Which guitar? Ibanez LR10 or Ibanez AS93

[Andrek]

Hi all,

I'm in the market for a semi-hollow with a preference towards Ibanez for their fit and sound (S58s) and have narrowed my options down to:

1) Used Ibanez LR10 ($930USD) *Pictures attached
or a
2) New Ibanez AS93 ($743USD)

The LR10 is in pristine stock condition which has underwent a restoration by a known luthier. The seller claimed he spent $550USD on the entire setup.

Would like to ask if purchasing a near 40yo MIJ guitar at $200 more than a new AS93 MII guitar is a wise choice considering the age?

Looking forward to the discussion!

[nyc chaz]

LR10 is a great buy at the price you listed.These were really good guitars ,i'd jump on that before someone else buys it.

[Jimmy blue note]

LR without a doubt. Those are ultra rare, hollow with a lightweight foam interior. They were built for only a few years during the greatest period of Ibanez guitars, the early 80's when they first introduced John Scofield's original guitar, when they made the Joe Pass, when they built George Benson's first GB10, when all guitars were Fujigen built and they were out to surpass all standards set by Gibson.
Originally Lee Ritenour was one of the original endorsees along with Joe Pass and George Benson but Scofield's guitar had already been designated the AS-200 and he hadn't become the super star he'd be known as after he was with Miles; that's why the John Scofield appears decades later with his name.
Electronics were wired and insulated to a degree never to be seen again, the necks were super comfortable and at that time they were building an extremely diverse line including the smaller semi that Ben Monder still uses and the smaller body which Gibson would adopt as the model for their 339.

Ibanez hit their stride and they have never matched the quality of this era IMHO. Try it out. See if it clicks. If it seems good, feels like a match to you, snatch it up. I would.

[Average Joe]

The LR10s are semis with a center block like 335s etc. It's been a while since I saw one in the wild, but I was impressed by the ones I've held

[jim777]

The LR10 was a 'top of the line' semi from Ibanez, where the AS93 has always been a midline option. Also, the LR10s have Brazilian rosewood fretboards, if that matters to you IMHO, you'd be crazy to get the AS93 over the LR10.

[Jerzy]

Buy LR10 before it's too late.

[Cunamara]

LR10. Signature model for Lee Ritenour. Hands down.

[Jimmy blue note]

Also, the LR10s have Brazilian rosewood fretboards,

Braz has a higher inherent tone to it (they make marimba keys out of it) and it's really special to have a fingerboard made from it. But be aware if you get the LR, DO NOT take it over an international border. For domestic use only.
These were made before CITES and it's now illegal to travel over the US border with Brazilian Rosewood unless you can document that the wood was cut prior to an early 20th century date (I'm not current on what that is). Many a guitar have been confiscated at the border by customs who are well versed in spotting the grain of Brazwood.

Just sayin'

[Gitfiddler]

My vote: LR10!!!

I've owned two of them over the years and loved both. The only reason I sold them was due to the relatively slim neck profile.

They had wonderful pickups! My understanding is that they were proprietary to this model.

LR10 | Ibanez Wiki | Fandom

[Andrek]

Thanks everyone for your replies! Looks like a very straightforward decision here on.

Fingers crossed the LR10 is still available!

[jim777]

Thanks everyone for your replies! Looks like a very straightforward decision here on.

Fingers crossed the LR10 is still available!

Good Luck Bro! I hope it works out for you

[Craiguitar]

LR10 every time! I had one and it was great. Just watch the binding... this era of Ibanez used a binding that is (tragically) rotting in most cases by now. And if it isn't yet, it will eventually. The multi-layer binding models (the high end guitars like the LR10, GB10, JP20 etc) seem more susceptible. The single binding models fare better. I've seen rotten binding literally just fall off the guitar. A student of mine thought it looked cool and "relic-ed" but I'm not sure I could live with it! It's up to you if it bothers you or not, but be aware that to replace the binding is hugely expensive as it requires a complete refinish. There's no other repair option that I know of. (Note that this is a seperate issue to the pickguard gassing-out and wreaking havoc!)

[Andrek]

Thanks for the heads up on the binding! It's something i would not have taken particular note of if you have not mentioned it. I am assuming the best way to check on the "binding health" is a visual scan for any separation? Is there a more detailed way?

Also the seller has not replied yet but the listing is still up!

[Craiguitar]

No worries. I’ve owned a lot of these guitars and have learnt about the binding issue the hard way. When new it was white, then it yellows and looks fantastic in my opinion. Then brown patches appear and spread, and the next phase is disintegration. Have a close look at any Ibanez from this era for sale today and you’ll see the various stages of this tragic event! Often the seller won’t show close-ups of course. And as mentioned, it seems to be worse on the high-end models with multi-ply binding.

[Craiguitar]

And sorry to harp on about this, but you can clearly see the advanced stages of binding rot in the 2nd photo. That binding in the cutaways was originally white.

[Andrek]

And sorry to harp on about this, but you can clearly see the advanced stages of binding rot in the 2nd photo. That binding in the cutaways was originally white.

Please! Not a bother at all. You might be saving me some hard earn monies. As much as i would love to own a prestigious guitar, i wouldn't want to spend on a pricey restoration.

The attractive price of the guitar is slowly starting to make sense now. Looks like i might have to take a rain check on this piece.

[Cunamara]

If you are able to see this in person, or if not and the seller would give you right of return after a reasonable inspection, it still would be worth checking out. I have an Ibanez GB10 from 1981 which is showing some of ambering of the binding (and of the finish, since it's a blonde). It seems like there is some unfortunate chemical interaction between the finish and the binding material from those days. However, the binding has not actually deteriorated per se in the 43 years has been around and the 38 years I've had it. The guitar plays and sounds very well and I have no concerns about it structurally.