Ibanez Artcore

**max_power** · 11-19-2010, 02:22 PM

I use an Artcore AS. I love the tone and the feel of the guitar, but I'm having a huge problem with keeping it in tune. This thing goes out of tune if I look at it funny.

**gadjo** · 11-19-2010, 08:29 PM

I have an AG-95 trd. That was the best thing i found in the stores when i had the money to buy a guitar.

It sounds brighter than a full body and depending on the strings and amp it can sound wildly different, from dark to thin. It's comfortable and pretty well built and the finish looks awesome. Probably a bit too extravagant even. Changed the neck pickup to a SD Jazz (had it around before the guitar, it's not the greatest match)

Anyway.. go for the bigger bodies if you like the classic jazz sound. Get this one if you want something more modern.

That's my opinion but i am NO expert. I mean.. not even close to experienced actually.

)

**jazzguyfromnc** · 11-23-2010, 01:19 AM

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** · 11-23-2010, 01:20 AM

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

**whiskywheels** · 11-23-2010, 08:36 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** · 11-23-2010, 09:58 AM

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** · 11-23-2010, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by henry b

Thanks Jazzguy , I,ll give it a try .

Cool man PM me if you need anything else.

**emckenrick** · 11-26-2010, 10:18 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** · 11-29-2010, 11:21 AM

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** · 11-29-2010, 11:24 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** · 11-29-2010, 11:28 AM

Thanks for the compliments!

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

**ecohen** · 11-29-2010, 11:33 AM

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** · 03-25-2011, 04:46 PM

Hi,

i have a beauti AG86...

moto

**caravan** · 03-25-2011, 11:51 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.

**djelley** · 04-01-2011, 03:20 PM

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** · 04-01-2011, 06:29 PM

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

**gingerjazz** · 04-01-2011, 07:02 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** · 04-01-2011, 08:18 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** · 04-01-2011, 08:59 PM

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** · 04-02-2011, 04:25 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** · 04-02-2011, 09:16 PM

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** · 04-02-2011, 09:24 PM

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

**willtheguitardude** · 01-20-2012, 10:27 PM

Does anyone like the Ibanez Artcore/ Ibanez Artcore Custom series of full hollow guitars? Look awesome for the cost, but are they truly awesome for the cost? Share your Ibanez stories here, I need some recommendations.

**Help!I'maRock!** · 01-20-2012, 11:50 PM

I'm a big fan of Artcores. The ones I've played seem better constructed than equally priced Epiphones and other budget conscious instruments. My main problem with the brand is simply that i don't like the offered colors. They always fall flat compared to the photoshopped pics on their website.

You might want to hold off on buying anything for a few months. The NAMM show is this weekend and there are lots of new products being offered. Ibanez is expanding the Artcore line, but it'll be a short while until they end up in stores.

**va3ux** · 01-21-2012, 09:34 AM

I've owned one Artcore and it was extremely well made. Not a fault to be found with it. The only reason I don't have it anymore is that the neck shape/profile didn't fit my hand very well. The higher end Artcores have a slightly different neck profile that works better for me. I've played them and I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I didn't already have more guitars than I need.

Whether a guitar is "awesome" or not is totally personal. These are very good guitars and very good value. But let's not pretend that they're the equivalent of a Sadowsky or Benedetto that somehow slipped through the system for just a few hundred $.

Today's generation is very lucky compared to the beginning players of the 60's or 70's. Back then we had a choice of either real entry-level low quality junk - or professional level guitars from Gibson, Fender, Guild, etc. Nothing in between that I recall. The very affordable stuff available today from Korea and China is a dream come true compared to what we had available 40 years ago.