Ibanez Artcore - Page 3

jazzguyfromnc · #61 11-22-2010, 12:57 PM

Hi guys. I'm new to this forum.

I have an Artcore AF-75 and I really enjoy playing it. Nice tone, trouble free, nice neck. I run it through a Roland Cube 60 and get a decent sound. If you'd like to hear it:

YouTube - Blues in the Closet - the Paul Bomar Trio

Peter C · #62 11-22-2010, 01:28 PM

Good tone, jazzguyfromnc !

I recently acquired, though a gear swap, an AF 75 c/w "Bigsby". I haven't spent that much time with it as yet, but with a new set of D'Addario Chromes and a little bridge tweaking, it sounds promising, even through an old SS practice amp. It does have what seems to be a high 17th fret, but that can be sorted quite easily. The vibrato may be replaced at some time with a trapeze, but for now the wiggle bar is set permanently in a southward position and isn't causing any problems. Nice neck, resonant (amplified) sound, and no initial complaints about the pickups or the tuning keys.

I didn't "pay" for mine, other than the outlay a few years ago for the amp which I swapped it for, but these guitars seem to be great value for money.

One thing - Does anyone string their Artcore with a 13-56 set or heavier? Impressions? (I read about another Artcore model whose tailpiece was prone to breakage, but I don't believe that's an issue with the AF 75)

henry b · #63 11-22-2010, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzguyfromnc

Hi guys. I'm new to this forum.

I have an Artcore AF-75 and I really enjoy playing it. Nice tone, trouble free, nice neck. I run it through a Roland Cube 60 and get a decent sound. If you'd like to hear it:

YouTube - Blues in the Closet - the Paul Bomar Trio

Nice sounds , what have you set the controls on the cube / guitar . thanks .

jazzguyfromnc · #64 11-22-2010, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henry b

Nice sounds , what have you set the controls on the cube / guitar . thanks .

Thanks guys!
I put the volume up to 5, then bass up to 7, mid to 5, treble to 3, presence to 3, reverb to 3. Hope this helps.

jazzguyfromnc · #65 11-22-2010, 11:20 PM

Oh and I drop the volume and tone a bit on the axe.

whiskywheels · #66 11-23-2010, 06:36 AM

I was so impressed with my AF75 that I bought a AF105, thinking it would be astounding. It was very good, but there was something about the 75 that I preferred, despite both being set up the same and with 12-52 strings. I've sold the 105 now, and continue to amazed at the playability and tone of the 75.

henry b · #67 11-23-2010, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzguyfromnc

Oh and I drop the volume and tone a bit on the axe.

Thanks Jazzguy , I,ll give it a try .

jazzguyfromnc · #68 11-23-2010, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henry b

Thanks Jazzguy , I,ll give it a try .

Cool man PM me if you need anything else.

emckenrick · #69 11-26-2010, 08:18 AM

I purchased this relatively rare Artcore from Jazzrat about a year ago....what a beautiful piece this is & the sound is terrific as well....I won't be switching these pups out!

jazzguyfromnc · #70 11-29-2010, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emckenrick

I purchased this relatively rare Artcore from Jazzrat about a year ago....what a beautiful piece this is & the sound is terrific as well....I won't be switching these pups out!

That is absolutely GORGEOUS!!!

mr. beaumont · #71 11-29-2010, 09:24 AM

Wow, is that spalted maple? I think that might be the first spalted maple guitar I've seen that I've liked...and I mean really liked--that git-box is lovely!

emckenrick · #72 11-29-2010, 09:28 AM

Thanks for the compliments!

Yes, it's spalted maple and reputedly one of only 60 built.

ecohen · #73 11-29-2010, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whiskywheels

I was so impressed with my AF75 that I bought a AF105, thinking it would be astounding. It was very good, but there was something about the 75 that I preferred, despite both being set up the same and with 12-52 strings. I've sold the 105 now, and continue to amazed at the playability and tone of the 75.

I picked up an AF75 in August. I love it (I had an Artcore AS-73 and a borrowed Gibson ES125). My only complaint is that it has an unforgiving buzz problem if your fingerings aren't just right. But, as I'm only 1.5 years into learning jazz guitar, I've just focused on the upside of this making me more disciplined in my playing.

And half the time I don't even bother plugging it into an amp. It has a nice acoustic sound for a quieter practice.

moto · #74 03-25-2011, 02:46 PM

Hi,

i have a beauti AG86...

moto

caravan · #75 03-25-2011, 09:51 PM

Major modifications to an AF85, including end of the fretboard cut off to allow the pickup to be moved up almost 3/4 inch (it now has only 21 frets). I'll explain more later.

papaj77 · #76 03-31-2011, 12:09 PM

Hi,
this is youtube video of my af75 recorded with boss me-25 ( clean preamp with reverb). I love this guitar.

P.S. I'm new to jazz guitar so please excuse my playing

YouTube - ‪ibanez af75‬&rlm;

moto · #77 03-31-2011, 12:59 PM

hey, thats cool!!!
i wish i can play like you!!!!!
hm, did you have the cords or tabs??
i like this song!!! ;]

greetings
moto

papaj77 · #78 03-31-2011, 01:11 PM

it's a bit of sunny, bit of autumn leaves, and a bit of rosemary's lullaby . I don't have tabs just chords.
thanks

djelley · #79 04-01-2011, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abracadabra

Look at the stuff Ibanez is hiding in Japan:

C'mon Ibanez, share it around with the rest of us!

SJ500 | Ibanez guitars

I managed to snag one of these for $1600 shipped. I am a HUGE Artcore Custom fan and have owned almost every model since they were introduced. When the SJ500 was announced, I wanted one BADLY. When I found-out they were only available in Japan, I was really bummed. I had to wait a year to get my hands on one, but it was totally worth it. This thing smokes every other Artcore that I've played.

My number one guitar is a Gibson ES-175 and it is the love of my life. If I'm being totally, completely honest, I'd say that the SJ500 is just half a tick below the Gibby in quality, sound and playability. Maybe even equal to it. Great guitar.

pingu · #80 04-01-2011, 05:29 PM

damn .... I want one of them now !

gingerjazz · #81 04-01-2011, 06:02 PM

Hi guys i too play an af75 and i still cannot believe the price(£299new)i payed for it,it has got to be the best value for money jazz guitar on the market.When i got mine it had really thin strings on it probably tens so i fitted it with eric johnston rollerwound 11s and the guitar was transformed.I also have an american tele which i love but to say the price difference theres not a lot between the two in my opinion.I also sometimes just sit and stare at my af on the stand(yes i am that sad )it is a sunburst model and is without a doubt the best looking guitar ive ever owned.Oh yes really nice playing jazzguyfromnc i love your trio.I hope to play like that one day.

pingu · #82 04-01-2011, 07:18 PM

Hi Djelley,
Can you get as much volume out of that SJ500 (solid top)
before feedback compared to your 175 (lam top) ?

Anyway thats a very beautiful guitar to my eyes
I hope they bring them to the UK sometime

mongrel · #83 04-01-2011, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djelley

I managed to snag one of these for $1600 shipped. I am a HUGE Artcore Custom fan and have owned almost every model since they were introduced. When the SJ500 was announced, I wanted one BADLY. When I found-out they were only available in Japan, I was really bummed. I had to wait a year to get my hands on one, but it was totally worth it. This thing smokes every other Artcore that I've played.

My number one guitar is a Gibson ES-175 and it is the love of my life. If I'm being totally, completely honest, I'd say that the SJ500 is just half a tick below the Gibby in quality, sound and playability. Maybe even equal to it. Great guitar.

Wish I wouldn't have seen that beauty. Now I'm going to dream about one with one of those repro Charlie Christians the Brits make in the neck position instead of the dual 'buckers.

Jabberwocky · #84 04-02-2011, 03:25 AM

The finish is a LOT glossier than what appears in the photo. I wish it had been a satin violin finish like in the photo but it was pure gloss polyurethane.

djelley · #85 04-02-2011, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pingu

Hi Djelley,
Can you get as much volume out of that SJ500 (solid top)
before feedback compared to your 175 (lam top) ?

Anyway thats a very beautiful guitar to my eyes
I hope they bring them to the UK sometime

No. I don't really play at high volume, but what they say about solid tops and feedback is definitely true. Both my SJ500 and my Eastman will feedback much more easily than the 175. I suppose that is one of beautiful things about the 175. It is built like a tank and it doesn't really feedback.

As far as the finish goes - I really prefer poly to nitro. I build guitars and use nitro myself, but I like the fact that you can bang a poly guitar and not have to worry about it. Nitro is too delicate.

The finish on the SJ500 is very glossy - I don't know what the deal is with that photo. And I have no idea why you can't find these anywhere but Japan. I would buy another in a heartbeat if the price were right.

djelley · #86 04-02-2011, 08:24 PM

Here are some photos from the original ebay auction. I haven't had a chance to take any of my own...