Ibanez PM35NT...Opinions?

Jazzophobe · #1 04-12-2010, 07:44 AM

OK everyone. I am considering purchasing a used Metheny Ibanez PM35NT for $549.00. Just looking for opinions right now. This would be archtop #5, so I'm guessing I'll pass unless someone comes up with an earth shattering review.

RAQ · #2 04-13-2010, 09:59 AM

I would say it depends on what the other four archtops are - the PM35 is rather like a single pickup 'Joe Pass', but maybe more responsive than the 'Joe Pass' (has a fuller acoustic sound). About the same level, or a touch above, the Artcore Custom series.

That single pickup is OK too - I think it's the 'Super 58' ... which isn't quite the same as the 'Super 58 Custom' on the GB models. You'd just need to double check that stuff about the pups though because I think there can be some confusion over them.

Not the ringing endorsement you may have wanted maybe; but then I'm not the World's greatest authority, so it might be worth waiting to see if others chime in before writing it off completely. I don't know how the US prices translate to be able to judge whether $549 is a good price or not.

Jazzophobe · #3 04-13-2010, 04:37 PM

Thanks for the reply. I didn't hear from anyone else, so I went and played it, and, of course, it played real nice (I say, of course, because I need another archtop like I need a hole in the head). I went ahead and purchased this used from Guitar Center. I did notice another GC location had a used model for $699.00. As stated previously, I paid $549.00 plus Case. I'm fairly certain this is a pretty good deal as these LIST for $1199.00 (but you can buy them just about anywhere in the states for around $899.00 brand new). This guitar is also in absolute pristine conditionl. It is a bit brighter than my other archtops (Epi ES 175, Gibby ES 135, Heritage H575, Guild X 170), but that is due, at least in part, to the round wound 11's (which I'll probably switch to flat wound's next chance I get). All in all, a VERY nice guitar for the money. Next thing I need to do is get to the shrink to have my head examined. What can I do though? I love archtops!!

SoliDeoGloria · #4 04-19-2010, 01:01 PM

Excellent deal on that! If you ever want to sell it......

Play on bro!

Jazzophobe · #5 04-19-2010, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoliDeoGloria

Excellent deal on that! If you ever want to sell it......

Play on bro!

Other than the fact that the B string buzzes at the 12 fret (an area I tend to spend a lot of time in), she's a wonderful guitar. I'm quite happy with my new aquisition...

nado64 · #6 03-04-2011, 04:57 AM

I've tried it yesterday.

When you take it for the first, the weight is very suprising, it's a very light instrument.
The neck is very confortable, I like the radius and the low action.
The sound is so beautiful ! typical from a jazz hollow body.
Finitions are top.

For this price, it's the best hollow-body I never tried. The note is 10/10 !

The pickup is Super 58 custom, the difference with the super 58 is the magnets are ceramic.

Dookychase · #7 03-04-2011, 07:47 AM

Jazzophobe, don't go to a shrink. The money you spend on a shrink means less money to buy an archtop.

So many guitars, so little money. (sigh)

M-ster · #8 03-04-2011, 10:20 AM

Nice guitar, Jazzophobe!

valriver40 · #9 03-04-2011, 11:26 AM

great buy! one can never have enough archtop's.

pierre richard · #10 03-04-2011, 09:39 PM

My baby is a 1977 2355 Ibanez (es175) which I bought used in 1978..

tomastick 014 flatwounds...low to medium action..through a Polytone Mini Brute..

time on the instrument..pierre

M-ster · #11 03-05-2011, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nado64

I've tried it yesterday.

When you take it for the first, the weight is very suprising, it's a very light instrument.

Does this mean that the guitar is also "neck-heavy"?

nado64 · #12 03-05-2011, 01:09 PM

The guitar, neck and body, is lightweight.

M-ster · #13 03-05-2011, 03:23 PM

I think you're trying, but you didn't quite answer my question. If you let go of the guitar, does it stay balanced in your lap, or does the headstock drop towards the floor? (I have a personal dislike for neck-heavy, unbalanced designs.)

Banksia · #14 03-05-2011, 05:16 PM

I have 10 archtops. I'm not obsessive-compulsive. I'm just "eccentric."

nado64 · #15 03-06-2011, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M-ster

I think you're trying, but you didn't quite answer my question. If you let go of the guitar, does it stay balanced in your lap, or does the headstock drop towards the floor? (I have a personal dislike for neck-heavy, unbalanced designs.)

I'm not bilingual, some subtleties escape me sometimes....

I tried this guitar in a music shop, but, I don't remember unbalance.
If that was the case, I imagine it would have shocked me. Like you, I love having my comfort.

M-ster · #16 03-06-2011, 01:47 PM

No disrespect intended - you're doing fine, nado64. I barely speak English, and it's my only language!

Thanks for the additional info!

nado64 · #17 03-06-2011, 02:01 PM

@M-ster : you did well to precise your request.

if someone has some informations about the custom 58 pickup or ceramic pickup in general, I'm interested.
For my impression, with this pickup, the notes seemed to me quite distinct.

Jazzophobe · #18 03-06-2011, 05:24 PM

Wow, this post is going on 1 year old, and I still have my PM35NT (along with about 7 other archtops). For the price, it is really a very nice guitar. My luthier was even impressed!

perfischer · #19 03-06-2011, 05:36 PM

Excellent choice - I love mine too

NiAg · #20 03-06-2011, 06:26 PM

OK, now stop it.

I am sure to owe some tax from 2010, and the last thing I need is more talk about a high value nice guitar that will sound great w/o any babying. Really, have some consideration for us with no will power,...

nado64 · #21 03-08-2011, 08:37 AM

Do you know if Pat Metheny recorded something with this guitar ?

Jazzophobe · #22 03-08-2011, 12:13 PM

Don't know. I do know that Ibanez makes two Metheny models, the PM35, and the higher end, PM120 ($3,000.00!). I'm guessing Pat records with the PM120 (even though, cosmetically, I like the look of the PM 35 so much more). I haven't played the PM 120 either, but the PM 35 is a very nicely built Chinese model.

perfischer · #23 03-08-2011, 01:40 PM

There was a PM100 with only one PU at some point as well.

Not that I could pay anything like the cost of a 120, I did play one in the shop where I bought my PM35. I also prefer the softer look of the PM35, the single cutaway and the single PU, but the price was also a factor of course.

M-ster · #24 03-08-2011, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzophobe

... cosmetically, I like the look of the PM 35 so much more ...

I'm with you. I didn't know about this model, prior to this thread, and I was struck by how straight ahead and uncluttered this guitar appears to be. Very utilitarian, but also beautiful.

I hope, in real life, it lives up to its appearance!

mangotango · #25 03-09-2011, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nado64

Do you know if Pat Metheny recorded something with this guitar ?

I seem to recall from a Guitar Player interview a couple of years back that he uses the PM20 (which is the higher-end version of the PM35 - a deeper body and MIJ rather than China).

If I were buying an archtop now, the PM 35 would be the kind of thing that I'd be looking for, and certainly within my budget.

Soco · #26 03-09-2011, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mangotango

I seem to recall from a Guitar Player interview a couple of years back that he uses the PM20 (which is the higher-end version of the PM35 - a deeper body and MIJ rather than China).

If I were buying an archtop now, the PM 35 would be the kind of thing that I'd be looking for, and certainly within my budget.

I think his PM 20 is special made.
I did have a PM20 made in korea(now discontinued) it costed around 1300 new at the time, it was a nice guitar, but not as nice as the PM-100 and PM 120.
Still I regret selling it.

M-ster · #27 03-13-2011, 11:51 PM

Looks like Pat's playing one, here:
http://blog.unitedwetab.com/pat%20metheny.jpg

But, different tailpiece. Like a Peerless?

Soco · #28 03-16-2011, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M-ster

Looks like Pat's playing one, here:
http://blog.unitedwetab.com/pat%20metheny.jpg

But, different tailpiece. Like a Peerless?

Yes the tailpiece is different. Also not the pickup placement, more like a 175.

3rdwaverider · #29 12-26-2011, 08:50 PM

I bought a PM35 about two months ago. I love it. I do not have an amp, so I've played it unplugged all this time. It has very clear intonations and projects well in full acoustic mode. The neck has got to be one of the key attractions of this guitar. The inlays in the fret board are beautiful. The woodwork and craftsmanship in the box itself is flawless. If this guitar were made in North America it would cost 5X the price.

I read earlier in this thread that someone had purchased a PM35 and experienced buzzing in the bridge. Mine came out of the box with a buzz, too. I had it set-up, and in the process, the guitar tech removed some spring-washers in the bridge that she felt were contributing to the problem. I can't be certain if that was the cause, but between that, the set-up and a new set of Thomastik George Benson nickel flatounds, the problem was eliminated.

This past weekend I got a Vox headphone amp and have been playing through that for the past two days; the guitar sounds gorgeous - full, woody, jazz box tones. Amazing. Can't wait until my Roland Cube 80XL arrives.

Before buying I was comparing it a few other archtops in the same price range. The Epiphone Broadway is definitely worth checking out, wish it would have been available so I could have played it. I've heard good things about it.
The Godin 5th Avenue played like a dream in my hands, but through the amp it sounded too much like an acoustic to my ear.

I am very pleased with the PM35. I read in an interview that Pat said he wanted to create a quality, entry-level jazz box and with the PM35, he's done it. I am sure that as I progress as a Jazz player, I'll acquire other archtops, but I know the PM35 will always be a keeper.