the difference is quite large.
Many features are the same, alder body, 1-bit necks in absolutely fantastic S-Tech roasted maple, stainless neck bars, tuning screws, luminlay side dots, bone saddle, dyna-MIX9 switch system, etc. Friends of order are probably starting to wonder "But, what's new then?" at this point. There are new Seymour Duncan pickups named Fortuna which are a little nicer and more vintage-smelling pickups than the other models' Hyperion pickups.
Think pickups with lower output more angled towards clean and less distorted sounds. You get a larger dynamic range with wider frequency response. They are absolutely not better pickups than the Hyperion, just different. Seymour Duncan Fortuna are passive pickups with alnico magnets.
A compound radius fingerboard, from 228mmR to 305mmR compared to the other AZ models is 305 across the entire fingerboard. Simply explained for those who are not so familiar with radius numbers and meaning. Radius is the curvature of the fingerboard, how flat or arched it is. In general, most guitarists find that flatter fretboards are better for soloing and less flat makes it easier to play chords. The N version's fingerboard is therefore less flat than the previous AZ models' fingerboard. The N version is compound sanded, which means that it is more arched at the first fret and then gradually becomes flatter the higher up the neck you go.
The stable is also new and is called T1702B. In function and appearance it is identical to the previous T1802, it is based on the same plate. The difference is the material of the saddle, it is a solid block of brass isf steel and the saddles are brass isf for titanium.
The stable gives the instrument a different tone, warmer and a little softer attack. It is also not milled out under the saddle, the saddle of the N version lies flat against the body for a better transmission of string vibrations down into the body, which gives a different type of tone, more resonance and with more sustain.
In short, a real premium guitar.
- AZ Oval C S-Tech roasted maple neck
- 22 frets • Alder body
- Rosewood fretboard with mother of pearl dot inlays
- Compound fretboard radius. 228mmR to 305mmR
- Jumbo stainless steel frets with Prestige fret edge treatment
- Bone nut
- Seymour Duncan Fortuna pickups
- Dyna.MIX9 switching system
- Gotoh T1702B tremolo
- Gotoh Magnum Lock machine heads w/HAP
- Luminlay side dots
- Chrome hardware
- Hard case included
The neck:
- 648mm/25.5" scale.
- Width at saddle: 42mm.
- Width at 24 bands: 56.4mm.
- Thickness at first strap: 20.5mm.
- Thickness at 12 bands: 22.5mm.
- Radius: 305mmR.